Top 12 Christmas toys for less

Kid's toys can be surprisingly expensive. Find out where you can buy this year's must-haves at the cheapest prices.

The Toy Retailers Association has published its annual ‘Dream Toys’ list, highlighting the toys it believes will be this Christmas’s best sellers. So let’s take a look at what they are, and where you can get them!

Doggie Doo

My Nan is well known among the family for the very classy and highbrow gifts she dishes out*, and this one would be right up her street. All the players take turns to squeeze the lead of the lovely toy dachshund. At some point, as a result of all that squeezing, the dog will ‘poop’ some plasticine poo. Yes, really.

Whoever was squeezing the lead at the time the dog does a poo has to scoop that poop using the poop scoop. Apparently, not only is Doggie Doo barrels of fun, but it also teaches young children about the less pleasant bits of having pets.

*This is a lie

Recommended retail price(RRP) - £22.99

Best deal I’ve found - £19.54 on Amazon.

Fijit Friend

A Fijit Friend is described as an “interactive best friend”, which is capable of chatting with you. It recognises more than 30 keywords, and can then respond with over 150 phrases.

What’s more, if you play music, the Fijit will – and this is a direct quote from the manufacturers – “groove to the beat with her hilariously fidgety body”. Quite.

Fijit Friends are for children aged six years and over.

RRP - £54.99

Best deal I’ve found - £46.99 at Toys R Us.

Fireman Sam Pontypandy Rescue Set

I used to love Fireman Sam as a kid (the fact I got a Fireman Sam sticker from my dentist when I went for checkups made the whole ordeal worthwhile) so it’s heartening to see that he’s still the nation’s favourite fireman.

With the rescue set, you’re tasked with helping Sam put out building fires, rescuing Norman from the railings he’s managed to trap his head in, and all the other sorts of fun and games that firefighters face.

RRP - £29.99

Best deal I’ve found - £24.99 at Toys R Us.

Kidizoom Twist

The Kidizoom Twist is a two megapixel camera for kids. There’s a built-in flash, zoom, colour screen and even games installed on the camera. You can edit your pictures in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, while there’s also a voice recording facility.

It’s designed for kids over three, and recommended that adults are always directly supervising what the kids get up to with it.

RRP - £49.99

Best deal I’ve found - £36.96 at Argos.

LeapPad Explorer

The LeapPad is basically an educational iPad for kids. It comes with games and downloadable apps designed to help children develop their skills in things like maths, science, music and geography.

You can also download e-books, while there is a built in camera and video recorder if your child is feeling particularly creative!

RRP - £79.99

Best deal I’ve found - £79.99 at Argos.

Lets Rock Elmo

One of the few TV shows guaranteed to get my son’s attention is Elmo’s World. Clearly he’s not alone, as the little guy I remember from Sesame Street is apparently going to be a top seller this year. The Elmo toy makes music with you, playing along with other ‘Lets Rock’ instruments (sold separately, naturally). He also sings six songs, including ‘It Takes Two’ and the ABC song.

The toy is designed for kids aged 18 months and above.

RRP - £69.99

Best deal I’ve found - £49.64 at Amazon.

Milky the Bunny

Who wouldn’t want a soft toy bunny, which moves around just like a real rabbit, courtesy of the “hidden sensors and clever interactive technology”? Apparently Milky will chew on a carrot, wiggle his feet when tickled, and if he’s afraid his ears will tremble (how you frighten a toy rabbit, I'm not entirely sure). And once you’ve tired him out, he’ll nod off to sleep on his own, snoring away.

This toy is for children aged two and over.

RRP - £59.99

Best deal I’ve found - £44.99 at Toys R Us.

Lagoona’s Hydration Station

Ever heard of Monster High? Nope, me neither, but apparently it’s a popular line of fashion dolls, with a horror twist. Think Barbie from Hell.

And one character in particular is predicted to be popular this year – Lagoona Blue, apparently the daughter of the Sea Monster who speaks with an Australian accent and keeps a pet piranha in her fishbowl purse. You can buy the doll, complete with hydration station (which she uses to re-moisturise at night).

I’ll be honest, even after researching this toy, I haven’t got the foggiest idea what it actually does.

RRP - £39.99

Best deal I’ve found - £24.99 at Toys R Us.

Moshling Treehouse

Clearly ghouls and goblins are very ‘in’ this year, and this toy revolves around the ‘Moshi Monsters’, little pet monsters.

And the Moshling Treehouse is a place to play with and keep your moshlings. You even get the exclusive Roxy Moshling included.

RRP - £18.99

Best deal I’ve found - £14.99 at Toys R Us.

Nerf Vortex Nitron

Nerf guns have long been popular with the kids (and the not so young) in my family, and this one looks pretty good. It’s an automatic, clip-fed blaster, and even comes with an electronic scope to aid your aim! What’s more, there’s an acceleration trigger so you can power up for more long-distance shots.

This toy is for kids aged eight and above.

RRP - £44.99

Best deal I’ve found - £33.32 at Argos.

Lego Ninjago Fire Temple

Lego was a huge part of my childhood, and thankfully it’s still going strong. The Ninjago Fire Temple is part of Lego’s ninja-themed range, and includes seven minifigures, a range of weapons (including nunchucks of lightning and the Dragon sword of fire) and a poseable Fire Dragon.

It looks like hours of fun to me.

RRP - £91.99

Best deal I’ve found - £68.53 at Amazon.

Star Wars Darth Vader Lightsaber

Star Wars may be pushing thirty five years of age, but it still has a grip on the world’s children. And this lightsaber allows you to play as film’s greatest baddie, Darth Vader. You get all the light effects and sounds that you’d expect as you do battle, but that’s about it.

RRP - £39.99

Best deal I’ve found – £29.99 at The Entertainer.

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