Whackey Toys | Toys for everyone

Half Term Deals on Paddling Pools

2010-06-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

Toy Deals and Discounts for the half term - Paddling Pools

Ah, the summer is on the way which means it's a good time to grab yourself some deals and discounts on toys. First up, I know II haven't posted for a while - I've been very busy over the past 10 months. To be honest, I was meaning to get back into the whole toy blog article writing thing but... well, you know how things go.

Anyhow, enough waffle. Time for the latest deals on toys.

The warm weather seems to be creeping ever closer (then running away again!) so maybe it's time to put a paddling pool on standby. Toys R Us have got a huge selection of goodies on offer.

There's a mini pool for baby for only £4.99 but if you're after something a little bigger try this: Sizzlin' Cool 8ft Splash Ring Pool Only £29.99. Perfect for the slightly larger monsters! I've added some images at the bottom of the page for you and I'll add some links as well.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any online discount codes for these paddling pools (did a search on the web and nothing obvious sprung up - ah well). I guess you could always check out some of the other toy reatailers on the internet and see if they've got some better offers. Alternatively, you could take a look at ebay for some really cheap offerings but check delivery price first, keep your bids low and don't get 'click happy' (Pah, who needs discount codes when you've got sites like ebay?)

Christmas Toys | List of Predicted Top Ten sellers Released

2009-07-31T04:47:00.000-07:00

You know it's nearly time to get your wallet out again when a retailer announces their list of expected Christmas top ten toys! Hamley's were first out of the door with their predictions which features a mix of both traditional and new must have offerings The list, released on 21st July, is shown below:

1) Battle Strikers Tournament Set
2) Transformers Bumblebee Helmet
3) Transformers Movie Leaders
4) V Motion ( a bit like a Playstation for very young kids)
5) Kidizoom Camera
6) Barbie & the Three Musketeers Doll
7) Barbie & the Three Musketeers Miette Kitten
8) Rubik’s 360 (new kid on the block)
9) Bop It (not a surprise! Annoyingly good fun!)
10) Lego Minotaurus Game from Lego

There you have it; a mix of toys from the people that know what sells at Christmas. At this point, I have to add that you shouldn't feel obliged to rush out and buy any of these as gifts but I'm sure the soon to come deluge of advertising will have children almost demanding 'that toy'!

What is quite refreshing to see it that likes of Lego toys are still going strong. I remember my first set as a birthday present way back when I was about 6 years old. Admittedly, times have changed and Lego have kept with trends (Lego Star Wars sets, etc) but I do like to have those nostalgic moments....

Anyway, enough rambling. There you have it: top ten Christmas toys - some not as expensive as you might think!

Terminator Mask

2009-07-27T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Terminator Voice N Vision Mask has been released to coincide with the launch of Terminator: Salvation. Get ready for Terminator related spin-offs galore...just in time for Christmas!

Ok, it's nothing super hi-tech - the mask looks like the original T-600. Here's the manufacturers sales pitch:

Have you ever wished you had a super-human robot skull? The Terminator Salvation Movie - T-600 Voice 'n' Vision Mask is based on the skull of the T-600 robot from the popular action move. With voice changer, lights, sounds and steel-plated chrome features, this role play accessory is sure to impress even the biggest of fans.

Apparently, if you're a budding Terminator then this Voice 'n' Vision Mask is all you need to become a T-600 robot, killer machine from the future!

My own thoughts? A bit of harmless fun maybe, but if I really wanted to be a lunatic cyborg I'd take the shape changer anyday. Anyhow, keep your eyes peeled as the Terminator Voice N Vision mask should be in the stores soon.

Elmo Live still around for Christmas

2009-07-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Elmo Live revs up for Christmas

Remember Elmo Live? He's that quirky little animatronic toy whose sales went through the roof last Christmas. It looks like he's set to have another bumper year in 2009 as, according to reports, the number of internet searches for Elmo have been showing an upwards trend as we edge nearer to Christmas. I know there's still about 154 days to go but it'll be here before you know it!

So what makes Elmo so special? For a start, he's one of the central characters in that timeless childrens series, Sesame Street (just going starry eyed as I remember my youthful days! In fact, the character was so popular that he even had his own spin off series.

The first Elmo Toy that was released hit the market way back in 1996. It was called Tickle Me Elmo and when you did, he would shake and laugh.

Tens years and, following Tickle Me Elmo's success, the follow up was released; Tickle Me Elmo Extreme. Pretty much the same as the original except that he'd laugh and beg for you to stop tickling whilst he rolled around on the floor.

The latest version, Elmo Live, has a number of new features that appeal to kids:

* Elmo 'speaks' - his mouth opens and closes just like the real muppet.
* He waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs.
* One feature that seems to keep children captivated is Elmo's story telling - he even jokes, singing songs and plays games.
* Head bobbles back and forth as he speaks.
* All the interactions can be activated by a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo’s foot, tummy, back or nose.

Sure, it's a toy that will probably drive parents nuts but Elmo Live looks set to be another Christmas best seller.

Rubik's Cube Touch

2009-07-16T04:15:00.000-07:00

Remember Rubik's Cube? I used to able to complete the original in just over a ~~minute~~ week! If you're fan of horrendously annoying brain teasers you'll definitely want to know about the new version: the Rubik's TouchCube, the first completely electronic solvable Cube.

The TouchCube works in the same way as the original Cube (which has sold around 350 million pieces), but uses some pretty high tech (well, compared to the original) in touch and motion technologies.

Apparently, Techno Source, the manufacturers of the Touch Cube have been working on the design for about 3 years so it had better be good!

"Rubik's TouchCube is the 'dream cube' for anyone who's into high-tech gadgets - it combines today’s most current technologies with the iconic Rubik's Cube", or so they say.

The TouchCube, which will launch in the Autumn of 2009, features touch sensor technology on all six sides, a motion-detecting accelerometer, and most importantly; coloured lights in every square so you get that authentic Rubiks experience.

Worried that you'll lose your place when you switch it off? This electronic cube has internal memory that lets you save you current puzzle.

There's also a range of sound effects and a light show that runs its charging in the docking station. The Rubiks TouchCube should launch with a price tag of about £129! That's an expensive upgrade!

Whackey Toys | Clone Trooper Helmet

2009-07-07T02:11:00.000-07:00

Seeing toys like the Star Wars Clone Trooper Helmet makes me kind of jealous! I have vivid memories of lining up at the cinema to see the original Star Wars film so many years ago...forgive my starry eyed reminiscing! Sure, back then we had the Star Wars trading cards and the plastic figurines (R2-D2 was my favourite but I never could quite master that whistling) but there's a huge range of toys available for children now. One example is Lego; have you seen all the different characters and vehicles that you can buy?

Back to the Clone Trooper Helmet. So what's so great about it? Well, for a start you get to be one of the bad guys! I know we all want to be heroes but from time to time I'm sure most of us have fantasised about being the evil leader who is set on taking over the universe...or is that just me? For a start, it lets you 'become' one of the clone troopers, if only until mum calls you in for tea. There's also a built-in microphone that does a great job amplifying amplifying the wearers voice - there's even a static noise effect that gives your speech the authentic clone sound. There's also a selection of pre-recorded clone trooper commands from the “frontline”! Just press the phrases button for battle commentary and and hear phrases such as “Get ready to turn those clankers into scrap metal,” or “I’ve got a bad feeling about this, sir.”

This toy is aimed at kids but I'm pretty sure that some adult fans of Star Wars will probably get a kick out of the Clone Trooper helmet (if you can fit it on your head!).

Space Hopper: Let's go retro

2009-06-10T03:37:00.000-07:00

Remember this hideous monster? Cast you mind back to the 70's...it's the space hopper! It's an iconic symbol of all that's horrendously bouncy and orange!You may well be surprised to know that the Space Hopper is still going strong.

When this toy was first released the manufacturers made some outrageous claims that it would make bicycles, cars, and walking become things of the past - apparently the whole world was going to hop everywhere. Fortunately, this vision of the future never came about but that didn't shoppers buying the space hopper in huge numbers.

Ugly as it may appear, the Space Hopper is great fun and you may well find yourself prising the kids off of it just so that you can have a bounce.

A bit of space hopper history

The original UK version of the space hopper was made by Mettoy (Mettoy-Corgi).

Originally released in 1968, the US was marketed as the Hoppity Hop (although the name has been distorted to "hippity hop").

The earliest HH's were made of rubber (usually red or blue) with a round ring handle on top and automotive tire valve for inflation. On the back of huge sales figures, a number of spin-offs were created including Disney's Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (featuring hard plastic copies of the character's head attached to the ball).

Sadly, during the 1990s sales of the HH started to slip due to high levels of competition from foreign hoppers - most of them being of poor quality, easily punctured material. The original Hoppity Hop is now no longer being manufactured by original versions can still be found at auctions or for sale on the internet.

As you've probably guessed, the Space Hopper, and it's cousins, haven't been designed for just kids...they're great fun for adults too! Mmm, take me back....

Busy Ball Popper: If only...

2009-06-05T06:20:00.000-07:00

...I could turn back time!

Looking back, the toys availabel when I was a child seem so bland. I've just bought my little one a Busy Ball Popper. Heard of it? If not, it's one of those toys that's guaranteed to keep your youngsters playing with it for hours and hours. More importantly, it's actually pretty cheap compared to some of the so called learning toys on the market right now - I've seen prices between £35 and £40 so it shouldn't break the bank.

What is it, and, will it annoy parents? Firstly, it's an air-powered toy that plays a range of 8 songs and some silly sound effects and is designed for children of 9 months upwards. Second answer; yes, probably. If you're adverse to hearing little ditties being played over and over again you'd better invest in some earplugs! And get used to picking up the balls - they're constantly being blown all over the place!

Don't let me put you off. This is actually a really cool toy for young kids - it's one of the few that I've found that keep mine occupied for more than about 3 minutes!

Pleo Dinosaur: Extinction Looming?

2009-06-04T02:53:00.000-07:00

Sad news for fans of Pleo the Dinosaur: manufacturers Ugobe filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17! So does this mean the end of the interactive robot baby dinosaur named Pleo?

Not necessarily. The company has carried out a number of preliminary discussions with potential buyers which could see Pleo rise from the ashes.

The fall is all the more stunning consider Ugobe's income: only $209,669 so far this year compared to a spectacular $19.2 million last year, mainly on the back of the hugely successful Pleo toy which launched back in 2006. The friendly Casamarasaurus was even hailed as one of the best inventions of the year by Time Magazine.

Suspected reasons for the action centre mainly on the price tag - between $280 and $350 - being too high for consumers at a time when the economy is slow and consumer spending is down.

Right now, it doesn't look good for the Pleo dinosaur but who knows, a much needed cash injection may just resurrect this friendly dinosaur!