Chunk, Mr Squiggles, Num Nums and Pipsqueak are four toy hamsters from the Go Go Pets range that have quickly become a Most Wanted item for many children. This range is also known as Zhu Zhu Pets.
For ages 4 years and older • 2 x AAA batteries required (not included)
£9.99 from Character From $19.99 on Amazon
These interactive and rather realistic hamsters feature a kind of artificial intelligence, they can talk and move around their habitat.
Many soft toys that have battery operated features are often merely short-lived novelties; and sometimes, an expensive novelty. However, Go Go Hamsters look like they’ll provide a great deal of fun. They are ready to be played with at any time and they can get up to all sorts of antics with the playset accessories (sold separately).
The video below shows all the fun that’s to be had without the responsibility of feeding, cleaning or burial.
Each of the four hamsters has been given its own characteristics:
- Chunk is a laidback surfer Hamster has a big heart and an even bigger belly
- Mr Squiggles is the modern day Hamster Houdini. When he’s not hiding or playing tricks you’ll find him tumbling around in his little exercise ball
- Num Nums is shy yet sweet and will sneak her way into your heart with all her hamster kisses
- Pipsqueak is super sweet and smart, apparently the brains of the Go Go Hamsters operation
This is the kind of dolls’ house that could be from every little girls’ dreams. It is available exclusively from Great Little Trading Company and has been cleverly designed to be easily accessed by little hands. It features a staircase, an attic and a front door that is magnetically held closed.
For ages 3 years and older • Assembly required
£95.00 exclusive to GLTC
The outside of the Summer Hill dolls’ house features some sweet painted decoration and has window boxes, opening windows and shutters. The dolls’ house, made from MDF and rubber wood, needs to be built but it’s fairly easy and surprisingly enjoyable to do. A perfectly matched range of furniture and dolls are sold separately.
An assembled Summer Hill House measures 67cm high x 61cm wide x 35cm deep.
Summer Hill House
Exclusive to Great Little Trading Company
For ages 3 years and older • Assembly required
A stay at the Sylvanian Grand Hotel is an experience all Sylvanians will love. It’s the perfect setting for weddings, celebrations and receptions and an ideal place for simply just getting away from it all.
For ages 4 years and older
£99.95 from John Lewis
Guests can enjoy dining in the luxury dining room, dance the night away in the ballroom and relax in one of the bedrooms.
Balconies provide a beautiful view of the surroundings. The Sylvanian Families Grand Hotel includes 2 figures (a chef and a waitress) and over 25 accessories, including room keys, a working chandelier, a hotel reception desk with bell, ornamental shrubs in planters, suitcases and a suitcase trolley.
Furniture is not included with the Grand Hotel.
Sylvanian Families Grand Hotel
By Flair • Product No. 4700
For ages 4 years and older • Battery for chandelier included
Where to Buy Sylvanian Families Grand Hotel
| |  | £99.95 |  | |
| |  | £99.99 | |  |
| |  | £99.99 | |
Sylvanians too can enjoy some retail therapy by visiting the Applewood Department Store. There are clothes, toy, and book departments. Shoppers can also enjoy drinks and an ice cream in the cafe.
For ages 4 years and older
£79.99 from Toys R Us
It features an opening central door, veranda and display window on the ground floor; there’s a bay window on the first floor. There are also raised platforms on both levels. This fabulous store for the cute Sylvanian population comes with over 200 accessories.
The Applewood Cottage (sold separately, Flair product no. 4872) can be stacked onto the department store to create a grand four storey building.
Sylvanian Families Applewood Department Store
By Flair • Product no. 4861
For ages 4 years and older • No batteries required
Where to Buy Applewood Department Store
| | | £79.99 | | |
| | | £84.99 | | |
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With 4 storeys and an array of outdoor areas, this pretty riverside property set in a charming hollow tree even comes with its very own boat. There’s a boat house on the ground floor and a spacious living area.
For ages 4 years and older
£79.99 from Toys R Us
Sylvanians can climb the step ladder onto the balcony, which surrounds the whole of the first floor. There’s another room though the door, ideal for use as a dining room, as pictured.
The second floor features round windows in the room. There is outdoor decking, a gazebo and sunshade area, all connected by a rope bridge.
On the top floor, which would be perfect for a bathroom, there’s a large window providing an excellent view of the surroundings from the very desirable Old Oak Hollow Treehouse.
Figures and furniture are not included.
Sylvanian Families Old Oak Hollow Treehouse
By Flair • Product no.
For ages 4 years and older • No batteries required
Where to Buy Old Oak Hollow Treehouse
| | | £79.99 | | |
| | | £84.99 | | |
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Without doubt, Red Rum is the most famous race horse in British history. Britain’s most famous horse won the Britain’s most famous race, the Grand National, in 1973, 1974 and 1977. Red Rum was also runner-up of the Grand National twice. The legendary Red Rum died at the age of 30 in 1995 and is buried near the winning post at Aintree.
Breyer have made a fine 1:9 scale detailed model of Red Rum as part of its Traditional range of models. The model is made from a high-quality plastic (cellulose acetate) and is hand painted; as are all models from this range which includes American favourite, Sea Biscuit.
Red Rum | by Breyer
For ages 8 years and older
Disney’s latest animated film, Bolt, has been released in British cinemas. Having already been released in the US in time for its holiday season, Bolt has been nominated for an Oscar.
Bolt is a canine super-hero with special powers, such as, a bark that can blast away cars, laser-eyes and an ability jump high and far soaring through the air. At least that’s what Bolt thinks, in fact he’s the star of a fictional TV series.
Thinking the show is real, Bolt (John Travolta) escapes his trailer in an attempt to rescue the kidnapped Penny (Miley Cyrus). Bolt accidentally gets parceled off to New York, so he enlists help and learns to get by with his real abilities.
This is classic Disney: someone gets lost, there’s a long journey, the evil TV villain is reminiscent of Cruella D’Ville, there are pigeons that remind me of the crows in Dumbo and of course the hero is a popular choice of animal. A great film nonetheless for half-term.
Bolt is on general release now with a PG rating due to “…mild threat and scary moments.” A 3D version is being shown in selected cinemas.
The Toys
Talking Bolt
This 12 inch soft toy of a cheery looking version of the action hero says three phrases when give him a squeeze.
Talking Bolt by Flair | £17.00
For ages three years and older | Requires 2 x AA batteries (included)
Available from: The Entertainer
Rhino in Hamster Ball
Grown-ups and older child may already have seen the antics of a hamster-in-a-ball but now the young can enjoy this classic idea with a Disney character. Flick the switch on Rhino’s tummy and watch him roll.
Rhino Hamster in Ball by Flair | £11.00
For ages 3 years and older | 1 x AAA battery (not included)
Available from: The Entertainer
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Rhino
This set contains Bolt and Rhino as two soft to touch figurines from the film, a background scene and a baseball cap. A flock material covers the figures (in similar fashion to Sylvanian Families).
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Rhino by Flair | £6.00
For 3 years and older | No batteries required
Available from: The Entertainer
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Penny
Bolt and Penny in front of a background scene, with an all important carrot.
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Penny by Flair | £6.00
For 3 years and older | No batteries required
Available from: The Entertainer
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Mittens
Bolt and Mittens in front of a background scene, accessorised with a bone.
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Mittens by Flair | £6.00
For 3 years and older | No batteries required
Available from: The Entertainer
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Penny with Scooter
Bolt lets off a super-bark while Penny rides a scooter whilst wearing the correct safety gear.
Mini Figure Collectible: Bolt & Penny with Scooter by Flair | £6.00
For 3 years and older | No batteries required
Available from: The Entertainer
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Rescue Pals Swim to Me Puppy
Rather than arriving at your home with a bad smell and a lack of house-training, instead this stray is complete with towel and a pair of swimming goggles that just about cover his big puppy eyes.
Rescue Pals Swim to Me Puppy | Character Options
For children 3 years and older | 3 x AAA batteries required
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Polly Pocket - Glitter Garage
The Polly Pocket Glitter Garage lets you glam-up Polly’s ride!
Make Polly drive the car into the garage’s chamber, add some glue and shake on the glitter. Add a touch of bling to the wheels by turning the crank handle and Polly’s wheels gain a set of shiny, purple flower patterned hub-caps.
This set includes a Polly Pocket doll, as well the car, garage playset, glitter and glue.
Polly Pocket - Down the Ramp
Polly Pocket Glitter Garage | Mattel
For ages 4 years and older | No batteries required
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Jungle In My Pocket Animal Pack
From the makers of Puppy In My Pocket and Kitty In My Pocket, this new range features similarly made cute and furry figurines.
There is a core range of jungle animals sold in packs of 4. There are 16 different animals in this part of the range. All the animals in these packs are visible without opening the packaging and there are some accessories included as well.
Mum & Babies are also sold in packs of 4. Each pack has a mum and 3 babies, a little display stand and a sheet of stickers. There are 4 different Mum & Babies sets sold in these packs.
The Safari Rescue set is a 4×4 with an oranutan as driver and doctor. The back of the 4×4 opens-up to reveal a bed and doctor’s case, ready to take care of injured jungle animals.
The Monkey Hang-Out is the perfect place for the monkey family, mum and 3 babies, that’s exclusive to this play-set to rest and play in. There’s a living room with an armchair and fireplace, there’s also a bedroom. Outside there’s a tyre-swing hanging off a branch.
Pandas can hide away in the Panda Hut. This home has a living room with an armchair and fireplace, while the roof flips over to reveal a bedroom. A family of Pandas, mum and 3 babies, are included and are exclusive to the Panda Hut play-set.
All the Jungle In My Pocket animals are welcome to the Jungle Treehouse. They can eat at the café, ride on the spiral leaf roundabout, visit the climbing wall, go to the fruit trolley or take a nap in one of the rotating bedrooms. There’s a working lift, which can even go to the look-out post on the roof. The Jungle In My Pocket Jungle Treehouse includes 3 animals: a cheetah, an orangutan and a giraffe.
Some independent shops are being supplied with the Jungle In My Pocket Confectionery range. These are sold singly or in triple packs , every pack comes with some jelly sweets. There 26 characters to collect, 6 of which are rare and are only randomly available in the triple packs. There are 2 additional figures, a jaguar and a meerkat, which are only available by collecting tokens on the confectionery pack. There’s 1 token on the single packs and 3 on the triple packs.
Catalogue retailer Argos and a Value 12 Pack available which includes 4 exclusive characters, which are a dolphin, penguin, seal and whale. Argos also offer a free Puppy In My Pocket board game when you buy any 2 In My Pocket items featured in their catalogue.
Anyone who does collect all the characters from the entire range will have a grand total of 72 different figurines.