This year, there’s a bumper crop of great gifts for girls in the shops. Perennial favourites like dollies feature heavily, but girls are also well catered for in the cute and cuddly animal department.
The Best Toys for Girls
The following list, which is in random order, is based on current market trends, and includes recommended retail prices. The list is based on research done by the Toy Retailers Association, who survey toy shops in the UK and Ireland to produce their extensive "Dream Toys" prediction lists.
ZhuZhu Grooming Salon
Manufactured by: Character Options, RRP £22.99
The phenomenal success of Zhu Zhu Hamsters, who look and feel like real hamsters, continues with this super cute grooming salon where girls will be able to keep their toy pets in tip top condition.
Baby Born Magic Feeding Doll
Manufactured by: Zapf Creation, RRP £34.99
This Baby Born also comes as a boy dolly, which is particularly nice for girls with baby brothers. He/She will drink/wet and cry real tears. Luckily, whichever you buy, they're waterproof!
FurReal Go Go My Walkin’ Pup
Manufactured by: Hasbro, RRP £59.99
Yes, this is the most expensive gift on the list, but at least you won’t have to feed it! The closest you can get to a real dog, this puppy will bark and trot along really realistically, with a lead attached to a hand held controller. He also expresses his personality with 18 different doggy sounds.
JLS Collector Dolls
Manufactured by: Vivid, RRP £14.99
For little girls who love the JLS boys, bag a brand new character doll of their favourite band member. Watch out though, Aston is proving particularly popular, and all four together cost a bomb.
Sylvanian Families Motorcycle and Side Car
Manufactured by: Flair Leisure, RRP £24.99
From the adorable Sylvanian Families range, this new addition of a motorcycle and side car comes with two cute little raccoons – George and Mildred. Perfect for little Sylvanian fans.
Barbie: Fashion Fairytale Doll/Puppy Swim School
Manufactured by: Mattel UK, RRP £21.99 each
These two new additions to the Barbie franchise are both set to be bestsellers this Christmas. The Fairytale Doll comes with a very pretty outfit, that transforms, for girls who like to play princesses. The Puppy Swim School comes with a Barbie, her dog Tanner, the puppies and the pool. Wind up Tanner and she really swims too.
Animagic My Tender Care Twin Puppies
Manufactured by: Vivid, RRP £19.99
Mitzi and Max are two cute newborn puppies that need looking after and nursing back to health. They like to be together, but if they’re separated Mitzi will whimper. Ahhh, how sweet is that!
Moxie Girlz Art-titude Dolls
Manufactured by: MGA Entertainment UK, RRP £14.99
Moxie Girlz dolls come with special outfits and washable pens so you can create your own unique designs for them to wear.
Bratz 10th Anniversary Dolls
Manufactured by: MGA Entertainment UK, RRP £9.99
The popular alternative to sugar sweet Barbie are sassy stylish Bratz dolls. These limited edition 10th anniversary editions are sure to go down a storm this Christmas.
Ocean In My Pocket Coral Reef
Manufactured by: Corinthian, RRP £19.99
This is a lovely coral reef play set, which comes with a set of baby whales and their mummy. Girls will have loads of fun playing with them on the slide, see-saw and merry-go-round.
For more information on this years most wanted toys for children of all ages, and to see what’s been popular in years gone by, you can always check out the Toy Retailers Association own website. Parents may also like to check out The Top 10 Toys for Boys Christmas 2010.
Michelle Strozykowski - Michelle Strozykowski lives in a small brewing town smack bang in the middle of England. She loves films, especially arty European ones ...
