bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Top 10 gifts for  Christmas

Toy kitchen

Toys that encourage experimentation and manipulation are best for two to five year olds, who like to mimic  adults. They enjoy props that help them to master life skills. Social, cognitive and fine motor skills are developed through playing mother.   Choose one with more cupboards as kids like to open and close things all the time.  (Picture: Festival Kitchen, $920 from Toys Club)

Wooden train set

This 'open-ended' toy stimulates children's creativity through tracks that  they can assemble any way they like. Unlike 'closed-ended' toys, there is no right or wrong way to play. The only limit is the number of play pieces and a child's imagination.  A wooden train set helps develop a child's cognitive, fine motor and speech skills as they make up stories and talk through play. (Picture: Brio big set, $2,599 from Toys Club)

Rush Hour

A popular mind-challenging game that develops children's problem-solving skills. Suitable for children aged six up, the game allows them to experience the fun and challenge of steering through traffic in their ice cream truck. It comes with 40 challenge puzzles and a travel bag. (Picture: Rush Hour, $119 from Komodo)

Candle painting

Create six colourful painted candles with liquid brush-on and 3D wax paints. The set includes candles of different shapes and paint pots and brushes, and is suitable for children aged seven or older. (Picture: Candle Painting, $139 from Komodo)

Building set

Encourage creativity, motor skills, co-operation and mechanical reasoning with this 120-piece building set. It includes a hand-held motor, a carousel, a roller coaster and bumper cars and will thrill any child from age four and up. (Picture: Dizzy Fun Land, $299 from Komodo)

Mighty puzzle

Encourages and entices a child to build complex designs and puzzles without assistance. Builds confidence. Kids combine shapes and design blocks to create figures, animals, people, buildings and imaginative pictures. Colourful design shapes, sequential puzzle cards and a storage tray are included. Suitable for children  aged three to eight. (Picture: Mighty Mind, $129 from Komodo)

Beauty products

Girls can get creative and decorate their dolls' hair  with the colourful attachments and  stickers.  The set also comes with ribbons and beads with which girls can dress up their own hair. Suitable for children aged three up. (Picture: Make Up Doll Head Set, $129.9 from Toys 'R' Us)

One for the high-flyer

The Jet Helicopter has a unique 'Flag Wing' that allows players to control movement to the  left and right  along a stable flight path. Great for boys aged from 15. ($449.90 from Toys 'R' Us)

Bicycle

A bike  is a good choice for a three year old who is  getting to grips with reaching, grasping and balance. One with learner's wheels will start them  off with  confidence. Once they get the balance right, they will be  ready to move on to numerous other balancing  acts such as  roller skates, in-line skates and skiing. Toys Club's advice: 'Pick a safe,  good quality bicycle. Leg braking and learner's wheels are a must  for a child's first bike'. (Picture: Thomas The Tank Engine First Bicycle, $920 from Toys Club)

Doll's house

Playing with dolls not only stimulates a child's social development (through playing with other children), but also contributes to fine motor skill development (through moving furniture and dolls around). Children may also develop spacial sense and problem-solving skills while putting furniture in the house. (Picture: Traditional Doll House, $1,150. Before Christmas, Toys Club is offering  two sets of wooden furniture worth more than $300 with every doll's house bought. Prices  from $890)



Toys to treasure