Top toys and threads for Irish kids this Christmas




We caught up with Jenny Erwin, Arnotts Childrenswear Buyer, to find out what toys and clothes and trending for kids in Ireland this Christmas.
What are the most popular toys for 2018?Top Toys this year will be the LOL dolls houses; Monopoly cheaters editions; Disney Dream castles and there are some great Lego Harry Potter kits being released. 
harry potter legoLego Harry Potter
There was a lot of emphasis on STEM learning with toys last year, what is the focus this year?  Still a strong focus on STEM; we have a really cool robot Tobbie who you have to build from scratch (a great way to spend a Christmas afternoon for you and your Dad/Mum/Grandad!) and then once you have built Tobbie he follows you about or you can build an obstacle course for him to tackle.  
We also have fantastic jigsaws from Headu which are jigsaws that once you have built them there are activities such as treasure hunts etc…
Are there any Irish brands making an appearance this year? My Buddy McSpuddy is a new Irish product launching in November. He is a very cute leprechaun who you welcome into your life and as well as becoming your friend (he has a worry patch on one elbow to rub if you are nervous or worried and a good luck patch on the other elbow for you to rub if you need luck). He can also grant wishes.  
He comes with a pot of gold and if you are good gold coins will appear in the pot overnight. Once you have got 7 pieces of gold he will grant you a wish!  He is a great product for parents to use as a motivational tool: you agree wishes with your child and put them in the book that comes with My Buddy McSpuddy and then good behaviour can be rewarded with coins. He is like an Irish Elf on the Shelf that you have all year round.
McSpuddyMy Buddy McSpuddy
What will kids be wearing on Christmas day?We have Little Larks dresses which range from €50-€70 and are perfect;. These smocked dresses are available in rich floral prints and sumptuous velvets.
Losan also have a great range of party dresses starting at €24 – red and blue velvet dresses along with gold sparkly outfits.  
Additionally, we have Boss jeans (€65-€98) and colour block polo shirts (€60-98).
Blue Seven are a new addition to the department, they provide really cool funky looks at affordable prices. For a slightly smarter look, you could pair a great jumper (€25) with a pair of cargo pants (€27) or a shirt (€18) with a pair of skinny jeans (€25).
What will kids be wearing to stay warm through winter?We have a great range of coats in store  Losan puffas for both boys and girls (starting at €25); Waterproof coats from Lego and Didricksons (€85 - €110); Stylish coats for girls from Le Chic (€80-€110) and Billie Blush (from €65).  
If you really want to splash out, we have Italian brand AI Riders which are cool puffa jackets (€315) with built-in ski goggles so you are ready for fun in the snow!
ski jacketAI Riders are puffa jackets with built-in ski goggles
When can the kids come to see Santa in Arnotts this year?Santa will arrive on the 18th November and will stay in his grotto until lunchtime on Christmas Eve when he has to go back to the North Pole to get ready for a very busy evening!

Smyths Toys reveal top 12 toys Irish kids will be asking for this Christmas as they gear up for busy festive season

GOOD TOY-DINGS
Christmas won't be long coming - and Smyths chiefs have predicted which toys will be top of kids' lists
SPY sets and school set-ups are the top most-wanted toys this Christmas.
While it is only the start of October and Halloween hasn’t even happened yet, the festive season won’t be long coming.
Smyths predict which toys will be most popular among children this Christmas
Smyths predict which toys will be most popular among children this Christmas
And with that Smyths Superstores have released their must-have toys for the holidays.
Here Nicola Bardon looks at the top twelve that kids will be asking for this year.
Spy Code – Operation: Escape Room- €24.99
In this game two or more, one person wears an escape belt and together you have to work to free them. To do so, you have to collect three keys by winning challenges of skill, strategy and luck before time runs out.
Operation Escape room will be full of fun challenges for kids to race against the clock
Operation Escape room will be full of fun challenges for kids to race against the clock Our Generation Awesome Academy School Room Catalogue: €159.99
Get your young one ready for big school with this set. It comes with over 90 school items, including two bins to separate waste, a good behaviour sheet and a chalkboard.
Poopsie Unicorn Slime Surprise Pink/Rainbow: €59.99
Poopsie Unicorn Surprise €59.99
Poopsie Unicorn Surprise €59.99
If you ever wanted to see a unicorn poop slime, well now is your chance.
This is something kids will love with customised poop, and a collectible keychain.
L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Under Wraps Series – €16.99
The latest in the LOL Spy Series has 15 new surprises for kids to unwrap. Using the spy glass you can find codes and unlock more surprises.
NERF Laser Ops Pro AlphaPoint Blaster 2-Pack- €49.99
Nerf guns will always be rage with boys but this new Laser Ops is available for €49.99
Nerf guns will always be rage with boys but this new Laser Ops is available for €49.99
Grab a pal and face off in a live-action laser battle. The blasters register hits with lights and sounds to let you know if you have hit your target.
Barbie Dreamhouse playset – €299.99
Barbie needs no introduction and this giant Dreamhouse is one for Barbie lovers. It has three stories featuring eight rooms, including a working elevator, pool, a home office and more than 60 accessories.
A solid classic for girly girls is the Barbie Dreamhouse play set for €299.99
A solid classic for girly girls is the Barbie Dreamhouse play set for €299.99 Fingerlings Interactive Baby Dragon Sandy- €17.99
New Fingerlings Baby Dragons bring you good luck and friendship at your fingertips. Sandy and her fellow baby dragons will get you all fired up with their interactive responses to sound, motion and touch.
PonyCycle® Unicorn Ride On- €229.99
Unicorns are all this Christmas it seems, and now kids get the chance to ride one on his PonyCycle. All they have to do is just move up and down with their feet on the pedals.
Kids will go wild for this ride on unicorn for €229.99
Kids will go wild for this ride on unicorn for €229.99 Fisher-Price Dance & Groove Rockit- €34.99
This set helps your baby learn by interacting with your little one, offering interactive lights, music, and phrases that teach the alphabet, counting, and more.
Treasure X Single Pack- €11.99
Get the kids involved in this treasure hunt and search for real gold. Rip, dig, fizz and build on your hunt for the prize.
Kids will be able to unleash their inner pirate with the Treasure X priced at €11.99
Kids will be able to unleash their inner pirate with the Treasure X priced at €11.99 Paw Patrol Ultimate Fire Truck Playset €74.99
Anything Paw Patrol related is a favourite with the little ones so help Marshall save the day with this fire truck. It comes with an extendable 2ft tall ladder and flashing lights.
PAY ISSUES Dept of Social Welfare confirms that punters may have been underpaid this week KING'S BACK Dealz customers left confused as 'Elvis Presley' is voice of self-service tills TOY OH TOY! Aldi Ireland selling massive range of toys for Christmas - from just €4.99 BUDGET BONUS Christmas bonus fully restored to 100 per cent for first time in ten years ALL OVER THE SHOPS When is Black Friday 2018 in Ireland and how to find the best deals CENTER POSTS Irish Center Parcs launch recruitment drive for 1,000 permanent jobs Boxer Catalgoue- €89.99
Meet Boxer: your real robot pal! It comes with 10 activity cards and once he scans them, the fun begins. This includes Bot Bowling, Paddle Bot and more.
See Smythstoys.com for more information.


Meanwhile, Argos Ireland predicted their top toys for Christmas back in June

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