From pizza-loving amphibians - Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo and
Raphael, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which feature
in this year’s top ten – to top 50 favourites My
Little Pony, the Care Bears, He-man, Polly Pocket and
the Transformers, old favourites in new guises look
set to dominate Santa’s sack this Christmas.
Val Stedham, Chairman
of the BATR comments: “Like fashion, the popularity of toys goes
in cycles. Brands are important but the success of a toy relies on its
‘playability’. So it’s not surprising that those which
thrilled children twenty years ago can still appeal to kids today. Obviously,
while the brand itself might remain the same, the toys don’t and
are redesigned to appeal to this generation of media savvy kids exposed
to a wide range of influences.”
But it’s
not just 80’s toys being updated for 2003. All time favourite
Barbie gets a makeover as Barbie Swan Lake,
while Bratz , last year’s new girls on the block,
won’t be left in the cold with its new Bratz Winter Collection.
Variations on last year’s playground crazes also look set to boom.
The new Radio Controlled Beyblades are set to get kids
in a spin, while Micro Babies are set to emulate Micro
Pets - last year’s success.
“It’s
great to see that this year’s top ten is also dominated by a range
of toys that get creative juices flowing such as Badge It
and Bionicles, while Yu Gi Oh! and
family board game Cranium will offer everyone a challenge”,
continues Val.
“What’s
more, LeapPad has a winning formula and is once again
in the top ten predictions. But, the hot list isn’t just made
up of the old familiar faces. New television licensed characters in
the nursery sector such as Boohbah, Tractor Tom and
Engie Benjy look set to be on Santa’s sleigh
this Christmas”, she concludes.
What
makes the Top 10 good toys?
Commenting on this
year’s selection, child psychologist Dr Jeffrey Goldstein of the
National Toy Council, says: “There’s a real diversity in
the top ten, not just in terms of the types of toys and games but in
the actual way that kids will play with them.
“Toys help
children to develop physical, cognitive and social skills, and these
toys and games will encourage creativity, social interaction, competitiveness
and nurturing, as well as enabling the kids to have fun.”
The BATR
revealed its top ten toys for Christmas predictions at Dream Toys 2003,
in Marylebone, London.
Issued by the BATR
Press Office © 2003
Wednesday 24 September
2003
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