Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2018 (Issue 109)

Ensure all members of the family have a game or a toy that brings hours of fun time to play The Puppet Company is delighted with the successful launch of its new Animal Puppet Buddies collection of more than 30 popular animals. The success of the range has encouraged the company to introduce two more characters for this autumn: a pink flamingo and a red parrot. New Sockette characters – Gloria, Narg, Humphrey and Zap – have also proved to be extremely popular and add a splash of colour to this bestselling range of knitted hand puppets. Wilberry Toys, the soft toy division of The Puppet Company, is launching more than 60 beautiful new designs for Autumn/Winter 2018. There are new ranges and additions to existing collections, with new Dancers and Dolls. This year’s additions include a ballerina sloth and a pig in a swimming costume, and the magical collection includes characters for storytelling, going on adventures and, best of all, ready to be best friends. T: +44 (0)1462 446 040 W: wilberrytoys.com & thepuppetcompany.com New from Gibsons Games is Crystal Hall, suitable for ages 10 and up. The game urges two to four players to lead their troupe of wizards into the Crystal Hall in a quest to collect four magical crystals that are hidden among the 36 face-down tiles. The first player to visit each of these tiles and extract the crystals is the winner. However, there’s a twist, as there are more than just crystals under the tiles – cauldrons, potions, curses and even enchanted swamps await each player. The company has also released the much-requested expansion pack of bestselling game 221b Baker Street. Having sold out every Christmas since its re-release in 2014, the Sherlock Holmes-inspired game encourages players to roam the streets of London to search for clues to solve a mysterious case. Presented in a smart burgundy box, the expansion pack includes 50 brand new cases that are waiting to be solved. T: +44 (0)208 661 8866 W: gibsonsgames.co.uk The popular Lagoon Group’s Plasticine® range is being expanded to include extra modelling kits and a game. The kits are fun, but they also help to develop both strength and improve motor skills in children from age five upwards. The additions to the range include Farm Animals, Zoo Animals and Sea Creatures kits, available in packs of six, with each featuring five colours of Plasticine®, a plastic modelling tool and easy-to-follow instructions to create a menagerie of animals such as tigers, dolphins, pigs and monkeys. There is also a fast-paced Ready Steady Sculpt! game of modelling charades (also available in packs of six), as well as the new Plasticine® Christmas Modelling Kits, available in assorted display packs of 48, with detailed instructions to create snowmen, reindeer, decorations or even Father Christmas himself. T: +44 (0)208 563 6520 W: thelagoongroup.com Christmas is fast approaching, so it’s time to be thinking about extra- special gifts for extra-special little ones – and this company wants you to say “hee-haw!” to Bojangles the Donkey! This adorable donkey oozes cuteness as he scoots about on his multi-directional castors, taking children on exciting adventures. He’s super soft and huggable and features crinkly ears for touchy-feely fun. The stylised curved padded leatherette seat provides a supportive and comfortable ride for children as they scoot from place to place. T: +44 (0)1484 682 430 W: littlebirdtoldme.co.uk giftfocus 47 toys & games