Having heard of Dream Toys these past few years, last week, I finally had the chance to attend one as press/a journalist. I was quite nervous and unsure what I had to do. When I reached the event venue (not very clearly signed and with heavy rain), there were already a lot of people and children running about playing with all these awesome toys!
The event was quite overwhelming with a lot going on but with all the Christmas decorations, it was truly magical. My children would have loved to attend, but unfortunately they couldn’t. The event was opened at 7am and all the news and press were there eagerly getting photos and emails out to all their followers of this great event. Within an hour, I had received emails from toy retailers and heard news about the top 12 tops for 2015.
The event location was situated at a small church and every now and then, children would perform on the stages or demonstrate the latest toys.
As a blogger, this event is a real social network where I took the opportunity to speak to some of the PR companies who I had worked with before. It is always great to put a face to a name. We always communicated via email but had never met. They all knew what I looked like (from my YouTube videos) but I didn’t know any of them.
There were quite a lot of toy demonstrations, which was great as a parent so I could get some ideas of what to buy for my children. I was able to play with them and feel the quality of the toys. So this year there were 63 toys in the Dream Toys list and the panel of leading toy retailers in the UK selected 12 Top Toys that they believe will be dominating the wish lists this Christmas. So they are (in alphabetical order):
- City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel (LEGO Company)
This vessel look highly detailed set includes seven mini-figurines and a multitude of accessories. I can see why they are one of the top. It is truly amazing set.
- Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa (Jakks Pacific)
This Elsa doll is so cute! It comes with a microphone for you to sing-a-long. If you pace the microphone near Elsa’s mouth, you could hear her singing the full length of the award winning song Let it Go.
- IDO3D Deluxe 3D Design Studio (Flair Leisure Products)
This take art and craft to the next new level of crafting. It bring 3D drawing to life. It able to make up to 40 unique 3D projects. This definitely suitable for older children who into drawing.
- Little Live Pets Cleverkeet (Character Options)
He is your feathered friend who would talks, sing, dances and swings.
- Paw Patrol Paw Patroller (Spin Master Toys)
This is the ultimate rescue vehicle and perfect for any Paw Patrol fans!
This is quite a hilarious and scary game. We had reviewed it before and love it. Read more about it here.
- Shopkins Food Fair – Scoops Ice Cream Truck (Flair Leisure Products)
There are lot of ways to play and display it. You could store your Shopkins in the freezer or sit them in the front seats and take them for a ride.
This would definitely a massive hit this year especially with the Star Wars VII movie coming soon! This Jedi Master Lightsabre comes with a main Lightsaber featuring lights and sounds, two independently-lit lightdaggers, expansion hilt, two elbow connectors, dual connector, and cross connector. How awesome is that!
- Star Wars Kylo Ren’s Command Shuttle (LEGO Company)
This is another impressive playset from LEGO. It look quite hard to build but who won’t want it!
This is the new battle Action Millennium Falcon which opens into a playset for your 3.75-inch scale Star Wars figures and features a pop-up blaster that fires Nerf Elite darts, a turbolaser turret, light up LED cannons, hyperdrive sound effects, as well as playset area featuring a holochess board and smuggling compartment.
- Thunderbirds – Interactive Tracy Island Playset (Vivid Toy Group)
Not long ago, I made my own Tracy Island to go along with the Thunderbirds vehicles and that was one of my favourite project of the year. This year is their 50th anniversary and they have updated the Tracy Island and this playset is totally awesome!
- Toot – Toot Friends Busy Sounds Discovery Home (Vtech Electronics)
This discovery home comes with a moving lift and the doghouse and dog. This is a cute playset for younger children.
Overall this was a new experience for me to attend and to check out the latest toys. I had also spoke to TY Warner Company who have this fabulous range of cute Beanie Boo. Both my children love the big eyed Beanie Boo and they are suitable for children of all ages and adults too! I’m really fond of the big version of Unicorn Beanie Boo and maybe it’ll make it on my list to Santa!
These are my 2015 Toy reviews, do check them out:
Disclosure: I arranged my own transport for this event, the event is free for press and I have received a goody bag. We have included Amazon affiliate links to the products. If you click on this and buy, we may earn a small commission but at no additional cost to you. Images used with permission.