I’m not even going to attempt in denying that I still have some of my childhood toys. I have 2 original My Little Ponies, Monopoly – and even a troll or 2! I get so excited when Christmas rolls in, because suddenly there are so many new toys on the shelves and I feel like a kid again. I have to really try hard not to sit on the floor between aisles and unbox toys. Give me half a chance and I will!

There are certain toys that are evergreen – and this year I got to play with a kitchen set from Play-Doh with Lexa… and it was so much fun.

Anyway, you’re not here to read about my fantasies of ponies and Mario Monopoly – you are here to see what the toy people predict for the festive season and which toys you should be spoiling your kids with…

As the festive season approaches, Hasbro SA, one of South Africa‘s largest toy, game and entertainment experience companies, has released their anticipated list of suggested gifting solutions, with something for everyone.

Hasbro’s ‘top picks’ promotes play experiences that combine edutainment, quality family time, educational and social skills development with hours of endless fun.

As retailers fill their shelves with the most sought after items this season, Siphiwe Thabethe, marketing manager for Hasbro South Africa, had this advice, ”Immersive play experiences are part of a journey that incorporates both the real and virtual worlds. We’ve seen an uptake in products that have extended into the App world as well as those associated with popular big screen movie releases such as Transformers, Star Wars and the recently released My Little Pony: THE MOVIE.  Fans want to recreate the fun they see on screen, providing an ideal combination of real world and digital play.”

Hasbro’s 2017 ‘best seller’ selection for the up-coming season:

1. In true #FriendshipIsMagic style the My Little Pony magic continues with the latest My Little Pony: THE MOVIE inspired range. From castles, to pirate ships, glittery sea ponies and more fans can recreate scenes from the movie as they embark on magical adventures and continue to learn important friendship values from the Mane 6. The Canterlot & Seaquestria Castle, 2-worlds-in-1, interactive playset contain 30+ accessories and hours of fun. Music sounds best when friends sing together explore The Princess Twilight Sparkle Spike the Dragon Friendship Duet set and enjoy their songs. If you fancy yourself a pirate like Pinkie Pie, the Swashbuckler Pirate Airship can detach into a pirate ship, airship, and skiff.
   
   There is also a selection of soft cuddly Plush figures including the Mane 6, Sea Ponies and Spike.
   
2. For over 60 years Play-Doh continues to inspire artists of all ages. Open up a can of imagination and create colourful, creatable, adventures with a wide range of Play-Doh playsets, tools and accessories. Junior chefs love the Play-Doh Kitchen Creations range including the interactive Play-Doh Magical Oven. Combining hands-on play with digital play, Play-Doh is now introducing fans to even more interactive play adventures with the first app-enhanced Play-Doh experience – Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life Studio, watch your real world Play-Doh creations come alive in the digital world, in ways never before imagined.
3. For the uninitiated its time to join the Nerf Nation at www.nerfblastermasters.co.za – Nerf has a wide range of blasters, which shoot soft foam darts providing hours of fun and safe, indoor and outdoor action.  Strike with confidence and skill with the latest AccuStrike Series, which features darts designed for greater accuracy. Try out the Nerf N-Strike Elite Accustrike RAPTORSTRIKE or customise your blaster for any mission with the fully motorised Nerf Modulus Regulator blaster, featuring SwitchFire Technology, with three ‘blasting’ modes to choose from.  Expand the customising options with Nerf Modulus accessories and upgrade kits (each sold separately), to create over 1 000 different combinations.
4. In the explosive Transformers: The Last Knight movie, new heroes must rise in an epic struggle to forge a future for all. Lose yourself in the world of Transformers and jump into action with the Autobot Sqweeks Remote Controlled figure featuring motion and sound effects. Activate blaster mode, or boogie-down with dance mode. Unleash the fire-breathing, three-headed dragon from the movie with the Turbo Changer Dragonstorm figure with Cyberfire-breathing technology and awesome effects, including flapping wings and 20+ sounds and phrases. Transformers Allspark Tech 14 cm figures feature classic Transformers conversion with a twist. Unite them with the Allspark Tech cube (cube only available in starter pack; sold separately) to power motion activated lights, sounds and phrases.  Choose your faction and #PledgeYourAllegiance on www.morethanmeetstheeye.co.za.
5. Enjoy the antics of Nate and his Yo-kai friends as they embark on exciting adventures.  The Yo-kai Watch season 2 range is now available in South Africa with over 350 character medals to collect, an updated Medallium Collection book and the latest  Yo-kai Watch Model Zero (with Yo-Motion Technology). Insert a Yo-Motion Yo-kai Medal into the watch and watch as a Yo-kai animation is projected onto a nearby surface, medals can also be scanned with the Yo-Kai land app or the Yo-kai game with a Nintendo 3DS (sold separately) for more fun and games.
6. Star Wars fans can be a part of exciting stories of good versus evil in a galaxy far, far away with the latest Star Wars Episode 8 range of products. Fight like a Jedi and imagine the thrill of a heated battle with a Star Wars Extendable Lightsaber that opens with only a flick of the wrist. This 381mm lightsaber combines with other lightsabers allowing you to customise it to match your skills.  Begin your Star Wars figure collection with Star Wars: Rogue One Figures. Recreate your favorite action scenes with these awesome action figures that come with movie-inspired accessories like lightsabers and blasters.
7. Everyone’s favourite wall-climbing, crime fighting action-figure Spiderman is back in the new Spiderman Homecoming movie release. Imagine big web-slinging adventures with the Titan Hero Series Spider-Man Figure. This 30cm action figure features basic articulation that allows you to imagine exciting giant sized battle action with other collectable Titan Hero Series figures (each sold separately). Suit up like Spiderman with the Spider-Man Flip Up Mask with adjustable fabric that partially reveals the identity of young super heroes. The mask has a flexible band to fit most kids.
8. Little dreamers can create endless memorable Princess moments with the Disney Princess range, including tiaras, magical wands, hair play assortments and accessories, dolls and castles, movie inspired ball gowns and a whole lot more. Be Bold, Brave and Beautiful and live under the sea with Ariel, charm the Beast with Belle and become the fairest of them all with Snow White with the enchanting Disney Princess Doll Series. Play with your imagination and be the princess you choose to be.

   

9. Our friends from DreamWorks Trolls are ready to give kids a hair-raising time. These colourful figures are the ultimate collector’s item, with 12 to collect, your child can swop them, style them and add onto their look with some really great accessories. Look out for the Dreamworks Trolls Hair Raising assortment of figures or hang out with the characters in the Dreamworks Trolls Town Podular Tree playset.
   
10. Furreal Friends may be your best answer to your child’s ‘I want a pet’ question. There’s a wide choice of ‘friends to choose from including; Pax, My Poopin Pup, Furreal Friends Boostie, Furreal Kami My Pooping Kitty as well as Furreal Buzz Pet Tiger, who responds to sounds and touch with over 100+ playful sound and motion combinations. Each soft cuddly pet has a unique personality and animal-like traits, providing kids with a great bonding experience
11. Get your family time game on with a wide range of games to suits all ages from Hasbro Gaming. Kids will love Toilet Trouble where the next flush could mean a player gets drenched. Budding gymnasts can ‘get into the swing of things’ with Fantastic Gymnastics and hone their talents in this interactive game of skill.
12. Monopoly has released its latest versions of the popular board game in South Africa, Monopoly Gamer is the Monopoly game with a Nintendo twist, featuring popular Super Mario characters and the next generation Monopoly board game featuring the new token set. Keep your piece of Mzansi with you over the holidays with Monopoly Mzansi. The local version of Monopoly, featuring 22 local landmarks voted in by South Africans, provides families with the ultimate local is lekker experience.
13. Hasbro Gaming also offers a series of preschool learning games from Operation to Mousetrap to Sculpt-It and more that keeps kids entertained while developing their sensory and motor skills.

Hasbro products can be purchased from any of the following leading retailers; Toys “R” Us, Toy Kingdom, Toy Zone, Toy Adventures, Aladdin’s, Lilliputs Toys, Hamleys, Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers and Checkers Hypers, Game, Makro and CNA and online at Takealot.com

Hasbro is committed to creating memorable experiences for your family.  From toys and games to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive lifestyle licensing program, Hasbro fulfils the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world.

For more information on Hasbro’s full product range, visit www.hasbro.co.za  or Facebook and YouTube:

FACEBOOK

• My Little Pony https://www.facebook.com/My-Little-Pony-South-Africa-478908918954329
• Nerf https://www.facebook.com/NerfSouthAfrica
• Play-Doh https://www.facebook.com/Play-Doh-South-Africa-159826537685233/timeline/
• Monopoly https://www.facebook.com/Monopoly-South-Africa-451389341700781/timeline/
• Transformers https://www.facebook.com/TRANSFORMERS-South-Africa-1480425678920327

YOUTUBE

• My Little Pony https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKyOqRSCY-It-Onit_dV5gQEDFQLSsi8f
• Nerf https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY2QhU1CPv0wfFqN6W9_tOjj5Xx-jtx2r
• Play-Doh https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6hkZxTXXRt04p3D-fJdpFvp3SDsGDwO1
• Monopoly https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLESMqPK2W43O4-M0eVpdJgrfXluYzPKU2
• Transformers https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7VEq3tXc6huTimDJU7vQXnwOpsmhRmG3