Cutting edge technologies are changing the face of children’s toys forever. Whilst there will always be a place for the well-known traditional wooden toys such as alphabet blocks and board games, the breathtaking advancement of electronic and tech toys means that more and more toys now have integrated microchips, battery-operated moving parts and even internet connections to expand their potential.
Electronic toys are surprisingly new - and this explains in part why every year we continue to see more and more amazing games released – many at remarkably low prices.
Speak & Spell – the wonderful looking electronic toy from Texus Instruments that was released in 1978 to delighted children all over the world, marked a revolution in the popularity of computer and electronic toys. The craze for having electronics in toys continued to grow in the 1980s with games like Simon attracting a popular following. This was followed by the explosive launch of Nintendo’s Game Boy in 1989 and then robotic pets – particularly Tamagotchi – that managed to capture public imagination right through the 1990s and into the 21st Century.
The new breed of electronic toys includes Elmo Live and the popular animatronic talking parrot toy called Squawkers McCaw.
Although most famous for their incredible Regent Street shop, Hamleys also has an impressive online presence.
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A specialist retailer of PC and video games, consoles and accessories.
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This online toy shop stocks a large selection of electronic gadgets that are hard to find on the High Street.
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This sprawling website is filled with CDs, DVDs and electronic toys to suit all budgets.
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With over 800 stores throughout the UK, Woolworths has recently moved into the online toy market.
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The original online book seller has now expanded into selling virtually product you can imagine - including toys!
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A traditional Toymaster toyshop selling a huge range of toys
A specialist seller of interesting and sometimes unusual baby items
A specialist Toymaster toy retailer
Specialists in party bag toys and party supplies
An ethical retailer that sells eco-friendly toys