'Dream toys' for Christmas 2009

Much cheaper in upkeep than Windsor and a darned sight cuter than Buckingham Palace, Princess Peppa's Palace (Character Options, RRP £39.99) folds out to reveal a banqueting hall, kitchen with oven cauldron, thrones and two exclusive guardsmen to protect the porcine royal family Photograph: PR

The Bakugan Battle Pack (Spin Master, RRP £19.99) is proof that it's nature, not nurture, that divides girls from boys when it comes to toys. Prepare for battle! Photograph: PR

Battle Strikers Starter Set (Mega Brands, RRP £9.99). Things have come a long way since you spun your battling tops with string and launched them on the kitchen lino. These are motorised and remote-controlled - what more could you ask for? Photograph: PR

Just like Kevin's cool green muscle car in the show, the Ben 10 Alien Force Kevin's DX Action Cruiser (Bandai, RRP £29.99) is loaded with unique features, according to Amazon.co.uk. Some of the reviews (by parents) suggest it is a little complicated for its market – but what do they know - they're grown-ups Photograph: PR

Bend them, twist them, then stick together without the need for glue. The Bendaroos Mega Pack (Spin Master RRP £19.99) can be used to create jewellery, gear for your action figures, furniture for dolls ... it's excellent practice for DIY in later life Photograph: PR

String the tightrope across your room and watch the flywheel-powered mini-speedsters in GX Racers Tightrope Terror (Flair, RRP £22.99) streak from point to point. Lewis Hamilton eat your heart out Photograph: PR

All little girls want a hamster, but Go Go Pets Hamsters (Character Options, RRP £9.99) are better than the real thing. They can do everything real hamsters do except chew wiring, keep you awake at night and make your bedroom smell – oh, and that true hamster speciality: dying when you go away on holiday Photograph: PR

Lego Games Minotaurus (Lego, RRP £17.99). It's Lego, it's indestructible, and it's a game involving mazes and monsters that doesn't need batteries. Enough to make everyone happy on Christmas Day Photograph: PR

Definitely one for Margaret Beckett: the Sylvanian Families Caravan (Flair RRP £44.99) boasts all the attention to detail you would want if you were about to go on tour with your family – a seating area which converts to a double bed, fold out bunks and ironing board, a shower room with fold-down loo and hand basin, plus 30 accessories Photograph: PR

Maybe not the ideal game for those Guardian readers who hate property-price stories and loathe landlords, but for those who loved the original version of this classic game, Monopoly City (Hasbro, RRP £24.99) gives it a new 3D twist that could keep you going for hours Photograph: PR

You've read the comics, played with the toys, watched the cartoon, seen the film - now you can buy the toys again and pretend they're for your children. Transformers Movie 2 Voyagers Figures (Hasbro RRP £22.99) Photograph: PR

The Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera (V-Tech, RRP £49.99) will allow your toddlers to express their imagination when taking photos, and is tough enough to survive the experience. It combines big buttons, flash and a colour LCD screen, and has a 16MB internal memory - big enough for 200 pics or up to five minutes of video. Just keep an eye on what they are recording ... Photograph: guardian.co.uk

A girl plays with Lulu my Cuddlin' Kitty (FurReal Friends Hasbro RRP £49.99) at the 'Dream toys' fair of predicted top-selling toys for Christmas on October 28, 2009 in London Photograph: Sarah Lee

A stand of farm, zoo and pre-historic animal figures made by Schleich, which range in cost from £2.50 for a meercat or rabbit to £4.75 for horses and large cattle Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Planning permission squares and tower blocks bring the Monopoly City board game in line with modern town planning Photograph: Oli Scarff/guardian.co.uk

Alexis, the fashion conscious teenage Liv Doll (Spin Master RRP £19.99) Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Charlize, eight, plays with the Kidizoom Multimedia Digital Camera Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Rhianna, 10, plays with the Sylvanian Families Caravan Photograph: Oli Scarff/guardian.co.uk

Drew, seven, flying the i-Bladez Flightstick and Salvation 3D Helicopter (Bladez Toys RRP £49.99) Photograph: Sarah Lee