And as always, certain toys stand out as the stars of the holidays. Captivating video games, fashionable dolls, board games for friendly evenings or ingenious constructions… there is something for everyone and for every age group.
To help you prepare for an unforgettable Christmas, here are the must-have trends to slip under the tree this year. Something to amaze little ones and impress adults!
Monkey Palace
If you are a fan of board and construction games, prepare to be won over! With Monkey Palace, the result of a collaboration between Lego and Asmodée, you have everything in one: cooperation, strategy and a bit of competition.
The principle? Players must rebuild a destroyed palace together using Lego bricks, while competing to accumulate as many bananas and building pieces as possible. This mix of cooperative and strategic play (with a little touch of well-balanced individualism) hits the mark!
Accessible from 10 years old, Monkey Palace proved to be a success during our test: we were four adults, and we had a blast. A real gem for fans of tactics and fun!
— > Available at the price: €39.99
Robo Kombat Tornado Battle
A real combat robot, this game can be played with two players for epic clashes! Don’t panic, even though it’s designed for ages 5 and up, even older kids will want to get in on the action. 360-degree punches, varied game modes, removable armor… get ready to feel like a champion in the ring!
— > Available at the price of €39.95
For the little ones
Here, logic and deduction are there! With Lut’in, two, three, stack, move, hide… the objective is to take on the 48 challenges proposed in the small notebook provided with the figurines and the wooden flower pots.
An assembly game as cute as it is clever, perfect for young ones! Because although this game is announced for children aged 3 to 7, it will be more suitable for the youngest in this age group.
— > Available at the price of €25.
The doll of the year
A true phenomenon on Netflix, “School for Unicorns” is a hit with young children. And like any self-respecting successful series, derivative products are there. If you are looking for one of these magical gadgets, here is perhaps the star to slip under the tree: the Sophia doll. Accompanied by her faithful unicorn, she comes with a range of accessories that promise enchanted adventures.
— > Available at the price of €59.95
SmartGames: the king of thinking
IQ Love is the perfect ally to strengthen the brains of children aged 7 and over (and even for adults!). The concept? Reconstruct a heart taking into account the challenges imposed. Simple on paper, but we guarantee you will freak out… before becoming totally addicted. With its compact format, it fits in a bag and can go everywhere with you. Be careful though, it risks creating addicts within your household!
Available at the price of €14.99
Favorite book
Do you prefer a gift that smells like paper and poetry? Look no further: “The crazy tour of Albert the bookseller” is the ideal choice. With captivatingly sweet illustrations and a story that celebrates friendship, mutual aid, and the love of words, this book is a gem to read as a family. Whether by the fire, snuggled up under a blanket, or during evening reading, it will delight young and old!
Available at the price of €17.95
Mysterium: a reference
Accessible from 10 years old and up to 7 players, Mysterium is not exactly a new thing, but it is an unbeatable classic. Why highlight it? Quite simply because it promises to captivate everyone, even those who resist board games (you know, the one who sighs as soon as someone suggests a game). There is no competition here: either everyone wins or everyone loses. A subtle blend of cooperation, investigation and fantasy atmosphere, this game immerses you in a haunted house where a ghost tries to help you solve the mystery of his disappearance. Using psychic cards, he will send you cryptic messages. Will you be able to decipher them?
Available at the price of €39.95
For Disney fans
A guide to games and toys without mentioning Disney? Sacrilege. But this time, we’re focusing on the bad guys with “Vilainous”, a game that gives pride of place to Maleficent, Jafar, Captain Hook, Ursula, Prince Jean and the Queen of Hearts (standard version). Unlike Mysterium, here, every man for himself! The goal: achieve your Machiavellian objective while putting obstacles in the way of your opponents.
Be careful though: a game lasts on average an hour. But don’t worry, you won’t see the time passing thanks to gameplay rich in twists and turns and an absolutely magnificent and Machiavellian visual design!
The return of vintage
For several years now, vintage has been invading our wardrobes, our living rooms… and now children’s toy boxes. So, before rushing to the store, some advice: search your cupboards. Maybe you’ll find your old Furby or Tamagotchi there (yes, the ones that haven’t stopped beeping in the middle of the night).
For Furbys, these adorable hairy creatures that arrived in the 90s, it’s the big comeback. Very fashionable since last winter, there is a good chance that your child has slipped them into their Christmas list.
Same story for the Punirunes, modern cousins of the Tamagotchi. Their mission remains unchanged: feed them, pamper them, watch them evolve… and feel deeply guilty if you forget to take care of them.
Available at the price of: Furby €79.95 and Punirunes €19.95
