The iDog is a small toy dog with a lot of character. The toy moves to your favourite music tracks and even plays your music through the built in speaker. As you can probably tell by the name, the iDog is used with your iPod therefore you can get your new doggie friend to rock to all the songs on your mp3 player. The toy is made by Hasbro and is set to be a best seller this Christmas. It comes in a variety of colours including black, pink, blue, white and even Dalmatian.

The iDog can be bought for about £25 from Amazon and you can even buy cute little clothes for him to wear! The iCat and iFish are also available here but are a little more expensive that the iDog.

Amazon has listed their top toys of 2006 that they think will be best sellers over the Christmas season. Some of them are listed below:

TMX Tickle Me Elmo
Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Cameras
Mack Truck Bachelor Pad Playset - Disney Cars
Fisher Price Amazing Animals Sing & Go Choo-Choo Train
Fisher Pricer Bounce & Spin Zebra
Roll-a-Rounds Drop & Roar Dinosaur
Cranium Hullabaloo
Here & Now Edition Monopoly Board Game
Trivial Pursuit: Totally 80s
Princess Genevieve Doll - Barbie In The 12 Dancing Princesses
Preschool Classics Musical Tea Set
Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Play Set - LeapFrog Interactive

See Amazon for more info about these toys and for more top picks.

Strawberry Children’s Toys is a place to shop for high quality wooden toys for every occasion throughout the year. The toys range from just £1 stocking fillers to some much bigger toys for birthday and Christmas pressies. The toys are specifically for children between the ages of 1 and 5 and they have a lovely music section where you’ll find some stunning little designs.

You could even host your own Strawberry Toys party from your front room. Not only will you be able to round up your friends and have a good old chat, you will receive a commission to spend on your favourite products. Strawberry toys are based in Brighton in the UK.

Buttercup books have a lovely selection of traditional high quality children’s books and toys all at very reasonable prices and free UK delivery if the order is over £25. I particularly like their artist prints and wooden bumblebee toys; they would look fantastic in your child’s bedroom.

They have a whole range of products from doll houses to audio books and they even offer party supplies such as cards and gift bag ideas. See their website and browse around for more information.

The New York Toy Fair is the ultimate place to spot brand new toys that could be making it into our homes during the year. Thousands of hopeful toys are shown at the fair every year, some good, some amazing and some just plain strange. According to an article on About.com, the 10 best toys of 2006 are as follows:

1. Disney Pixar Cars
2. Superman Returns Inflato-Suit from Mattel
3. Bratz Diamondz from MGA Entertainment
4. LEGO Spongebob
5. Marvel Superheroes from MGA Entertainment
6. Tickle Me Elmo from Fisher Price
7. Wow Wee’s RS Media
8. Hasbro’s IDog
9. Toy Quest’s I-Que
10. Hasbro’s Transformers

I came across this website recently and thought it was a great family resource. All 4 Kids UK is a leading family directory that allows you to search through loads of categories related to children’s hobbies, toys and family outings.

It is easy to find information about local dance classes, tutoring and even short breaks away during half term holidays. They have lots of info about many different occasions.

Forever Diamondz is the sparkly new collection from the Bratz starring Cloe, Yasmin, Sasha, Jade and their new friend Sharidan. This is one of the most glamorous collections we have seen the girls in and they all look fabulous! Alongside the dolls you can buy funky fashion makeover heads of all the girls, the Forever Diamondz CD and DVD and some stylish cruisers.

Each doll comes complete with sparkly jeans and a fluffy shrug and a whole second outfit. I can imagine these being sold out by Christmas; the dolls are extremely popular so I’d get in quick if you want one.

This new collection is a great spin-off from the recently launched film Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses. The storyline follows Barbie (the seventh sister) as Princess Genevieve and other Princesses Delia, Kathleen, Fallon, Blair, Courtney, Janessa, Ashlyn, Lacey, Isla, Hadley and Edeline who all have a passion for fun and dancing. The male attraction is Prince Derek the Royal Cobbler who is as handsome as ever.

All the Princesses are available to buy separately or with their twin, each doll has a beautiful unique dress, crown and pair of ballet shoes. You can even buy a Barbie Dance with Me doll where the Princess will follow the movements you make by attaching sensors to each of your arms and legs. You can dance together to the ballet music. See the whole range at Amazon.