Christmas 2018: seven best gifts for children

Nothing beats seeing your children race downstairs to discover their presents on Christmas morning.

Here are some of the most sought-after gifts this year… just don’t forget to stock up on batteries!

Ricky The Trick-Lovin’ Pup

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This adorable pooch is tipped to be one of the top toys of the year. The furReal pet can be taught tricks and responds with more than 100 sound and motion combinations. Suitable for ages 4+.

Ricky the Trick-Lovin’ Pup, £109.99, johnlewis.com

Noah’s Ark Activity Gym

Keep your smallest entertained with this beautiful Noah’s Ark themed gym from The White Company. It is also a “great story-telling accessory”, says The Independent, and babies can explore a giraffe rattle, elephant teething toy and more.

Noah’s Ark Activity Gym, £85, thewhitecompany.com

GraviTrax Starter Set

For kids with curious minds, the GraviTrax Starter Set is the perfect gift to help them learn about gravity, magnetism and kinetic energy in a fun, imaginative way. Create set designs or go freestyle with more than 100 pieces of track, then set your gravity sphere on its way and watch it roll. For 8+.

GraviTrax Starter Set, £39.99, smythstoys.com

My Lovely Unicorn

Argos has declared 2018 the “year of the unicorn”, with the magical creatures dominating toy shelves. To mark the trend, Feber has given the traditional rocking horse a suitable upgrade. My Lovely Unicorn can move forwards, backwards, left and right, with a simple twist of her reins. Suitable for 3+ years.

My Lovely Unicorn, £189.99, argos.co.uk

Aladdin

The main reason to see this glitzy Aladdin is “summed up in three words”, says the London Evening Standard: “Trevor Dion Nicholas” (pictured above). The actor and the entire production are “sheer genie-ous”. Recommended for ages 6+; children under 3 not admitted.

Aladdin, tickets from £20, TheWeekTickets.co.uk

Lego Hogwarts Express

What is Christmas without a train set and Lego? This year you can have the two in one. Lego has launched a Harry Potter special: the Hogwarts Express train, featuring a railway bridge at King’s Cross Station and steps leading to Platform 93⁄4. Includes mini figures of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin and the Trolley Witch. Recommended for ages 8-14.

Lego Hogwarts Express, £74.99, shop.lego.com

Science+Nature magazine

A brand new magazine from the team at The Week Junior, Science+Nature is an eye-opening exploration of everything from the deepest recesses of the oceans to the outer reaches of the universe, edited by the award-winning writer Dan Green, author of the bestselling Basher Science books.

Science+Nature, £19.99 for six issues, theweekjunior.co.uk