REVEALED: The 15 hottest toys to lay-buy now for Christmas

Let the Children Play Toyshop, Big W and Toyworld Mackay list their top 5 recommendations

Toyworld Mackay manager Rebecca Hathaway with the Lego Batmobile set now available at Toyworld Mackay. Picture: Heidi Petith

CHRISTMAS is just six months away but the annual toy sales on now make it the perfect time to put some presents on lay-buy and skip the December madness.

The Daily Mercury asked Let the Children Play Toyshop, Big W and Toyworld Mackay to give us their top toy recommendations.

Toyworld Mackay manager Rebecca Hathaway's Top Five

The Playsafe 12ft trampoline available to lay-buy at Toyworld Mackay. Picture: Contributed

1. Trampolines and swing sets

Outdoor play toys were great to "get the kids outside and off the digital screens", Ms Hathaway said.

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Toyworld Mackay manager Rebecca Hathaway with the Lego Batmobile set now available at Toyworld Mackay. Picture: Heidi Petith

2. Lego Batmobile

This set had been popular among the big boys - both the dads and the older teenagers, Ms Hathaway said.

"It's a project for dad and the kids to spend time together and bond."

Toyworld Mackay manager Rebecca Hathaway showing some of the Schleich figurines that are available at the Toyworld Mackay store. Picture: Heidi Petith

3.Schleich figurines

"They're all handpainted, the detail is incredible, they're a big collector item, indestructible and you'll get years of play out of them," Ms Hathaway said.

The Eurotrike available at Toyworld Mackay store. Picture: Heidi Petith

4. Eurotrike

The four-stage trike grows with your child from 18 months to five years of age, Ms Hathaway said, and it comes in both pink and blue.

The Bed Bugs game available at Toyworld Mackay store. Picture: Heidi Petith

5. Bed Bugs Game

Ms Hathaway said kids will enjoy having to pick out the bugs as fast as they can before the bed vibrates in Hasbro's new Bed Bugsgame.

Check it out here: Toyworld's no deposit lay-buy until Christmas toy catalogue

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Let the Children Play Toyshop owner Ally Blines's Top Five

The wooden dollhouse complete with furniture and accessories available at Let the Children Play Toyshop, Mackay.

1. Wooden Dollhouse

Ms Blines said dollhouses were a classic toy suitable to many age groups.

"Boys love playing with them too," Ms Blines said.

"They're still popular after all this time for a really good reason."

An example of the wooden train set accessories that are available at Let the Children Play Toyshop, Mackay.

2. Wooden Train Sets

Stocking both Hape and Brio brands, Ms Blines said wooden train sets were great for kids to create their own storytelling and adventures.

The train carriages are magnetised and the accessories are also compatible with the wooden Thomas the Tank Engine pieces.

The range of Micro scooters available at Let the Children Play Toyshop, Mackay.

3. Micro Scooters

Ms Blines said these were great for hitting the many trails throughout Mackay.

"(Parents) get one for the kids and then come back and get one for themselves," Ms Blines said.

Let the Children Play Toyshop owner Ally Bline is enthusiastic about the Playmobil range that is exclusive to the store.

4. Playmobil play sets and figurines

Ms Blines is passionate about Playmobil which she said "promoted storytelling and imaginary play".

Melissa and Doug are synonymous with quality when it comes to children's toys. This range, suitable for infants to children three years of age, is available at Let the Children Play Toyshop, Mackay.

5. Melissa and Doug

Ms Blines said their Melissa and Doug range included "classic, tried and tested old-fashioned" toys ideal for infants to children aged three years old.

Check it out here: Let the Children Play Toyshop mid-year sale

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Big W child development expert Dr Justin Coulson's Top Five

Lego Troll play set available at Big W. Picture: Contributed.

1. Lego and building blocks

Dr Coulson said the Lego sets' guidelines taught children how to build but the loose Lego and blocks helped children learn how to engineer, build strong foundations and discover the basics of physics and math.

28.4.2017 Clio and Mila (both 4) for Advertiser Playdoh promotion. Photo Sam Wundke

2. Play-Doh and crafts

Play-Doh helped children to develop motor skills and learn about colours and shapes, Dr Coulson said.

They could also create on their own or with friends, encouraging positive and prosocial interactions, he said.

The Design a Friend Doll available at Big W. Picture: Contributed

3. Dolls

Dr Coulson said role-playing via dolls allowed children to escape into "extraordinarily complicated and delightful social worlds".

Release of study on how parents being more engaged with their children will help them to develop well in life.Tania Rendle plays board games with her daughter Charlize 9yrs and her friend Chiara 9yrs ( blonde hair ). Picture : Ian Currie

4. Board games

"When we play the right games like Monopoly or chess," Dr Coulson said, "our children start to understand boundaries and rules and they even learn how to have appropriate levels of competition in ways that don't hurt people."

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The Lifespan Kids Warrigal Cubby House with Yellow Slide available at Big W. Picture: Contributed

5. Swing sets, trampolines and cubby houses

"Outdoor play is a great way to get children thinking about fairness and taking turns," Dr Coulson said.

Check it out here: Big W's Toy Sale 2020 - begins online June 16 and in-store June 18

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