Girls Vote Boys' Toys Top for Christmas 2007

• Monday, 19 November 2007

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Bob v Barbie

As the countdown to Christmas begins, new research reveals that parents opting for traditional presents of dolls for daughters and skate boards for sons could be wide of the mark this year - as 70 per cent of girls under six admit that boys’ toys are what they really want.

In a focus group carried out by toy manufacturer, Martin Yaffe, where children were invited to put this year’s top Christmas toys through their paces, seven out of 10 girls chose to play with toys designed for boys over the girls’ alternatives.

Bob the Builder emerged as the top character for this Christmas, outshining traditional girls’ favourites such as Barbie and Bratz. The Bob the Builder Snaptrax set with working car wash and dryer was an instant hit, prompting 55 per cent of parents at the group to consider buying the toy for their daughters when it hits the shelves this month.

Other boys’ toys popular with girls in the group included a remote control version of Scrambler, the quad bike from the Bob the Builder TV series, and a new range of colourful characters and vehicles called ‘Oddbodz’ from the Born to Play range which can be dismantled and rebuilt into different figures and creations.

Kristian Johnson, Marketing Manager at Martin Yaffe, said: “It seems that stereotypes applied to toys in the past such as dolls for girls and cars for boys no longer apply – opening up a whole new element of choice for parents when shopping for their daughters this Christmas!

“We wanted to hear directly from children exactly which toys will be at the top of their Christmas lists this year, and surprisingly found that the majority of girls preferred playing with the toys designed with boys in mind, from Bob the Builder to Fireman Sam.”

Lindsay Wilkinson from Yorkshire, one of the parents attending the Christmas focus group, comments: “The boys’ toys proved a real attraction for my daughter Grace and kept her occupied for hours. It just goes to show that parents don’t always get it right when it comes to choosing Christmas presents – I’ll definitely be swapping Barbie for Bob in her Santa stocking this year!”

The official top five boys’ toys as voted for by girls is as follows:

No.1 – Bob the Builder Snaptrax Garage & Car Wash set – Girls loved working the working carwash and dryer. Age 3+. RRP approximately £29.99 – 39.99

No.2 – Oddbodz – The girls enjoyed playing with the colourful characters and vehicles that could be dismantled to create crazy new ones. Age 3+. RRP approximately £3.99 - 34.99 per set.

No 3 – Remote Control Scrambler – Girls particularly enjoyed mastering this easy to operate Scrambler, from hit pre-school TV show Bob the Builder. Age 3+. RRP approximately £19.99

No.4 – Bob the Builder Tool Bench – This was a surprising favourite with the girls who enjoyed emulating their hero Bob. Age 3+. RRP approximately £44.99

No.5 – Fireman Sam Remote Control Jupiter – This toy held its own, proving that kids still love traditional role models such as fire-fighters. Ages 3+. RRP approximately £24.99

The Christmas focus group took place following research by Martin Yaffe which revealed that more than £1 billion is wasted by parents on gifts for their offspring each year - with 84% of kids in the UK admitting to being disappointed with the presents they receive on Christmas morning.

The survey also revealed that 76% of people do not have a clue what to buy younger family and friends despite the fact that a whopping average of £378 is spent per child on Christmas presents in the UK every year.

For further information please contact:

Amy Garbutt, Beattie Communications,
Tel: 0113 231 0302
Email: amy.garbutt@beattiegroup.com

Notes to Editors:

Martin Yaffe

• Martin Yaffe International is a design, import and manufacturing company, established in 1987. It as a major player in the toy, electrical and housewares industries.

• The Company’s main activities are the design, manufacture and distribution of character licensed toy products under the Born to Play brand and electrical and housewares products under the Swan brand.

• Martin Yaffe International has also bought the well established ‘Beldray’ brand and intellectual property rights, together with its associate brands – Kiddiproof, Dennison and Ryland.

• For further information please visit www.martinyaffe.com

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