Board games back under Xmas tree

David Silvester, assistant manager at The Warehouse on Cameron Rd, among the piles of toys awaiting Christmas shoppers this year. Photo/Andrew Warner

Board games and bikes are making a comeback this Christmas as sales at leading toy stores show family fun is back in fashion.

Staff at Farmers and The Warehouse both reported strong sales of board games like Guess Who, and old toy favourites like Connect 4 and Jenga, as well as traditional games with a modern twist.

Farmers buying manager Rob Taurima said three years ago, when the popularity of electronic games like Angry Birds peaked, board games waned and questions arose over whether there was a future for that kind of game play.

"Since then the popularity of board games has just increased year on year."

Mr Taurima said the resurrection was likely to be a combination of companies pouring more into reviving board games and a natural drift back from games played alone on computers and phones.

Kids need to learn to win, to lose, to take turns - these social skills will help them later on when they need to negotiate.

Judy Shaw, Clever Kids toy store owner

Owner of Clever Kids toy store at Bethlehem, Judy Shaw, said games were "very underrated" as presents and suitable from age 31/2 to 100.

"They are great for children's social skills, especially in this day of iPads, computer games and TV. Games encourage turn-taking, and winning and losing, which is important.

"Kids need to learn to win, to lose, to take turns - these social skills will help them later on when they need to negotiate.

"Games that are engaging often take time to grasp the rules, but they are usually great strategy games that the family can play for years. Others are fun from whoa to go and create lots of laughter."

New Zealand company Zuru, which originated in Cambridge, has at least two toys in the top 10 lists this year, including the Robo Turtle - a battery-operated robotic turtle which swims in water.

The other is the Bunch O Balloons, a way to fill numerous water balloons at once. Mr Taurima said the product appealed to all ages over summer.

"We know that it will have legs after Christmas as well because the weather just gets better."

The Lego set on Farmers' list was representative of the whole brand, he said. "Lego is on most boys' Christmas wishlist in some form or another."

For girls Little Live Pets and FurReal Friends - both automated animals - were huge this Christmas.

The longevity of Frozen toys in the market had surprised toy buyers - given the movie was released in December 2013.

"It's quite rare for something to last this long," he said.

Star Wars Episode VII merchandise, ahead of the New Zealand launch of the movie on December 18 was also selling fast.

"That product range is really performing well for us at the moment and will continue now into the launch of the movie."

Every year in summer trampolines and swing sets were popular closer to Christmas.

Service team leader at The Warehouse Cameron Rd, Matt Osborn, said some toys retained their popularity year after year.

"I can definitely tell you Lego is still as popular as ever, that and the Hot Wheels [cars] are still as popular as ever."

However, this year family bikes were already picking up.

"The bikes we're selling a lot faster than normal and so are the pools and beach sets. Parents as well as the kids are picking up bikes."

Mr Osborn said the iconic Barbie had "dropped away" in popularity.

"It used to be really popular, especially at Christmas," he said.

The dolls had been replaced by Shopkins, Live pets and Littlest Pet Shops - "non-humanoid characters" as Mr Osborn described them.

"The Star Wars is the other one as well that does merge over a lot of departments [in terms of merchandise]," he said. "I think a lot of parents are getting their kids into it."

Mr Osborn said soft toys remained steady, particularly the Bright Eyes stuffed animals range and the As Seen on TV toys that morphed from a stuffed animal into a backpack or towel.