Christmas is child’s play to our Jury

STAR WARS Lego sets, Nerf Blasters and selfie kits that let you make music videos are among the predicted bestselling toys this Christmas. We asked our Email Jury what their favourite childhood toys – and if kids these days are spoiled with the amount of goodies they get.

Spirograph and Fuzzy Felt. I loved these as I was an only child and could amuse myself for hours with them. Judi Martin, Aberdeenshire.

My best ever gift was a Dinky lorry and my aunt made a farm with a road on a big piece of wood. What a joy it was to push that solitary Dinky toy down a road. David Foulis, Liverpool.

I got a Shaker Maker set one year. All you had to do was add water... and shake! I had so much fun with them. Fiona Reid, Forfar.

I think the realism in the toys that children have today is great. A huge downside though is that as technology progresses, children have less and less opportunity to develop imaginative play. Ian Roxburgh, Kilmaurs.

Dinky Toys. I kept them for many years then gave them to my nephew who trashed them within days. Some children are spoiled but because of peer pressure they must have the latest gadgets. I have told my son he will get an apple, orange and a pencil this year. He is 44… Ronald James, Angus.

Definitely Meccano, Airfix models and games compendiums. They took ages to do and provided loads of fun. I used to paint the Airfix planes and hang them from my bedroom ceiling. Looked great. Archie Arbuckle, Cheshire.

Are children too spoiled? I have heard of children actually counting how many presents they have received! Lorna Smith, North Yorkshire.

Kids nowadays don’t know they’re born! At Christmas I got colouring books and crayons, skipping ropes, a ball, maybe a doll and some sweets. I was perfectly happy with that as there wasn’t much else unless your family was very rich. Liz Kelly, Glasgow.

My favourite toy was a wooden cot that my grandad made for me for my doll. I treasured it and when I had my own children, they slept in the cot for a while until they became too big. Margaret Brown, Rutherglen.