Christmas is drawing ever closer and if you want to get a head start on shopping here is a list of the hottest toys that kids will not only love but that will last them longer than New Years Day.

Parents seem to spend more time than even they realise choosing the most appropriate gifts for children for Christmas. Balancing your child's interests with budget considerations is often difficult, and often you may decide on a toy, only to read that other parents have found it to be a waste of money.

The best toys are those that get played with. You need to look for toys that last. Toys that not only keep your child's interest for more than 24 hours but are also made of high quality materials and will hopefully last for months and years of regular play.

A toy that keeps your child interested and engaged for a long time is a very satisfying joy to parents. A toy that can be relied on to not fall apart or be swept away by other passing trends, one that your child turns to when they want to have some time for themselves. These are the toys that are worth spending money on and will be remembered in your child's memories.

So what are some of the best toys for this year's Christmas gifts?

For Boys you may want to consider any of the Lego sets including favourites such as Star Wars Lego, for fans of the series or Kingdoms, their Knights theme. For older kids the Technic theme includes lots of challenging construction options that will keep them enthralled for months.

In a similar vein the Erector sets (known as Meccano in the UK and Australia) are great for kids with a mechanical interest. They differ from Lego in that they use metal pieces as well as plastic and are joined together with screws that require included tools. Some come with remote control and other electronic options to move and animate the final designs. Any of these construction sets would also be good for girls who enjoy making things.

Girls may be interested in the Calico Critters range of animal figures and sets. Calico Critters, also known as Sylvanian Families have been around for decades and that is because they are wholesome toys made with great quality materials and attention to detail. They have a range of gorgeous animals, houses and furniture that are immaculately designed and made.

Girls who are interested in role play may enjoy the green toys range of kitchen role play toys. Made from recycled milk bottles, these toys are great for the environment and made to last. Puppets from Folkmanis or Melissa and Doug are always big hits at Christmas and are sure to please for years.

Buying toys that have been well designed and made of high quality materials will allow your kids to connect with them for years to come.