Recently we looked at the latest lists of what's predicted to be the most popular toys this Christmas. A few parents I spoke to were a bit sniffy about this list, and said that nothing on it caught their eye.
But isn't that always the way at Christmas? Stuff that parents dismiss as plastic tat becomes a child's heart's desire.
So for a chance to explore some of the new toys around this year (and hopefully find something both parent and child will like), the Argos Big Play Roadshow is touring 15 UK shopping centres over October Half Term (24th Oct-1st Nov).
You can find out more and check if they're visiting your area here. At these events, kids will be able to try out toys and video games for free, and then tell the toy retailer what they think in the Big Play Video Booth.
Earlier in the year I reported on my family's experience of becoming toy testers for the day. It really was a lot of fun, provided your child is old enough to understand that they won't be taking these toys home today. It's strictly for pre-Christmas research purposes only.
And there's also a chance for thirty lucky children to win free toys for a year:
Argos is inviting kids to enter its Toy Tester competition for a chance to win free toys for a year. All they have to do to enter is say what their favourite toy is and why they love it in 25 words or less. You can either fill in the entry form in the Big Play flyer and post it at any Argos store, or enter online at this link.
The Toy Tester competition is aimed at ages 0-12 years. Argos will select 30 winners in total, and will choose one product from their Toys/VGS range for each winner, each month for one year.