is that most of the toys under the brand name are rubbish. My little boy is about to turn 5 and I know that if he opens his presents up and the familiar green and black Ben10 packaging is shining up at him then he will be happy. I also know that it will probably be broken within a couple of days or all the bits lost and there will be tears and frustration. We have a couple of hardy Ben10 toys, the Deluxe Omnitrix for example has taken a lot of bashings, so it's a case of trying to pick which ones are flimsy and which are actually up to the job of being played with by a child.

I seem to find it harder and harder to think of present ideas the older he gets. He is getting very into boy's toys only and it's a world I will never understand. My husband reckons he will love this Ben10 (well, Kevin levin) Alien Cruiser and I think he's probably right. It has all sorts of fold out bits and things that shoot out the front and looks completely boring and crap to me but I am not a 5 year old boy. There aren't too many reviews as it's not been out long in the UK but reviewers in the states don't seem to have any major problems with it. I can't believe it isn't overpriced at £30 but I have £20 in nectar points to use at Argos so am prepared to risk them.

The other Ben10 risk I am taking is on this Ben10 laser set. I probably shouldn't be encouraging gun play but we seem to have a lot less injuries with guns than with light sabers or pretend swords. I can find hardly any information on these guns at all and they are too new and oddly don't see to even have been sold in the US. Maybe there is another world for laser in America that I don't know. If they work then they will be fab and even I am looking forward to having a play. I am thinking it will be like laser quest and make some kind of noise when you hit the other persons target. I suspect I will be very disappointed but A will be thrilled with a Ben10 gun that makes a noise so he should be happy regardless.

I am still thinking and desperately wandering round the web in search of something better than these as I suspect they will be nothing but trouble. At the end of the day though I just want him to be happy and have a nice day and I suspect these present will suffice for that.