Hello and welcome to our regular Monday update on the latest cool gear for families. This week with added sprouts. Oh yes.

Lego Universe
You might have seen the ads for this game on TV this week. Lego Universe is a Lego-themed online world, playable via your PC or Mac.

However, this game made my Lego-mad son cry before he'd even played it. The reason? There's a £7.49 per month charge to play, a heck of a lot when you're seven.

The game includes the first month's subscription, but at RRP £29.99, so it should. When you compare this with other children's online worlds such as Moshi Monsters or Club Penguin (which are free to start playing, and charge under a fiver for monthly membership) it seems somewhat steep.

But if you are prepared to shell out, there's no denying that this is an amazing game, combining creativity, sociability and fun. Players can customise their own Lego minifigure, then use this to undertake a series of missions, interacting with others all around the world. Lego Universe looks fantastic and is great fun to play. And if you snap it up now, it's on offer for £17.75 at Amazon.

New character and toy for Roary the Racing Car
TV cartoon Roary the Racing Car is great for vehicle-mad children, and Formula One fans will enjoy the voice of Murray Walker, who's just joined the show.

And there's a new toy in the range - the Loada Transporter Playset. It can be played with like a truck, then all the bits and bobs can be packed away in the back at the end of the day. It comes with a little Roary vehicle and a working winch to haul him up. Batteries are included, and the roof lifts off to become a jump ramp.

Roary the Racing Car Loada Transporter Playset is out now and widely available, RRP £24.99


Scooby Doo video game
A new game featuring our favourite crime-fighting team has just been released for the Wii, Playstation and Nintendo DS. In Scooby Doo and the Spooky Swamp, players can choose to be any of the Mystery Machine gang.

The characters aren't identical to the cartoon - they look more like little kid versions of their usual selves. The action is spooky rather than out and out frightening, as players roam around a ghost town and other locations. If your family doesn't want Halloween to end, this will suit you just fine.

Scooby Doo and the Spooky Swamp is out now, RRP £29.99, though Play have it for £17.99. Suitable for age 7 and over.


Bargain cuddlies
Something to soften the festive cash squeeze - starting this Thursday 4th November, The Disney Store is reducing the price of its large plush character toys from £35 to £20. And if you're wondering what that includes, 'plush' is toyspeak for soft cuddly toys.

If you are a former Disney Store employee like me, you will probably be quaking in your boots because man, that stack of plush was a nightmare to sort out. But for everyone else, it's a bargain.

Offer includes Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and others. You can see the full range here.



Flower Sprouts
Yes you heard right - sprouts are being rebranded, with the new release of Flower Sprouts. Something new for family teatimes to stop fussy eaters in their tracks.

So when your child screws up their nose and says "Eurgh I'm not eating that!", you can say in your bestest Nigella voice "But darling, it's not a sprout, it's a flower".

They have more vitamins than regular sprouts and are actually a cross between regular sprouts and kale.

Flower Sprouts are available now from Marks and Spencer