Kids have never been backwards at coming forwards with their Christmas lists. But for those stuck for that extra little surprise, here's our guide to some of the more quirky, unusual or just plain old-fashioned gifts around.

SNAKES and ladders might be a bit old-fashioned for the 21st century generation of super-cool kids - but a 3-D version certainly lends a whole new dimension to the game.

Now kids can climb from level to level for real - and these snakes have got to be some of the slipperiest customers around. Game manufacturers PERI have added 3-D Ludo, too, for die-hards fans of the third dimension. The games, suitable for all ages from four upwards, are available from most large toy retailers and some supermarkets, including Woolworth, Toymaster, Tesco and Allders.

Price from £10 to £12.

For youngsters who thrilled to Walking With Dinosaurs, now comes a chance to be a dinosaur yourself. In Walking With Dinosaurs: the board game, players start life as early dinosaurs in the Triassic period more than 220 million years ago.

In a race around the board, the task is to survive and evolve to the end of the late Cretaceous period - without being gobbled up along the way by a hungry T-Rex! Images on the action cards are all taken from the amazing TV series, so your kids can relive it time and again. Suitable for children of seven upwards, it is for two to four players and is produced by The Green Board Game Company in conjunction with the BBC. Price £15.

Who says word games can't be fun? Vocabulon has already been a massive hit on the continent - and now the best-selling word game has linked up with Kingfisher Chambers dictionaries for a UK edition too. Players win cards and answer clues as they move round the board and try to collect all the right letters to make up their secret word. Should keep families spellbound for hours as they discover the spelling and meaning of 1,000 different words. Produced by In Cahoots for children aged six to eleven: price £19.99. There's a junior version too, My First Vocabulon, especially for youngsters aged three to six: price £14.99.

Pirates are always great fun for adventurous youngsters - but things have moved on since the days of Captain Pugwash. Since the start of this year, the adventures of Captain Bilge and his colourful crew of baby buccaneers aboard the Rubber Duck have been enthralling pre-school tots across the nation in the new BBC series Yoho Ahoy. Each of the seafaring shipmates has a remarkably expressive vocabulary of... just two words, Yoho! and Ahoy! Now there are a range of Yoho Ahoy Christmas goodies available from the BBC, including books from £2.99 to £4.99, a Welcome Aboard video at £9.99 and a super range of soft toys at £9.99.

While we're on a piratical theme, Kwik Save's range of budget action toys this year includes a super pirate ship - complete with crew, jollyboat, sails marked with the skull-and-crossbones and even a dolphin to keep the ship company - for just £9.99. Other action toys from the budget chain include a Deluxe Police Force set for £4.99 - so Christmas needn't break the bank altogether.

If you want your kids to be warm this winter, what better than a Bagpuss Hot Water Bottle. Warmth and a cuddly toy all in one, for just £15 from your nearest big Boots store. Boots also have some great Chicken Run slippers for £15 that the kids - and maybe even a few grown-up kids, too! - will love. Available in sizes 4-6, and 7-10.

If it's cuddly toys with a traditional feel you're after, you could do worse than turn to Teddy Bears of Witney. The world famous shop and mail order business specialises in old and new teddy bears for all tastes and budgets - with more than 1,000 to choose from. Top of the range bears include the Mistletoe Cheeky, a limited edition green mohair bear with feet the colour of white berries that will set you back £85, and the Cheeky White Christmas Bear, another limited-edition soft white alpaca bear with a gold velvet muzzle and foot paws that will cost you £195. But if that is out of your reach, don't worry. There are a selection of less expensive bears too, all available by mail order. Call 01993 702616/ 706616 for brochure.

Finally, if it's cuddly toys that won't break the bank you're after - and if your children still haven't shaken off their obsession with the Pokmon pocket monsters - there are a range of Pokmon beanie toys available from Tesco at just £4.99 each.

The toys include Pikachu, Snorlax, Clefairy and Gengar. Suitable for children aged three and up.