The New Hot Toys
If you are actively still trying to decide what to give to a child on your gift list, here is a helping hand from the retailers, and if these do become “hot items”, you may want to pick one up soon before “sold out” becomes posted beside the name. Toy retailers have picked the toys they believe to be “hot items.” Some of the toys on their lists suggest parents may be spending a lot as they are quite expensive. For example there is a tablet war going on: Meep Kids Tablet by Oregon Scientific $149.99, LeapPad2 $99, Tabeo by Toys ‘R Us $149.99, and InnoTab 2 Learning App Tablet by VTech $79.
Toys Revisited: Deja vu abounds as Furby is back, and so are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Classic toy brands such as Lego, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Twister are on the lists, and there is a sequel to the Skylanders video game. After 14 years in retirement, Furby is back at $54. Can the owl-like creature sold to millions of parents in it’s earlier life? Playmates has brought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Secret Sewer Lair to life, with details such as a zip line and swinging tires, priced at $119.99. Lego Friends has been branded as sexist and perpetuating gender stereotypes. But it is helping to bring more girls into the construction category and the price varies. Holiday Barbie 2012 Doll is a well-coiffed blonde with a elegant red gown, for about $39.99. Hot Wheels R/C Terrain Twister sells for $99.99, and instead of wheels, this rugged remote control car has corkscrew shape pontoons to help it tackle tough terrain. This vehicle can plow through dirt, sand, grass, water, and snow. One nice feature is the remote control, which is easy to use, even for younger children. Skylanders manufacture has high hopes for Giants, the product’s sequel sold at $74.99.
Dolls: Novi Star Dolls (prices varies) includes four dolls, from the maker of Bratz, with different talents and names (Alie Lectric lights up and changes colors, Ari Roma smells nice, Mae Tallick talks and Una Verse’s body contains water and glitter). Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Star Melody B. Sharp is an interactive Doll with talking, singing, dancing, hair-spinning, and you can sing along, do her hair and enjoy the show, at $59.99. Baby Alive Baby Wanna Walk Doll wants someone to help her learn to walk and she’ll respond by talking and cuddling. She has 40 phrases and is available as a blonde, brunette or African-American for $54.99. Disney’s Doc McStuffins Time for Your Check Up Doll priced at $39.99, includes Doc McStuffins and her pal Lambie, as well as all the medical tools she’ll need to give a magical checkup.
Play Sets: Beyblades Destroyer Dome by Hasbro priced at $39.99 already has a huge fan base, with a new play set that offers kids a whole new way to battle with the collectible pieces. Reviews suggest it may take a little practice to work up enough force to get the Beyblades to maintain their spin in the round dome, as well as to get the right angle to knock the opponent’s piece down. Monster High’s High School Play Set by Mattel sells for $78.87, allows kids to act out their own Monster High stories in the halls of the school, is winning over kids and parents alike with its anti-bullying message that celebrates tolerance and loving the things that make each individual unique. Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace Play Set is an interactive play set featuring Disney princesses with six play areas. Place any Little People Disney princess figure on a special location on the Magical Palace dance floor and the play set recognizes that specific princess and addresses her and sings one of her songs. Comes with two princesses, priced at $49.99. Barbie Sisters Cruise Ship play set includes a cruise ship, swing, pool, water slides, buffet accessories, fold-down beds, pillows and blankets, priced at $89.99. Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle, priced at $49.97 has some nice features, including a drawbridge that can be raised and lowered and sounds that can be activated by the play pieces.
Air Toys: Air Hogs Hover Assault Radio-Controlled Helicopter is a hybrid ground and air remote-control vehicle with an intelligent propeller control system, missile launching and more. Nail that target, priced around $65. Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire Blaster has a rotating ammo rack that makes this the most loaded Nerf blaster ever, with four clips and 24 darts, and the ability to hold up to 144 darts. You can reach targets 75 feet away. Game on, priced at $39.99.
Riders: Y-Volution Flicker F1 Scooter Manufacturer Priced at $99.99, available only at Toys ‘R Us, is unlike traditional kick scooters. Kids will need to use a side to side motion to glide down the street. Razor Pocket Mod Electric Scooter is a quiet, light electric scooter that can reach 15 mph and go 10 miles on a charge. They have steel frames, retractable center kickstands and a weight capacity up to 220 lbs. price varies, starting around $249. Power Wheels Dune Racer 12-volt battery-powered ride-on with big tires and a sturdy steel frame, this buggy reaches 2.5 to 5 miles per hour and will reverse at 2.5 mph. Comes with 12-volt battery and charger and fits two kids, priced at $269.99. Playskool Rocktivity Walk ‘N Roll Rider, goes from a walker to a ride-on. When a child pushes or scoots on the rider, it plays familiar tunes like “I Like to Move It” and “Ticket to Ride.” The rider is designed to boost gross motor skills, cognitive learning and sensory development priced at $49.99.
And let us not forget the new Nintendo Wii U ($299.99-$349.99). New video game consoles usually capture a lot of attention. Online pre-orders sold out quickly. It has been six years since kids were able to get their hands on a new game console from a major gaming industry company, and the Wii U will have TV and video features, and allow games with team play options within the games.
