Monday, November 3, 2008

Hot 20 Holiday Toys

The Toy Insider's Hot 20 List is here. There's more to come, but these items that are sure to make kids smile, the hottest toys this year:For more information, go to www.thetoyinsider.com (full 2008 list available online)
0-2 YEARSELMO LIVE, 18 MOS+The most amazing and lifelike Elmo by far! He waves hisarms, sits and stands and crosses his legs all whiletelling stories and jokes, singing songs and playinggames.FISHER-PRICE, K’S KIDS RYAN 28 ACTIVITY CENTER, 6 MOS+An adorable soft plush ride-on, this fun Zebra offers 28activities to keep babies busy. From peek-a-boo gamesto a variety of textures, shapes and colors, this activitycenter has it all. OHIO ARt SIT TO STAND ALPHABET TRAIN, 6 MOS+This grow-with-me toy teaches numbers, letters, colors,songs, stories and more with two learning modes.Younger kids can push it along while toddlers can climbon board for a ride.VTECH, www.vtechkids.com SMART BUILDERS PIANO, 12 MOS+Combine musical wonder with building fun while inspiringcreativity and learning. By layering and removing blocks,toddlers can change the instruments, add beats andcreate their own musical masterpiece.MEGA BRANDS, www.megabrands.com
3-5 YEARSCLUB PENGUIN PLUSH, 4+ Six-inch plush with 12unique characters, based on the popular cyber playgroundwebsite. Rare RockHopper plush available in limitedquantities. Includes a code to redeem a comparable itemonline at www.clubpenguin.com.JAKKS PACIFIC, www.jakkspacific.com INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ACTION FIGURE, 4+This Iron Man action figure stands 12 inches tall andcomes with snap-on weapons, a jet pack and aremovable helmet. Mimics the Mark III armored suitfeatured in the Iron Man film.HASBRO, www.hasbro.com FURREAL FRIENDS BISCUIT, MY LOVIN’ PUP, 5+Biscuit features voice recognition and obeys sixcommands, including sit, speak and lie down. Moving hishead and ears and even blinking his eyes, this sweetsidekick is sure to become a child’s new best friend.HASBRO, www.hasbro.com KIDIART STUDIO, 4+High-tech creative fun for kids. Built-in digital cameraallows kids to capture images of family and friends andcreate stop-motion animations. Endless activities includeart lessons, photo stamps and wacky effects.VTECH, www.vtechkids.com HANDY MANNY 2-IN-1 TRANSFORMING TOOLTRUCK, 3+ Manny’s truck is equipped with four toolsfrom the show and tons of things to fix. Transforms into atool bench for two toys in one. Bilingual phrases, soundeffects and songs encourage and entertain.FISHER-PRICE, TINK’S TALKING CAFÉ, 3+Girls can have a fairy tea party with pretend tea andgoodies. Many realistic sound effects and phrases fromTinker Bell herself. Includes 13 accessories,interchangeable menu pages and a light-up lantern.CDI (JAKKS PACIFIC), www.cditoys.com
6-8 YEARS AIR HOGS ZERO GRAVITY MICRO, 8+This full-function R/C drives on the floor, up the walls andeven upside down! Two power settings for outstandingground control and extreme vertical and upside-downaction. Four frequencies to race against friends.SPIN MASTER, www.spinmaster.com BARBIE IDESIGN ULTIMATE STYLIST, 6+With a CD-ROM-based computer game, USB-connectedscanner and swipe-able fashion cards, iDesign combinestech and fashion for millions of ensemble possibilities. Arunway show features models dressed in the fashionsgirls create. MATTEL HANNAH MONTANA MALIBU BEACH HOUSE, 6+The largest Hannah Montana playset to ever hit storeshelves, each room in this house is an authentic replicaof Hannah’s house on the Disney Channel TV show. Allfurniture included, dolls sold separately.PLAY ALONG, www.playalongtoys.com ME2, 8+Fashioned like a pedometer, the ME2 allows kids to earnpoints with every step they take. The handheld gameinteracts online at www.me2universe.com. Kids can raceagainst other players and redeem points at the virtualstore. ITOYS
CLICKABLES FAIRY CHARMS STARTER SET, 7+A magical jewelry box, a charm necklace and threeexclusive charms take girls into Tinker Bell’s vibrant onlineworld at www.pixiehollow.com. Girls can collect, shareand gift charms with a simple click-link of their bracelets.
TECHNO SOURCE, www.technosourcehk.comBAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, 5+Magnetic marbles burst open to reveal Bakugan warrioraction figures when they roll onto the real metal GateCards. Boys must strategically place metal Gate Cards toaffect the battle in their favor.SPIN MASTER, www.spinmaster.com
MONOPOLY HERE & NOW: THE WORLD EDITION, 9+Five million Monopoly players voted on which 22 citiesfrom around the world should be included in thisgroundbreaking new edition. Deal button and digitalbanker add new elements to play.HASBRO, www.hasbro.com
9+ YEARS SPY VIDEO ATV-360, 9+This remote-controlled vehicle transmits real-time videoand audio to a private headset. Drivers can confirm thecoast is clear by pushing a button on the remote controlto perform a 360-degree room scan.WILD PLANET,
U-DANCE, 9+Wireless and dance-mat free, this game system featuresmotion-sensing technology that allows players full range ofmovement, using their body to control game play. Performreal dance moves like jumping, sliding, cross-overs andmore. TIGER ELECTRONICS, www.hasbro.com/tiger
YOUTH SIGNATURE STREET SURFING SET, 9+The Wave deck sits atop two wheels that are both free torotate 360 degrees, delivering the latest craze inskateboarding. Set comes with replacement wheels anda CPSC-approved helmet.STREET SURFING, www.streetsurfing.com

www.thetoyinsider.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Hot 20 Toys for the Holidays...it's here!!

Our Hot 20 list is here!! Here are my favorites ( and my teams) and it wasn't easy. Broken down by age, there's something for everyone. We will release the rest of our list for the holidays shortly! Enjoy.
For more information, go to www.thetoyinsider.com

ELMO LIVE, 18 MOS+
The most amazing and lifelike Elmo by far! He waves his
arms, sits and stands and crosses his legs all while
telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing
games.
FISHER-PRICE,
0-2 YEARS
K’S KIDS RYAN 28 ACTIVITY CENTER, 6 MOS+
An adorable soft plush ride-on, this fun Zebra offers 28
activities to keep babies busy. From peek-a-boo games
to a variety of textures, shapes and colors, this activity
center has it all.
OHIO ART

SIT TO STAND ALPHABET TRAIN, 6 MOS+
This grow-with-me toy teaches numbers, letters, colors,
songs, stories and more with two learning modes.
Younger kids can push it along while toddlers can climb
on board for a ride.
VTECH, www.vtechkids.com

SMART BUILDERS PIANO, 12 MOS+
Combine musical wonder with building fun while inspiring
creativity and learning. By layering and removing blocks,
toddlers can change the instruments, add beats and
create their own musical masterpiece.
MEGA BRANDS, www.megabrands.com
3-5 YEARS
CLUB PENGUIN PLUSH, 4+ Six-inch plush with 12
unique characters, based on the popular cyber playground
website. Rare RockHopper plush available in limited
quantities. Includes a code to redeem a comparable item
online at www.clubpenguin.com.
JAKKS PACIFIC, www.jakkspacific.com

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ACTION FIGURE, 4+
This Iron Man action figure stands 12 inches tall and
comes with snap-on weapons, a jet pack and a
removable helmet. Mimics the Mark III armored suit
featured in the Iron Man film.
HASBRO, www.hasbro.com

FURREAL FRIENDS BISCUIT, MY LOVIN’ PUP, 5+
Biscuit features voice recognition and obeys six
commands, including sit, speak and lie down. Moving his
head and ears and even blinking his eyes, this sweet
sidekick is sure to become a child’s new best friend.
HASBRO, www.hasbro.com

KIDIART STUDIO, 4+
High-tech creative fun for kids. Built-in digital camera
allows kids to capture images of family and friends and
create stop-motion animations. Endless activities include
art lessons, photo stamps and wacky effects.
VTECH, www.vtechkids.com

HANDY MANNY 2-IN-1 TRANSFORMING TOOL
TRUCK, 3+ Manny’s truck is equipped with four tools
from the show and tons of things to fix. Transforms into a
tool bench for two toys in one. Bilingual phrases, sound
effects and songs encourage and entertain.
FISHER-PRICE,

TINK’S TALKING CAFÉ, 3+
Girls can have a fairy tea party with pretend tea and
goodies. Many realistic sound effects and phrases from
Tinker Bell herself. Includes 13 accessories,
interchangeable menu pages and a light-up lantern.
CDI (JAKKS PACIFIC), www.cditoys.com

Our Toy Insider staff of experts has
selected these as some of the hottest
toys for this holiday season. Your
child may have individual needs and
passions, so please review each age
segment and visit our website,
www.thetoyinsider.com, for even
more great holiday gifts that will
appeal to your child.

For more information, go to www.thetoyinsider.com
MONOPOLY HERE & NOW: THE WORLD EDITION, 9+
Five million Monopoly players voted on which 22 cities
from around the world should be included in this
groundbreaking new edition. Deal button and digital
banker add new elements to play.
HASBRO, www.hasbro.com
9+ YEARS
SPY VIDEO ATV-360, 9+
This remote-controlled vehicle transmits real-time video
and audio to a private headset. Drivers can confirm the
coast is clear by pushing a button on the remote control
to perform a 360-degree room scan.
WILD PLANET,

U-DANCE, 9+
Wireless and dance-mat free, this game system features
motion-sensing technology that allows players full range of
movement, using their body to control game play. Perform
real dance moves like jumping, sliding, cross-overs and
more. TIGER ELECTRONICS, www.hasbro.com/tiger

YOUTH SIGNATURE STREET SURFING SET, 9+
The Wave deck sits atop two wheels that are both free to
rotate 360 degrees, delivering the latest craze in
skateboarding. Set comes with replacement wheels and
a CPSC-approved helmet.
STREET SURFING, www.streetsurfing.com
6-8 YEARS
AIR HOGS ZERO GRAVITY MICRO, 8+
This full-function R/C drives on the floor, up the walls and
even upside down! Two power settings for outstanding
ground control and extreme vertical and upside-down
action. Four frequencies to race against friends.
SPIN MASTER, www.spinmaster.com

BARBIE IDESIGN ULTIMATE STYLIST, 6+
With a CD-ROM-based computer game, USB-connected
scanner and swipe-able fashion cards, iDesign combines
tech and fashion for millions of ensemble possibilities. A
runway show features models dressed in the fashions
girls create. MATTEL

HANNAH MONTANA MALIBU BEACH HOUSE, 6+
The largest Hannah Montana playset to ever hit store
shelves, each room in this house is an authentic replica
of Hannah’s house on the Disney Channel TV show. All
furniture included, dolls sold separately.
PLAY ALONG, www.playalongtoys.com

ME2, 8+
Fashioned like a pedometer, the ME2 allows kids to earn
points with every step they take. The handheld game
interacts online at www.me2universe.com. Kids can race
against other players and redeem points at the virtual
store. ITOYS

CLICKABLES FAIRY CHARMS STARTER SET, 7+
A magical jewelry box, a charm necklace and three
exclusive charms take girls into Tinker Bell’s vibrant online
world at www.pixiehollow.com. Girls can collect, share
and gift charms with a simple click-link of their bracelets.
TECHNO SOURCE, www.technosourcehk.com

BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS, 5+
Magnetic marbles burst open to reveal Bakugan warrior
action figures when they roll onto the real metal Gate
Cards. Boys must strategically place metal Gate Cards to
affect the battle in their favor.
SPIN MASTER, www.spinmaster.com