The Hottest Toys for Christmas 2010

Air Hogs MotoFrenzy

     It wouldn’t be Christmas without some kind of remote control vehicke that every boy just has to have.  Spinmaster’s offering is what they claim is the world’s smallest remote control motor bike; at just over 3 inches by 2 inches they may be right.

The gimmick: It can ride on nearly any terrain, and boasts a balancing system that enables sharp turns at high velocities without falling.

Price:  $24.99

Hot Wheels Stealth Rides

     Maybe the coolest remote offering of the year.  Essentially, it slides into a case the size of a credit card.  Push a buttun, and it pops out into a remote control car.

The Gimmick:  It’s a remote control car that folds up into a package the size of a cell phone so you can carry it in your pocket. 

Price:  $24.99

Paper Jamz

     In the latest rip off of the Guitar Hero phenomenon, you have Paper Jamz.  The guitar is about the same size as its GH counterpart, but less than an inch thick.  Instead of strings, you strum the surface where the strings should be.

The Gimmick: Guitar Hero without the need for TV.  Each guitar is programmed with 3 songs, and has a mode where kids can create their own music.

The Price: $24.99

Nerf N-Strike Stampede Blaster

     3 6-nerf bullet clips, a tripod, and a shield.

The Gimmick:  It’s a big freakin’ nerf gun.  Nerf guns are always cool, and the Stampede Blaster is no exception.

Price: $49.99

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs

     Annoyingly cute, they sing, play music, and interact with each other.

The Gimmick: They harmonize together when they sing, thus necessitating parents to buy more than one.

Price: $12.99

Monster High dolls

If you have a daughter under 18, you know what  Bratz are.  These are pretty much the same thing, but with a Twilight-ish theme.

The Gimmick: The accesories.  They all have a plethora of side items that can be purchased to go along with the original dolls.

Price: $16.99 for the doll, more for all of the little stuff that goes with it.

Disney Princess & Me dolls

18″ dolls based, obviously, on Disney Movie Princesses.  Each comes with a magazine subscription, and the owner gets a birthday card on their birthday.  A replica of the dress can be bought life size.

The gimmick: Being marketed as a “Collecter’s Item”, and priced as such.

Price: $49.99

Loopz

If you watch any channel that carries kids’ programming, you’ve seen a commercial for this.  Remember the old ‘Simon” games?  Same thing, but instead of pushing the buttons in order, you stick your hand through the little openings on the side.

The gimmick:  Flashy lights and funny noises.

Price: $29.99

Scrabble Flash

Similar game, no game board, interactive digital screens

The Gimmick:  New age version of a classic.

Price: $29.99

Leapster Explorer

An interactive hand held video game for the little ones.

The gimmick:  Educational.  My 4 year old has one, and I swear by it.  This thing helped him know how to count, recognize colors, and know not only his alphabet but rudimentary reading…. before he was 3.  I swear by the thing.

Price: $69.99, and worth every penny.

V. Reader

Essentially a Kindle for kids.

The Gimmick: An outstanding educational toy; the next step up from the Leapster.

Price: $59.99

Real Construction

Faux wood, kid friendly tools. 

The gimmick:  Kids build stuff.  You can’t go wrong.

Price: $9.99, $24.99 for deluxe version.

LEGO games

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Legos, either.

The gimmick: They’re games that your kids actually build using legos.  A cool twist from one the heavyweights in the toy game.

Price: $29.99

Squinkies

Little animals that come in a ball.

The gimmick: There are tons of them, and kids will want to collect them.  You don’t know which one you get until you open it.  Remember the quarter machines from when you were a kid?  Sam thing, but….

Price: $6.99