What are the top toys of the holiday season?  Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht spoke to the Financial Post to talk about the year’s best new toys. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and for a full rundown of the best toys of the year, check out our complete holiday toy guide.


hatchimalsHatchimals (Spin Master)

  • Hatchimals are magical creatures that live inside of eggs. Who’s inside? It’s a surprise!
  • Each egg contains one of two interactive Hatchimals. Kids must and care for their egg as its eyes will light up as it makes cute sounds, telling you how it’s feeling!
  • Once kids have played with it enough, they’ll see rainbow eyes, meaning it’s time to hatch! But, Hatchimals can’t hatch on their own. Kids’ touch encourages them to peck their way out of the egg—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
  • Now, kids get to raise their furry Hatchimal through 3 stages, from baby to toddler, to kid. Hatchimals sing “Hatchy Birthday” each time it enters a new stage!
  • Kids will teach them how to walk, dance, play games and more! It will even repeat what they say in its own voice.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP:$59.99
  • Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, with retail exclusive characters

shopkins-season-6-chef-club-mooseShopkins Season 6 Chef Club (Moose Toys)

  • Come over to the cutest kitchen in town and see what’s cooking at the Chef’s Club! This season each Shopkin™ is an ingredient in a deliciously fun recipe! Collect all the ingredients and search for the Limited Edition “Finished Dishes”!
  • There are Breakfast meals to make, sweet things to bake, Family foods to prepare and baked goods to share! The 12 pack comes with 2 Shopkins hidden inside 2 cute cook books! Will you find a “Limited Edition” Dish?
  • This season each Chef Club Shopkin™ has a scanable code on it to access a cute Shopkins™ App! Scan all the ingredients to unlock your Limited Edition App Character.
  • Scan all the ingredients to unlock your Limited Edition App Character.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $6.99—$26.99
  • Amazon, Toys “R” Us

xshot-bug-attack-eliminator-2-predator-tk-3-combo-zuruXShot Bug Attack Eliminator & 2 Predator TK-3 Combo (Zuru)

  • Creepy, crawley bugs have invaded and only XShot Bug Attack can blast them with total accuracy! This combo pack allows for precision blasting with the Eliminator, and stealth attacks with the Predator TK-3 blaster. Both items fire the aerodynamic darts up to 55 feet. The combo set includes 1 Eliminator blaster, 1 Predator TK-3 blaster, 5 Creepeez Bug targets and 24 darts.
  • Ages:
  • MSRP: $28.13
  • Available: Target

fashion-plates-superstar-deluxe-set_kahootz-toysFashion Plates Superstar Deluxe Kit (Kahootz)

  • All the award-winning features of the original Fashion Plates Deluxe Set, now with all new superstar fashion designs!
  • Create your own pop star looks with all the rockin’ mix and match design plates, portfolio case and more! Compatible with other Fashion Plates sets.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $49.95
  • Available: Indigo, Mastermind Toys

meccano-meccasaur_spin-master2Meccano Meccasaur (Spin Master)

  • Meccasaur is an interactive 3-foot long dinosaur that kids build and program using metal and space-age plastic pieces.
  • Use Room Guard mode to protect your stuff. If Meccasaur notices any sounds or change in light, he’ll charge at the intruder while roaring.
  • Meccasaur responds to petting, answers yes/no to questions, and stomps around.
  • Ages: 10+
  • MSRP: $159.99
  • Available: Amazon, Toys R Us, Indigo, Mastermind Toys

lego-star-wars-resistance-x-fighter-copyLEGO Star Wars Resistance X-Wing Fighter (LEGO)

  • Kids can fly minifigure Poe on a rescue mission in the Resistance X-Wing Fighter to protect Lor San Tekka’s home from the attacking First Order Flametrooper!
  • This detailed X-Wing Fighter features movable parts such as opening wings and cockpit, four spring-loaded shooters, retractable landing gear, removable engine and a detachable BB-8.
  • The set also comes with a building section with a container, toppling tower, and fire elements to attach to the building and Flametrooper’s weapon to create a make-believe blaze.
  • This set includes three minifigures and a BB-8 Astromech Droid.
  • Ages: 8+
  • $99.99
  • Available: Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us

chip_wowwee1CHiP (WowWee)

  • CHiP (Canine Home Intelligent Pet) is the ultimate AI Robotic Dog.
  • CHiP recognizes its master and responds to commands using the included SmartBand, a sleek, rechargeable wearable controller. CHiP also responds to hand gestures and voice commands.
  • CHiP plays fetch and fun games with his SmartBall, interacting in all the ways a real dog would… Roll his ball and he’ll bring it back to you, or play soccer with him. Pick up his front legs and he’ll dance with you. Rub your nose against his and he’ll nuzzle right back.
  • After a day of endless fun, CHiP knows it’s time to head to its special SmartBed and recharge. With a 360-degree system of play that’s physical, digital and tactile, plus an intuitive, evolving app, CHiP is a welcome addition to today’s connected home and fun for all ages.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $249.99
  • Available: Best Buy

Speak OutSpeak Out Game (Hasbro)

  • Get ready to be doubled over with laughter with this ridiculous mouthpiece challenge game!
  • The Speak Out game brings friends and family together for laugh-out-loud fun as players try to say different phrases while wearing a mouthpiece that won’t let them shut their mouth.
  • The laughter continues as players try to decipher what in the world their teammate is trying to say, and must correctly guess the phrase in order to earn the card.
  • The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
  • Ages: 16+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart, Toys “R” Us

wonder-pops-surprize-pets-blip


Wonder Pops Surprize Pets (Blip)

  • Find out what’s poppin’ with the Wonder Pop Surprize Pets!
  • Push up your pop to explode the confetti top and reveal the pet inside—each one a big surprise!
  • Use the pop to display your cute mini plush or stuff it all back in and POP it again!
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $6.99
  • Available: Toys “R” Us

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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