The holidays are notorious for sneaking up on us, but this year our Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht has you covered! Check her out on WGN-TV Chicago showing off some of the hottest holiday toys that span top trends from DYO (or design-your-own) to high-tech toys.
Doc McStuffins Walk N’ Talk Doc Mobile Doll (Just Play)
- Doc McStuffins is still the hottest doc in town
- The Walk N’ Talk Doc Mobile Doll is one of the exciting new toys based on the top-rated Disney Junior series
- Pushing the siren on Doc’s mobile clinic sends her to the rescue as she magically walks, talks, and sings the “Doc Mobile” song
- Doc’s friend Lambie is included and talks and sings along with Doc
- Features include a light-up siren and doors that open so Doc can provide on-site care
- Four doctor’s stools are included – an otoscope, stethoscope, magnifying glass and knee hammer
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99
12″ Mega Mutant Leonardo (Playmates Toys)
- Designed for preschoolers, this 12-inch Leo figure features brighter colors, softer expressions, and rounded edges.
- Kids can practice ninja training with Leonardo as they control his ninja moves, chops, and kicks.
- The figure features over 100 phrases and karate sound effects.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99
Grunting Pig Puppet (Folkmanis, Inc.)
- Kids can entertain their friends and “LOL” with the cuddly Grunting Pig puppet.
- As kids squeeze its pot belly he makes delightful grunting sounds.
- Movable snout, mouth and front trotters.
- Ages 3+
- MSRP: $29.99
Graphic Skinz Design Studio (Mega Brands)
- Graphic Skinz allows kids to become designers using the motorized design chamber. They simply apply custom skins to small 3-D objects like cars, figurines, jewelry and more.
- Skinning is a huge trend that adults and kids recognize and understand. They skin all kinds of things but most well known are electronics, sporting goods and vehicles - Customizing and creating are the most exciting features .
- The vacuum chamber and its suction powers are a unique and never-been-done play pattern .
- The most exciting objects to skin are Jewelry and Cell Phone cases —There are over 400 skinz to choose from within all the packs, so the possibilities are endless .
- There is literally NO messing up this process. With the proprietary Graphic Skinz formula, kids can layer their skinz over and over again. Not only is it fail proof, but it prevents against boredom!
- Runs on AA batteries.
- There are kits offered at four price points. The Motorized Vacuum Chamber is the starter set for $29.99. Refill packs and additional kits start at $3.99.
- Ages: 6+
Pokémon XY Battle Ready Pikachu (TOMY)
- TOMY brings imagination to life with its Pokémon Role Play Toy line.
- Pikachu launches foam discs from kids’ shoulders, a tabletop, or from the floor.
- Set includes Pikachu, an adjustable backpack harness with storage compartment, and 12 foam discs.
- Includes three AAA batteries.
- Let the battle begin!
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $39.99
Skylanders Trap Team (Activision)
- Portal masters can seek out, defeat, and capture the most wanted villains in all of Skylanders.
- For the first time kids can pull the villains out of the games and capture them in Traps.
- Then, send the villains back into the game to fight for good!
- Skylanders Trap Team is forward compatible with more than 175 unique toys from all previous games that kids can enjoy in the real-world and in the virtual game world.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $74.99
Bungees Flick Master Arena (Jazwares)
- Bungees are unique brightly-colored characters that have an even more unique story.
- Formed from the core of the earth, they are part earthly and part alien with an inner magnetism that helps them secure new territory.
- The different play pattern gives users multiple ways to play by aiming their Bungees at scoring targets; a flick of the finger is all it takes to compete, collect and win in this hot new magnetic game.
- Bungees are organized into eight crews that consist of four Bungees each for the Series 1 launch.
- Collect all the characters in each crew to dominate the battlefield and become a Bungees Champion.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $3.99-$24.99
Hot Wheels High Jump Frenzy R/C (Toy State)
- Full function R/C driving action with a dramatic ‘high jump’ feature
- When button is pushed during R/C drive sequence, jumping feature is triggered
- Vehicle can perform 360 degree spins and front flips that keeps the action going
- Includes rechargeable battery and wall charger; controller requires 3 “AAA” batteries (not included)
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $49.99
Sky Viper Camera Drone (Skyrocket Toys)
- The Sky Viper Drone is a hi-tech, hobby grade, four-blade R/C copter that measures 16 inches diagonally from blade-to-blade.
- Kids can take birds-eye photos and videos at 100 feet in the air.
- Features advanced stabilization, new tricks and stunts, tighter controls and a built-in camera that records for up to 30 minutes and 30 frames per second with 180 degree adjustable viewing
- Equipped with a lightweight yet sturdy carbon fiber frame, computer-controlled 6-axis gyro and accelerometer stabilization, one-touch stunt capabilities, a 2.4 GHz remote with the rechargeable lithium polymer battery
- Ages: 12+
- MSRP: $79.99
