Looking to make this the best holiday season ever? Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by The Steve Harvey Show to show off some of the toys sure to bring out the holiday cheer. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and be sure to check out our complete holiday gift guide.


Mattel_HotWheels_AI_TrackHot Wheels A.I. (Mattel)

  • Rev your engine for the ultimate Hot Wheels racing experience with the Hot Wheels AI Intelligent Race System Starter Kit.
  • Lay out the track pieces and put the two AI smart cars at the starting line. Then, grab the controllers and put the pedal to the metal to speed around the course.
  • AI-assisted driving ensures the vehicles remain on the track while you reach scale speeds up to 180 mph!
  • Beware the virtual hazards as you navigate the thrilling curves and straightaways.
  • When you’re ready to showcase your skills, jump into RC mode and drive the cars through the house.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Available: Toys “R” Us, Amazon

BeForever Melody Doll and BookAmerican Girl BeForever Melody Doll (Mattel)

  • American Girl’s newest historical character is Melody Ellison, a 9-year-old girl growing up in Detroit during the 1960s.
  • In her stories, written by award-winning author Denise Lewis Patrick, Melody lifts her voice for equality and positive change in her community.
  • To ensure historical accuracy on Melody, her story and her entire product line, American Girl worked for over two years with an esteemed six-member advisory board, which included the late Horace Julian Bond and other key leaders.
  • The advisory board provided input on all aspects of Melody’s development—from the doll, books, outfits, accessories, issues, and story setting.
  • Girls can watch an adaption of Melody’s inspirational story on Amazon Prime. The special is called An American Girl Story—Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, and it stars ‘Black-ish’ actress Marsai Martin as Melody
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $115.00
  • Available: Toys “R” Us, americangirl.com

skylanders-imaginators_activisionSkylanders Imaginators (Activision Publishing)

  • Skylanders Imaginators gives kids the power to create Skylanders and bring them to life for the first time in an all-new adventure with a compelling storyline, puzzles, battles, and a new lineup of heroes and villains.
  • Skylanders Imaginators introduces a new toy type — a Creation Crystal. This vessel allows players to create and transport their unique Skylanders to consoles at anytime, anywhere! Creation Crystals are elementally aligned. Portal Masters can create one character per Creation Crystal.
  • Skylanders Imaginators introduces new guest stars to Skylanders called Senseis. Skylanders
  • Senseis include 20 new characters, including Crash Bandicoot, and 11 former villains
  • Ages: Rated E for Everyone (Figures: 6+)
  • MSRP: $74.99
  • Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Gamestop

disney-frozen-little-kingdom-elsas-magical-rising-castle_hasbroDisney Frozen Little Kingdom Elsa’s Rising Castle (Hasbro)

  • This Disney Frozen Little Kingdom Elsa’s Rising Castle Playset lets kids pretend to have Elsa’s powers!
  • At first glance, it looks like a playset on the outside. Then with a wave of their hand it rises and opens to reveal Elsa’s Ice Castle!
  • The magical lights and sounds that play as the Ice Castle is rising make children feel as if they are right in the movie! Includes Elsa doll, Olaf doll, Snap-Ins, cuff bracelet and themed accessories.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Available: Toys R Us, Amazon, Target, Walmart

 

 

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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