Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski joined CBS in Columbus to show off the best holiday toys and games for shoppers on a budget. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.

VIP PETS

Unbox nine surprises and reveal one of 12 fashionistas. The VIP Pets have 12 inches of long hair to style. Wash the pet's hair to discover its unique look, then dress it up with personalized accessories. Unbox nine surprises and reveal one of 12 fashionistas. The VIP Pets have 12 inches of long hair to…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $12.99; $17.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 3+

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HEROES OF GOO JIT ZU DINOS

Kids can now live out their dinosaur battle dreams with the squishy, stretchy, goo-filled action heroes that always save the day. The Dino Power pack features brand new, exciting heroes to collect, such as the big chomping SupaGoo T-Rex. Each hero comes filled with a unique compound, from sand to faux teeth or bones, glitter…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $4.99 (Mini Battle Pack); $9.99 (Hero Pack); $19.99 Versus Pack; $19.99 (SupaGoo T-Rex)
  • Age:
  • 4+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

ELF TALKING PLUSH

Pull Buddy's string to activate 15 phrases from Elf, such as, “I like to smile, smiling's my favorite!” and “I'm a cotton-headed ninnymuggins.” The 12-inch plush sits up straight to act as a holiday lookout in homes.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 4+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

JUNKBOTS

Dig through junk to reveal hidden treasures and clues /to build one of 36 collectibles. Mix and match pieces to customize your own characters. Animate the bots with a motor or dynamic vibrations and a light-up energy core.r

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99; $25.99 CAD
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PIZZA PARTY THROWDOWN

Players have 30 seconds to toss their color-coded ingredients onto the rotating pizza gameboard using the pizza chef launcher game piece. Three different challenges offer various levels of difficulty for up to four players.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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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