As 2015 comes to an end, we look back on the many amazing toys we’ve had the chance to play with throughout an exciting year. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht dropped by CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange to discuss the year’s top trends in toys, from Star Wars to Jurassic World.

Mattel.HelloBarbieHello Barbie (Mattel)

  • Hello Barbie is the first fashion doll that can have a two-way conversation with girls.
  • Hello Barbie features speech recognition and progressive learning features, which provides girls with an engaging and unique Barbie experience.
  • She plays interactive games, tells jokes, and inspires storytelling.
  • Provides 60 minutes of play time with full battery charge, and has a portable charger to facilitate play on-the-go.
  • Features speech recognition technology that is activated by a push-down button on the doll’s belt buckle. The doll is not always on.
  • Equipped with a microphone, speaker, and two tri-colored LEDs that are embedded in Hello Barbie’s necklace, which lights up when she is activated.
  • Requires Wi-Fi connection to allow for a two way conversation.
  • Requires parental consent to set-up product.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $74.99

Play All Day Elmo (Hasbro)Play all Day Elmo

  • Kids will be wowed by the most exciting and playful Elmo to date!
  • This favorite pal features more than 150 responses and eight games and activities that will keep little ones laughing.
  • From “Pat-a-cake” and “Freeze Dance,” to “Red Light, Green Light” and more, every move kids make is a new chance for fun.
  • Little ones can also tickle Elmo’s belly, hold his hand, give him a kiss, or clap his hands to play games together and hear more responses!
  • Ages: 18 mos.+
  • MSRP: $59.99

SpinMaster.MeccanoidLifstyleMeccano MeccaNoid G15 Personal Robot (Spin Master)

  • Design and control the Meccano MeccaNoid G15 Personal Robot for unlimited interactive fun!
  • The robot features 600 parts that enable you to create multiple designs, with six motors that control the head, arms, and feet for realistic movement.
  • Use the Learned Intelligent Movement programming mode to record and play robotic arm movements, or have your own movements tracked and mirrored.
  • The LED lights can change into more than 500 different colors as MeccaNoid tells jokes, phrases and facts, relays black birthdays and names, starts conversations and asks questions, while responding to pre-programmed and an unlimited amount of recorded voice commands.
  • Download the free MeccaNoid app to control movements from your phone with the Rag Doll Avatar for never-ending entertainment.
  • Ages: 10+
  • MSRP: $179.99

VEX Robotics Hexcalator Ball Machine (Hexbug)Hexcalator

  • Think all wheels are round? Think again!
  • This sophisticated machine was inspired by cutting edge medical devices and uses a hand crank to power 3 hexagonal indexing wheels to transport balls uphill while they are released onto the return ramp.
  • Once constructed, this machine will move the balls in a continuous loop at a rate of 1 ball per second.
  • Over 260 easy connect snap pieces.
  • Motorize your machine with a motor kit.
  • Collect and connect all of the VEX Robotics Ball Machines, or give your VEX Robotics Ball Machine a powerful boost with the VEX Robotics Motor Kit.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $29.99

YodaStar Wars Legendary Yoda (Spin Master)

  • Train to become a Jedi with Legendary Yoda!
  • This 16-inch figure has a dynamic motorized body movement and full voice recognition. He speaks 115 phrases that will lead you to Jedi Wisdom and Lightsaber mastery.
  • With 160-degree movement, Yoda comes to life with never-before-seen Lightsaber action!
  • Discover 3 distinct modes of play on your path to becoming a Jedi Master. In Warrior Mode, Yoda can be sent on attack, or kids can follow along with his advanced Lightsaber techniques as he guides kids on the path to becoming a Jedi Master. In Force Mode, kids can learn the ways of the Force as Yoda unleashes iconic quotes from the Jedi Order.
  • When the dark side threatens, Yoda’s hand lights up with a glowing “force blast!” Learn to force push and send Yoda flying back. In Wisdom Mode, Yoda answers questions and senses whether kids are strong in the force or are on the dark side when he holds his cane. His voice recognition has six key phrases and he will answer yes or no questions revealing his secrets and wisdom. As the wisest Jedi of all time, Yoda is equipped with a dark side sensor to determine if your intentions are good or evil.
  • Legendary Yoda is an authentic collectable with highly detailed premium latex skin.
  • Wearing a real fabric robe and wielding his light-up Lightsaber, this fully interactive Jedi Master brings all the wisdom and power of the Jedi Order right into your room.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $179.99

Chewbacca Animatronic Interactive Figure (Thinkway Toys)ThinkwayToys.Chewbacca

  • This highly interactive Chewbacca with Bowcaster has voice, sound effects, and 4 exciting ways to play!
  • Raise your voice and Chewbacca will engage in Combat Mode. You may also raise his right arm for Bowcaster firing and sound effects!
  • Talk to Chewbacca and he will respond to your voice! Raise your voice and he will react differently!
  • Raise left arm for original voice and animatronic actions.
  • Raise right arm for firing action and sound effects.
  • Highly poseable with 31 points of articulation.
  • More than 10 sayings and sound effects.
  • Voice
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $129.99

eKids.DarthVaderVoiceChangerStar Wars Voice Changer Boombox (eKids)

  • Now you can sound just like Darth Vader! Join the dark side with Darth Vader lines and real sound effects from the film Saga!
  • You can also connect your MP player to rock out to your own tunes!
  • Change your voice to sound like Darth Vader. Includes Darth Vader phrases.
  • Sound effects from the Star Wars saga.
  • Connect your MP3 player.
  • You can even sing along in Darth Vader’s voice.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $29.99

Star Wars BladeBuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber (Hasbro)BladeBuilders

  • The definitive Lightsaber of the BladeBuilders system provides kids with the unique components needed to create more than 100 combinations from their imagination.
  • The Jedi Master Lightsaber comes with a main Lightsaber featuring lights and sounds, two independently lit lightdaggers, an expansion hit, two elbow connectors, a dual connector, and a cross connector.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $49.99

About the author

Christopher Braun

Christopher Braun

Christopher Braun is the editorial assistant at Adventure Publishing Group. He is a recent transplant from Ohio, and spends the bulk of his free time reading, running and exploring his new home in New York. When he’s not at home or in the office, he’s on a park bench somewhere, enjoying fresh air with his nose deep in a novel or magazine. With a lifelong interest in literature and art, Christopher loves any toy that helps kids share their creativity and imagination with family and friends. He thinks coloring books and crayons are necessary for a fulfilling life and no home is too small for a craft closet. To keep up with Christopher, follow him on Twitter @chrisjamesbraun.

archivearrow-chevron-downarrow-chevron-left-greyarrow-chevron-leftarrow-chevron-rightarrow-fatarrow-left-blackarrow-left-whitearrow-right-blackarrow-rightarrow-roundedbookscalendarcaret-downclose-whiteclosedocumenteditorial-archiveeyefacebook-squarefacebookfilesgifthamburgerheadinghearthomeinstagram-squareinstagramlatestlinkedin-squarelinkedinmailmedia-inquiresmessagenewsopen-boxpagination-leftpagination-rightpauseplayprintproduct-archiverecent-productssearchsharesort-filterspotifysunteamtiktoktime_purpletimetrendingtvtwitter-squaretwitteryoutube