The Associates Press’ AP-TV spoke to Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo at Toy Insider’s annual Holiday of Play event to talk about the hottest trends in toys this holiday season. 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.
RYAN’S WORLD GIANT MYSTERY EGG (BONKERS TOYS)
- Now kids can be just like Ryan when they unbox their Giant Mystery Egg. No two are the same!
- Features an exclusive lights and sounds vehicle, ultra-rare figures, special goo and putty, a limited-edition squishy, plush, and more.
- What will kids find inside their epic egg?
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99 – $49.99
- Available: Walmart
VEX BATTLING BOXING ROBOTS (HEXBUG)
- Kids can build battling robots with this motorized STEM construction kit.
- The kit comes with one Mock Rocker Bot, a Boxing Bot with more than 380 snap-together pieces.
- Once kids build and assemble their own robots, these smart-tech self-stabilizing boxers are ready for a match.
- The robots feature a smart-tech self-stabilizing feature that uses a gyroscope and an accelerometer.
- After building them, kids can drive and control the bots using the free VEX Pilot mobile app. The app can be used to control the robot’s every action, from deciding when to left punch, right punch, or double jab.
- The Bluetooth app send push notifications from the robot to devices, ensuring kids will always have the most up to date robot.
- VEX Battling Boxing Robots are compatible with the VEX IQ platform.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $89.99 (single) and $149.99 (two-pack)
- Available: August 2018 at Target, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and HEXBUG.com
- Rescue Runts need a home to call their own! The super soft plush puppies show up on your doorstep with matted fur, dirty paws, boo boos and fleas
- Care for your Rescue Runt using the included grooming kit!
- Use the tweezers to pluck out “fleas”
- Wipe their tears away and clean their dirty paws with the towel
- Brush their messy fur with the brush
- Remove their bandages, perk up their ears and make them smile to complete the transformation from ragged runt into perfect pet!
- Write their name on the collar and adoption certificate to make the adoption official
- Rescue Runts’ messy fur, downturned ears, dirty paws, and bandages can be restored for repeat animal rescue play
- Ages 3+
- MSRP $19.99
- Available at Walmart
SNOT IT (KD GROUP)
- Snot It is the gross game of boogey fun! To start, each player puts on a pair of snot glasses with icky sticky snot dripping from them
- When it’s your turn, spin the spinner to find out which color boogers you need to try to pick up from the booger bowl
- Wind up the booger bowl and let it spin – then try to pick up the right boogers using only your sticky snot! You only get to keep your boogers if you pick up exactly what you spun
- Beware the purple boogers! If someone accidentally picks one up, everyone has to yell “SNOT IT!” as quick as they can. The first player to yell keeps the purple booger, while the last player must return one of their boogers to the bowl
- The first player to collect 10 boogers wins!
- Ages 6+
- MSRP $19.99
- Available on Amazon
- Who will reign supreme in the ultimate snack eating competition? The hilarious CHOW CROWN game puts a fun twist on viral food eating challenges!
- To play, load the six hanging forks with various food items of your choosing. Place the spinning crown on your head, and eat as many snacks as possible before the music stops to keep your crown!
- The Chow Crown game can be played solo or in a head-to-head tournament.
- Game includes electronic crown, six plastic forks, and instructions.
- Requires 3 AA batteries, not included.
- Food not included.
- Adult assembly and supervision required.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Canadian MSRP: CAD $32.24
- Available: major retailers, HasbroToyShop.com.
