Looking for the hottest toys of the holiday season? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by ABC in West Palm Beach to talk about the best toys and games for the kids on your holiday shopping list. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for our complete rundown of the best gifts for the holidays, check out our complete holiday gift guide.
FURREAL ROARIN’ TYLER, THE PLAYFUL TIGER (HASBRO)
- Kids can bring home an adorable baby tiger to love, play with, and care for as their own.
- Make a noise or give a loud jungle roar and Tyler will roar back in response.
- Kids can enjoy playtime with him using his play chicken.
- Tyler features more than 100 sound and motion combinations with sensors on his forehead, back, and muzzle allowing him to respond to touch in fun ways.
- Kids can pull him up close to snuggle thanks to his posable back legs, or nuzzle his cheek and he’ll respond with expressive eyes, sounds and tail movements.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $129.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, www.hasbrotoyshop.com
- Fingerlings baby monkeys come to life with endless ways of play and realistic sounds to let kids know how they are feeling. Kids can wrap them on their finger to have a new friend at their fingertips.
- These silly critters have happy monkey sounds, blinking eyes, heads that turn, hands that grip, and a curly hanging tail.
- Kids can swing them, pet them, kiss them, and even rock them to sleep.
- There are six different Fingerlings to play, share, and collect.
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
- Laser X is the ultimate high-tech game of tag! Blasters feature pinpoint accuracy up to 200 feet – day or night – and invisible infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents.
- Advanced sensors know when players are blasting, being hit, running or hiding, and an interactive voice “coach” uses this intel to offer tips and tricks throughout the game.
- Headphones (not included) can be plugged into the receiver vest, so players can listen to a stereo soundtrack while they play. This makes it feels like they’re inside a video game – or starring in an action movie!
- All Laser X sets work together so games can include an unlimited number of players. Play one-on-one, in teams, or set your blaster to “rogue” and it’s every man for himself!
- Blasters were designed to NOT look like handguns or rifles and to make futuristic sounds, not the sounds of gunfire.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us
DISNEY CHARACTER PUPPETS (FOLKMANIS)
- These full body hand puppets come to life when you animate mouth and hands through the access point in the back. Find pockets in the gloves to wave, clap, and blow kisses.
- The Mickey puppet is the essence of all things Disney, with his iconic red shorts, yellow-gold shoes, and white gloves.
- The Minnie puppet is adorned in her classic vintage style, with polka-dot skirt over bloomers, over-sized high heeled pumps, white gloves, and flower in hat.
- Also available are Donald, Pluto, and Goofy.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $73.99
- Available: Amazon
SMOOSHY MUSHY PETS (REDWOODVENTURES)
- Smooshy Mushy from RedwoodVentures is part of the newest collectible craze, full of exciting, super squishy, slow-rise surprises.
- Each Smooshy Mushy series includes one of eight randomly assorted pets. Kids can unwrap the container to find out which scented Smooshy Mushy squishy surprise is inside.
- Every pet has a Bestie they can’t live without so kids should keep searching to find out, which tiny squishy “Bestie” is their pets BFF. Sets also come with a “what’s your smooshy name?” game, a nametag, mini container, stickers, and a collectible poster.
- For fall of ’17 kids can collect 24 food-themed Smooshy Mushy Pets to discover, squish, and trade with their friends.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $9.99
- Available: Walmart
CUTIE CARS DRIVE-IN DINER PLAYSET (MOOSE TOYS)
- Kids can pull up their ride at the Cuties Car Drive-in Diner. This playset allows kids to take their Cutie Cars on a spin in the rotating Drive-Through, ride up the elevator or grab a meal on the go, or pull up a tray at the parking bay. Each playset includes 1 Mini Shopkin and 1 exclusive Cutie Car.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart
NIKKO AIR RACE VISION 220 FPV (TOY STATE)
- Get ready to race with the Race Vision 220 FPV Pro! Nikko Air has teamed up with DRL (Drone Racing League) to deliver the ultimate drone racing experience leveraging elite drone racing technology, developed by drone racers, designed for future pilots.
- You can’t fly true FPV using a cell phone or on Wi-Fi without disruptions. Race Vision 220 uses 5.8 GHz analog frequency allowing the pilot to see real-time video transmission without delay or interruptions. It includes a full color LCD screen and FPV goggles that provide and immersive flight experience from the cockpit of the drone.
- Designed for pilots of all skill levels with 3 variable flight modes, multiple speed settings, and 16 one touch stunts, this racing drone is sure to take you from beginner to pro in no time.
- Age: 10+
- MSRP: $169.99
- Available: Amazon, Target
