Looking for this year’s hottest toys? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by ABC’s World News Now to talk about the most in-demand toys and games of the holiday season. 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.
VAMPIRINA SCARE B&B PLAYSET (JUST PLAY)
- Inspired by the new Disney Junior series Vampirina, the Scare B&B Playset is three floors of spook-tacular fun. From the secret reveal telescoping bedroom tower with magically growing portraits, to the bookcase that transforms into a guest day bed, there’s always something special brewing at Vampirina’s house.
- Magically rising food in the kitchen, a record player that moves and shakes when Vampirina dances and a 360-degree spinning TV in the living room are just some of the cool features.
- Kids can place Vampirina on six special spots located on each floor throughout her house and watch her glow. She can even hang upside down when she’s feeling a little batty. Her BFF Poppy is included, allowing little ones to play out the adventures right from the show.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $59.99
- Available: Kmart, Target, Toys “R” Us
- Viral sensation Nimuno Loops, the original toy block tape, is now in collaboration with the Zuru’s Mayka Toy Block Tape construction brand. The product originally launched on Indiegogo, raising over $1.6 million dollars in crowdfunding in just 30 days and has been billed as one of ‘2017’s greatest inventions,’ revolutionizing the way construction bricks are played with.
- Mayka Tape transforms virtually any surface into a base for construction toy bricks and figures. One side features a bendable, flexible surface with a toy block pattern that is compatible with LEGO toys and other toy construction brands and can be cut to any desired size. The other side has a re-usable adhesive backing to allow builders to construct on nearly any object, around corners and on curved surfaces to make 3D creations.
- Each roll will feature an exciting new way to play with Mayka Tape. The line will comprise of 3 core sizes – Small (2 stud / 3.3 ft), Medium (2 stud / 6.6 ft) and Large (4 stud / 6.6 ft) – in 10 popular base colors.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: Small: $6.99 Medium: $9.99, Large: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
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, meaning you get two Squishies in each set.
- Sets also come with a “what’s your smooshy name?” game, a nametag, mini container, stickers, and a collectible poster.
- Kids can collect 24 food-themed Smooshy Mushy Pets to discover, squish, and trade with their friends.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $9.99
- Available: Walmart
- 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
CALICO CRITTERS LUXURY TOWNHOME GIFT SET (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)
- With more 50 individual items, the Luxury Townhome Gift Set includes everything needed to be ready to play.
- The set includes two Critters, a five-room Townhome with working lights, indoor and outdoor balconies with rails, working doors, outdoor patio floor, dining set, piano and bench, desk, kitchen stove, pan, cart with appliances and much more.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Availability: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Specialty Retailers
- 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
