Looking for the hottest toys of the holiday season? Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by Better Western Mass to talk about the year’s most in-demand toys and games. 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.
GO! GO! SMART FRIENDS SHIMMERING SEASHELL CASTLE (VTECH)
- Explore an undersea world with the Go! Go! Smart Friends Shimmering Seashell Castle. This castle is full of adventure with mermaid Pearl and four accessory pieces including a mini sand castle, a seahorse, a dolphin, and a vanity.
- Explore the castle and place Pearl on the three MagicPoint locations to hear her playful phrases and sounds.
- Watch little deep sea divers go on adventures with Pearl and her sea friends when they play on the swing, slide the crab to dance, and discover the magical light-up seashell together.
- Age: 18 mos.-5 years
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
BEAT BUGS MUSICAL SUBMARINE (BLIP TOYS)
- Children’s animated Netflix series, Beat Bugs, introduces kids to songs made famous by the Beatles.
- The Musical Submarine is a replica of the submarine in the Beat Bugs series.
- The Musical Submarine plays “Yellow Submarine,” “All You Need Is Love,” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and includes the exclusive Jasper three-inch Fab Figure
- This iconic play set has colorful lights, a propeller that spins as the yellow submarine rolls, and fits up to five Beat Bugs Fab Figures inside.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $29.99 (submarine)
- Available: Target
Beat Bugs Fab Figures (BLIP TOYS)
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Children’s animated Netflix series, Beat Bugs, has captured the attention of children and parents around the world. Beat Bugs are now alive at retail with a spectacular range of toys utilizing songs made famous by the Beatles.
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The colorful 3-inch scale Fab Figures are exquisitely designed with fine detail. The head and arms are articulated for posing, storytelling and other creative play.
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Ages: 3+
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MSRP: $5.99
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Available: Target
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PJ MASKS RIVAL RACERS TRACK PLAYSET (JUST PLAY)
- This play set is based on Entertainment One’s hit TV series PJ Masks, airing on Disney Jr.
- Favorite nighttime heroes Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko kick the action into high gear with the new PJ Masks Rival Racers Track Playset.
- Kids can play out the adventures seen in the show as they zoom through the raceway to save the museum from Night Ninja.
- Kids can launch the vehicles into action using one of two built-in mega launchers. Zoom through the loop and around the curves, but watch out for Luna Girl when she pops up on the track.
- Playset includes Catboy figure, Cat-Car vehicle, and Night Ninja Bus.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Kmart
MICKEY TRANSFORMING ROADSTER RACER R/C (JADA TOYS)
- This R/C vehicle is based on the vehicles Mickey drives in the new cartoon Mickey and the Roadster Racers on Disney Jr.
- Jada’s R/C vehicle features Mickey’s two cars in one and can magically transform at the simple press of a button. In addition, the vehicle has lights, sound effects, and even Mickey’s voice.
- A fully functioning 2.4G R/C, this vehicle can go forward, backward, left, and right; honk its horn; and transform all from the easy-to-hold remote.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us, Walmart
JOJO SIWA CD + G KARAOKE MACHINE (EKIDS)
- This karaoke machine is inspired by teen sensation JoJo Siwa!
- Kids can access their music library and stream content with voice control.
- Users can connect to the TV and sing their hearts out to their favorite JoJo lyrics on screen using the included CD, featuring songs with and without guide vocals.
- The karaoke machine even features a multi-colored LED light show. Bluetooth wirelessly streams audio from any compatible device, and it also take calls with the included speakerphone.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $69.99
- Available: Walmart exclusive
- Super squeezable and collectible, Soft’n Slo Squishies are based on the latest trend from Japan.
- They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and produce a fun, slow-rising transformation that’s different every time.
- If kids are lucky they may even find the secret limited-edition Soft’n Slo Squishies with a special holographic seal.
- Soft’n Slo Squishies Sweet Shop features favorite high-end bakery products, including slices of cake, cinnamon buns, ice cream cones, and super squishy s’mores.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $5.99-$14.99
- Canadian MSRP:$7.99-$21.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
LEGO STAR WARS FIRST ORDER STAR DESTROYER (THE LEGO GROUP)
- Kids can build the newest adventure in the Star Wars saga with First Order Star Destroyer and re-create scenes from the upcoming blockbuster, The Last Jedi.
- Join Supreme Leader Snoke as he rules the galaxy aboard the mighty First Order Star Destroyer.
- Fire the stud shooters to defeat enemy ships and then open the panels to play inside.
- Ride the elevator to Snoke’s command center and issue orders to the mini hologram.
- Give the fleet orders from the bridge, prepare for battle in the conference area, get the droids aboard, and monitor the ship from the control room.
- When kids are ready to move out, they can grab the handle on top and zoom into action at hyper-speed.
- Age: 9+
- MSRP: $159.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
