Searching for the perfect gift for the kids on your holiday shopping list? Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by Cincy Lifestyle on WCPO in Cincinnati to talk about some of the hottest toys of the year, as well as some great retro toys that are back in style this 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.
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 that 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, right, honk its horn, and transform all from the easy -to-hold remote.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us, Walmart
LUVABELLA/LUVABEAU (SPIN MASTER)
- Luvabella is a loveable, life-like baby doll that comes in a variety of girl and boy doll options in different ethnicities.
- Children can care, nurture and play with Luvabella and Luvabeau using the doll’s interactive accessories and pacifier.
- From feeding time with her spoon, play time with her Lamby, to nap time with her bottle, Luvabella will respond with natural reactions. Kids can watch her laugh, blink, purse her lips, and more.
- Feed her with her spoon and she’ll begin to chew and learn new food words.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
LIGHTSEEKERS STARTER KIT (TOMY INTERNATIONAL)
- Lightseekers is an action-adventure role playing game built for mobile devices that fuses together fantasy and reality, integrating video games and smart action figures with the latest in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, interactive trading cards and more.
- The mini-computer, known as the FusionCore, is embedded within each action figure and is the “brains” behind the smart connected toys.
- Players can take their experience to another level, adding physical accessories to their figures and scanning trading cards with the Lightseekers game app to customize their gameplay.
- Add smart action figures with interchangeable weapons you can level-up.
- Scan augmented reality trading cards that give you special in-game abilities.
- Connect motion-controlled flight packs that turn your figure into a game controller.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $69.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
TEDDY RUXPIN (WICKED COOL TOYS)
- Parents and grandparents will remember everyone’s favorite storytelling bear from the 1980s.
- Introducing the new 14-inch Teddy Ruxpin animatronic bear. He’s totally lovable, and brings magic and friendship to storytime with oodles of interactive technologies and features.
- Teddy Ruxpin enjoys telling tales and singing songs with friends, making him the perfect companion for both little ones who love hearing stories, as well as older children just starting out on their reading journey.
- He has colored LCD eyes with more than 40 different animations, and an animatronic mouth that syncs to Teddy’s speech.
- Touch sensors allow kids to control the story and songs.
- Teddy features three original pre-loaded stories, including seven sing-along songs.
- There are two Modes of Play: with or without the free Teddy Ruxpin app (app is secondary). View the digital books to read along with Teddy using the storytime app, or kids can enjoy listening to TR’s stories without the app, anytime anywhere.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
- Replica mini arcade game, just like the originals! It’s a blast from the past with this retro-styled mini arcade game! It looks, sounds and plays just like you remember with authentic 80’s graphics, sounds, and game play.
- Available in: Qbert Mini Arcade Game, Centipede Mini Arcade Game, Frogger Mini Arcade Game
- Move Qbert to each cube in the pyramid before he gets squashed by the bad guys in Qbert Mini Arcade Game.
- Shoot down the Centipede before it gets you in Centipede Mini Arcade Game.
- Move your frogs across the highway and river to safety in Frogger Mini Arcade Game.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $17.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart
