We’ve got the inside scoop on the hottest toys of the holidays. Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Fox 45 in Baltimore to show off the year’s most in-demand toys and gifts. 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.
ANIMAL PUPPETS (FOLKMANIS)
- This extraordinary flight of fancy is a perfect and fun gift for that hard-to-buy-for person in your life.
- Folkmanis makes the impossible, possible!
- The large, full-body Flying Pig puppet features soft pink plush, feathery wings and a charming face with wide-open eyes and long lashes. Create puppetry magic with movement in the mouth, all four trotters (legs,) wings, and ears!
- The Reindeer puppet features a movable mouth, this puppet is a perfect partner to share and tell Christmas stories. It can also double as holiday décor.
- The Sitting Terrier puppet has soulful eyes and a playful personality that comes to life when kids animate the mouth and wag the tail.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $31.99-69.99
- Available: folkmanis.com
CLASSIC COLORFORMS PICTURE PANELS PLAY SETS (KAHOOTZ)
- Build colorful themed scenes and puzzles, mix and match more than 150 Colorforms pieces to create endless creatures and scenes, then re-stick the shapes to imagine your own stories over and over again!
- Double-sided Picture Panels enhance creative storytelling with colorful play scenes on one side and fun puzzles on the back.
- Each Picture Panel also features magnetic edges that connect together to expand and connect your Colorform worlds… panels even stick to the refrigerator to display your creations!
- The sturdy storage box doubles as a 3D play tray.
- Choose from Animals, Vehicles, House, Food, School, and Town.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Specialty toy stores
RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TURTLE TANK (PLAYMATES)
- As seen in Nickelodeon’s new animated series, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Donatello builds a villain-bustin’ Turtle Tank to transport the Turtles through New York City and the realms below with all the fire power needed to kick some shell!
- The Turtle Tank is two toys in one. It transforms from vehicle mode into a Mobile Ops unit with a towering secret lab!
- In vehicle mode, the front cab opens and two Turtles can sit inside, driving the brothers into action.
- Then, Donatello’s removable lab rises up and serves as the mobile command headquarters as the Turtles spy and plan to defeat the baddies below.
- The Turtle Tank is compatible with the Shell Hog vehicles (can be connected to each side of the tank) and even fires them off when the Turtles need to get to the battle fast.
- It is also compatible with Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles basic action figures (sold separately).
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $34.99
- Available: Target, Walmart, Amazon
- These hot new surprise dolls combine fun, fashion, and lots and lots of gorgeous colorful hair!
- Noah and her girl squad have “Big Hair Don’t Care” attitudes and love to share their passions with the world via the Hairdorables channel on YouTube.
- Each doll is based on one of the 12 iconic girls from the Hairdorables videos, and these BFFs live up to the “Hairdorables” name with a variety of unique luxe hairstyles in vibrant colors!
- Just pull, peel, and reveal 11 surprise accessories and fashions that unwrap the unique personality, style, and talent of the Hairdorables girl hidden inside!
- There are a total of 36 Hairdorables dolls to collect in Series 1, including two rare and one ULTRA-rare, for mix-and-match outfits and endless styling possibilities.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $12.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Best Buy, Walmart
HEXBUG ROBOTIC SOCCER (HEXBUG)
- These remote controlled soccer bots can pick up a soccer ball and score goal using a high-tech cam mechanism.
- It features customizable jersey tops—you pick the country!
- Arena and two goal posts included.
- Four-channel remote control allows for fun multi-user play.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $29.99 (singles bots), $49.99 (dual pack of bots), $69.99 (arena)
- Available: Target, Amazon, hexbug.com
- Master the thrill of the ride with the 12 Volt Nighthawk Ride-On.
- Reaching forward speeds of up to 6 mph, this innovative ride-on is sure to be a hit with little thrill-seekers.
- The accelerator and brake pedals allow the rider to control the speed of the Nighthawk easily.
- Kids will love learning how to maneuver around obstacles with the unique steering technique—riders simply lean left and right to do quick turns.
- The side handlebars allow kids to remain secure while protecting his or her hands.
- With an included rear safety flag, you can easily keep an eye on riders as they have a blast racing.
- Simply plug in the included charger to the 12V battery to re-power the ride-on.
- Recommended for children weighing up to 110 lbs.
- The Nighthawk is available in white/black or black/red color combinations.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $149.99
- Available: Walmart, Amazon
