Still looking for the best presents to give this holiday season? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by Good Day Chicago to show off some of the hottest toys of the year. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and for a full rundown of the best toys of the year, check out our complete holiday toy guide.


rubiks-race_university-gamesRubik’s Race (University Games)

Shake it, slide it, solve it!

  • Shake the Scrambler to create a new Rubik’s pattern. Slide the tiles to match the pattern on your board to the pattern in the Scrambler. Then, solve it!
  • It’s the ultimate two-player Rubik’s challenge.
  • The first player to complete the match and slam down the center frame wins.
  • Contains game base and center frame, 48 colored tiles, Scrambler, nine colored mini cubes, and instructions.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Barnes & Noble

Pikachu Feature PlushMy Friend Pikachu (TOMY)

  • Tighten your bond with your beloved Pikachu friend.
  • Hug this feature plush Pikachu to make its ears move, cheeks light up and activate cute sounds.
  • Hot on the heels of Pokemon Go, now every kid can catch the coveted Pikachu!
  • Super soft plush makes Pikachu extra huggable.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us

ThrowNPopPokeballPokémon Throw N Pop Poké Balls (TOMY)

  • Get ready to try your hand as a Pokémon trainer!
  • Throw the Poké Ball, and it pops open upon impact to reveal a 2” figure.
  • A unique scoring system enables you to extend the game play and battle your friends!
  • Choose from Pikachu & Poké Ball, Chespin & Premier Ball, Fennekin & Great Ball, and Froakie & Ultra Ball.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $12.99 each
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart, Toys “R” Us

llp_snuggleslayingLittle Live Pets Snuggles My Dream Puppy (Moose Toys)

  • Snuggles, My Dream Puppy joins Little Live Pets and moves and feels just like a real puppy.
  • Kids can hold him in his arms and give him a hug. They won’t be able to resist his big brown expressive eyes. They can feed him with his bottle and he’ll fall asleep in their arms, dreaming about them!
  • Snuggles even comes with an adoption certificate for kids to fill in make him their own! He is the no mess pup who loves to be loved!
  • With a pat of the head or a rub of the tummy, Snuggles will close his eyes and make adorable puppy sounds. Kids can even watch him breathe. Snuggles moves, feels and responds just like a real puppy!
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $54.99
  • Available: Target, Toys R Us, Walmart

super-wings-world-airport-playset_auldey-toys-north-americaSuper Wings World Airport Playset (Auldey)

  • The iconic World Airport from the popular Super Wings TV series sets the stage for this ultimate playset for preschool boys and girls.
  • Its large 35-inch scale delivers loads of fun, with electronic sounds and lights plus tons of activities for kids to recreate their favorite Super Wings scenes with mini-transforming characters Jett and Donnie.
  • Attach them to the fly-around balance bar and spin them to circle the World Airport before they come in for a landing. Load Jett into the elevator and lift him up to the Control Tower, then launch him down the ramp.
  • Flip open the base compartments to reveal a rotating luggage carousel and a cargo scale.
  • Press the button to hear commands from the Control Tower. Transform Jett and Donnie from their plane mode to bot mode in 3 easy steps. The World Airport Playset will deliver hours of fun to Super Wings fans!
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $44.99
  • Available: Toys “R” Us

lion-guard-training-lair-lifestyle_just-playLion Guard Training Lair Playset (Just Play)

  • Recreate the adventures of Disney Junior’s The Lion Guard with this 3-foot tall play set, full of lights, sounds and secret surprise features, including a pop-out cross bow, light-up waterfall, and break-away doors.
  • The play set comes with a rock climbing area, a bungee launcher, a race track, and a telescoping look-out perch.
  • A real-working zip line, rock lift, and boulder drop round out the action.
  • The set also comes with two exclusive figures, Kion and Janja, to play out the Lion Guard adventures.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $59.99
  • Available: Toys “R” Us

bosebuild-speaker-cube_bose-corporationBOSEbuild Speaker Cube (Bose)

  • The BOSEbuild Speaker Cube uses high-quality parts and materials for durability. It’s easy to build, too. Its instructions involve discovery and education – from how a simple magnet and coil make sound, to how a speaker reproduces music.
  • The coaching is delivered through a free companion app that combines step-by-step guidance with hands-on interaction, confirming success along the way until the Speaker Cube is fully assembled.
  • Kids can add colored LED lights and silhouette covers, for a completely customized speaker.
  • The Speaker Cube pairs to any smartphone or tablet, so kids can stream their favorite songs in an instant.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $149.00
  • Available: Amazon, build.bose.com

selfie-star-video-recording-mic_ekidsDreamworks Trolls Selfie Star Video Recording Microphone (eKids)

  • Create the ultimate music video with this Dreamworks Trolls Selfie Star Video Recording Microphone!
  • Connect your MP3 player or other audio device to record up to 4 songs at a time, then use the included App and Selfie Stick to make videos as you rock out with your friends!
  • Includes the built-in song “Get Back Up Again”
  • Decorate your selfies with stickers, troll hair, and more
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $19.99-$29.99

Speak OutSpeak Out Game (Hasbro)

  • Get ready to be doubled over with laughter with this ridiculous mouthpiece challenge game!
  • The Speak Out game brings friends and family together for laugh-out-loud fun as players try to say different phrases while wearing a mouthpiece that won’t let them shut their mouth.
  • The laughter continues as players try to decipher what in the world their teammate is trying to say, and must correctly guess the phrase in order to earn the card.
  • The team with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
  • Ages: 16+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us

trollslightupsupercoupe_dynacraftTrolls Light-Up Super Coupe (Dynacraft)

  • This 6V vehicle is hot pink with glitter graphics and features a Poppy hood ornament with Troll hair.
  • It has a working horn with racing sounds, working multicolor headlights, and easy-to-use pedal acceleration.
  • With an MP3 input and loudspeakers, this vehicle can drive up to 2.5 mph.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $199.99
  • Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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