Looking for the inside scoop on the hottest toys of the holiday season? Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief  Marissa DiBartolo stopped by KCAL in Los Angeles to show off some of 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.


RESCUE RUNTS (KD KIDS)

  • Rescue Runts need a home to call their own! The super soft plush puppies show up on your doorstep with matted fur, dirty paws, boo boos and fleas
  • Care for your Rescue Runt using the included grooming kit!
  • Use the tweezers to pluck out “fleas”
  • Wipe their tears away and clean their dirty paws with the towel
  • Brush their messy fur with the brush
  • Remove their bandages, perk up their ears and make them smile to complete the transformation from ragged runt into perfect pet!
  • Write their name on the collar and adoption certificate to make the adoption official
  • Rescue Runts’ messy fur, downturned ears, dirty paws, and bandages can be restored for repeat animal rescue play
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Walmart



FUZZY WUBBLE (NSI INTERNATIONAL)

  • Fuzzy Wubbles are Wubbles on the inside and super cute stuffed animals on the outside. They’re the softest, squishiest, most huggable Wubbles ever!
  • Available in six characters: Pixie the Unicorn, Lulu the Panda, Daisy the Pig, Roxy the Husky, Ollie the Monkey and Bee Bee the Cat. 
  • Age: 4+
  • MSRP: $17.99
  • Available: Target; Bed, Bath and Beyond; Walmart.com and www.WubbleBall.com

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

TREASURE X (MOOSE TOYS)

  • Treasure X combines classic “you dig it” play with the trends of collectable action figures and “extreme” unboxing.
  • With 10 levels of discovery, opening every Treasure X package is an adventure! Every Treasure X pack includes a treasure map, X-Marks coin, X-Cavator digging tool, a buildable figure embedded in “stone,” and a treasure chest.
  • Kids can find “bronze” treasure, “silver” treasure, a booby prize, or REAL gold-plated treasure!
  • Age: 4+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

FLYING SUSHI KITCHEN (REDWOOD VENTURES)

  • Roll into the new Flying Sushi Kitchen action game from RedwoodVentures! Whether you love sushi or not – Flying Sushi Kitchen is sure to cause a ruckus at kitchen tables everywhere.
  • Flying Sushi Kitchen puts your competitive skills to the test as you pluck pieces of floating sushi rolls from mid-air, which stream from the bamboo shoots, in a mad dash scramble to fill your sushi order and rack up enough tickets to beat the competition.
  • Use the special, kid-friendly chopsticks to fill your order before time runs out. Add a little wasabi and ginger, don’t miss the spicy tuna roll, nab that smoked salmon, and hurry!
  • Flying Sushi Kitchen includes bamboo shoots, sushi rolls, and chopsticks for 5 players.
  • Batteries not included.
  • Age: 5+    
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Walmart

STITCHKITS UNICORN CROSS STITCH KIT (KAHOOTZ)

  • A fun and easy way to learn to stitch. Only ONE simple stitch to learn!
  • The COLOR-BY-STITCH embroidery kit—you choose where the colors go!
  • The outlines of the design are already embroidered on the cloth, you choose where to stitch in each color to personalize the design.
  • Comes with everything you need to create your own cross-stitch craft.
  • Flower design also available.
  • Age: 8+
  • MSRP: $12.99
  • Available: Amazon, Specialty retailers

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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