Looking to get a great holiday toy this year, but don’t want to break the bank? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by CBS 2 in New York to show off some great gift ideas with pricetags under $50. 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.
GEARZOOZ ROLL & ROAR ANIMAL TRAIN (VTECH)
- Kids can be the conductor of their own adventures with GearZooz Roll & Roar Animal Train. Next stop is a new learning milestone for little railway riders.
- Children can create their own unique train by mixing and matching the 15 included gears while strengthening their fine motor skills and problem solving techniques. Put the Smart Gear animals on the pegs to learn about animals.
- Press the buttons to listen to different instruments or answer kid-friendly quiz questions and move the slider to explore different locations. Little ones can push the train or pull the string to watch the gears spin and move together.
- Age: 18 mos.+
- MSRP: $29.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
VAMPIRINA BAT-TASTIC VAMPIRINA & WOLFIE (JUST PLAY)
- From the new Disney Junior series, Vampirina, comes a spook-tacular new hero named Vampirina – a girl vampire who’s new in town and learning how to fit in while also being true to herself. The Bat-tastic Vampirina doll celebrates a fang-tastic best friend, who may look different, but is just like you!
- Press Vampirina’s necklace to hear her say fun phrases from the show. Hear bat-tastic sound effects as she “swoops,” “loops” and “flies” around with her boo-tiful light-up bat wings. Has over 25 phrases and sounds.
- Vampirina comes with her loyal pal, Wolfie, and is dressed in a spook-tastic web-detailed dress with matching necklace.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Amazon, Kmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
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
POKÉMON PETITE PALS ESCAPE IN THE FOREST PLAYSET (TOMY INTERNATIONAL)
- Pokemon introduces their new Petit Pals girls line in the fall bringing Pokemon fun for all ages!
- The dream destination for your Pokemon. This wonderful Tree House comes with multiple pieces of furniture and accessories, three adorable Pokemon, and an exclusive Serena 3” articulated figure.
- Age: 4+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
- Chippies are playful puppies who love to show off their many tricks. Kids can pet their heads for different reactions including sniffs, barks, puppy kisses, and even a sneeze.
- Use the remote control to make your pet dance, sing, chase its tail, or tell it which way to roll. Chippies can explore your room on their own or guard it from intruders using their sensors, and will also sing together as a pack. Chippies have bright LED eyes and posable hind legs.
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us
CHOCOLATE EGG SURPRISE MAKER (JAKKS PACIFIC)
- Kids can make very own chocolate surprise gifts. The Chocolate Egg Surprise Maker is easy to use, and kids will love making, eating, and gifting these chocolate eggs.
- The 18-piece set includes: egg maker, one dispenser, two egg molds, four capsules, six foils, and four chocolate packets.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
- Laser X is the ultimate high-tech game of tag! Blasters feature pinpoint accuracy up to 200 feet – day or night – and invisible infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents.
- Advanced sensors know when players are blasting, being hit, running or hiding, and an interactive voice “coach” uses this intel to offer tips and tricks throughout the game.
- Headphones (not included) can be plugged into the receiver vest, so players can listen to a stereo soundtrack while they play. This makes it feels like they’re inside a video game – or starring in an action movie!
- All Laser X sets work together so games can include an unlimited number of players. Play one-on-one, in teams, or set your blaster to “rogue” and it’s every man for himself!
- Blasters were designed to NOT look like handguns or rifles and to make futuristic sounds, not the sounds of gunfire.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $49.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us
- Players shouldn’t let their balloon bot pop in Balloon Bot Battle. Two players go head-to-head trying to pop the other player’s balloon before theirs is popped.
- When the balloons are outfitted with the punching arms, kids can move the levers back and forth to punch their opponent’s balloon. When one balloon pops, the game is over.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
- Fingerlings baby monkeys come to life with endless ways of play and realistic sounds to let kids know how they are feeling. Kids can wrap them on their finger to have a new friend at their fingertips.
- These silly critters have happy monkey sounds, blinking eyes, heads that turn, hands that grip, and a curly hanging tail.
- Kids can swing them, pet them, kiss them, and even rock them to sleep.
- There are six different Fingerlings to play, share, and collect.
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
