Looking to find the perfect toys and gifts for the kids on your holiday shopping list? Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski stopped by “Wake Up Cleveland” and showed off some of the year’s hottest toys to a room full of kid toy testers. 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.


SKY TRACK ADVENTURE SET (MAGFORMERS)

  • Enjoy racing adventures with the Magformers Sky Track 44-piece play set! Equipped with a sky shuttle and multiple track accessories, kids can create loops, ups and downs, twists and turns for endless flight fun.
  • Watch as your shuttle does a 360 spin and climbs the lift elevator!
  • When your track is completed, the Sky Shuttle will go off-road in its Sky car!
  • Age:  3+
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Available: Amazon, specialty retailers

CRAYOLA KIDS@WORK 115-PIECE CRAYON TUBE (AMLOID)

  • Develop STEM skills and fuel imaginations with the all-new Crayola Kids@Work Action Blocks.
  • This new twist on classic building blocks inspires hours of creative construction fun– it’s interactive, cognitive, and imaginative play all-in-one!
  • Each sturdy and stackable block has a unique feature and function—spin, rotate, turn, twist, expand, and build while identifying colors and developing fine motor skills.
  • The gear blocks add movement while the tri-post blocks allow advanced building, both up and out!
  • Give the blocks some added personality with a sheet of unique, funny-face decals included in the tube.
  • When playtime is over, put all the vibrant Crayola-colored blocks back in the oversized Crayon Tube and store as room décor.
  • These blocks are compatible with other block systems.
  • Available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple crayon tubes.
  • Ages: 2+
  • MSRP: $21.97
  • Available: Walmart

STROLL & DISCOVER ACTIVITY WALKER (VTECH)

  • From floor play to first steps, the Stroll & Discover Activity Walker grows with your little one.
  • The easy-to-remove activity panel is great for floor play and is packed with features.
  • Five light-up piano keys introduce colors and numbers, while spinning gears and a removable cell phone help develop fine motor skills.
  • Meet six friendly animals by inserting the three shape sorter pieces, pressing the puppy button, sliding the mouse, or batting the bird to hear their unique voices and sounds.
  • Attach the panel to the adjustable two-speed walker as little ones grow, and watch them go!
  • The legs fold for easy storage.
  • Ages: 9 mos.+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart, Target

GIANT TUBS OF COMPOUND KINGS SLIME (WECOOL TOYS

  • The pre-made slimes come in all varieties, from Glitzy to Fluffy to Neon, and more.
  • Glitzy slime has glitter infused, while fluffy feels like satin and the neon comes in vibrant colors.
  • This slime is super stretchy, giving kids an amazingly tactile feel while they play.
  • These slimes do not require any mess or glue to make, just open the tub and play.
  • Compound Kings slime doesn’t leave any residue on your hands.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $14.99
  • Available: Walmart, Michael’s

MASSIVE GOOGLY BALL (IMPERIAL TOY)

  • The ultimate tactile toy that guarantees hours of fun.
  • Kids can squish it, bounce it, throw it, shake it, bump it, catch it, smack it, and more.
  • The ball is 7.5 inches in diameter.
  • The ball is available in a variety of bright colors.
  • It’s made of high-performance and durable TPR material for long-lasting play.
  • This ball is a recommended sensory toy for children with autism.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $5.88 to $7.99
  • Available: Walmart, Fred Meyer, Supervalu, Joann Fabric


MY FRIEND FANCY NANCY FEATURE DOLL (JAKKS PACIFIC)

  • Nancy is ready for a fabulous play day dressed in her signature outfit of leggings, tiara, and chic party dress, which are removable for fashion play!
  • This 18-inch feature doll has fully posable arms and legs with 12 points of articulation at the neck, shoulders, waist, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees.
  • The doll works with the Closet of Fashions Assortment, Accoutrements Assortment, and Bistro Set with Marabelle.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $34.99
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart

PJ MASKS SUPER MOON ADVENTURE HQ ROCKET (JUST PLAY)

  • The brave PJ Masks heroes are blasting off on an awesome adventure to the moon!
  • This rocket features a special design inspired by the show, as well as exciting lights and sounds.
  • Push the button to release the ramp and watch Gekko launch out on his space rover.
  • The cockpit can fit up to three PJ Masks figures inside for even more imaginative hero play.
  • When the PJ Masks are ready for take-off, kids can fold up the legs and ramp and use the built-in handle to fly the HQ Rocket around.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Amazon, Kmart, Target, Walmart

GRAND DEPARTMENT STORE GIFT SET (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)

  • The centerpiece of the Calico Critters new Town series is the Grand Department Store, the most iconic building in the series, which also introduces Stella.
  • It features elegant, sophisticated styling and a unified design for even more freedom with the layout.  
  • With finely sculpted areas and exquisite attention to detail, it draws children in and enhances imaginative play.
  • The special gift set comes complete with terrace, balconies, custom windows, awnings, flags, and railings to spark even more customizable play.  
  • The play starts at the entrance tower through the revolving doors and continues throughout all levels on the elevator.
  • Once upstairs, children can send their Calico Critters out to the terrace or balconies to watch over the beauty of the Town.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $129.95
  • Available: Amazon

KID TRAX RIDEAMALS SCOUT, RIDE & PLAY PONY (PACIFIC CYCLE)

  • This pony combines interactive play with battery-powered riding fun: feed, brush, walk, ride, and dance with your pony pal!
  • It features more than 100 unique sounds and movements.
  • Accessories—including an apple, carrot, and brush—add to the playtime fun.
  • The pony features two forward speeds and one reverse.
  • The Power Trax rubber traction strips keep the ride smooth and steady.
  • The Direct Connect system makes charging easy; 12V battery and charger included.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $298
  • Available: Walmart

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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