Millennial moms have their own ideas of what makes a great holiday toy. Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Good Day Columbus to talk about some of the best toys that this new generation of moms—and their kids—will love this holiday season. 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.


REPEAT PETEY (TOMY INTERNATIONAL)

  • When you speak to Petey, he remembers what you said and repeats it back to you! With interesting textures, contrast patterns and surprise crinkles, this adorable parrot invites baby to explore, stimulating tactile senses. Baby can discover a squeaker in Petey’s nose and a chime when he’s shaken.
  • Lamaze toys are designed to spark little triumphs at every stage of baby’s development. Created in conjunction with child development experts, Lamaze toys inspire healthy play and learning. Lamaze toys encourage baby to grow and develop through features that promote together time between parent and baby and activities that encourage baby to explore and learn independently. The high quality, bright colors, friendly faces, crinkly fabrics and contrasting patterns of Lamaze toys have made them a favorite of parents, babies and experts for more than two decades.
  • Ages: 6 months+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us

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.
  • Ages: 18 mos.+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

FISHER-PRICE THINK & LEARN SMART CYCLE (FISHER-PRICE)

  • The Smart Cycle creates a physical play experience on tablet or TV, putting kids in control of racing and learning games full of kindergarten-readiness curriculum. The more they pedal, the more they can learn.
  • Adjustable tablet holder for various-sized tablets
  • Multi-position handlebars with input controls, LEDs & joystick
  • Adjustable seat makes play comfortable for kids of different sizes
  • Bluetooth technology allows for play on tablet or TV for an even more immersive experience
  • The free Smart Cycle™ Mission to Tech City™ app is available for download and features 15 different levels of play
  • Additional apps are available for purchase, featuring characters from some of your child’s favorite Nickelodeon shows focusing on different subjects, like math, STEM, natural science, and more
  • Ages: 3-6
  • MSRP: $149.99
  • Available: Amazon

NANO METALFIGS NANO SCENE (JADA TOYS)

  • Nano Metalfigs Nano Scene is a diorama sets to showcase a collection of Nano Metalfigs figurines, a new line of collectible die-cast figures.
  • Each Nano Scene comes with two exclusive figures and is full of cool features, like the Batcave (shown here), with a light up Bat symbol on the floor and functioning garage door that opens.
  • Easy assembly and sturdy construction.
  • Kids can play or display multiple figures on the Nano Scene, but additional figures are sold separately.
  • Holds up to 24 Nano MetalFigs (sold separately).
  • Each figure is made of 100% die-cast metal and stands around 1.65″ tall, with premium metallic paints. The figures are sold in single, five, and ten packs.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart

PLINGPONG (BUFFALO GAMES)

  • Pling Pong is a fast paced game of skill, luck, and strategy.
  • Players bounce balls into their opponent’s cups to eliminate them from play – but everyone must avoid the black cup.
  • This game includes fun ricochet action as balls bounce every-which-way with a tiered design. Sink shots to eliminate opponents and the last player with cups on the boards wins.
  • Play the standard four-person game or a variation such as two-player, three-player, eight-player, Random Re-rack, Speed Round, or High Stack.
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Target

STAR WARS POE DAMERON’S X-WING BLUETOOTH SPEAKER (EKIDS)

  • Wirelessly stream audio anywhere up to 30 feet with the Star Wars Bluetooth Speaker. Powerful sound performance! Answer and end calls via speakerphone. When in use Speaker lights up.
  • Fun wireless Bluetooth speaker with Voice Control
  • Rechargeable lithium-ion battery and speakerphone
  • Ages: 13+
  • MSRP: $49.99
  • Availability: Amazon

AIR HOGS DR1 MICRO RACE DRONE (SPIN MASTER)

  • Drone racing careers begin with the agile Air Hogs DR1 Micro Race Drone. With both beginner and advanced modes, this agile and nimble drone is ideal for indoor racing action.
  • This agile indoor racing drone is equipped with flight assist technologies such as height lock, automatic take-off, and auto-land buttons.
  • Start in beginner mode or switch to advanced mode and test out the speed and agility of this drone. With a communication range of 2.4 GHz and 250 ft., you can challenge your friends and race up to 4 drones at the same time.
  • If you run into mid-air obstacles, the DR1 Micro Race Drone is engineered for durability, with a crash-resistant design, ducted propellers and 6-axis gyro for improved stability and control. Pull off tricks like a 360° barrel roll using the stunt button.
  • Ages: 10+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, 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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