Toy Insider Editor-in-Chief Ali Mierzejewski visited CBS in Cleveland and showed off some of Toy Insider’s favorite toys of the year to a group of grade school-aged kids to see which toys were their favorites. 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.


MYSTERY FLYING SNITCH (WOW! STUFF)

  • Every Harry Potter fan knows that a game of Quidditch only ends when the Snitch is caught. Now fans of the ultimate wizarding sport will be able to connect with their inner Seeker and wow their friends as they attempt to catch the new Mystery Flying Snitch as it appears to magically fly about them.
  • The Mystery Flying Snitch is suspended by a high tensile Aramid fibre thread. The thread is approximately twice as strong as steel of the same thickness, but almost totally invisible from 6 feet, allowing you to recreate magical scenes from the Harry Potter films.
  • This new incarnation of the famous winged Quidditch ball is ideal for cosplay and each kit comes with a free Quidditch poster for inspiration and display plinth.
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Target

BEAKER CREATURES (LEARNING RESOURCES)

  • Beaker Creatures is a new line of science-themed collectibles from Learning Resources that combines the thrill of collecting with hands-on science experiments that build skills and spark curiosity.
  • Includes 35 collectible characters from five different families for children to discover, classify, and explore. 

  • Beaker Creatures is founded in real science, from the fizzing Reactor Pods that reveal the creatures to the classification cards that help children identify their creatures. 

  • Beaker Creatures sets also double as working lab sets, complete with included science experiments that encourage hands-on learning. 

  • Each Beaker Creature also comes with facts and quizzes about real- world creatures and phenomena that sparks curiosity in the world around us. 

  • Age: 5+
  • MSRP: $24.99 for the complete Science Lab which includes two dissolvable collectible eggs / $4.99 for individual eggs 

  • Available: Amazon

MEGA CONSTRUX BREAKOUT BEASTS (MATTEL)

  • It’s slime time when you unleash the Breakout Beasts!
  • Break open one of five mystery eggs to discover a slime surprise, then dig out all the pieces to build a beast.
  • But which will it be? With five creatures, Torchwing, Blackheart, Boulder, Tempyst, and Ironclaw, plus three colors of slime to collect, the combinations kids create will be wild.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Amazon, Best Buy, shop.megabrands.com, Walmart

PARTY POPTEENIES SURPRISE DOUBLE POPPER (SPIN MASTER)

  • It’s twice the excitement with the Party Popteenies Double Surprise Popper. Packed into this popper are hidden layers of fun!
  • To get the party started, pull to separate the two poppers and discover your first layer of surprises. Wrapped inside adorable packaging are mini accessories and your doll’s pet bestie.
  • The surprises continue as you pull, twist, and pop each popper! Within a cloud of colorful, collectible confetti you’ll find an exclusive Party Popteenie mini doll, wearing a fab, glittery outfit.
  • Pop your second popper to discover deluxe party accessories!
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

SMASHERS SERIES 2: GROSS SMASHERS (ZURU)

  • Get ready to smash the ball and collect ‘em all with Smashers Series 2: Gross Smashers.
  • These Smashers feature gross characters contained in a unique Smashball that looks just like an eyeball.
  • Kids can smash open the eyeball to reveal the freaky character hidden inside, covered in slime! 

  • Just like the first series, Series 2 includes limited-edition and very rare figures to find and collect, and “good and bad” characters to battle and earn Smash Points to become a Smasher Elite! 

  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $2.99 for 1-Pack; $4.99 for 3-Pack; $9.99 for 8-Pack; $7.99 for the Smashers Tin; $19.99 for the Smashers Sludge Bus display case
  • Available: Target, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon

ORBEEZ WOW WORLD WOWZER SURPRISE (MAYA TOYS)

  • These adorable magical pets come hidden in a globe filled with clear Orbeez.
  • Kids can simply add water to their globe and magically reveal which Magical Pet they received.
  • Collect all 20 unique Wowzers in Series One, including rare and super rare figures.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $5.99
  • Available: Target, Amazon, Justice, Kmart, Claire’s

PLAYFOAM PALS (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

  • Open these pods of Playfoam to find surprises inside! Kids will find an animal friend hidden within each pod.
  • Kids can pop their new pal apart and swap its head and body with pieces from other Playfoam Pals collectibles to create combination critters of their own.
  • Kids can collect all 12 Playfoam Pals pods to find the super-rare gold endangered animal critter. 

  • Use the squishy, squashy Playfoam in each pod to sculpt nests, beds, perches, and other play props. 

  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP $7.99 each
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart

TUMBALL (UNIVERSITY GAMES)

  • This nerve-wracking bead-stacking game teaches kids about balance and weight while refining their fine motor skills.
  • Appealing to both children and parents, this strategy game is fun for the whole family!
  • To win Tumball, carefully place all your white beads on top of the suspended colorful balls using the wand. With every bead you add, the colorful balls become more unstable. If you push your luck too far or make one false move…TUMBALL!
  • You must add the fallen beads to your collection. Get rid of all your beads to win!
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart, Meijer, Fred Meyer, Learning Express

LEGO BATMAN APP-CONNECTED BATMOBILE (LEGO)

  • Speed to Gotham City crime scenes with the motorized Lego DC Super Heroes App-Controlled Batmobile.
  • This cool vehicle features two motors powered by a Bluetooth-controlled battery hub, an opening minifigure cockpit, four-wheel drive, and two dual-stud shooters.
  • Simply download the app to control the vehicle from your smartphone or tablet.
  • This set also includes a new-for-August-2018 Batman minifigure.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Available: shop.lego.com

MASSIVE MONSTER MAYHEM INFLATABLE BASH ARMOR (ALPHA GROUP/DHX)

  • Get Massive! Armor up like your favorite Massive Monster to join the battle for planet Earth.  
  • The extra-large inflatable head gear and fists let kids battle out the outrageous scenes from the Massive Monster Mayhem on Nicktoons (U.S.) and Family Channel (Canada).
  • The  wearable head gear and fists are perfect for parties, and games, and will sure turn heads!
  • The Armor includes head gear and two fists.
  • Special Notes: Requires inflation—Be sure to inflate so that it is smooth, taut and wrinkle free.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $14.99
  • Available: Target

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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