The Fall’s Hottest Toys on Cityline

Looking for the hottest new toys of the fall? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by Cityline to show off some great new toys that teach, just in time for the back-to-school season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below.

NINTENDO LABO VARIETY KIT (NINTENDO)

• Nintendo Labo kits offer interactive build-and-play experiences that combine the fun of DIY creations with the magic of the Nintendo Switch system (sold separately).
• The Nintendo Labo Variety Kit includes the materials to build five different Toy-Con projects: Toy-Con RC Car (two included), Toy-Con Fishing Rod, Toy-Con House, Toy-Con Motorbike and Toy-Con Piano, plus the Nintendo Labo software for the Variety Kit.
• Once each Toy-Con project is constructed, you can continue the fun by playing interactive experiences, including exploring the ocean’s depths to catch a fish using the Toy-Con Fishing Rod and the Nintendo Switch screen, or racing through custom-made tracks in Toy-Con Motorbike using a set of handlebars that you construct yourself.
• You can even customize your creations, discover how they work and invent new ways to play with your Toy-Con creations using the Toy-Con Garage mode.
• Customization materials and tools not included.
• Age: 6+
• MSRP: CAD $89.99
• Available: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, EB Games, London Drugs, Microplay, The Source

SHIMMEEZ (BEVERLY HILLS TEDDY BEAR CO.)

• Shimmeez are sparkly, shimmery, two-toned, sequined plush.
• They come in three sizes ranging from a backpack clip (perfect to adorn a new back to school backpack) to an 8 inch and 14 inch plush.
• When you run your hand over the shimmer sequins the color changes and it not only looks really cool but it’s fun to create your own patterns and designs among the sequins.
• Age: 6+
• MSRP: backpack clip CAD $6.99, medium plush CAD $11.99, large plush CAD $19.99
• Available: London Drugs, Red Apple, Giant Tiger, the Boutiques Shop

CLASSIC COLORFORMS PICTURE PANELS PLAY SETS (KAHOOTZ)

• There are so many ways to play and learn with the Colorforms Picture Panels Play Sets! Build colorful themed scenes and puzzles, mix and match over 150 Colorforms pieces to create endless creatures and scenes, then re-stick the shapes to imagine your own stories over and over again!
• Double-sided Picture Panels enhance creative storytelling with colorful play scenes on one side and fun puzzles on the back.
• Each Picture Panel also features magnetic edges that connect together to expand and connect your Colorform worlds… panels even stick to the refrigerator to display your creations!
• The sturdy storage box doubles as a 3D play tray.
• Titles available now: Animals and Vehicles (sold separately). NEW titles: House, Food, School, and Town.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: CAD $32.04
• Available: Amazon, Specialty toy stores

ZOOKIEZ SLAPPY (TOY TARGET)

• Zookiez are the collectible plush toy that have flexible hands and feet… easily hang them onto anything and bring them along with you knowing that they will stay in one place.
• Zookiez toys are perfect as bracelets, for clipping onto your bed at night, or even to bring in the car with you! They can just hold onto nearly any surface and keep clinging on for a very long time. Until you move them from their position, they are quite happy to hang out and enjoy time with you!
• Zookiez not only keep in one place but they are extremely soft.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: CAD $14.99
• Available: Walmart, specialty

FISHER-PRICE THINK & LEARN ROCKTOPUS (MATTEL)

• Rocktopus is a STEAM toy that brings creativity to the learning process by allowing kids to explore a variety of musical styles while learning about different instruments, rhythmic patterns, and more.
• Rocktopus features 15 unique instruments across five different genres of music, enabling a truly hands-on physical approach to learning as preschoolers mix (and remix) their own musical creations.
• Kids are in control of their very own compositions by adding or subtracting instruments, changing the tempo, and layering in fun sound effects.
• Features three interactive play modes: Math, Music, and Game.
• Age: 3 -6
• MSRP: CAD $89.99

OTRIO (SPIN MASTER)

• Got what it takes for a brainy competition? Face off in the game of Otrio, a head-to-head strategy board game!
• Players compete to line up three pieces of the same color my similar size; in ascending or descending order; or within the same space.
• Playing Otrio encourages players to cultivate their reasoning, strategizing and critical thinking skills.
• Otrio is made for 2-4 players.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: CAD $29.99

SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER DISGUSTING BIOLOGY (ALEX BRANDS)

• Scientific Explorer Disgusting Biology is the grossest, most revolting kit available that will educate your child with nasty experiments on what actually grows on their own body, what’s really in their teeth, and the explanations behind our unmentionable, smelly bodily functions.
• Disgusting Biology investigates your child’s everyday questions like “What makes you pass gas?,” “Do creatures really live on me?,” and more.
• Your young scientist will be fascinated to learn fun facts about these body parts, by-products and will be grossed out as they take science to a whole new level by creating a stinky intestine, slimy snot, fake blood and learn how to grow friendly molds and bacteria.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: CAD $23.99

PLAYFOAM PALS (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

• Open these pods of Playfoam to find surprises inside! Hidden within each pod, kids will find an animal friend.
• Pop your new pal apart and swap its head and body with pieces from other Playfoam Pals collectibles to create combination critters of your own!
• 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.
• Age: 5-10 yrs old
• MSRP: CAD $3.99 each / CAD $7.99 for 2-pack / CAD $21.99 for 6-pack
• Available: Mastermind Toys

 PLASTICINE TOOL KIT (KAHOOTZ TOYS)

• Plasticine is the original no-dry modeling material for over 100 years.
• This sturdy, carry-anywhere tool box stores seven colors of Plasticine, five cutting shapes, a sculpting tool and roller, plus an idea guide to inspire imaginations anywhere.
• Ultimately squishable, blendable, bendable, and reusable, Plasticine is perfect for just about any creative project kids can get their hands on, and it never dries out. It’s reusable and stays soft.
• Ideal for school project uses, such as: modeling, sculpting, topographical/map projects, scientific models (anatomy, chemistry).
• Perfect tactile learning tool for younger children: develops fine motor skills, finger strength; basic shape-making, color mixing.
• Age: 5+
• MSRP: CAD $15.76
• Available: Scholar’s Choice, Calendar Club, Amazon CA

ENGINEERING MAKERSPACE: ALIEN ROBOTS (THAMES & KOSMOS)

• Alien Robots is part of the new Engineering Makerspace series from STEM leader Thames & Kosmos.
• Construct ten out-of-this-world machines and learn about the physics of levers and linkages.
• A battery-powered motor box powers the models.
• Make a creepy slithering alien snakebot model with rotating arms and articulating tail. Build an alien insectoid-bot that crawls on six legs. Create an alien raptor model with wings that move up and down. Assemble a cool grabber claw with a scissors mechanism. Make a bipedal alien robot model that walks on two legs.
• In addition, build models of a pumpjack, swinging device, hopping alien frog-bot, roving dino-bot with reciprocating arm, and rolling alien dragon-bot.
• A 48-page manual guides your model building and experiments with step-by-step illustrated instructions.
• Age: 6+
• MSRP: CAD $39

KANOODLE HEAD TO HEAD (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

• Go head to head with friends in the first ever Kanoodle puzzle challenge for two!
• Includes 2-player puzzle board with lid, 16 puzzle pieces (eight for each player), 40 double-sided challenge cards (80 puzzles!), and game guide.
• Launch your opponent’s pieces with the press of a button for the ultimate checkmate!
• Age: 7+
• MSRP: CAD $21.99
• Available: Mastermind Toys

GEOSAFARI JR. TALKING GLOBE (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

• Junior jet setters can explore the world with Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin! Updated version of the bestselling Talking Globe provides a high-tech, hands-on, interactive introduction to geography.
• High-tech globe with dual swivel and smart stylus.
• Featuring the voice of Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin, who has been traveling to faraway places since she was a little girl.
• Includes Explore, Find It, and Measure It Modes – over 10 hours of interactive audio.
• Features continents, U.S. states, animals, and nature.
• Touch the pen to two locations to find out how far apart they are.
• Globe measures 12.6 inches in diameter
• Pen requires 2 AAA batteries (not included).
• Age: 4-7
• MSRP: CAD$129.99
• Available: Amazon Canada

CHOW CROWN (HASBRO)

• Who will reign supreme in the ultimate snack eating competition? The hilarious CHOW CROWN game puts a fun twist on viral food eating challenges!
• To play, load the six hanging forks with various food items of your choosing. Place the spinning crown on your head, and eat as many snacks as possible before the music stops to keep your crown!
• The Chow Crown game can be played solo or in a head-to-head tournament.
• Game includes electronic crown, six plastic forks, and instructions.
• Requires 3 AA batteries, not included.
• Food not included.
• Adult assembly and supervision required.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: CAD $32.24
• Available: major retailers, HasbroToyShop.com