Looking for an inside scoop on the holiday season’s hottest toys? Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by ABC in New Haven to show off some of the year’s most in-demand toys and gifts. 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.
STROLL & DISCOVER ACTIVITY WALKER (VTECH ELECTRONICS)
- 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
- Meet Fingerlings Hugs—they’re softies when it comes to affection!
- Their long arms are perfect for big hugs and these cuddle monkeys never want to let you go.
- Kids can swing them, tickle them, rock them, and turn them upside down for different reactions.
- Give them a quick kiss or a long smooch and they’ll kiss you back the same way.
- Record what you say and watch them repeat in funny ways.
- Fingerlings Hugs are available in Bella (Pink) and Boris (Blue).
- Ages: 2+
- MSRP: $29.99 each
- Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Kohl’s
NXS RACERS STUNT PARK (MAISTO)
- Stunt Park set has three different ways to play.
- Use the roundabout to steer the car back to you, jump it to see if you can pull off some sweet flips, or try to land in the winner’s podium!
- Each stunt requires some skill.
- Stunt Park includes a plastic track and accessories, a cardboard hoop and graphics, a sticker sheet, and one NXS Racers pullback vehicle.
- Ages 3+
- MSRP: $9.00
- Available: Michaels
- Each Scruff‐a‐Luv comes as a matted ball of colored fur with only its eyes showing, so it’s a mystery what animal kids are rescuing! The adorable animal is revealed by washing the matted ball in water, towel drying the animal, blast drying it with a hair dryer, and brushing and styling its fur.
- Each Scruff‐a‐Luv comes with a collar, name tag, adoption certificate, brush and hair clips.
- Scruff‐a‐luvs can be washed over and over again. This special kind of plush allows kids to play with it in the bath, role play with it, and care for it like a real pet – the possibilities are endless!
- Age: 4+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Amazon, Target
MASSIVE MONSTER MAYHEM 7.5″ SMACKTION FIGURES (DHX BRANDS)
- Play along with the Massive Monster Mayhem chaos with the Smacktion Figures!
- Each figure stands 7.5 inches tall and includes multiple unique battle and silly features for zany out of this world smacktion!
- Pose him in a menacing stance, pair him with another figure to battle or create total mayhem by adding multiple figures (each sold separately, subject to availability).
- Collect them all and let the Massive Monster Mayhem begin!
- From the hit TV series on Nicktoons (US) and Family Channel (Canada), the 7.5-inch figures are based on key characters from the show.
- Basic articulation on arms and legs enables dynamic posing, action figure play, and battle features.
- Each character (RoBro, Dome Diddy Dome, Macho Cheese) has hilarious attributes and their own weapons and special features.
- Age: 4+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Target
DISNEY D-LECTABLES LAYERS OF MAGIC (IMPERIAL TOY)
- Reveal your own sweet surprise with the Disney D-lectables Layers of Magic Play Set. Hidden inside each Ice Cream Tub is one of 8 Mickey & Minnie inspired sweet treats, perfect for collecting!
- Lift the layers inside to reveal a unique piece of a magic ice cream sundae: color changing cookie ears and frosting, a signature ice cream topper, a scented foam scoop, a sweet sugar cone, and moldable putty.
- Recreate the experience by replacing the layers within the reusable tub for extended play.
- Mix, match, and stack the sundae components to make your own Mickey and Minnie creations!
- Age: 5+
- MSRP: $9.88
- Available: Walmart
