Looking for the best toys for a long road trip? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by WCIU Chicago’s You & Me to talk about the best travel toys for the spring and summer. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the hottest new toys of the season be sure to view our Spring and Summer Toy Guide.
HEXBUG BattleBots Rivals - For kids who love robots and toys and battling,this is the set for them! HEXBUG’s BattleBots Rivals set packs double the fun with two precicely replicated miniature robots, Tombstone and Witch Doctor – for head to head battles.
- Each toy robot is equipped with signature sinister battle functions, so choose your combatant wisely!
- Uses I/R remote controls, conquer your competitor with Witch Doctor’s battering ram armor or Tombstone’s grave-making spinning blades!
- As you fight, your robots outer shell will fall apart, hit after hit, until only one bot is left standing and in tact. After the battle is over, easily rebuild the defeated party for round two, if they’re up for the challenge!
- MSRP: $49.99
- Availability: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Target
- Ages: 8+
Wonder Crew- Wonder Crew Buddies is the toy line for boys designed to empower boys to connect, nurture and build empathy through friendship, imagination and adventure. Combining the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of a stuffed animal, 15-inch Wonder Crew Buddies are available now.
- The crew includes Will (Caucasian), Marco (Hispanic), James (African American) and Erik (Asian). Each comes dressed in superhero gear, complete with a matching mask and cape for kids.
- Three Adventure Packs are also available: Builder includes a construction outfit and hard hat for the buddy, and a matching vest for kids; Explorer features a safari-looking outfit and hat for the buddy, and a matching hat for the child; and Snuggler is a set of pajamas for the buddy, and a blanket for kids!
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: Buddies – $29.99-$34.99; Gear sets – $14.99-$19.99
Mickey Transforming Roadster Racer R/C (Jada Toys)
- Teaming with Disney for the new cartoon Mickey and the Roadster Racers on Disney Jr., Jada has produced an all new and innovative transforming R/C.
- The Mickey Transforming Roadster Racer features Mickey’s red roadster and an easy-to-operate remote control that allows the classic roadster to transform into his all-new Roadster Racer, just like in the cartoon!
- Other features include lights and sounds from the show.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $49.99
Cabbage Patch Kids 9” Safari Friends Cuties (Wicked Cool Toys)
- The all-new 9-inch Cabbage Patch Safari Friend Cuties need your love and care! Inspired by the exotic colors and adventurous wildlife, these soft and cuddly Cuties love to suck their thumb and feature a snuggly onesie with adjustable hood, ready for excitement and fun.
- Each Cutie is numbered for collectability.
- Six different styles include: Kona Lion, Lola Giraffe, Chiro Frog, Sasha Koala, Keiko Zebra, and Bijou Toucan.
- Includes thumb-sucking feature.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $9.99
- Available at Target, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, and Amazon
Roblox Single Figures (Jazwares)
- Calling all virtual explorers! Weave your own tale and lead your own adventures with the Roblox single figures.
- Characters include Mr. Bling Bling – with this gold suit and flashy smile, Matt Dusek – master wizard and Lord Umberhallow – the ultimate trickster masked in darkness.
- MSRP: $6.99
- Age: 6+
- Available: Amazon, Target
FlipaZoo (Jay@Play)
- The FlipAZoo toy plush is two buddies in one, and kids will flip for these lovable animal friends!
- Each fun-stuffed FlipAZoo features two fluffy characters that flip back and forth for two sides of fun.
- FlipAZoo is simple and easy to maneuver, and it even doubles as a soft pillow.
- Discover the complete FlipAZoo collection for a variety of characters, colors, and sizes that are great for fun on the go or at home.
- People of all ages will love collecting FlipAZoo friends, one by two! Available in a variety of characters and sizes.
- Ages: 2+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Fipazoo.com; Walmart
Magnaflex- Magnaflex creative construction kits help inspire kids of all ages to build anything they can imagine. These multi-piece kits include flexible magnetic strips in bright colors, plus black and white connector pieces.
- Magnaflex unique shapes and material allow kids to easily bend, zip, connect, or stack the magnetic strips together to create fun, unique and colourful designs.
- The connector pieces add structure to creations, and can also be used as decorative accents such as eyes, wheels, and more.
- Neodymium rare-earth magnets safely enclosed inside the Magnaflex strips ensure a strong magnetic connection. Kids can build 2D or 3D creations anywhere with this innovative, educational toy that promotes creativity, visualization, and fine motor skills.
- An easy-to-follow instruction guide provides multiple project ideas, including a “how to” build animals, race cars, beach balls, wearable crowns, and more!
- When it is time to clean up, Magnaflex strips can be stacked together for easy storage and transport.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $19.99-$49.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us
Pottery Cool Studio - Pottery Cool has turned pottery upside down, making it easy to create perfectly shaped pottery by letting gravity do the work. Kids simply place a clay disk onto the turntable, gently spray it with water and watch it spin and take shape in their hands.
- Customize the air-dried creations with sculpting tools and 10 brightly colored metallic paints, create 6 beautiful projects, including: a jewelry holder, phone speaker and more.
- Age: 8+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
