Looking to have a great holiday season without breaking the bank? Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht stopped by ABC News to talk about the best holiday gifts for every budget. 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.
IMAGINEXT DC SUPER FRIENDS BATBOT XTREME (FISHER-PRICE)
- This Batman toy stands more than 2 feet tall and makes kids feel like they’re superheros, with everything from wings and punching fists to projectile launchers and a motorcycle.
- While in battle mode, kids can speak into the voice changer for awesome voice effects.
- Three power pads: Turn the power pad on the right shoulder to activate wings and punching fists, turn the left shoulder power pad to reveal Batman’s headquarters, turn the power pad on the left leg for the motorcycle.
- Push down on the buttons to fire three projectiles on each shoulder.
- Squeeze triggers for super punching action!
- Age: 3-8
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us
LARGE RED BARN WITH ANIMALS AND ACCESSORIES (SCHLEICH)
- The red barn is a classic play set addition to Schleich’s Farm World. The modular set features a detachable roof and movable doors and accessories, allowing for tons of play possibilities.
- The set comes with a farmer, cow and calf, fence, wheelbarrow, feed, and several other barn accessories.
- Known for its detailed, hand-painted figurines and play sets, Schleich offers a wonderful selection of appealing animal-related products.
- Age: 3-8
- U.S. MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Toys R Us
CALICO CRITTERS LUXURY TOWNHOME GIFT SET (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)
- With more 50 individual items, the Luxury Townhome Gift Set includes everything needed to be ready to play.
- The set includes two Critters, a five-room Townhome with working lights, indoor and outdoor balconies with rails, working doors, outdoor patio floor, dining set, piano and bench, desk, kitchen stove, pan, cart with appliances, and much more.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Availability: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Specialty Retailers
3DOODLER CREATE 3D PRINTING PEN (3DOODLER)
- The newest model from the maker of the world’s first 3-D printing pen is the slimmest, lightest, strongest 3Doodler yet.
- Enhanced design, easy to manage, and improved drive system for quieter and smoother operation. Latest features also include simplified and intuitive controls, and a new ambient light bar.
- The 3Doodler Create extrudes heated plastic, which instantly hardens, allowing you to literally draw in 3-D, freehand, or on paper. Draw vertically or horizontally and change colors quickly and easily.
- More than 75 plastic colors are available in flexy, matte, gloss, clear, glow, or sparkle materials.
- Ages: 14+
- MSRP: $99.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
TILE BLOX RAINBOW 104PC SET (MAGFORMERS)
- Kids can become the ultimate builder with 104 different magnetic pieces.
- They can design houses, rocket ships, animals, and more with six different shapes and various colors.
- This set comes with with 24 equilateral triangles, 44 squares, four trapezoids, eight rectangles, 12 right-angle triangles, and 12 isosceles triangles.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $139.99
- Available: Amazon, Nordstrom, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
SKY VIPER V2450 GPS (SKYROCKET)
- With professional-grade ArduPilot firmware, the V2450 GPS Streaming Video Drone outperforms every drone in its class. Built-in GPS provides an autonomous flight experience similar to that of much pricier hobby-grade drones.
- Using a network of satellites to trilaterate its position in relation to waypoints, the GPS Streaming Video Drone can maintain its coordinates in a hover without drifting away. Positional awareness also enables Return to Home, a feature in which the drone flies back to its launch point with the touch of a button.
- Advanced enough to satisfy discerning enthusiasts, this drone is also lightweight, durable, and safe enough for beginning pilots to learn.
- Age: 12+
- MSRP: $149.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart
- Meccano M.A.X. is the most advanced Meccano robot to date. Drawing on advanced robotics technology, M.A.X. combines Artificial intelligence (AI) learning and customizable programming to create a one-of-a-kind personal companion. Infrared (IR) Navigation and customizable apps bring M.A.X. to life with almost limitless potential for personalization and interactivity.
- M.A.X. also includes a built-in gaming platform and customizable apps for added fun.
- Age: 10+
- MSRP: $149.99
- Canada: $189.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart
DISNEY CHARACTER PUPPETS (FOLKMANIS)
- These full-body hand puppets come to life when you animate their mouth and hands through the access point in the back. Find pockets in the gloves to wave, clap, and blow kisses.
- The Mickey puppet is the essence of all things Disney, with his iconic red shorts, yellow-gold shoes, and white gloves.
- The Minnie puppet is adorned in her classic vintage style, with polka-dot skirt over bloomers, over-sized high-heeled pumps, white gloves, and flower in hat.
- Also available are Donald, Pluto, and Goofy.
- Age: 3+
- MSRP: $73.99
- Available: Amazon
NEON NITRO 8 SELF BALANCING ELECTRIC BOARD (YVOLUTION)
- Get ready to tear up the streets on the Neon Nitro 8 Self-Balancing Electric Board in green. Hop on this self-balancing board, activate the pressure pad, locate your center of gravity, and lean forward or backward to start making waves. This zippy board lets you adventure at your own pace by simply leaning forward or backward. With speeds up to 7.7 mph, you can embark on thrilling, high-speed adventures.
- Keep things exciting by navigating smooth and rough pavement, dirt, and grass with the rugged, 8-inch pneumatic wheel, which easily handles bumps and shocks.
- Gyroscope technology allows this one-wheel board to balance on its own.
- Built-in lithium-ion battery offers up to one hour of riding time on a single charge and can be recharged in less than two hours
- Age: 10+
- MSRP: $499
- Available: Toys “R” Us exclusive
LASER X LONG RANGE BLASTER (NSI INTERNATIONAL)
- Take the ultimate high-tech game of tag to new heights with the Laser X Long-Range Blaster. Featuring 25-shot rapid fire, LED spotting scope and super-fast reload, the Long-Range Blaster has pinpoint accuracy up to 400 feet.
- Compatible with all other Laser X gear, it allows for more challenging games in larger spaces. Safe infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents. Advanced sensors know when players are blasting, being hit, running, or hiding, and an interactive voice coach uses this information to offer tips and tricks throughout the game.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $39.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us
- Ultra Dash is a fast-paced action game that uses lights and targets to encourage children to test their speed, skills, memory, and teamwork.
- This active play game provides a thrilling rush of excitement as kids race to match the color of the flashing light on their tagger to the color of the targets.
- Colors flash randomly and players can change their target course, so it’s a different game each time.
- Designed for one or more players or teams, ages 6 and up.
- Age: 6+
- U.S. MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
TONKA MIGHTY BUILDERS TOW ’N GO TUFF TRUCK (AMLOID)
- This three-in-one Tow ‘N Go Tuff Truck allows little workers to push or tow their truck anywhere around the playroom.
- The truck’s removable storage lid doubles as a play table so children can build on top of the vehicle with blocks for hours of creative play.
- When playtime is over, the included blocks can be neatly stored away inside the truck.
- Age: 1+
- MSRP: $34.99
- Available: Target, Walmart, Jet.com
WHIPPLE DELUXE SET (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)
- Kids can squeeze, decorate, and display with the Whipple Starter Set, which includes everything needed to create nine collectibles.
- Kids can whip the cream into elegant designs, and decorate with beads and rhinestones for creations that they can wear and share.
- Ages: 7+
- MSRP:$19.95
- Availability: Amazon
REAL COOKING PRINCESS CAKES DELUXE BAKING SET (SKYROCKET)
- Bake and decorate an elegant treat worthy of royalty. The Real Cooking Princess Cakes Deluxe Baking Set makes it easy with the tools, cake mix, and step-by-step instructions you need. Add your own fresh eggs, butter, and milk.
- Create perfectly proportioned cakes, tailor-made for two stunning princess cake toppers. Use the set’s simple utensils to dress your princesses in tasty fondant frills and sparkly sprinkles. Like everything else in the Real Cooking world, the Princess Cakes Deluxe Baking Set is Real Food, Real Easy.
- Food contents: Cake mix, pink fondant, green fondant, and two sprinkle pouches.
- Includes a specialty pan, a roller, cutters, a cake stand, and a rolling mat.
- Comes with doll cake toppers for a pink princess and green fairy princess with wings.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $29.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
BEAT BUGS SINGING FIGURES (BLIP TOYS)
- Kids can watch as their interactive Singing Figures come alive and sing along with Beat Bugs Season 1 episodes on Netflix and the Beat Bugs Alive app.
- The figures light up and their mouths move when they sing.
- Kids can place them near a TV or mobile device to hear them sing along.
- Push the button on their stomachs to immediately hear them sing three different songs made famous by the Beatles.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Target
CRAYOLA COLOR WONDER MAGIC LIGHT BRUSH (CRAYOLA)
- Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush lets kids create colorful art without the mess.
- Color Wonder paints are clear and only work on Color Wonder special paper—it won’t color on skin, carpet, or furniture. The Magic Light Brush lights up to match whatever paint color kids are using.
- The set comes with six classic colors and 18 sheets of Color Wonder paper.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Crayola.com
- Enter the world of magic and sorcery! With the magic hat and rabbit puppet, as well as more than 40 other magic props, kids can learn and perform 35 different magic tricks.
- Make your magic wand float, bend, and grow. Pull a rabbit from a seemingly empty hat. Make cards grow and shrink. Use X-ray vision to magically see symbols through a solid, opaque surface.
- Use the included manual to learn all these tricks and more in three easy steps. With some practice, it becomes easy to stage a magic show filled with fun and successful tricks that will amaze your audience!
- For one magician and many audience members.
- Magic teaches kids emotional intelligence, public speaking, and inspires creativity and public comfort.
- Age: 6+
- MSRP: $29.50
- Available: Amazon, Toys R Us
