Toys for Every Budget on Breakfast Television

You don’t have to break the bank to have a great holiday season. Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by Breakfast Television to talk about the best toys for families with 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.

CRAYOLA KIDS@WORK MULTI-COLOR CRAYON TOTE (AMLOID)

• Bring the building fun anywhere you go with this massive and conveniently portable Multi-Color Crayon Tote!
• Kids can build whatever their imaginations dream up with 90 sturdy and stackable building blocks in various shapes and sizes, plus iconic Crayola crayons and educational decal sheets to round out the learning fun!
• The easy-to-carry tote is great for storage once little ones have finished their creations and easily accessible to take on trips or bring to a friend’s house for a play date.
• The set features a total of 90 bright and durable Kids@Work building blocks, 8 Crayola crayons and 2 A-B-C and 1-2-3 DIY decal sheets.Tote bags come available in yellow or purple.
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $19.97 CDN

SMOOSHY MUSHY PETS (REDWOODVENTURES)

• Smooshy Mushy from RedwoodVentures is part of the newest collectible craze, full of exciting, super squishy, slow-rise surprises.
• Each Smooshy Mushy series includes one of eight randomly assorted pets. Kids can unwrap the container to find out which scented Smooshy Mushy squishy surprise is inside.
• Every pet has a Bestie they can’t live without so kids should keep searching to find out, which tiny squishy “Bestie” is their pets BFF. Sets also come with a “what’s your smooshy name?” game, a nametag, mini container, stickers, and a collectible poster.
• For fall of ’17 kids can collect 24 food-themed Smooshy Mushy Pets to discover, squish, and trade with their friends.
• Age: 5+
• MSRP: $3.88 for blind bags, $11.88 for Core Pets and Frozen Delights, $16.88 for Bento Box CDN

FLIPAZOO 2.0 (JAY@PLAY)

• FlipaZoo 2.0 is two cuddly plush animals in one that flip back and forth for two sides of fun.
• FlipaZoo is simple and easy to do, and it even doubles as a soft pillow.
• FlipaZoos also come in mini and jumbo sizes.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: $19.97 CDN

BEN 10 DELUXE OMNITRIX (PLAYMATES TOYS)

• In Cartoon Network’s new Ben 10 animated series, Ben finds the Omnitrix, a mysterious watch that transforms him into 10 different heroic aliens. With the Deluxe Omnitrix from Playmates Toys, kids can open up a world of alien superpowers by transforming into any one of Ben’s 10 aliens.
• The Deluxe Omnitrix has more than 100 alien phrases and motion activated sound effects.
• Kids can turn the dial to choose an alien and press down on the dial to begin play.
• It includes lights, sounds and motion activated action, just like in the show. If kids time out they’ll need to quickly choose again to stop the bad guys.
• Adjustable to different wrist sizes, the watch features Velcro straps that can be fastened to the appropriate size.
• Ranging in height up to 5″ tall, each figure is highly detailed and articulated and also comes equipped with themed accessories for added play!
• Kids can collect them all! Assortment includes: Ben & Grey Matter, Heatblast, Diamondhead, Four Arms, Cannonbolt, XLR8, Overflow, Wildvine, Stinkfly, Upgrade, Hex, Steam Smythe & Dr. Animo
• Age: 4+
• MSRP: $24.99 CDN

LEGO WORLDS (WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT)

• LEGO Worlds is a galaxy of imaginative worlds made entirely of digital LEGO bricks where players can explore, discover, and create together.
• Kids can create anything they can imagine one brick at a time, or use large-scale landscaping tools to create vast mountain ranges and dot their world with tropical islands.
• Kids can drop in prefabricated structures to build and customize any world to their liking. Players can explore using helicopters, dragons, motorbikes or even gorillas and unlock treasures that enhance your gameplay
• Discover and Collect Rewards: Players uncover hidden treasures in diverse environments, collecting characters, creatures, vehicles, castles, props and weapons as they explore each new world.
• Online multiplayer allows two players to explore each other’s Worlds, play competitive challenges and show-off creations.
• Available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and more.
• Age: 10+
• MSRP: $24.99 CDN

BARBIE FUNDAMENTAL CHEMISTRY SET (THAMES & KOSMOS)

• Barbie is one of the top students in her chemistry class. For an extracurricular project, she and a fellow classmate put together a series of science demonstrations to present to other students at their school. This colorful carrying case is actually a portable science lab with all sorts of tools and materials for science experiments.
• As you read the story in the illustrated manual, you can experiment with six fun, safe potions and concoctions, each demonstrating important scientific principles. Learn the chemistry and physical science behind all the special properties of these potions.
• Thames & Kosmos partners with Mattel to expand its line of Barbie science kits.
• Kids can learn about chemistry and complete six experiments.
• Fun to get girls interested in STEM subjects, specifically through potions and colorful carrying case.
• Age: 4+
• MSRP: $43.50 CDN

WONDER CREW BUDDIES (PLAYMONSTER)

• Combining the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of a stuffed animal, PlayMonster LLC’s Wonder Crew includes four diverse Buddies (Will, Marco, James, and Erik). Available separately, each comes dressed in superhero gear, complete with matching mask and cape for kids.
• Wonder Crew also has three Adventure Packs: 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! Each is sold separately.
• Wonder Crew Buddies are designed to empower boys to connect, nurture, and build empathy through friendship, imagination, and adventure.
• Age: 3+
• MSRP: $47.23 CDN

6-IN-1 SPIDER (LASER PEGS)

• Kids can get up close and personal with the creepiest crawlers they’ve ever seen in this 6-in-1 Spider kit.
• Builders can test their bravery as they build the Scorpion, Beetle, or the Dragonfly. As night approaches, kids can give their family and friends a real scare by lighting up their cringe-worthy creations.
• There are four LEDs, 113 pieces, and batteries are included. This set is compatible with other major construction kits.
• Age: 8+
• MSRP: $29.99 CDN

FURREAL ROARIN’ TYLER, THE PLAYFUL TIGER (HASBRO)

• Kids can bring home an adorable baby tiger to love, play with, and care for as their own.
• Make a noise or give a loud jungle roar and Tyler will roar back in response.
• Kids can enjoy playtime with him using his play chicken.
• Tyler features more than 100 sound and motion combinations with sensors on his forehead, back, and muzzle allowing him to respond to touch in fun ways.
• Kids can pull him up close to snuggle thanks to his posable back legs, or nuzzle his cheek and he’ll respond with expressive eyes, sounds and tail movements.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $179.99 CDN

DISNEY CHARACTER PUPPETS (FOLKMANIS)

• These full body hand puppets come to life when you animate 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: $100 CDN each

WATCH YA MOUTH THROWDOWN (BUFFALO GAMES)

• Watch Ya’ Mouth Throwdown is a mouthguard party game that pits players against their friends in a head-to-head competition of skill and audacity.
• A companion to the authentic Watch Ya Mouth game which originally launched on Kickstarter, “Throwdown” goes beyond simply attempting to read and interpret phrases, and encourages players to compete in over 100 unique challenges to perform while hampered by cheek retractors.
• Roll the challenger dice to determine who the next opponent is, draw a challenge card from the deck, and follow the instructions.
• The game includes 100 Challenge Cards and 40 Phrase Cards, and is good for groups of two to six players.
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $34.99 CDN