You don’t have to break the bank to get the best toys for the holidays. Toy Insider Senior Editor Ali Mierzejewski stopped by CBS in Cleveland to talk about the best toys for every budget range. 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.
KURIO WATCH 2.0 (KD INTERACTIVE)
- Kurio Watch 2.0 is a real working smartwatch that features interchangeable wrist bands, including color-changing bands, the ability to customize the watch screen with photos, an expanded selection of fun photo filters and frames; an included screen protector, and more.
- Kurio Watch 2.0 comes loaded with games to play alone or with a friend, like Tic Tac Toe and Pirates Battle. Watches can be connected for play on two screens, or kids can play together on one device. Motion games like Snake and Ninja Roll use precise wrist movements for play.
- Watch-to-watch messaging via Bluetooth makes it possible for kids to share texts, emojis, drawings, voice recordings, and photos. Friends and family can also download the Kurio Watch Messenger app on any Android device to get in on the fun. The front-facing camera is perfect for selfies, making videos, and using fun photo filters. When connected to a parent’s smartphone (Android or iOS), Kurio Watch 2.0 also becomes a hands-free way for kids to take phone calls (No additional phone plan required).
- All of the features you’d expect from a smartwatch – like a calculator, calendar and reminders – are included too. Kurio Watch also has an “In Case of Emergency” (I.C.E.) app that allows parents to enter emergency medical and contact information.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $59.99
- Available: Best Buy, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
8-IN-1 CONSTRUCTION (LASER PEGS)
- With this mighty 8-in-1 Construction kit from Laser Pegs Builder kids are the foreman who can get the job done.
- This kit comes jam-packed with heavy-duty models like the Claw Crane, Bobcat, Worksite Truck, Bulldozer, and many more. Light up the creations to keep the fun going all night long at the construction site.
- There are 11 LEDs, 129 pieces, Includes Batteries, 100% Compatible with Other Major Construction Kits, Auto Off.
- Ages: 8-14
- MSRP: $32.99
- Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
- Viral sensation Nimuno Loops, the original toy block tape, is now in collaboration with the Zuru’s Mayka Toy Block Tape construction brand. The product originally launched on Indiegogo, raising over $1.6 million dollars in crowdfunding in just 30 days and has been billed as one of ‘2017’s greatest inventions,’ revolutionizing the way construction bricks are played with.
- Mayka Tape transforms virtually any surface into a base for construction toy bricks and figures. One side features a bendable, flexible surface with a toy block pattern that is compatible with LEGO toys and other toy construction brands and can be cut to any desired size. The other side has a re-usable adhesive backing to allow builders to construct on nearly any object, around corners and on curved surfaces to make 3D creations.
- Each roll will feature an exciting new way to play with Mayka Tape. The line will comprise of 3 core sizes – Small (2 stud / 3.3 ft), Medium (2 stud / 6.6 ft) and Large (4 stud / 6.6 ft) – in 10 popular base colors.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: Small: $6.99 Medium: $9.99, Large: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
POWER RANGERS NINJA STEEL LION FIRE FORTRESS ZORD (BANDAI)
- The fun never ends with the Toys’R’Us exclusive Power Rangers Ninja Steel Lion Fire Fortress Zord. It’s the ultimate 3-in-1 Megazord and playset! Over two feet long in Fortress mode, it is Power Rangers Ninja Steel’s biggest Megazord ever by Bandai.
- Three modes of play: Megazord mode, Ultra Megazord mode, and Fortress mode.
- In Megazord mode the Zord stands over twenty inches tall and features a cockpit for a Power Rangers Action Hero figure (sold separately). When the battle gets intense rotate the upper body to activate the Ultra Megazord mode and attach a DX Megazord (sold separately) inside to ensure Galvanax cowers in fear. In rolling Fortress mode he’s is a colossal playset complete with twin firing cannons, a helipad, and a jail to hold captured villain figures.
- Twenty exciting sound effects add to the fun no matter what mode he’s in.
- Requires two LR44 batteries (included).
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $99
- Available: Toys R Us exclusive
