You don’t have to break the bank to have a great holiday season. Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by WISH-TV’s Indy Style to show off great gifts at every price point. 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.


STARSHINE THE BRIGHT LIGHTS UNICORN (VTECH)

  • Go on an enchanted adventure with Starshine the Bright Lights Unicorn.
  • Place the seven charms on any of the three magic hearts to see her horn light up and hear colors, objects, and phrases in English or Spanish.
  • Use the charms to answer quiz questions or add sound effects to create your own special song.
  • Squeeze the unicorn’s tail to see her beautiful wings flap and hear whimsical phrases and sound effects that encourage imaginative play.
  • Starshine’s majestic hooves feature wheels so you can push her as you head off on your next adventure!  
  • Ages: 18 MOS.+
  • MSRP: $24.99
  • Available: Amazon, Walmart, Target

PARTY POPTEENIES SURPRISE DOUBLE POPPER (SPIN MASTER)

  • It’s twice the excitement with the Party Popteenies Double Surprise Popper. Packed into this popper are hidden layers of fun!
  • To get the party started, pull to separate the two poppers and discover your first layer of surprises. Wrapped inside adorable packaging are mini accessories and your doll’s pet bestie.
  • The surprises continue as you pull, twist, and pop each popper! Within a cloud of colorful, collectible confetti you’ll find an exclusive Party Popteenie mini doll, wearing a fab, glittery outfit.
  • Pop your second popper to discover deluxe party accessories!
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

CINCO LINKO (CARDINAL GAMES/BIG POTATO)

  • Cinco Linko is a super-simple five-in-a-row tile game that you can clip to your bag and play on the go, no matter where you’re headed.  
  • With no game board required, any flat surface can be your playing field
  • Just choose a color, grab your stack, and take turns laying down tiles side-by-side until someone manages to get five-in-a-row of their color, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
  • Run out of tiles? Well, that just means you’ll have to pick up the ones you’ve already placed and reposition them one by one until you manage to sneak your line of five past the other players.
  • Cinco Linko comes with 60 tiles (15 pink, 15 yellow, 15 green, 15 orange). The tiles stack easily onto four included racks that clip together to keep the game together on the go.
  • 2-4 Players
  • AgeS: 8+
  • MSRP: $9.99
  • Available: Walmart (December 2018)

REALLY RAD ROBOTS MIBRO (MOOSE TOYS)

  • MiBro, is every kids’ robot partner in fun—the robotic buddy who’s got their back!
  • Take control of MiBro through his Really Rad Remote.
  • With MiBro, kids can play, prank, spy and command.
  • Kids can also speak through him via the remote or put him into stealth mode to be an undercover agent and listen in.
  • MiBro is full of smart talking phrases and sounds, and kids can enjoy with his range of awesome.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $39.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart

ZOOM TUBES (SAS GROUP)

  • Zoom Tubes are a non-stop racing light show, with RC racecars that light up and twist and turn tracks can be made into infinite configurations.
  • Easy to build—just connect the tubes, place zoom racer inside the zoom tube, activate the romate, and go!
  • There are over 12 feet of tubes, over 25 connecting pieces, eight curved tubes, 12 connectors, three straight tubes, and one straight tube with a door.
  • The set comes with a zoom racer, remote control, and USB cord.
  • Ages: 5+
  • MSRP: $29.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond

R/C TREAD SHREDDER (MAISTO)

  • Unique, futuristic tank that will drive, spin, and climb up to a 45-degree angle.  
  • Rubber treads give it the extra grip it needs to shred the street or climb up and over obstacles.
  • Working roof light helps light up the way.
  • Approximately 7-inches long and includes a stick controller.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $20
  • Available: Amazon, Michaels

 


LEGO CREATOR PIRATE ROLLER COASTER (LEGO)

  • Hold tight and prepare to scream as you set out on a Lego Creator three-in-one Pirate Roller Coaster adventure.
  • Set features a functional roller coaster with pirate-themed props, including a sunken galleon, skull archway, palm tree, and an octopus.
  • The working carriages are shark-themed and the ride’s main drop has a water splash feature and a cannon that fires water elements.
  • Other features include a ticket booth and a balloon stand.
  • This set can be rebuilt for further Lego fairground adventures aboard The Skull Ride or The Ship Ride.
  • Comes with four mini-figures ready for the fun of the fairground, plus a skeleton figure.
  • Ages: 9+
  • MSRP: $89.99
  • Available: Target, shop.lego.com, Amazon

FLIKER A3 (YVOLUTION)

  • Step up and jump on board! The biggest and fastest in the Air range of scooters, the Y Fliker A3 allows kids to drift and carve like never before.
  • Fast rolling wheels, quick response brakes, and reinforced larger size steel frame makes this one crazy stunt machine.
  • Twist and stow for easy carrying around town, then unfold the mighty Y Fliker A3 and pull off awesome freestyle carving in style.
  • The Y Fliker’s patented technology, lightweight and sleek design, and performance rated wheels allow this freestyle scooter to perform smooth carving and drifting action.
  • The quick response handbrake offers kids increased control and ensures a safe, fun ride.
  • Suggested maximum of 175 lbs
  • Ages: 7+
  • MSRP: $129.99
  • Available: yvolution.com, Amazon

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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