Toy Insider Senior Editor/Toy Book Editor-in-Chief James Zahn joined Afternoon Live on KATU in Portland to show off the best toys to help kids beat the boredom blues this winter. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below.


LITTLE TIKES BIG ADVENTURES LINE

These toy vehicles combine play, fun, and learning with real, working STEM tools. The Safari SUV includes three detachable tools: binoculars, a flashlight, and a compass. The spinning wheels detach from the Safari SUV and transform into binoculars with 3X magnification. The Safari SUV's headlights transform into a working flashlight and the Safari SUV's back…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99-24.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SONIC RACERS ASSORTED R/C

These R/C cars feature Sonic the Hedgehog characters behind the wheel in 1:28 scale. The line includes Amy Rose, Silver the Hedgehog, and Sonic.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

KINETIC SAND MERMAID CRYSTAL PLAYSET

Kids can unlock the mermaid crystal lid with the shell key and dig through purple Kinetic Sand to uncover a hidden pearl and mermaid key, which then unlocks a hidden treasure chest containing Kinetic Sand shimmer sand, hidden gems, and pearls. The crystal container doubles as a play space or a storage container to hold…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

CREATTO: BARNYARD BUDDIES – BRILLIANT BUNNY, DAZZLING DUCKY, AND PLAYFUL PIGGIE

Choose from Brilliant Bunny, Dazzling Ducky, or Playful Piggie! With the included Creatto pieces, build a bunny, duck, piggie, or small geometric gift box!

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $8.95; $13.50 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3. AQUA COLLECTION

The Playmobil 1.2.3. Aqua Collection comes in three water-inspired toys. The colorful playsets from PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 AQUA each playfully promote important developmental skills. 1.2.3 Aqua Water Wheel with Baby Shark With the Water Wheel with Baby Shark, bathtime fun reaches a whole new level. Simply attach the water wheel to the wall or side of…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.99 and up
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SONIC 2.GHZ RC – ALL-STAR RACING

Race to the finish line with these epic R/C cars based on characters from Sonic The Hedgehog video games. Each R/C is 6.5 inches long and utilizes a 2.4GHz radio frequency that allows kids to race up to 16 R/Cs at the same time. Available in Amy Rose, Silver the Hedgehog, and Sonic the Hedgehog…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $19.99
  • Age:
  • 6+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

KINETIC SAND MERMAID CRYSTAL PLAYSET

Kids can unlock the mermaid crystal lid with the shell key and dig through purple Kinetic Sand to uncover a hidden pearl and mermaid key, which then unlocks a hidden treasure chest containing Kinetic Sand shimmer sand, hidden gems, and pearls. The crystal container doubles as a play space or a storage container to hold…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

CREATTO: BARNYARD BUDDIES – BRILLIANT BUNNY, DAZZLING DUCKY, AND PLAYFUL PIGGIE

Choose from Brilliant Bunny, Dazzling Ducky, or Playful Piggie! With the included Creatto pieces, build a bunny, duck, piggie, or small geometric gift box!

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $8.95; $13.50 CAD
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3. AQUA COLLECTION

The Playmobil 1.2.3. Aqua Collection comes in three water-inspired toys. The colorful playsets from PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 AQUA each playfully promote important developmental skills. 1.2.3 Aqua Water Wheel with Baby Shark With the Water Wheel with Baby Shark, bathtime fun reaches a whole new level. Simply attach the water wheel to the wall or side of…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.99 and up
  • Age:
  • 18 MOS+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

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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