Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Toy Insider Senior Ali Mierzejewski stopped by Better Connecticut to show off some of the best unique and quirky toys for the holiday season. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the notes below, and for a full rundown of the best toys of the year, check out our complete holiday toy guide.
FurReal Friends Pax, My Poopin’ Pup (Hasbro)
- Kids can take care of Pax, My Poopin’ Pup like a real puppy.
- Push forward on his leash to take him for a walk. Pax will make happy puppy sounds when he’s fed one of his treats—then sit him down to do his business.
- Pull back on the leash to sit him down and have him “go,” just like a real puppy!
- Kids can pick up what he left behind with the included bag.
- Includes 2-part detatchable leash, treats, and a cleanup bag.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Target, Walmart, Kmart
Happy Salmon (North Star Games)
- Happy Salmon is the simple, fast-paced card game packed to the gills with high-fivin’, fin-flappin’ fun. Actions including the classic “High 5”, the unifying “Pound It”, the frantic “Switcheroo”, and the delightful “Happy Salmon” will leave players doubled over in laughter.
- With so many mini-celebrations built into the play, it’s the happiest game ever!
- To play, everyone calls out the action shown on their top card. When two players have a match, they celebrate by performing that action together, then discarding their top card. The first player to match all of the cards in their deck wins!
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Amazon, northstargames.com, specialty retail stores
Chicken Charades (University Games)
- Think fast! Act out Charades with a squeaky chicken!
- Players have 10 seconds for their teammates to guess what charade they’re acting out before time runs out.
- Use your imagination to bend it, balance it, twist it, pull it, feed it, and more to act our your charade. Don’t forget to use your chicken, or your opponent wins the point!
- Get your friends and family to stop laughing long enough to make a guess and you’ll rule the roost!
- Can be played by teams or individuals. Enjoy this fast, funny party game with 3 or more players ages 8 and up.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $24.99
- Available: Kmart, Amazon, Walmart
Brightlings - Have a silly time with Brightlings! She has a ton of personality and loves to interact with you.
- Brightlings have three fun ways to play — play, repeat, and music. She records and repeats anything you say. Then change her voice by moving her from side to side. During playtime Brightlings loves to chat and says over 100 things.
- Play with her on her back or stomach to activate new phrases. And when it’s time to sing, Brightlings can create songs in 6 styles of music, including pop, rock, jazz, opera, yodel, and beat box. Brightlings is your new silly best friend!
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $29.99
- Available: Amazon, Target, Toys R Us, Walmart
- The newest addition to the Mensch on a Bench line puts a Jewish Grandmother into your life and allows you to ask her for advice and get answers.
- It’s a magic 8-ball meets a Jewish Grandmother!
- Speaks 12 fun Yiddish phrases such as, “Yes, but only after you give Bubbe a kiss.”
- Product was featured on Shark Tank spinoff Beyond the Tank.
- Ages: 3+
- MSRP: $19.99
- Available: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, menschonabench.com
Hot Ice Crystals (Thames & Kosmos)
- These amazing crystals form instantly from a sodium acetate solution. Kids can use the solution to mold a beautiful crystalline polar bear and seal.
- Create an elegant crystal castle with shimmering spires and learn about the chemical reaction that makes this happen.
- Solid crystals can be melted back down into liquid form for reuse. Also includes 16-page, full color manual.
- Ages: 8+
- MSRP: $19.95
- Available: Toys “R” Us, Fat Brain Toys
My Fairy Garden (Play Monster)
- My Fairy Garden includes three unique versions for children to choose from or to collect them all.
- These charming, bright fairy homes includes the adorable tree hollow with opening doors, bottom tray, Willow the fairy, her friend, and gardening accessories and tools.
- All sets include potting soil and quick-germinating seeds to get your garden started! Children can add other flowers or plants if they want, too!
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $29.99
- Available: Toys “R” Us, Walmart, Amazon, Target
Candylicious Bubbles Bubble Machine (Little Kids)
- The only thing kids love more than bubbles is candy! And this is a winning combination of both, bubble you can eat with candylicious.
- The Candylicious Bubble Machine is shaped just like the infamous Bubble Ninja!
- Press the button to activate the bubbles and watch as they soar from the Bubble Ninja’s mouth! Try to catch as many as you can!
- Wand and dip tray are removable to be easily cleaned. Includes 2 -2 fl oz of edible bubble solution, Cherry and Grape and requires 4 “AA” batteries, not included.
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $12.99
- Available: Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Walmart
