The holiday shopping season is almost upon us. Many parents might be wondering what are some of the gifts that will likely appear on the lists we receive — or not. The Toy Insider, the Adventure Publishing Group, which is a panel of toy experts and publisher of toy industry magazines, provides a list of toys that will be hitting and then quickly leaving the shelves this season.
“Favorite characters, engaging play patterns and terrific tech toys are key trends this holiday season,” says Laurie Schacht, Toy Insider mom.
However, they are not the only ones providing a list, Toys R US, Target and Walmart are among other retailers touting gifts to grab.
Here are some of the 2014 Toy List Highlights:
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair.
– Birth to 2 years. $40, fisher-price.com
Disney “Frozen” Snow Glow Elsa Toddler Doll.
– 3 to 5 years. $34.99, target.com
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 11 inch two pack
interactive figures — Donatello and Michaelangelo.
- 3 to 5 years. $59.99, toysrus.com
Skylanders Trap Team Dark Edition Starter Pack
– 6 to 8 years. $99.99, gamestop.com
Ever After High Thronecoming Dolls – Mattel
– 6 to 8 years. $24.99, shop.mattel.com
LEGO Star Wars The Ghost – 9 and older. $83, walmart.com
Fashion Angels It’s My Biz Ultimate Business Guide
– 9 and older. $17.99, toysrus.com
The Toy Insider’s Top Techs
Crayola Virtual Design Pro Fashion Collection – Crayola. $29.99, target.com
InnoTab Max – VTech. $109, vtechkids.com
Kidizoom Smartwatch – VTech. $59.99, vtechkids.com
Kurio Xtreme – Techno Source. $19.99, toysrus.com
Tween and Teen Gift Picks
Kindle Fire HD 3rd Gen. — $139, Toysrus.com
SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop — $34.99, Toysrus.com
Insound and HoodieBuddy Pullovers — these will keep your teens warm and get them plugged into their favorite music.
Gift Cards — such as Amazon, Gamestop, iTunes, fast food restaurants.
Speakers for Teens
Water Dancing Speakers x3 Recommendation from Smartickles Educational toy store $59.00 986 Medina Road (Rt. 18), Medina
Playmatters Picks Recommended by Playmatters Owner Michael Ziegenhagen.
Pretend Play: Doorway Puppet Theater by Haba Enter the magical world of puppet theatre through this doorway transformer! So get your tickets, and let the show begin! From HABA USA for ages 1-1/2 to 6 yrs. $49.99
Science: Snap Circuits Motion If you have a budding physicist, scientist, electrician or tinkerer, chances are they’ve wondered about the effect of electronics on motion. From Elenco Electronics Inc. for ages 8 to 12 yrs. $79.99
Visit, http://www.playmatterstoys.com or visit area locations: Pepper Pike, 30829 Pinetree Rd (216) 464-2424 Shaker Square. 13214 Shaker Square, (216) 752-3595 Uptown Solon, 6025 Kruse Dr. Solon, (440) 542-7200 Mentor, 8646 Mentor Ave., (440) 266-1909
Editor’s Picks
Northeast Ohio Parent’s editor Angela Gartner has a few suggestions for the holiday season.
Transformers Age of Extinction Chomp and Stomp Grimlock Figure – Boys ages 6 to 8. $69.99, toysrus.com
LEGO Friends Dolphin Cruiser – Girls ages 6 to 8. $59.99, target.com
Hedbanz Game – Ages 7 to 11. $14.99, toysrus.com
Sequence For Kids – Ages 4 to 6 $11.96, amazon.com
“The Twelve Days of Christmas in Ohio” by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler Ages 5 and older $12.95, sterlingpublishing.com