Top Interactive Gifts for Kids

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The holidays are fast approaching, and for the discerning tot on your list, it can be hard to know what to give that will brighten their day- and will be played with long after the decorations have been put away. These are some of the top interactive toys for the toddler group that will keep kids entertained and let mom and dad have fun, too.

FURREAL FRIENDS BABY BUTTERSCOTCH, MY MAGICAL SHOW PONY

This new addition to the Furreal Friends line from Hasbro is the most animated and responsive yet, responding to the touch, eating her “food”, whinnying and batting her eyes. She has soft, pose-able legs, and will respond to cuddles and nuzzles in kind, as well as to being brushed or fed her carrot (both included). She moves her ears, and will respond to your child’s talking to her by whinnying back. When she is fed her carrot, she makes happy crunching sounds and “chews” on her snack. Baby Butterscotch will give children the experience of owning a virtually real, animated pony- even snoring as she goes to sleep after a long day of play.

Hallmark Interactive Story Buddies

Bigsby, the shy monster, likes to go on big adventures and learn new things with his friends. He is interactive with both his books and iPod/iPad apps, chiming in when he hears key phrases. Bigsby comes with the first in his series of Interactive Storybooks, Bigsby’s Best Friend, and has 3 stories available currently. Bigsby also learns social skills, such as friendship, in his books. The app and other interactive and fun features are included for free with purchase of Bigsby. For the holidays, you may consider Jingle and Belle, Husky Puppies decked out for the season. Belle has style and flair and wants to be herself, while Jingle just wants a home and to be loved. They each have their own story books, as well as the combined Jingle and Belle’s Christmas Star, which they both respond to.

Super Grover by Playskool

The Sesame Street Flying Super Grover Plush toy is a lot of fun for fans of Sesame Street. Super Grover loves to investigate and solve problems around the planet. Parents can explore the globe with Super Grover and their child, learning about cultures, different nations, and how to help others and the community. This furry blue monster is not only cute and a good playmate, but will help build empathy and social skills by learning about others and helping people and the planet. For high flying fun, just the right message for your Pre-K and K children, and a friendly face they know and love to help you deliver it, Super Grover will be a holiday hit. Preloaded songs, motorized motion, and talking with your child will keep your kiddo entertained long after the decorations are put away.

FURBY by Hasbro

The newest generation of Furby is more interactive, more digital, and talks quite a bit more then it’s predecessor. Furby is the original robotic pet, first introduced to us in 1998 and was immediately the must have toy of the holiday season. The latest Furby will be sure to do the same.

The early generation Furby’s learned, talked and interacted with the person playing with it. They learned based directly on the level of interaction and time spent with the Furby. The newest generation of Furby work in a similar manner, but updated with newer tech and more attitude. The tech includes an app to feed and play with your Furby, brand new LCD screen eyes which give you a peak into the Furby’s thoughts with emotion and meaning behind each pixel. The newest additions include more emotions and a more attitude driven play experience. Instead of simple action -reaction play, there is action-emotion driven reaction. What this means is, if your Furby doesn’t like music and you play music for her, she will become aggravated and yell out. If you continue being inattentive to Furby’s needs, the Furby will get angrier. It is amazing how much this little fluffy ball of circuits, motors, and screens can mimic a real pet.

Dinosaur Train InterAction Figures by Tomy

From the hit TV educational series of the same name, your children will learn while playing. Dinosaur train gives children fun facts about dinosaurs and the times they lived in while they play and watch. More then just imaginative play, more then learning, it is interactive play at it’s best. These dinos interact with your child and others in the InterAction series. Alvin, one of the newest to be released, comes to life with 50 Dinosaur Train sounds and phrases by the push of a button- or by placing him near a dino-friend, whom he can chat with. InterActive Arnie Argentiniosaurus goes a step (or “stomp”, as it were”) forward, with 80 Dinosaur Train sounds and phrases, as well as an included wristband that your child can wear and have Arnie stomp about with by raising his or her arm.

These are a lot of fun, and let your child explore, be creative, learn, and imagine.