Hot Holiday Toys

November 27, 2013 by 4 Comments

 

Disclosure: The below was provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance to FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” tab for more information.

With Christmas right around the corner, most of us are looking for the most fun toys to get for that special child in our life.  Here are a few of  our current favorites, and what your child would love to find under the tree this year.

new elmo

Big Hugs Elmo- this guy might be “The” hot toy of the year.  If you have a little one, Big Hugs Elmo is sure to please.  He is large (about the size of a one year old) and a whole lot of playful fun. Elmo loves getting and giving hugs, and will often ask for a bigger or tighter squeeze from your little cuddle bug. Elmo also asks to play ponies, jump like froggies, (and will comment along with appropriate noises) and dance, sing, nap, and more.  He raises his arms up and down, hugs back, and sings bedtime songs and snores when laid on his back.  You can find Big Hugs Elmo at http://www.toysrus.com or in physical stores near you for about $50- and if you want this toy, I think it will go fast, so get yours early.

elmo toy

If you are in the mood for Elmo, also take a look at Playskool Sesame Street Lullaby & Good Night Elmo by Hasbro.  This little guy is ready for bed, in his Dorothy the goldfish pajamas, and all set to comfort your peanut as he or she drifts off into dreamland.  Kids can snuggle up with Elmo and press Elmo’s tummy to hear a lullaby or one of a few bedtime phrases.  Take note that there is no “off” button, so the button may be pressed accidentally if your child is a restless sleeper.  Available at stores like Koh’ls or at http://www.hasbro.com for roughly $15.
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Top Interactive Gifts for Kids

December 18, 2012 by 7 Comments

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.

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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.

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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.

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Super Grover by Playskool

The Sesame Street Flying Super [Read more…]

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Furby and K-Mart’s Fab 15

October 16, 2012 by 12 Comments

There is a new toy in town, one that looks very familiar to many of us. The Furby, but the newest generation of Furby is more interactive, more digital, and talks quite a bit more. Furby is the original robotic pet, first introduced to us in 1998 and was immediately the must have toy of the holiday season. Furbies were in play rooms, living rooms, and even offices. I personally have 2, the one on the right and a white one that is currently lost in Little’s room. They were to so prevalent in offices that the NSA forbid them from being brought into their own offices for fears of it recording and learning national secrets. This is not really a valid concern as Furby’s do no record anything, but it’s funny! Ah, government….

The early generation Furby’s learned, talked and interacted with the person playing with it. They are learning based directly on the level of interaction and time spent with the Furby. The newest generation of Furbies work in a similar manner, but updated and 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 a ton of emotion and meaning behind each pixel. These eyes are (to daddy) a welcome change to the original Furby which had big realistic eyes that kind of freaked him out a bit.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 be mad at you. 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, [Read more…]

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