Finding that perfect gift for kids always seems easier than finding a great gift for adults. Head over to a toy store, pick something up, and be on your way, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Sure, the kids might love the gift right out of the box, but will they be playing with it months (or heck, even weeks) later?
That’s the question to ask yourself on every gift-buying occasion when shopping for kids. Luckily, there are guides and “hot lists” to help you in your search. For Christmas 2006, there is a wide variety of “hot” toys. If you don’t wait until the last minute to buy, you shouldn’t have a problem finding most of them.
To help us out, Toys R Us has published a list of the top 15 toys and has also provided suggestions for toys in each age range.
The top 15 toys, in no particular order, include:
Dora’s Talking Cash Register (Fisher Price)
Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher Price)
ESPN Fast Action Soccer (Fisher Price)
“TMX” Elmo (Fisher Price)
Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price)
Sound City Railroad (Imaginarium)
Tap Mumble (Thinkway)
Wii (Nintendo)
Blue Man Group Percussion Pipes (ToyQuest)
Speed Stack StackPack (Play Together)
NXT Mental Storms (Lego)
Designer’s World (Tiger Games)
My Scene My Bling Bling Styling Head (Mattel)
Power Rangers Deluxe Manticore Megazord (Bandai)
Pink Nitro Notebook (Vtech)
Now, if you’re looking for the best toy buys for every age group, here’s a sampling of Toys R Us recommendations.
For baby’s first Christmas
Let’s Play Together Peek ‘N Play Discovery Dome (Playskool)
This is an interactive toy that allows parents to have fun, with curtains to look at a book. Fifteen activities are designed to encourage hand-eye coordination
Laugh and Learn Learning Bunny (Fisher Price)
This bunny is fancy, but it’s no slouch. It can help babies learn to count to 10, learn their colors and textures, and other skills. He also plays music.
Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher Price)
This is one of TRU’s “hot picks” mentioned above. Teaches colors, numbers, and opposites while also teaching about various elements of music.
For children from 13 months to 2 years
Learn & Groove Alphabetical Drum (LeapFrog)
LeapFrog always offers innovative toys for young children. This toy introduces the alphabet while playing music, encourages physical activity and teaches numbers. It also introduces Spanish!
SmartVille Alphabet Train Station (Vtech)
The train here goes from stop to stop, all while introducing colors, alphabets, numbers, animals, and time.
“TMX” Elmo (Fisher Price)
This new Elmo, who has been flying off the toy shelves since his September introduction, doesn’t just laugh, he drops to the floor and laughs until his tummy shakes.
Darla (You and I, a brand of TRU)
Darla can be woken up by a light touch and she will cry for “ma ma”. It’s a fully interactive doll that also makes realistic feeding sounds.
For children from 2 to 4 years
Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price)
This “hot pick” features big buttons for little hands and a rugged exterior that helps it stand up to the tough love preschoolers can dish out.
LeapsterTV (LeapFrog)
This console connects to the family TV to play on the big screen. It works with all Leapster software and keeps track of each player’s game, so they can see their progress on the big screen. Good for pre-K to 4th grade players.
Tap Mumble (Thinkway)
This is based on the main character from the fall release movie “Happy Feet”. Dances/tap dances whenever she hears music or children talk to her.
For children from 5 to 7 years old
Incredible Allysen (Playmates)
This doll is designed to be your child’s best friend when their “real life” friend isn’t around. Allysen responds to key commands and comments with realistic expressions and emotions. She also knows her son’s favorites, so she can “chat” with her son about her favorite things.
Wherifone GPS Tracker Phone by Wherify Wireless
This phone will help you keep tabs on your kids as with its GPS capabilities it tells you the location of your kids at all times (assuming the phone is with them).
Pink Nitro Notebook (VTech)
Designed for budding readers, this pink laptop reads stories aloud and has a variety of games designed to help children with literacy and other skills.
For children from 8 to 11 years old
Blue Man Group Percussion Pipes (ToyQuest)
Children can connect their MP3 players to this toy and manipulate the sounds and play their own music.
Giga Pets Explorer TV Game System (Tiger Games)
This game that you connect to the TV takes children to Giga World, where they can play games, complete a mission and solve the mystery of Giga. This also includes a hand game.
Star Wars Ultimate Collector’s AT-ST Set (Lego)
Kids can build their own AT-ST with the over 1,000 Lego pieces included in this set. TRU exclusive set.