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We headed to NYC and hit the aisles at the American International Toy Fair to scope out the hottest toys of the year.
Top Toys
THE TOY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION’S
TOP TOYS FOR 2007
"T.M.X.” Elmo from Fisher-Price
Toy of the Year Award and Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year Award
“Ah-ah-ah No Peeking” is the sound you hear when you open the unique case the new “T.M.X.” Elmo is hiding in. And it doesn’t stop here. “T.M.X” Elmo comes with three interactive tickle spots on his chin, tummy, and toe. When tickled, Elmo will entertain your child by slapping his knee, sitting on the floor, laughing hysterically, and more.
Recommended Ages: 18 months and up
MSRP: $39.99
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.fisherprice.com
Fur Real Friends Butterscotch Pony from Hasbro
Girl Toy of the Year Award and Most Innovative Toy of the Year Award
The Butterscotch Pony is not only life-size; she responds and interacts with your child. Brush her mane, and she whinnies. Tickle her ears, she will turn around and try to find you, and she’ll sniff when you pet her nose. Inside Butterscotch’s body are light and sound sensors that enable her to know what is happening around her.
Recommended Ages: 4 and up (80 pound weight limit)
MSRP: $299.99
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.hasbro.com
Spy Video Car from Wild Planet Entertainment
Boy Toy of the Year Award
Put your secret agent headset on with the built in video camera to be only observed by you. Send the wireless car on secret missions controlled by a hand-held remote control, even in the dark. The vehicle travels up to 75 feet.
Recommended Ages: 8 and up
MSRP: $99.00
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.wildplanet.com
Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean; Dead Man’s Chest Ultimate Black Pearl Playset from Zizzle
Boy Toy of the Year Award
Sail to the world’s end on the Ultimate Black Pearl Playset which includes 20 features and sound effects. Send your figures into battle on the launching platform or through a trapdoor for a quick getaway. Hear lights and sounds as cannons recoil.
Recommended Ages: 6 and up.
MSRP: $49.99
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.zizzle.com
Zooreka from Cranium
Game of the Year Award
Pretend you are a zookeeper and race to build the ultimate zoo by collecting and trading food, animals and shelters to create one-of-a-kind habitat combinations in this board game.
Recommended Ages: 8 to adult
MSRP: $16.99
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.cranium.com
Fold 2 Go Trike from Radio Flyer
Outdoor Toy of the Year
Ride around on this fully assembled trike and then fold it up for easy storage. The Fold 2 Go Trike is fun and sturdy and comes with an easy to carry handle grip and a safety latch to keep trike secure. The low center of gravity and controlled turning radius makes this trike very stable for your child.
Recommended Ages: 18 months and up
MSRP: $39.99
Stores: Tractor Supply, Barston’s Child’s Play, The Toy Chest, and at major retailers
Website: www.radioflyer.com
SmartGlobe from Oregon Scientific
Educational Toy of the Year Award
Enjoy the world’s first internet-updateable globe, complete with 30 exciting activities in English and 6 Spanish interactive lessons. Choose a topic on the activity panel, then touch the SmartPen to any point on the SmartGlobe and learn about countries, languages, history, science, current events, and more. The SmartPen is programmable with age-appropriate content and is kept current with weekly web updates. PC compatible only.
Recommended Ages: Downloadable software for ages 5-8, 9-14 and 15+.
MSRP: $109.95
Available at www.oregonscientific.com
Moon Sand from Spinmaster
Activity Toy of the Year Award
Imagine being at the beach building sand castles but in the comfort of home with sand that never dries out, is moldable, and reusable. Moon sand cleans up easily, never stains, and comes with an inflatable sandbox that compacts in its own foldable case.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
MSRP: $29.95
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.spinmaster.com
Kid-Tough Digital Camera from Fisher-Price
Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year Award
Introduce photography with a digital camera that is easy enough and tough enough to withstand rough preschooler fun. Your child can capture great shots with the dual handle grips, two-eye viewing and auto flash. The camera comes with a tough, rubberized outer protective shell and can store over 50 pictures. It is compatible with Windows 2000 or higher and Macintosh.
Recommended Ages: 3 and up
MSRP: $69.99
Stores: Available at major retailers
Website: www.fisherprice.com
Webkinz from Ganz
Specialty Toy of the Year Award
Webkinz are plush interactive animals that children care for via a child-friendly, safe virtual world. Through the Webkinz website, children can name their pets, feed them, dress them, play games to earn points for food, and more.
Recommended Ages: 6-14
MSRP: $12.00
Stores: Available at multiple locations. Visit www.webkinz.com for complete listing.
