Here is a list of what I consider to be the HOT toys that are sure to be a hit this holiday season. If you’re trying to come up with some ideas for your holiday shopping for your kids without breaking the bank, here are some of the newest toys out on the shelves that I’ve personally tested on my kids, ages 6 and 7. Shopping for other people, even your kids, can sometimes be frustrating, so hopefully this list will ease the experience a bit.
Squinkies – Who would have known that these little miniature collectibles would be such a hit with my daughter? She takes them everywhere she goes in a bag
and her friends bring them over on play dates and they trade. Squinkies are found in different shapes of animals, pets, ponies, kittens, girls, fairies and many more. SRP: Ranges from $13.99-$19.68 for packs of multiples. Great stocking stuffers or small Hanukkah gifts for one of the eight nights you need smaller gifts before the bigger ones come.
Mixed Pups – The Mixed Pups are the newest and some of the cutest collectible toys this holiday season. Mixed Pups are created by Jazwares and geared toward girls ages 4-7. Mixed Pups are pocket sized dogs that girls can take apart and use their imaginations to create their own Pup design. Mixed Pups, for kids ages 4 and up, range in price from $5.99 for the single packs, $9.99 for the double packs, $4.99 for the accessories, $19.99 – $24.99 for the playsets and $7.99 for the plush.
Fin Fin Friends – My daughter digs having Fin Fin Friends, pretend fish live in an aquarium in her room. When she pours in water, the fish come to life and swim, express emotions and act like real fish. It’s almost as good as having real fish in her room. The fish have a SRP of around $10 and the play sets are around $30.
Paper Jamz Instant Rockstar – My son is a musician-wannabe and loves these feather-weight musical instruments he can carry around the house strumming tunes he knows. The Paper Jamz guitar combines technology and play which allows for circuit-embedded paper. There are no strings. SRP: $24.99
Pinkalicious Large Soft Dolls – An 18″ doll that comes with a magic wand, tiara and wings. My daughter, who is now 7, loves the majestic way about her and the fact that she is, of course, pink. SRP $19.97 She also loves the Pinkalicious Small Soft Dolls. This 12″ doll is outfitted in a medieval dress reminiscent of Goldilocks. SRP: $9.97
Electra Doodle by Cra-Z Art – The CRA-Z-ART™ Electra Doodle Creative Light System is the first product of its kind to hit the market. The Electra Doodle allows young artists to design, create and animate using colorful light. The Electra Doodle™ allows children and adults to play electronic games, solve mazes, do dot-to-dot games, and create kaleidoscope designs. My kids love drawing and doodling on an electric board that lights up. It’s great for their senses, as well as their reflexes. Made for children ages 5 and up. SRP: $29.99
Kidz Bop – The new Kidz Bop Dance Party for Nintendo Wii that just hit stores last month. Labeled as the “ultimate party in your own 
living room,” it really is. My kids are moving and grooving and loving this new game. It features 24 songs from current top 40 musicans like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Keha, Michael Jackson, Disturbia and Rihanna. Kids are the singers of the songs, just like on the Kidz Bop CDs. Some of the lyrics have been altered to fit the tates and minds of children. SRP: $39.99
Kung Zhu Pets – The Kung Zhu Battle Hamsters, the militant arm of Zhu Zhu, is a hit in my house. The new line will feature Special Forces, Ninja Warriors, Rangers, and the Skull Tribe Battle Hamsters, along with armor/battle gear, vehicles, and training arenas. They dart around, scurry from place to place, and coo and squeak based on the unique environment they encounter. But all that changes when the hamsters encounter the magical “Tablet of Zhu,” a special training ground that transforms the Zhu Zhu Pets into Kung Zhu Special Forces or Ninja Warriors, ready to do battle against each other. Great for boys who are into war and battles, like my five-year-old. SRP: Retail on each set, zhu zhu pet and armor, is about $20
.
B-Smart Barbie Laptop – Girls age 3-6 will enjoy the 8 interactive educational activities and games featured in this Barbie Little Learning Laptop. It’s really for children about to start pre-school. I love any toy that advances girl’s technology skills. SRP: $19.99
Best Pals – The Best Pals dolls remind me of the rag doll that I loved as a child. They are traditional rag dolls, made of soft cloth and yarn. They have embroidered faces and yarn hair. They come in a variety of hair colors, blond or brown, and skin colors, white or black. Their dresses are old-time and they come with Mary Jane shoes, knit stockings and beaded baby bracelets. They are inspired by the original hand sewn rag dolls made for Kathy and Janet Lennon by their mom and nana when the sisters were 6 and 3-years old. Their line also includes mini dolls, a tea set, a doll trunk gift set, paper dolls and several CD sets. Dolls are $24.95.
Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set – Your kids will love battling their HEXBUG Nanos (crawling bugs) with the Bridge Battle Habitat Set. Nanos can enter the arena through one-way gates and battle against one another until only one remains. Each Bridge Battle Habitat Sets comes with 2 extremely rare Nano mutations and 29 easy connect pieces, giving your child the freedom to get creative and see how many ways their Nanos can battle! They crawl around like real bugs. My kids can play this for hours and hours and never get bored. SRP: $39.99
ISL Learning System
– A learning and entertainment device with a Story Book, Game Player, Music Player, Art Studio, Note Book and Photo Album. It comes with three colors – pink, blue and silver. My son has really enjoyed learning about words and it’s been great for word comprehension. For kids ages 3-6. SRP: $79.99.
Tangled Rapunzel Hair Braider Doll – My daughter has loved playing with this barbie with hair she can braid. She has to crank the wheel to get the perfect braid. It will make seeing the movie next week even more fun. SRP: $24.99
The products featured in this review were provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on my views and opinions. Please note that these opinions have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.
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I wish I checked this list before Hanukkah!