2016 Holiday Gift Guide: 18 Fun Toys for Kids
-
1. Animal Planet Alphabet PlaypadCourtesy of Animal PlanetLittle ones can use this tablet-like, interactive toy to learn the animal alphabet and hear animal names, spellings and sounds at the touch of a button. Four playing modes are available. Ages 2 and older. $24.99. walmart.comCourtesy of Animal PlanetLittle ones can use this tablet-like, interactive toy to learn the animal alphabet and hear animal names, spellings and sounds at the touch of a button. Four playing modes are available. Ages 2 and older. $24.99. walmart.com
-
2. BolliCourtesy of BolliThis stretchy teether ball is available in a variety of colors and made from food-grade silicone. Babies can twist, turn, squeeze and pull on it, making it perfect for tactile exploration and motor skill development. Ages: Babies and teething toddlers. $6. ogosport.comCourtesy of BolliThis stretchy teether ball is available in a variety of colors and made from food-grade silicone. Babies can twist, turn, squeeze and pull on it, making it perfect for tactile exploration and motor skill development. Ages: Babies and teething toddlers. $6. ogosport.com
-
3. Discovery Toys Push Along DuckCourtesy of Christie Spain of Discovery ToysThis duckling waddles along, while encouraging toddlers to stand, walk and develop gross motor skills. Ages 1 and older. $25. discoverytoys.comCourtesy of Christie Spain of Discovery ToysThis duckling waddles along, while encouraging toddlers to stand, walk and develop gross motor skills. Ages 1 and older. $25. discoverytoys.com
-
4. Feltman Brothers 100-Year Anniversary DollCourtesy of Feltman BrothersThis life-like baby doll features soft skin, real eyelashes, a pixie cut and authentic hand-embroidered Feltman garments. She also comes with a birth certificate. Ages 2 and older. $149. feltmanbrothers.comCourtesy of Feltman BrothersThis life-like baby doll features soft skin, real eyelashes, a pixie cut and authentic hand-embroidered Feltman garments. She also comes with a birth certificate. Ages 2 and older. $149. feltmanbrothers.com
-
5. Yookidoo Flow ‘N’ Fill SpoutCourtesy of YookidooA battery-powered spout attaches to the tub and features three interchangeable tumblers that allow kids to create a shower, spin the propeller and fill the peek-a-boo friend until he floats to the top. Ages 9 months-3 years. $24.99. yookidoo.comCourtesy of YookidooA battery-powered spout attaches to the tub and features three interchangeable tumblers that allow kids to create a shower, spin the propeller and fill the peek-a-boo friend until he floats to the top. Ages 9 months-3 years. $24.99. yookidoo.com
-
-
6. CubettoCourtesy of PrimoThis friendly, wooden robot teaches computer programming to preschoolers and is powered by a playful programming language preschoolers can touch. Ages 3 and older. Starts at $225. primotoys.comCourtesy of PrimoThis friendly, wooden robot teaches computer programming to preschoolers and is powered by a playful programming language preschoolers can touch. Ages 3 and older. Starts at $225. primotoys.com
-
7. Freya’s Magical CottageCourtesy of Toys 'R UsThis whimsical flower pot comes with soil, quick-germinating seeds and instructions for planting and growing flowers atop a fairy cottage. The set includes a fairy doll and accessories. Ages 4 and older. $24.99. toysrus.comCourtesy of Toys 'R UsThis whimsical flower pot comes with soil, quick-germinating seeds and instructions for planting and growing flowers atop a fairy cottage. The set includes a fairy doll and accessories. Ages 4 and older. $24.99. toysrus.com
-
8. Shape MagsCourtesy of Shape MagsThese magnetic tiles come in train track sets, gates and fences, frames, arches, windows, doors, vehicle bases and much more. Ages 3 and older. Sets start at $24.99. shapemags.comCourtesy of Shape MagsThese magnetic tiles come in train track sets, gates and fences, frames, arches, windows, doors, vehicle bases and much more. Ages 3 and older. Sets start at $24.99. shapemags.com
-
9. IDO3D VerticalCourtesy of IDO3D ArtDraw vertically in 3-D and take free 3-D art courses on the website. Ages 4 and older. $19.99 for a starter kit. ido3dart.comCourtesy of IDO3D ArtDraw vertically in 3-D and take free 3-D art courses on the website. Ages 4 and older. $19.99 for a starter kit. ido3dart.com
-
10. Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track SetCourtesy of MattelKids can drive their Hot Wheels cars across 16-plus feet of track that includes hairpin turns, motorized boosters and a giant crash zone. Ages 4 and older. $44.99. mattel.comCourtesy of MattelKids can drive their Hot Wheels cars across 16-plus feet of track that includes hairpin turns, motorized boosters and a giant crash zone. Ages 4 and older. $44.99. mattel.com
-
-
11. WellieWishersCourtesy of American GirlThis new lifestyle brand from American Girl features five dolls, books, garden-themed accessories and clothing for girls. Ages 5-7. $5-$250. play.americangirl.com/play/welliewishersCourtesy of American GirlThis new lifestyle brand from American Girl features five dolls, books, garden-themed accessories and clothing for girls. Ages 5-7. $5-$250. play.americangirl.com/play/welliewishers
-
12. LEGO DimensionsCourtesy of LEGOThis mash-up adventure consists of characters ranging from the Harry Potter world (including J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) to DC Comics, joining forces to battle in worlds outside their own. Available for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox ONE and Wii U. Ages 7-14. $89.99 (this price was incorrectly listed as $49.99 in our print December issue. Additional toy pack expansions are also available starting at $11.99.) lego.comCourtesy of LEGOThis mash-up adventure consists of characters ranging from the Harry Potter world (including J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) to DC Comics, joining forces to battle in worlds outside their own. Available for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox ONE and Wii U. Ages 7-14. $89.99 (this price was incorrectly listed as $49.99 in our print December issue. Additional toy pack expansions are also available starting at $11.99.) lego.com
-
13. Mega TracksCourtesy of Mega TracksBuild customized track layouts that can attach to furniture or other household items using 20 feet of TwisTrack and a 55-piece clamp-and-construction system. Ages 8 and older. $99.99 for the master set, which includes a Rail Racer vehicle, charger and RC controller. megatracks.lionel.comCourtesy of Mega TracksBuild customized track layouts that can attach to furniture or other household items using 20 feet of TwisTrack and a 55-piece clamp-and-construction system. Ages 8 and older. $99.99 for the master set, which includes a Rail Racer vehicle, charger and RC controller. megatracks.lionel.com
-
14. littleBitsCourtesy of littleBitsRule Your Room Kit. Let your kids tap their inner inventor with this easy-to use electronic building blocks set. With the Rule Your Room Kit, kids are equipped with all they need to personalize ordinary stuff and transform any boring old object in their room into an awesome, interactive invention. The set comes with step-by-step instructions for eight inventions. Ages 8 and older. $99. littlebits.ccCourtesy of littleBitsRule Your Room Kit. Let your kids tap their inner inventor with this easy-to use electronic building blocks set. With the Rule Your Room Kit, kids are equipped with all they need to personalize ordinary stuff and transform any boring old object in their room into an awesome, interactive invention. The set comes with step-by-step instructions for eight inventions. Ages 8 and older. $99. littlebits.cc
-
15. Brookstone Floating Waterproof Bluetooth SpeakerCourtesy of BrookstoneThis fully waterproof and floatable bluetooth speaker — featuring a 30-foot wireless range — is perfect for relaxing in a pool or bath, and also includes a hook for easy hanging in the shower. Ages 12 and older. $59.99.Courtesy of BrookstoneThis fully waterproof and floatable bluetooth speaker — featuring a 30-foot wireless range — is perfect for relaxing in a pool or bath, and also includes a hook for easy hanging in the shower. Ages 12 and older. $59.99.
-
-
16. Eclipse Solar BackpackCourtesy of Eclipse Solar GearThis backpack features a thin-film solar module that provides up to four watts of power to charge handheld electronics, as well as multiple organizer pockets for smartphones, iPods, tablets, laptops and other accessories. Ages 12 and older. Prices start at $149.99.Courtesy of Eclipse Solar GearThis backpack features a thin-film solar module that provides up to four watts of power to charge handheld electronics, as well as multiple organizer pockets for smartphones, iPods, tablets, laptops and other accessories. Ages 12 and older. Prices start at $149.99.
-
17. PopSocketsCourtesy of PopSocketsAttach one or two of these collapsible grips directly to a smartphone or tablet to use it as a stand, to take a selfie or to mount it to a dashboard for GPS use. Available in a variety of designs, colors and patterns. Ages 12 and older. $10. brookstone.comCourtesy of PopSocketsAttach one or two of these collapsible grips directly to a smartphone or tablet to use it as a stand, to take a selfie or to mount it to a dashboard for GPS use. Available in a variety of designs, colors and patterns. Ages 12 and older. $10. brookstone.com
-
18. Swurfer Handcrafted SwingboardCourtesy of SwurferSurf air on this high-flying swingboard. Attach the swurfer to a sturdy tree branch for a smooth-gliding adventure. Kids can control speed with their own comfort level of swaying. Ages 6 and older. $129.99. swurfer.comCourtesy of SwurferSurf air on this high-flying swingboard. Attach the swurfer to a sturdy tree branch for a smooth-gliding adventure. Kids can control speed with their own comfort level of swaying. Ages 6 and older. $129.99. swurfer.com
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of programming toys and solar backpacks danced in their heads.
The toys you grew up with have been politely pushed aside for robots that teach programming skills, waterproof bluetooth speakers and solar backpacks that charge handheld electronics. A few classics have survived, such as Feltman Brothers dolls and Hot Wheels tracks, but you might want to put a few toys that digitally delight the young and old on your gift list this year.
Here are 18 ideas to get you started.
