This year's must have toys
Every year there are “really hot” toys for various age groups. Veteran parents remember Cabbage Patch Dolls and My Little Pony and Polly Pocket and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers. This year, the George Clooney of must-have toys is TMX Elmo, but other hot items identified by Toy Wishes Magazine are Barbie is forever, apparently. This year’s hit is Barbie and the 12 dancing princesses which features great crafting and costumes coupled with fairy-tale magic. Newer in the world of dolls are Bratz. This year’s special is Bratz Forever Diamondz, a dazzling gift for a youngster age 6 and up. The dolls present the message to “be who you are.” The Digi Make Over goes a step beyond the normal girl toy. Kids can give themselves a no-risk makeover right on their own TV. This ergonomically designed unit includes a built-in camera and a touchpad. Just plug it in, snap a picture and you’re ready to experiment with all kinds of new looks. A great gift for the girl who can’t keep out of mom’s makeup. For boys, ages 8 and up, the Fly Wheels XPV is a lightweight, radio-controlled vehicle that actually flies. Kids can make it take of and land from any hard surface then soar up 20 stories in the air. Outdoors only, please. Again, from the world of technology, Fisher-Price has a digital camera designed just for little ones. It has great features but is also sturdy enough for kids to knock around. It’s recommended for kids as young as 3, too, so curious toddlers can have their own cameras. Parents remember when Legos were little white blocks. Then they got colors, characters, wheels . . . Now it’s advent of the Lego Mindstorms NXT taking Lego to a new level in the world of high-tech building. It uses motors, ports and technologies like Bluetooth to allow kids to make advanced robots. It’s recommended for kids 10 and up. Magtastik is for kids 3 and older, and encourages small hands to create all sorts of creative things using magnets. The pieces are big and bright and, above all, sturdy. There are so many toys to choose from, but a final one on the “hot” list is the Monopoly Here and Now. It’s a limited edition of one of the most classic games, with the prices and rents matching today’s prices and playing pieces that represent iconic structures.