At a recent media even held at the New York Times building , Hasbro unveiled its toy lineup for 2013. As with the toy industry as a whole, technology continues to play an increasing role in the innovative products being offered by this heralded toy maker. Based on our first impression of the previewed toys, we’ve selected what we feel to be the best of Hasbro Toys for 2013.
Furreal Friends: Cuddles, My Giggly Monkey Pet
Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99/Available: Fall 13 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
The FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY pet is lifelike and engaging, and children will be delighted and entertained by her throughout the day! She has over 100+ responses ranging from laugh out loud silly to super sweet and offers a range of interactive emotion. CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY pet will respond to many cherished play patterns, such as feeding, diaper changing, cuddling, tickling, swinging and rocking to sleep, and will react to each in a new surprising way each time. The soft, animatronic, plush CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY pet is styled to look like the most adorable baby monkey kids could imagine, and comes with a bottle, pink bow, and removable diaper. Four “C” alkaline batteries required. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
CM Take: This monkey really is a barrel of laughs. The way she cuddles and falls asleep in your arms making the cutest snoring sound will delight kids and parents alike.
JENGA Boom Game
Age: 6+; Players: 1 or more; Available: January 2013; Approximate Retail Price: $17.99 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
The new JENGA Boom game is an explosion of fun! The edge-of-your-seat action is taken to the next level with a ticking-timer-exploding platform underneath the tower of blocks. Players now have to rush to push, pull and stack the blocks without knocking over the tower. Just be sure you make your move before the platform blows!
CM Take: Hasbro has found an exciting way to increase the intensity of the game with the adrenaline inducing ticking-timer-exploding-platform.
MARVEL IRON MAN 3 ASSEMBLERS Action Figure Assortment
Approximate Retail Price: $9.99; Ages: 4 & up; Available: Spring 2013 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
In 2013, kids and fans can recreate the excitement of the IRON MAN 3 film with the buildable ASSEMBLERS action figure line. Each figure features an Interchangeable Armor System, allowing one figure to create more than 25 armor combinations and allowing armor to be switched out between the 16 available figures in the line to create 100’s more combinations. Each figure sold separately.
CM Take: The option of interchangeable parts creates limitless possibilities for super hero play. That being said we’d suggest parents invest in a bin to keep all the different parts in one place.
PLAY-DOH FROSTING FUN BAKERY Playset
Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 13 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
Decorate some silly treats and enhance PLAY-DOH play with the FROSTING FUN BAKERY playset! Stamp out four PLAY-DOH cookies and cupcakes and then decorate them with PLAY-DOH PLUS compound using the Dolloping Station. Kids can take their PLAY-DOH creations to the next level by adding fine details, flowers, designs, and more to their crazy treats using the softer PLAY-DOH PLUS compound. Little decorators can display their fantastic new creations in the iconic bakery stand or tray. Set includes two cans of standard PLAY-DOH compound and two standard cans of new PLAY-DOH PLUS compound for endless decorating possibilities! Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
CM Take: Play-doh makes decorating cupcakes fun for boys and girls. The new Play-Doh Plus compound is fun to play with and easy to manipulate.
PLAYSKOOL SHOWCAM
Ages 3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $59.99/Available: Fall 13 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
Now kids can instantly show the fun with the new ShowCam camera from Playskool! This innovative new device is a 2 in 1 digital camera and projector designed especially for youngsters. It is as easy as click, switch, and SHOW for kids to create a silly show all on their own with instant projection! Push the Silly button to choose from a variety of silly stamps, instant stories and fun animations all with silly sound effects transforming photos into fun filled “SHOW-tos.” Then, with a simple flip of the brightly-colored front switch, kids can change from camera to projector mode and INSTANTLY share their cool “SHOW-tos” for friends and family to admire. Press the orange shutter button in projection mode and kids will get an instant photo slide show, and then hit the Silly button to enjoy surprise themed slide shows. The kid-friendly ShowCam camera features easy to use, simple controls, big buttons for little fingers and kid-sized hand grips. It holds up to 1000 images, has a large color LCD screen on the back, and a USB port making it easy to save, print and email images (USB cable not included). Kids will love this cool device modeled after grown-ups’ SLR cameras! Choose between a grey, blue and green version or a white, pink and purple version; each sold separately. Requires four AA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and at HasbroToyShop.com
CM Take: The Playskool Showcam could prove to be the answer to not only entertaining kids, but also sparing Mom and Dad’s expensive and fragile SLR camera from damage.
NERF REBELLE Crossbow
Ages 8 & up/Approx. Retail Price $24.99/Available: Fall 13 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
An impressive crossbow with fast-flying dart action and flexing bow arms, this NERF REBELLE Crossbow blends blaster action with crossbow precision. Slide the front handle to flex the bow arms back and ready the blaster for play. Pull the trigger and watch the bow arms propel forward as darts soar up to 75 feet toward the target. By holding the trigger and pumping, players can instantly transition between single shot and multi shot mode, unleashing a rapid stream of darts for exciting nonstop action! Includes six collectible NERF REBELLE darts. Available at most major retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
CM Take: Ever since the release of movies such as “The Hunger Games” and “Brave”, action oriented toys have been on the rise for girls which in our opinion is a good thing.
BIG HUGS ELMO
Ages 18 months – 4 years/Approx. Retail Price: $59.99/Available: Fall 13 (excerpt from Hasbro Press Release)
Little ones are sure to fall in love with Hasbro’s first feature Elmo toy that can hug them back! When tots give their red furry friend a hug, Elmo will wrap his arms around them to show how much he loves them! This cuddly 22-inch lifelike Elmo has flexible arms and a soft head. He sings a sweet song about hugs and a bedtime lullaby, and encourages pretend play. This all new design makes the BIG HUGS ELMO Hasbro’s largest, cuddliest, most lifelike Elmo interactive plush ever! Requires four AA batteries, not included. Available at most major toy retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
CM Take: Elmo as been a perennial favorite. Kids will love the big and cuddly size of this new Elmo doll. Coupled with the amusing interactive fun that’s been built in, Elmo might reign supreme for another Holiday toy buying season.
Watch the Big Hugs Elmo demonstration video:
