The busiest time of year for holiday toys and gadgets shopping has arrived. Our Toys and Gadgets: 2015 Holiday Gift Guide takes the guesswork out of your toy purchases. We’ve picked toys that offer innovation, value, and most importantly fun.
Tech Toys Remain Dominant
Tech based toys have increased their presence in an already tech laden toy market. The best of class are represented below:
Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid
Fashioned after the movie version of the BB-8, the magic lies within the software. You guide the BB-8 via your smartphone or tablet. Ultimately, the Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid is a great toy/gadget for older kids(13 and up) as well as kids at heart. Retails for $149.99. Runner up, Ollie from Sphero. Shaped like a cylinder, it offers high speed durable RC fun via your smartphone or tablet.
Air Hogs Star Wars Remote Control Ultimate Millennium Falcon Quad
Featuring lights and sounds including Chewbacca’s roar. This light weight foam based vehicle will inspire many adventures in open fields. Recommended for kids ages 6 and up. Prices vary widely. Currently retails for $89.00 to $119.99.
Anki Overdrive
Players take control of the cars via handheld mobile devices as they battle and race against friends or AI controlled cars. The game introduces an innovative magnetic modular track system that allows gamers to custom build tracks. The starter kit retails for $149.99.
Star Wars The Force Awakens Battle Action Millennium Falcon
You can even fix or disengage the hyperdrive! There’s a lot of fun packed into this play set. This has collectable written all over it. Retail price $119.99.
Zoomer Kitty by Spin Master
Interactive robotic pet. Meows, plays with her ball, pounces, dances and does “secret” tricks. Nuzzling close to her causes her to purr. Zoomer Kitty’s eyes will change color when she’s happy. Prices vary widely. Retails for $79.99 to $119.00.
Matchbox Treasure Truck
Normally toy trucks are good fun unto themselves until the kids eventually grow tired of them. Matchbox’s Treasure Truck has a working metal detector attached to it. The back of the Treasure Truck can be removed and used as a handheld shovel for sifting through dirt and sand so in theory you (meaning Santa, Mom or Dad) can potentially see a return on investment on said toy truck and then some. Retails for $29.99.
Construction based Toys
Meccano Meccanoid G15
A robot friend that you assemble. The Meccano Meccanoid G15 Robot comes with over one thousand phrases and voice recognition, it’s programmable and works with your smartphone too via a free app from Google Play or AppStore. Retails for $159.99.
City Deep Sea Exploration Vessel by LEGO
This 717-piece LEGO set features seven minifigures, a collapsible shipwreck, sharks and even sunken treasure. Kids can use their imagination exploring the depths of the ocean. Retails for $150.
Mighty Makers Up, Up and Away Building Set by K’Nex
This 140-piece kit aims to help kids create all sorts of flying vehicles for Ava and her bird Jay. Retails for $20.
Star Wars Bladebuilders Jedi Master Lightsaber by Hasbro
A Star Wars Jedi lightsaber that comes with lights and sounds and can be transformed into over 100 combinations for endless adventures. Retails for $60
Unique Toys and Games
Toys that don’t necessarily conform to traditional categories but offer a unique abundance of fun.
SkaZooms Battle Boggin ACTION PACK
Straight out of the box you get two SkaZooms — includes the characters, helmets, and riding boards — a battle arena, and two Battle ‘Boggans — rip cord powered SkaZooms spinners. SkaZooms Battle Boggan ACTION PACK embodies kid powered fun at its best. Set up is easy, the whimsical SkaZooms are quirky fun, and the game play never gets old. Kids ages 8 and up. Retails for $50.
Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate RC Speedway by VTECH
Kids can speed their cars through four action zones and race over nine SmartPoint locations using the steering wheel-shaped remote control. Includes 4.5 feet of interchangeable track, and features a stunt ramp, elevator, movable gears, and more. Great entry level racing toy. Kids ages 2 and up. Retails for $59.99.
Disney Infinity 3.0
This Toy-to-Life video game franchise be characterized as exceptional family entertainment. Considering the depth of characters from recognizable Disney properties such as Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar, as well as the numerous play sets being released this Fall and in 2016, Disney Infinity 3.0 offers considerable return on investment. Recommended for kids ages 10 and up. Starter pack retails for $64.99
See Also
Managing Holiday Spending on Toys
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