| Finding that perfect gift for children | | | | SmartVille Alphabet Train Station |
| always seems easier than finding a great | | | | (Vtech) |
| gift for adults. Just head to a toy | | | | The train here heads from stop to stop, |
| store, pick something out and be on your | | | | all while introducing colors, alphabets, |
| way, right? Wrong. Unfortunately, its | | | | numbers, animals and time. |
| not that easy. Sure, the kids might love | | | | T.M.X. Elmo (Fisher Price) |
| the gift right out of the box, but will | | | | This new Elmo, which has been flying off |
| it get played with months (or heck, even | | | | toy shelves since its introduction in |
| weeks) later? | | | | September, not only laughs, but gets on |
| Thats the question you have to ask | | | | the floor and giggles until his belly |
| yourself each gift buying occasion when | | | | shakes. |
| shopping for children. Luckily, there | | | | Darla (You & Me a TRU brand) |
| are guides and hot lists to help you in | | | | Darla can be woken with a light tap, and |
| your search. For Christmas 2006, there | | | | will cry for ma ma. Shes a fully |
| are a myriad of hot toys. If you dont | | | | interactive doll that also makes |
| wait until the very last minute to shop, | | | | realistic feeding sounds. |
| you should have no trouble finding most | | | | For children 2 to 4 years old |
| of them. | | | | Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price) |
| To help us, Toys R Us has released a | | | | This hot pick features big buttons for |
| list of the top 15 toys and has provided | | | | tiny hands and a rough exterior that |
| suggestions for toys in each age range | | | | helps it hold up to the tough love |
| as well. | | | | preschoolers can dish out. |
| The top 15 toys, in no particular order, | | | | LeapsterTV (LeapFrog) |
| include: | | | | This console plugs into the family TV |
| Doras Talking Cash Register (Fisher | | | | for big-screen play. Works with all |
| Price) | | | | Leapster software programs and tracks |
| Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher | | | | the play of each player, so they can see |
| Price) | | | | their progress on the big screen. Good |
| ESPN Fast Action Football (Fisher Price) | | | | for pre-K to 4th grade players. |
| T.M.X Elmo (Fisher Price) | | | | Tap Dancing Mumble (Thinkway) |
| Kid-Tough Digital Camera (Fisher Price) | | | | This is based on the main character from |
| Sound City Railway (Imaginarium) | | | | the fall-release movie Happy Feet. It |
| Tap Dancing Mumble (Thinkway) | | | | dances/taps every time it hears music, |
| Wii (Nintendo) | | | | or the children talk to it. |
| Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes | | | | For children 5 to 7 years old |
| (ToyQuest) | | | | Amazing Allysen (Playmates) |
| Speed Stack StackPack (Play Along) | | | | This doll is designed to be your childs |
| Mindstorms NXT (Lego) | | | | best friend when her real life friend |
| Designers World (Tiger Games) | | | | isnt around. Allysen responds to key |
| My Scene My Bling Bling Styling Head | | | | commands and comments with lifelike |
| (Mattel) | | | | expressions and emotions. She also knows |
| Power Rangers Deluxe Manticore Megazord | | | | your childs favorites, so she can chat |
| (Bandai) | | | | with your child about her favorite |
| Pink Nitro Notebook (Vtech) | | | | things. |
| Now, if you are looking for the best toy | | | | Wherifone GPS Locator Phone from Wherify |
| buys for each age group, heres a | | | | Wireless |
| sampling of Toys R Us recommendations. | | | | This phone will help you keep tabs on |
| For Babys First Christmas | | | | your children, as with its GPS |
| Lets Play Together Peek N Play Discovery | | | | capabilities, it tells you the location |
| Dome (Playskool) | | | | of your children at all times (assuming |
| This is an interactive toy that lets | | | | the phone is with them). |
| parents get in on the fun, with | | | | Pink Nitro Notebook (VTech) |
| peek-a-book curtains. Fifteen Activities | | | | Designed for budding readers, this pink |
| are designed to encourage hand-eye | | | | laptop computer reads stories aloud, and |
| coordination | | | | has a variety of games designed to help |
| Laugh & Learn Learning Bunny (Fisher | | | | children with literacy and other skills. |
| Price) | | | | For children 8 to 11 years old |
| This bunny is plush, but hes no slouch. | | | | Blue Man Group Percussion Tubes |
| He can help babies learn how to count to | | | | (ToyQuest) |
| 10, learn their colors and textures and | | | | Kids can hook their MP3 players up to |
| other skills. He also plays music. | | | | this toy and manipulate the sounds and |
| Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (Fisher | | | | play music of their own. |
| Price) | | | | Giga Pets Explorer TV Game System (Tiger |
| This is one of TRUs hot picks listed | | | | Games) |
| above. It teaches colors, numbers and | | | | This game that you hook up to the TV |
| opposites while also teaching about | | | | takes kids to the Giga World, where they |
| various elements of music. | | | | can play games, go on mission and solve |
| For children 13 months to 2 years old | | | | the Giga mystery. This also includes a |
| Learn & Groove Alphabet Drum (LeapFrog) | | | | handheld game |
| LeapFrog always offers innovative toys | | | | Star Wars Ultimate Collectors AT-ST set |
| for young children. This toy introduces | | | | (Lego) |
| the alphabet while also playing music, | | | | Kids can build their own AT-ST with the |
| encouraging physical activity and | | | | more than 1,000 lego pieces included in |
| teaching numbers. Also introduces | | | | this set. TRU exclusive set. |
| Spanish! | | | | |