Shopping for kids?
Our ‘hot toys’ list takes you high and low on the price and tech scales.
This year’s hot and fastest-selling toys seem to fall into two categories: high and low. That covers both price range and tech, including surprisingly low-tech.
The toys that shoppers are snatching off shelves and that are being touted on Amazon, Target and Toys R Us “best” lists come from beloved movies and TV shows like “Paw Patrol” and “Star Wars.” But they’re also brands unattached to any big-name TV or movie brand and coveted by kids who can’t get enough of the toys.
The toys that made our hot list aren’t necessarily new but have shown a shelf life — sometimes for years.
10 hottest toys 1. Fingerlings Interactive Baby Monkeys, $15
A soft, interactive monkey for ages 5 and older that babbles, giggles and turns its head.
2. FurReal Roarin’ Tyler, the Playful Tiger, $129.97
This tiger cub that roars and responds in more than 100 sound and motion combinations.
3. Soggy Doggy board game, $19.99
Race around the board washing a wet dog. If people get a little wet in the process, well, that’s what happens.
4. Hatchimals Pengualas, $59.99
The furry, interactive creatures that hatch from an egg contain glittery fur. Last year there was a run on these creatures, and they sold out.
5. R2-D2 App-Enabled Droid, $180
Kids can control R2-D2 from a smart device or watch it waddle and move on its own. Explore environments including the Millennium Falcon and ObiWan’s house. It has has authentic colors, lights and sounds, and can interact with other Star Wars app-enabled droids.
6. Paw Patrol My Size Lookout Tower, $100
For ages 3 and older, this tower is 21⁄2 feet tall and comes with flashing lights and sounds.
7. Star Wars Black Series 6-inch action figures, $15
This series is going on five years now, but new figures continue to be introduced and are still in high demand.
8. L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls, various price points from $10 to $70
Anything with the L.O.L. name on it is big this year, from the L.O.L. Surprise! Tots Ball, for $10, to the Big Surprise! Ball, which retails for about $70. These are mini dolls, hidden in little spheres, cloaked under stickers and accessories.
9. Nerf Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K Blaster, $100
The blaster with an easy-load hopper for fast reloads has 100 rounds and is compatible with the Nerf Rival rechargeable battery pack.
10. Soundmoovz, $69.99
This motion-activated device uses Bluetooth technology and can connect with a speaker for bigger sound. Users can dance and move to more than 400 sounds from two different bands.
Reach the reporter at sonja.haller @arizonarepublic.com. Follow on Twitter @sonjahaller.