Best Toy Picks for 2007

The Best Toy Picks for 2007. Every year, there are certain toys that are must-haves for Chrismtas. This list provides an insiders' peek at what's going to be on everyone's wish list this year. For all you Santa's out there - pay attention! These toys will go quickly. If you can't find them in your local stores, try checking ebay or other online retailers.

Tickle Me Elmo Xtreme TMX

This is the latest version of the Tickle Me Elmo that had parents crazed and desperate in 1996. Just like the original version Elmo has specific areas on him that, when tickled, cause him to laugh but that’s just the beginning of what this upgraded Tickle Me Elmo does. Upon being tickled Elmo slaps his belly, falls forward in a fit of giggles only to stand up and fall back the other way. Elmo certainly seems to have a whole new bag of tricks when it comes to entertaining his audience.

Review: According to those that have purchased Tickle Me Elmo Xtreme TMX his laughter is infectious with both children and adults alike. Older children seem to take to him quite quickly but you may want to skip this toy if your child is under two years of age as many parents of toddlers reported that their children became leery of Elmo’s hysterics.


Jakks Eyeclops Bionic Eye

Attention parents of curious children: The Jakks Eyeclops could cause your child to spontaneously learn about the objects around them without even realizing it. This child-friendly magnifier enlarges any object to 200x its original scale and displays the image on your T.V. A built in led light makes the images wonderfully clear and the accompanying dish and tube makes it possible for your child to explore both solids and liquids up close.

Reviews: It’s tough to say who loves this toy more—parents or children. Parent reviews of the Jakks Eyeclops Bionic Eye are extremely positive. They praise the ease of its set up and love the educational quality of this toy. According to reviews all the children became enthralled with this toy as soon as they saw the crystal clear images on the screen and were eager to explore the house for as many objects to magnify as possible. Whether your child is science minded or not it seems this toy is a hit with both boys and girls and has them learning about the everyday objects around them in a whole new and fascinating way.


Nintendo Wii

Last Christmas the Nintendo Wii was flying off store shelves faster than Nintendo could produce them and this year is shaping up to be a repeat performance. Unlike other video games which have kids sitting on their butts and only receiving a good thumb workout the Wii requires its players to get up and get physical. Special game control paddles are strapped to the player’s wrist and your body moves are recorded and transferred to your character. Games such as boxing have your throwing jabs and uppercuts and you’ll have to actually put your back into your swing during a game of golf. This may be the first gaming system that actually improves a player’s physical fitness.

Reviews: The most surprising reviews regarding the Nintendo Wii are the ones coming from adults. People who have never had a past interest in video games are reporting that they love playing with their Wii. Parents say it allows them to join in the fun with their children making the time their kids spend in front of the gaming system quality family time instead of a solitary and sedentary affair. While it has been commented on that the Nintendo Wii doesn’t offer as wide a selection of games as other gaming systems the games available get high marks for being fun and a great workout at the same time.


Hasbro Fur Real Friends Squawkers McCaw

This latest offering in the Fur Real Friends line will have you and your kids talking—to a stuffed parrot! Squakers McCaw is a learning toy that actually interacts with your children. He can be customized to learn new words and answers to your child’s questions based on how the child plays with him. He can sit on a perch or stand on his own. His movements, such as cocking his head to the side when he doesn’t understand something, are quite realistic. He comes with his own perch, cracker and remote control.

Reviews: According to Squakers McCaw owners this bird is quite the character. He entertains adults and children alike and his ability to learn keeps the kids coming back for more. While some parents did report that younger children lost interest in him older kids seem to love this toy. If you have a little animal lover in your home this toy would probably be a hit and much less mess that the real thing.


Baby Alive Wet and Wiggles Boy or Girl

Baby Alive first hit the big time last Christmas as a realistic baby doll that ate like a real baby and made diaper deposits to boot. Little girls love her despite her messes so this year she’s been upgraded and given a baby brother as well. Both versions of the Wet and Wiggles doll wiggle and cry as well as drink, eat and wet. When shopping for these dolls the baby boy seems to be overshadowing his sister in the popularity department but he’s harder to find so shop early. Each doll comes with three diapers, clothes, a wash cloth, rattle and bottle.

Reviews: These little babies are gearing up to be as coveted as last year’s version. The baby boy is popular with both boys and girls and parents report their children get a big kick out of feeding the baby and waiting for it to fill its diaper. Other parent reviews even tout these dolls as great potty training tools for their children. If you have a child that loves to play mommy or daddy this toy sounds like a solid hit.


Hannah Montana Singing Doll

Little girls have gone absolutely gaga for Hannah Montana. Hannah is played by Miley Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, on the popular Hanna Montana television show. This miniature version of Hanna is available in two versions with each singing a different Hanna Montana song. She’s dressed in authentic replicas of actual outfits worn during Miley Cyrus’ concerts and comes with her own microphone and hair brush as well as a wall poster and replica backstage pass for your child.

Reviews: While this toy wasn’t rated high for its educational qualities it still gets the thumbs up from parents of Hanna Montana fans. Hanna is a great role model for little girls and the songs sound very realistic. At around $20.00 the Hanna Montana doll is an affordable way to please the Hanna fan in your home.


Guitar Heroes III Legends of Rock

So you wanna be a rock star. Well, if years of practicing and gigs in bars in order to make the big time isn’t feasible try your hand at becoming a virtual guitar legend instead. Guitar Heroes III Legends of Rock is the latest installment of the Guitar Heroes video games with a few great improvements. The game comes with your own guitar controller and the object of the game is to pit your guitar talents against other Guitar Hero players from around the world.


Reviews: Players of Guitar Heroes III report that the new play list is better than past versions of the game and the addition of a multi-player function makes the game more enjoyable. The upgraded graphics have also been given a thumbs-up and the character’s movements are said to be more realistic than the game’s predecessors.


Fisher Price Smart Cycle

If a Nintendo Wii is too advanced for the little gamer in your home Fisher Price has a version aimed at helping your little ones play, learn and workout at the same time. The Smart Cycle is a miniature stationary bike that plugs into your television and allows your child to ride through their video games. Children navigate their way through various games learning numbers, math, spelling and more. The Fisher Price Smart Cycle can be played in three different modes: Drive, learn and race. When driving the child peddles and steers while playing but once they become physically tired they can switch to the learn mode and keep playing via a joystick mounted to the handle bars of the bike. If you child has a need for speed they can race against the clock or another player.

Reviews: Parents love how easy this game system sets up—it is literally plug and play. The kids love the game and parents love that their children are working out both their minds and bodies during play. The only complaint is that there doesn’t seem to be a way to store past games so children have to play from the beginning each time.


Little Einstein Pat Pat Rocket

Anyone who has younger children has probably heard of the well known Baby Einstein video series which helps children as young as newborns with sensory exploration. Now there’s the Little Einstein line of toys aimed at encouraging creative play in children 3 to 7 years of age. The Pat Pat Rocket play set comes with a rocket ship and 4 characters—Leo, Quincy, June and Annie. When your child begins playing with their rocket it will make rocket sounds and play various classical music tunes, which the Baby Einstein line is best known for. You child can even control the speed at which the music is played by moving the rocket faster or slower.

Reviews: Young children love this toy and so do parents. Parents report that their children like the ability to control the music based on their movements and parents sing the praises of Pat Pat Rocket’s educational qualities. The only complaint amongst parents is that the volume of the toy is louder than they would like but otherwise this toy seems to appeal to all that have purchased it.


Disney Princess Tea Time with Me Little Belle

There are two things little girls love to play—princess and tea parties. Now your little girl can easily combine her two favorite activities with the Disney Princess Tea Time with Me Little Belle tea set. The set comes with an interactive Princess Belle doll, Mrs. Potts and Chip, extra tea cups, sugar cubes and more. Pouring tea from Mrs. Potts into Chip causes Belle to ask for tea as well. Once the pouring is done and your child lifts their tea cup to drink Belle will do the same with her cup and enjoy tea along with your child. She also has seven various phrases that she uses to interact with your little princess.

Reviews: According to parents little girls love having tea with Belle. The addition of the interactive doll allows little girls to have tea even when no other child is present and still not feel “alone”. Some parents did state that you have to pour into the correct spot or Belle does not react but most little girls seem to love this toy and play with it often.


These toys are going to sell out fast, so grab yours today!
Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com and Work At Home Moms and Divas Online http://www.workathomedivasonline.com. Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing FREE Advertising Networking and Resources, while balancing the work at home experience.

Article Source: http://www.faithfulgrannies.com and http://www.workathomedivasonline.com