Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear

Your kids might want to take home a lot of fun memories after watching this year’s Toy Story 3. The movie is such a big hit this year insomuch that it created a clamor for the movie toys. Take note that not all of the toys from this movie will be new. Some of the toys that will be out in the shelves in Christmas 2010 are the same type of toys sold in the previous years.

The toys basically take the characters from the movie series and make them come alive. The movie itself is such a treat with all the fascinating 3D effects and animation. The storyline itself from the first movie to the sequels are heart warming. They are enough to bring out the child in everyone. Kids will easily recognize Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Bullseye, Rex, and the rest of the gang hanging out in the toy store shelves.

Toy Options

The huge bulk of the toys adapted from this movie series consist largely of action figures of the storyline’s main characters. Other toys in this series include dolls, rag dolls, TV video games, and collectible items. Your kids will have plenty of options come Christmas 2010. Some of the options include Rex’s deluxe collectible figure, an array of Jessie’s fashionable dolls, a variety of Woody’s figures, and a host of other character figures from the movie series.

The Buzz on Buzz Lightyear

One of the more popular characters in this popular movie series is Buzz Lightyear. He is one of the main characters in the series and is suited up as a space ranger. It doesn’t take that long until you hear your kids shout out Buzz’s catchphrase. Your kids can choose from any Buzz’s action figures of whatever size. You can be sure that his action figures will be one of the hottest toys on the shelves come Christmas 2010.

Buzz Lightyear Jet Pack

If your kids want to get something new from the Toy Story franchise for Christmas 2010 other than action figures and video games, then they might want to try Buzz’s jet pack. The jet pack itself isn’t a new toy introduced this year. However, the idea of dressing up as Buzz Lightyear can become really tempting, especially in costume parties.

Product Specs and Details

The jet pack is worth $17 and comes in only one size. It sports the very same colors you find in Toy Story 3. You can get the jet pack, gloves, and costume for $50. The uniform and gloves are sold separately. The pack already includes the vinyl wings that are inflatable. The pack weighs about a pound and is recommended for children age three and above.

Stinky the Garbage Truck

You might be wondering how a garbage truck gets to be part of the hottest toys in Christmas 2010. Grown ups may get annoyed at the names or at some of the actual toys that kids go crazy about this year. You may not be a fan of huge robot trucks, however your kids will probably love this toy. It adds to the usual amazement a child gets from either a remote controlled or a robotic truck.

You know the feeling of getting a new Matchbox car for your birthday or out of your Christmas stockings. A bright shiny new toy that has a mean look and an attitude to boast is enough reel in the fun. From the same makers of the said toys, Mattel and Matchbox, comes a new toy with some serious heavy weight on it that the boys will surely enjoy. It’s actually part of a line of products known as the Big Rig Buddies, which is primarily made up of larger toy trucks.

Product Features

The name Stinky the Garbage Truck won’t seem that appealing at first. But wait until you get a whiff of what this guy can do. Well, it’s a robot truck so you can guess by the size of the thing that it can interact with kids. It can basically transform from truck mode to robot mode. It can be quite articulate too since it can sing, talk, and at times crack a joke or two.

In robot mode, Stinky’s front wheels will rear up and his driver cab will function as his head, which moves and turns like a robotic head. This guy’s loaded with more than 90 songs and phrases in his arsenal, talk about a real chatterbox. There are times when he would go straight to garbage work and there are times when he would be in the mood for a song or simply just get a high five from the boys.

Stinky the Garbage Truck is almost like the real thing. You can drop small items onto the top portion of his garbage compartment and it will be dumped later. He can also tell you that he’s hungry. Grab small items to feed him via his mouth, which is his cab, and all the stuff you feed him will be dumped later on.

Out of the Box Details

Stinky the Garbage Truck weighs 5.4 pounds and it has dimensions of 13.5" x 9" x 13.5". The box will contain the toy and a few other items such as a user’s manual, a DVD of the Big Rig Buddies, and four demo C batteries, which basically mean you better get four C batteries for longer game play. Stinky is already out in stores but will still be very hot by Christmas 2010.

Toy guns have always been such a big toy for the boys. It’s also a big thing to give away come Christmas 2010. Of course, we should expect some of the boys to have outgrown the good old western six shooters they used to have. Now, you should expect them to look for something bigger and packs stronger power behind it. Here’s where the NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS Blaster comes in.

What is NERF?

NERF stands for Non-Expanding Recreational Foam. It is advertised as a material that is safe to use indoors. Part of the sales slogan is that toys made of this material can’t hurt kids or old people. It won’t even break your windows and lamps, as the ads would say. The material was first made into an indoor ball that immediately became a big hit. Now it is used as ammunition for some of the biggest toy guns around, which are called Nerf Blasters.

Nerf Blasters

Nerf Blasters are toys made by Hasbro and makes use of the said safe indoor material for ammunition. The first Nerf gun was introduced to the toy market in the late 1980s. Nerf guns either fire foam balls or darts made of foam. In short, the N-Strike Stampede ECS Blaster is a foam dart blaster.

The toy is expected to be safe for use indoors. Of course, this type of foam blaster is quite different from the other Nerf guns such as light machine guns, rifles, and pistols. If you care to compare this model with other Nerf blasters out there, you might want to check out and compare it with the Maverick REV-6, Nite Finder EX-3, Recon CS-6, or Longshot CS-6. In all cases, the Stampede ECS has features never before seen in the previous models.

Features of the Stampede ECS Blaster

Coming out of the box you’ll be greeted by an awesome looking toy gun, which is actually one of the best models to come out after 40 years of NERF history. It is the first model to be fully automatic.

It also comes with a bipod that pops right out and doubles on the gun as a handle. It also comes with a removable shield. Other items you’ll get out of the box include 60 darts, three extended clips, and one quick reload clip.

Other Details

The gun weighs 5.5 pounds and its dimensions are 4.5" x 30" x 15". The only drawback is that the Stampede ECS Blaster requires six D batteries, which are not included in the package. The retail price of this Nerf blaster is at $47 but shipping and other fees may apply. This Nerf blaster is intended for children ages eight and older.

Spy Net Video Spy Watch

Who says the life of a spy is only meant for grown ups? Adults may think of the luxurious lives of spies often portrayed in the movies. Add the sexy accent to it all and you have a James Bond-like legacy to build. However, James or any other spy won’t fit the bill if they don’t have all the fancy gizmos they use to do their job.

This hot toy of Christmas 2010 is both a spy gizmo toy and a real life gadget to be exact. It’s not just a watch or something that your kids that put on and pretend to be doing. They can do actually what this toy promises to deliver, which is doing something akin to spy work. Well, not exactly but at least they can take "covert" videos if they wanted to.

The Cool Stuff

Like the other spy equipment you have seen in the movies, the Spy Net Video Spy Watch will look like your everyday wrist watch for kids. But you shouldn’t be duped by its "innocent looking" appearance since it is loaded with many features to make spy work a lot easier.

It has a built-in camera, which allows you or your kids to take undercover videos for that very important critical mission. It also has a microphone installed to allow you to record audio as well. This remarkable piece of equipment has a 1.4" TFT screen, which allows your kids to review the video they have taken.

This wrist watch is truly a high-end piece of electronics that works like an actual super-spy gear. In case you have stored enough evidence you can use the USB port on the Spy Net Video Spy Watch to transfer all the material you were able to collect onto a computer, for safekeeping of course. Well, you or your kids will never know when such important information and evidence will come handy in the future.

Out of the Box Specs

When you order a Spy Net Video Spy Watch, you will receive a package that is 11.5" x 2.5" x 12" and it would weigh around a pound. This electronic device can record up to 20 minutes of video and up to four hours of audio. It has the capacity to store 2,000 pictures.

It can playback all of the aforementioned media or you can use the USB cord included in the package to transfer all of that to a computer. This product is recommended for kids eight years and older. It is available in stores for $50 but other charges may jack up the price come Christmas 2010.

Just when you thought that the only toys that the kids will enjoy are equipped with electronic game pads, then comes along the Sing-A-Ma-Jigs, a zany bunch of fluffy toys that belt out some of the traditional holiday cheer. Kids won’t have to go over something complicated just to play and have fun with these little fellas.

Plush Choices from Mattel

Mattel is one of the brands known for different kinds of toys. When you hear the name of the company the very first things that comes to mind are Matchbox toy cars, Hot Wheels, and Barbie dolls. You may even have a Mattel board game at home or one of their video games. The company has been producing toys since 1945 and they have come up with something zany come Christmas 2010.

Well, like most other toys of this type, the Sing-A-Ma-Jigs may raise a few eyebrows and annoy other parents. But you can be sure that your younger kids wouldn’t want to miss out on them. As you might have guessed, this set of toys, yes it comes in a set, includes a bunch of little guys with their mouths open and ready to sing. The crazy mix of colors is there, of course, to attract little children.

Having Fun with Sing-A-Ma-Jigs

The first thing you will notice about these Sing-A-Ma-Jigs is that they would love to go out and chatter. Operating them is rather easy since all you have to do is to squeeze them in the belly and they begin to make silly noises. The little mouths of these little musical maestros open to reveal their little teeth.

You and your little one have the option to play with them one at a time to listen to their unique prattle that is ever accompanied by their song. Each one of these Sing-A-Ma-Jigs will sing their own song. Another cute trick they can do is to sing in harmony. Grab all these little things together and squeeze. You’ll have a little choir belting out for you for Christmas 2010.

Other Details

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs are recommended for kids aged three years old and older. The first one of these little guys was already available since May of 2010. The original idea is to produce only six of these little guys but it looks like additional characters will be added to the zany bunch as the years come along.

The retail price for these plush toys varies from one model to the other. The cheapest one is yours for $12.99 while the most expensive one is available for $35, which is if you buy them one item at a time. You can also buy a whole set, which saves you some money since a set of four will cost some $66 to $74.

My Pillow Pets

We all should expect the younger kids to prefer non-electronic toys but rather want the fluffy and cute kind of toys. My Pillow Pets are just perfect for that, if you have kids who do prefer snuggly toys. This is one of the hottest toys this year and it will still be way hot come Christmas 2010.

Just to make things clear, these toys are not just your run of the mill stuffed animal toys. These cute plush items also serve another very important purpose, which is also one of its major selling points. They’re not called "Pillow Pets" for nothing. These little stuffed cuteness inspired toys double up as a pillow. These cute stuffed toys come with a little Velcro strap to make the pet turn into a cuddly little pillow.

A lot of the younger kids this year have craved for at least one of these little cuddly buddies. If you’re lucky enough to not have a son or daughter bug you every now and then about them, then these toys will become a quick surprise treat come Christmas 2010. It won’t be that hard to see why these toys are such a hit once you see them on display in toy store shelves everywhere.

My Pillow Pets Product Description

It is always interesting to see how the manufacturers describe their product. However, it should be noted that the manufacturer product description may differ from how actual customers who bought the product would describe these toys. First off, manufacturers would emphasize how cuddly these stuffed cute pets are. Many customers will have to agree, though some aren’t as satisfied. Well, we’ll always have customer’s who disagree with the crowd.

These toys are also described as being the softest pillows ever. Of course that will always be a matter of perspective and personal choice. However, of the many customers who have bought this, a pretty big number of them do agree that these pillow-slash-pet toys are indeed very cuddly and are some of the softest pillows for kids out there. It’s up to you to decide once your kids try them out.

The cuddliness and the doubling up feature of these toys are the main selling points of these toys, and it looks like it is working out pretty well for these guys. A lot of the younger kids are simply dying to grab a hold of one of them, which is why it takes a slot among the hottest toys of Christmas 2010.

Out of the Box Details

Almost all Pillow Pets are 18" x 9" x 9" and weighs around a couple of pounds. However, do take note that they also come out in stores in smaller varieties. For instance, other than the 18" dolphin, they also have an 11" x 5" x 5" dolphin that weighs around a pound.

Pillow Pets are recommended for kids who are age three and above. They are machine washable and are great for travel as well. However, do take note that due to the Chenille fabric used to make these toys, some kids may get sweaty while sleeping. Parents should monitor their children when they sleep using these pillows.

LEGO has always been known for making anyone’s kids build things. They have come up with some of the most creative ways to engage the imagination and creativity of your little ones. It is a top toy company known the world over. Their building blocks have become a trademark in their own right. And now, they have come up with more interesting and fun options not only for the kids but for the adults as well.

LEGO Harry Potter and Hogwarts Board Games

Another interesting addition to the line of toys this company has produced is a series of board games they released this year. LEGO board games will require the parents and the kids to work on and assemble the board and other items in the game. Take note that you even have to build the dice too. You may have to build some of the characters in some of the games as well.

Some of the interesting board games they released this year include LEGO Minotaurus, where players avoid the evil Minotaur and deadly walls. Another one that has perked the interest of consumers is the LEGO Creationary, which is something like a pictionary game where players try to guess what structure or item one is building. Yet another addition is Lava Dragon where the goal is to be the first knight to get to the top of a steaming hot volcano.

Harry Potter and Hogwarts

One of the competitive installments that this company released this year is Harry Potter and Hogwarts, which is based on the popular book and movie series of the same name. Like the other game board set the company released this year, this game is also a two in one toy. You get to build everything first and then play the actual game.

The game itself requires from two up to four players. There are over 300 pieces that you have to put together. It is recommended for kids eight years old and above. The game is a great idea for some quality family time. Even the adults will have to pitch in during the game since both strategy and luck is required to win.

Other Details

The retail price of Harry Potter and Hogwarts is at $30, take note that shipping and other fees may apply and thus jack up the prices a little bit. Out of the box, it comes with a die that you have to build, nine micro-figures of the main characters, a rule book, building instructions, and 332 building pieces.

The dimensions of the game are 11.3" x 2.6" x 10.7" and it weighs 1.7 pounds. The actual features you can find in Harry Potter and Hogwarts are taken from details in the books and movies. There are secret passages, moving staircases, and other details of the magical castle to challenge players both young and old.

iXL Learning System

If you’re looking for an educational toy for the younger kids come Christmas 2010 then you may have found just the gift for your little ones. This is actually one of the new toys introduced this year. It is also an interactive and digital toy that preschoolers will surely enjoy. As the kids interact with the virtual world presented in the system they get to learn skills that will enhance the things they learn in school.

Product Description and Features

Take note that this hot new electronic toy is fully digital. The iXL Learning System has six applications installed specifically designed to mentor younger kids. It has a photo viewer, notepad, MP3 music player, digital art book, game player, and a digital book reader. Each of these applications can help enhance your kids’ creativity, writing skills, phonics, spelling, numeracy skills, and reading comprehension skills.

The game’s story book features either tell an animated story and also has an interactive feature allowing your child to take part in the narrative. They get to read and learn the meaning behind new words, comprehend new concepts, spell, and learn new key words. It also comes preloaded with one arcade game that teaches counting, sequencing, and numbers.

The music player supports both WMA and MP3 formats. The art studio application allows kids to create visual masterpieces. The notebook application allows kids to trace letters and numbers thus teaching them basic writing. You can store pictures using the photo album application. This digital toy is compatible with both MAC and PC.

The iXL Learning System has a tethered stylus, 3.5" color screen, action buttons, built in speakers, headphone jack, SD memory card slot, and built in memory. You don’t need any cartridges to load new pictures and software into the device.

Additional software can be purchased to enhance the stories and features of this digital learning toy. However, it requires four AA batteries that are not included in the package. Take note that you should calibrate the touch screen when you use the system for the very first time.

iXL Learning System Out of the Box

The excitement starts as you take the iXL Learning System out of the box. Its dimensions are 5" x 4.8" x 2.1" and its weight is 1.5 pounds. This product is recommended for younger kids from the ages of three years up to six years old. It comes with a USB cord to connect to your computer. The package also includes a media management CD that allows you to add songs, pictures, and software to the device.

The other popular software that customers usually buy to add to this system includes titles such as Toy Story, Scooby Doo, Disney Handy Manny, Songebob Squarepants, and Batman. The additional software is sold separately. The retail price for the iXL Learning System is at $74 but other fees and other charges may apply.

Move Over Zhu-Zhu

FurReal Friends follows suit with the tradition set down by the cute and cuddly Zhu-Zhu Pets. These new furry little challengers might have what it takes not only to challenge but to actually take over the throne. Comparing the former with these new challengers, they may seem to look alike but the challengers seem to have something new to offer.

Selling Points

Just like other mechanical zooming furry toys, FurReal pets look really cute and have built up their fame on the wings of the Zhu-Zhu craze. However, these little cute toys are not necessarily cuddly since they are motorized and are equipped with wheels. However, they do make really cute sounds as your kids play with them.

Another selling point, other than the individual animal noises they make, is the fact that there are more mechanical pet choices for this line of toys. FurReal Friends include pet animals such as hedgehogs, squirrels, cats, dogs, raccoons, and bunnies among many others. All of these funny little fur balls run around and do all sorts of crazy stunts that are sure to bring in the giggles from the little ones.

Another reason why people get enticed to buy them is the fact that you can accessorize both the little pet friends and the entire set itself. All this accessorizing can be seen as a way to appeal to older children. If you buy a set, it will include accessories for the furry little toy animal inside the box.

FurReal Friends Out of the Box

Bringing the FurReal Friends play set out of the box is always a moment of revelry, well for the younger kids that is. Of course, the first thing that the kids would want to do is to make the furry little toy to run around and do all the crazy stunts. The little toy doesn’t only zip around the house it can also push a ball around, spin off, and do all sorts of other crazy stuff.

If you or your kid gets tired of it then you can make the little toy settle down and accessorize. You get 12 different accessories from the box along with the rest of the items in the play set that you will have to assemble. Take note that the assembly of the track and other items will require adult supervision.

You’ll also get an instruction sheet, a label sheet, 12 different accessories like clips, collars, hats, and even a pair of sunglasses. The entire box weighs 4.4 pounds and its dimensions are 5.2" x 19" x 14". It is recommended for children ages four to 12. It requires a couple of AAA batteries, which are not included when you buy a set. A FurReal Friends set will cost you some $33.62, taxes and others fees may add to the price.

Stinky the Garbage Truck

You can bet that your boys won’t mind the name of this toy. The looks and size of this toy truck really does pack an attitude. However, there is really more than what might meet the eye when it comes to Stinky and he’s really more than just a plain old toy truck. Come Christmas 2010, this toy will be one of the hottest toys to hit the shelves.

Talking about attitude, boys will get enthralled as they watch this big monster of a truck gobble up smaller toy cars and eventually spit them out like nothing. This is a robotic toy and will transform from truck to robot and vice versa. If you think Stinky the Garbage Truck is nothing more than a mean character then you better think again.

Stinky the Garbage Truck Product Features

Of course, he’s a garbage truck so he will take in what his garbage bin can handle. He’s the latest addition to the line of robot trucks to the Big Rig Buddies. However, being a functional mini garbage truck isn’t the only thing that this toy is good at. It has a host of interactive features that will perk up any young man.

Stinky the Garbage Truck can sing, eat (obviously), exercise, tell jokes, and even chat and buddy talk with the boys. This toy isn’t as stiff as other converting or transforming toys out there. His head and body moves quite articulately making him look like a funky mean machine. He also has sensory points to make interactions more lifelike than most interactive toys of this genre.

Personality-wise, this guy is definitely larger than life and is quite hilarious too. As if his jokes aren’t funny (or annoying) enough, this toy robot blurts out like a regular comedian. Stinky is programmed with more than 90 phrases and other sounds to delight and cheer the boys. He can transform either manually or with just a touch of his many sensory buttons. He may even nag you to feed him when he’s really hungry.

Interesting Specs and Other Info

Stinky the Garbage Truck is quite a hefty toy with dimensions of 13.5 x 9 x 13.5 inches. It weighs around 5.4 pounds to boot. The toy is designed and recommended for children age three and older. This toy is comparably as durable as other toy trucks in spite of its size. Other than the toy, the box will contain a DVD, instructions, and four C batteries. The batteries serve demo purposes only. You need to buy fresh batteries for longer play time.