Cover Story

Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee
Ages: 5 and up
Suggested retail price: $89.99

Following up on a blockbuster summer and DVD release, the Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee is another toy that should be flying off shelves. In the film, Bumblebee takes on humanlike characteristics and captures the audience’s sympathy. As a toy, the Chevy Camaro morphs into a 14-inch Autobots character. Bumblebee cranks up the action with working headlights, battle sounds and a rousing rendition of Devo’s “Whip It,” amongst other tunes. Available at major retailers.

Discovery Ant Gel Habitat
Ages: 8 and up
Suggested retail price: $19.99

Children love collecting and studying insects. The Discovery Channel Store offers several in-home experiments. The Ant Gel Habitat is nothing like the “ant farm” most had while growing up. A non-toxic, enriched gel fills the self-contained habitat. The ants do not need anything else in order to survive, which means no measuring out drinking water or supplying food. After purchase, the consumer mails away for 30 harvester ants. Available from the Discovery Channel Store.

My MP3: Classical Music
Ages: 12 months and up
Suggested retail price: $12

An MP3 player for a baby? Yes, mom! This one has to be seen to be believed.  Parents magazine’s My MP3 comes with simple start and stop buttons, and a rotating, colored design for a “screen.” The built-in 10 songs include well-known classics, such as Pachelbel’s “Canon” and “Flight of the Bumblebee.” This toy gadget will entertain, especially if you have an emerging techno-child who is fascinated with remotes and phones. Available at Target and various specialty stores.

Fruits & Vegetables A-Z Wooden Puzzle
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested retail price: $15

Simple by design, wooden puzzles fascinate young children on several levels. First, little fingers learn dexterity by picking up the puzzle’s knobs. Next, they learn spatially about which piece fits into which slot. Finally, there’s the theme of the puzzle. In this case, Parents magazine designed a puzzle that teaches fruits and vegetables (along with the alphabet). From artichokes to zucchinis, each of the 26 pieces features a letter from the alphabet. Available at Target and various specialty stores.

Jump ‘N’ Jam Jungle Mat
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested retail price: $34.95

Keep the kids active while they learn. The Jump ‘N’ Jam Jungle Mat features 5 interactive games. While following the directions, children need to identify animal sounds, shapes and colors. It’s a next-gen “follow the leader” to educational fun. The Learning Resources mat is made from sturdy vinyl and features an adjustable volume (a parent’s must-have!). Available at learningresources.com and select retailers.

LEGO Bionicles
Ages: 6 and up
Suggested retail price: $9.99

Building upon their popular Bionicles family, this year LEGO introduces an underwater species from the deep. The new line of Bionicle action figures features names such as Toa Kongu and Kalmah, with squid launchers and revolving blasters. Who knew LEGOS could look so tough? Of course, your master builder will first have to master the brain-stimulating art of assembling these depth-dwelling creatures. All LEGOS are made in Denmark and Switzerland. Available at major retailers.

K’Nex 15th Anniversary Tub
Ages: 5 and up
Suggested retail price: $19.99

This set is an incredible value when it comes to building. The anniversary tub features 400 parts, instructions and ideas for 20 models. Creators can build race cars, off-road vehicles, ships, tractors and much more. The set comes packed in a metallic-blue container. In addition to the instructions, additional material can be downloaded from the company’s website, knex.com. Built to keep active minds, and fingers, busy. Available at most major retailers.

Matchbox Mega-Rig Shark Ship
Ages: 4 and up
Suggested retail price: $44.99

The fascination with pirates continues. Kids can break down the Shark Ship and reconfigure the parts to build 40 different vehicles. Plus, since it has wheels and floats, the vehicle can be played with on land and water. The set also comes with a chomping shark, themed figure and a harpoon. Available at most major retailers.

Pawparazzi Pets
Ages: 5 and up
Suggested retail price: $16.99
    
Vicariously live the glamorous life through these adorable mini-pets. Girls will love caring for their Pawparazzi Pets. Each toy comes with its own carrying purse, style and attitude. These pets are used to living the big life. Add a little spice with “Salsa,” a sweet Chihuahua who sings in both Spanish and English. The “author” I.M. Growling, a dashing dachshund, writes hit books, such as “Harry Pawed Her.” Yes, it is too cute, but they’ll love it. Available at Amazon.com and pawparazzipets.com.

Ben 10 Metamorfigures – Ripjaws
Ages: 4 and up
Suggested retail price: $12.99

Is it an action figure, water pistol, binoculars or flashlight? Based upon Cartoon Network’s hit series “Ben 10,” the line of Metamorfigures keeps players guessing. Similar to the cartoon’s lead character, these toys perform more than 1 function. In traditional mode, Ripjaws looks like a menacing alien. After a slight transformation, it’s a water gun. Also of note is the Deluxe Ben 10 Omnitrix ($19.99), which features an LCD display on a watch-like device. With each click of the dial, an alien appears and a new adventure begins. Available at most major retailers.

Swing & Twirl Tika Toy
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested retail price: $29.99

Each season, Mattel releases a new, animated film starring Barbie. This year, “The Island Princess” captures the imaginations of young girls. The main character, Princess Rosella, features a flowing gown crowned by the plumage of peacocks. In the Swing & Twirl set, Rosella’s companion, Tika, the elephant and 2 little princesses play; place a princess on the tip of Tika’s trunk, and she’ll lift the little girl into her basket seat. Available at most major retailers.

Morphibian Gator
Ages: 5 and up
Suggested retail price: $25

Is it a remote-controlled car or boat? How about both! The Morphibian Gator is built to cruise across water and thunder across land. Stocked with hefty, 4x4 tires and headlights that blast through the darkness, Kid Galaxy’s Gator proves to be a new class of toy. On a recent test run, the Gator jumped the edge of the pool, tore up the depths and came out swinging through the grass. The top-of-the-line, Mega X Morphibian ($80), was awarded the 2007 Creative Child “Preferred Choice Award” in the R/C Indoor/Outdoor Fun category. Available at kidgalaxy.com and Amazon.com.

Littlest Pet Shop Round & Round Pet Town
Ages: 4 and up
Suggested retail price: $29.99

There’s something about little girls and their Littlest Pets. Last year’s playset proved to be a hard-to-find item, and Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop Round & Round Pet Town is sure to be, too. This colorful town features a gondola, cafe and a salon for the latest Pet hairdos. The set comes with 2 exclusive pets, a monkey, a dog and accessories. Available at major retailers.

Anniversary Care Bear
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested retail price: $19.99

Order yours early because the Commemorative 25th Anniversary Care Bear is a limited edition. The bear features white and silver fur, Swarovski crystal eyes and sterling- silver-plated accents. Packaged with a DVD of the first Care Bears episode, “The Land Without Feelings,” this silver anniversary present will capture the hearts of children, as well as collectors. Available at Wal-Mart, Target and Toys ‘R Us.

Polly Pocket Jam ’n Guitar & Polly Wheels Car
Ages: 4 and up
Suggested retail price: $29.95

Girls like to rock, and Polly Pocket knows how to lay down the tunes. The Jam ’n Guitar plays 3 different tunes, and the pace varies according to the player’s “strum” across the strings. The guitar’s handle holds 3 kinds of makeup: blue body glitter, a pink lip gloss and purple eye shadow. A comb slides into a slot in the top of the guitar; a nail file slips into the bottom; 3 makeup applicators hide in the tuners; and 3 hair clips reside in a mirrored compartment. As a companion stocking stuffer, check out the scented Polly Pockets Wheels ($2.99).

Twisted Fish Game
Ages: 9 and up
Suggested retail price: $10

Someone at McNeill Designs has a twisted mind and that’s just fine when it comes to Twisted Fish. This updated “go fish” card game contains wacky and hilarious illustrations by Hollywood special effects artist Jody Fedele. Blowfish, Eel or Card Shark: Which would you rather be? But watch out for those Zinger cards; players never know what may sneak up on them. Perfect for family play, or word has it that this game has become popular at sleepovers. Plus, it’s won the Creative Child Magazine’s Best Family Game of the Year for 2007. Available at Barnes & Noble and most major retailers.

High School Musical 2 DVD Board Game
Ages: 8 and up
Suggested retail price: $19.99

Music reigns for the preteen and teen set. Based on the hit television sequel, this DVD board game showcases tunes from Disney Channel’s “High School Musical 2,” featuring video clips from the movie, original outtakes, and favorite songs and dances. Players will use their knowledge of HSM2. Also on the radar is anything Hannah Montana. If her concerts are selling out at a record pace, the HM Girl Talk Game ($14.99), which is a modernized truth-or-dare game, should be a pleaser. Available at most major retailers.

Bratz Adventures in Learning Globe
Ages: 6 and up
Suggested retail price: $89.99

Infuse some fun into geography with the Bratz Globe. This stylin’ globe features an airplane “pen” to learn a variety of worldwide stats, such as each country’s name, language, capital, time zone and population. In addition to the “World Tour,” the other 2 learning modes are the Fabulous Fifty, which highlights 50 popular countries with a “lips” icon and features other key facts, and a game mode that quizzes players. The globe also comes with an internal clock and cookbook. Available at most major retailers.

Barbie Girls
Ages: 6 and up
Suggested retail price: $59.99

It used to be girls stepped back when it came to technology. Now, Barbie takes interactivity to a whole new world – an online world. Via BarbieGirls.com, users can create their own virtual character, design a room and chat with other girls. These Barbie Girls devices act as a music player, and each unlocks new content on the site. The pack includes a belt clip, earbuds and a storage case. Available at most major retailers.

Strawberry Shortcake Berry Baby
Ages: 3 and up
Suggested retail price: $19.99

This 14-inch baby doll features another nostalgic character, Strawberry Shortcake. With sweet, red hair tied up in pigtails, and a pretty pink dress, Berry Baby will win little girls’ hearts. When her tummy is pressed, she giggles and gives her sweet-scented kisses. The doll comes with a strawberry-shaped baby bottle. Available at most major retailers.

Made in the USA
    With the recall of so many toys manufactured in China, an appreciation for products made stateside continues to grow. While hard to come by, there are a few, well-known classics and a new line of up-and-coming “green” toys that concerned parents may want to seriously consider buying.

Log Cabin sets
    Made from pine pieces and stained with non-toxic dye, these sets are handcrafted in the United States. Originally established in the 1930s, Roy Toy is now run by the founder’s grandson. With their traditional green roofs and red accessories, the Log Cabin sets offer reliable nostalgia. The Roy Toy Log Tree House set comes with more than 70 pieces and retails for $15. Available in specialty toy and gift stores, Restoration Hardware and at roytoy.com.

Original Metal Slinky
    Hard to imagine, but after 60 years the Slinky is still made in Pennsylvania. There’s something about that swooshing sound the toy makes as it weaves its way downstairs or over piles of books that excites children and adults. Poof-Slinky, the toy’s manufacturer, describes the sound as “slinkity.” Recommended for ages 5 and up and retails for $3.99.  

Green toys
    Looking for something totally new and environmentally friendly? Check out Green Toys’ line of products made from bioplastic, such as corn. The Tea Set features 17 pieces, from the teapot down to 4 teaspoons, to a 27-piece Cookware and Dining Set. Stay tuned: These futuristic toys are due to hit the market in Spring 2008!
(greentoys.com)

For more information, on U.S.-made toys, check out madeintheusa.org.

    Marie Loggia-Kee is a frequent contributor to OC Family Magazine.