Top toys for the holidays

With the holiday shopping season upon us, it's time to get acquainted with the top toys of the year -- and learn where you can find them. We combed the lists of some of the nation's most trusted publications and toy retailers, including Parenting, Redbook, Toys R Us and eToys.com, and assembled this lineup of hot picks and where to find them locally. In addition, we visited a handful of local independent toy stores asked them about their favorites, a few of which are included here.

Since any toy that earns a "top" designation seems to sell out quickly, we suggest calling local stores ahead of your visit to find out if the toys you're searching for are still available. Prices given are averages or the manufacturer's suggested price and can vary from store to store.

AGES 0-2

Made for Me MP3 Player by Hasbro
New parents are no longer stuck with the canned music that comes with most crib-attached music boxes. In addition to its 50 preloaded songs and sounds, this clever little MP3 player allows you to store up to two hours of your favorite music -- or your own familiar voice -- so that Junior can fall asleep to the sounds he likes best. $69.99 at Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage by Fisher-Price
Tiny musicians can sing and dance with this stage as soon as they can sit up. Lights and music play at the push of a button, and baby can watch herself bounce along in the mirror. As she gets older, different modes allow her to get more creative with the music. $39.99 at Target, Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

Fisher-Price Classics Chatter Telephone by Sababa Toys
Several of Fisher-Price's iconic pull toys have recently been re-released, including the Chatter Phone, originally introduced in 1962. Some of today's toddlers may covet cell phones, but this old-fashioned phone on wheels hasn't lost its appeal. $14.99-$18 at Magic Mouse Toys and Toys R Us.

Snuggle Pod Sweet Pea or Peanut by Manhattan Toys
These soft babies, snuggled into peapods or peanut shells, are perfect first dolls for infants and toddlers. They're easy for tiny hands to grasp, and toddlers love to take them in and out of their veggie stuff sacks. $12 at Magic Mouse Toys and Curious Kidstuff.

Pre-Zolo Blocks by Zolo
This wooden construction set with blocks in unusual shapes and patterns allows young children to create all kinds of fantastic creatures, which bring to mind a rather sophisticated take on Mr. Potato Head. $48 at Top Ten Toys and Magic Mouse Toys.

Scoot n' Scoop 3-in-1 Ride On by Tonka
Converting from push toy to ride-on, this dump truck will entertain both crawlers and toddlers. It not only rolls but scoops up blocks (which come with the truck) and dumps them into a compartment beneath the seat. Vibrations, blinking lights and road sounds add to the fun. $34.99 at Target, Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

AGES 3-5

Flip n'Tip Fred Recycling Truck by Wow
Young truck drivers and ecologists alike will love this chunky truck, which comes with three recycling bins and two little people. $49.99 at Top Ten Toys, Magic Mouse Toys and Dragon's Toy Box.

ClickStart My First Computer by LeapFrog
ClickStart is a colorful keyboard loaded with educational games that plugs into the television, introducing preschoolers to letters, numbers, colors and other basic learning skills. $59.99 at Target, Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

My First Kitchen by HaPe
This wooden kitchen comes equipped with all the utensils and ingredients necessary for an aspiring wee chef to get cooking. Unlike some toy kitchens, this scaled-down set is small enough for young toddlers, and it makes a sweet dolly kitchen for older children. $79.99 at Magic Mouse Toys and Dragon's Toy Box.

Baby So Real by Itoys
These dolls with realistic weighted hands, feet and heads are perfect for preschoolers who dote on babies. Baby So Real is available in a multitude of ethnicities, making it easier for each child to find a baby of his or her own. $29.99 at Target and Toys R Us.

Lift Off Rocket by iPlay
Two astronauts and a space dog come with this retro-styled rocket ship, inviting imaginative play for the preschool set. Simple as it may seem, it garners rave reviews from both local retailers and national magazines who love the iconic design as much as tots enjoy sending doggies into space. $39.99 at Magic Mouse Toys and Curious Kidstuff.

Pandabo Bamboo Game by HaPe
Beautifully made of sustainably harvested bamboo, this stacking and balancing game challenges both children and adults, and the blocks and panda bears are fun for young ones to play with even after the game is over. $12.95 at Dragon's Toy Box.

 

AGES 6-8

N-Strike Disc Shot by Nerf
Flying discs are shot by this stationary launcher for a challenging round of target practice. $49.99 at Target, Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

Video Journal by Radica
This digital camera aimed at tween girls has scrapbooking features and connects users with their own journals and calendars. Password settings ensure privacy. $29.99 at Target and Toys R Us.

Eyeclops by Jakks Pacific
For the curious kids on your shopping list, check out this nifty microscope that plugs into the television. Without having to master technical lab equipment, kids can easily inspect their favorite objects and family members at 200x magnification -- sure to be fun and gross! $49.99 at Fred Meyer and Toys R Us.

Jam Pack Jam by Cranium
Fast! Pack the car! Young players will enjoy trying to beat the clock as they attempt to stuff a household of stuff into this small truck before the spring-loaded timer pops out the contents. $19.99 at Magic Mouse Toys, Target and Toys R Us.

Bella Sara Trading Cards by Hidden City Games
It's about time for trading cards for girls. These horse-themed cards have an online component that allows girls to log in to "care" for their menagerie -- a great stocking stuffer! $2.50 at Magic Mouse Toys, Curious Kidstuff, Target and Toys R Us.

Hyper Dash by Wild Planet
This active electronic tag game keeps kids busy inside or out as they try to get to their target pucks as quickly as possible. Several modes allow this game to be played solo or with up to eight players. $24.99 at Target.

Foam Craft Workshop by Faber-Castell
Crafty kids will enjoy this fun, jigsawlike foamcore cutter, and parents will be happy to know that with no sharp parts, it's safe to use. Decorative shapes come pretraced and ready to cut on board, or you can make your own shapes, then liven them up with the included paints and stickers. $30 at Magic Mouse Toys and Target.

AGES 9+

Ugly Dolls by Pretty Ugly
You've probably seen these homely plush creatures around town, either in small form dangling from a backpack or in large form lounging on a bed or sofa. They're popular with goofy kids, jaded teens and quirky adults alike; everyone seems to think Ugly is the new cute these days. $5.95-$49.95 at Dragon's Toy Box, Top Ten Toys and Curious Kidstuff.

Ruckus by Funstreet
Described as addictive by the employees of local toy stores, this card game is fast-playing fun for young and old. Opponents race to create sets and steal them from one another; each hand lasts a mere three or four minutes. $9.99 at Dragon's Toy Box, Top Ten Toys and Curious Kidstuff.

U.B. Funkeys by Radica
Like Webkins for the older set, these animelike figures come with Web access codes that let their owners into a virtual world where they can adventure and connect with friends. $19.99 at Toys R Us.

Rubik's Revolution by Techno Source
Although it looks like the classic Rubik's cube, this electronic cube has six different games that challenge the player in skills of speed and concentration. $14.99-$16.99 at Toys R Us, Target and Fred Meyer.

Take Off by Resource Games
Redmond-based Resource Games has put together this geography-based adventure in which opponents race one another around the world, beginning and ending in Seattle, while learning about the world all along the way. Local retailers recommend this game for family play since the themes are fun for all ages. $34.95 at Magic Mouse Toys, Top Ten Toys and Curious Kidstuff.

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