toys

About.com has a list of the Top 10 Toys for 2006. Some of the toys on the list I expected, like the TMX Elmo and the Nintendo Wii, but some of the others I didn't expect, I had no idea that the Power Rangers were still popular. Here's the list of Top 10 Christmas Toys, with comments from me with the little bit that I know about them:

1) TMX Elmo

As you probably know if you've done any toy shopping in the last 10 years, this new Tickle Me Elmo is hard to find this year, as in years past. This new 10 year anniversary TMX Elmo (10 is the X in TMX, get it, Tickle Me 10?) is all but sold out already. I've yet to see one in person, but I hear that TMX Elmo has all kinds of new moves, like falling down, rolling around, and then standing back up. I've also heard that all of the robotics make Elmo a little too lumpy for kids to really cuddle with, but that all of the tickling and giggling is worth it. Our daughter has a hard plastic Elmo that you can dress up and he talks, and she still cuddles with him.

2) Fisher Price Kid Tough Kid's Digital Camera

I know that our kids will do anything to get a hold of our digital camera, so I think that Fisher Price hit the nail right on the head with this one. What kid wouldn't love to have their own digital camera? It only takes photos at a standard VGA 640x480 resolution, but that should be plenty for your blooming young photographer. It has 8MB of memory built in, to store around 60 photos, and has an SD card slot for more memory. You can connect it to a PC or a Mac. I think that any way that we can encourage our children's artistic side is well worth it, this is a great idea.

3) Barbie My Scene Bling Bling Styling Head

I'm sure that every little girl would love this. I know that my little sister loved her Barbie Styling Head. Of course, that was years ago, and didn't have as much Bling as this one. There's always the ongoing Barbie debate, you know, about how Barbie affects your child's self image and perception of women, but if you're not worried about that, this present is sure to please.

4) Power Rangers Megazords from Bandai America

Now, I remember when the Power Rangers first became big. I had no idea that they had this kind of staying power, it's been at least ten years now, hasn't it? The Power Rangers do seem to have some strange "Power" over young boys and girls everywhere, don't they?

5) Lego Mindstorms NXT from Lego Systems

I'll admit it, I still have a whole bucket of Legos from when I was a kid. But none of them are half as cool as this Lego Mindstorms NXT. I'll admit, I'm an Electrical Engineer so I may be biased, but this has to be the coolest Lego set ever! Any boy or man and most girls will love it. With the set, you can create your own extremely advanced robot. The "brain" of the robot has a 32-bit processor, memory, and supports USB 2.0 and Bluetooth. It also has ultrasonic, sound, light and touch sensors. You can create humanoid, vehicle or animal robots. The light sensors can detect different colors and intensities of light, the sound sensor enables robots to respond to sound patterns and tones, and the touch sensors help the robot to "feel." The ultrasonic sensors measure distance and movement. It comes with programming software for both PC and Macintosh, plus you can command your robot from a mobile phone or computer with Bluetooth support. I know what I'm asking for for Christmas!

6) Speed Stacks Stackpack from Play Along

This is a very simple, insanely fun game. Basically, you stack plastic cups as fast as you can. There's a digital mat that will measure exactly how long it takes. Games like this will help increase your kids' dexterity and your hand-eye coordination.

7) Digi Makeover from Radica Games

This makeover toy is fun for everyone. Just load a digital picture, and it lets you switch around your look right on your TV.

8) Bratz Forever Diamondz from MGA Entertainment

I've never really understood the whole "Bratz" thing, but this diamond version is sure to be as popular as the rest, maybe even more popular.

9) Wii from Nintendo

If you haven't heard about the Wii (say it "we"), then you've watched TV, been online, or talked to anyone under 25 for the last 6 months. Nintendo's latest gaming console uses motion sensing control pads, so you're really in the game. So far, it's been a hit with everyone, children and adults alike. It costs far less than the PS3 or the XBOX 360 too, if you can find one. Plus, with the motion sensor, you and your kids will get some exercise while your gaming.

10) Butterscotch My Furreal Friends Pony from Hasbro

My wife's been raving about this since it came out. Every kid wants a pony, and this is as close to the real thing as you can get. It has sensors to make the eyes, head, ears, etc. move when you feed, groom, or ride Butterscotch. Seriously, Butterscotch My Furreal Friends Pony is like having Black Beauty, or Flicka in your house, only without the cleanup.

I hope that these ideas have helped get your creative juices flowing. It's fun searching for the perfect gift for your kids, isn't it? Just remember, the clock's a tickin', and any of the toys on this list will be gone fast.

Last Christmas I was given a a 2-in-1 monkey-harness-backpack thing for our daughter, and it has turned out to be one of the best gifts ever. Everywhere our daughter wears it, parents ask us where we got it. This harness is cleverly disguised as a toddler sized monkey backpack (it also comes as a bear or a puppy), which was a huge hit with my monkey loving 2-year-old. But what made this harness truly great is that you don't feel like you are putting your child on a leash, instead you are holding the tail of her monkey backpack. It provides all of the safety of knowing your wanderer can't get away, without the guilt of putting your child on a leash. It has come in especially handy now that we have another baby in the house. With Mom having fewer free hands, it gives me greater peace of mind in parking lots and stores.

I've seen these harnesses popping up for around $15 in some of the local stores (so keep your eye out), or you can get one right here on TheFamilyLog.com at our store.