Which Toys were a Hit at Your House this Year?
Now that I can finally get some sleep am prepping for the new 2010 toys, I wanted to figure out what was hot this year - not just based on sales, but on what kids actually liked and are still playing with.
Though not exactly scientific, I am hearing some "buzz" as to what kids responded to now that Christmas is over. My niece loved her Zsu Zsu Pets (she got 4 of them -- don't ask) and is currently still playing with all of them at once, driving my sister crazy in the process. (Ah, sweet revenge for my sister snooping in my room when we were kids.) However, a friend said that her niece, while initially excited to get her Zsu Zsu Pet, has already lost interest. My 8 year-old nephew got a lot of cool toys but seems to be most interested in his cement mixer from Bruder. This truck is ginormous and he's having a great time with it.
Co-workers are finding that the basics all still keep kids interested and playing. One talked about how her family has been playing with LEGOs all week (and that she's having as much fun as the kids are with them.) One surprise came from a friend in D.C. who said that his 6 year-old son loved his Noah's Ark Stacker (an award-winner made by Tier Toys) and that the toy impressed my friend & his wife as well.
So what are your kids still playing with four whole days later? Did that Mindflex really blow your kids' minds? Was it all about Banangrams? Or did the kids just play with the box the toys came in? Let us know what wowed your wee ones. -- E. Christian Moore
Thomas on December 29, 2009 at 04:50 PM
My kids loved their Expressomatic Elves this year, though they're kind of seasonal so who knows if they'll be used in February! Art Splat Bingo got a good reaction, but they haven't played with it yet. Same with The PopKids Freakin' Whistler Set...can't wait for them to start blowing THAT at 6am! What else...my niece liked her SoftySofty Squisher Pod, but she's like 3, so she'd have fun with a couple cans of beans.
Minette on December 30, 2009 at 05:45 AM
My kids still love the Wii, they spend hours making Mis. Super Mario is a favorite as is the new Wii Sports Resort (fencing and archery are super cool). As a family, the biggest hit was the electronic game called Catch Phrase. We have not laughed so hard or had such a good brain work out in years! Even my 8 and 10 year old kids were able to play successfully and wowed us with their ability to describe words and guess correctly. Another silly hit everyone got in their stocking from Santa was the Amazing Flying Monkey, they fly far and make a crazy yelling sound that had everyone in stitches, no matter what their age!
Sharon on December 30, 2009 at 07:26 AM
My toddler loves her green toys tea set, her duplo lego and lego table and her kitchen toys...so much fun!
E. Christian Moore on December 30, 2009 at 10:16 AM
"Expressomatic Elves?" "The PopKids Freakin' Whistler Set?" "SoftySofty Squisher Pod?" Wow, what toy store do YOU shop at, Thomas?