Joining us with some great ideas was the 'Toy Insider Mom' and toy contributing editor at ABC News, Laurie Schacht.
Laurie and her team of experts have spent the year reviewing all the new toys on the market and have selected their top picks for the season, over 120 recommendations in all for kids of all ages and interests. Here are some of their picks.
LeapPad Ultra (LeapFrog)
• The latest in kids' learning tablets, LeapPad Ultra has a 7-inch high-resolution screen to help children learn to write using a stylus.
• The LeapPad Ultra works with LeapFrog's library of more than 800 content experiences designed or approved by learning experts.
• Kids can explore with LeapSearch powered by Zui, a secure and proprietary browser. They will only have access to kid--safe, hand--selected web content.
• Age: 4-9
• MSRP $149.99
Kurio Touch 4S (Techno Source)
• Sleek, stylish, pocket-sized, and portable
• Wi-Fi enabled android 4.2 (Jellybean) handheld device
• Kids can record videos, take photos, listen to music, message friends, play with apps and games, and safely surf the web
• 3.97-inch multi-point touchscreen display with high-definition gaming and movie viewing capabilities, multi-core processor, front- and rear-facing cameras, integrated microphone, USB connection
• High capacity battery offers six to eight hours of battery life
• 8 GB of internal memory, extendable to 40 GB via a micro SD card
• Comes with set of earbuds that comfortably fit in children's ears
• Available in black and white
• Preloaded with more than 30 free games and apps
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $99.99
FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY Pet (Hasbro
• The FURREAL FRIENDS CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY pet provides children the ultimate nurturing pet play experience with an animal they have always dreamed of owning!
• With several modes of play and numerous sensors on this adorable baby monkey, children will be delighted by 100+ responses from their pet, from realistic monkey noises to reactive motions.
• The MONKEYt will respond to many cherished play patterns, such as feeding, diaper changing, cuddling, tickling, swinging and rocking to sleep!
• Feed her from her banana-shaped bottle and your pet will happily make slurping noises, moving her lips in and out.
• When it's time to play, the pet recognizes when she's being swung in the air, and will respond with lifelike laughter and silly monkey sounds.
• Tickle her tummy and this loveable monkey will burst into a fit of giggles.
• If you look away, she will move her head and make sounds to grab your attention once again.
• At bedtime rock her gently she will start to snooze, and slowly close her eyes.
• The soft plush CUDDLES, MY GIGGLY MONKEY pet comes with a bottle, pink bow, and removable diaper.
• Includes four "C" demo batteries. Four "C" replacement batteries required.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $79. 99
HEXBUG Nano V2 Gravity Defying Robotic Creatures (Innovation First)
• An all-new breed of gravity defying nano that can now climb up, vertically, to the tip top of any nano V2 habitat set
• Collectable and connectable Habitat Sets include a Starter Set, Tower Loop, Barrel Roll, Crow's Nest and Black Hole
• All Nano V2 Sets connect with other Nano Sets
• The arrow shaped nose of the Nano V2 allows for precise navigation around and through obstacles
• Legs – Rapid Motion – The Nano V2 behaves like a real bug scurrying around its environment, capable of finding its way through any maze
• Body – Motorized Movement – Gravity Defying Nano bugs are even faster and more energetic than the original nano bugs
• ?Head Spikes – Vertical Climbing – The Nano V2's uniquely engineered head spikes
• give this species the ability to climb up, through and around tubes of track
• Ages: 3+
• MSRP: $7.99 to $49.99
Mega Bloks Barbie Build 'n Play Super Star Stage (MEGA BLOKS)
• This play set includes approximately 290 pieces, including sparkling blocks, that kids use to build the Super Star Stage.
• Accessories include microphones, guitars, a DJ booth, keyboard, and an elevator with a spinning feature.
• Kids can help Super Star Barbie, Raquelle, and Teresa get ready in their dressing room back stage.
• The play set includes three songs, and the two-story Super Star Stage has real lights that flash to the beat of the music.
• Ages 5+
• MSRP $59.99
Power Rangers BattleFire Megazord (Bandai)
• Whenever villains get too strong, the Rangers summon all of their Zords together to morph into this powerful weapon
• Fires up to 15 Zord missiles utilizing voice recognition technology
• Depending on the phrase spoken, the BattleFire Megazord fires off a different number of missiles
• The manual trigger allows kids to fire missiles themselves
• Also features light and sound effects
• Age: 4+
• MSRP: $44.99
Skylanders SWAP Force (Activison)
• The latest installment of the Skylanders franchise
• Features an all-new innovative play pattern: swapability.
• Players can reconfigure 16 Swap Force characters into more than 250 unique combinations. Kids can mix and match characters' powers and moves and then bring them to life in the game.
• Fans of the franchise can also play Skylanders Swap Force with their entire collection of characters from both Skylanders Spyro's Adventure and Skylanders Giants, now with the added capability of jumping.
• Features 16 new SWAP Force characters, along with 32 new core Skylanders characters (16 completely new Skylanders and 16 new versions of fan-favorite characters from previous games) and eight new LightCore characters.
• Skylanders SWAP Force also delivers high-resolution graphics that bring the game's detailed characters and rich environments to life, immersing players in the gameplay like never before.
• Age: 6+
• MSRP: $99.99 (Dark Edition Starter Pack)
Twist and Shoot (Maisto)
• This is a radio control vehicle that changes from a car to a robot with a cool twisting action
• This goesl forward, backwards, turn left and right.
• Press the transform button and marvel as this battle robot changes into an all out battle vehicle!
• Soft missles can be fired from a 6 barrel cannon in car or robot mode. The tri channel transmitter allows three people to play at once
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $69.99
Air Huntress™ (Zing)
• Decked out in pink, purple and sparkles, the new Air Huntress is the next generation Z-Curve
• As girls aspire to be the next Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" or Merida from "Brave", this is a safe, realistic introduction to the sport of archery that can be used indoors or outside.
• The Air Huntress Z-Curve Bow can launch soft-foam ammo over 125 feet, a thrill factor for kids and parents alike!
• Aspiring archers can choose between far-flying foam Z-Arrows and stick-anywhere suction cup Zartz.
• Hook the ammo into the loading zone, line up the shot and let it fly! Includes two Z-Arrows and one Zartz.
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $24.99
