PARAMUS, N.J., Oct. 17 -- "What should we get the kids this holiday?" It's the question that parents and family members wrestle with every year. There's a lot to choose from and it's tough for adults to keep pace with the ever changing, constantly updated array of popular toys. And don't underestimate the pressure parents and grandparents feel when contemplating holiday shopping.
There's some good news this year according to Toys "R" Us and Toysrus.com. Toy choices are broad and varied and available for every age group this season. In their annual hot toy list released today, the popular retailer and e-tailer highlighted learning toys, Cabbage Patch Kids, Harry Potter and Fashion Dolls are among the products most in demand this holiday season.
"Our goal is to help our guests to find the toys and gifts they want at a great value in a shopping environment that's second to none," said Greg Staley, President, Toys "R" Us, U.S. "The toys on our list are among the hottest products on the market, and we've got a wider assortment and better selection of these and other toys and games than anyone else in the business. Even more, Toys "R" Us gives guests the choice of shopping online or in our stores. What could be easier?"
Ray Arthur, President of Toysrus.com echoed that sentiment. "Based on what we've observed at our online store, these are the toys guests will really want for their kids. Shoppers know we are the best place online for hot toys and video games, so we're offering our guests special features like the ability to order many popular items in advance plus the opportunity to create wish lists."
The 2002 Hot Picks by Toys "R" Us and Toysrus.com are arranged alphabetically by age group.
The company also released its picks for "stocking stuffer" items available for $20 or less:
TOYS "R" US AND TOYSRUS.COM'S HOT TOYS FOR HOLIDAY 2002
12 to 24 months
Chicken Dance Elmo - Fisher-Price
Elmo, dressed up in a fuzzy chicken suit, moves his legs and flaps his arms as he sings the 'Chicken Dance' song. During the chorus and anytime you press his foot, Elmo will move his head which is sure to get you laughing. Batteries included. 18 months and up.
Crawl 'n' Cruise Playground - Fisher-Price
Helps develop gross motor skills with three play modes that provide plenty of positive reinforcement. From crawling to pulling up and cruising to walking in and out, baby is rewarded with lights, sounds, music, activities, and hours of active fun. Batteries required. 6 months and up.
Learning Drum - LeapFrog
Learn alphabet and numbers through simple cause and effect tapping. As children hit the drum with their hands, a letter or number appears in lights on the drum top. When hit again, the next consecutive letter or number appears. For each hit, the letter or number is spoken and music is played. The drum features four modes of play and two levels of volume. Batteries are included. 6 months and up.
2 to 4 years
Animal Alley Purebread Dogs
Soft, friendly and ready for cuddling, this line of 11-inch purebred dogs are sure to find a place in any child's "dog house." Filled with fluff and beans for comfort and heft, the dogs come in different breeds: beagle, collie, Boston terrier, golden retriever, poodle and many more. 3 and up.
Barbie as Rapunzel Doll - Mattel
Barbie is the starring princess in her own production of Rapunzel. Barbie has long golden ringlets (topped with a removable gold crown) including one section, which extends when you tug on it. She's dressed in a sparkling pink and purple gown with opalescent sleeves, a net front panel overskirt, and lots of gold glitter. She comes with six hair clips, another long blond hair extension that attaches with Velcro, and a plastic pink hairbrush that plays music when you brush her hair. 3 and up.
Cabbage Patch Kids - Pacific Playthings
They're back - bigger and better than ever! One-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kids, the global phenomenon from the 1980's, have been re-born for a new generation of adoptive parents. These loveable kids have lots of yarn hair, adorable faces and contemporary, beautifully detailed outfits with accessories. 24 months and up.
Dancing Dora - We Did It! - Fisher-Price
Sing along with Dora as she sings "We Did It" from her own TV show on Nick Jr. Dora twists at her waist and moves her arms to dance. Dora says random phrases in English and Spanish. Batteries included. 24 months and up.
Laura Ashley Doll House - Toys "R" Us
A delightful four-room dollhouse with Laura Ashley decor. Comes with a Kitchen, Living Room, Master Bedroom, and Teen Room. Children act like interior decorators while having fun changing the wallpaper and fabrics. Lights and sounds in every room. Comes fully furnished with loads of accessories. Batteries required. Ages 4 and up.
Musini-Magic Sensor - Neurosmith
Transforms any room into a musical playground where every step, turn, touch and tap activates a unique musical response. Children simply select their favorite musical styles and instruments and start moving. Mini-maestros explore tempos, rhythmic patterns and musical structures. Batteries required. 3 years and up.
Pop Sensation Barbie Doll - Mattel
Plug in the headset to hear two cool songs or sing along to your stereo - the microphone really works. Barbie dances on the stand to the music and has two dazzling concert outfits. 3 and up.
5 to 7 years
Barbie B-Book Learning Laptop Computer - Oregon Scientific
Featuring Barbie voice and animated images to interact and guide through over 50 different activities. Spelling, grammar, vocabulary, math, logic, memory, computer skills and games are great fun with Barbie's help. The Barbie B-Book is designed in pretty pink with an ergonomically designed keyboard, dual processor with built-in ROM and RAM, quality digital sound, large LCD screen and is Smart Card compatible. Complete with a Barbie mouse pad and mouse, and built-in handle to take-along everywhere. Batteries required. 5 and up.
Fall Fashion 2002 Bratz - MGA Entertainment
The Bratz Pack - five hip friends with a "passion for fashion" - is back and eager for fall. Each Bratz has a highly developed fashion sense for cutting edge and cool styles. This year, boys join the Bratz Pack for more fun and fashion. 3 and up.
Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets - LEGO
Almost 600 pieces form four related Harry Potter scenes. The finished product also makes for a fun play world--with intricate castle chambers and a whole host of Potter characters. 6 and up.
Hot Wheels Octoblast Track Set - Mattel
Track set has stunts, exploding crash zones and a wild octopus with kid-controlled tentacles. High-speed, four-way booster for a fast-paced race through the twisted tentacles of the octopus. Race to survive an upside-down midair jump and five exploding crash zones. Batteries required. 5 and up.
Micro Pets - TOMY
MicroPets are one-inch tall pets that understand instructions with a child's own voice. MicroPets work together and play together, responding to each other's voices, singing, playing, even getting upset when they're left out. Batteries included. 3 and up.
Motor-Scooter Samantha - MGA Entertainment
Via the "scooter" remote control, command Samantha to pop wheelies, do 360-degree turns and go for a ride. Real-working headlight and authentic motorbike sounds make this one fun ride. Poseable on and off her scooter. Batteries required. 6 and up.
Nu Jam Guitar - Milton Bradley
It's a game that sounds like a guitar. With R&B and Rock music styles, the challenge is to keep up with the music and follow the flashing lights. Play alone or challenge others with multiple skill levels. The game can even plug into the stereo. Batteries required. 7 and up.
Pixter Plus - Fisher-Price
It's a hand-held, electronic toy that puts the power of digital creativity in the palms of kids' hands. Drawing tools, activities and a touch-sensitive LCD screen activated by a drawing stylus encourage endless creativity and imagination. Kids can draw pictures, change them around, add special effects and digital stamps, erase a lot or erase a little, create funny faces, connect-the-dots, even save their favorite creations all with fun sound effects and music. The Pixter system is expandable too with additional software available. Batteries required. 4 and up.
Spider-Man Deluxe Web Blaster - Toy Biz
The blaster comes with a Spider-Man glove that fits any hand, a web-fluid blaster, two web-fluid cans, a web activator, a water-blaster attachment and adjustable elastic straps. Both non-toxic cans of web fluid contain up to 600 feet of web-blasting fun. 4 and up.
What's Her Face! Fashion Activity Doll - Mattel
What's Her Face can change her face, hairstyle and clothing instantly. With the expression stampers, markers, and glitter stickers, a girl can give her doll different expressions and makeup styles. Also included are two wigs, two pairs of sunglasses and a makeup template for more imaginative play. 5 and up.
Yu-Gi-Oh! - Upper Deck
In the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, two players face off, engaging in a match consisting of three Duels. It takes skill, practice, strategy and luck to emerge victorious. There are two different Starter Decks you can collect: Yugi and Kaiba. Each one-player deck contains 47 common cards, three foil cards, one rulebook and one game mat. Styles may vary. 4 and up.
8 to 10 years
Bionicles - Lego
These action figures have a rich and mythical back story, set on the legendary island of Mata Nui, where heroic Toas struggles with the "bad guy" Makutas. Detailed illustrated instructions make it as fun to put these figures together as it is to play with them. Special sets and bundles are also available. 7 and up.
Electronic Explorer Globe - LeapFrog
Award winning interactive globe teaches fascinating facts about continents, countries, oceans, population, land area and more. A great family activity for up to four players, with two fun learning games and a new base featuring easy to use game play controls. Batteries required. 8 and up.
Quantum Pad - LeapFrog
The Quantum Pad learning system is the first educational system designed to make learning fundamental grade school subjects fun and easy. Includes a 32-page interactive book that teaches math, language arts, science, geography and history. Batteries required. 7 and up.
Singing Starz Karaoke Music Studio - Toymax
The main karaoke unit has a built-in camera (with adjustable lens) which captures images on TV. Comes with a 10-song music cartridge, a microphone to control volume, tempo, pitch and echo. Singing Starz has a built-in carry handle and a storage compartment, making it easily portable. Batteries required. 6 and up.
Star Wars R2D2 Droid - Hasbro
A Fully Operational Droid. Responds to over 40 commands, plays multiple interactive games and includes light beam, utility arm and special "secret" features. At 15" tall it can navigate, go on patrol and even be a sentry room alarm. Batteries required. 8 and up.
11 years and up
20th Anniversary Trivial Pursuit - Hasbro
This 20th Anniversary Edition is classic Trivial Pursuit gameplay of answering trivia questions. There are six new categories including World View, Sound & Screen, News, Pages, Tech and Game On. All 4800 questions are new and all the questions are from the past 20 years. Win by collecting all six pie wedges and answering the final question first. 11 and up.
NBA Live 2003- PS2 - Electronic Arts
With advanced facial animations and graphics, players will be walkin' the walk and talkin' the talk in LIVE 2003. Take off for high-flying monster dunks, or stop-and-pop a three-ball from downtown. Go head-to-head with your favorite player in new 1-on-1 Streetball mode. For Playstation 2. 6 and up.
Screaming Serpent Roller Coaster - K'NEX
Roller Coaster excitement for the whole family! Over 6-1/2 feet long, 2-1/2 feet wide, and 3-1/2 feet tall - the battery-powered motor pulls the roller coaster cars up the incline, while the sound module creates real coaster sounds and screams. Batteries required. 9 and up.
Super Mario Sunshine - Nintendo
All he wanted was a relaxing holiday, but Mario's in store for his biggest adventure ever in Super Mario Sunshine for Nintendo GameCube. An imposter has turned the tropical paradise into a polluted mess, and it's up to Mario to save the day. 6 and up.
