Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I Think The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs Are A Mistake - Get The Pillow Pets Instead

I don't have kids, but if you do, here's what you're faced with this holiday season.

My city's newspaper just published the top 15 holiday toys according to Toys R Us. You can read them all as they were posted originally by clicking here.

But they are as follows:

- Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse by International Playthings: A doll house for Calico Critters dolls available exclusively from Toys R Us. $79.99.
In case you're wondering what Calico Critters are, they're these things. And I have no idea why they would need a house.

- Cuponk by Hasbro Inc: A game that combines electronic cups and ping-pong-like balls. $14.99.
This is a game where you toss a ping pong ball into a cup. And no, it doesn't get more complicated than that.

- Disney Princess & Me dolls by Jakks Pacific. Five 18-inch dolls of princesses from Disney movies, available exclusively at Toys R Us. $49.99.
This just wouldn't be America if Disney figurines weren't somewhere on this list.

- Disney/Pixar's "Toy Story 3" Imaginext Tri-County Landfill by Mattel's Fisher-Price. A playset that recreates the landfill scene from "Toy Story 3." $49.99.
See previous commentary.

- Fast Lane Wild Fire RC by Toys R Us. A four-wheel remote control car over a foot tall. $89.99.
OK, that does sound kind of cool. Remote-controlled anything is usually fun. At least until you drive it into a wall. Or into the street ...

- Imaginext Bigfoot the Monster by Fisher-Price. A Bigfoot that moves around, stomps and throws tantrums. $109.99.
What? Oh that won't get annoying.

- Leapster Explorer by LeapFrog: Electronic handheld device that has a library of 40 games and activities and other features. $69.99.
Running total of educational toys on this list: 1.

- Loopz from Mattel: Electronic memory game in which users try to repeat patterns of light and music. $34.99.
Running total of educational toys on this list: 2.

- Minotaurus by Lego Systems Inc. A board game from Lego. $26.99.
Please. Everyone knows the Harry Potter anything game will outsell the Minotaurus.

- Monster High Cleo DeNile and Deuce Gorgon doll set by Mattel: Dolls from Mattel's Monster High line. $39.99.
The what and the what from the what?

- Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS by Hasbro: Nerf blaster that can shoot Nerf darts up to 25 feet. $54.99.
Think of it as like you're paying $2 and change per foot for how far this thing can shoot. Or, you're buying something that you're probably going to have to end up taking away from your kid later anyway after the third or fourth time he specifically aims for your butt.

- Pillow Pets by Ontel Products Corp.: Plus stuffed animals that convert into a pillow by opening a Velcro strap. $19.99.
Awww.

- Sing-a-ma-jigs by Mattel: Plush creatures that harmonize and sing together or apart. $12.99.
The Toys R Us website says: "Every Sing-A-Ma-Jig has three modes of play. In chatter mode, the Sing-A-Ma-Jig speaks in a language full of jibbers and jabbers. In song mode, your little one can control the pace of the song to give each tune its own unique musical take. In harmonizing mode, each Sing-A-Ma-Jig sings in harmony with their other Sing-A-Ma-Jig friends (sold separately). The more Sing-A-Ma-Jigs your little one collects, the larger the chorus and the better the sound!" All I can say is, I hope that either the tune is super catchy, or that it's super easy to remove their batteries.

- Squinkies Cupcake Surprise Bake Shop by Blip Toys: A play set that doubles as a toy vending machine for 9 included Squinkies, tiny toy people and animals. $22.99
I'll be waiting for the Squinkies Healthy Snacktime Station by Blip Toys.

- Tomica Hypercity Mega Station Set by Tomy: A Toys R Us exclusive train set. $79.99.
Thumbs up. Train sets are always, always cool. (Just watch where you step.)

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