Hot Toys That Made it to EdutainingKids.com's Recommended Gift
Guides:
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 Robosapien 
One
of the season's hottest toys, Robosapien is a battery-powered
"humanoid" that can dance, pick up objects, walk,
whistle, yawn, push, kick, and even give a "high five" in ways
that mimic human behaviors. Sensors in the robot's feet allow him
to walk around objects. Robosapien was developed by former NASA
robotic physicist, Dr. Mark W. Tilden, and is far more graceful
than other toy robots. Kids operate the 14-inch tall robot with a remote
control. The humanoid includes 67 pre-programmed functions and
can be programmed to perform functions in a chain. Don't think that
this toy is only for boys—girls (and parents, too!) will have
a blast with this highly entertaining robot as much as boys.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Robosapien Robot
at Amazon.com]
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 My Scene Swapping Styles
They
don't cost much more than the regular My Scene dolls, yet My Scene
Swapping Styles feature considerably more play value. Each set
comes with 3 interchangeable head-and-shoulder units, each
featuring the same doll (Barbie, Nolee, Madison) but with
different hairstyles. These sets will please parents as well as
kids--most kids who love My Scene dolls want to buy more than one
of each character, simply because of a hairstyle. This eliminates
that problem. Fashion accessories are also included.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: All My Scene Swapping Styles Doll Sets
at Amazon.com (Toys R Us)]
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 Cabbage
Patch Dolls & Cabbage Patch Kids Babies
A blast from
the past! The original Cabbage Patch doll frenzy occurred in the
early 1980's. Many parents of today's children took part in the
thrill of the dolls: each doll is entirely unique and comes with
adoption papers that include a name and a birthdate. Kids loved
them then, and they love them today. Many parents will be happy to
know that today's Cabbage Patch dolls have not been
"updated" with technology or anything of the sort.
 Cabbage Patch dolls were re-released last year. This season,
they introduced Cabbage Patch Kids Babies, such as the one
at right. These adorable dolls come with a kit of baby accessories
(including a diaper), and they smell like baby powder!
Note that you
can order these dolls through Toys R Us (see link directly below
this description) by choosing a general description of the doll,
such as "Blonde Hair Girl, Pink Sweatsuit", but because
each doll is one-of-a-kind, the eyes, hair styles, and faces will
be different than those shown.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: All Cabbage Patch Dolls
at Amazon.com (Toys R Us)]
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 Nintendo DS
One of the
hottest new items is the Nintendo DS,
a portable gaming system that is the next step in the GameBoy
line. This exciting new unit features dual screens and is happily
backward-compatible with GameBoy Advance games. There are two cartridge slots
on the unit: one slot for the GameBoy Advance
cartridges, and another for the smaller DS game cartridges. The
new wireless connectivity feature is impressive. We have seen the
wireless feature in games like Pokemon Leaf Green and Fire
Red,
and the DS has a built-in feature that supports this exciting
technology. Effectively with the technology built into the
Nintendo DS, players will be able to play games with touch (touch
screen) and voice (microphone), monitor two-screen action, and
compete wirelessly with others. Of course, DS games will take
advantage of the unit's technology. Kid-friendly DS titles that
have already been announced include such titles as Animal
Crossing, Pokemon Dash, Frogger, and Super Mario 64. Super Mario
64 DS was released the same day as the unit.
Launch date
was November 21st, and the Nintendo DS holds a suggested retail
price of $149.99 US.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Nintendo DS
at Amazon.com]
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 Leapster
L-Max
Last year's Leapster has already been updated. The
Leapster L-Max is a handheld portable unit that mimics
Nintendo's GameBoy, but with important differences that make it
not only more kid-friendly, but exceptionally more educational as
well. The comparatively large screen is also a touch screen, and
kids interact with the games by using a directional pad and an
attached stylus. Game cartridges, available separately, offer
children "edutaining" games that support learning. What's the
main difference between the Leapster and the Leapster L-Max?
Besides a slightly less bulky unit, the L-Max can be played as
a portable or can be plugged into the TV and played on both the
little and "big" screens. The unit is backwards compatible -- the
original Leapster game cartridges can be played on the new unit.
Most of the original games play on both the portable and TV
screens, while some only play on the handheld. Read
our full review of the
L-Max here.
[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Leapster L-Max]
 Leapster
The original Leapster is still available, and, since the release
of the L-Max, can usually be found at a reduced price. See our full review
of this product.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy Leapster
at Amazon.com]
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 Fisher Price Read With Me
DVD System
This exciting
electronic unit by Fisher Price offers kids the chance to watch
specially designed DVDs, featuring popular characters and classic
stories, and
interact along with them in educational ways. Designed in
conjunction with Scholastic, the system includes
the hardware itself and a bonus DVD, along with activity cards, a
DVD case, and a kid-friendly remote control. This DVD-based
learning system requires that you own a DVD player. Additional DVD
software titles must be purchased separately. These include
classic storybooks such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Dr. Seuss, and
more. Children place the activity card over
the wireless Read with Me controller and answer educational
questions. Over 100 questions are programmed into each DVD, so
children are kept stimulated and enjoy different experiences each
time they watch.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Fisher Price Learning: Read with Me DVD System with "The Little Engine That Could" Rom
or Fisher Price Learning: Read with Me DVD System with "Where The Wild Things Are" Rom
at Amazon.com]
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VideoNow Color
Personal Video Player
This
fun system allows kids to watch Video Now videos (on
PVD) on the go. It comes in a variety of colors (only
orange is pictured), and VideoNow video discs are sold
separately for approximately $6-$9 a piece. The system
works well and is handy for car trips, for example,
both short and long. ( A VIDEONOW Color Car Adaptor
is also available for the latter.) BUT, if you have a
Nintendo GameBoy Advance or DS, buy videos for that unit.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: VIDEONOW Color Personal Video Player: Sapphire
at Amazon.com]
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 V
Smile
The
concept is excellent: the V.Smile is an electronic
learning system designed for children too young for
traditional video games. The colorful unit plugs into the TV
and accepts software in the form of cartridges (called
Smartridges). Children use the unit's large, kid-friendly
joystick to interact with the software. Parents
of young children, especially those with older siblings,
know that their preschoolers are itching to play video games
like the "big kids". The V Smile offers
games that truly play like video games, but feature a
distinct educational component at the same time.
The
unit comes with one software title, a Smartridge called Alphabet
Park Adventure. Additional Smartridges, many of which
feature popular licensed characters such as Winnie the Pooh
and Scooby Doo, are sold separately. This makes an exciting
gift.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: V-Smile
at Amazon.com]
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More Hot Toys:
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 Elmo
Shout, E-L-M-O
Dancing Plush, and Potty Elmo
A
new novelty Elmo plush doll seems to be released each year.
This time around, it's Elmo Shout. We didn't include
this one in our gift guides for a couple reasons: although
it grabs kids' attention for a few days, its novelty appeal
dies out rapidly for most; and, it's not very "huggable". We
actually prefer last year's model because the Shout model
seems to topple over more frequently. Despite its "hot"
status, we'd skip this one.
It's
definitely a novelty item, but the E-L-M-O Dancing Plush is
sure to appeal at least for awhile. Battery-operated
Elmo sings and dances the old hit,  YMCA, to the delight of
little ones.
If your child loves Elmo, and you'd prefer
something a little more practical and instructional, consider Sesame Street Potty Elmo.
Elmo pretends to drink water, and then requests to be placed
on the potty. Toilet flushing and sipping sounds are
featured, and no "real" water is involved.
Essentially, this toy turns Elmo into a role model, and is
meant to encourage children to learn to go potty.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Sesame Street: Shout Elmo E-L-M-O Dancing Plush
or Sesame Street Potty Elmo
]
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 Aqua
Doodle
The concept is really fun. This large mat allows kids to
doodle without mess. The drawings disappear after a minute
or so, and the mat is ready for new doodles. The reason why
this fun toy didn't make it to our gift guide lists is due
to the fact that the mat comes with only one specially
designed pen holder. We would have liked the mat to be
equipped with more supplies so that kids (more than one!)
could enjoy their product fully right from the box. A stamp
set, which includes extra pen holders is available
separately, but in our opinion, should have been included
with the original product.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Aquadoodle
at Amazon.com]
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 Nintendo's GameCubeWe
recommend this console system to all families with
young children who are looking for an entertaining,
affordable, and durable video game system. Note: We
recommend this product in our Family Gift
Guide. It's
not in our top ten only to make room for other, newer
products. However, our recommendation is
whole-hearted. This system doesn't boast as many
games as the other systems, but the ones that do
exist for the GameCube are mostly E-rated games, and
kids truly love them. This console is hardy,
durable, and very satisfying for kids in the under-13
age range.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: NGC Super Smash Bros. Melee Bundle (best buy, because it comes with the console, a game, and a
controller) or Nintendo Gamecube Console - Limited Edition Platinum
(affiliate links) at Amazon.com]
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Tamagotchi Connection
Tamagotchi
virtual pets are back with all-new features. This new breed
of Tamagotchi pets features infrared technology that allows
them to communicate with up to 50 other Tamagotchi. There is
a Lights Off feature that should help minimize the stress
that the old Tamagotchi caused some children. Kids still
need to feed, clean up after, play with, and discipline
their virtual pets in order to keep them alive and well. Why
didn't we recommend this toy in our gift guides? Our gift
guides feature our most recommended toys. Tamagotchi
Connection didn't make it simply because we still find the
toy stresses children out, especially younger kids. Of
course, every child is different and responds to this type
of toy in unique ways. However, we found that the care
required to keep Tamagotchi thriving is a little too
challenging, and many kids, especially sensitive ones, don't
need that kind of stress to keep a pet "alive".
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Tamagotchi Connection:Pink with Orange Stars
or see all Tamagotchi Connection Toys
(affiliate links) at Amazon.com]
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 Namco II Ms. Pacman with 5 TV
Games
We love the concept of this toy. The
idea is that kids and families can enjoy some of the 80's classic
arcade games, with Ms. Pacman as the standout game, on their TV
without the need for a video game system. We liked the fact that it
is rather affordable as well. However, this toy didn't make it to
our top recommendations because the joystick is not as responsive as
we would have liked, and there was some level of disappointment for
parents who were hoping for a version that was more true to the
original. This is not a bad buy, but because of these issues, we did
not include the toy in our gift guides.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Namco II: Ms Pac-Man with 5 TV Games
(affiliate link) at Amazon.com]
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Elmo Live is a plush toy of Elmo, who, from his sitting
position, crosses his legs, bobbles his head from side to side,
tells jokes as his mouth flaps right on cue, sings songs, and even
plays games. Kids activate this extraordinarily true-to-life plushie
by squeezing his hands, nose, or feet.
Fur Real Friends
