'FamilyFun' announces top 10 toys of the year
The Record & Learn KidiStudio: Aspiring DJs from VTech can compose and record songs in free-play mode or from 20 melodies and a variety of sound effects including cheers; $39.99; ages 3 to 10; toysrus.com. Credit: VTech
"FamilyFun" magazine recently announced their Toy of the Year (T.O.Y.) 2014 award winners, tested and chosen by families across the country. And this year, all of the winners cost less than $100 each.
The top 10 toy winners were chosen based on different criteria, including their exceptional fun factor, innovation and durability. The full list can be found in the November issue of "FamilyFun" magazine, but here are the top 10 toys your children may be adding to their holiday wish lists this year.
Crayola Virtual Design Pro: Hand-drawn artwork goes high-tech in two fully loaded activity sets. The Fashion and Car collections allow kids to stretch their creativity skills and bring their designs to life in a virtual world. Kids use the free app to scan their creations into a tablet or smartphone, then customize each model or car’s look before sending them down the runway or racetrack. (Crayola; $29.99 each set; ages 6 and up; iOS and Android)
Hot Wheels RC Street Hawk: A flying car? Yup! This remote-controlled dragster soars up to 200 feet in the air. Light yet resilient, it goes from doughnuts on the driveway to aerial loops and back again. (Mattel; $59.99; ages 8 and up)
DigiBirds: The three interactive birds with cheerful songs are controlled by a whistle ring that doubles as a perch. They come programmed with 20 melodies and can be set to sing solo or as a choir. (Spin Master; $29.99; ages 5 and up)
Gyrobot: Put a spin on the science of gyroscopes by constructing this kit’s seven motorized models. Tester favorite: a robot who rolls across a tightrope. (Thames & Kosmos; $49.95; ages 8 and up)
Paper Style: Hairdos: This quirky craft book introduces 15 characters, including a mermaid, clown, vampire and pirate, all in need of a haircut. Each comes with a paper sheet of hair that kids can cut, curl, braid and crimp into mod makeovers. (Chronicle Books; $16.99; ages 8 and up)
Max Tow Truck: A monster truck equipped with a powerful electric motor and sturdy plastic chain. Max can haul up to 200 pounds. (Jakks Pacific; $59.99; ages 6 and up)
Lego Juniors: A play set for in between little-kid Duplos and more advanced sets, each themed pack, such as Construction, contains regular-size bricks alongside larger preassembled pieces, meaning easier and faster builds. (Lego; $9.99 to $49.99; ages 4 to 8)
Splish Splash Sink & Stove: After cooking a tasty pretend meal on the stove top, kids wash the included dishes and utensils in the sink with a working pump faucet. (Little Tikes; $19.99; ages 3 to 8)
Creature Clash! Card Game: This clever card game allows players to take turns creating fantastical animals by picking three cards: a front, middle and back. Next, they choose a player to attack, who then makes her own critter. The winner is determined by adding up the numerical strengths of the various creature parts. (Chronicle Books; $14.99; ages 6 and up; 2 to 6 players)
Record & Learn KidiStudio: Aspiring DJs can compose and record their own songs in free-play mode or choose from 20 melodies and a variety of sound effects including cheers. A record for scratching, a whammy bar and a pop-up mic with voice-changer are included for more music fun. (VTech; $39.99; ages 3 to 10)
