Interactive toys seem to be the pick of the year when it comes to playthings, according to Toy Wishes magazine. The magazine last week flagged 12 toys as the “Hot Dozen” for 2005those predicted to be most in demand and likely the hardest to findat its Four Annual Toy Wishes Holiday Preview at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.
The top 12 list included Black Belts Karate Home Studio by Spin Master. Kids ages three and up can get moving learning the basics of karate via DVD or VHS. The product will sell for $24.99.
Dora’s Talking Kitchen was another Toy Wishes gem. The kitchen, which mimics the one Dora has on her TV show, includes lights, sounds and phrases with more than 25 pieces. The Fisher-Price toy retails for $79.99.
Jakks Pacific’s Hot Wheels Assortment is a sure favorite, securing a spot on the Hot Dozen list. The toy line includes stunt ramps, deluxe sets, rapid-fire launchers and high-tech, radio-controlled vehicles. The toys sell for $4.99 to $39.99.
Hasbro’s Furby was named a Hot Dozen for its revival of the 1980’s favorite talking creature. The refreshed toy, which sells for $39.99, seems more real than ever with advanced technology that lets its express its moods and “listen” to its owner.
Technology also found its way to the pet world and another Hot Dozen item with Hasbro’s I-Dog, a robotic pooch that has an insatiable diet for music. The animated dog, which sells for $29.99, responds with lights, sounds and movement to music.
Zizzle’s iZ, a new toy that lets kids make their very own music, was another Hot Dozen favorite. Kids can twist and turn iZ’s ear and antennae and pose the creature to make beautiful music. The toy can also be hooked up to an iPod. iZ retails for $39.99.
Other items on the Hot Dozen list include:
Leapster’s L-Max Learning Game (LeapFrog/kids pre-K through 4th grade/$99.99)
The Magnetix World (Rose Art/ages six years and up/prices vary)
Pixel Chix (Mattel/ages seven years and up/$29.99)
Shell Shocker (Tyco/ages eight years and up/$79.99)
VCam Now (Hasbro/ages eight years and up/$79.99)
V.Smile Pocket (VTech/ages five years and up/system $89.99, games $19.99)
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