Best toys for every age



More on The Shine: Check out another episode of the best gifts for the entire family this holiday season.

Wondering what toys to buy your kids this holiday season? Toy expert and president of ToyInsider.com , Laurie Schacht has rounded up the best toys for every age for 2012.   Laurie and her team have tested, reviewed, and played with hundreds of toys, gadgets, and games, and selected the best toys based on functionality, creativity, and educational merit.  Some of these toys may be hard to find as the holidays approach, so you may want to get started with your shopping!

Here’s Laurie’s list of top toys for 2012.

Cruise N Groove Ballapalooza  (Fisher Price) $69.99- ages  6-36 months

Baby can drop colorful balls and watch them travel through chutes. Baby can sit, crawl up, or stand developing gross motor skills. Includes music and 6 dancing lights which stimulate a baby’s senses.

Lil Princess 3 Story Enchanted Castle (Mega Bloks) $34.99 - ages 12 months +

Big, durable blocks make it easy for a child to build a fairy tale castle.  Helps develop gross motor skills and imagination.

Sesame Street Flying Super Grover 2.0 (Playskool) $29.99– ages 2+

Motion activated character comes to life when kids pick him up and “fly” him. Engages children in physical activity and creativity.

Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Wilson’s Wild Ride Deluxe Action Playset (Tomy) $49.99-$59.99 –ages 3+

Unique two story train set allows children to build a spiral 2 feet tall. Wilson shoots down the spiral when the lever is pulled.

La Dee Da (Spin Master) $19.99-ages 5+

New fashion dolls that live in the heart of NYC and attend fashion school. La Dee Da is a funky fashion label created by doll named Dee. Child can create outrageous outfits, promoting creativity and self-expression.

HEXBUG Warriors Battling Robots (Innovation First) $ 29.99 –ages 6+

Kids engage robots in battles with other HEXBUGS. Over a million different combinations of battle armor and a shock sensor that detects when a Warrior is hit in combat and it’s health weakens. Puts children in control of creative playtime.

Skylanders: Giants (Activision) $59.99 -ages 6+

More than twice the size of regular Skylanders, the Giants use their colossal scale and power to battle enemies, solve unique puzzles, and interact in the game world like never before.

 Y-Flicker (Yvolution) $99-$129 –ages 9+ (smaller version for ages 5+)

This kid powered 3-wheeled scooter gives rider a unique ride. Propelled by user side to side motion. Great exercise for everyone in the family.


More on The Shine:
Check out another episode of the best gifts for the entire family this holiday season.

The Shine's Host Allison Task is wearing:                                                                                                    Shirt, Motherhood Maternity
Jeans, Loved by Heidi Klum
Necklace, Dannijo - http://dannijo.com
Ring, Melinda Maria - http://melindamaria.com
Boots, Dolce Vita