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Big Action Construction Site
Maker: Fisher-Price
Age: 2.5 and up
Price: $60
This set captures the almost-universal appeal that construction sites have for children and comes with a remote control truck that's easy for a preschooler to use. A few simple commands lets kids haul boulders up ramps and onto elevators and -- for parents -- all the pieces pack away in the set for easy storage.
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Age: 5 and up
Price: $4.99-$19.99
The makers of ZhuZhu pets have come up with a new toy line that is also based on a simple, yet catchy idea: Collect the rubber-coated ball bearings, each with a different design and weight, and race them on a track. Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlayMag.com, calls it "marbles meets racing." Individual DaGeDars retail for less than $5, but of course there is a large collection of add-ons that are sold separately, like spinners, cannons and carrying cases.
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FyrFlyz
Maker: i-Star Entertainment
Age: 8 and up
Price: $7.99
It may take a little while to get the hang of it, but this glorified yo-yo lights up in the dark with multi-color LEDs. Those who know their way around "walk the dog" or "baby in the cradle" tricks will have no problem making figure eights, rings and so on for some good high-tech, but old-fashioned, fun in the dark.
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Hot Wheels Wall Tracks
Maker: Mattel
Age: 4 and up
Price: $29.99
Hot Wheels have been racing around on living room and basement floors for nearly 43 years, but this year they will be climbing the walls. Instead of laying tracks down on the floor, this set comes with an adhesive for attaching to the wall. Kids can race their cars from the ceiling to the ground and parents can reclaim their valuable floor space. TimetoPlayMag.com's Silver makes just one cautionary note: Be sure to follow the instructions when taking the tracks down, so you don't take the paint down, too.
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Age: 4 and up
Price: $79.99
For anyone who has had to wrestle their iPad from their children's hands, this tablet may be the perfect present. InnoTab is a scaled-down version and comes with kid-friendly apps like an e-reader, art pad, coloring book and even an organizer to keep track of all those after-school activities, just like mom and dad do.
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Lalaloopsy Silly Hair Jewel Sparkles
Maker: MGA Entertainment
Age: 4 and up
Price: $34.99
The Lalaloopsy dolls are back this year with a "twist," literally: New addition Jewel Sparkles has bendable, plastic hair that girls can curl or straighten with a barrel brush and beaded hair accessories (included). Even the tail on the accompanying kitten can be twisted and styled too -- just don't get any ideas for the family pet.
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Lazer Stunt Chaser Dragon Fire
Maker: Thinkway Toys
Age: 4 and up
Price: $39.99
Instead of your standard remote-control car, this one follows a laser light you point and shoot on the floor. It's easier for little kids to handle while more experienced drivers can use the ramp for jumps and tricks. Just be sure to charge it after every play session, 30 minutes on the dock only yields about 15 minutes of driving time.
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LeapPad Explorer
Maker: LeapFrog
Age: 4 and up
Price: $99.99
Tablets are big this year and this one is surprisingly sophisticated for a little kid's toy. It offers e-books, games, art and a built-in camera and video recorder. The LeapPad adjusts the reading and math levels automatically according to each child's ability and parents can add in math assignments or spelling lists that get incorporated into the games. Only three apps are included, but many more can be downloaded (at an additional cost).
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LEGO Alien Conquest
Maker: LEGO
Age: 7 and up
Price: $3.49-$119.99
Where would a hot toy list be without at least one set of Legos? This year, the company introduced an entire line of models to create an alien invasion, including mother ship, launch station, jet copter and car. Once assembled, the UFO and mother ship light up and spin and each come with figurines, or rather, alien troopers.
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LEGO Ninjago
Maker: LEGO
Age: 8 and up
Price: $3.49-$119.99
The ninja line of Legos features elaborate castles, a temple, bamboo forest and ice dragon. But the fun isn't just in the assembly, the mini-figures, like the Dragon Ninja Kai and Garmadon come with spinners and playing cards to enact battle scenes between good and evil.
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Lite Sprites
Maker: WowWee
Age: 4 and up
Price: $19.99
Load colors onto the magic wand by holding it up to a picture, paint chip or even your shirt. Then transfer the color to the little sprite figurine by pointing the wand and pressing a button. The little sprite, which lives in a forest pod, then "magically" lights up and changes color depending on the color of the wand. Although it's geared for younger children, even parents will find this simple trick cool.
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The Logo Board Game
Maker: Spin Master
Age: 12 and up
Price: $24.99
Do you know the maker of the coppertop battery? If you're familiar with the country's top brands like McDonald's, Reebok or Skittles, chances are you'll be pretty good at this game that challenges players to identify the makers behind popular logos and slogans. It's great for older kids or for family game night. And the best part? No Duracells required.
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Monster High Dead Tired
Maker: Mattel
Age: 6 and up
Price: $11.99
It may be a little morbid but these dolls are supposed to represent the spunky offspring of famous monsters like Dracula and Frankenstein. They're dressed and ready for a sleepover party, even though they're "dead tired." Coffins and other accessories are sold separately.
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Nerf Vortex
Maker: Hasbro
Age: 8 and up
Price: $9.99-$44.99
Nerf does it again with the newest and latest blasters that can pummel targets up to 75 feet away. This year's versions of the popular play guns shoot discs instead of darts. Another welcome change: There are four different models offered at a range of price points, starting at just $9.99. (The more expensive models hold multiple disc clips for fully automatic action.)
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Redakai
Maker: Spin Master
Age: 6 and up
Price: $5.99- $19.99
Unlike your old Pokemon trading cards, this version from Spin Master has 3-D effects and includes an X-drive so you can battle against other opponents on a quest to find the Kairu. Confused? An animated series on Cartoon Network explains the tale.
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Spy Net Stealth Video Glasses
Maker: Jakks Pacific
Age: 8 and up
Price: $39.99
These "sunglasses" are actually a secret camera and video recording device for spies in training. Film parents or friends on the sly or shoot up to 2,000 pictures with no one the wiser. Videos and photos can be uploaded to a computer with the USB connection included but blackmailing is discouraged.
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3D Breakthrough Puzzle - Classic Mickey Mouse
Maker: MEGA Brands
Age: 8 and up
Price: $19.99
It took about a century, but finally there's a new dimension to the classic jigsaw puzzle. After completing the first part of the puzzle, there are specially-designed pieces and clips to build the 3-D components. The end result is striking but this activity could take six-to-seven hours from start to finish and once assembled and glued, cannot be deconstructed.
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