![]() Give kids a flat surface, get them to rotate the steering wheel, and watch them go! Holds up to 220 pounds on flat surfaces, so even adults can try this one. W "PlasmaCar" (PlaSmart, $70) - An intriguing example of how physics can entertain, the sleek PlasmaCar has no pedals or batteries, but runs on "inertia, centrifugal force, and friction," according to its maker. This beautiful wooden set is pricey but offers years of creative play. ![]() W "Small World Living Wooden Kitchen Appliances" (Small World Toys, $124 up each). Toddlers will have fun placing weighted balls and animal figures at the tower's top and watching them zoom down the spiral slide. W "Super Spiral Play Tower" (International Playthings, $32). ![]() Best of all, they nest inside each other when playtime is done. Each of these graduated size cubes features a different castle room. W "My Stack & Play Castle Building Blocks" (WJ Fantasy, $22). Unlike many other play mats, this one offers soothing but still active play. The Oppenheims say this is a "must have" for the baby-shower list. W "Gymini Total Playground Kick & Play" (Tiny Love, $69). Each page has a different texture for baby to feel, plus movable fabric pieces or a sound-effects button. W "Out My Window Soft Book" (Manhattan Baby, $15). Each side of this plush cube has the face of a different animal who will sing or make noises - unless you turn off the sound. W "Magical Music Cube" (Ravensburger, $17). Many of these toys can be found at major retailers like Toys 'R Us others can be purchased at specialty toy stores. Other sources include the "Platinum" winners in the "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2006 edition" and the "hot toys" lists published by various magazines, including Toy Wishes, Family Fun (which uses kid testers), Parenting (which uses mom testers) and Parents. Much of the list is drawn from information gathered during two days at the February Toy Fair, where this year's holiday toys were previewed. Here are some of the year's best toys - both high-tech and traditional. There's nothing wrong with a videogame as long as you balance it with a different kind of toy." ![]() While most of the "Hot Dozen" toys on his annual list are electronic, "Toy Wishes" magazine publisher and toy-industry expert Jim Silver stresses that "it's important to balance the toy box. This year, we give the industry an 'A' because there are better choices across the board," said Stephanie Oppenheim, co-author, with her mother Joanne Oppenheim, of the annually published "Oppenheim Toy Portfolio." "Generally, we are very critical of the toy industry. In fact, two of the top toys on many experts' lists this year are traditional playthings: the "Knights' Empire Castle" by Playmobil and "Quadrilla," an intriguing wooden raceway for marbles from the HaPe company. ![]() Santa's sleigh is top-heavy with high-tech toys this holiday season, filled with electronic gizmos ranging from kid-geared cell phones and video cameras to an interactive DVD version of "Candy Land."īut the sleigh's also got plenty of toys offering non-battery-powered play. This season, look for "Hand Art," "Rescue Trucks," "Tea Parties," "How to Make Pompom Animals" and "Shadow Games." SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICEĬhicken Socks is a wonderful new Klutz line for preschoolers. With "Capsters," kids create art from bottle caps. Kids build a castle from cards in "Building Cards: How To Build Castles." SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE ![]()
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