Tookie’s: Holiday Shoppers Want To Know - What “Hot” Toys Won’t Cool Off?

Kids want the “hot” new toys for holiday, but parents worry: What happens when those holiday fads fade? Now there’s a list of exceptional toys that children will love to play with long after the holidays. Tookie’s Toys shares its “Top 20 Toys” list for Holiday 2006, compiled by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). This one-of-a-kind list is based on input from stores such as Tookie’s Toys around the country, the “toy professionals” who spend every day of the year working with consumers and kids. This daily interaction gives these
retailers unmatched, firsthand knowledge of toys that are truly compelling to both kids and parents.

“Every year, parents tell us how some of the latest, trendy toys and gadgets end up at the bottom of the toy box soon after the holidays,” said Katherine Hodges, owner of Tookie’s Toys. “But a toy from Tookie’s Toys will ignite the imagination and provide a different play experience every time the child picks it up. These unique, fun toys inspire creativity, making them favorites the children turn to again and again all year round.”

These toys also earn high approval ratings from parents and educators by helping children build developmental skills, reinforcing classroom lessons, teaching sharing and caring, and even getting kids off the couch. And, at Tookie’s Toys, parents enjoy an atmosphere that encourages creativity and play, combined with personal service and expert advice for a toy shopping experience unlike anywhere else.

Here are Tookie’s Toys’ and ASTRA’s top picks for toys this holiday season:

1. Knot a Quilt by Alex. Knot a Quilt requires no needles, no stitching, no stuffing. Just knot the fringed squares together into a colorful pattern. Make a giant 36″ x 48″ quilt in just a few hours – less if your friends give you a hand. Kit comes with 48 9″ squares of fleece in 6 bold colors. $20.

2. Bilibo Rock, spin, hide under, peek through, fill with water, wear as a shell or as a hat. These are just some of the many things kids have invented to do with a Bilibo. $30.

3. Calico Critters Baby Park and Playhouse by International Playthings. The new Calico Critters Baby Play House is custom built for the bittiest critters and comes with two completely furnished floors. Take your babies on a balloon ride from kitchen to bedroom and then send them down on the slide. For ages 3-10 Years. $59.

4. Chunky Puzzles by Melissa & Doug. New Chunky Puzzles are 2-in-1. Put the fat chunky pieces in place on the board, matching by picture and shape. Or stand them up, move them about, and play pretend. For ages 2-5 years. $12.

5. Ghost Phantom Pirate Ship by Papo from Hotaling Imports. A frightening sight to behold, this two-mast wood galleon appears sprung from the deep, full of cobwebs and cages ready to gobble up any little mariner it sees. Outfitted with an onboard prison, opening stern, and working anchor, this phantom ship of legend is sure to complete any little pirate fantasy. Figures sold separately, for ages 4-11 years. $89.

6. I Never Forget a Face by Eeboo. I Never Forget a Face Memory and Matching Game is a beautiful and challenging game for children. Made of extra sturdy laminated board. A guide to the children’s countries of origin shown on the box bottom. Illustrations by Lizzie Rockwell. For ages 3+. $20.

7. Little Builder Whimsy Block Set by Beka. This 30 piece set combines Traditional Unit Blocks, Little builder shapes, and two Whimsical Wheels. For ages 3+. $72.

8. Magna-Tiles by ValtechGo from flat to 3-D in the snap of a magnet! Magna-Tiles are amazingly simple: plastic shapes, magnetically engineered so that they attract on all sides, even when flipped around. So simple, a young child can easily create designs on a flat surface or build upright structures. For ages 3-8. $50 - $65.

9. Magneatos by Guidecraft. Now younger children can experience the fun and mystery of magnetic construction! Similar concept to popular sets made for older kids, Magneatos jumbo-sized pieces are designed for small hands. Starts at $25.

10. Micro TREK by Thames & Kosmos. High-quality microscope features 9″ die-cast metal body, 100-400-900 power objective lenses, glass zoom ocular lens, filter/aperture wheel, battery and mirror illuminated stage, and projector attachment. Kit includes prepared and blank slides, tools, and logbook. $90.

11. Mighty World by International Playthings. Mightyworld playsets foster the creativity and imagination of children by encouraging them to create, experience, and explore their own world of pretend play. Playsets provide a safe and entertaining environment for kids to explore the individual traits, relationships and roles of the characters in Mighty World, as well as the many available and possible play environments with which to build their World at Play. For ages 3+. $10-$50.

12. My First Dolls: Calins & Tidoos by Corolle. Pellet-filled so able to assume most any pose, Calin and Tidoo dolls have realistic open-close eyes, a 12″ pellet-filled light body just right for a toddler to cradle, and flexible vinyl limbs for easy dressing. Tidoo floats in the bathtub and is designed to dry quickly. Corolle dolls are completely machine washable and comes with a sweet vanilla scent. For ages 18 mos-3yrs. $27-35.

13. My First Science Kit by Scientific Explorer. The perfect science introduction for younger kids. Set up a color mixing lab, perform 10 science experiments, grow gobs of crystals in 24 different hues, and capture a rainbow in a tube. For ages 4+. $20.

14. Peacock Puppet by Folkmanis. The new Folkmanis Peacock Puppet is a full 18″ from the top of his bright blue head down to the tip of his emerald green tail feathers. Proud as a peacock, put your hand in and stretch your fingers! Wow! What a show! For ages 10 months and up. $45.

15. Play Foam by Educational Insights.Squish it, shape it, save it – then start all over again. PlayFoam is a new miracle sculpting material that never dries out. It’s lightweight, won’t crumble, and doesn’t stick to skin or surfaces. 6 PlayFoam bricks in 6 vibrant colors and an idea sheet. For ages 5-10 years. $10.

16. Sticker Factory by Alex. Sticker Factory is an amazing laminating machine that transforms plain paper pictures into smooth shiny stickers. Cut out a picture, use the stencil, or draw one of your own. Then roll it through, and voila! Factory includes 10′ rolls of sticker paper and film. By Alex for ages 5-11 years. $20.

17. RC Demolition Derby by Kid Galaxy. Drive ‘em, crash ‘em, bash ‘em and restore ‘em! Real demolition derby action. Set included two remote controlled cars. For age 7+. $32.

18. Ringgz by Blue Orange Games. Don’t be deceived by its artful appearance. Ringgz takes real skill and cunning to win. In this fast-paced strategy game, players challenge each other to win the most territories using colorful wooden rings. It’s all about finding the right balance between gaining majorities and controlling the opponents to capture victory. From the makers of Gobblet. For ages 8 to adult. $30.

19. Musical Treasure Boxes by Enchantments. Discover Your World is an enchanting musical treasure box with a twirling white horse and 4 hidden drawers, tucked into the corners. For ages 5-12 years. $35.

20. UglyDolls by Prettyugly LLC. UglyDolls are bunch of bizarre, colorful characters that have taken the U.S. by storm. Soft and huggable, each UglyDoll is about a foot high. Endearing companions for all ages, choose one to suit your own personality. For all ages. $10-$20.

This list reflects Tookie’s Toys’ and ASTRA’s commitment to the best interests of children, their healthy development and their futures, as well as their need for wholesome fun.

In addition to offering these products, Tookie’s Toys is actively involved in a multi-themed, in-store program emphasizing the healthy benefits of play and the many forms play can take. Participating stores offer games, entertainment, product promotions and informational literature for parents on such subjects as “Active Play” and “Learning Play.” This year’s holiday theme is “Caring & Sharing Play,” encouraging kids to find creative ways through toys and games to foster kindness and friendship. In addition to these materials, Tookie’s Toys co-owner, John Hodges, is available to conduct Play Seminars for groups who are interested in learning about the impat play has on the development of children. Many of the toys on ASTRA’s “Top 20” list for holiday represent these ideals.