The Hot New Toy For Christmas is...

[mom23boys]

Go ahead and flame me, but all 3 of my kids (3, 4, and 6) have mp3 players...got 'emlast year for Christmas and paid about $20 each...NOT the expensive iPods, but these hold about 50 - 100 songs each. They all love them and I swear by them. Think about it...CDs and pre-schoolers just do not match! LOL Seriously, no more damaged, scratched disks, etc.

No flames here my middle DS (6) has wanted an MP3 player for a couple of years now. After DH got one he wanted one too. He does have DH old one but is getting an upgrade for Christmas. I found one at Best Buy that holds 60 songs and also is a FM radio. He loves music. Now we will pass the old MP3 to the little man (DS3). Oldest DS (11) is getting a Nano.

 

[bugbugmom]

BugBugMom-

Now you have me worried. I just ordered the Go Go TV from TRU for $60.00, but now you say it was on clearance at Target. That makes me wonder if it is not a very good toy. Target on-line says they won't even have it in stock for 2-6 weeks. Weird, I wonder what is with that? Hmm. Does anybody already have this toy? Any opinions on it.

McKelly, I'm not sure about the Go Go TV. My DS5 has been asking about it. I looked at some reviews at TRU and it seems to be okay. The only thing I can think of why it was on clearance @ Target...maybe it wasn't selling particularly well at this store.

 

[jeancbpugh]

I know the gamecube games will play in the new Nintendo Revolution but they didn't say if the gameboy games will still work or not???

I don't know. My boys have the game link cable to link their gameboys to the GameCube, but they don't use it much.

From the Nintendo website:
Nintendo GameCube with Game Boy Advance
Link Game Boy Advance to a Nintendo GameCube for incredible gameplay that's unique to Nintendo. To take advantage of this kind of Connectivity, you'll need a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable and a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP. In some cases you will need both the Nintendo GameCube game and a specific Game Boy Advance game. Note: Does not apply to Game Boy micro.

 

[momto2inKC]

I don't know. My boys have the game link cable to link their gameboys to the GameCube, but they don't use it much.

From the Nintendo website:
Nintendo GameCube with Game Boy Advance
Link Game Boy Advance to a Nintendo GameCube for incredible gameplay that's unique to Nintendo. To take advantage of this kind of Connectivity, you'll need a Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance Cable and a Game Boy Advance or Game Boy Advance SP. In some cases you will need both the Nintendo GameCube game and a specific Game Boy Advance game. Note: Does not apply to Game Boy micro.

My kids don't use thier game links much either. The thing we bought them that hooks on the bottom of the Gamecube was about $30 or so. They like it because they just insert a gameboy game in the slot of the attachment and can use regular controllers to play. And see the game on a much bigger screen! lol

 

[welovewdw]

We are getting her more Thomas the Tank Engine stuff. She has the figure 8, expansion set, the bolder mountian set, the round house, etc. But they are very durable (how would you break that track!) and she can use her imagination all she wants. Some times Dad has to play and it is all down hill from there. (Imagine animals on the tracks, damsils in distress, etc.)

My ds, now 14 almost 15 , had tons of this and brio - SO worth the money - he played with it for YEARS! the key in our case was to keep adding new stuff every b-day/xmas - he would build really elaborate track layouts that went from room to room - we probably have a scary amount invested in that. Now packed in attic... Highly recommend this - I think he still played with it occasionally up to age 10. (obviously not as much by then but he would still "help his sister build" LOL)

 

[mom2dil]

momto2inKc-
Where did you get the attachement for the gameboy and do you know what it is called? I would love to get one for my son!
Thanks!

 

[LisaNJ25]

They actually just had a supposed top toy list on the radio this morning.
They listed 10 items that are supposed to be top sellers for the holiday season. Of the one's I can remember:

Thomas The Train Aqua Doodle
Talking Dora Kitchen
Tumbling Elmo (something like that)
The newest GBA-- I forget what they called this version
Furby- I thought this was a joke- then I noticed a massive display at my Walmart today.
A Bratz Doll Party Tour Bus

Thats all I can remember for now.

I just saw a commecial for the fubies today. I was like Oh no.. they are back??

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

momto2inKc-
Where did you get the attachement for the gameboy and do you know what it is called? I would love to get one for my son!
Thanks!

It's called a GameBoy Player. They have them at GameStop but you can probably find it at any place that sells GameCube. I thought they were a little pricey ($50) when you can get the GameBoy Link Cable for $10. Here's a picture of the GameBoy Player (it's the flat thing beneath the GameCube):

 

[ttfn3]

It's interesting to see what everyone is planning on getting their kids for the holidays. My DS is pretty easy to please - but I like to find him something cool every year.

I couldn't figure out what the yo stick did. I did a google search and found this site with a link to a commercial. It's pretty cool. Looks like you need to make sure you have some room to use it.

http://www.extremespin.com/skilltoys.html

I also like to get games. One of our favorite family games to RACKO. It's inexpensive - and fun. It's addictive.

Books are also a favorite. The Magic Treehouse series is a great one for kids.

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

I looked this up and it looks like something my DD would like, what age group do you think this is for ?? thanks for the idea !

My dd just turned 10 last week. If you go to amazon.com and put in the name of the toy, they have a great description of it and about 14 reviews from girls that have it already - all glowing reports. I would say probably 4th grade on up?

 

[mom2dil]

It's called a GameBoy Player. They have them at GameStop but you can probably find it at any place that sells GameCube. I thought they were a little pricey ($50) when you can get the GameBoy Link Cable for $10. Here's a picture of the GameBoy Player (it's the flat thing beneath the GameCube):

Thanks so much! My son is going to LOVE this- I am picking one up this week!

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I love reading this thread! Thanks for the great ideas everyone!

I picked up Dream Life for DD - I think that she will love it. She got a Nintendo DS with Nintendogs for her birthday this month and she LOVES it!!

DS may be getting either a mini ipod or nano - along with some games for his NintendoDS and PS2. Animal Crossing is coming out for DS and Kingdom Hearts 2 for PS2.

If I see anything new and exciting that hasn't been mentioned here I will post

 

[Disneycrazymom]

I still have my Furby. He rides on the dash of my car. When we go around the corners he says "Whooooooo, Again!" I laugh at him everyday. Maybe Santa will bring Mama a new one!

 

[KeepSwimming]

I'm shopping for the younger set as well.

My DD4 (almost 5) is getting some v-tech games for her game system, an easy bake oven, some new board games, a doctor check up table/kit for her baby dolls, and some other smaller items.

The big item she has been BEGGING for for over a year, and is finally ready for is her own cat. Any recommendations/ suggestions for a first time cat owner? A little OT, but I am extremely intimidated.

 

[westjones]

We ordered our twin DDs the Nano iPods from the iPod website and they have free engraving, so they will have their names on the back. I didn't order the skins (since we had them engraved), but now I am hearing how they scratch easily so I am hoping that Best Buy has the skins before Christmas.

I think they will like having their names engraved and that way if someone else picks it up (since it sounds like a lot of kids are getting these) it will be easy to determine who it belongs to.

DJ

 

[Jsme]

FYI~we picked up a free GameCube 2 years ago. I had to get up early the Friday after Thanksgiving and I had to upgrade my Satelite TV/Directv System but I got a free Gamecube for my efforts. Circuit City offered this. I had no problems with getting it. Dropped DH off at Best Buy and I went to Circuit City. No one was there for it, so I had no problem. Yes I got there super early but I was out of the store in 15 minutes.

DS wanted the new handheld PSP last year. So I got up and was at Best Buy 30 minutes before they opened and got in line for one. No problem but they sold out while I was there.

Now he wants the new Xbox. I guess we will be at Best Buy early when they come out. Does anyone know the offical release date for these?

DD wants a Furby. I put it on layaway yesterday. Except for the Xbox I plan on having all of shopping done at the end of the month.

 

[rsschneck]

We decided to upgrade DD's GB Advance this week. She HAD to buy the new Bratz Rock Angelz game and we saw the new GB micro and Nintendo DS.

The micro is $99.99 and DD really wanted this because of the size and the screen picture was incredible. DH and Myself liked the Nintendo DS because it is the newest and will be DSL wireless web compatible. So, kids will be able to play online with other kids. She got the Nintendogs and has been playing it non-stop. This system is $129.99.

DD already had bought her Bratz Rock Angelz so she did not have a lot of money left. We worked out a deal. We traded in her old GB Advance and all of her OLD GB color games ($34 trade in value). She had $30 in cash and agreed to forfit the rest of her allowances until January 2006. DH and I paid for the upgrade cost to the DS system. DD is almost 9 and an only child. We try to teach her the value of a dollar and she had to pay for this system herself. Now she can put some new DS games on her Christmas list. I have to say this system is really cool! Dual screen and she has had to read a lot of the instructions and online information. She feels like she got a new puppy and our house isn't detroyed .

Both of the new systems are so cool I think a lot of kids will be putting them on their Christmas lists.

 

[ceecee]

Does anyone remember Amazing Ally (or Maddie) from 6 or so years ago??? That looks just like Amazing Amanda! We got one for DD but she never even played with it. Just sold her and all the accessories at the garage sale for $5.00.

 

[jsksjs]

Amanda has more features. She can recognize her "mommy's voice, and will repond to it, Her facial expressions reflect her emotions, she knows the date/time , And more. I dont believe the Alley doll was like this, was she?

 

[NotUrsula]

For the poster who asked about the cat: Give your child an IOU for the cat on Christmas, perhaps with a couple of cat toys and a feeding dish, etc. Do not actually get the cat until Christmas is over, and preferably not until your tree has come down (Xmas trees can be dangerous for cats; they try to climb them, and some decorations can be deadly if swallowed, esp. plastic icicles.)

You might want to have your child study up on cats before kitty comes home; one of the most important points is that cats are not dolls, and they have minds of their own. They are cute and soft, but tend to be less tolerant of being "played with" than dogs are. Your child should learn how to properly pet and hold a cat before she gets her own; it makes a huge difference in the animal's tolerance for interacting with the child. Cats that won't tolerate being held are really frustrating for children who live with them.

Personally, I recommend going to the humane society or the like to get a cat; a friendly mixed breed should be a fine cat for a child. If you don't want to deal with grooming a longhair, don't get one, but realize that all cats tend to shed. Pick a shelter that has interaction rooms, and spend at least about 30 minutes with your likely cat before deciding. Mature animals can sometimes be a better choice than a kitten because they are not as likely to nip or scratch when frightened, but a mature animal that is not fond of kids will let you know it in a one-on-one interaction; they will try very hard to avoid interacting with a child, even one that is making an effort to be gentle. These cats may still make fine pets, but are probably not best-suited to living with a child.

While cats are more self-sufficient than dogs, they still take some work to successfully own, so be prepared to adjust. Some people will tell you that you MUST own multiple cats, but I believe that a single cat can be just fine in a household where it gets as much human interaction as it wishes to have.