2006 Christmas Hot Toys

Toys for Young Children

Classic toys like board games, dolls, toy cars, and puzzles are always a hit with young children. However, the hottest toys of 2006 use the latest technology to promote interactive play.

If you’ve been paying any attention at all to the desires of the preschool set, you’ll know that T.M.X. Elmo is one of the top 2006 Christmas hot toys. This updated version of 1996’s hit Tickle Me Elmo slaps his belly, falls forward with his butt sticking out, kicks his legs, and stands back up -- all while laughing hysterically.

Kids who love to draw are asking for the Fisher Price Spark Art Easel. At first glance, it looks like an expensive version of the easel you may remember playing with as a child. However, this toy features dry-erase sheets, media magnets, 3D models, interactive activities, and over 600 sounds. It’s recommended for children ages three to ten, and several supplemental activity kits are available for purchase.

If your child is always begging to play with your digital camera, add the Fisher Price Kid Tough Digital Camera to your list of 2006 Christmas hot toys. Available in pink or blue, this extremely durable camera lets kids ages three and up take their own 4x6 snapshots.

Kids who love music, but aren’t old enough for an iPod, will love the Fisher Price Kid Tough FP3 Song and Story Player. Available in pink or blue, this handy gadget features easy-to-use controls, over 30 minutes of pre-downloaded content, and an SD card slot for expandable memory.

Toys for ‘Tweens and Teens

What do ‘tweens and teens want for Christmas? While this group can be notoriously difficult to buy for, the task is easier when you remember that anything high-tech is guaranteed to be a hit.

As you might expect, iPods and iPod accessories continue to top the wish lists of many ‘tweens and teens. The iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle are hot among younger kids, while older and more responsible teens are lusting after new releases like the fifth generation iPod video. If that’s too far out of your budget, opt for an iTunes gift certificate.

The recently released Nintendo Wii is fun for the young and the young at heart. As an added bonus, parents who are worried about video games contributing to a lack of physical activity will be pleased to see that the Nintendo Wii’s innovative controller is designed to make movement mandatory for most games.

Although the Playstation 3 is definitely a pricey Christmas gift, this new console tops the list of 2006 Christmas hot toys for the video game enthusiast. Sonic the Hedgehog, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Madden NFL ‘07, and Tony Hawk’s Project 8 are just a few of the games that will be available for this system during the holiday season.

Finding the 2006 Christmas Hot Toys

Unfortunately, it’s often a difficult task to find some of the 2006 Christmas hot toys. High demand frequently means a short supply and inflated prices. However, the following shopping tips might help you score that one special Christmas gift:

• Brave the mall on Black Friday. Many stores put out their most desirable merchandise during this time.
• Ask around to find out when shipments arrive at your favorite retailer and plan your shopping trip for that day.
• Shop often! Many stores will sell out of a hot toy the same day it arrives.
• Ask to pay in advance or get on a reservation list.
• If you’re willing to pay above retail price, try eBay.