Best and worst toys this Christmas season

**homesteadmamma** · 12-01-2003, 02:24 PM

There is a program on the radio right now that is talking about best and worst toys this Christmas season.

Which toys have you seen that you think are great toys this year? Which toys have you seen that you think are a rip-off and totally a waste of money?

**AmyMCGS** · 12-02-2003, 10:23 AM

I love the Peek-A-Blocks, probably because Maria is right at that age where she wants to pick up everything and look at it. I can't wait until Santa delivers hers-- I know she'll love them!

As for a bad toy, I dunno. I stick to the baby aisle in toy departments, and it's ALL cute there.

**Guest1** · 12-02-2003, 10:33 AM

We saw a game called "Gooey Louey" or something or that sort the other day at TRU - I'll spare you the details...very disgusting if you ask me....

I kind of like the fact that the "TNT" games are making a comeback - HiHoCherrio, Mouse Trap, Life, Monopoly - actually saw PayDay, I loved that game.....

One thing that bugs me though is that some of the older games are trying to add a bit of "zing" to their game - like Twister - what was wrong with the Twister I played?! If manufacturer's keep trying to outdo the last "wow" our kids are never going to be satisfied, they will always seek more of the "wow factor" just to get the same amount of enjoyment that I used to get out of plain ol' Twister...I feel they are actually doing our kids a disservice by upping the wow-factor every couple of years.....sorry to rant....I'm down...

**MJsLady** · 12-02-2003, 10:37 AM

I agree Debbie! Like the Uno with that contraption that showers you with cards. What a waste!
With my kids beyond toy age (they are into their skateboards and pcs now) I have not paid much attention to the new toys, I do remember being glad my kids were never into the fad toys, they stuck to legos, tinker toys and hot wheels!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-02-2003, 10:39 AM

I hear you Debbie. Good point.

Lego has now put a series out for girls, where they can make jewelery, bracelets, etc. with the Lego's that are specific to girls. Not sure how that is going to go over with dd. She still loves Legos (I think because she is a designer and loves designing homes). I'm taking her out on Sat. and I'll show her the new Legos and see what she says.

I haven't gone down the toy aisles as of yet, especially with the kids being older and us having an old fashioned Christmas. But I always have an eye opener when I do go, kwim.

**paelthom** · 12-02-2003, 11:11 AM

DD asked for Gooey Louey for Christmas. The answer was NO. I avoid all gooey toys since some other goo toy managed to discolor a place on my floor in years past. Plus I am not buying a toys who has buggers coming out of his nose - GROSS.

**lucy979** · 12-02-2003, 11:18 AM

I am not too thrilled with the Bratz dolls or the Flavaz dolls. Have you seen these? They look very provacative.

**Sara Noel** · 12-02-2003, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by AmyMCGS
I love the Peek-A-Blocks, probably because Maria is right at that age where she wants to pick up everything and look at it. I can't wait until Santa delivers hers-- I know she'll love them!

As for a bad toy, I dunno. I stick to the baby aisle in toy departments, and it's ALL cute there.

I got addicted to those blocks! I don't often splurge, BUT I had to have those blocks. I bought Alexandra 5 sets, the giraffe, and the wagon.

They are such a great deal. She loves playing with them. (well she hasn't opened the wagon yet-it's for Christmas)

Oh Gooey Louie is gross!

Zachary loves his pixtar. It's one of the better gifts I have purchased for him.

Those bratz dolls are a bit over the top for me too.

Fisher price has a cute train out. Geotrax? That looks durable and cute.

**Guest1** · 12-02-2003, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by lucy979
I am not too thrilled with the Bratz dolls or the Flavaz dolls. Have you seen these? They look very provacative.

Belle was the "lucky" recipient of the "Bratz - Passion for Fashion Game" for her birthday - it's the one toy that I sneered at when she opened it....I'll apologize in advance if I seem ungrateful for a guest to her party bringing her a gift - I understand that there was no gift required or even expected....That said - I think Milton-Bradley has finally flipped their lids...."Provocative" is mild Laci....Belle is a teeny girl - she was a competative gymnast & very good at it - she's already (at 10

) got a cute little figure....I hate the way these "games & toys" fill our childrens little heads with the propoganda that states "if ya got it, flaunt it"...I know I'm the "old fashioned" type, but I staunchly disagree with the bag of goods that is being sold now-a-days....my daughters are more than the sum total of the amount of skin they show - they are not an object to be ogled....I seek to raise them to know that by "flaunting it" they can lead others to stumble....Thankfully Will had adopted this theory & has, in the past, offered his coat to a girl that was exposing her mid-drift and then some and was sporting a neckline that had absolutely nothing to do with her neck and was being cat-called by some guys at the bowling alley - she was obviously upset at some of the comments being made & I'll be honest - my first thoughts were "where's your mother" & "don't you look in the mirror before you leave the house" but Will walked over, told her that she was a very pretty girl & that she didn't need to dress like that as he threw his coat around her.....We later found out that she was 14 - the guys were soldiers in AIT and very crude....All of this to say - kids learn what they live and when all media is focused on body image, an entire side of the whole person is disregarded.....there's a beauty that cannot be seen if you get wrapped up solely in "skin"....

sorry - down again....

**mtjsmom** · 12-02-2003, 01:27 PM

I guess i'm in the minority..my 9 yr old loves The Bratz Dollz, I have spent a small fortune on this stuff for Christmas..I think they are cute.

Carol

Ps I am not the only one either the Bratz doll line won all kind of awards last year as best new toy ect..