Little Things Mean A Lot…
Over the last decade the play mavens at The Toy Insider have pointed the way to some of the best gift choices for kids. Categorized by appropriate age range, with information on manufacturers, TI’s Hot 20 and STEM 10 lists are Cliff’s Notes for holiday toy shoppers.
This year The Toy Insider added a new list that we think is a perfect compliment to the group. 12 Under $12 presents us with a dozen options for less than twelve dollars, for children under 12 years old. It’s a primer for quality gifts at a value price point.
These suggestions will hopefully keep you from making dubious decisions at the dollar store during the inevitable 11th hour shopping panic. They’re also perfect purchases if you’re inclined to keep a stash of “just in case” gifts in the back closet because Valentine’s Day always seems to creep up unexpectedly after the holiday rush. Additionally, any of these goodies would sit proudly next to a chocolate rabbit in an Easter basket.
Be sure to check out the complete 2019 Toy Insider Gift Guide online.
• Preschool (3-4 yrs)
5 Surprise Mini Brands, Zuru Toys, 4+
Cry Babies Magic Tears, IMC Toys, 3+
Cutetitos Babitos Series 1 & Cutetitos Series 3, Basic Fun!, 3+
Fluffy Clouds Jar, WeCool Toys, 4+
Nanables, Jazwares, 3+
Piñata Fiesta</strong,> Jakks Pacific, 4+
• Grade School (5-7 yrs)
Foodie Surprise, Redwood Ventures, 6+
Jixelz, Fat Brain Toys, 6+
Müshmeez, Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company, 7+
Pop Pop Hair Surprise, MGA Entertainment, 6+
Unboxme Girls, Jay@Play, 6+
• Tweens (8+)
Morphimals, ORB Toys, 8+
SkeletonPete Says…
Favorites? Sure. As someone who loves to point a macro lens at the tiniest of tiny things Jazwares’ minuscule Nanables make for a fun photo op.
Jixelz Puzzles from Fat Brain Toys have an 8 bit charm I really like and in keeping with the trend toward infant everything (insert Baby Yoda meme here) the new Babitos versions of Cutetitos, animal plushes wrapped in burrito like blankets, from Basic Fun!, make me smile.