Toy Trends | Zhu Zhu Hamsters Toy Hit of Holiday Shopping Season

Toy Trends

Zhu Zhu Hamsters continue to be the hit of the holiday toy season, and with good reason: they create a strong emotion and attachment in those using them.

Not only do Zhu Zhu's draw on human emotions, but have a few themselves; each one with a unique personality and likes. Even the interesting names like "Mr. Squiggles," "Num Nums," Pipsqueek," and "Chunk" make you feel like you know them some.

Not only can you enjoy the little Zhu Zhu hamsters, but there are a ton of accessories you can use to create a great play city if you choose to. There are things like a car and garage, slide and ramp, sleep dome, and numerous other things you can add to the fun.

Another interesting element to the interaction is some of the hamsters prefer to be loved on, and chatter away when they're spend time with, while others prefer to explore, and they'll run around at any excuse or curiosity.

Great fun! Just be sure if you find one you get one, as they're getting harder and harder to acquire the closer you get to Christmas because of the extraordinary popularity of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters.

Toy Trends

Toy Trends | Mini Polaris Ranger RZR

Toy Trends

Now why didn't they have something like the mini Polaris Ranger RZR when I was a kid? Oh, well, now I can live vicariously through my children as they travel on almost any type of outdoor terrain with this very cool ride-on vehicle based on the Polaris Ranger RZR.

The ride-on vehicle includes dual 24-volt electric motors and a variable-speed accelerator which allows it to smoothly accelerate from 3 1/2 MPH to 7 MPH.

Wheels on the vehicle are 15" molded with treads, and there is also a rear suspension to make the ride smooth as it could be, depending on the type of terrain being navigated.

As safety is always at the top of our minds for our children, and to addresss those concerns there are power brakes which can be used by moving the child's foot from the pedal to the brakes. There are also safety harnesses included on each of the adjustable bucket seats, along with a rool cage.

For added fun, if driving isn't enough, there also is a FM radio and an MP3 player which work, and a couple of cup holders built in if the little ones want or need a drink.

The ride-on all terrain mini Polaris Ranger RZR can run for close to two hours on a four-hour charge. It supports up to 150 pounds and goes for $1,000.

Toy Trends

Bicycle Trends | Kiddimotto Balance Bikes

Bicycle Trends

These new wooden balance bikes from Kiddimotto in the U.K. are great. They are built to help your child build balance and confidence in preparation from taking on the challenge of riding a regular bike, and for just helping learn balance itself.

The bikes are made of lightweight birch plywood, which allow easy handling and steering for the children. Tires on the bike are made of rubber to make the easy to ride outdoors on a variety of surfaces.

There are four styles of the Wooden Balance Bike, with each one looking too cool. Each style is based on a past classic scooter or motorcycle. There is the Scrambler, which as a more typical bicycle shape, with a slighted elevated seat. Another is called simply the Scooter, which is based upon the Mod Scooter of the 60s. You can even see the little footboards that were a popular design of those times. Next there is the Superbike, which is exactly what it says, looking like a cool racer. Finally there is the Chopper, marketed for those who are the Easy Riders of the future. Very cool.

Great idea to get kids to want to ride them in order to build their balance and coordination, while have a lot of fun burning off all that energy.

Bicycle Trends

Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton Partner for Another Colorful Design

Toy Trends

Takashi Murakami has become a household name in Japan, as he has successfully partnered with Louis Vuitton to create a number of small collections of high-end products.

This time around the two top brands have created “Putipanda,” which is a highly colorful design over a large toy, along with a smaller charm for a mobile phone.

Only the affluent need apply here, as the expensive toys may even challenge the budget of many who are leery of spending too much during these difficult times.

But the opportunity to get these hot items will definitely spur some to go ahead and splurge, but I think it'll be more for themselves than the little ones that would love the look.

Toy Trends

Bicycle Trends | Team Tentakulus

Bicycle Trends

The latest bike from Team Tentakulus looks like a hybrid bicycle/motorcycle, and the look is very cool.

Even though at first glance it looks like a hybrid, in reality its a greatly-designed bike that is just very compelling and makes you want to go out and get one.

Dubbed the Chopper Shocker, this should definitely catch on among those who love a good ride while getting the attention and envy of those around them.

Bicycle Trends

Jedi Learning Toy

Toy Trends

This new Jedi trainer toy allows you to use the force to move a ping pong ball up a tube without anything but a wireless connection. How neat is that?

The new toy comes with a combination headset and tube with a wireless connection.

Supposedly through the headset you wear you can send out your brainwaves and move the ball up the tube by the force of your mind.

The Jedi Trainer will be released in the UK in August via play.com.

Toy Trends

Robot Toy Trend This Summer

Toy Trends

There's no doubt the latest installment of Terminator and Transformers have made robot toys a must buy this summer, and they're flying off the shelves, and many more are expected to for some time.

This doesn't mean that the robots have to be Transformer bots or Terminator robots, as many others unconnected but fun to play with are selling well too.

Some of the more popular toy robots selling beside the movie tie-in robots are those that include some type of personality with them.

One such robotic toy filled with personality is Penbo, which includes a little baby that comes out of her stomach and chirps.

Toy Trends

Sega Toy's Robot Cat 'Dream Cat Venus'

Robot Trends

A new robotic pet toy from Sega Toys is now on the market, called 'Dream Cat Venus,' the second in what looks like a an emerging robot pet toy line.

The robot cat is able to respond to outward stimuli or lack of human stimuli like a real cat does; purring when you pet it, and protesting with noises if you don't. Of course you don't have to worry about feeding, water or changing cat litter either.

While this is a toy cat robot, researchers at Tohoku University's Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer in Japan are behind the inner workings of the robot pet, and that's understandable, as they've been working on robots to use with the elderly and terminally ill patients for some time.

Sego Toys has released a dog robot named 'Dream Dog DX' in the past, and it makes you wonder if there will be further animal robots in the future.




Robot Trends