Every holiday season, there seem to be a few blockbuster toys that every kid in America must have. The only problem is that sometimes the items that parents, grandparents and even retailers predict are going to be hot are not.
So, for the fourth year, Duracell asked a test group of children around the country to play-test 22 new toys for the 1991 holiday season.Here's what testers had to say about the top 10 toys:
1. Electronic Hot Shot Basketball: a mini-arcade basketball game that makes sounds and keeps score, was chosen as "absolute favorite" by 25 percent of the boys and 14 percent of the girls. Typical comments: It's just funner! You can play basketball inside. It's cool! (Ages 8 and up; $40.)
2. Tornado Rex: a board game with an element of risk. Comments: I liked watching it go crazy. It's neat. You spin the thing and it's real neat. (Ages 6 and up; $20.)
3. Deluxe Twirl O Paint: lets you create pictures by dripping neon paint on a motorized turnstile. Comments: Every picture turns out different. It makes you the artist. It looked cool when it came out. (Ages 4 and up; $27.)
4. Lego Pier Police: a nautically themed building toy. Comments: It's challenging to try and put together. I like 'em, I love 'em, I'd marry 'em. It has little Lego people. (Ages 6-12; $35.99.)
5. Geosafari: an electronic teaching game. Comments: Makes me think. It teaches in a fun way. It helps me learn math and things. (Ages 4-7; $99.)
6. Back off! Buzzard: escape the buzzard in this motorized action board game. Comments: I like the way the bird flied around. I could play it every day. (Ages 5 and up; $14.)
7. Racing Team Set: large plastic truck with smaller truck and pit stop. Comments: It's tough and the racing car rolls good. I like cars that race. (Ages 3-10; $35.)
8. Erector Set 2: motorized metal building set. Comments: You build stuff and it runs on a motor. It's like building your own car. (Ages 7 and up; $50).
9. Stretch-out Sam: adds dishes to the tray as the waiter's arm stretches higher and sways. Comments: It makes me laugh. It's fun to play with friends. (Ages 6 and up; $20.)
10. Preschool Radio Control Car: remote-control police car with flashing lights and sounds. Comments: You don't have to push it and it doesn't have any wires. (Ages 3 and up; $30.)
Zillions, the Consumer Reports magazine for kids, also had a group test 10 of this year's new toys. Of the 10 toys tested, only four were hits with almost all of the children. Here's how the Zillions crew rated the toys.
1. Nerf Bow 'N' Arrow: Both boys and girls had fun shooting the super soft arrows ($18).
2. Flash Tracks: Testers found the in-line skates that strap on over sneakers to be quite comfortable and felt they were a good choice for kids who weren't set on serious skating ($50).
3. Rapman: Take five minutes to get the hang of this keyboard and you can rap with the best of them, with 25 pre-set sounds for the keys and 30 background beats ($80).
4. Super Grip Ball: Testers liked the fact that almost anyone can catch the ball with the two large Velcro paddles. Kids and adults can play together ($15).
5. Spy Tech Long Range Microphone: With the earphones in place, you can turn up the volume and hear voices across a large room ($18).
6. America's Funniest Home Videos Game: The clips were wacky, but most testers were happier watching the tape than playing the game ($18).
7. Colorblaster: The 50 pumps that it took to build up enough air pressure to get the sprayer to work discouraged most of the testers in a hurry.
8. Labyrinth: Twisting the two knobs just enough to coax the metal ball around all the gaping holes took more time and practice than most testers were willing to give. However, a few thought you could get addicted ($12).
9. Hot Wheels Turbo Tube Raceway: A few fans who where into racing liked this, but most testers found it rather boring ($30).
10. Clue: The Great Museum Caper: Testers loved the 3-D game board, but found the game much too complicated. Regular Clue is a lot more fun, they said ($30).
*****
(Additional information)
A GUIDE TO TOY SELECTION
Play is the way in which children construct possible worlds, say child development experts, and toys are the tools they use for that construction. Toys help children learn to be creative and help develop their ability to change the future.
When children have opportunities for play, with a broad variety of toys in both solitary and social situations, the experiences can enhance their capacity to become well-adjusted, original human beings.
When it comes to toy preference, each child is different. Parents can't always predict what children will do with toys, either, since they are instruments for novelty as well as development of individual skill.
So, how do you know what to get? Study your child. Know his or her interests, abilities or limitations, says the Toy Manufacturers Association. Children will not proceed through developmental levels in the same ways. Some children may prefer logical toys; others may like imaginary play.
Types of play and representative toys include:
- spatial (blocks, models, graphics)
- logical (jigsaws, dominoes, puzzles, board games)
- musical (instruments and recorders),
- physical (balls, push carts, sports)
- verbal (books, word games)
- interpersonal (dollhouses, puppets, theater)
- imaginary (science, creatures, monsters, wizards).
Avoid buying toys only to please yourself, ones that do not involve the child or may be too sophisticated.
The association has some general suggestions on appropriate toys for various age levels:
BABIES UNDER 18 MONTHS: Choose eye-catching, lightweight toys of various textures. Soft dolls or stuffed animals are fun to touch and hug, but be sure the seams will withstand sucking and chewing. A baby who is sitting up is ready for blocks with rattles in or pictures on them. Babies at this age will enjoy their first study picture books.
18 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS: A busy toddler needs toys for active and physical play - things to ride and climb on. These children enjoy imitating the adult world around them. Balls, inflatable toys, take-apart toys and simple puzzles and games are often good choices.
3 TO 6 YEARS: Children in this age group are masters of make-believe. Costumes and equipment that help them in their pretend worlds are important at this stage. In a child's private world, a doll or teddy bear provides a sense of companionship and security. Transportation is also fascinating to young children. Electronic toys, board games and other toys that encourage visualization and memory skills are appropriate.
6 TO 9 YEARS: Board games, table-top sports games and old favorites like marbles help in learning social strategies. Dolls and action figures that help experiment with different kinds of worlds are often of interest, as are sports equipment and things that encourage physical play. Paints, crayons and clay are still good selections. Video games that offer increasingly challenging levels of play, as well as opportunities to develop coordination skills, will also appeal.
9 TO 12 YEARS: Children begin to develop specific skills at this age. Give considerable attention to various hobbies and crafts, model kits, magic sets, handicrafts, science kits and puzzles. Peer acceptance is also very important. Active physical play often now involves teams. Video and electronic games, table tennis and dramatic play hold great appeal. Painting, sculpting, ceramics and other forms of artistic expression continue to be of strong interest.
TEENAGERS: After age 12, children's interest in toys begins to merge with adults'. Sophisticated electronic and video computer-based games, board and adventure games have appeal. Doll, model car, train miniatures and stuffed animal collectors often begin their hobbies in the teenage years.
Safety's a concern at Magic Mountain
"While most of our attractions are wheelchair accessible, it should be noted that some guests may be denied the opportunity to board a certain ride in the interest of personal safety. Our criteria are based on any guest's ability to utilize all safety restraints and devices as designed and maintain a proper riding posture throughout the course of the ride. Safety restraints and ride forces vary from ride to ride."
Our hosts and hostesses are not permitted to lift or carry a guest into a unit.
- Don't leave luggage unattended. If you see unattended luggage, report it.
- Don't check in someone else's baggage or packages.
- Minimize amount of luggage.
- Pack electronic equipment and appliances in carry-on bags.
- If planning an overseas trip, check with the State Department to see if that flight is on its advisory list.
mb:'a,'bw! $HOME/misc/talk *****
(Additional information)
Safety checklist
Safety should always be a prime consideration in selecting toys:
- Use recommended age labeling as a guide and look for warnings and other safety messages on toy packaging.
- Consider the home environment and the ages of other children in the family. A toy intended for an older child may be potentially dangerous in the hands of a younger child.
- Be especially vigilant when selecting toys for children under the age of 3. Avoid toys with small parts that could be swallowed or inhaled and those with sharp points or rough edges.
- Make sure soft rattles, squeakers and teething toys are too large to fit completely in an infant's mouth - including when in their most compressed state.
- Check for sturdy, well-sewn seams on stuffed animals and cloth dolls. Be certain that eyes, noses, buttons, ribbons and other decorations are securely fastened.
- Choose electric toys with heating elements only for children over the age of 8.