Top 10 kid toy trends 2013

It’s hard to remember, but there was a time when we didn’t have Rainbow Loom. That’s because toy fads spread like wildfire: One day you’ve never heard of a product, and the next your kid makes a beeline for it at the toy store, claiming everyone but her has one. 

Here are the 10 toys and games that are the current talk of the playground, just in time for the holidays.

This is the toy Cinderella story of the year, and expected to be the top-seller for the holidays.

“The great thing about Rainbow Loom is it's not gimmicky or TV-driven,” says Ryan Carr, toy expert at Mastermind. “What the kids are catching on to is that it's a genuinely good toy for both girls and boys, and their parents love it too.”

Where to buy?
Mastermind, $19, mastermindtoys.com

This community-building “sandbox” game has sucked kids into its blocky virtual open world and is now available as a desktop, mobile and Xbox game kids can play alone or with friends. We won't bother trying to explain exactly how to play (it involves finding food and supplies, and fighting off bad guys), but trust us, your kid can figure it out.

Where to buy?
Mojang, $20 for Xbox 360, amazon.ca

They don't really do anything, but that doesn't stop kids from collecting these plump stuffies (and their cousins, Beanie Boos, aka “Big Eyes”) like crazy. In addition to cozy animal varieties, you can also find a Ballz version of your fave TV/movie characters, like Mickey Mouse, as well as sports team mascots. Fun fact: When you throw them, they are supposed to always land on their feet.

Where to buy?
Mastermind, $10 for 8" version, mastermindtoys.com

There's a new critter in Hex Bug town — the Aquabot! This little robotic fish darts, turns and floats when its circuit is completed with water. It also has magical powers over children who don't like to wash up.

“It's bath time, and you've got a robotic shark with you?” says Carr. “All of sudden you've got a kid who wants to take a bath.”

Where to buy?
Mastermind, $9, mastermindtoys.com

While some of the LEGO offerings are driven by franchise tie-ins like Star Wars or Marvel, Chima is a world of LEGO's own creation, featuring duelling animal tribes, fierce-looking models, and a cool backstory your kid will eat up.

Where to buy?
LEGO, $40 for Eagle Interceptor, chapters.indigo.com

Furby lives on! The latest iteration of these colourful ugly-cute characters “learns” English and its own name as you interact with it — but can also hatch digital offspring and play games via an app.

Where to buy? 
Hasbro, $60, toysrus.ca

Video game + toy figures = kid heaven. Place one of the characters on the “Portal of Power” that comes included, and they appear right in the game. A long list of characters, classified under eight elements like water, fire and magic, mean means there are always new Skylanders to buy (sorry, Mom and Dad).

Where to buy?
Activision, $60 for Playstation 3 Giant Starter Pack, amazon.ca

This is 2014's answer to the Plasma Car. The Ziggle is a self-propelled ride that moves as your kid wiggles her bum and twists the handles. Once she's got the motion down, she can even spin out in a 180.

Where to buy?
Radio Flyer CA, $50, amazon.ca

For those times when you can't having a snowball fight (or don't want to freeze your patootie off doing so), there's Snowtime Anytime — indoor snowballs that have the crunchy feel of snow, sans melting. They're machine-washable and come in a storage bucket.

Where to buy?
Mastermind, $20, mastermindtoys.com

Thanks to release of the second Hunger Games movie, little Katniss-wannabes will be all over this stylish bow and arrow set, which can shoot up to 75 feet.

Where to buy?
Hasbro, $23, toysrus.ca

Best toys for little kids 2013>
Your little ones will love our favourite toys of 2013!