11 top toys of the holiday season

Digital cameras are a lot of fun, but how cool would it be to print those digital snaps right from the camera? Totally possible on the VTech KidiZoom® PrintCam™. Kids can snap selfies and edit them on-camera using over 100 templates before printing them off. But there’s so much more to it than pictures: there are games, colourable play money and greeting-card designs that print on command. The camera includes enough paper to print up to 80 snaps.

VTech KidiZoom PrintCam, $94, toysrus.ca

Kindergarten prep is happening now. This preschool-friendly desk is interactive with five-in-one capabilities like a projector for tracing, activity pages to practise letters and numbers, a moveable clock to explore, a music player, a chalkboard-turned-art easel and an LED writing pad with a stylus. All that learning can be tiring, so there’s a sturdy little stool to take a seat on, too. Available Exclusively at Walmart.

VTech Get Ready for School Learning Desk, $84, walmart.ca

Days start early on the farm. There are fences to set up, tractors to drive and animals (specifically a cow, a donkey, a chicken and a cat) to feed. Push one of three buttons to find out what activity is next. Maybe it’s feeding the animals, maneuvering the hay from the silo or taking some time to play. When placed on the two Talking Points, the interactive animals light up and divulge cool facts about themselves. Available Exclusive at Toys R Us. 

VTech Learn & Grow Farm, $42, toysrus.ca

A great toddle-to-walk toy for the nine-to-36-month crowd, there’s a lot of exciting stuff happening on this colourful apparatus. The flashy walker incorporates music and learning modes that grow with your babe’s ever-evolving stages. To start, use the activity hub’s panel on the floor. There’s a shape sorter, cellphone and light-up piano keys to tickle. Once walking starts, it’s wheels on with two happy melodies that keep in step with little ones on the move.

VTech Stroll & Discover Activity Walker, $42, walmart.ca

Sweet, magic snuggles are in store for everyone who meets Ivy. The winged unicorn sings, talks and sparkles. Want to hear a song? Just ask and she’ll sing one of eight tunes. She has a magic wand that will change her eyes, horn, flower and wing colour when pressed. At the end of the day, boop her nose and tuck her legs in while she sings you both to sleep with a lullaby.

VTech Ivy the Bloom Bright Unicorn, $70, toysrus.ca

Who likes fast tracks, towering launchers and thrilling ramps? The 79-piece build-a-thrill set may fit the bill. Colour-coded blocks offer the option of three different builds to challenge any skillset. It’s a race to drop or launch marbles through the course, meeting songs and a light-up rocket ship on the way down. Ready, set, go!

VTech Marble Rush Launchpad Set, $40, toysrus.ca

Welcome to the Carsons’ backyard! Cory and Chrissy from the hit Netflix series have set up their playhouse with an exciting course. Open the garage door by pressing the mailbox. The ramp will launch the special-edition mini characters into the nearby tire swing. Next, play on the seesaw or stop on a PlayZone location to hear the cars recite over 55 melodies and phrases. 

VTech Go! Go! Cory Carson The Carson Playhouse, $25, toysrus.ca

Is that a velociraptor or is that a helicopter? It’s both. Switching from dinosaur to chopper only takes a few simple moves. Equipped with 70-plus sound effects and responses, the dinosaur dominates the ground with LCD eyes and a rocket-launching claw! When it’s time to take to the sky, the LCD screen becomes a helicopter pilot, going from roars to speech as he navigates from above.

VTech Switch & Go Velociraptor Helicopter, $42, toysrus.ca

Hey, that’s a cute puppy! An excellent friend for toddlers as they develop speech, Bailey the very friendly doggy will ask questions and repeat your tot’s words. When in Talk Mode, Bailey will craft stories and songs based on words he hears, discuss foods, feelings, animals and use his pressable paws and light-up collar to teach numbers and letters.

LeapFrog Speak & Learn Puppy, $40, walmart.ca

Learning happens in a snap! Five double-sided photo cards can be popped into the pretend camera to prompt early learning of colours, numbers, shapes and animals. Look at the camera’s back panel to see each card in depth. Listen to a song or turn the viewfinder to change the colours. Motor skills are strengthened with the insertion of each card, twist of the zoom lens or clicking of the shutter button.

LeapFrog Fun-2-3 Instant Camera, $25, toysrus.ca

Made using natural elements, this toddler-geared tablet has a light-up LED screen that teaches kids about nature, the weather, conservation, animals, ABCs and 123s. There are seven engaging lessons to work through. Just hit one of the 31 illustrated buttons to get started.

LeapFrog Touch & Learn Nature ABC Board, $32, chapters.indigo.ca