eBay Canada Style Squad - Tips for the Holidays
By Marcia MacQuarrie
(NC)-Every year, a new spate of toys crops up on the market that your kids just cannot seem to live without. As eBay's resident toy expert, I'm here to help you fulfill your kids' holiday dreams without breaking the bank by giving you an inside look on the latest in-demand toys for this season.
For wee ones from newborn to just under 2 years, look for developmental and stimulating play time toys like the Gymini Monkey Island (Tiny Love 0m+) and Lamaze Shapes and Colours Fish Bowl (Learning Curve 9m+), or the ever-popular Elmo Live (18m+) for a lovable friend that's lots of fun. Interactive toys and games, like the Kid K'nex Sesame Street building sets (K'Nex 2+) for your tiny architect, or a huggable Teddy Kin Glow Bear (What-if Productions 3+) are perfect for kids just a little older.
Games are a wonderful way to spend quality time with your child - especially when you're joined by Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (University Games 3+), a fun learning game that introduces children to counting and strategy while developing fine motor skills. Or get down to kid-level and build castles, ponies or whatever else you can imagine with LEGO bricks from the LEGO pink bucket (4+).
Also look for toys that mix fun with creativity, like Barbie iDesign (5+) for your budding designer. This toy has a limited retail distribution, but, as with many hard-to-find or limited edition toys, they are frequently sold on eBay. Got a little scientist or film director on your hands? Introduce them to the fun and process of experimenting with Little Labs kits (Thames + Kosmos 5+) or the adventure of filmmaking with Dynatech Action's Movie Motion (6+).
Tweens can be harder to buy for, but they still enjoy the fun and magic of toys. Action games like Tiger Electronics' Bulls Eye Baseball will be a big hit with the 7+ set, and 8 + kids will want to take a bite out of puzzle games like ThinkFun's Chocolate Fix. Monopoly Here & Now (Parker Brothers 8+) is a great way to re-live the magic of an old game with a new twist, and your 10+ will enjoy the artistry of designing their own jewelry line with Klutz Bead Loom Bracelets.
Not sure what your child will want this season? Listen out for playground murmurs to get a jump start on a potential hit toy. If you spot a potentially popular toy in a store, buy it - even if your child isn't asking for it yet. If it's not on their wish list, a favourite niece or nephew will love to receive it. eBay is a great source for scooping up hard-to-find toys that have already sold out in retail stores - and you can't beat the ease of shopping at home, rather than battling other parents in the department store line.
Marcia MacQuarrie is Today's Parent Magazines toy editor and the founder of www.NoiseonToys.com. She is the resident toy expert on the eBay Canada Style Squad.
- News Canada