Black Friday Toy Recommendations
Update 12/11/2015: The prices in this article were current as of the time of publication during the Black Friday - Cyber Monday week. However, in some cases, particularly as we get closer to Christmas, the prices are substantially higher. Click on the links for the current pricing.
I'll be appearing on Fox Business News on Black Friday with some more tips for Holiday Shopping. Here are the products I'll be talking about, plus a few more:
Star Wars:The Force will be inescapable for the rest of the year. With so many licensed products the quality is bound to be uneven, but some of the products I like include:
- Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Starter Pack, from $49.99
Star Wars: The Force Awakens doesn't open for a few more weeks, but if you want to get interactive with it (as well as other Marvel and Disney characters), you can play Disney Infinity 3.0. Though kids will be initially drawn into the games, they may find that the best, most addicting part of the software is the Toy Box, an area where they can build their own worlds and games, and even share them on-line. - Nabi Collector's Edition Tablet: The Force Star Wars Accessory Bundle Light Side, $169.99
Nabi tablets come in a variety of sizes and specifications, but the idea is that they are specially designed, Android-based devices for kids, and there are different models for different age ranges. The tablets come pre-loaded with content, but they also have a subscription plan that brings in music, games, ebooks, and some videos. This year there are two Star Wars inspired tablets for kids aged 6 to 9, one for the Dark Side, the other for the Light. They have 7" screens, decent (but not killer) resolution, and 16GB of storage. You can buy a Nexus 7 with better specs for less, but it won't have the big glow in the dark bumper, Star Wars frame, parental controls, and content.
- Star Wars: Battlefront, from $59.88
Available on the major next-gen platforms and PCs, this is not a game for young kids. Fast, fun, easy to play, it is all about killing, dying, and killing some more, albeit bloodlessly. The game puts you in the middle of the biggest, best, battles of the Star Wars Universe, from the forests of Endor to the frozen wastelands of Hoth. Never has a video game so realistically captured the look-and-feel of Lucas' movie creations. There are solo games, co-op modes, and then massive battles with up to forty players.
- Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid ($149)
A rolling droid you control from your smartphone.
- Turtle Beach - Star Wars X-Wing Pilot Gaming Headset ($59.99)
- Star Wars R2-D2 Bento Box, $20.44
Smart Toys
- Anki OVERDRIVE Starter Kit $134.99
Anki Overdrive is the 21st century’s answer to slot cars. You control the rechargeable, wireless cars using your smartphone, racing up to three opponents, live or AI. The basic set comes with two cars and enough track to create up to eight layouts, then you can add additional cars and stunt track pieces. The cars level up the more you play!
- littleBits Electronics Gizmos and Gadgets Kit ($199)
I've been a big fan of the littlebits kits, but I have mixed feelings about this one. Like previous sets, kids can build a variety of projects putting together electronic building blocks that connect via magnets. The magic is that they can't electrocute themselves while working with electricity. This set has a great collection of components that lets kids build mechanized, motorized electronic projects. The instructions give excellent guidance, and then, kids can create their own projects once they've mastered the basics. Unfortunately, in the kit I was provided, while the magnets worked, the pieces did not fit securely on the non-magnetic baseboard which is supposed to hold things together, particularly where there are moving parts. It wasn't a deal-breaker, the projects ultimately can be made to work, but it does take patience. If you're looking for a less expensive set, without some of the hassle, take a look at the littleBits Electronics Synth Kit, which gives kids all they need to make working musical electronic instruments.
Traditional Toys
- PLAYMOBIL NHL Hockey Arena
Hi-tech toys should supplement, not replace traditional toys, which still have a lot to teach. So, by all means play NHL 16from EA Sports, but also take time to build the Playmobil's line of NHL Toys. Kids learn dexterity and how to follow directions from the whole Playmobile line, and the experience is even better if you work with them to get the sets nicely built! The arena comes with four NHL figures, and logo decals for all 30 NHL teams. Additionally Playmobil has optional accessories including a special line of customized figures for each of the Original Six teams: The New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens, as well as there are referee figures that come with a replica Stanley Cup and even a Zamboni!
For more great hi-tech toy and game ideas check out the story based on my segment on SiriusXM Radio.
Disclaimer: Activision, SanDisk, Ubisoft, and Anki were sponsors of the JamesGames Satellite Media Tour in November 2015. They did not have editorial control over this article or my comments on the Fox Buisness Segment, nor was I compensated for appearing on the segment.
