By the Staff at Digital Family Advisor…

With all the hoopla over 3D TV and iPad’s and Internet TVs and noise cancelling headphones, you would be surprised that conventional toys and games account for more consumer dollars than fancy electronics this time of year. Our fifth annual toys and games guide features some of the oldies but goodies family games and truly hot tween products as well as very affordable hot devices, if you can get to the store or online fast enough.

Scrabble Flash:

Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99. We wrote about this from the last Toy
Fair and now its already a best seller. It’s up to you to find words in a “flash” with this fun, electronic version of the classic SCRABBLE game. Use the interactive SmartLink tiles to build your words and they’ll flash and beep with each word you make. They’ll also automatically time your turns and display your score with the maximum possible score. The first Scrabble game that actually needs batteries, as the advertising says: It’s fast-paced, addictive, word-building fun! (From Hasbro).

Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It:

Ages 16 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99.
Some of the most recent versions of the all-time best selling game were slightly disappointing. But “Bet You Know It” edition is the most inclusive and exciting version of TRIVIAL PURSUIT yet, where players don’t have to know all the answers to win – but they do need to know their friends! TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Bet You Know It edition introduces high stakes betting to trivia, where players bet on whether or not their opponents know the answer. Guess correctly and players will earn chips that can be used to buy wedges — or they can earn wedges by answering questions correctly on their turn. On each turn players are able to choose their favorite from one of four rotating topic cards in the specially designed “Mixologist” envelope. So, players may answer a GEOGRAPHY question about Dogs, Breakfast, Broadway, or Jingles. TRIVIAL PURSUIT “Bet You Know It” cards have 1,800 fresh questions which also feature a variety of new styles including images and multiple choice. With a chance to earn a wedge on every turn – victory is that much closer! (from Hasbro).

Easy-Bake Deluxe Delights Cake and Cookie Kit:

(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99)
Ordinary kitchens will transform into gourmet bake shops with the introduction of the EASY-BAKE DELUXE DELIGHTS Cake and Cookie Kit.This deliciously new bake-set offers children the opportunity to show off their creativity with edible works of EASY-BAKE art. Using the special EASY BAKE DELUXE DELIGHTS dish kids can bake tasty EASY-BAKE treats in the microwave in just thirty seconds. The DELUXE DELIGHTS dish features a heating and cooling sensor so bakers know when it’s safe to touch. With the included, exclusive EASY-BAKE tools, kids can decorate their EASY-BAKE mini cakes and cookies with colorful fondant just like a pro! Tween chefs can add intricate designs to their favorite dessert with the fondant mold and stamper or label their tasty treat using the alphabet embosser. Add bakery caliber finishing touches with the special embossing plate. The EASY-BAKE DELUXE DELIGHTS Cake and Cookie Kit comes with a microwave container and lid for baking tasty sweets and loads of accessories. Adult Participation Required. (From Hasbro).

BLYTHE LOVES LITTLEST PET SHOP DOLL & PET ASSORTMENT:

Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $12.99.
Newly released, LITTLEST PET SHOP pets will now have the most stylish, jet setting pet sitter in town with the introduction of the THE Blythe LOVES LITTLEST PET SHOP DOLL & PET assortment. In addition to trendy clothing and accessories, the BLYTHE LOVES LITTLEST PET SHOP doll has beautifully rooted hair and jointed arms, legs and head for realistic play. Each BLYTHE LOVES LITTLEST PET SHOP DOLL & PET set features one pet and one doll, both dressed for a day full of fun in fabulous matching outfits. Girls can choose from six different sets including FABULOUSLY VINTAGE, PLAYFULLY PLAID and COLD WEATHER CUTE. This collection marks the first time a doll is being introduced into the LITTLEST PET SHOP brand. (From Hasbro).

NERF WEATHER BLITZ NFL FOOTBALL:

Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99
Infused with advanced NERF WEATHER BLITZ Football technology, whatever that is….this weather-resistant football allows for ultimate performance in almost all conditions, rain or shine. To add to your performance, the NERF WEATHER BLITZ NFL Football’s super grip skin and NFL styling will help you play the game like a pro. Choose from five of the top NFL teams including the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots, and the Indianapolis Colts. Each sold separately. (From Hasbro).

Hot Wheels Stealth Rides—Bat Mobile—($25):

These mini but mighty radio controlled vehicles fold flat enough to fit into very thin carrying case which double as the control for the vehicle. Slide your Nano Ride: Batmobile out of the case and with a push of a button it transforms into a 3D fully functioning R/C Vehicle. Ages 6 and up. Batteries included.(From Mattel)

Monster High Dolls ($29):

Aimed at Tween girls: Monster High Doll Draculaura, Frankie Stein, and other role playing off famous monsters come with trendy fashions and scary accessories and scary accessories. Dolls are fully articulated so they can be posed in many different ways. Not exactly what we think Mattel should be aiming at Tweens, but these Dolls are rolling off the shelves. (From Mattel)

Bezzerwizzer—($29):

Already a hit European game, Bezzerwizzer now comes to the US and reinvents the way trivia has been played and is possibly the first real challenger to Trivial Pursuiit that arch rival Mattel has been looking for. With 20 different categories to choose from, and no need to answer every category, you can specialize in what you know best! TACTICS – Steal questions from your opponents. Swap categories for what you know best. Then bet on your strengths by assigning points to the categories. No need to be a trivia buff to have fun with this game – everyone can have a great time by simply tapping into what they know best! (From Mattel)

Paper Jamz ($15 from WowWee):

Become an instant rock star with Paper Jamz ! It s not air guitar it s music for real! Active Graphics circuit-embedding technology allows you to play like a pro just by touching the Paper Jamz guitar s fret and strumming the strings image. Series 1 features six jammin guitars, each with three hit songs built in to play along with in Perfect Play and Rhythm modes.
Switch to Freestyle mode to play real chords and create your own songs. Real chords, real songs real easy! You don t have to be a musician to let Paper Jamz unleash the inner Rock God in you. Just choose your play mode and let the music take you. Each Paper Jamz guitar features a built-in speaker with volume control, plus line out for earphone or speaker accessories (not included). Use with the Paper Jamz Amp (sold separately) to pump up the volume. Requires 3 AAA batteries (not included).

Vtech”s Mobi Go: $Under $70:

VTech’s MobiGo Touch Learning System is an interactive learning device that uses a touch-screen and keyboard to control game play. With many parents eschewing electronic games for this holiday system, this particular device maybe worth the price because it is designed to encourage learning and the development of dexterity skills. The MobiGo device brings modern handheld technology to young users. Whether it’s adding numbers, spelling words, solving problems, or spotting the differences between similar objects, the MobiGo encourages young users ages three to eight years to develop a variety of basic skills and foster the development of an active imagination.

LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Learning Game System ($60):

The latest educational system from award winning Leapfrog takes advantage of what older siblings have been using, but offers age-appropriate educational games for 4 to 8 year old.. Kids will be prompted through gameplay to use certain buttons, but the tethered stylus and touch screen are the main modes of interaction. The Explorer comes with a free Leaplet download that you’ll chose from a collection of games and activities on the LeapFrog site. You can access the free download after connecting the Explorer to your computer with the included USB cable and setting up an account.

MATCHBOX STINKY ($79):

The legend continues even though this electronic version of the best selling trucks is now into garbage. The newest addition to the Big Rig Buddies™ assortment is every boy’s best friend—a real working garbage truck brought to life. Stinky™ has the best features and interactive qualities of his buddy Rocky The Robot Truck™ with a brand new personality, new sensor points, new articulation and many fun surprises boys will love. This interactive buddy talks, tells jokes, eats, exercises and sings!
In the next edition some live on tape video reviews from our kid experts.