These articles are a blast to write! Think about it… I get to play with fun toys, and then I get to write about it! It doesn’t get much better! Today we’ll be reviewing one of the top Christmas toys – the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro-Racer. These little things are a blast, and they’re easy on the wallet too!

2008 has been rough on our wallets, (For most of us!) – But these toys deliver plenty of fun, while still boasting a low price tag. No complaints from me! Where else can you get one of the top Christmas toys for under $30? It seems these days the hottest toys cost hundreds! If you’re wondering if something so cheap can still pack plenty of fun into the box, take a quick look:

This is an R/C car that can drive right up the wall and across the ceiling of your house! (You heard right… It drives UPSIDE DOWN) Can you imagine a child not having fun with one of these? Even us “big kids” get a kick out of playing with these!

I obviously had a blast with this thing. It drives my animals nuts as I zip around up and down the walls and they try to devise a strategy to capture it. My recommendation is to pick one of these up now if you plan on putting one under the tree, as so far, it seems this toy will be in high demand, and will likely sell out quickly. See? Landing one of the top Christmas toys for 2008 doesn’t have to be expensive!

What are the popular Christmas gifts for kids for 2008? Both Toys R Us and Amazon released their lists of toys they expect to be popular this Christmas season. Here’s a summary of the trends they are predicting.

Electronic Games

As usual electronic games appear on both lists. Some of the more well-known products included are items like the Wii Fit, which combines physical movement with on-screen action, and the Pink 8GB iPod nano, the popular handheld music player and picture and video viewer.

Musical Instruments

A surprise entry on the Amazon list is a 3/4 size guitar, which is a real instrument made by the renowned guitar maker Washburn. It’s the Hannah Montana Acoustic Guitar. While it’s not a surprise that kids want anything themed with Hannah Montana, it is a surprise that they want something more than just a toy. This guitar looks like it will make a great gift for a budding musician.

DVDs

Of course, DVDs continue to be popular gifts each Christmas. The Wall-E Three-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy made it onto the Amazon list.

Babies

The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo is a stander and activity center for young children that has a variety of simulating games and toys for a child’s development. This device encourages physical muscle development and mental stimulation.

The Evenflo ExerSaucer 3-in-1 is a competing item to the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo. Both provide a safe place for baby to play.

A Returning Favorite

Perhaps the most anticipated toy this Christmas season, which appeared on both lists, is the Fisher-Price Elmo Live. This toy is the latest in the line of popular Christmas gifts that started with the Tickle Me Elmo doll. Elmo Live includes a dramatic increase in capabilities and interactivity. Demand is expected to be high, so you might want to order this early to make sure you get yours.

Though not as popular in past years as the Elmo line of dolls, the new Biscuit, My Lovin Pup looks like it could be a real winner. It’s a mechanical dog that interacts in fun ways with kids.

LEGO Models

LEGO building sets continue to be a popular item. This year features a variety of vehicles modeled after the Star Wars Clone Wars theme. These can be pricey, but the quality of LEGO building blocks has mostly remained consistent and durable through the years, as evidenced by the company’s continued viability.

Kitchen Play

Two gifts come right out of the food preparation part of the house. Check out the 50′s Diner and the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker.

With popular gifts demand can be high and stock levels can be spotty. Shop early to make sure you get the presents you want in the time frame that you need them.

If you are in contact with this age group on regular basis, you most likely would agree that it depends on the day and situation. Well, really the hour.

So the dilemma for Christmas gift giving becomes finding a Christmas gift for this age range that does not offend their ‘grown-upness’ but still plays to their childlike tendencies. After all, a nine year old is still a kid.

To help you sort through some of thinking behind finding the right gift this group, I have put together a few tips for you.

1. Buy Gifts that Give the Kids Permission to Play

There are some very fun toys out there that are targeted towards more advanced role-playing. Two examples would be -

1. A helmet with voice activated noises and lights, yes very cool.

2. Deluxe model transformers: these have additional features that younger kids would not know how to play or would break. Playing swords with a helmet that has lights everywhere would be great fun for all ages. Anything that flies or moves would be great interactive gifts.

2. Creative Gifts

So much fun to shop for! You can find just about anything you can dream up for this age group in the creative thought line.

Block Building Set

There are block-building sets with motors so your creations actually move. You can build Lego or other Lego type toys into transforming robots. My nephew loves his ‘creature’ like this and will tell you about his dad and him building it. K’nex and Magnetix (if you do not have small children or pets in the house) are tons of fun.

Science Experiments

I found lots of science type experiments that the kids would have a great time doing. Whether it is stargazing, exploding volcanoes, or watching a larvae to butterfly you can find an activity that is specific to the interest of your child.

3. Interactive Family Games

This age group tends to be very self-critical and desperately needs the reassurance of adults in his/her life. Interactive games are a great way to strengthen these relationships.

Board Games

A fun board game I found was Gobblet. Although I have not played this game personally it looks like a fast moving fun game. I highly suggest at least one gift that is not an electronic enable a different type of family interaction.

Game Systems

And course there are game systems very targeted at this age group, so depending on the system your child has you may want to consider a new game. My family as a Nintendo wii so I am looking at the Mario driving game.

4. Electronics

Each family will have to make their own decision about the age appropriateness for their children. Very popular choices in this age group: cell phones, digital cameras, Nintendo ds and game systems: Sony ps 3 and Nintendo Wii.

No mater what you decide for a gift it is important for the child to feel special and loved. Choosing a gift that compliments their personality will let the child know that you notice them. Possibly consider a short note to the child to put in with your gift telling the child how much you love them and one or two special attributes you have noticed. Even if during gift opening that note seems unappreciated you can be assured that your note will be saved long past Christmas morning. Because aside from all the gift hype at Christmas, deep down each child just wants to know that they are loved and special.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rodney_Grubbs

Interesting : Kids Christmas Toys

One of the newest trends in top toys is electronics. For a few decades now, at least one of the best toys has required batteries or a power supply. The reason for this is that not only do kids like electronics, parents like them because of the skill set they instill in children, such as hand eye coordination and problem solving skills. The year’s most innovative product is also the year’s best educational game, called the Smart Cycle: Physical Learning Arcade. Designed by Fisher Price, this kids toy uses video interaction to teach pre-school skills and improve overall motor control. It is easy to tell why it is among the hot toys for 2008. After all, not only do kids love it, parent love to see their kids learn.

Another popular electronic kids toy this year is Snap Circuits. Though advertised as a specialty toy, geared towards children with a budding interest in electrical engineering, this product has become one of the year’s top toys because it allows children to experiment in creative but save ways with circuits and electricity. However, if you child is more into aviation than physical science, you might find that the whole family can bond playing with the Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle. Recognized by some as the best on the overall hot toys for 2008 list, this two player set of remote control helicopters even makes realistic battle sounds and is so easy to use that one parent reported that his two year old is the best remote pilot in the family.

Of course, as popular as electronic toys are, they are not the only hot toys for 2008. Many types of toys remain popular throughout generations, so it should not surprise you if your child sees and wants a toy very similar to one you had as kid. Some examples of popular toy themes are outdoor toys, and those specifically geared towards either girls or boys. The top outdoor toy is similar to a skateboard, and improves muscle control, coordination, and general physical physique, but here are also some new variations on classic girls and boys toys. One of the hot toys for 2008 for girls are Troop Groovy Girls, a doll based on the Girl Scouts of America. At the same time, boys continue to enjoy playing with action figures such as transformers. Regardless of the age, sex, or interests of a child, you are sure to find the perfect items to complete your gift list, and make the children in your life’s faces light up with joy and excitement.

Please visit us to see our list of the best kids toys of 2008.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Addison

Interesting : Hottest Christmas Toys