FURREAL FRIENDS TORCH, MY BLAZIN’ DRAGON “TORCH IS ADORABLE. Introducing Torch, the latest member I LOVE THAT HE CAN of the popular FurReal line. With more BREATHE PRETEND FIRE than 50 sounds, this sweet baby dragon AND CAN MAKE S’MORES!” moves his head and breathes flame- PEYTON, 5. coloured mist (from steamed water), which “toasts” the included marshmallow. HASBRO, $110, TOYSRUS.CA

WOW TOYS ARE OUR HIGHEST-RATED WINNERS!

WOW! TOY

REAL KIDS TESTED HUNDREDS OF TOYS TO HELP PICK OUR FAVOURITES OF THE YEAR! PRODUCED BY LEAH RUMACK + JESSICA SPERA WRITTEN BY AMY VALM PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERTO CARUSO PAPER ILLUSTRATIONS BY NICA PATRICIO PAPER CUTOUTS MADE WITH CRICUT EXPLORE AIR, CRICUT.COM

NOVEMBER 2016 59 RING & LEARN CASH REGISTER Time to go shopping! It’s fun to check out at the Ring & Learn register, with a scale to weigh meat and produce, illuminating WOW! buttons that sing songs and teach mini cashiers about colours, foods and numbers, and a basket of plastic groceries. Now, will that be cash or credit? VTECH, $30, VTECHKIDS.CA TOY

60 NOVEMBER 2016 3 1

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5 “MY SON LOVED THIS TOY. IT HELPED EXPAND HIS SKILLS WITH GRABBING AND PUTTING STUFF BACK TOGETHER.” JAMIE, MOM TO 6 JAYDEN, 7 MONTHS.

“WE LOVE PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ABOUT VTECH, AND THIS WAS NO EXCEPTION. 7 I OFTEN USE THIS AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR SCREENS.” 8 VANESSA, MOM TO CLARK, 1.

WOW! WOW! TOY TOY

1. CARE FOR ME 3. CRINKLE & ROAR LION 5. STACKING TRACTOR 7. SORT & DISCOVER LEARNING CARRIER VTECH, $20, VTECHKIDS.CA BIGJIGS, $30, SIMPLYGREENBABY.COM ACTIVITY CUBE VTECH, $30, VTECHKIDS.CA VTECH, $40, VTECHKIDS.CA Wee babes can interact with Specially designed to help Welcome your pup home this sweet-faced lion all on their develop problem-solving skills Great for growing with your tot, with this interactive carrier that own. A simple shake activates and dexterity, young farmers this colourful block boasts seven includes an activity panel with his motion sensor and makes have to stack the pieces in the activities, including dials to spin, light-up buttons that teach him roar or play a jingle. His right order before pulling the buttons that sing and a shape about pet care, colours and crinkly feet, plastic mirror and tractor along to hit the fields. sorter. Each task is geared toward shapes. Grooming gear is includ- textured ribbon are great for a different skill set, taking the toy 6. MIX AND MATCH sensory exploration. ed, so little ones can feed and CATERPILLAR from baby to toddler. brush their cuddly new friend. 4. GYMINI KICK & LAMAZE, $27, AMAZON.CA 8. PEEKABOO ZOO 2. LILLIPUTIENS HABA, $21, THEHAPPYBABY.CA PLAY CITY SAFARI With eight removable segments, ALICE ACTIFOX TINY LOVE, $100, WESTCOASTKIDS.CA “SMART WONDERS” this cutie caterpillar can easily The cute animals at Peekaboo HABA, $43, THEHAPPYBABY.CA This activity-packed gym is be taken apart and put back Zoo can’t find their homes. a cozy space for little babies together. Each section is a little They’ll need a zookeeper to help Foxy Alice is ready to play, with to move about in. There’s a different, including fun details like them find their way by matching a host of sensory elements like a kick pad that triggers a sweet contrasting patterns, crumply the animal-printed circles on rattle, a squeaker, a teething ring, song, and the dangling chime, surfaces, colourful nubby ribbon, the nesting-block houses to the a pacifier holder, rustling foil and plush animals and mirror are squeakers and chimes. corresponding creatures. a fun mirror. great for helping baby play.

NOVEMBER 2016 61 BABY + TODDLER | 0+ WOW! TOY

WOW! 10 TOY 9 “GREAT QUALITY AND FUN FOR CRAWLERS AND INFANTS LEARNING TO STAND.” MONICA, MOM TO VIOLET, 1.

“THIS IS A GREAT SET. 14 THE KIDS KEPT REBUILDING IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND USING THE VEHICLES 11 12 WITH OTHER TOYS.” ALEX, MOM TO JASPER, 3, AND LEO, 7. 13

WOW! TOY “THIS BIKE GIVES KIDS INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM WITHOUT THEM HAVING 15 TO FEEL FRUSTRATED IF “I LIKE THAT THERE’S AN ICE THEY HAVEN’T QUITE GOTTEN CREAM STAND ON THE ROAD THE HANG OF PEDALS.” IN CASE MY CAR GETS HUNGRY MORGAN, MOM TO AND NEEDS A SNACK!” TAYE, 2. WILFRED, 4.

WOW! TOY 9. DUPLO BIG 11. HAPPY GO PIGGY 13. FISHER PRICE 14. FISHER PRICE CONSTRUCTION SITE B. TOYS, $15, INDIGO.CA LITTLE PEOPLE SIT LAUGH & LEARN LET’S LEGO, $60, SHOP.LEGO.COM ’N STAND SKYWAY GET READY SINK This cute piggy pal loves to fol- MATTEL, $60, TOYSRUS.CA MATTEL, $40, TOYSRUS.CA Beep, beep! The dump truck is low you around, so grab him by coming through with a load of the leash and take him for a stroll. Starting off low and slow, Playing with this interactive sink bricks. This 67-piece set is perfect He’s made of sturdy wood, and little racers can drive their cars is a fun way for toddlers to learn for little construction workers, the wheels are rubber-coated to around the track or fill up their basic hygiene, as well as colours, with its adorable buildable crane protect floors. gas tanks from the comfort of words and phrases. Kids can lift and truck. Three workers, a the floor. Then it’s time for your the toothpaste, toothbrush and wheelbarrow, a jack, a shovel and 12. PETILOU FOREST speed demon to raise the adjust- comb or pump the hand soap to a pylon are included, too. STACKER TOWER able car town up high (34 inches hear a song. The sink lights up WITH BAG above the floor), so their cars when the taps are turned on. LE TOY VAN, $25, BOUTIQUE.BAGNOLE 10. PLAYFUL DINO can zoom all the way down the MANHATTAN TOY, $95, WELL.CA SETBOBINETTE.COM towering racing ramp. 15. TINY TOT CONVERTIBLE BALANCE BIKE A dino wooden activity centre, See how high you can stack KINDERFEETS, $114, WELL.CA this prehistoric friend features these woodland creatures before bead runs, flippable alphabet they tumble over. The nine-piece A sturdy bike that will grow with tiles, movable gears, an abacus set is made from solid wood and your kid, this two-in-one cycle and a sliding tail. comes in a handy drawstring bag converts easily from trike to two- for easy storage. wheeler. Designed for the 12- to

62 NOVEMBER 2016 “OK, ZEBRA, GET ON THE BUS—WE’RE GOING WOW! 16 TO GRANDMA’S.” ADA, 3. TOY 17

18 “I LOVE THE LITTLE DISCOVERIES EACH BLOCK PROVIDES.” 19 20 ALICIA, MOM TO THEA, 20 MONTHS. “IT’S THE RIGHT SIZE FOR HIM, AND THE LITTLE BEEP-BOOP-BEEP-BOOP ANTENNAE ARE SO CUTE.” NATALIE, MOM TO THOMAS, 1.

WOW! TOY

21 “IT’S SO MUCH FUN. IT’S MY FAVOURITE!” ELIANE, 2. 22

WOW! 23 TOY

24-month-old crew, it’s the small- points along the way activate new babe is no exception—she 22. LADYBUG est balance bike on the market. music or fun phrases. Little says “Mama,” “Papa” and “Hi, hi, HAPE, $80, ALLSTARLEARNING.CA conductors can press the train hi,” and even makes adorable 16. 1.2.3 LARGE to hear songs and move shapes eating noises. Zoom, zoom! This little bug really ANIMAL SAFARI through the gold mine’s tunnels. moves. Bitty riders can stow toys PLAYMOBIL, $85, 20. BUGGLY WUGGLY in Ladybug’s underbelly to take MASTERMINDTOYS.COM 18. PETILOU B. TOYS, $60, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM along as they scoot around. Her cute antennae double as handles. There’s plenty to see on this SENSORY SHAPES LE TOY VAN, $30, BOUTIQUE.BAGNOLE A cool ride-on, Buggly has bustling safari. Soar in a plane SETBOBINETTE.COM two squeaking horns that light 23. HABATOWN BLOCKS for a bird’s-eye view or hop on up and a special storage spot HABA, $57, BBBUGGY.COM the tour bus to check out the Great for perfecting shape and under the seat for stashing pre- animals. Watch out, though—the colour recognition, this nine- cious cargo. Urban planners will love ranger is hard at work moving piece wood set features different designing a city of their own injured animals with his truck. things to explore, from a kaleido- 21. SKY FLYER with this 20-piece wooden scope and a jingling bell to fluffy HAPE, $13, CHEEKYMONKEY.CA block set. There’s everything 17. GO! GO! SMARTWHEELS fabric and rattling beads. from wee houses to soaring Hit the open skies with this TREASURE MOUNTAIN skyscrapers, trees and stairs to sleek airplane. It’s simple in TRAIN ADVENTURE 19. MON PREMIER help build the perfect cityscape. VTECH, $70, VTECHKIDS.CA BÉBÉ CALIN BISOU design and the perfect size COROLLE, $60, AMAZON.CA for chubby toddler hands. All aboard! This motorized freight train chugs along the tracks, up Sweet vanilla-scented Corolle hills and through tunnels. Special dolls are always so lifelike. This

NOVEMBER 2016 63 QUADRILLA SPACE CITY An exciting feat of engineering and TKTKTKT marble-racing fun, this changeable

block set glows in the dark and encour- THING: ages builders to put on their thinking caps and map out their own epic race- TKTKTK TKTKTK tracks. HAPE, $180, ALLSTARLEARNING.CA PHOTO:

64 NOVEMBER 2016 WOW! TOY 24 “MY KIDS LOVED ALL THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ICE CREAM—FROM POPSICLES TO CONES—AND THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. 27 THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT IT TOGETHER WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM ME.” CATHERINE, MOM TO ZOE, 5 AND OLIVER, 7.

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“A BEAUTIFUL, ECO-FRIENDLY “I LOVE THIS TOY BECAUSE DRUM. THE SOUND I CAN BUILD WHATEVER I QUALITY, LOOK AND WANT WITH IT! IT’S SO FUN,” WORKMANSHIP ARE EWAN, 5. GREAT,” RACHEL, MOM TO JOIA, 3. 28 29 WOW! WOW! TOY TOY

24. LEGO JUNIORS EMMA’S 26. COLOR WONDER 28. DRILL & LEARN 30. LAURI ACTION ICE CREAM TRUCK MESS FREE LIGHT-UP TOOLBOX STACKERS BIG LEGO, $25, SHOP.LEGO.COM STAMPER VTECH, $27, VTECHKIDS.CA BUILDER SET CRAYOLA, $28, TOYSRUS.CA PLAYMONSTER, $40 US, AMAZON.COM Andrea and Emma are ready to Budding builders will love this serve up sparkly cones and ice Mini Monets can take a deep-sea singing tool box. It’s got all the The simple concept of a peg- pops at their adorable ice cream adventure with this mess-free set. fixings for any project, with board offers endless building truck. They’ve got their puppy in Using one of 10 ocean-themed light-up buttons that play songs possibilities and helps develop tow and a sweet spot for you to stamps, the attached wand is and make tool noises, like a drill fine motor skills, while promoting sit down and enjoy your treat. dipped into the special ink, which (that actually drills an included problem solving and imaginative starts out invisible and then plastic screw) and a hammer. play. This set includes a rubber 25. READY, SET, reveals itself when used on the The interactive double-sided cards pegboard, pegs, rubber mats, WOOF! GAME included Color Wonder paper. are placed in the box and provide wheels, and hexagonal and EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS, $27, AMAZON.CA fun colour and number learning. square connectors. 27. JOHN DEERE In this terrific game for increas- TRACTOR SET 29. RHYTHM BOX II ing memory and concentra- KLEIN TOYS, $35, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM PLAN TOYS, $80, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM tion, players have to feed the hungry puppies on the board by Wee farmers will love this tractor Young musicians can shimmy matching coloured bones to the that can be taken apart and to the beat of this sturdy sit-on corresponding pup’s collar. rebuilt. Your little mechanic can wooden rhythm box. Inspired by mount the tires and adjust the cajon hand-drumming boxes, it’s seat using toddler-friendly tools. got a built-in tambourine, too.

NOVEMBER 2016 65 33 PRESCHOOL | 3+

WOW! TOY 31

32 “GET READY—THE CONCRETE’S COMIN’!” ORSON, 4.

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“VERY CHALLENGING GAME FOR KIDS, BUT FUN WHEN YOU PROGRAM YOUR MOUSE TO REACH THE CHEESE.” ANDREA, MOM TO ANDREW, 6, AND DELILAH, 4.

WOW! 35 TOY 37

“GREAT TOY WITH LOTS OF 36 PLAY IDEAS. IT’S ONLY LIMITED BY YOUR IMAGINATION.” ANNA, MOM TO VERONICA, 5.

31. CODE & GO ROBOT her mouth and paw activate 34. MIX’N TRUCK 36. BILIBO GAME BOX MOUSE CODING lights and sounds. HAPE, $32, AMAZON.CA MOLUK, $30, AMAZON.CA ACTIVITY SET “I’m going to be a doctor No job’s too big for this little Colourful cups, dice and chips LEARNING RESOURCES, $85, for doggies when I grow concrete mixer. The high-quality lend themselves to a slew of SCHOLARSCHOICE.CA up.” PEYTON, 5. wooden vehicle makes a perfect games and activities. Stack and With this cool game that teaches 33. LINCOLN LOGS 100TH addition to any work site. balance the cups, try your aim early coding skills, players build ANNIVERSARY TIN by tossing the chips into the a maze and use directional cards K’NEX, $70, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM 35. FISHER PRICE cups, practise counting or create to create a pathway for the THINK AND LEARN your own fun game . robotic light-up mouse, Colby, The pioneer-style toy is back, CODE-A-PILLAR who’s on a mission to find his and it’s just like you remember MATTEL, $60, TOYSRUS.CA 37. PLAY-DOH TOWN wedge of cheese. but packaged in a brand new 3-IN-1 TOWN CENTRE collector’s tin with more than 100 It’s never too early to learn to HASBRO, $50, TOYSRUS.CA 32. JUST PLAY BARBIE all-wood log pieces. code, and this cute light-up cater­ KISS AND CARE PET “My favourite thing to build is pillar gives kids a head start on Welcome to the Town Centre! DOCTOR SET houses. I like them because they problem solving, planning and There’s a hair salon, a mechanic sequencing. Code-a-pillar’s easily and flower shop. Stop for lunch MATTEL, $40, TOYSRUS.CA are made of wood.” WILFRED, 4. interchanged segments dictate at the restaurant for Play-Doh This stocked vet’s bag is which direction he’ll travel in. pizza and cake. Comes with equipped with everything 50 stamps, two figurines and needed to help puppy feel better. eight cans of Play-Doh. Interactive pressure points on

66 NOVEMBER 2016 “I LIKE THAT THIS TOY IS TOTALLY CONTAINED: WOW! THE DOLLS ARE PART OF THE BOX, AND IT 38 TOY CLOSES SECURELY WHEN PLAYTIME IS OVER.” KAREN, MOM TO MATILDA, 3.

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“I LIKE TAKING IT APART AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.” NATHAN, 5. 42

40 “THE VOICE IS IRRESISTIBLE. 41 THE GLOW IS SOFT AND APPEALING FOR LIGHTING THE ROOM AT BEDTIME.” RACHEL, MOM TO JOIA, 3.

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38. MIO PLAYING, allows budding designers to flex memory and number recogni- 44. MY LITTLE EATING, SLEEPING, their creative muscles by creat- tion. Flick the spinner and see if PONY BABY FLURRY WORKING + 2 PEOPLE ing très chic outfits. you can match five brownies. HEART PONY MANHATTAN TOY, $100 US, HASBRO, $50, WALMART.CA MANHATTANTOY.COM 40. SOPHIE’S SEASHELL 42. DESIGN AND DRILL SCRAMBLE GAME POWER PLAY VEHICLES Sweet Baby Flurry Heart loves Constructed of natural wood, EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS, $33, HELICOPTER it when you press her soft this beautiful modern home SCHOLARSCHOICE.CA EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS, $22, AMAZON.CA tummy. Her horn will light up, is waiting to be explored. The and she’ll giggle and coo as she Sweet otter Sophie needs a Pint-sized engineers will love simple shapes can be stacked introduces herself. Shake her hand finding some yummy customizing this build-it-yourself or arranged any way your little bottle, and she’ll reply with cute seashells for dinner. Players chopper that includes a mini mo- homeowner would like. The two baby pony sounds. must spin the arrow to land included dolls have hand-painted torized drill and movable blades. on a pattern and use the otter- heads and soft beanbag bodies. shaped tweezers to select the 43. THE FARM A TO Z “It’s naptime! Let’s make him go corresponding seashells. PUZZLE AND PLAYSET to bed!” JUDAH, 3. BEGINAGAIN TOYS, $49, CRAFTBASKET.CA 41. BROWNIE 39. MAGNETIBOOK A vibrant lesson in colours and FASHION MATCH GAME EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS, $35, animals, this pretty wooden JANOD, $25, MODERNKARIBOU.CA MONKEYMOUNTAIN.CA puzzle is a bushel of farm high- Great for on-the-go play, this lights, from apple tree and goose This fudgy matching game is French-designed magnet board to veterinarian and zinnia. a tasty treat that helps with

NOVEMBER 2016 67 PRESCHOOL | 3+ 46

WOW! “IF YOU HAVE A KID WITH A GOOD IMAGINATION, THE ADVENTURE TOY NEVER ENDS. PLUS, MINIATURE OPERATION TOOLS! WHO KNEW SURGERY COULD BE SO CUTE?” “THE ANIMALS ARE SOMETIMES HAPPY THERESA, MOM TO SABINE, 4. AND SOMETIMES SAD, JUST LIKE ME.” ELLAINA, 3. 45

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“MOMMY, LISTEN TO MY BABY TALKING. SHE 48 CAN TALK FRENCH!” 47 DELILAH, 4. WOW! TOY

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45. CITY LIFE FURNISHED up into an easel and includes game that encourages kids to 50. TERRA WOODEN CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL thick foam magnets of pet faces boss monsters around, helping ANIMAL BARN PLAYMOBIL, $130, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM and activity cards to prompt them understand what’s real and BATTAT, $90, THEBAY.COM conversations about feelings. what’s imaginary. If a monster There’s no better place for a sick pops out while you’re navigating Farm animals love to hang out toy than the City Life Children’s 47. LIA INTERACTIVE the game board, tell it to get lost! in this wooden stable. There’s a Hospital. The operating room has BABY DOLL spot for cleaning horses, fences an adjustable table, a tilting light COROLLE, $130, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM 49. MAKE IT CREATIVE! for building pens and a pulley to and plenty of surgical tools. Need DESIGN YOUR OWN FAIRY lift hay bales into the loft. Animals Little ones can get in touch to visit a patient? Take the eleva- WINGS KIT sold separately. with their nurturing sides with tor upstairs to the baby station or GREAT PRETENDERS, $22, “This is where the cow sleeps, interactive baby Lia. She speaks children’s wing. We hope there’s MASTERMINDTOYS.COM and this is where the cow poops.” four languages (French, English, free parking! ADA, 3. Spanish and Italian; each one ac- This 206-piece set includes 46. MAGNUTTO MAKE tivated by a bracelet), and comes pompoms, foam glitter stickers, 51. SAGO MINI A PET EDUCATIONAL with a potty, bib, bottle, feeding gems, beads and ribbon that can JINJA’S HOUSE MAGNETIC ACTIVITY dish and spoon. be sewn on with an oversized TOCA BOCA, $35, INDIGO.CA NEAT OH!, $28, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM child-friendly plastic needle. 48. GO AWAY MONSTER “This was a good exercise for This sweet take-along playhouse GAMEWRIGHT/CEACO, $17, AMAZON.CA An adorable way to teach kids fine motor control.” CHRISTINA, is made of sturdy fold-out to identify emotions, this pet- cardboard and comes with two Conquer the fear of monsters MOM TO AUDREY, 5. themed magnetic board props figures that tuck right inside. under the bed with this sweet

68 NOVEMBER 2016 “I CAN MAKE IT SPIN! ISN’T IT COOL?” PIERCE, 6. TKTKTKT THING: THING: MAGFORMERS WALKING ROBOT SET Intrigue young engineers with this DIY kit. The 45-piece magnetic set TKTKTK turns into a fully functioning, moving robot. PLAYWELL, $150, INDIGO.CA PHOTO:

70 NOVEMBER 2016 52 WOW! TOY

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“THIS GAME IS ONE I WOULD BUY AS A WOW! GIFT. THE KIDS LOVED TOY 55 TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE EQUATIONS.” TAMMY, MOM TO OAKLEY, 5, AND KINGSTON, 6.

“WE CAN ALWAYS 57 DEFEAT THE DRAGONS WHEN WE PLAY AS A TEAM.” CONNOR, 6.

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52. DRAGON DASH 54. FAST FLIP little whiz will rely on math skills 57. MEDIEVAL CASTLE OUTSET MEDIA, $20, SCHOLARSCHOICE.CA BLUE ORANGE GAMES, $20, INDIGO.CA to ensure the board stays steady. 3D PUZZLE AND PLAY SET IN ONE In a daring battle of brave Go bananas with this crazy 56. POTTERY MELISSA & DOUG, $29, AMAZON.CA knights and angry dragons, play- fruit-themed matching challenge! COOL STUDIO ers work together to unite the “This game is awesome. I’m SPINMASTER, $50, TOYSRUS.CA Kids will lose themselves kingdom. Create a path to safety so good at this game. I have the in this regal two-in-one toy. Young potters will love this kid- across the board, but watch out most tokens so I win.” ANDREW, 6. It’s a 100-piece foam puzzle friendly approach to throwing on for dive-bombing dragons. that forms a 3D castle, complete the wheel. The pliable clay disks 55. BALANCE BEANS with towers, ladders and a trap THINKFUN, $30, SCHOLARSCHOICE.CA are gently moulded over the 53. PLUSHCRAFT door. Once it’s built, kids can play POW! PILLOW desired shape. No kilns required— Teach math and logical thinking with the included characters, ORB FACTORY, $17, TOYSRUS.CA once air-dried, decorate creations dragon and weapons. in a fun way with this teetering with the included metallic paint. “You know what’s awesome? Comic book fans will love this algebra game. Players must “I like the colours of the paint. plushy pop-art DIY pillow. Use the arrange their colourful beans ac- This is going to have a bridge.” They are shiny.” ALEXIS, 7. stylus to push colourful bits of cording to a card to balance the JEREMY, 7. felt into the pre-punched holes to see-saw. With challenges ranging create huggable decor. from easy to super hard, your

NOVEMBER 2016 71 LITTLE KID | 5+ 60

WOW! 58 TOY

“THE RED CARDS REALLY MAKE THE MENTAL PART OF MY BRAIN WORK HARD!” CAMERON, 6.

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“HE’S SO CUTE! I LOVE HOW HIS EYES CHANGE. SOMETIMES HE GETS RAINBOWS IN THEM.” AUDREY, 5.

58. NEON FC builders to create structures With microphones, guitars load the app to pack your Furby LIGHT BOARD based on different visual per- and wild stage-worthy fashion, with all kinds of new content. CRAYOLA, $40, WALMART.CA spectives, like bird’s-eye view or the compact kit is ready to hit side profile. the road. It also comes with 63. SCIENCEWIZ Take art from blah to brilliant the classic mix-and-match tem- COOL CIRCUITS JR. PLAYWELL, $27, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM with this light-up easel. Artists 60. HOT WHEELS CRISS plates, a rub-on transfer crayon can draw pictures using the in- CROSS CRASH TRACK SET and coloured pencils. In this eye-catching puzzle of cluded markers and choose from MATTEL, $60, TOYSRUS.CA “Look at my fashions—I am circles and squiggles, use one 10 light settings to display their Start your engines: This multi- a fashionista!” BRONWYN, 7. of the 40 included challenges to art in a cool way. loop track is hours of fun, with complete the circuit. Once fin- “I love changing the colours of 62. FURBY CONNECT cars to race, crash and bash. ished, get ready for a spectacular my pictures. The sky is pretty HASBRO, $140, AMAZON.CA The 16-foot track includes white- light and music show. when it’s pink.” PEYTON, 5. knuckle turns and four intersect- Furby is back, and he’s more “The puzzles are just challenging 59. MENTAL BLOX ing crash zones. interactive than ever! The enough and have a fun visual 360 DEGREE 3-D revamped model is fluent in and musical reward.” ALICIA, MOM 61. FASHION PLATES BUILDING GAME Furbish and will help owners TO JEREMY, 7. LEARNING RESOURCES, $32, AMAZON.CA SUPERSTAR DELUXE understand him with more than DESIGN SET 150 animations that display in Standard puzzles get a 3D twist KAHOOTZ, $43, SCHOLARSCHOICE.CA his big eyes. He responds to with this 15-piece block set. Forty Little Joan Jetts and Pat Benatars pets and tickles, and can even double-sided cards challenge will love this rockin’ design set. play with other Furbys. Down-

72 NOVEMBER 2016 CITY VOLCANO EXPLORATION BASE Scientists and explorers are arriving in droves to check out this bubbling volcanic eruption. They’ve

got all the equipment needed to collect information TKTKTKT and run tests in their lab on wheels. The excavator

WOW! THING: is essential for finding hidden crystals, and the drone gives them a bird’s-eye view of the active TKTKTK TKTKTK TOY volcano. LEGO, $150, SHOP.LEGO.COM PHOTO:

74 NOVEMBER 2016 “LOVED THIS MARRIAGE 65 OF SCIENCE PLUS PUZZLES AND FUN!” NADINE, MOM TO NATE, 10.

WOW! TOY

64 66

“I LOVE THE DOG! THERE’S EVEN A BONE FOR HIM.” CHARLOTTE, 10.

“I CAN MAKE MY OWN SHOPKINS MARKERS?! LET’S OPEN THIS RIGHT THIS SECOND!” WOW! LUCY, 7. TOY 68 67

“I GOT TO DO TRICKS, AND THE BACKFLIP WAS REALLY COOL.” NATALIE, 8.

64. CIRCUIT MAZE test tubes without using their 67. MEGA BLOKS 68. LUMI GAMING DRONE THINKFUN, $40, AMAZON.CA fingers. The first one to complete AMERICAN GIRL GRACE’S WOWWEE, $102, TOYSRUS.CA the sequence yells, “Eureka!” 2-IN-1 BUILDABLE HOME With 60 challenges to boost Two hot trends merge to create “This game is really, really good!” MATTEL, $100, INDIGO.CA brainpower and help develop Lumi—it’s a light-up drone and a KARLIE, 9. sequential reasoning and logic American Girl fans, come on in! video game. Control the drone skills, this game is great for bud- 66. SHOPKINS STAMPER This pretty pastel set has two from a phone or tablet for hands- ding engineers as they work to MARKER MAKER construction options. Builders free fun, or incorporate it into solve circuit-building puzzles. CRAYOLA, $28, WALMART.CA can make Grace’s two-storey the games included in the app. home, complete with a garden, If you walk away with the includ- This cutesy marker factory is 65. DR. EUREKA patio and terrace; or her pastry ed beacon, Lumi will follow you. BLUE ORANGE GAMES, $24, HITGAMES.CA bustling with adorable Shop- shop (with comes with bitty kins characters. Mix the inks cupcakes) and slumber party In this game of strategy and using the colour guide to create room. Grace’s friends Maddie speed, players have to manoeu- custom hues. Each marker has a and Ella come with the set, too, vre coloured marbles between Shopkins symbol stamper at the so any design you choose will three test tubes, based on the end and a sticker label. The kit be full of fun and friendship. patterns displayed on cards, by includes 16 markers, cardboard tipping the marbles into other cases for storing and stickers.

NOVEMBER 2016 75 BIG KID | 8+ 70

69 WOW! “VERY EDUCATIONAL AND FUN. TOY MY KIDS LOVED BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE SOUNDS AND LIGHT FROM SOMETHING THEY PUT TOGETHER.” GRACE, MOM TO CHLOE, 11, AND MADELINE, 8.

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71 “THIS IS ADORABLE!” EVA, 10.

WOW! TOY 74

WOW! WOW! TOY TOY

69. SMART CIRCUITS able two-foot tail. It can scale 72. BABA YAGA 74. SIMON AIR GAMES AND GADGETS stairs and navigate rough terrain, GAMEWRIGHT, $16, MINDGAMES.CA HASBRO, $30, TOYSRUS.CA ELECTRONICS LAB like logs and rocks, with ease. Baba Yaga, a legendary witch Simon Says gets an upgrade with SMARTLAB, $70, INDIGO.CA “It’s pretty neat and seems to be able to take a beating from Slavic folklore, is on the this touch-free edition. Players loose. Players must use potions, need to watch closely as Simon Makers gotta make, and this and keep going.”ANDREA, spells and luck to capture her in displays a sequence of colours, smart circuit is just the thing to MOM TO CARTER, 10, ANDREW, 6, this fast-paced card game. and then they have to mimic the inspire. Builders can complete AND DELILAH, 4. up to 50 different circuit boards pattern by waving their hands 73. STITCH AND WEAR to create an electronic drum kit, 71. SHRINKY DINKS over the coloured bars. Varying WOOD JEWELRY a quiz show game, a motion- 3D FLOWER JEWELRY levels offer different challenges. ALEX, $20, INDIGO.CA sensor alarm and more. ALEX, $30, MASTERMINDTOYS.COM “‘Just one more game.’ I think all of us said that at one point.” The classic melted-plastic craft Boho babes will love designing 70. TYCO TERRA JESSICA, MOM TO CHARLOTTE, 10, of the ’80s is back. Colour the their own jewellery with this CLIMBER RADIO CLAIRE, 8, AND MIRANDA, 4 MONTHS. flower-shaped decals with the in- wooden needlepoint kit. Wearing CONTROL VEHICLE the dangly earrings, folky rings MATTEL, $100, WALMART.CA cluded pencil crayons and watch them melt down to itty-bitty size and pendant necklaces is almost A powerful indoor-outdoor RC in the oven. The new silicone as much fun as making them! toy, the Tyco Terra has a lizard- mould shapes flowers as they like appearance with an extend- melt into perfect petals.

76 NOVEMBER 2016 “MY SON MADE A 75 3D PROJECTOR THAT 76 ACTUALLY WORKED! I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED WOW! THIS TOY.” CATHERINE, TOY WOW! MOM TO OLIVER, 7. TOY

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WOW! 79 TOY

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75. SNAP CIRCUITS 3D two stencil sheets and a special 78. DONKEY! 79. METALLIC CHARM ILLUMINATION motorized sprayer. Simply load EVEREST, $45, AMAZON.CA MASH-UP BRACELET KIT ELENCO, $85, WELL.CA a marker into the machine and FASHION ANGELS, $15, WALMART.CA plug it in. A fast-paced multi-player A fun hands-on introduction to card game, Donkey doesn’t Amateur jewellers can cut their shop class, this DIY circuit board 77. WRAPIT LOOM follow the rules of a typical teeth on this profesh set. It’s a teaches the fundamentals of the BRACELET CRAFT KIT game: Each round can be differ- whole kit of coloured thread, simple row and column grids RAINBOWLOOM, $25, ent but always includes players charms, beads and wire, com- found in most electronic prod- MASTERMINDTOYS.COM having to do silly things, like plete with fancy wire cutters. ucts. With 150-plus projects, kids building a structure with their “I like using the metal beads There’s no needle required for can create things like a projector, cards or balancing the included instead of plastic. It looks more this delicate beadwork—just a an LED light tunnel and an alarm plastic pucks on their heads. like jewellery.” cool looming machine that se- NATALIE, 8. system, and master the basics of “Our stomachs were sore from cures the bracelet tight and holds engineering and electricity. laughing so hard!” RICK, DAD 80. HEXBUG TARANTULA the beads to help little wrappers HEXBUG, $33, HEXBUG.COM create intricate works of art. The TO COLE AND BLAKE, 10, TRENT, 8, 76. AIR MARKER SPRAYER AND JILLIAN, 6. CRAYOLA, $40, TOYSRUS.CA kit includes more than 400 tiny The latest crawly in the Hexbug beads and enough supplies to family, Tarantula responds to a Wannabe graffiti artists will go make five unique bracelets. two-channel infrared remote that nuts for this airbrush machine. lets operators individually move The kit includes five markers, each of his spindly legs.

NOVEMBER 2016 77