Grandparents Hot Toys Holiday Gift Guide plus a Giveaway

How Do I Come Up with the Holiday Guide for Grandparents?

I go to toys shows throughout the year and see thousands of toys – yes literally thousands.   I take over a thousand pictures plus notes when I see something that I think I might like to recommend.  In the Fall I go through all of this and make a list of potential items to be on my lists.  Then I check the prices and the reviews.  If something on my list is getting awful reviews, it is scratched.  After all I saw it on display and perhaps demonstrated, but I am not a child playing with it.

There are lots of holiday toy guides this time of year but mine is unique.  This is a guide from a grandmother’s perspective. It is my HONEST opinion -  not just corporate PR. I try to recommend something for everybody.  We have young grandchildren and older ones.  Boys and girls.  Some grandparents are asked to buy the big ticket items and other grandparents make modest gifts. We all want the same thing. We want our grandchildren to enjoy our gift. 

My full Holiday guide will be presented in 3 articles:

Grandparents Hot Toys Holiday Guide Plus a Giveaway

Gifts That Grandparents Will Love to Give Plus a Giveaway

Books and Books with Plush Holiday Gift Ideas

The toys on this "Hot Toy List" are being promoted on the TV shows that your grandkids watch.  Some are probably already on their holiday wish lists.    Although the prices on some of them are high due to licensing and advertising costs, they meet my approval because I think they will have reasonable play value and will not quickly be ignored or broken.

Two final notes -

Most pictures are mine taken at the toy shows or in my home.  They are not stock photos.  This is why some are less than perfect with other stuff in the background. But they do portray the real deal.

If I say "Ages X and up, up, up"  I am referring to generations - meaning two or more generations up will enjoy playing with this item.

First up is a game that is sure to be a winner with a wide age range of kids. And it is the giveaway for the Hot Toys list.  See the giveaway details at the end of the post.

Boom Blast Stix

Boom Blast Stix      Ages 6 and Up, Up, Up                               
When I showed my review sample to my 8 year old grandson he was all excited to be getting Boom Blast Stix and said he had seen it on commercials a hundred times.  It is a simple stacking game in which the lightweight triangular shaped “stix” come apart and blast everywhere causing lots of screams and laughter. We played it for an hour and we were both in stitches but never bored.  No batteries, no electronics and low price – what more do you want?  See my full review here. By Moose Toys.

 

 Mr. Potato Head Star Wars BBT8R

Mr. Potato Head Star Wars BBT8R   Ages 2+ 
Calling all Star Wars fans – even pre-school age fans.  This Mr. Potato Head toy merges classic toy and iconic theme.  It comes in a carrying case and there are other favorite Star Wars characters so choose your grandchild’s favorite.  Includes a 5.5 inch body, body parts and accessories.  Play along with your grandchild and remember when you stuck the parts into a real potato. Yes, I remember that. By Playskool.

Star Wars Monopoly - 40th Anniversary Edition

Star Wars Monopoly – 40^th Anniv Ed  Ages 8 and Up,Up,Up      
For the older Star Wars and monopoly fans this is the perfect gift.  The 40^th anniversary edition features Star Wars themed player pieces, classic scenes, iconic ships, force cards and more.  Truly a collectors edition.  By Hasbro.

DUPLO Batcave Challenge

DUPLO Batcave challenge        Ages 2 – 5                  
Every pre-schooler loves DUPLO blocks – especially the themed sets, and Batman is a favorite theme.  This set is right-sized for pre-schoolers and it includes 4 character figures – Batman, Robin, Joker and Poison Ivy.  The set has a batcave with a jail, a batmobile and a batcycle.  With 73 pieces in all, it has great play value for a pre-schooler….and a grandparent may want to join in.  Grandparents – you can’t miss with this one.  By LEGO.

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Teddy Ruxpin

Teddy Ruxpin    Ages 2 and Up, Up, Up              

This is a huge nostalgic toy as Teddy Ruxpin was a best seller in the 80s.   Of course the 2017 version has bluetooth, LCD eyes, touch sensors and a hard drive.  It is the confluence of two generations.  Teddy Ruxpin is 14 inches tall – big but an enjoyable size for a pre-schooler.  He is pre-loaded with 3 stories and 7 songs.  Of course there is an app and with the Bluetooth technology you can download additional stories and songs.  Teddy Ruxpin is pricey but it is on many major Hot Toy lists and TV holiday guides.  It will be heavily marketed and so it is likely to be on many wish lists.  Since many parents will remember this toy fondly that will add to its popularity.  Teddy Ruxpin is likely to sell out early, so if you are interested, don’t wait.   By Wicked Cool Toys.

Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery

Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery    Ages 3+
Doc McStuffins remains a hot TV show for the pre-school crowd.  This is the newest large playset and it is on many Hot Toy lists.  The center features a cradle that rocks for the baby’s doctor visit and all sorts of equipment. Some of the items included are a portable patient diagnostic laptop, stethoscope (with light and sound), scale and other nursery tools.  It is stand up play size for a pre-schooler. It will be on many a 3-4 year old wish lists. By Just Play.

DC Super Hero Girl Action Figures   

DC Super Hero Girls Action Figures     Ages 6+

This a great collection of female superhero action figures that are sure to be a hit with the girls.  It won the best new action figure award at Toy Fair and may be heavily marketed on kids super hero shows this holiday season.  You can buy them separately, and as a 3 pack, 6 pack, and 9 pack. There are 6 inch action figures and 12 inch dolls.  Characters include Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batgirl, Hawkgirl, Starfire, Bumble Bee, Harley Quinn and Posion Ivy. Hawkgirl is Latina and this may make it of special interest to some families. Never heard of most of these? Grandparents – check with Mom to find out who the favorites are. By Mattel.

Ben 10 Action Figures

Ben 10 action figures   Ages 4+
Never heard of Ben 10? Ben is a popular Cartoon Network character who explores the quirkier side of things in the alien underground where there are enemies and a mysterious hunter is hot on his trail.  It is a popular show and these new action figures will be a favorite this year. By Playmates.

Hexbug Space Cosmic Command   Ages 6 and Up, Up, Up

Hexbug fans  - and there are many - will love the nano space discovery line.  This is the largest of the three sets in the line.  Go for it. It is a great toy that grandparents will also enjoy playing with their grandchildren.  It comes with 2 nanos and of course you can use your own hexbug nanos with it.  Space features include the nano rocket ship, rotating gravity trainor, an air lock passage and an ion chamber.  Can't you just see your nano hexbugs navigating all that?  Lots of details and places for the nanos to scurry off too.  All five star reviews at Amazon.

LEGO Architecture – London  Ages 8 and Up, Up, Up

Older kids love the bigger more challenging LEGO sets and many of them are based on movie or TV character themes.  However, this Architecture themed line from LEGO should be very popular .  It features iconic building scenes from around the world including London, New York and Chicago skylines, Eiffel tower, US Capitol Building, Buckingham Palace and more.  Most are in the 300 – 1000 piece range.  Since there is no licensing cost as there is with movie characters they are better priced than many LEGO sets.  LEGO is promoting the  architecture line and a LEGO Architecture set may be a gift on a grandchild’s list that you will love to give.  There are many adults who enjoy LEGOs too and this will be a definite winner with them also.


Giveaway Details
One lucky winner will receive a Boom, Blast Stix game.

It is easy to enter and there are two ways. Both ways count as an entry so you get two entries if you do both.  I need to be able to contact you if you win. If you enter -  email me with your email address at  marion@grandmachronicles.com.  I will not use your email address for anything except to notify you if you win.  Grandmother’s Honor.

Two ways to win:

Leave a comment here on the blog 

and/or

Like The Grandma Chronicles facebook page - click here.

You can have two entries by doing both.  Deadline to enter: November 15, 2017 at midnight. This item can be sent to US addresses only. 

You can shop early and the easy way at Amazon by clicking on the icons below.  Or beginning checking the sales to see if there is a good buy on any of your favorites.

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