Toys R Us turns attention to holidays

Flying fish, tiny monsters among Toys R Us' hot list

9/21/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • retailer-turns-attention-to-holidays

    Sesame Street Let's Rock Elmo! from Hasbro is an Elmo doll that sings. It comes with a drum, tambourine, and microphone and sells for $69.99. Another interactive on the list but not pictured is Radica Fijit Friends by Mattel, for $49.99, robotic toys that dance and respond to squeezes and spoken words.

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • Sesame Street Let's Rock Elmo! from Hasbro is an Elmo doll that sings. It comes with a drum, tambourine, and microphone and sells for $69.99. Another interactive on the list but not pictured is Radica Fijit Friends by Mattel, for $49.99, robotic toys that dance and respond to squeezes and spoken words.
    Sesame Street Let's Rock Elmo! from Hasbro is an Elmo doll that sings. It comes with a drum, tambourine, and microphone and sells for $69.99. Another interactive on the list but not pictured is Radica Fijit Friends by Mattel, for $49.99, robotic toys that dance and respond to squeezes and spoken words.

    NEW YORK -- Every year, toy makers and sellers hope a runaway hit will spur excitement for the holidays and boost sales.

    Toys R Us is betting 15 toys ranging from a flying, inflatable, remote-control fish to tiny collectible monsters will be big this season.

    Making the right picks early is crucial for toy sellers.

    Karen Dodge, senior vice president and chief merchandising officer of Toys R Us in the United States, said, "There's lots of really interesting and different and unique toys on the list."

    The 15 toys on the Toys R Us list are:

    Air Hogs Hyper Actives by Spin Master, $49.99: radio-controlled miniature racing cars. Air Swimmers Extreme by Animal Planet, $49.99: inflatable fish and shark balloons that are radio-controlled and seem to swim through the air. Lalaloopsy Silly Hair dolls by MGA Entertainment, $34.99: rag dolls with button eyes and bendable hair.

    LeapPad Explorer by Leapfrog, $99.99: a tabletlike device children can use to read books, play educational games, and take pictures. Monster High Fearleading 3-Pack by Mattel, $42.99: three dolls that are offspring of famous monsters, dressed in "Fear Squad" cheerleading outfits. Moshi Monsters Moshling Mini-Figures 3-pack by Spin Master, $5.99: tiny collectible monsters related to a hit online game.

    My Keepon by Wow! Stuff, $39.99: a bright yellow blob-like robot that dances to music. Nerf Vortex Vigilon by Hasbro, $24.99: a foam dart gun that launches foam discs up to 50 feet. Ninjago Lightning Dragon Battle by Lego Systems Inc., $79.99: a 645-piece construction set offered exclusively at Toys R Us with characters from Lego's popular Ninjago line.

    Moshi Monsters Moshling Mini-Figures by Spin Master come in a 3-pack and sell for $5.99. They are tiny collectible monster figures popularized by a hit online game. Also from the virtual world are Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, by Activision, $69.99. It features video game action figures that are placed in a portal and then appear in the game.
    Moshi Monsters Moshling Mini-Figures by Spin Master come in a 3-pack and sell for $5.99. They are tiny collectible monster figures popularized by a hit online game. Also from the virtual world are Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, by Activision, $69.99. It features video game action figures that are placed in a portal and then appear in the game.

    Poppin' Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro's Playskool, $29.99: a colorful elephant that can launch plastic balls and plays music. Power Wheels Dune Racer by Mattel's Fisher-Price: $279.99: a child-size dune buggy that can ride over grass, gravel, and mud. Radica Fijit Friends by Mattel, $49.99: robotic toys that dance and respond to squeezes and spoken words.

    Sesame Street Let's Rock! Elmo by Hasbro, $69.99: an Elmo doll that sings, with drum, tambourine, and microphone. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, by Activision, $69.99: video game action figures to be placed in a portal, then appear in the game. Trash Pack Garbage Truck by Moose Toys, $19.99: a garbage truck holds 10 collectible Trashies, tiny collectible characters. With two special-edition Trashies.