Christmas Toy 2011 Recommendations – Already!

It’s hard for parents to keep up with the trends in toys each year.

Dr. Toy Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., has been following toy trends for over 30 years and she has some good news for parents – look to the classics.

Tried and true toys that have stood the test of time are the toys to look for, according to Dr. Toy. I know it’s early to think about Christmas but these toy recommendations will make your shopping easier throughout the year.

Dr. Toy says, “Classic toys are enduring and have many important benefits. They encourage the child’s interaction, involvement and are truly child-powered.” Dr. Toy says classic toys help parents share their own experiences with their kids or even grandkids because they may have played with the toy too.

“Classic toys,” Dr. Toy says, reflecting back to her own youth, “are toys you return to from your own childhood like the shiny, durable Radio Flyer red wagon, scooter, or tricycle.

“Many parents want to introduce their child to that special favorite, a yo-yo, or Lincoln Logs, Erector Sets, or Tinker Toys, or an Etch-A-Sketch, or a first teddy bear, Raggedy Ann doll, or Lionel electric train. Classics are ‘basics’ that never go out of style.”

Details of any of the toys she discusses are available on her website at www.drtoy.com for parents to search and research any toy or check out the books she has written about toys and play.

Dr. Toy has provided her Top 40 list along with a key to understand what kind of toy she is profiling, the price, the age group she recommends, the year it was issued and a phone number and website parents can use to locate the toy.

What’s your favorite childhood toy? Please comment below.

• ALEX Paint in the Tub, CP NO TY $14.99 Ages 3-8 1999 800-666-2539 www.alextoys.com  
• ALEX Under Cover Spy Case, AE FP NO $25.99 Ages 8-10 1999 800-666-2539 www.alextoys.com
• b. dazzle Butterflies Scramble, ES PZ TR $8.95 Ages 4-12 1997 800-809-4242 www.b-dazzle.com
• b. dazzle Serengeti Scramble Squares, ES PZ $8.95 Ages 4-12 1997 800-809-4242 www.b-dazzle.com 
• b. dazzle Soccer Scramble Squares, ES PZ TR $8.95 Ages 4-12 1997 800-809-4242 www.b-dazzle.com
• b. dazzle Tropical Fish Scramble, ES PZ TR $8.95Ages 4-12 1997 800-809-4242 www.b-dazzle.com
• BEKA Deluxe Easel, AC CP ES HO $90.00 Ages 2-12 1984 888-999-2352 www.bekainc.com 
• Chicco Animal Cottage, ES PZ $19.99 Ages 12-24 mos 2000 877-424-4226 www.chiccousa.com
• Corolle Dolls Bébé Chéri, DO $100.00 Ages 3-5 1979 800-668-4846 www.corolle.com
• Critical Thinking Language Mechanic, BO ES $21.99 Ages 8-12 2001 800-458-4849 www.criticalthinking.com
• Del Visionaries Little Green Money Machine, AE ES $199.00 Ages 5-12 2010 888-678-6954 www.littlegreenmoneymachine.com 
• DoodleTown Little Toys for Little Hands, TR TS $7.00 Ages 0-5 1972 763-263-5123 www.doodletowntoys.com 
• Endless Games Picture Password, BG $14.99 Ages 4-8 1961 732-414-2213 www.endlessgames.com
• Faire Tyme Toys Top Tafel, AC AE BG $99.00 Ages 8-12 2000 519-692-5212 www.fairetymetoys.com
• Finan Enterprises KLOO, AE BG CG ES TR $49.95 Ages 8-10 2010 561-827-0993 www.kloogame.com 
• Geomagworld SA Geomag – Color, AE CO CP ES TY $21.00 Ages 3-12 1998 800-444-4775 www.reevesintl.com  
• K’NEX Ferris Wheel, CO ES TY $21.99 Ages 7-12 1998 800-543-5639 www.knex.com  
• Knowledge Adventure JumpStart.com, CP ES GE TY IN $7.99 Ages 3-12 1991 800-545-7677 www.jumpstart.com  
• Knowledge Adventure MathBlaster.com, CP ES GE TY IN $7.99 Ages 6-12 1983 800-545-7677 www.mathblaster.com  
• Learning Materials Prismatic, CO ES TY $65.00 Ages 3-8 1985 800-693-7164 www.learningmaterialswork.com  
• Learning Resources Gears!Gears! Super Set, CO ES TY $49.99 Ages 3-8 1997 800-333-8281 www.learningresources.com  
• Manhattan Toy Baby Whoozit™, TR TY $13.00 Ages 0-24 mos 1996 800-541-1345 www.manhattantoy.com  
• Manhattan Toy Skwish® Classic, AE TR TY $16.50 Ages 0-24 mos 2001 800-541-1345 www.manhattantoy.com  
• Maple Landmark Chinese Checkers, BG ES $35.00 Ages 8-12 2000 800-421-4223 www.maplelandmark.com  
• Maple Landmark Montgomery Rattles, AE TY $10.00 Ages 1-24 mos 1975 800-421-4223 www.maplelandmark.com 
• OOZ&OZ Morph-O-Scopes Circus, AC NO TR $19.99 Ages 5-12 1993 888-750-3338 www.oozandoz.com  
• Pop-in-Kins Christopher Pop-In-Kins, BO DO CT $29.95 Ages 3-12 1985 866-283-5178 www.popinkins.com  
• Tangle Creations Tangle Jr., CP ES HO NO PZ TR TY $2.99 Ages 3-12 1985 888-829-3808 www.tanglecreations.com  
• Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell 10 Car & Kit, ES HO SC $179.95 Ages 10-12 2001 401-459-6787 www.thamesandkosmos.com
• Tolo Toys Rolling Shape Sorter, AE ES TY $26.00 Ages 12 mos-3 1998 800-444-4775 www.reevesintl.com  
• US Games Wizard Card Games, CG $8.00 Ages 10-12 1986 800-544-2637 www.wizardcards.com  
• Wham-O Frisbee® Disc, AE TY $7.99 Ages 5-12 1958 888-942-6650 www.wham-o.com  
• Wham-O Hula Hoop® Original, AE TY $4.99 Ages 5-12 1958 888-942-6650 www.wham-o.com  
• Wham-O Slip’N Slide®, AE OP TY $9.99 Ages 5-12 1961 888-942-6650 www.wham-o.com  
• Wham-O Superball®, AE TY $1.99 Ages 5-12 1965 888-942-6650 www.wham-o.com  
• Wild Republic Audubon Birds, HO NO PL TY $8.00 Ages 3-12 2001 800-800-9678 www.wildrepublic.com  
• WowToyz E-Z Build Model, CO ES HO TS TY $11.95 Ages 5-12 2000 800-350-1007 www.wowtoyz.com  
• WowToyz Diecast Metal Airplanes, ES HO TS $11.50 Ages 3-12 2000 800-350-1007 www.wowtoyz.com  
• WowToyz Space Shuttle Launch Ctr, ES TS $26.95 Ages 3-12 2000 800-350-1007 www.wowtoyz.com
• Yoshiritsu Co LaQ Free Style Colors, AC CO CP $32.95 Ages 5-12 1995 972-436-3867 www.laq.co.jp/en

Toy Type Key:

AC = arts & crafts

AE = active

BG = board game

BO = book

CG = card game

CO = construction

CP = creative product

CR = computer-related

CT = cultural

DO = doll

ES = educational skills

FP = fantasy play

GE = game

HO = hobby

IN = internet

NO = novelty

OP = outdoor play

PL = plush

PZ = puzzle

SC = science

TR = travel

TS = transportation

TY = toy