Halloween 2015 is officially in the books, which means it’s time for everyone to turn their attention to Christmas! Yes, the Christmas advertisements are already flashing across television screens and stores are getting decorated for the holidays, which happen to be the biggest sales driver of the year for retailers. And nothing sells at Christmas like toys for kids (and some adults). Each year, there is inevitably a list of must-have toys that end up on everyone’s list to Santa. So here is a look at 10 of the hottest toys for Christmas 2015, and what you can expect to see on your kids’ wish list this year.
10. Star Wars Bladebuilders – Jedi Master Lightsaber
With Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to hit theaters on December 18th, you can bet that Star Wars toys are going to be a hot ticket this Christmas. And the hottest of the Star Wars merchandise is expected to be the Star Wars Bladebuilder that enables people to create a customized Jedi Master Lightsaber. The bladebuilder set comes with enough components for people to create more than 100 combinations of Lightsabers. And it also includes lights, sounds and two independently lit “light daggers,” as well as an expansion hilt and two elbow connectors. This is sure to keep kids, and possibly their parents, entertained as they work to build a Lightsaber that is truly unique and the coolest one on the block.
9. Lego Dimensions
Taking a cue from the hugely successful Skylander toys, this Christmas Lego is launching its “Dimensions” line of toys, which tie into consoles and allow people to merge physical Lego blocks with interactive video gameplay. As with Skylanders, people place Lego mini-figures that they collect onto an interactive toy pad in order to transport the figure into the Lego Dimensions video game. They also use the Lego bricks to build vehicles and a gateway that will transport mini-figures such as Lego Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle, as well as the Batmobile, into the game. This is sure to be popular with Lego enthusiasts and younger gamers, making it a great addition to any console. If you’re thinking of picking it up, be sure to check out our Lego Dimensions review for all of the interesting features about this Toys to Life game.
8. Lego Elves
For more traditional Lego enthusiasts there is Lego Elves, a colorful line of Lego that features elves and animals. The Elves Treetop Hideaway is expected to be one of Lego’s biggest sellers this holiday season, as it comes with a fairly large buildable playset, three elf dolls and a panther cub. The treehouse also features a magical portal and secret compartment. Sure to appeal to girls ages 6-12 who love elves, fairies, sprites and other magical woodland creatures. This Elves line is the big one Lego is advertising this Christmas, in addition to its Star Wars toys that tie into the upcoming film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
7. Imaginext Ultra T-Rex
Dinosaurs are always a hit with young children, and Imaginext is pulling out all the prehistoric stops this Christmas with its Ultra T-Rex toy that is sure to blow young minds. The Ultra T-Rex stands two and a half feet tall, walks forward and roars with battery power, its eyes light up and its mouth opens and closes with chomping sound effects, and it even launches boulder projectiles. A truly interactive toy, the Ultra T-Rex is sure to keep kids entertained for hours as they build and play with this larger than life toy. Parent just have to hope their kids don’t sic the T-Rex on any of the neighbors.
6. Halo 5: Guardians
Video games continue to be one of the biggest sellers at Christmas time, and among the top games expected to fly off the shelves this Christmas is the Xbox One exclusive Halo 5: Guardians. It’s the first new Halo game for the Xbox One console, and the story picks up after the events of Halo 4 with the character Spartan Locke tracking down Master Chief. Halo 5 also features a four-player co-operative mode, and a multiplayer function that has been getting rave reviews. There are also extremely advanced and impressive graphics, and somewhat cartoonish violence that makes the Halo franchise one of the more accessible first-person shooter games. Parents can rest easy knowing that the gamer in their house will love this title and that there is little-to-no gore involved in the shootings.
5. Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa
Who doesn’t love Karaoke? Kids sure like it, and they also like the Disney movie Frozen. So why not combine the two into the Disney Frozen Sing-A-Long Elsa doll? Girls can take turns passing around the microphone and sing along with the interactive Elsa doll to the worldwide smash hit song “Let It Go” from the movie. Elsa’s necklace and dress light up as she sings, and she says more than 15 phrases in English and Spanish. However, she only sings the one song. So parents who are already sick of hearing “Let It Go” around the house may want to think twice about this toy. But for those who love the movie, and that song, this doll is the perfect gift for you child.
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
Like Halo 5: Guardians, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 is a hotly anticipated first-person shooter video game that is likely to be on many a wish list this Christmas. Available across all major console platforms, Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 takes place in the future and is a complete reimagining of the game series following previous bestsellers Call of Duty: Ghosts, Modern Warfare and Advanced Warfare. The new Call of Duty game features robotics and super soldiers, and the story centers on a futuristic robot takeover. Cool! And like previous Call of Duty titles, Black Ops 3 also has a kick-ass multi-player mode and a fan favorite Zombie mode as well. Actor Jeff Goldblum voices the main character too. Bonus!
3. Shopkins Scoops Ice Cream Truck
Shopkins continue to be one of the most popular toys among young girls. And this Christmas, the big ticket item featuring the Shopkins is their Scoops Ice Cream Truck. However, unlike other ice cream-related toys, this one does not actually make ice cream. It just features a Shopkins ice cream truck, as well as little assorted ice cream miniatures. The truck has secret storage compartments that allow kids to hide their Shopkins items, two exclusive Shopkins characters and new exclusive Shopkins shopping bags. This is a hot toy for young children who enjoy collecting the Shopkins miniatures. And who doesn’t love ice cream? Especially in the winter.
2. Skylanders Superchargers
The hugely successful and popular toys-to-life video game franchise Skylanders takes it to the next level this Christmas with the addition of…vehicles. Featuring 20 new characters and their accompanying vehicles, kids can now speed across Skylands in combat vehicles, racing boats and even aerial vehicles that let players of the popular videogame take to the skies for combat battles. And like all previous Skylander toys, the new Supercharger series will no doubt attract kids who want to collect all 20 new characters and their accompanying vehicles. Compatible with Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Wii U, younger gamers will no doubt love this latest Skylander series, which features tons of interactive gameplay and cool vehicles. Think of it as a supped-up version of Mario Kart.
1. Just Cause 3
Probably the most anticipated video game this Christmas is Just Cause 3. Available December 1st for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC, Just Cause 3 is an open world video game in the same spirit as the Grand Theft Auto series. And like Grand Theft Auto, the Just Cause games feature addictive unpredictable chaos that gamers just can’t seem to get enough of. The first two Just Cause games earned a reputation for their spectacular visuals, jaw-dropping stunts and fun gameplay. Just Cause 3 is expected to continue that trend with its creativity and the freedom it provides gamers to wander and set their own stories. That, and the fact that the game’s creators have been bragging online that you can blow up practically everything in Just Cause 3‘s tropical environment. Like the first two installments in this series, we expect that gamers will post many videos of themselves playing this game to YouTube and across the internet.
