The Top 5 Toys for Girls for 2016...What's Hot? What's Not?

What are the Top 5 Toys for Girls for 2016? I can hardly believe that it’s that time of year again. Time to start thinking about the holidays and what our kids want, or what we want them to have. Well…as I began to look around and peruse the catalogs that come in my mail, I thought I’d better start taking notes…

Lucky for me, I love toys! All kinds of toys! I consider myself a pretty good judge of what’s cool and what’s not when it comes to toys. I’ve got two kids (a boy and a girl), so I feel like I see it all!

Below is a list of what I think are the Top 5 Toys for Girls for 2016.

This list will be changing a lot I’m sure – you know…as the catalogs come in the mail, and we visit our friends’ houses and see exciting new toys, our opinion will quickly change. But don’t worry…I promise to keep you up to date on What’s Hot & What’s Not!

Here is what’s hot in my humble opinion…

Hatchimals

It’s very hard to find out much information on this hot, new toy! Here is what I found on the Hatchimals Website…

You may not have heard of this toy yet, but that is because everything about it is being kept under wraps. Within the toy scene, there has been a rumbling about a new toy coming soon, one expected to hit the shelves, and be an instant hit.

This toy is named “Hatchimals”, and while little is known so far, slowly more news is being released, and the anticipation awaiting this toy is only rising. The toy is such a closely guarded secret; there is almost zero information about it on the internet.

Only a few pictures exist. However, despite all this, toy enthusiasts are expecting it to be one of the hottest toys of 2016.

Of course this has me very intrigued! This toy was announced at the Toy Fair 2016, and its announcement has already resulted in a few awards. It received the “Coolest Toy Award” by Savvy Auntie. It has not been publicly launched yet, but it is already making waves in the toy world and is already attracting a lot of attention.

The creator of Hatchimals is a Canadian based toy manufacturer called Spin Master. You might not recognize this name, but once you look at their list of products, you will see that they are an established company.

They are working in partnership with companies like Disney to make a range of Monsters University toys, and partnering with DreamWorks to make a How to Train Your Dragon toy range. Other brands include Minecraft, Tech Deck, and even Paw Patrol. So…chances are, you have some of Spin Master’s products in your house.

And I know a little girl (maybe my son too once we see what this actually is), who will definitely be interested in a toy that hatches some cute animal. At least that’s what I think it will do… Only time will tell…

Goldiblox Invention Mansion

Introducing the Invention Mansion: GoldieBlox’s answer to the classic dollhouse!

With over 350 pieces and a full-color booklet of idea starters, the Invention Mansion gives your budding builder the tools to get started while encouraging open-ended, exploratory play. Young engineers will dive in to discover a trap door, zipline, balconies, bridges, and secret spots. With thousands of configurations, the construction and role play possibilities are endless!

A lot of little girls grow up with a dollhouse. With GoldieBlox, she can build it herself.

Comes with over 350 pieces, 2 mini-figurines, and brand new construction pieces
Playset features include trap door, zipline, balcony, bridges, levers, linkages, climbing wall, and more
Introduces the real-life STEM concept of architectural design
Designed for tinkering and creative exploration
GoldieBlox toys build spatial skills and confidence in problem-solving
Compatible with all other GoldieBlox toys

Now this is a toy that I would love to see on my daughter, Morgan’s Wish List! In fact, if she doesn’t put it on there herself, I might just pencil it in. I think this is a fabulous idea, and I hope she asks for it. I can see us spending lots of time together creating things with Goldiblox!

Furreal Friends Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon

FurReal Friends plush pets are all about rich pet experiences. Their exciting and engaging play helps to create unforgettable memories. Kids can get carried away into a world of fantasy pet fun with Torch, My Blazin’ Dragon.

Imagine that that he lives deep in an enchanted forest, inside a colorful crystal cave. One thing’s for sure — this adorable baby dragon with the fiery personality is full of fun and surprises. Take care of him and discover what exciting things this fantastical pet can do!

In this house, we know all about the Furreal Friends. My daughter is the proud owner of Starlily, the Magical Unicorn. She has had lots of fun with her – it’s a very cool toy. Starlily is very loved and adored, and I would not be surprised to see Torch make it on to her Christmas list this year.

LEGO Disney Princess Elsa’s Sparkling Ice Castle

Hop aboard the sleigh and join Anna and Olaf as they pay a visit to Queen Elsa’s beautiful ice palace for some frosty fun! What will they do first? Play hide and seek behind the secret staircase, or go skating around the castle?

They could ski down the ice hill or prepare frozen treats in the castle’s ice cream bar and then get ready for a picnic in the snow under the magnificent icicle tree. It’s all up to you! First have fun building Elsa’s Sparkling Ice Castle.

Then it’s time to play! Includes Queen Elsa and Princess Anna mini-doll figures, plus Olaf the snowman. You can read more about this on the Lego Website, as well as see many of the other toys they offer.

Now, my daughter has played with Legos some, but she is not obsessed with them…yet. I’m thinking that once she sees this Lego Castle that comes with a Queen Elsa and Princess Anna mini-doll, this will make her list. And I’m sure that this means I will be spending Christmas morning on the floor with her, building this amazing castle. Can’t think of a better way to spend Christmas Day!

Barbie Hello Dreamhouse and the Barbie Dreamhouse

Move right into the Barbie Dreamhouse and discover a world of possibilities because with Barbie, anything is possible! Dream up all kinds of stories with three floors, seven rooms, 70+ accessories and a working elevator with simple pull mechanism!

“Smart” accessories snap into an interactive furniture piece for lights, sound and/or motion — for instance, try the aquarium to watch the fish swim and hear bubble sounds. Flip open the “flat screen” in the living room to insert your own smartphone and play videos for Barbie doll (sold separately).

Classic rooms with modern designs include the first-floor entryway and kitchen; second-floor dining room and bathroom (with pet room between); and third-floor living room, bedroom and walk-in closet, built-in garage door opens and closes by sliding a tab, and a flip atrium window down to convert to swimming pool.

We are huge Barbie fans in this house, and yes…we do have the original Barbie Dreamhouse. It has been such a great investment. It is almost taller than my daughter – she will be able to play with this for a long time. It fits nicely in the corner of our playroom, and there is plenty of room for several girls to play with it at once.

Now, if you are limited on space, you might want to consider the Barbie Hello Dreamhouse. This is a bit smaller than the original Dreamhouse. In fact, I can see my daughter wanting this one so she can keep one in her own room! Oh boy… In addition to being smaller, it has quite a few features you might be interested in…

This Barbie Dreamhouse is a “smart” house.

That’s right…Barbie Hello Dreamhouse, Mattel‘s real life (for Barbie) version of the house in the Disney Channel movie Smart House (1999). Hello Dreamhouse has everything that Barbie could ever want. It’s got a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room, and a bedroom. And of course, since it’s a “smart” house, there is a companion app that works with it as well.

All you have to do is say “Hello Dreamhouse,” and the house will follow your commands. The app can control the elevator (with elevator music), play fun music, or create a crazy light show! The accessories include a laptop, a tv, furniture, and much more… The house is full of many lights and sounds that your kids will love. The only thing this Dreamhouse seems to be lacking is a Barbie doll, so make sure you have some dolls at home ready to move in, or you can get a new doll with your new Hello Dreamhouse!

Other Toys to Consider…

It was really hard to narrow this list down to five toys based on all the articles and ads that I read. So…I thought I’d list some of the other toys I heard about in case you are interested.

Little Live Pets

Remember your first pet? You care, you nurture, you love. For you it might just be a toy… but for them it’s their very first pet. Watch your child and the Little Live Pets interact with each other. It’s a connection that will last forever!

On the Little Live Pets Website, I read about Snuggles. He says I move and feel just like a real puppy. Hold me in your arms and give me a hug. You wont be able to resist my big blue expressive eyes. Feed me with my bottle and I’ll fall asleep in your arms and dream about you!

I’m looking for someone just like you to be my best friend. I even come with an adoption certificate for you to fill in make me your own! Snuggles is the no mess pup who loves to be loved! Snuggles moves, feels and responds just like a real pupppy does. With a pat of the head or a rub of the tummy, Snuggles behaves in different ways. Realistic and fully interactive, all Snuggles needs is a best friend like you!

Monster High Iconic School Playset

Explore the mysteries of Monster High with this play set that captures the iconic school in brilliant color and monster-scale. The front hallway doubles as a party room, with radio booth and signage in the room above and tentacles that pop out from the locker to make a seat.

Take a favorite class in the classroom with its blackboard and chairs, and soak up ancient knowledge in the Library/Study Howl, or grab a bite in the Creepateria — there’s a lunch line, register, table and tray.

Hang upside-down in the Vampire Lounge — use the gore-geous pink and black quilted chair that hangs from the ceiling or remove it and clip in your doll’s feet for the ultimate vampire experience.

My daughter LOVES this cartoon, and she has a few of the dolls, but we don’t have the play set…yet! But…I’m sure she will see this and want to add it to our collection of various doll houses. In her little mind, every doll needs its own home…

Shopkins Happy Places Home

Shopkins Happy Places is a side range of Shopkins that was released in August 2016. They are a line of collectible Petkins that are all based around furniture and home accessories. There are also miniature Lil’ Shoppie dolls in the collection. These Petkins do not have names as the collector’s guide only reads what the item is; ex. “Antique Clock”.

The four categories include Puppy Parlor, Kitty Kitchen, Dreamy Bear, and Bathing Bunny. The type of petkin depends on the category. For instance, only bear Petkins will be found in the dreamy bear category, and no where else. The Limited Editions, which there are two from each category, are Heirloom Petkins.

I know a little girl who is going to be very disappointed if this doesn’t show up under her Christmas tree this year! We have SO many Shopkins in our home. In fact, you can read all about them in my blog post titled Shopkins…What Every Mom Wishes She Had Invented!

And yes…I wish I had invented these simple little toys that are all over my house. I’m quite sure that Santa will be leaving a Shopkins Happy Places Home here on Christmas morning! If he doesn’t, then I’m in trouble…

Air Kicks Anti-Gravity Running Shoes

When reading up on these cool running shoes on the Geospaceplay Website, I got really excited. Almost as excited as I was when Santa left us a trampoline a few years ago….

Not only do AIR KICKS® Anti-Gravity Boots deliver a soft cushiony motion thats gentle on joints and bones, they also provide a sensational calorie-burning, coordination-building, leg-strengthening workout.

They feature high-traction non-marking treads that are safe to use on virtually any surface, indoors or out, and wont mar floors! Popular for years, now we’ve made a great product even better with the release of the latest AIR KICKS design.

The new, improved wider boot design of AIR KICKS are more ergonomically shaped, so just three sizes (Small, Medium or Large) will fit virtually any foot, from 8-year olds to age 60 or more, male or female. That means it is easier to determine your size.

The new design retains the patented JUMPING JAX® technology, which utilizes heavy-duty, rubber T-Springs to capture and then transform downward energy into longer, low-impact strides that are gentle on the ankles, knees and back.

So…in my mind, this is something that everyone in the family would need to get, right? I can see us now happily hopping through the neighborhood in our AIR KICKS Anti-Gravity Boots! They say they are gentle on joints and bones, right? Well, that’s perfect for this old lady. As long as I’d be able to stay up on them. Yep…I think I’m going to have to ask Santa for a pair of these in my size!

So…time to make your list and check it twice! Hope all of this information helps you choose something for your kids. While you’re out shopping look for me – I’ll be the one in the ball cap! Shop ’til you drop…then crawl! Until next time…