...is over for another holiday.
However; I wanted to use this newest blog entry to share what we found after our local experts (kids from the area!) gave some of the top toys of the season their own one-on-one test.
We rounded up the toys based on comparisons from several of the "top toys" lists; including our parnership via Consumer Reports.
It's not scientific.
It took us 2-hours to shop and we spent more than $250.00 on the toys. (2 on sale)

But if our testers experiences help with your toy shopping---- it's all worth it!

1. FurReal Friends-Talking McCaw; $54.99
(Everyone liked it but adults more than kids)
2. Hanna Montana Singing Doll; $19.99
(Girls love it!)
3. Design Your Own Bratz Doll; $14.99
(Girls gave it a thumbs down)
4. Spider-man & Ooze Attacker; $14.99
(The figurine gets a yes)
5. Transformer; $19.79
(This one changes from airplane to figurine and gets an "o.k.")
6. Nerf-n-Strike Long Shot; $22.99
(Everyone was disappointed by this toy)
7. Hot Wheels Spin City; $34.84
(No. One adult and two kids tried more than one-hour to get it to work despite
an easy, one-step set-up claim)
8. Moon Sand-Neighborhood; $14.99
(Yes from all testers)
9. Aqua Doodle Drawing Mat; $19.79
(Yes from all testers)
10. Band In A Box; $9.99
(Yes; especially from the girls!)
**New T.M.X. Elmo/Not available
(Already off the shelves)
**New Rubik's Revolution/Not available
(Already off the shelves)
**Fisher Price Amazing Animals Sing & Go Choo Choo/Not available
(Already off the shelves)

TOP TEN WORST TOYS; per the World Against Toys Causing Harm Safety Group
1. Go Diego Go Animal Rescue Boat
(Contains lead paint)
2. Sticky Stones
(Magnetized stones and if swallowed can stick together across the intestines causing
serious infections and death)
3. Jack Sparrow's Spinning Dagger
(Eye hazard)
4. Dora The Explorer Lamp
(Potential for electric shocks and burns)
5. Lil "Giddy Up" Horse
(Contains fiber and small parts that could be a choking hazard)
6. Spider-man 3: New Goblin Sword
(Rigid plastic could cause injuries)
7. Hip Hoppa
(Combination footboard and bouncing ball children jump on has the potential for head
and other injuries)
8. B'Loonies Party Park
(Children blow balloon-like toy out of substance squeezed from tube has potential
for chemical ingestion)
9. My Little Baby Born
(Baby doll comes attached to tiny pacifier and could be swallowed)
10. Rubber Band Shooter
(Shoots rubber bands and presents eye hazard)


Our toy testers also suggest having scissors on hand to open packages; screwdrivers to put
toys together; and lots of batteries! (double-a and triple-a)


Happy Holidays as you hunt for the perfect toys!
And let me know about your own toy experiences..
Teri
tbarr@wisctv.com