This Season's Hot Holiday Gifts for Children

By now you’ve probably thought about your holiday budget, and determined how much money you'll spend on the kids. But not all toys are equal. Move over Tickle Me Elmo, there are new and improved toys on the shelves this year. Here are the hottest items of the season.

Bakugan Action Kit by Spinmaster ($15.99)
Following in the footsteps of Pokemon and Magic, Bakugan is the latest game craze. Kids play with collectible cards and plastic dice that “explode,” opening up into figures when rolled against a metal gate card (no, you don’t have to understand the game to give Bakugan as gift). The nice thing is that you can give dice or other accessories that aren’t overly expensive and there are tons of options for serious players. The Bakubelt action kit comes with a belt to heighten the game excitement, two brawlers (those are the exploding dice), two Gate Cards and two Ability Cards, is a Toys “R” Us exclusive.

Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker by Jakks ($29.99)
Remember your Easy Bake Oven? Well, it’s still on the market, but the Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker and even simpler baking toy for aspiring pastry chef. With just water and a microwave your child can bake and frost cupcakes with professional looking icing in no time flat.

Elmo Live by Fisher Price ($59.99)
No, it’s not going to be as hard to get your hands on as the Tickle Me Elmo craze of 1996. For one, this Elmo has been on the shelf since the middle of October. Elmo Live's infectious charm is hard to resist – he sings, dances and cracks jokes when kids (or adults smitten by red furry monsters) tickle or squeeze his hands, feet, tummy or nose.