Sneak Peek: Hot Holiday Toys

Tickle Me Elmo

Years after the ticklish Elmo’s massive price inflation (it used to sell for as much as $300), a more affordable version of the original giggling red furball is now more affordable, and available exclusively at Toys “R” Us. “Tickle him once and he'll giggle. Tickle him twice and he'll laugh. Tickle him three times and watch him convulse with laughter!” the retailer says. You can squeeze his tummy, but be careful, that laugh could be infectious. Recommended for kids aged 18 months to 4 years.Price: $29.99.Photo Credit: Toys “R” Us

Color Me A Song

This set of eight Crayola Washable Triangular crayons lets kids make music while creating their own masterpieces. “The faster kids color, the more the tempo increases, and toddlers can mix sounds from a piano, banjo, trumpet and drum, while switching between different musical styles such as salsa, rock, swing and country,” says Toys “R” Us. The set is part of the company’s Crayola Beginnings, a line of products the company has come up with just to incite creativity in toddlers.Recommended for kids aged 24 months and up.Price: $24.99.Photo Credit: Crayola

Recycling in Action

As adults have been switching to greener lifestyles with more environmentally-friendly products, Matchbox aims to help teach kids about recycling at a fairly early age with its Recycle Action Pack. “Every day is Recycling Day with this Matchbox Mega Rig Recycle Action Pack Building System.” Toys “R” Us says. The set comes with a Car Crusher and motorized Trash King and their forklift, crushing claw for bigger items, and 2 workers to drive the truck to the recycling center. Recommended for kids aged 4 years and up.Price: $39.99.Photo Credit: Toys “R” Us

Learning to Text

If your kids are already eager to get a hold of your Blackberry (Stock Quote: RIMM) or iPhone (Stock Quote: APPL) , you may want to hand over this gadget instead. The LeapFrog Text and Learn looks like an oversized smart phone and lets your child send and receive text messages to a USB linked plush toy. Kids can also learn the QWERTY keyboard, play shape identification games and learn the basics of navigation and communication, Toys “R” Us says. Recommended for kids aged 3 years and up.Price: $21.99Photo Credit: Leap Frog

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Are You Clueless About Credit Scores? What You Need to Know

Nothing sends fear through the heart of a child more than report card day. Prepare yourself for a sense of déjà vu when applying for a loan... many say the situation ignites that same type of blast-from-the past feeling as they sit on the edge of their seat awaiting their financial fate. And what to do if, ultimately, that application is stamped "denied"? Figure that your credit score had a lot to do with it, and start making big changes.
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ChixOs Design-A-Luxury Loft

If you’ve got a little interior decorator in the making at home, the ChixOs Design-A-Luxury Loft set, could be the perfect holiday gift. Not only does it include a “loft” that kids can design and decorate with three dimensional furniture (like tables and couches they build themselves), they can even use mix-and-match body parts to create and style three different dolls.Recommended for kids aged 4 years and up.Price: $26.99.Photo Credit: Toys “R” Us

More Than Meets The Eye

On the more pricey side, the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Constructicon Devastator combines six different construction vehicles to create the Devastator. “Children can pretend they're waiting to ambush the heroic Autobots at a construction site with these Robots in Disguise,” Toys “R” Us says. The six vehicles and the lights and sounds created when they combine “bring the excitement of this summer's blockbuster film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen to life,” the toy retailer says. Recommended for kids aged 5 years and up.Price: $99.99Photo Credit: Hasbro

Eyeclops Mini Projector

Huge, 60-inch images can be projected from the palm of your child’s little hand with this Eyeclops Mini Projector. When it’s hooked up to a DVD player, multimedia player, video game console or other video device, a ceiling can be turned into a movie screen or even an arcade, Toys “R” Us says. The projector can even be used outside, on the side of the house for example, for an outdoor movie marathon. You can even take it on the road with an AC adaptor or using a battery pack.Recommended for kids aged 8 years and up.Price: $99.99.Photo Credit: Jakks Pacific

Disney Netpal by Asus

This Disney-themed netbook computer has more than two dozen parental controls making for a safe Internet experience for kids. Kids can turn on the computer and immediately log on to the Disney Desktop which is an intuitive program that allows access to a Disney web browser and kid-friendly websites. And if you’re worried about messes and spills, fear not. This netbook is tough and has a spill-proof keyboard. It’s available in Princess Pink and Magic Blue colors.Recommended for kids aged 6 years and up.Price: $349.99.Photo Credit: Disney

Sony E-Book Reader Pocket Edition

This e-book reader from Sony (Stock Quote: SNE) could be any budding bookworm’s holiday dream come true. The pocket-sized gadget can hold about 350 standard e-books, and one battery charge lasts for up to two weeks of reading, Toys “R” Us says. The device has a five-inch display and comes in navy blue, rose and other colors. It also comes with a USB cable to connect to a computer and download books from online retailers, public libraries and other sources across the country and around the Internet. Recommended for kids aged 12 years and up.Price: $199.99Photo Credit: Sony

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Are You Clueless About Credit Scores? What You Need to Know

Nothing sends fear through the heart of a child more than report card day. Prepare yourself for a sense of déjà vu when applying for a loan... many say the situation ignites that same type of blast-from-the past feeling as they sit on the edge of their seat awaiting their financial fate. And what to do if, ultimately, that application is stamped "denied"? Figure that your credit score had a lot to do with it, and start making big changes.
Read more »

Little Tikes 3-in-1 Smart Trike

You might just get more trike for your money with this Little Tikes 3-in-1 Smart Trike. “Even the tiniest tots will enjoy taking a spin on this adjustable tricycle. Featuring a full metal frame, handle and shade canopy, parents can push their little ones while strolling the neighborhood and then pop out pedals when a child is old enough to ride on their own,” Toys “R” Us says. It comes with two seats, one with a harness, for different aged riders. There’s even a storage bucket for kids to take along their favorite toys. Recommended for kids aged 10 to 36 months.Price: $89.99Photo Credit: Little Tikes