Each day thru Dec. 24, as part of its holiday series "The Perfect Gift," the Early Show will feature some of the hottest gifts of 2008. On Black Friday, the series began with some of the hottest toys for kids this holiday season.
Laurie Schacht, president of The Toy Book/The Licensing Book and co-publisher of The Toy Insider visited the Early Show set with a bevy of toys to show co-anchor Harry Smith.
"Are parents still going to spend money on toys this year?" Smith asked.
"Parents are not going to disappoint their children," Schacht said. "They are going to put presents under the tree."
The Toy Insider has picked its "Hot 20" toys for the 2008 season, divided by age category.
Ages 0-2
Elmo Live ($59.99, for ages 18 months and up) -- The most amazing and lifelike Elmo by far! He waves his arms, sits and stands and crosses his legs all while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games.K's Kids Ryan 28 Zebra Activity Center ($111.99, for ages 6 months and up) -- An adorable soft plush ride-on, this fun Zebra offers 28 activities to keep babies busy. From peek-a-boo games to a variety of textures, shapes and colors, this activity center has it all.Sit To Stand Alphabet Train ($39.99, for ages 6 months and up) -- This grow-with-me toy teaches numbers, letters, colors, songs, stories and more with two learning modes. Younger kids can push it along while toddlers can climb on board for a ride.Smart Builders Piano ($29.99, for ages 12 months and up) -- Combine musical wonder with building fun while inspiring creativity and learning. By layering and removing blocks, toddlers can change the instruments, add beats and create their own musical masterpiece.Ages 3-5
Club Penguin Plush ($9.99, for ages 4 and up) -- From the very popular Club Penguin Cyber Playground, these are the funny characters that kids have come to love. Each comes with a special code to unlock various items and games online.Furreal Friends Biscuit ($149.99, for ages 5 and up) -- Biscuit features voice recognition and obeys six commands, including sit, speak and lie down. Moving his head and ears and even blinking his eyes, this sweet sidekick is sure to become a child's new best friend.Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck ($48.99, for ages 3 and up) -- Manny's truck is equipped with four tools from the show and tons of things to fix. Transforms into a tool bench for two toys in one. Bilingual phrases, sound effects and songs encourage and entertain.Invincible Iron Man ($23.99, for ages 4 and up) -- This Iron Man action figure stands 12 inches tall and comes with snap-on weapons, a jet pack and a removable helmet. Mimics the Mark III armored suit featured in the Iron Man film.Kidiart Studio ($59.99, for ages 4 and up) -- High-tech creative fun for kids. Built-in digital camera allows kids to capture images of family and friends and create stop-motion animations. Endless activities include art lessons, photo stamps and wacky effects.
Tink's Talking Café ($69.99, for ages 3 and up) -- Girls can have a fairy tea party with pretend tea and goodies. Many realistic sound effects and phrases from Tinker Bell herself. Includes 13 accessories, interchangeable menu pages and a light-up lantern.Ages 6-8
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro ($24.99, ages 8 and up) -- This full-function R/C drives on the floor, up the walls and even upside down! Two power settings for outstanding ground control and extreme vertical and upside-down action. Four frequencies to race against friends.Hannah Montana Malibu Beach House ($129.99, ages 6 and up) -- The largest Hannah Montana playset to ever hit store shelves, each room in this house is an authentic replica of Hannah's house on the Disney Channel TV show. All furniture included, dolls sold separately.
Clickables Fairy Charms Starter Set ($17.99, ages 7 and up) -- A magical jewelry box, a charm necklace and three exclusive charms take girls into Tinker Bell's vibrant online world at www.pixiehollow.com. Girls can collect, share and gift charms with a simple click-link of their bracelets.Barbie Idesign ($32.99, ages 6 and up) -- With a CD-ROM-based computer game, USB-connected scanner and swipe-able fashion cards, iDesign combines tech and fashion for millions of ensemble possibilities. A runway show features models dressed in the fashions girls create.Me2 ($34.99, for ages 8 and up) -- Fashioned like a pedometer, the ME2 allows kids to earn points with every step they take. The handheld game interacts online at www.me2universe.com. Kids can race against other players and redeem points at the virtual store.Bakugan Battle Brawlers Battle Pack ($19.99, for ages 5 and up) -- Magnetic marbles burst open to reveal Bakugan warrior action figures when they roll onto the real metal Gate Cards. Boys must strategically place metal Gate Cards to affect the battle in their favor.Ages 9+
Monopoly Here & Now($27.99, ages over 9) -- Five million Monopoly players voted on which 22 cities from around the world should be included in this groundbreaking new edition. Deal button and digital banker add new elements to play.Spy Video ATV-300 ($79.99, for ages 9 and up) -- This remote-controlled vehicle transmits real-time video and audio to a private headset. Drivers can confirm the coast is clear by pushing a button on the remote control to perform a 360-degree room scan.U-Dance ($59.99, for ages 9 and up) -- Wireless and dance-mat free, this game system features motion-sensing technology that allows players full range of movement, using their body to control game play. Perform real dance moves like jumping, sliding, crossovers and more.Youth Signature Street Surfing Set ($109.99, for ages 9 and up) -- The Wave deck sits atop two wheels that are both free to rotate 360 degrees, delivering the latest craze in skateboarding. Set comes with replacement wheels and a CPSC-approved helmet.