NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TimetoPlayMag.com, the number one source for all things play, today announced the 2013 Most Wanted list, naming the top 20 items predicted to be the most popular and best-selling toys this holiday season.
The Most Wanted list was unveiled at a press conference during the annual TimetoPlayMag.com Holiday Showcase, a one-day media event that spotlights the top children’s lifestyle products. More than 50 participating exhibitors, including manufacturers, retailers, and family entertainment companies, were on site to display and demonstrate key fourth quarter product lines and officially kick off the holiday family entertainment editorial season.
Hosted by Jim Silver, CEO and editor-in-chief of TimetoPlayMag.com, Chris Byrne, content director aka The Toy Guy®, and Laurie Leahey, senior editor, the press conference addressed the current state of the toy industry and consumer trends before introducing the items anticipated to be the year’s hottest holiday sellers.
“Retailers are already offering major incentives to motivate consumers to shop early this holiday season,” said Silver. “Last year, consumers took advantage of early layaway programs and sales didn’t pick up again until Thanksgiving weekend. As a result, most purchases were made in late December. This year, retailers have already initiated aggressive deals and programs to get shoppers buying early and often.”
“Historically, toys have always reflected their culture and their time, and this year’s Most Wanted list is no different,” said Byrne. “From classic arts and crafts to construction toys, to favorite characters to games and some of the best use of apps in toys to date, this list reflects the multiple categories and play experiences today’s kids naturally seek to entertain and express themselves.”
Representing the hottest new toys predicted to top holiday wish lists, the products named to the TimetoPlayMag.com Most Wanted list appear alphabetically:
BARBIE
DIGITAL MAKEOVER
(MATTEL/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail
Price: $69.99)
BATTROBORG
3-IN-1 BATTLE ARENA
(TOMY/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail
Price: $79.99)
BIG
HUGS ELMO
(HASBRO/Ages 18 months & up/Approx. Retail Price:
$59.99)
BOOM
BOOM BALLOON
(SPIN MASTER/Ages 7 years & up/Approx. Retail
Price: $19.99)
DESPICABLE
ME 2 MINION DAVE
(THINKWAY TOYS/Ages 4 years & up/Approx.
Retail Price: $29.99)
DISNEY
INFINITY
(DISNEY INTERACTIVE/Ages 8 years & up/Approx.
Retail Price: $74.99)
DISNEY
PRINCESS PALACE PETS
(BLIP TOYS/Ages 4 years & up/Approx.
Retail Price: $5.99 – $29.99)
DOC
MCSTUFFINS GET BETTER CHECK UP CENTER
(JUST PLAY/Ages 3
years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $79.99)
FLUTTERBYE
FAIRY
(SPIN MASTER/Ages 6 years & up/Approx. Retail Price:
$34.99)
GO!
GO! SMART WHEELS AIRPORT PLAYSET
(VTECH/Ages 1 year &
up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99)
HEXBUG
NANO V2 BLACK HOLE
(INNOVATION FIRST/Ages 3 years &
up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99)
LEAPPAD
ULTRA
(LEAPFROG/Ages 4 years & up/Approx. Retail Price:
$149.99)
LEGO
STAR WARS JABBA’S SAIL BARGE
(LEGO/Ages 9 years &
up/Approx. Retail Price: $119.99)
MONSTER
HIGH 13 WISHES Dolls
(MATTEL/Ages 6 years & up/Approx.
Retail Price: $19.99 - $39.99)
NERF
N-STRIKE ELITE MEGA SERIES CENTURION
(HASBRO/Ages 8 years &
up/Approx. Retail Price: $49.99)
PLAYSKOOL
SHOWCAM 2-IN-1 DIGITAL CAMERA & PROJECTOR
(HASBRO/Ages
3 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $59.99)
SHIMMER
N SPARKLE CRA-Z-LOOM BRACELET MAKER
(CRA-Z-ART/Ages 6 years
& up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99)
SKYLANDERS
SWAP FORCE
(ACTIVISION/Ages 10 years & up/Approx. Retail
Price: $79.99)
SOFIA
THE FIRST TALKING SOFIA AND ANIMAL FRIENDS
(MATTEL/Ages 3
years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $39.99)
TEENAGE
MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
(PLAYMATES TOYS/Ages 4 years &
up/Approx. Retail Price: $5.99 - $119.99)
At the press conference, Silver also officially unveiled the new Shop for Kids by TimetoPlayMag.com, a free mobile app for iOS and Android designed to simplify the experience of searching for and buying children’s products. Offering instant access to thousands of in-depth expert reviews and real-time price comparison and a click-through-to-buy feature, the Shop for Kids app by TimetoPlayMag.com provides all the information shoppers need to make educated purchasing decisions on the go.
About TimetoPlayMag.com
TimetoPlayMag.com is the number one source for all things play. From thousands of independent product reviews and a real-time price comparison tool with leading national retailers to a helpful gift finder and daily hot toy giveaways, TimetoPlayMag.com is a trusted resource for parents and gift givers. Led by CEO/Editor in Chief Jim Silver and Content Director Chris Byrne, AKA The Toy Guy®, the seasoned TimetoPlayMag.com editorial team reviews thousands of products each year providing comprehensive video and written reviews of toys, baby products, kids’ electronics, sporting goods, and family friendly video games, apps, books, and movies. The site also features frequent guest posts from popular parenting bloggers, seasonal stories, safety tips, and recall information. TimetoPlayMag.com hosts a media event in the spring and fall of each year which gathers manufacturers, entertainment companies, and retailers to showcase each season’s newest playthings and identify the industry's most prevalent product and financial trends. The TimetoPlayMag.com team can be found online at Facebook.com/TimetoPlayMag, Twitter.com/TimetoPlay, YouTube.com/TimetoPlayMag, Pinterest.com/TimetoPlay, Instagram.com/TimetoPlayMag, and TimetoPlayMag.Tumblr.com.
