Toy Story

With tech toys receiving the media hype and online buzz this holiday, it’s easy for parents to buy what’s hot for the kids and be done with it. Not so fast, says Marianne Szymanski, president of Toy Tips, which offers parents a guide to smart toy choices. While e-gadgets are fine, Marianne encourages parents to introduce technology in toys that will add value to a child’s play experience. The Blue Man Group Keyboard Experience (pictured), Kindermusik educational music toys and the Wild Planet Digital Spy Camera are three examples of fun and creative toys she has tested and highly recommends.

Also, toys that reinforce skills, like LEGO sets, K'Nex building sets and Play Doh 50^th Anniversary Rainbow packs (now how old do you feel that Play Doh is turning 50?) are always a favorite. Parents can’t go wrong with themes of pirates, princesses and mermaids, not all of which have to be licensed from Pirates of the Caribbean or Disney, she says. Classic board games, like Monopoly (now with modernized editions), Chutes & Ladders, Sorry, Clue, and others, all can be a family experience, and bring back some great childhood memories for the parents too. Alex Toys’ Games to Go also rated high in Toys Tips' thorough testing.

Regardless of what parents buy for their kids, seeing their eyes light up when they open their toys is fun; however, sometimes things get a little out of hand as they did for this little guy below with a Nintendo 64. We're all curious about this year's reaction when he got a Wii.