Chances are you've seen the big Toys R Us, Walmart and Target toy books.ย
A lot of us probably roll our eyes and think "Oh, sweet Lord. It's that time already?" But, think of all of the days you can bribe your kids with the contents of those glorious books.
Probably not the best parenting ever, but seriously, try this: "If you don't clean your room, Santa won't bring you that Elsa doll." That room will remain clean for the next month and a half.
Speaking of Elsa โ the "ice queen" from Disney's Frozen movie โ she and her sister, Anna and Olaf, the snowman that loves warm hugs, are among the big sellers this year. There are sections of toy aisles dedicated to the movie. You can get tiny action figures, plush snowmen, books, dress-up costumes. You name it, it probably exists.ย
I went to scope out the prices of some of the popular toys and the Snow Glow Elsa doll, which was dubbed a hot toy this year, is flying off the shelves. At the Walmart I went to and Kmart, they didn't even have the doll on the shelves.ย
Walmart sells the doll for the least amount of money, at $28.88. However, don't forget about price matching. Arm yourselves with store policies and you can't go wrong. If you're at Target, for example, and tell the cashier you saw the item cheaper, they'll look it up and honor that price.
While we're on that subject, Walmart released a fairly new app, called Savings Catcher, which is basically ad matching without having to ad match. All you have to do is scan in your receipt using your smart phone camera and the app looks for competitor prices in the area. If it finds the item cheaper elsewhere, you are credited the difference. You can save them up and get a Walmart gift card for that amount.ย
There are some really cool toys this year, and prices are fairly competitive across the board. One of my favorites is the Hot Wheels Street Hawk, which is a remote controlled flying car. It ranges in price from $49.92 to $59.99 and is something your kids โ and by kids, I also mean husbands โ can enjoy for a long time.ย
I saw lots of toys focused on creativity, as well. The Sew Cool sewing machine is a threadless machine that comes with nine simple projects. It ranges in price from $29.67 to $34.99. Also, the Cray-Z-Loom is still popular and is pretty inexpensive. If you're not familiar, it was one of the hot toys last year. It's a loom that allows the kids to make cool bracelets out of rubber bands. It runs between $15 and $20.ย
LeapFrog brought out a "LeapBand," which is basically the kids' version of a Fitbit. It looks like a watch. The kids can customize a digital pet and play active games and complete challenges with it. The watch tracks activity. Pretty cool way to get the kids moving. It runs about $40.
V-Tech's newest creation for the tech-minded kid is the Kidizoom Smart Watch. It allows the kids to take photos and record videos on the go. It also allows them to add fun effects using the touch screen and helps them learn how to tell time. It'll cost you between $50 and $60.
Another cool one out this year is the Zoomer Interactive Dino. All of the stores have them, but Toys R Us has an exclusive onyx version that comes with a collector's tin, for about 10 more dollars. Zoomer ranges in price from $80 to $90.
Look for buy-one-get-one deals and other incentives to save some cash. For example, video games are on sale at Target. Buy two, get one free. Skylanders' new one โ Trap Team โ ย is free at Toys R Us, when you purchase an XBox One. That's a great deal, since they cost about $75. Erector Sets are also a great deal with the buy-one-get-one- for-40-percent-off at Toys R Us.
I compiled a list of some of this year's popular toys, using the three toy books I mentioned above, and did in-store price checks to see how much they are. Prices were recorded this past Wednesday.
Product - Kmart - Target - Toys R Us - Walmart
Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair - $34.99 - $29.99 ย $39.99 - $29.97
Let's Imagine Elmo - $34.99 - $29.99 - $34.99 - $29.94
V-Tech Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers - $29.99 - $34.99 - $39.99 - $34.96
Snow Glow Elsa - n/a - $34.99 - $34.99 - $28.88
Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Cart - $49.99 - $49.99 - $34.99 - $44.97
Palace Pets Magic Dance Pumpkin - $59.99 - $49.99 - $49.99 - $54.97
Barbie Sisters Camper - $89.99 - $99.99 - $94.99 - $74.97
Everafter High Thronecoming dolls - $24.99 - $21.99 - $19.99 - $21.97
Lego Star Wars The Ghost - n/a - $89.99 - $89.99 - $89.97
Nerf Elite Demolisher 2-in-1 blaster - $34.99 - $34.99 - $34.99 - $29.88
Hot Wheels Street Hawk flying car - $49.99 - $49.99 - $59.99 - $49.92
Razor Crazy Cart - $419.99 - $399.99 - $399.99 - $347*
Sew Cool - $34.99 - $29.99 - $29.99 - $29.67
Make Your Case - $24.99 - n/a - $19.99 - $17.76
Zoomer interactive dino - $89.99 - $79.99 - $79.99 - $79.88
Infinity Marvel Superheroes - $74.99 - $74.99 - $74.99 - $74.96
V-Tech Kidizoom Smart Watch - $59.99 - $59.99 - $49.99 - $49.96
Notes: Kmart did not have the Snow Glow Elsa doll or the Lego Star Wars Ghost. At Walmart ย you have to special order the Razor Crazy Cart. Source: In-store price check Nov. 12.ย
