Wireless Wednesday Exclusive: Chris Byrne, 'The Toy Guy' gives a look at hot toys for the ho
In the year of Covid-19, the holidays have been transformed. But Santa’s still flying, and more than ever parents are turning to toys to provide as “normal” and exciting a celebration as possible. Toy sales have been up all year, and they show no sign of slowing down.
Chris Byrne joins Rick to talk about how to find the best toys for the kids in your life and showcase toys that reflect current trends, including play in the time of a pandemic. Evaluated for creativity, value and appeal to their target audiences, these toys represent excellent choices for different types of kids. As for “hot toys,” Byrne always says that’s not changed, “the hot toy is only hot if it’s hot for your kid.” Chris will unveil the latest in toys that provide outstanding value and play.
Have a watch:
Topics:
● What are some of your top toy picks for this year?
● How is play changing this year in response to the pandemic? Will parents buy more?
● What should families be focusing on as they try to have as “normal” a holiday as possible?
● Can people still shop at traditional stores, or has it all shifted online?
For more information viewers can visit www.thetoyguy.com
As an independent toy analyst, researcher and consultant, Chris brings more than 30 years of industry experience in the toy industry to his role. He is an acknowledged expert on toys and play in the culture and brings his extensive knowledge of toys, education and child development to his work. Chris is widely published on the topic of toys and family life and his work has appeared in a variety of trade magazines, journals and websites. He is the co-host of The Playground Podcast, all about the business of toys. He is featured in the Netflix series, The Toys That Made Us as a toy historian. His book on the most popular toys from the 1950s to the 1980s, Toy Time gives the background on some of the all-time classic toys. Chris is extensively quoted in the media and appears regularly on local and national television commenting on toys and demonstrating new products. His media appearances reached more than 200 million consumers in 2019 in just a three-month period. He appears regularly on “Live! With Kelly & Ryan,” and has been seen on “Marie” with Marie Osmond, “Oprah, “Soap Talk,” “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “The CBS Evening News,” “ABC Nightly News,” “Fox & Friends,” “CBS This Morning,” “Good Day New York,” CNBC, CNNfn, MSNBC, ABC, “The Motley Fool,” National Public Radio, Bloomberg Television and Radio, and on countless other national and local market business and consumer programs around the country and internationally.
List of Toys:
tonies
3+
$99.99: Starter kit $11.99-$14.99: Additional tonies
Designed to foster imagination and active, independent play, tonies is everything young, curious minds need. The system works with the combination of a Toniebox which is a soft, shockproof,
portable five-inch speaker cube with no screens, and Tonies which are hand-painted figurines containing hours of stories to tell, songs to sing and worlds to explore
Go! Go! Smart Wheels: Ultimate Corkscrew Tower
VTech
1-5 years
$29.99
Race into three feet of fun with the two-in-one Go! Go! Smart Wheels® Ultimate Corkscrew Tower™! This versatile playset features two exciting track configurations. Stack tracks one atop the other to form an impressive corkscrew track over three feet high for dizzy downhill fun, or set up the tracks side by side for a dual-track racing experience. Place Rocky the Race Car on the launcher, then push the trophy to send the car zipping down the tracks on a fast-paced ride.
Cave Club Rockelle Doll & Tyrasaurus Dinosaur Playset
Mattel
4 +
$39.99
Cave Club is the latest dolls Franchise from Mattel, with both content and a strong product offering with dolls, plush and surprise items. The characters give kids an opportunity to discover the imaginary origins of today’s trends.
Pinxies Unicorn Barn
Luki Lab
6+
$39.99
With STEM authentication, Pinxies empowers young girls with problem-solving skills, while inspiring imaginative storytelling with the help of the lovable Pinxies characters. The Unicorn Barn includes over 240 pieces, three friends (Koral, Lila and Finn), three colorful unicorns, training and care accessories and a sticker sheet for decorating. It even has barn doors that open and a swinging chandelier inside the barn!
Gujo Adventure Mission Mars Rocket
Luki Lab
7+
$59.99
With Gujo Adventure, kids can build their world - with epic size proportions - and create their own adventures! With building and role-playing combined, Gujo Adventure is a STEM authenticated line of building sets that will improve kids’ problem-solving skills and narrative abilities while enjoying a fun-filled play experience.
PAW Patrol Dino Patroller
Spin Master
3+
$59.99
Saving the day is more adventurous than ever with the Dino Patroller, the first-ever motorized PAW Patrol team vehicle. It features room for all six pups, oversized wheels, a projectile launcher and an exclusive Chase and T. rex dinosaur action figure.
L.O.L. Surprise! Remix Hairflip and L.O.L. Surprise! Remix Pets L.O.L. Surprise!
4+ $15.99: Hair Flip $12.99: Pets
L.O.L Surprise! is dropping a new series in time for the Holidays called LOL Surprise! Remix. Remix Hair Flip dolls are all new characters, and they each represent a music genre – Pop, R&B, Hip Hop or Rock. Remix Pets are also all new characters with real hair, and disguise outfits that make them look like dolls. Collect to build a boombox by connecting 2 L.O.L. Surprise! Hair Flip dolls and 1 L.O.L. Surprise Remix Pets packages.
Frankie the Funky Flamingo
ZURU
3+
$19.99
Long-necked and tall-legged, Frankie the Funky Flamingo from ZURU’s Pets Alive brand entertains the whole family with her hilarious neck twirling and fun flapping wings. She dances and shakes her feathers to three funky songs. She also includes a collectable Baby Flamingo, which can be used as a pencil topper.