Star Wars AT-ST Walker
Keep this amazing new Star Wars vehicle away from Ewoks and Wookiees! Hasbro’s new Walmart-exclusive version of the Scout Walker is the best yet, with room for two pilots and huge and poseable legs for greater movie accuracy. Ages 4+, $39.99, Hasbro

Air Hogs Switchblade
The Switchblade can switch up its flying style (there are no blades). With a whopping 17-inch wingspan, it’s like having two vehicles in one—it flies like a model plane and hovers like a UFO! Ages 8+, $69.99, Spin Master

GX Racers 360 Spinway
The GX Racers are powered by interchangeable gyros that spin at more than 12,000 RPM. That means you just rev them up and let ’em rip on the Spinway, a two-sided obstacle challenge with lots of twists and turns. Ages 6+, $19.99, Jakks Pacific

FlyTech CrashFX
Love making R/C planes crash into each other, but hate gluing them back together? These innovative planes actually embrace the guilty pleasure of midair collisions with an Easi-Snap magnetic system: the wings and tail section break off and clip right back on. Ages 8+, $19, WowWee

Tyco R/C Stunt Psycho
There is no wrong way to play with this rugged R/C. Slam it into walls and it just flips over. Indoors and out, it performs a range of cool stunts, like wheelies and spins. If that’s psycho, then sign us up for somepsychotherapy! Ages 8+, $49.99, Mattel

Automoblox Minis
Each wooden car in the oxymoronic but awesome “future-retro” Automoblox line comes with a range of interchangeable parts, which all can be mixed and matched with other models so kids can design and build their own vehicles. Choose from the full-sized versions (above, in the foreground), or the Minis (in the background), each with their own cool colors and custom parts! Ages 3+, $10+, Automoblox Co. (distributed by Manhattan Toy)

Clue: Secrets & Spies
This spy-themed version of the classic game brings gameplay into the here and now—the game can send players optional text messages with tips and clues! If it’s about a candlestick in the observatory, we’re all over it… Ages 9+, $24.99, Hasbro

Richard Scarry Busytown Eye Found It! Game
Busytown has never been busier than in this mystery-solving game. Kids help Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm race around Busytown to find hidden objects on the 6-foot-long game board. Ages 3+, $16.99, I Can Do That! Games

Can You See What I See? Finders Keepers Game
Fans of Walter Wick’s I-Spy books will find much to love about this game, especially the fact that kids of multiple ages can play together. No reading is required for this visual seek-and-find challenge! Ages 3+, $14.99, Gamewright

Battle Strikers Tournament Set
These magnetically kid-controlled spinning tops battle it out in this futuristic head-to-head challenge. The tops are revved up at up to 6000 RPM before being released, maximizing impact. Includes exclusive strikers and arena. Ages 6+, $34.99, Mega Brands

Killer Bunnies Remix
The cult-favorite, satirical card game is poised to hit the mainstream with this new starter set featuring 310 cards hand-picked by the game’s creators. Exclusively available at Target and Barnes & Noble for holiday.
Ages 13+, $24.95, Playroom Entertainment

Prime-8
This gorilla robot has multiple personalities…and they’re all fun! Loud noises transform programmable Prime-8 from blue-eyed “Good Gorilla” into red-eyed “Gone Bananas” mode, while in “Guard” mode, he fires foam-tipped rockets at intruders. Ages 8+, $99.99, Bossa Nova Robotics

EyeClops Night Vision Binoculars
Using binoculars at night will usually net you a whole lot of nothing. But kids can be super spies with these new handheld binoculars that let them see up to 50 feet away in pitch-black darkness! Ages 8+, $59.99, Jakks Pacific

Mindstorms NXT 2.0
Is your kids ready to start the robot revolution? Get them building with Lego’s upgraded 600-piece robotics kit, with a new 32-bit processor, 8-bit memory, speakers, servo motors, Bluetooth capabilities and lots of new sensors to detect color, touch and more. Ages 10+, $279.99, Lego

Electronic Buzz Lightyear
If you could pull Buzz off the screen, he’d look just like this…even down to the packaging! Features lights, sounds and 65 classic film phrases (for toy and Space Ranger modes), plus audio and motion sensors. Ages 4+, $49.99, Thinkway Toys

Roboni-I
This programmable robotic vehicle is no mere R/C—it’s just one part of an impressively immersive experience that includes online gaming and social networking. The starter set includes accessories for kids to build their own game environments and more! Ages 10+, $249.99, Robonica

G.I. Joe Accelerator Suit Duke
He runs. He shoots. His mouth moves when he talks. This isn’t an action figure…it’s a mini-soldier! Just squeeze the hand-grip on the back to move his legs, push the buttons to hear over 50 movie phrases, then turn him loose on Cobra! Ages 5+, $69.99, Hasbro

Gormiti Fire Mountain Playset
From the faraway land of Italy comes Gormiti. Well, the toy line is from Italy; the characters are from the Island of Gorm, and this trap-filled playset is perfect for staging battles with the trading card game that comes with the mini-figures! Ages 4+, $29.99, Playmates

Skeleflex Warriors
Kids can build their own super-poseable skeletal warriors. PLUS all the pieces are completely interchangeable, so the only limits are their imaginations! PLUS the sets are color-coded. PLUS they come packaged in fist-shaped containers. Ages 7+, $10.99, Wild Planet

Avatar
Hey, who’s that blue guy riding a six-legged horse? Jake Sully and his Direhorse are from the hotly anticipated new 3-D sci-fi movie Avatar. Mattel’s got a slew of toys, from the alien Na’vi to human war machines, and each one unlocks a 3-D model on your computer! Ages 6+, $8.99+, Mattel

History of the DC Universe
This fun, visually striking collection for continuity junkies and DC newbies alike presents characters from throughout the DC Universe, from the iconic (Batman) to the fairly famous (Green Arrow) to those other two guys (Manhunter and Blue Devil, for reference). Ages 14+, $16.99, DC Direct

Eric Carle Color Me Caterpillar
It’s the Caterpillar’s 40th anniversary, and this Very Hungry fellow is about to get very colorful. Kids can color him in with the markers, then wash him and color him all over again! Ages 3+, $18, Kids Preferred

Ni Hao, Kai-lan I Feel Super Doll
Kai-Lan makes her doll debut with this interactive wonder. She features signature songs, phrases and movement and her light-up heart glows to let you know what emotion she’s feeling. We’re feeling she’s cute! Ages 3+, $39.99, Fisher-Price

Color Me A Song
Coloring doesn’t always have to be a quiet activity. This latest addition to the Beginnings line sets kids’ creative process to salsa, swing, country or rock music; the faster they color, the faster the music’s tempo! Ages 24 months+, $24.99, Crayola

Billy Fun Wheels
Toddlers can get in the drivers’ seat with this R/C car designed just for them. Billy features lights, engine roaring sounds, a warning signal in reverse and, best of all, an intuitive remote shaped just like a steering wheel, complete with horn. Ages 2+, $39.99, Chicco USA

Thomas Talking Railway Great Discovery Set
Thomas gets the personal touch as he follows a freight car down an abandoned mine! When special engines roll past the talking buildings, Sir Topham Hatt greets them by name. Ages 3+, $139.99, Learning Curve

Play ‘n Go Table
This all-in-one activity table is a blast for kids and a life-saver for parents! It comes with 20 Maxi Mega Bloks pieces, four fun play scenes, a figure and a vehicle, and features tracks that work with all Mega Bloks vehicles. When kids are done playing, the whole thing folds up into an amazingly compact carrying case! Ages 1+, $39.99, Mega Brands

Learn With Me Activity Bear

Polar Cuddle Cub
Everything about this adorable fuzzy friend cries out to be cuddled! Crafted from eco-friendly soy fibers, he shivers softly when squeezed, which soothes and nurtures kids, and his paws are made from memory foam! Ages 2+, $28, Cloud B

MIYIM Petite Collection
It may have been another frog who said “It’s not easy being green,” but it is easy for Ben Frog and his three certified organic cotton friends. They each come in a recycled cardboard gift box with a T-shirt printed with eco-friendly soy inks. Ages 0+, $10.99, Hosung

Ivy Seedling
The machine-washable, 8-inch Ivy (in blue or pink) has a knot on either end, making it easy for baby to grab, and that’s knot all! The surfaces are crafted from natural cotton that’s free of harsh chemicals. Oh, and we apologize for that pun. Ages 0+, $9.99, Goldberger

Early Years Whirly Bugs Fill ‘n Spill
Holy cow…babies love this thing. Babies put the clear balls (with bugs inside whose wings flap as they twirl) into the mirrored container. Then they dump it out and do it all over again. Ages 6 months+, $27.99, International Playthings

Wild Science Mayan Ant Invasion
Did you hear the one about the ancient Mayan ant farm? …Okay, that’s not an actual joke. But it is an impressive twist on the classic ant farm. Comes with a booklet offering fun experiments and even recipes for the ants! Ages 6+, $29.99, International Playthings

Dangerous Book for Boys: Essential Electronics
Wait, don’t stop reading! It’s just a name! Based on the bestselling children’s book, this kit’s retro-style, 32-page color manual offers 30 engaging (safe!) electronic experiments—build a vibrating bug, a joy buzzer and much more. Ages 8+, $35.95, Thames & Kosmos

The Magic School Bus Going Green Science Kit
Magic and science may be natural enemies, yet somehow Scholastic’s Magic Schoolbus has been teaching kids about science for 20 years! Save the Earth with this science kit, packed with wild eco-friendly activities. Ages 7+, $19.99, Young Scientist Club

Bugsby Reading System Pen & Starter Book
Bugsby the Book Worm will lead kids on a reading adventure!. Just slide Bugsby’s…how do we put this delicately? Slide Bugsby’s butt over the pages (sorry, but it’s true!) and he reads aloud and interacts with the stories! Kids get to read along as they build their reading, comprehension, phonics and word recognition skills. Ages 3+, $29.99, VTech

EA Sports Voice Command Quarterback Challenge
Kids can learn to play our real national pastime (tough nuts, baseball!) with this indoor/outdoor game. Voice commands help improve throwing accuracy and speed in three game modes. Ages 6+, $69.99, Toy Island

EZ-Rider Scooter
The most impressive gimmick a scooter can provide is to keep kids from falling off it. That’s just what this ride-on offers, thanks to extra-thick wheels and lots of new safety features, like a wide deck and an easy-to-use foot brake.
Ages 5+, $59.99, Radio Flyer

Dodge Tag
No more arguing about head-hunting and catch-backs—dodgeball has gone non-violent! Kids throw the soft balls at each other and try to stick them to the mesh vests. More running and outdoor activity, less hurt feelings and hurt bodies! Ages 6+, $19.99, Diggin Interactive

RipRider 360
This rugged steel trike reinvents the 3-wheeler with a BMX style handlebar and dual inclined casters, letting kids drift and spin out. Who would have thought a tricycle could be extreme? Ages 5+, $99, Razor

The Little Jumpers Trampoline
We could barely keep our kid critics off this padded little trampoline, which holds up to 70 pounds of kid. Heck, we were dying to jump aboard, but we’re pretty sure we no longer qualify as “Little Jumpers.” Ages 3+, $108.99, Alex

Harumika
There’s no easier way to be a fashion designer! Girls simply wrap the reusable dress form in the fabrics and add accessories for instant fashions. Then they can snap digital photos with the included camera, and upload them to Harumika.com for an online fashion show. Ages 6+, $10.99+, Bandai

Custom Street Machine
These art kits are fast and only slightly furious! Kids paint the wooden car however they wish, then add rub-on transfers and 3-D stickers for a truly flashy ride. There are even chrome-effect rims.
Ages 5+, $19.99, Creativity for Kids

Crayon Maker
Let broken crayons vex you no more! With this table-top crayon factory, kids can melt down their unusable waxy stubs to make beautiful swirled crayons in a rainbow of new colors. It features a clear lid so kids can watch the process safely! Ages 8+, $29.99, Crayola

Knitwear Designer
It’s definitely not just for grannies anymore! Girls can knit and sew a coat, skirt, dress, scarf, leg warmers and more (12 different fashions) with the enclosed yarn, ribbons and sewing notions, then play dress up with the doll and their finished creations. Ages 8+, $26.99, Alex

Café Barista
Tea sets? We haven’t been a British colony in over 200 years! This modern 10-piece playset lets kids grind the beans and froth milk with realistic sound effects. The set also comes with donuts, muffins, cups, a sugar shaker and creamer, and nary a doily in sight.
Ages 2+, $24.99, Step2

Elmo Tickle Hands
Elmo’s all about tickling, and now his signature move goes hands-on! These gloves (which come with a bonus DVD) tickle kids’ hands and play fun sounds and phrases, and they even guide kids through an Elmo dance! Ages 18 months+, $29.99, Fisher-Price

Biofino Play Food
Yummy grilled chicken with pull away drumsticks. French baguette sandwich, scrumptuous Black Forest cake… They’re all appetizing new additions to the Biofino line of textured fabric play foods. With their Velcro toppings, they’re unlike any play food out there! Ages 3+, $18, Haba

Space Man Hat
There are a lot of cute things in this magazine, but seriously…how cute is this hat? One of dozens of new offerings from Elope this year, this hilarious shiny silver lamé hat had us laughing for hours. Ages 5+, $19.99, Elope

Pretend & Play Bakery Set
You can’t pretend to make a cake without breaking a few eggs. Luckily a crackable egg with yolk is one of the more than 30 play pieces offered in this set, including measuring cups and a pie crust to fill with fruit. Ages 3+, $27.99, Learning Resources

Wolverine Electronic Claw
Our kid critics (boys and girls alike) loved this retractable claw that lets them act out exciting superhero action, courtesy of sound effects and phrases. It’s all the fun of being Wolverine with none of the tragic history. That’s a good thing. Ages 4+, $19.99, Hasbro

Star Trek Mission Utility Belt
Here’s a fashion accessory that boldly goes with everything! Kids can get in touch with their inner captain with this belt, which features lights and authentic sounds. Also comes with a phaser and communicator! Ages 4-10, $26.99, Playmates