Kids stick to old favourites for Christmas wishlists

ANDREW GORRIE/The Dominion Post

CHILDPROOF: Marcine Ishak, 1, road-tests a WotWot, the Weta Workshop-designed toy that made Toyworld's Christmas top toys list this year.

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Fads may come and go, but when it comes to kids, you can't beat two wheels and a puppy this Christmas.

Toyworld has released its top toys list for this holiday season and, surprise, surprise, it's packed with the latest releases.

At No 1 is the cryptically named Bakugan Bakubowl Arena. For those of you without children, Bakugan Brawlers are a "range of action-figure warriors which tuck into spheres and pop open when they're rolled on to a game card".

Perennial boys' toys Hot Wheels and Lego also make the top 10 and talking WotWots dolls designed by our own Weta Workshop takes out the last spot on the list.

Definitely the creepiest toy on the list is the FurReal Lulu, a mechanised cat that responds to petting. "As you pet her, she will relax, and will roll over to look at you and let you pat her tummy."

Wellington Toyworld Megastore floor manager Nicole Moyes said pre-Christmas sales had been a little slower to pick up this year, but the favourites were starting to fly out the door.

"Elmo's been pretty popular, because he was No 1 at the New York Toy Fair this year."

Elmo Tickle Hands, a pair of gloves kids can wear that vibrate and make noise, is No 6 on Toyworld's list.

But kids on the streets of Wellington told The Dominion Post they'd rather have a real pet or a set of wheels, with puppies and bikes the most popular answers from the under 10s.

Dominga Perez Costelloe, 8, said when it came to toys, she'd like a Littlest Pet Shop, but a furry friend was top of the wishlist.

"I can't decide between a guinea pig and a puppy," she said, while six-year-old brother Regis had his heart set on a white puppy – or Lego, if that fell through.

Shyla, 6, and Libby Carpinter, 3, were both hoping to find bikes under the Christmas tree; pink ones please, Santa.

Some other classics also made the top picks.

For Mitchell Atkinson, 4½, it's Thomas the Tank Engine or nothing.

Toyworld's Picks This Christmas

1 Bakugan Bakubowl Arena: $59.99 – The latest from the Bakugan range of action-figure warriors. Ages 5+

2 Battle Strikers Ultimate Battle Set: $69.99 – Customisable battling tops, with launchers and magnetic controllers. Ages 6+

3 Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix Watch: $29.99 – Attach a Ben 10 Alien Force translucent figure (sold separately) to the watch and unlock special lights and sounds. Ages 4+

4 Bop It: $49.99 – Bop, twist, pull, spin, flick to a mix of four music styles. Ages 8+

5 Gogo's Crazy Bones: $5.99 – Based on the traditional knuckle bones, there are hundreds to collect. Ages 4+

6 Elmo Tickle Hands: $59.99 – Big, red, furry Elmo Hands that fit over kids' own hands. They vibrate and say phrases from Elmo. Ages 18 months+

7 Hot Wheels Colour Shifters Custom Shop: $79.99 – Change and detail your car and see it change colour in hot and cold water. Ages 4+

8 Scooters: $59–$129 – still a popular favourite, kids can ride to school and have hours of fun. Ages 5+

9 Littlest Pet Shop Adoption Centre: $69.99 – Colourful pet-sized playset, with one husky puppy pet, a big sister husky pet and accessories. Ages 4+

10 Lego City Garage: $169.99 – Build a corner scene from Lego City. Ages 5+

Prices current until November 30.