The 20 hottest toys for Christmas

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

JUST LOOKING: Abriele Morse, 9, of Timaru checking out Bakugan Bakubowl Arena, which, says Toyworld, is the number one game.

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As Christmas approaches, kids around Timaru will be asking Santa for Gogo's Crazy Bones, Nerf Raiders and Battle Strikers.

Kiwi kids are hoping they'll open their presents and find some of the items on Toyworld's annual list of the newest and most exciting toys for kids of all ages, such as action-figure warriors, alien watches and dolls with magic hair.

Each year the retailer compiles a list of favourite toys from sales trends from its 37 stores around the country, including one in Timaru.

Buyer Paul Hodgkiss said popular ranges were selling well despite the recession because there were many different prices.

"Toys on the list sell from as little as $5.99 so there's a toy for every budget."

The annual Top 20 Hot Toys for Christmas 2009 are:

1. Bakugan Bakubowl Arena – the latest from the Bakugan range of action-figure warriors which tuck into spheres and pop open when they're rolled onto a game card. Suitable for ages five and up.

2. Battle Strikers Ultimate Battle Set – this set contains four Battling Turbo Tops with motorised launchers, a battle arena and magnetic controllers. For ages six and up.

3. Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix Watch – release the Alien Force powers using a mini alien translucent figure with special light and sound. For ages four and up.

4. Bop It – an electronic toy you can twist, pull, spin and flick to music. For ages eight and up.

5. Gogo's Crazy Bones – Small, colourful characters with unique face and names, based onknuckle bones. For ages four and up.

6. Elmo Tickle Hands – Big, red furry Elmo hands fit over kids' hands for interactive fun. For ages 18 months and up.

7. Hot Wheels Colour Shifters Custom Shop – Change and detail your car into a completely different set of wheels. For ages four and up.

8. Scooters – Kids can ride to school and have hours of fun with their very own scooter. For ages five and up.

9. Littlest Pet Shop Adoption Centre – Colourful pet-sized playset lets pet-lovers feed, groom and dress pets and then send them to play games. For ages four and up.

10. LEGO Range City Garage – Build a corner scene from LEGO City. For ages five and up.

11. Furreal Lulu – This cat even "licks" her paw to clean her face, just like a real cat. For ages four and up.

12. My Little Pony Gumball Playset – Shaped like a gumball machine. For ages four and up.

13. Moxie Girlz Magic Hair – Girls can choose a cool new hairstyle for their Moxie Girl. For ages six and up.

14. Nerf Raider Rapid – Intense blaster with two blasting modes features a special magazine drum to hold up to 35 darts, an adjustable stock and a tactical rail. For ages six and up.

15. Playworld Outdoor Gym Sets – swing and slide sets for outdoor fun. For ages four and up.

16. Playworld Trampoline and Safety Net – For ages four and up.

17. Sylvanian Families Willow Hall – Willow Hall is the first house with lights in Sylvania. The house opens up to give access to all five rooms as well as creating a large play area in the centre. For ages four and up.

18. Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Surprise Doll – Hair extensions and magic makeup which shows up on the strawberry-scented doll. For ages three and up.

19. Transformers Leader – Large-scale movie characters featuring lights and sounds. For ages five and up.

20. The Wot Wots Talking Wot – Designed by Weta Workshop, the Spotty and Dotty Wot talking plush characters inspire hours of simple, imaginative play. For ages 18 months and up.