Top toys for Christmas 2009

SCOOTERS: Still as popular as ever.

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As Christmas approaches, a New Zealand retailer has revealed what Kiwi kids will most want from Santa this year.

Toyworld has today released its annual list of most popular toys.

This year's list includes old favourites like scooters, Lego and trampolines and some toys - Strawberry Shortcake dolls, knucklebones and Tranformers - have been relaunched and are proving popular with the young generation.

Toy buyer for Toyworld, Paul Hodgkiss, said toys are still selling well despite the recession.

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

Hodgkiss warned that the most popular toys tend to sell out before Christmas every year and advised parents to act quickly if their children want a toy from the list to avoid disappointment.

The Toyworld Annual Top 20 Hot Toys for Christmas 2009, in alphabetical order:

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 5+

2.  BATTLE STRIKERS - Ultimate Battle Set - The new evolution in Battling Tops is here.  Customise your Striker then go into battle in the arena. The last Striker spinning wins. Suitable for ages 6+

3. BEN 10 ULTIMATE OMNITRIX WATCH - release the Alien Force powers by wearing the Ben 10 Ultimate Omnitrix watch. Just attach a mini Ben 10 Alien Force translucent figure to the watch and unlock the alien's special light and sound. Suitable for ages 4+

4. BOP IT - an electronic toy. Bop it, twist it, pull it, spin it, flick it to a mix of four different music styles. Suitable for ages 8+

5. GOGO'S CRAZY BONES - Small, colourful characters each with a unique face and name. Based on the traditional knuckle bones, there are hundreds to collect and loads of games to be played. Suitable for ages 4+

6. ELMO TICKLE HANDS - These big, red furry Elmo Hands fit over kids' hands for interactive fun. When they touch a surface to tickle, the hands vibrate and kids will hear fun phrases from Elmo and his signature giggle. Suitable for ages 18 months+

7. HOT WHEELS COLOUR SHIFTERS CUSTOM SHOP - Change and detail your car into a completely different set of wheels. Colour shifter cars transform before your eyes with a shot of water. Ages 4+

8. SCOOTERS - still a popular favourite, kids can ride to school and have hours of fun with their very own scooter. Suitable for ages 5+

9. LITTLEST PET SHOP ADOPTION CENTRE - Colourful pet-sized playset lets pet-lovers feed, groom and dress pets and then send them to scamper through the training course or play games. Suitable for ages 4+

10. LEGO Range - City Garage - Build a corner scene from Lego City. Suitable for ages 5+

11. FURREAL LULU - The most realistic Kitty Cat ever!  This cat loves to sit in your lap as you pet her.  She even "licks" her paw to clean her face, just like a real cat! As you pet her, she will relax, and will roll over to look at you and let you pet her tummy.  She blinks her eyes and moves her head and ears. Suitable for ages 4+

12. MY LITTLE PONY GUMBALL PLAYSET - Sweetie belle's house comes alive in Ponyville. Shaped like a gumball machine, her bedroom is on the second with her kitchen on the first floor. Suitable for ages 4+

13. MOXIE GIRLZ MAGIC HAIR - The hot doll for Christmas 2009 is Moxie Girlz. Moxie Girlz encourage young girls to be individual and creative. With Magic Hair girls can choose a cool new hairstyle for their Moxie Girl with the wild hair colour, glitter hair accessories and fun hair twisting style tool. Suitable for ages 6+

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. Suitable for ages 6+

15. PLAYWORLD - OUTDOOR GYM SETS - three, four and six swing and slide sets provide a complete outdoor fun centre for your garden. Suitable for ages 4+

16. PLAYWORLD TRAMPOLINE AND SAFETY NET - a kiwi classic -10ft and 14ft tramps come with safety nets. Suitable for ages 4+

17. SYLVANIAN FAMILIES WILLOW HALL - Willow Hall is the first house with lights in Sylvania. The Hall's two lights are interchangeable and each can be turned on and off. The house opens up to give access to all five rooms as well as creating a large play area in the centre. Suitable for ages 4+

18. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE SWEET SUPRISE DOLL - Serve up a special treat with this Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Surprise doll. Suitable for ages 3+

19. TRANSFORMERS LEADER - Large-scale movie characters featuring lights and sounds. Core movie characters with realistic styling and conversion from vehicle to robot. Suitable for ages 5+

20. THE WOT WOTS TALKING WOT - NZ designed by Weta Workshop the Spotty and Dotty Wot talking plush characters inspire hours of simple, imaginative play.  Each 12" plush says signature phrases from the show when their tummy is pressed. Suitable for ages 18 Months +

HAVE YOUR SAY: What's on your Christmas wishlist this year?