Hot for Hasbro

I was recently invited to the Hasbro showroom for a sneak peek at some of their hottest new toys for 2011. While on the tour I was brought back to my childhood as I viewed some of my old favorites and introduced to some new ones that I know Harlan will love.

Here are some of my favorites:

FURREAL FRIENDS COOKIE, MY PLAYFUL PUP

I had GoGo My Walkin’ Pup as a kid and just recently got it for Harlan. We are a huge fan of playful pups in our friends and Cookie, My Playful Pup is one of the cutest. She is the newest, softest, most huggable dog to join the Furreal Friends family. Through voice recognition technology, this pint-sized golden retriever will respond when spoken to by moving her head, blinking, and barking, just like a “real” dog! The loveable pup will also respond to touch; kids simply pet their new best friend on the sensors located on her head and cheeks and their new pal will make happy puppy sounds to show her delight. She loves to play with her squeaky toy, she will track it with her eyes and head as it’s moved in front of her. Cookie is on our must have list this Christmas! If only they could combine the abilities of both Cookie and GoGo it would be perfect for the kid who is begging for a dog with parents that just can’t commit.

Ages: 4 and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: $59.99

WEEBLES TURN ‘N TUMBLE HOME Playset

We have yet to try any Weebles in our house, but after seeing this I wanted to go right out to the store and buy them. They are the most adorable little people that sway from side to side and never fall over. Their new home features silly sound effects and four lively songs. Turn the knob to send a wobbly pal right down the slide or left onto the balcony then into the garage to zoom off in their car! Press the button to send them wobbling around the yard on a spinning platform. This set is perfect for any toddler who loves to play pretend with figurines, just like Harlan.

Age: 12 months and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: $29.99

TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS FIRE STATION PRIME PLAYSET

Have a toddler that loves to play with Transformers but isn’t quite old enough for it yet? This playset is the ultimate hero headquarters where Tranformers and humans can work together! While the set may look like a standard firehouse equipped with fire pole, ladder, and training tower, when the call comes in, the station façade converts into Optimus Prime robot’s face, complete with lights, sounds and twelve fun phrases! Little hands simply turn the dial to reveal all of the gear Transformers need to save the day, and Heatwave the Fire-Bot vehicle rolls out to help the humans fight the fires! My favorite part about the playset is the story book featuring the iconic heros that tells the story of loyalty, friendship, and working together.

Ages: 3 years and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: $49.99

EASY-BAKE ULTIMATE OVEN

This was one of my FAVORITE toys growing up. My sister and I would sit in our playroom and make brownies and cookies for each other and our dolls. The Easy-Bake Oven is still baking all of those wonderful goodies and is now better than ever. This brand new oven has a stylish look and modern functions including a heating element, similar to a conventional oven and that does not require a light bulb. Easy to use, the oven features a larger cooking chamber and bigger baking pan giving you the opportunity to bake more delectable treats. The new oven also bakes an extended menu that includes cookies, red velvet cupcakes, checker cakes, pizza, pretzels, cinnamon twists and brownie sticks. I can’t wait for Harlan to get old enough so we can bake together. In the meantime, I think I might buy this and invite my sister over to play, like old times.

Age: 8 years and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: $49.99

LITE-BRITE LED FLAT SCREEN AND TRAVEL ASSORTMENT

Another one of the classic toys that my sister and I spent hours playing. But the lite-brite that I once knew is no more. It now has a sleek, slim design and LED lighting. The battery operated design light station is completely portable and stores over 200 colorful stay-put pegs. Kids can fold down the screen to lie flat for a comfortable design angle with easy access to the peg storage drawer.

Not only does the lite-brite have to be confined to the home but now you can let your creativity travel with you. The on–the- go Travel Lite-Brite picture maker is battery powered and uses LED lighting to illuminate kids’ colorful, anytime designs. Just 7 inches tall, the portable toy conveniently fits in pockets, purses, and little hands! How cute is it that it looks like a little ipod?

Age: 4 years and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: Flat Screen: $14.99 Travel: $9.99

LET’S ROCK ELMO

Hasbro and Sesame Street have teamed together to make some amazing toys. If you have a toddler that is obsessed with both music and Elmo then this is the perfect toy! Rock out with the new Let’s Rock Elmo! Dressed in a concert style tee, Elmo takes the stage singing and making music. Elmo comes with his very own microphone, a tambourine, and a drum set. Toddlers can choose which instrument Elmo plays, and he magically recognizes which one you give him. They can even get in on the music fun and can play along on Elmo’s instruments- they’re perfectly sized for little hands! The Let’s Rock Elmo toy sings six rockin’ songs, so grab an instrument and join Elmo’s band!

Age: 18 months and up
Available: Fall 2011
SRP: $69.99

Thank you to Hasbro for the tour of your new amazing toys. They are sure to be all over our Christmas list this year.

Disclaimer: A Mommy in the City was not compensated for this post. I did receive a bag of games and toys from Hasbro. All opinions expressed are my own.