A Spoiled Kids’ Christmas Story: 10 Priciest Toys
In the toy industry, no popular franchise goes untapped, and this year, Cars 2 is in the spotlight. Fisher Price has added a Cars 2 collection to its line of pint-sized roadsters (this movie-inspired favorite is nearly sold out on Amazon). For just $350, youngsters can go backwards and forwards at a speedy 3.5 miles per hour. But compared to a custom mini Mercedes SL 500 by PoshTots.com that sells for a whopping $9,492, it’s actually quite a steal.
Amazon.com
The American Girl company is at it again. The dolls have long been a favorite: Nearly 20 million dolls have been sold since their debut in 1986, and sales have been up during the recession, climbing 7.3 percent between 2007 and 2009. The company, which originally specialized in a few dolls chronicling different eras of American history, now offers a whole host of dolls at one-hundred bucks a pop. However, it’s not the dolls, but the accessories, that are the real cash cows. One of their newest additions, this 9-inch “baby grand piano” (which runs on AA batteries, and—may we remind you—is a musical instrument for a doll) clocks in at $150.
American Girl
Cast in metal and crafted true to the magical train featured in both the hit Christmas book and movie (and the #1 train set on Amazon), this posh Polar Express replica features lit coach cars, a headlight, and a “unique whistle.” But at the end of the day, you’re spending more than $300 on a toy train. At that rate, why not just fly your kids to the North Pole?
Lionel
Escape from Darth Vader with this LEGO model of Star Wars Millennium Falcon 7965, featured in the 1977 film, Star Wars: A New Hope. Complete with more than 1,000 pieces and 6 mini action figures, it’s a top-selling toy on Amazon, but it sets parents back $140—because, apparently, the cheap way of letting kids use their own imagination with a bucket of LEGOs is no longer cool.
Amazon.com
Every four- to eight-year-old can be king of the castle with this regal playset, new this year from the ever-popular Playmobil, a German-owned company that saw international sales grow 7 percent to over $679 million in 2010.The medieval mini-world sports a breakthrough wall, catapult, foldaway stairs, and treasure hoist, but costs a king’s ransom--$200.
Playmobil
They say that fine jewelry is an investment, but we’d hardly call a watch with an illustrated neon face a timeless piece. Yes, the popular stuffed monster dolls sported by Sasha Obama on her first day of school in 2009 and soon-to-be an animated feature film, are now featured on Swarovski-crystal-encrusted ceramic watches—and available at Toys R Us. Since the stuffed dolls themselves only cost about $10 to $20, and are much more kid-friendly it’s hard to justify buying something that’s 20 times the price.
Toys R Us
Not only can your little princess be a Barbie girl living in a Barbie world with this pretty playset, but she’d be getting the long-legged blondie’s version of a Kardashian estate. This chic set features a three-story townhouse, pool, tent, beach cruiser and party bus—in bubbliscious Barbie pink – all for $346. (Realistic worldview not included). An alternative is the “Glam Vacation House” that’s a top seller on Amazon and goes for a much more reasonable $40.
Mattel
Most remote- control vehicles go for $20 to $40, but surely your child deserves more than that. Thus, make way for the mother of all antenna-sporting wonders, the John Deere tractor trailer. The 20-pound off-road monster features lights, sounds, three speeds, and better steering. Nothing runs like a Deere, right?
John Deere
Think the iPad doesn’t exactly count as a kids’ gift? Think again. Not only did PC World name the sleek tablet last year’s “Children’s Toy of the Year,” but the app market is flooded with high-tech apps for children, from storybook readers to interactive kids’ games. But that’s not all. It seems that more children than ever are asking Santa for Apple’s finest. A recent Nielsen poll showed that 44 percent of kids between ages 6 and 12 wanted an iPad more than any other gadget, including computers and gaming consoles. Seems it’s goodbye Nintendo, hello Angry Birds.
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