M.C.
For my kids (6 1/2yr old daughter and 4yr old son) it's: pillow pets, silly bandz/ringz, american girl dolls, nano bugs, zoobles, zhu zhu pets, and games for the DS and Wii. Those are the ones I would consider HOT. ;0)
What are the HOT items this year kids are asking for? My kids ask for very few things, and they know I don't buy junk anymore. I am not spending more than $200 per kid (at least that's the plan) and I want to make sure they get good things for that. Not so many things to open, but better things :o). And since my kids are out of the baby stage (they are 7.5, 5.5, and 3.5 at Christmas time) I have forgotten what are good baby toys!! My nieces will be 18 months and 15 months at Christmas...last year we just brought home little things from Disney for them...so what this year?
For my kids (6 1/2yr old daughter and 4yr old son) it's: pillow pets, silly bandz/ringz, american girl dolls, nano bugs, zoobles, zhu zhu pets, and games for the DS and Wii. Those are the ones I would consider HOT. ;0)
I love Melissa & Doug products for the little ones. Solid wooden puzzles, toys, etc. Sturdy and classic.
Pillow pets and Squinkies are a big deal around here right now. For the nieces, my girls have never had enough baby doll stuff.
A really good set of wooden blocks. My kids loved the tree blocks and continued to use well past 6 or 7.
J.
I don't know if this would be considered "hot" but I would look at alternatives to mainstream toy stores to find more high quality toys with multi-functions. Different types of building toys....dress up costumes....books....felt boards, puppet theatres and puppets--things like that will encourage more creative play and will last longer than a fad toy--IMO
I would say melissa & doug wooden toys would be great for your nieces and your 3.5 year old. They are good toys that won't get thrown away in January. Check on Amazon.com, they have a great selection of them.