The Hottest Toys for Christmas 2008

It's the toy buying time of year again and here is some of what's hot on your tots list this year.

He's baaaaaack! Elmo has been a major player in the Christmas toy market for years and he is again in 2008. What promises to be one of this year's hottest toys is Elmo LIVE! Children will enjoy watching Elmo speak while his mouth moves. He can also sit and stand, tell stories and jokes, sing songs, and play games. He is easily operated with a tickle or squeeze. Elmo LIVE! is for children 18 months and up. It retails for approximately $65 and is available at stores nationwide and on www.amazon.com.

Parents can turn the television into a computer screen with the Leap Frog Clickstart My First Computer. It helps young children learn basic, age-appropriate computing skills. There is a friendly puppy to help guide kids as they go. The Clickstart has four basic games that teach phonics, ABCs, counting, and animal facts. Additional software, featuring some of your child's favorite characters is also available. My First Computer is recommended for ages 3-6 years. It sells for around $45 and is widely available.

Kids love cameras and now Fisher-Price has come up with a digital camera that is appropriate for kids ages 3 to 10. The Kid-Tough Waterproof Digital Camera comes in pink or blue and has been enhanced for the 2008 season to be even tougher AND waterproof. This camera features a 1.5 inch LCD display so that children can see the pictures they have taken and it's easy to use so that even the smallest family members can record their memories. The Kid-Tough Digital Waterproof Camera is available at stores nationwide and sells for around $50.

The Nintendo Wii was last year's hottest video game and one of this year's hottest items is Wii Music for the Wii. Ideal for kids from ages 5 to 12, this isn't really a game, but the potential for fun is endless. Participants can create a band with up to 6 players, and play over 60 different instruments. All players have to do is mimic playing an instrument and they're on their way. Wii Music will set you back $50 and is available at major retailers nationwide.

The older kids won't be left out when Apples to Apples, the hilarious game of comparisons, is under the tree. This award winning game is perfect for kids ages 12-99. It requires quick thinking skills and a sense of humor. It's not just fun either, it helps to teach critical thinking by having players think about how things compare to each other. This is a great game for "game night". The only requirements are four players and a sense of humor. Apples to Apples runs about $30 and is widely available. It is also available in a junior version that costs $20.