The theme for 2008 toys is \"play value.\" At the American International Toy Fair in February, manufacturers showcased playthings that challenge kids to think, play nice with others -- and get off the couch.
Continuing a theme from last year, many high-priced items are showing up among the toys that industry experts predict will be hits. Besides that, tie-ins to some potential blockbuster movies are expected to move toys. Technology also remains a major theme.
Here are some toys that are expected to be hits in 2008.
-- Jasmin Aline Persch
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TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Tag Reading System","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080211/080211-tag-hmed-1p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "LeapFrog", "273", "282", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Tag Reading System
Thanks to a tiny camera on its tip, LeapFrog's Tag Reading System reads stories to or along with kids as they scan the wand across the words and pictures of their books. Headphones are an option for parents who want to see, not hear, their kids reading.
Developing readers can plug the tag reader into a computer to download new books, set reading goals and track their progress.
Price: $49.99
";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Biscuit, My Lovin' Pup","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080130/080130-furry-vmed-920a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Hasbro’s FurReal Friends brand", "273", "175", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Biscuit, My Lovin' Pup
\"Sit up and beg.\" Good dog! That's one of six commands that Hasbro's Biscuit the robotic golden retriever obeys.
Besides that, he can do many other things real dogs do. He wags his tail when kids pet him, barks back and sniffs and chomps on his bone.
Price: $179.99
";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Taters of the Lost Ark","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080211/080211-taters-vmed-10a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Hasbro", "273", "243", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Mr. Potato Head: Taters of the Lost Ark
Hasbro's Mr. Potato Head: Taters of the Lost Ark sports the leather jacket, whip and fedora from the movie \"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull,\" scheduled for spring release.
The fedora, when placed on the tater's head, sings the iconic \"Raiders March.\"
Price: $14.99
";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Kid-Tough Digital Camera","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080205/080205-waterproof-dig-camera-hmed-3p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Mattel’s Fisher-Price brand", "265", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Kid-Tough Digital Camera
Thanks to its rubber casing, Fisher-Price's Kid-Tough Digital Cameras can endure 30 minutes under water -- and accidental drops on land.
With its 64 MB memory, kid photographers can store more than 500 images, which they can edit through its 1.5 inch LCD color viewing screen. The 1.3 Megapixel resolution also allows quality 4x6 inch prints.
Price: $54.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","V.Motion","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080201/080201-vtech-motion-hmed1p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "VTech", "273", "305", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
V.Motion
VTech's V.Motion is a Wii-like console and joystick that gets kids moving and schooled in science, spelling and arithmetic.
It connects to the Internet, where kids can track their scores and unlock bonus game play.
Plugged-in toys are a hit with kids and popular with parents, too, since they offer a child-friendly online hangout.
Price: $69.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Animal Scramble","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080205/080205-animalscramble-hmed-1030a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lennette Newell", "", "273", "392", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = " Animal Scramble
Animal Scramble's giraffe calls out zoo animals that preschoolers must identify and tag while striving for the fastest collaborative speed (or personal record if playing solo).
As players advance, they must recognize the monkey, elephant, parrot or bear not by name but rather first letter or characteristic.
Wild Planet's Animal Scramble is expected to ride the wave of success of its predecessor, Hyper Dash, for older kids.
Suggested price: $19.99 to $24.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Hannah Montana Malibu Beach House","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080208/080208-hannah-montanna-hmed10a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Jakks Pacific’s Play Along division", "241", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Hannah Montana Malibu Beach House
Play Along's Hannah Montana Malibu Beach House is a dollhouse replica of the setting for the hit Disney show \"Hannah Montana,\" starring Miley Cyrus. Last year, the show was No. 1 among children 6-14 with 2 million viewers.
Everything from the decor to the closet is authentic, according to Play Along. People familiar with the industry predict the selling power of the Hannah Montana name will have this toy flying off the shelves.
Price: $179.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","A-T Rex","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080206/080206-ATRex-hmed-3p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Fisher-Price", "264", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
A.T. Rex
Fisher-Price's A.T. Rex transforms from a Power Wheels vehicle into a T. rex with glowing eyes and a ferocious roar.
Kid drivers can zip up to 5 mph -- and 2.5 mph in reverse.
Price: $289.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Cruncher Block and Racer X","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080211/080211-LEGO-Cruncher-Block-%20Racer-hmed-4p.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "LEGO", "257", "423", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Cruncher Block and Racer X
With Legos, kids can set up and act out scenes from this year's movie \"Speed Racer,\" scheduled for release on May 9.
These figures are included: Cruncher Block, the villain who tries to rig every race; Speed Racer, the hero who seeks to straighten out the industry; and Racer X, his sometime rival.
Price: $39.99";
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i++] = new Array("","Elmo Live","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photo_StoryLevel/080214/080214-elmolive-vmed-9a.hmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "Fisher-Price", "273", "230", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
TOYFAIR_top2008toys[i-1].body = "
Elmo Live
Fisher-Price, a division of Mattel, has kept us in suspense for another year before finally revealing the latest incarnation of the popular Sesame Street character.
Elmo Live comes to life when children tickle or squeeze his foot, belly, back or nose.
Elmo Live speaks, sings and plays games. He also bobs his head, waves his arms and crosses his legs.
Price: $59.99
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