Our Top 25 Toys from our Mastermind Gift Guide

Ryan said it best in his post on the Gift Guide -- it's hard to pick just 25 toys, it's like choosing between your own children -- But in this case, it had to be done. We've made our list, and so, without further ado, here it is, in descending order by price:

1. Thomas Track Rider ($399.95) Ages 1½+
All Aboard for the only battery-operated Thomas Ride on Track Train! This awesome, easy drive train features push buttons, start-up train sounds, music and real working light. The train comes with a full circle of 8-feet track, and as an added bonus with every purchase, Mastermind will include 4 complimentary pieces of straight track.




2. Giant Submarine/Giant Rocketship Playscape ($149.95), Ages 3+
Exclusive to Mastermind, these fabulous wooden sets are three or more levels high, open on all sides and packed with figures and gear to play with. They have at least eight different rooms and a working elevator (it’s even better than a dollhouse)! Two styles are available: Giant Submarine or Rocketship.






3. Take ‘N Go Driving School RC Car Set ($99.95), Ages 3+
Open the case, snap together the puzzle-piece race track, grab your controller, and race away! This set comes with two wireless controllers and cars that really change lanes!






4. City Lights Day/Night Globe ($99.95), Ages 8+
By day this is a mild-mannered 12.5” geopolitical globe with the latest, up-to-date configurations, but turn off the lights and this globe uses an optical sensor to detect the light and illuminate the city lights of the world to make it seem like you’re viewing the Earth from space!



5. Space Symphony Motion Gym ($79.95), Ages Birth +
This combination mat and gym offers music and motion to sooth your baby. The arches are covered with interesting space-themed toys, and they gently rotate to keep your little one alert and interested.

6. Sit to Stand Train ($79.95), Ages 12 months +
An educational activity toy/ride-on toy! The Sit to Stand Train is a covered in letter and number activities with fun sounds and songs. It’s also a ride on toy for little ones, complete with a caboose for holding the activity pieces!





7. Snap Circuits Green: Alternative Energy Kit ($69.95), Ages 8+
This new Snap Circuits kit has 130 easy-to-build electronic projects that demonstrate the latest innovations in alternative energy. Sources of energy explored in the kit include hydro, wind, solar chemical and mechanical - a great and safe way to plant the green seed in young minds.

8. Zero Gravity Laser Car ($49.95) Ages 8+
The coolest RC toy you’ve ever seen! This zero gravity vacuum car runs on the floor… and up the wall! What’s more, you control it by pointing a laser to the wall, so that the car follows the dot!



9. My Singing Birthday Cake ($39.95), Ages 1+
It’s Birthday fun 365 days a year! This cool and colourful cake has candles that light up when touched by the magic wand. Hear the birthday song play, make your wish, and blow out the candles! Cut the cake with the child-safe knife and share the squeezable slices with your family and friends. It’s likely the only cake you have ever had that is machine washable!


10. Sort and Spin Blender (39.95), Ages 1+
Here is a new spin on shape-sorting toys that is packed with early learning fun. Sort the five brightly coloured shapes into the blender, press the button to watch them spin round and round, fast or slow while you sing along to the fun melodies and songs.

11. Standup Sing Along Microphone ($39.95), Ages 3+
American Idol wannabees can get ready to rock with this cool pink microphone! It comes with an adjustable stand, disco lights, volume control and cool sound effects.

12. Wahoo Puppy Bouncer ($29.95), Ages 5+
This big bouncy puppy is perfect for ride-on, play-on, huggable fun. Wahoo is a durable, inflatable dog-shaped toy that kids can sit on, bounce on, toss around and enjoy. A great toy that promotes balance and coordination.

13. Sun Jar ($39.95), Ages 6+
Jam jars store jam and Sun Jars store sunshine. This simple light may glow yellow but it is actually very “green”! The mason jar contains a solar cell that collects and stores sunshine and charges during the day. When darkness falls, the powerful LED light gives off a warm glow; providing you with your own solar-powered nightlight! Available in three colours.

14. Project Runway Design Projector Kit ($35.95), Ages 8+
Mini Project Runway wannabees, and Heidi Klum fans, can now be on their way to becoming a fashion designer! Use the projector to project different styles onto the page that you can trace; mix and match your designs to invent your own fashion sensations!





15. Kreecher Pillow ($29.95), Ages 3+
New from Manhattan Toy! Kreecher pillows are weird, wacky and uniquely-designed pillows that add pizzazz to any playroom. These funky pillows come in three styles.


16. Text and Learn Messenger ($29.95), Ages 3+
A great idea for the CEO-in-training. Little ones love to imitate their parents, and now they can have their very own PDA toy! The Text and Learn messenger is an electronic learning game from Leap Frog that looks just like a Blackberry; little ones can play games and manage their busy calendar!

17. Make Your Own Cupcake Soap ($29.95), Ages 5+
Your bathtub never smelled so sweet! This yummy cupcake craft kit has everything that you need to make your own cute-as-a-button cupcake-themed soaps.


18. Pop Up Scrap Book ($29.95), Ages 7+
Why make a regular scrapbook? Add a new dimension with this kit and make your own
scrapbook come alive with pop up memories

19. 39 Clues Board Game ($29.95), Ages 8+
Race around the world gathering keys by solving clues, decoding messages and tripping up the competition! Based on the new smash-hit series of books!

20. WobBally Game, ($24.95) Ages 5+
This topsy-turvy game is fun for the whole family. Use the special stacking toy to build your tower of marbles and platforms… and then roll the die to see which colour ball you have to pop out of the tower! But be careful… this tower shakes, rattles and rolls!

21. Gobblet Gobblers ($24.95), Ages 5+
Gobble up some fun with a new twist on Tic-Tac-Toe for little ones! Place your gobblers on the board to try and make three in a row… but remember that the larger gobblers can gobble the little ones! A cute, colouful and challenging game.


22. Straws and Connectors 400pc Deluxe Set ($24.95), Ages 5+
A Mastermind Exclusive Set! This Jumbo kit comes with tons of straws and connectors pieces which can be used to make anything you can imagine! The simple pieces go together quickly to make huge models!




23. Spiffy Spa Set, ($24.95), Ages 8+
Treat your feet with the Spiffy Spa Set. It comes with everything you need for a soothing pedicure… including decorate-your-own slippers!

24. Shrinky Dinks Holiday Set ($19.95) Ages 7+
This kit comes with everything you need to make 30 different holiday-themed, shrinky-dinks ornaments, and your very own mini silver Christmas tree!




25. Rubik’s 360 Brain Puzzle ($17.95), Ages 8+
The Rubik’s Cube has a new spin with the latest and greatest iteration from the master of puzzles! The object is to move the coloured balls to their correct pods on the outside of the toy, but the challenge is maneuvering them through the weighted spheres! A Brainiac favorite!

--Cathy the Toy Mom