Toy Insider Senior Editor/Toy Book Editor-in-Chief James Zahn joined Afternoon Live on KATU in Portland to talk about the best new toys to get kids ready to head back to class. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for a rundown of the best toys, games, and gifts of the season, check out our complete Toy Insider Spring & Summer Gift Guide.


WOOF & CO. — LILY THE POSEABLE PLUSH SHIH TZU

Lily adds Parisian flair to everything she does! The 15-inch poseable plush Shih Tzu wears a signature red beret, chic black-and-white outfit, and matching purse and shoes. She loves to design outfits that bring out her friends personalities.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.97
  • Age:
  • 3+

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48-PIECE GLITTER CASTLE PACK

Each tile features high-volume, ultra-fine, iridescent glitter that reflects light for a sparkling effect. The set includes triangles and squares in a variety of rainbow and pastel colors.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69
  • Age:
  • 3+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR ADVENTURE TOWER WITH ICE CREAM BOOTH

Get ready for big fun at the Adventure Tower with Ice Cream Booth! Kids can climb, slide, spin on the Ferris wheel, and enjoy colorful role-play at the ice cream stand. As they turn the crank, the Ferris wheel spins and a figure moves toward the slide—double the action in one motion! With playful characters…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 1+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

B. TOYS LOOK & SHINE LIGHT BOX PLAYSET

Kids can use this lightbox to explore shapes, numbers, and colors or trace along the included transparency sheets. It features two brightness settings and five different light colors.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

HOOK RALLY

In this game, players swing their rings to try and capture the hooks. Once they capture a hook, it shifts so their opponent can’t reach it. The first to snag three hooks wins the game.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.95
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

AIR-POWER TURBO RACER

Kids can build an air-powered race car using this kit, which comes with a compressed air tank that propels the car forward at speeds of up to 13 feet per second and a distance of more than 60 feet.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.95
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A proud and profoundly weird graduate of SUNY Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah. ↙️↙️↙️

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