Every year, a brand new batch of best selling toys comes out that is different from any of the toys we have seen in the past.  These are the innovative, must-haves that fly off the shelves before you even know they are there.  Well, unless you are here.  We have researched the best of the best new toys this year so that you do not miss out during the Christmas rush.

The toys in this category are inventive and range in interests and prices.  While these toys are far too new to make it into our classic category, they may likely be there in the future.  These are the new toys that we feel have real staying power and a “collectible” factor. They meet all of the criteria of a truly fantastic toy.

When looking at new toys for 2009, these are the qualities that we look for:

Innovation:  To be in this category, the toy has to really be something new that we haven’t seen before.  It can be a fantastic new twist on an old favorite, like a new LEGO set or a MATCHBOX vehicle never before seen, but it has to really stand out.  And some really do; both LEGO and MATCHBOX are typical producers here.  Rubik’s Cube topped itself this year as well.  However, what makes a toy truly original is something like the Mindflex Game or Radica Ucreate Games.  These are games that just did not exist last year.  They are creative and interesting – great picks for a boy or girl!

Interactive: For a new toy to really impress, it must be engaging for kids.  Whether it is something electronic, artistic, or athletic, the child needs to be able to interact with it.  This is a crucial piece because this is the element of a toy that will interest and educate a child at the same time.  It is in this relationship that fun and learning really happen.

Multiple Features:  It is possible to have a toy that is so fantastic that a single feature is enough, but this is rarely the case with toys today and certainly not the case with the top new toys this year.  It is, in fact, the multiple features that creates the toy’s appeal and makes it intriguing as a new toy.  Lights, sounds, movements, various modes or outcomes, intricate detailing, and multiple accessories all make for interesting play!

Visual Appeal: While this may seem superficial at first, believe us, it is not.  For a new toy to really be a top winning toy, the one that will be perfect for your child, it must be aesthetically pleasing.  Simply put, it has to appeal to the kids looking at it.  While packaging and marketing are important, it is the actual product itself that has to have visual draw to it.  The first thing that kids engage with a toy is how it looks, and whether you like it or not, cool looking does matter – even with toys.  Unique features, streamlining shapes, and colors are all factors.

Relevance:  These are the toys that appeal to kids today.  They are not the classic throw-backs, but instead they appeal to the super modern trend-setting kid.  These toys incorporate the latest in popular trends from the movies and television as well as fashion and music.  They are current and on the pulse of today’s children of all ages.

The following toys meet all of the above criteria.  These will be the hard-to-get must-haves for 2009.