This toy started out as the hottest thing for 2017, but lost it’s allure once it had been unboxed. Imagine a giant, glittery ball filled with lots of tiny plastic toys for kids to unwrap….lots of cheap, tiny plastic toys all over your house. No thank you! We’re leaving this one under the tree. Or better yet, on the store shelf. Photo Source: Jet.com
Hatchimals
Hatchimals were THE top toys on many kid’s lists last year, and they’re back with a vengeance this year. But now that they’ve been “hatched,” we are growing to hate them. They start by tapping on the inside of their egg. Once hatched they walk, talk, dance, play games and more. OY!
Magic Tracks Racecar Set
This set is fun for the kids, but not for you if you step on the track or have to listen to the constant whir of the cars going round and round and round. Plus, they burn through batteries like nobody’s business.
Baby Alive
Baby Alive Snacking Sara talks, eats and poops. Just what every parent wants! Plus, she comes with two 1-ounce containers of reusable doll food, 3 shaping tools, 1 roller, plate, and a pretend juice box, which means a messy doll that comes with little pieces. She also says 30-plus phrases in both English and Spanish to “create realistic nurturing moments.” For whom? Not mom and dad!
Drones
A drone is one of the go-to toys for teens, but where do we start with this? Depending upon the model, they can be expensive and they’re annoying. Not just for mom and dad, but unsuspecting neighbors who might consider it to be an invasion of privacy.
Alphabet Foam Playmats
They look great for toddlers and kids (and kids love them!), but they’ll never actually be used to learn letters or numbers. Worse, the pieces come apart, so you’ll find those pieces all over the house. Plus, the younger kids love to munch on them. Just don’t!
Glitter
Glitter of any kind gets into every nook and cranny of the house, your hair, crooks of elbows, and who knows where else. It’s impossible to clean up, and you will see glints of that darned stuff for years to come.
Modeling Clay
And while we’re on the topic of craft supplies, let’s talk modeling clay. What a great idea to foster your kids’ creativity with clay, right? It is a great idea, if your kid is old enough. If you’re giving it to a toddler, be prepared to pick it our of your carpet and wipe it off of walls.
Recorder
If you don’t know it already, you should be warned: Sometime in grade school, your kid will be given a recorder to help them explore the wonderful world of music. Knowing this day will come, don’t punish yourself early by jumping the gun on the recorder. Give the gift of a few more years of quiet before they come home with the over-sized noisemaker. These are the toys we would never buy every again. But we have some great toys we’d buy in a heartbeat listed in our toy finder. Take a look to get some great holiday ideas!
