HEYKUBE
$74.95. AGES 8 AND UP; RECHARGEABLE
BATTERY.
The Rubik’s Cube has been around since 1974, but
it’s still as intriguing—and hard to solve—as ever.
The HeyKube adds a smart element to the
traditional cube puzzle: Scramble it up, and it
remembers the moves you made and guides you to
solve via LED lights and audio cues. It also contains
16 preprogrammed patterns it’ll teach you to solve.
Even more fun is included for prospective coders:
You can create your own light-and-sound patterns
and games using a Raspberry Pi (not included).
SPIN MASTER PEEK-A-ROO
$47.97. AGES 5 AND UP; USES 4 AA BATTERIES.
Open the box and let Momma Roo loose; She’s an
interactive and very cute plush hybrid of a
kangaroo and a panda. When you play with her,
you’ll start to see some movement in her pouch:
It’s a baby PandaRoo who’ll eventually pop his
head out. Momma and Baby both have lots of
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games and sing songs, as well. Parent take heed
though; there’s no volume control.SPIN MASTER WIZARDING WORLD HARRY
POTTER, ENCHANTING HEDWIG INTERACTIVE
OWL
$33.99. AGES 5 AND UP; USES 3 AA BATTERIES.
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owl (and my personal favorite of the plush
interactive toys this year). Speak to her softly, and
she makes charming sweet chirps and hoots; her
responses are unpredictable and lifelike. Be careful
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or she’ll let you know she’s not pleased.