What's available

Construction and building toys are big. And it's becoming a hybrid category, thanks to motors and microchips: For instance, the serpent you assemble with the Learning Curve Robotix Serpasaurs kit is a remote-controlled robot. The best kits let kids build more than one project. Motors can add interest. Color-coded parts make assembly easier. If the toy has a flimsy box, consider buying a storage container.

Learning toys teach specific lessons or concepts. Gift givers love them; in December 2001, the LeapFrog Leap Pad Learning Center, an electronic laptop, was the top-selling toy across all categories. Microchips have prompted an explosion in the number of learning toys aimed at preschoolers and even babies. Choose according to the child's interests and skills, or the toy will stay in the closet. Kids have more fun if there's a multiple-player mode and adjustable skill levels; extra games and subjects are also a plus. Volume adjustment or a headphone jack makes all that beeping, buzzing, and simulated speech bearable.

Bugs are popular now. Not all bug toys are fighting toys. Some are low-tech hand puppets that kids seem to enjoy. But recently, cartoons such as "Men in Black the Series" and movies have promoted insects from outer space as the new enemy. If the primary purpose of the insect is to battle, you'll need to buy more than one. A remote control may add play value.

Robotic pets are still popular. It was a dog's life last year, as Poo-Chi by Tiger Electronics and Tekno by Manly Toy Quest led toy sales. This year, the menagerie expands with Meow-Chi, Hasbro/Tiger's interactive robotic cat, and other pets. Voice-recognition technology can be iffy; a remote control usually helps these toys work better than voice commands alone. Plan to spend time helping the child figure out the instructions. Kids in our tests preferred the fuzzy pets to the space-age, hard-bodied ones.

Remote-controlled vehicles are more plentiful. In addition to the usual cars, trucks, and planes, toy makers have introduced remote-controlled skateboarders and motorcyclists. Some are easier to control than others; try them out before buying if you can. Some require a large, hard surface, such as a driveway. Rechargeable battery packs often have a limited playing time of 20 to 25 minutes. To play longer, you can buy an additional battery pack, but they can cost . If you plan to buy two units (for siblings, say), make sure they operate on different frequencies; otherwise, one child's controller may operate the other vehicle, and vice versa.

Robots have been around for a long time; new twists include remote controls and robots that respond to voice commands. Try out the robot if possible; some can be difficult to control. Avoid those with complicated instructions. Most robots require a lot of patience to use.

Spy toys used to be goofy and very obvious. Now, spying is more covert and eavesdropping is a hot trend; microchips and cheap electronic components have improved this toy technology. Some toymakers have designed spy toys especially for girls (in pink, naturally). Some spy toys impart questionable social values; make sure they're not used maliciously. If you decide to purchase one, be sure the features actually work.

Baby dolls and homemaking toys are less popular now, but gender stereotyping lives on. Fashion and makeup themes dominate toys for girls, and games such as Dream Star, , by Pressman, focus on dating and social popularity. In this category, Mattel's Diva Starz fashion dolls, , are top sellers. Some psychologists say that toys that put too much emphasis on appearance can undermine girls' self-esteem and academic achievement later in adolescence. Try to balance such toys with other toys and games that build skills.

How to choose

With building toys, choose age-appropriate building toys with pieces large enough for small hands to manipulate. The best kits allow kids to build different projects. (With others, the fun is over when the kit is built.) Motors can add interest; some kids in our tests became so preoccupied they forgot to finish their projects. Color-coded parts make assembly easier. If the toy has a flimsy box, consider buying a storage container.

Buy learning toys according to your children's interests and skills; they won't learn anything if the toy stays in the closet. Kids have more fun if there's a multiple-player mode and adjustable skill levels; extra games and subjects are also a plus. Volume adjustment or a headphone jack makes all that beeping, buzzing, and simulated speech bearable.

With bug toys, if the primary purpose of the insect is to battle, you'll need to buy more than one. A remote control may add play value.

The voice-recognition technology with robotic toys can be iffy; a remote control usually helps these toys work better than voice commands alone. Plan to spend time helping the child figure out the instructions. Kids in our tests preferred the furry pets to the space-age, hard-bodied ones.

Some remote-controlled vehicles are easier to control than others; try them out before buying if you can. Some require a large, hard surface, such as a driveway. Rechargeable battery packs often have a limited playing time of 20 to 25 minutes. To play longer, you can buy an additional battery pack, but they can run . If you plan to buy two units (for siblings, say), make sure they operate on different frequencies; otherwise, one child's controller may operate the other vehicle, and vice versa.

Try out any robot toy if possible; some can be difficult to control. Avoid those with complicated instructions.

Some spy toys impart questionable social values; make sure they're not used maliciously. If you decide to purchase one, be sure the features actually work.