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Rossen Reports: Kids give the verdict on this year's hottest toys

Jeff Rossen teams up with Hearst reporters and their children to test and review the most popular toys of the year.

Rossen Reports: Kids give the verdict on this year's hottest toys

Jeff Rossen teams up with Hearst reporters and their children to test and review the most popular toys of the year.

Our toy test is back three Rosa reports working with our Hearst reporters and their kids across the country to reveal some of the hottest toys and gifts. This year, my kids are teenagers. Now, this is Sloan right here. How old are you now? 14. It'll be 15 big girl. This is really cool for teenagers. It's the Fuji film Insta mini 40 instant camera and it costs $99. The cool thing is I'll show you. So take *** picture of me. So look through there and then you hit that button, take *** picture of me. Ok? So now watch, it's gonna come out right over here and this is what we used to do back in the old days. See what's old is new again. And here's the other cool thing. You get an app and it'll scan right into the app. So you have the photo and it'll also scan inside of your camera roll so you can share it as *** regular digital photo too. Ok? It's been about 90 seconds. Let me check this thing out. All right. So it's still developing. But yeah, I look pretty ridiculous just like I did in person. What do you, what do you think of the camera? What do you think of this? I think it's pretty cool that you can have *** physical one and one on the phone. It's like pretty unique. What about little kids? Let's go to Des Moines where? Kccis Jody Long and her son Bishop are testing Spidey's mega jump HQ track coming in at $50. OK. So there are several pieces to put together. Do you think we can do this? Bishop? I can't forget. Struggle. I know. OK. So there's some assembly required now for the moment of truth one. I like where they go to you. Like when they go in. Yeah. Good. Speaking of cars, let's head to Cincinnati. Next Wlwts, Steven Albritton and his sons, Sa Jackson testing out this remote control dinosaur bumper car set. They're from Terra by Batak and costs $31. 321 go and they're off, bring it back time to ram them into each other. Let's see how high these dinosaurs go when they crash into each other. Reese. Go. Oh, what do you think so far? Jackson? I think it's good. And I, oh, you wanna keep it? Ok. It's yours buddy. Now we're off to Oklahoma City, Koc Os Evan Ansto and his kids, Austin and Gray are testing the marble run by National Geographic. It's $45 includes *** motorized elevator and the kids can even build it up however they want. Ok, I got it. The thing is, is that I think there is some parental help that's needed, especially in putting together the elevator. It can be tricky to put this song to me. The elevator is my favorite part because it just feels magical. So what do our toy testers rate it? 100 out of 10, 100 out of 10 1 million out. That's what *** big thank you to Jody Steven Evan. But let's be honest, especially their kids for testing those toys with us. We have even more than we didn't have time to include. So make sure you check out my Rosson reports newsletter to see the full list of toys and what the kids had to say. The experts scan the QR code on your screen right now to sign up back to you.
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Rossen Reports: Kids give the verdict on this year's hottest toys

Jeff Rossen teams up with Hearst reporters and their children to test and review the most popular toys of the year.

It’s what every parent wants to know – will the toys you bought for your kids this year be a hit or a miss?Rossen Reports is teaming up with our Hearst reporters across the country to get the reviews straight from the experts themselves – their kids.A big thanks to KOCO’s Evan Onstot, KCCI’s Jodi Long, and WLWT’s Steven Albritton and their kids for the help!MARVEL Spidey and His Amazing Friends Mega Jump HQ TrackPrice: $49.88 / varies depending on siteAges: 3+Where to buy: Amazon, WalmartReview: This toy is a 39-inch dual racetrack with an elevator, control center, web tunnels, and ramps. Jodi’s son Bishop loved this toy – and only wished it had more cars included! Jodi noted there’s some assembly required, so kids will need help from their parents putting this toy together.TERRA by Battat Remote Control Bumper Cars Set – TarbosaurusPrice: $30.99Ages: 3+Where to buy: TargetReview: This set includes two dinosaurs, two bumper cars, and two remote controls. The goal is to bump your opponent’s car, which will eject the dinosaur. Steven’s sons Reece and Jackson had a blast playing with these! You’ll need 10 AAA batteries for this toy, so make sure you pick some up.Moose Games Pickleball BlastPrice: $14.99 / varies depending on siteAges: 6+Where to buy: Target, Amazon, WalmartReview: This game brings pickleball from the court to the tabletop. Kids use paddles to flip the pickle back and forth. The goal is to knock over pickle lids on your opponent’s side. We love this game for siblings like Reece and Jackson – who had fun testing out this toy!National Geographic Marble Run with Motorized ElevatorPrice: $44.99Ages: 8+Where to buy: AmazonReview: Marble Runs lets kids bring their imagination to life – building out whatever kind of track they want. Steven’s kids Austen and Grey liked how this one came with a motorized elevator, which made it even more fun to play with. Evan noted that this toy is fun for parents too! The toy requires 3 AA batteries, so make sure you pick those up.Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant CameraPrice: $99.99 / varies depending on siteAges: teenagersWhere to buy: Target, Best Buy, AmazonReview: This pick obviously isn’t a toy – but we wanted to include an option for teenagers, like Jeff’s daughter Sloane. We loved the retro feel of this instant camera, and she liked how the camera pairs with the free INSTAX UP! app, which allows you to scan your photos directly to your device for social media sharing.Want more toys? Looking at multiple "hot toy lists" from publications and companies, we cross-referenced and picked out the ones we saw on multiple lists. Here are more options we found:Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing DollKinetic Sand SquishMotion PlaysetBluey 3-in-1 Transforming Airplane PlaysetToniebox Audio Player Disney SetZipString LumaHave a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com. Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.

It’s what every parent wants to know – will the toys you bought for your kids this year be a hit or a miss?

Rossen Reports is teaming up with our Hearst reporters across the country to get the reviews straight from the experts themselves – their kids.

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A big thanks to KOCO’s Evan Onstot, KCCI’s Jodi Long, and WLWT’s Steven Albritton and their kids for the help!

MARVEL Spidey and His Amazing Friends Mega Jump HQ Track

Price: $49.88 / varies depending on site

Ages: 3+

Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart

Review: This toy is a 39-inch dual racetrack with an elevator, control center, web tunnels, and ramps. Jodi’s son Bishop loved this toy – and only wished it had more cars included! Jodi noted there’s some assembly required, so kids will need help from their parents putting this toy together.

TERRA by Battat Remote Control Bumper Cars Set – Tarbosaurus

Price: $30.99

Ages: 3+

Where to buy: Target

Review: This set includes two dinosaurs, two bumper cars, and two remote controls. The goal is to bump your opponent’s car, which will eject the dinosaur. Steven’s sons Reece and Jackson had a blast playing with these! You’ll need 10 AAA batteries for this toy, so make sure you pick some up.

Moose Games Pickleball Blast

Price: $14.99 / varies depending on site

Ages: 6+

Where to buy: Target, Amazon, Walmart

Review: This game brings pickleball from the court to the tabletop. Kids use paddles to flip the pickle back and forth. The goal is to knock over pickle lids on your opponent’s side. We love this game for siblings like Reece and Jackson – who had fun testing out this toy!

National Geographic Marble Run with Motorized Elevator

Price: $44.99

Ages: 8+

Where to buy: Amazon

Review: Marble Runs lets kids bring their imagination to life – building out whatever kind of track they want. Steven’s kids Austen and Grey liked how this one came with a motorized elevator, which made it even more fun to play with. Evan noted that this toy is fun for parents too! The toy requires 3 AA batteries, so make sure you pick those up.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Instant Camera

Price: $99.99 / varies depending on site

Ages: teenagers

Where to buy: Target, Best Buy, Amazon

Review: This pick obviously isn’t a toy – but we wanted to include an option for teenagers, like Jeff’s daughter Sloane. We loved the retro feel of this instant camera, and she liked how the camera pairs with the free INSTAX UP! app, which allows you to scan your photos directly to your device for social media sharing.

Want more toys?

Looking at multiple "hot toy lists" from publications and companies, we cross-referenced and picked out the ones we saw on multiple lists. Here are more options we found:

Have a question for Jeff Rossen? He’s answering your consumer questions every Friday in the new segment "Rossen Responds." Email your questions to him at RossenResponds@hearst.com.

Want bonus content and exclusive deals? Make sure to sign up for our free newsletter at RossenReports.com.