Amazon's 2016 Holiday Toy List for 8-11 Year Olds

Amazon.com has released their 2016 Holiday Toys List! I'm up to ages 8-11. Look at my favorites after the jump! 

Gravity Maze

• Falling Marble Logic Game
• A marble run and logic puzzle all in one. Age: 8 and Up
• 60 challenges ranging from beginner to expert
• Builds spacial reasoning and planning skills
• Includes 1 game grid, 60 challenge cards, 9 towers, 1 target piece, 3 marbles

This game looks like SO MUCH FUN! I think I'm going to put it on MY wishlist! 

Nerf N-Strike Elite HyperFire Blaster

• Fires up to 5 darts per second with fresh batteries
• 25-dart drum
• Fires darts up to 90 feet (27 meters)
• Comes with 25 Elite darts
• Includes blaster, 25-dart drum, 25 darts, and instructions.
• Requires 4 D batteries (not included).

I want to say up front that I am not a fan of guns; however, I did always enjoy Nerf toys and Super Soakers. This one looks like a fun first Nerf toy or a good one to add to your collection.

LEGO Creator 31052 Vacation Getaways Building Kit (792 Piece)

• Camper features a striped foldout awning, and a detailed interior including a toilet, fold up bed, kitchen, sofa, TV and luggage, plus roof storage for a foldaway barbecue and table, and 2 foldaway chairs
• 3-in-1 model: rebuilds into a summer home or a yacht
• Camper with trailer measures over 3" (10cm) high, 14" (36cm) long and 3" (8cm) wide
• Summer home measures over 6" (16cm) high, 6" (16cm) wide and 4" (11cm) deep
• Yacht measures over 5" (15cm) high, 9" (24cm) long and 3" (10cm) wide

Ah, this is the age where you can really get into the huge, complex Lego kits! 

Razor Scooter Model A

• Original kick scooter made of sturdy aircraft-grade aluminum with blue highlights
• Patented T-tube and deck design folds conveniently for transport
• 98 mm inline-style urethane wheels with ABEC 5 bearings
• Patented rear fender brake for quick stops; weighs only 6 pounds

I remember when these little scooters first came out. I wanted one SO BADLY. I still see them all over the place. 

ALEX Spa Sketch It Nail Pens Salon

• 190 piece kit to show off your custom nail design skills
• Sketch and paint with 5 colors of 2 tip nail pens
• Create long-lasting looks with professional grade polish
• Includes 5 Sketch It Nail Pens, 135 nail gems, 49 color in appliques, nail file and easy instructions

I tell you, I would have gone bonkers over this as a preteen. Whether or not my parents would have let me use it is another story...

Uno Attack Game

• Uno Attack combines the fun of UNO with unpredictable random excitement
• Now the #1 family card game is even faster and more unpredictable
• Players receive a random number of cards from the electronic card dispenser
• Shooter acts as a storage unit and is totally portable

I've always enjoyed card games. For as long as I can remember, I played games with my parents and grandparents and even my friends. This game is a fun twist on the traditional Uno game. It looks like a blast. 

Simon Air Game

• Classic Simon gameplay now with touch-free technology
• Game unit senses player's motions
• Features cool lights
• Play solo or with a friend
• Includes game unit and instructions
• Requires 3 1.5V "AA" alkaline batteries (demo batteries included)

Honey Graham and I watched Rhett and Link from Good Mythical Morning (if you don't know who they are, look them up on YouTube... they're hilarious) just the other day! It looked like a lot of fun and is a good way to develop critical listening skills. 

Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Discovery Kit

• Snap Circuit Arcade is an exciting introduction to problem solving, following directions, and the satisfaction of a job well done
• 30 Snap Modules included to complete more that 200 projects that support a vigorous STEM or STEAM curriculum
• Enjoy completing projects using a programmable Word Fan, Dual LED Display and a pre-programmed PICAXE Micro-Controller
• Clear and concise Illustrated Manual includes explanations for different Snap Modules and concepts needed to build Arcade projects
• Another chapter in the Award Winning Snap Circuit line of Electronic Discovery Kits

I think I want this for myself. My husband is really into building Arduino and Raspberry Pi stuff, but has recently got into wiring and electricity too. I'm a little jealous. 

Crayola Inspiration Art Case

A portable art studio you can take anywhere! a premier art set in a durable storage case is 140 pieces: crayons, washable markers, colored pencils and 15 sheets of large drawing paper.

I had to include an art set! 

Estes Alpha III Rocket Launch Set

• Launch controller, launch pad, and rocket assembly kit with materials and instructions required to assemble the rocket
• Orange plastic nose cone, body tube, one-piece plastic tail fin unit, and self-stick decals for level E2X (Easy to Assemble) assembly skill
• Projected maximum altitude of 1,100' (335m), 12" diameter parachute for rocket recovery
• Requires model rocket engine, starters, recovery wadding, and glue (all sold separately)
• Easy to assemble
• Almost ready to fly
• An Estes classic
• Launch system included (Launchpad colors may vary)
• Flies over 1100'

Rockets! This looks amazing. This could instill a lifelong love for space. 

Minecraft Stop Motion Movie Creator

• ​Direct your own Minecraft stop-motion movies!
• ​The Minecraft Stop-Motion Movie Creator combines game-authentic figures and accessories with a free mobile app for fans to create their own custom movies
• Swap out the background cards, props, and environment pieces for endless storytelling
• ​4 mini-figures include Exclusive Spider Jockey (with Enchanted Bow), Exclusive Alex (with Diamond Pickaxe), and Zombie and Zombie in Flames, which can be swapped in and out of frames for stop-motion fun
• ​Includes 1 movie stage, 4 brand new backgrounds, 4 mini-figures (2 of them are exclusive to this set), a phone/tablet holder, and props

This is pretty darn cool. That's really all I have to say about this.

Franklin Sports MLB Pop A Pitch

• Auto ball feeder for multiple swing action practice
• Assembles in seconds
• Durable ABS plastic construction
• Includes: 25" collapsible telescopic plastic bat and 3 AERO-STRIKE plastic baseballs
• Great fun for some of the youngest members of your family

This seems like a pretty high quality pitch generator. It's a great way to practice. 

K'NEX Thrill Rides – Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set – 639 Pieces

• ENDLESS BUILDING POSSIBILITIES – Let your children experience limitless building possibilities with this unique building system from K’NEX! The Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set comes with 639 different parts and pieces, including a motor and chain lift with a coaster car, which can be clicked together in an assembly of 3D configurations.
• REAL MOVING PARTS – Unlike other building toys, K’NEX allows your kids to create big models that actually move! Kids can create interactive toys using the classic pieces of this set, making different variations of motorized, moving roller coasters that stand up to 2.7 feet tall.
• CONVENIENT STORAGE – This activity will definitely keep your children occupied for hours! Storing all the pieces of this set will never be a hassle! All pieces can be put away in the large plastic tub for ease of access and storage.
• EASY TO USE – Easy-to-follow, step-by-step building instructions are included with the whole package of the K’NEX Thrill Rides Electric Inferno Roller Coaster Building Set. Unleash your kids’ creativity as they make their own designs for open-ended fun! 
• STEAMagination™: It’s the connection of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts & math) with a child’s natural curiosity and creativity and it powers the fun of each and every K’NEX® building set. Building with K’NEX puts children on a path towards a fundamental understanding of STEAM/STEM subjects.
• THRILL OF THE BUILD: K’NEX Thrill Rides allows each child to build bigger models that move to create an amusement park right in their home! Using the included parts and pieces, each K’NEX Thrill Rides building set you can build a massive roller coaster, a majestic spinning Ferris Wheel and more – the heart pounding fun is only limited by your imagination.
• DEVELOPMENT BENEFITS: K’NEX supports key areas of a child’s developmental growth. As they click the different parts together and discover how the building system works, they’re strengthening hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, spatial awareness and exercising their imagination!

Oh, K'Nex! I remember getting these as a kid and building like crazy with them. They have gotten a lot more complex since then and I am jealous of all these fun looking sets. 

HEXBUG Battle Ground Tower Toy

• Infrared remote
• Remote controlled
• Lights and sounds
• With the battle ground tower, you're in control of the six-legged spider as it inches its way around the action, steering its head 360 degrees in search of its opponent. Defend your zone by shooting off any wall to hit your opponent.

I've heard a lot about these HEXBUGS. I don't know a lot of the specifics, but it looks like it would be a really fun preteen toy. 

WowWee R.E.V. AIR Toy (1 Drone & 1 Car Included)

• Box includes 1 Drone and 1 Car for true Ground-to-Air Combat
• Control either vehicle with your mobile device
• Compete against friends or a legion of ruthless computer controlled AI Drivers
• Trackless, unrestricted battle
• Each vehicle is equipped with advanced sensors and tracking technology. REV Drone requires 1 lithium polymer battery (included). REV Vehicle requires 4 AA batteries (not included)

If you're into drones, or your kids are developing an interest, this seems like a good way to introduce them to drones. 

Did you ever play games as a family?