Want the hottest toys? Get a game plan
If you're looking for the hottest toys of the season, don't stray too far from the front of the store.
That's advice from Maribel Acevedo, director of Toys ''R" Us at the South Bay Shopping Plaza in Dorchester. She says most toy stores are stacking their ''it" toys at the front entrance these days.
But to get those popular items, shop early. ''The earlier in the season is better, and the earlier in the morning is less crowded then midday or after work," says Kathleen Waugh, spokeswoman for Toys ''R" Us. ''We get progressively busier as the day goes on."
Waugh's nieces and nephews, who range in age from 5 to 14, will benefit from their aunt's philosophy on Christmas morning. A full set of DVDs and one of the top-selling toys this season, the iDog, are already wrapped.
According to the National Retail Federation, 45 percent of shoppers will purchase toys this season, making toys among the top gift categories.
The Washington trade organization ranks Barbie as the most popular toy for girls, followed by other dolls including Bratz and Dora the Explorer. Video games will be the most popular for boys, while other must-haves include ''Star Wars" merchandise and Legos.
Every year, Toys ''R" Us rates the hottest toys in their annual ''Joy List" -- organized by age -- to help shoppers find the perfect gift. This year, the hottest toys of the season range from dolls to DVDs.
''My niece loves Dora the Explorer," said Acevedo. ''Last year she got the house and this year she's getting the kitchen."
But buyers beware: Just because the toy ranks high on a list doesn't mean it will wow the kids.
A Consumer Reports focus group of 27 children ages 6 to 12 tested the toys on the ''hot lists" from Yahoo, Toys ''R" Us, and Amazon.com.
Many kids were bored by potential bestsellers like the Furby doll and iDog, which range in price from $29.99 to $39.99.
''Parents generally have the best idea of what their kids like," said Joan Muratore, senior project leader for Consumer Reports. ''If it's video games, pay attention to ratings. In general, keep safety in mind. If you have reservations about it, don't buy it."
However, items that keep a kid active -- whether they're physically or mentally challenging -- got a thumbs-up from users. One reason: Makers of educational electronics have made the lessons more ''game-like" and less of a lesson, says Acevedo of Toys ''R" Us.
Some top choices for the 8-to-11-year-old group: the LeapFrog series and VTech electronic learning games, which range in price from $29.99 to $79.99.
This year, Muratore's 10-year-old son is getting the Fly Pentop Computer, a $99 scanner with a built-in computer processor that helps kids with their homework, reminds them of tasks, and allows them to play games with their friends.
''I want it more, though, because it's educational," said Muratore. ''The pen works as a translator, and he's taking a Spanish class this year. This is a cool toy that will help him in school."
Melanie Nayer can be reached at mnayer@globe.com. 
