Scrutiny by the Masses: Toys R Us - The Ultimate Toy Guide

When I was younger, I remember being very, very excited for Christmas. (Duh. Everyone was!) I remember taking catalogs virtually everywhere with me, circling my "must have" items, those things that I simply had to have. I would circle and circle, daydream, cross out and add - and ultimately, I never received any of it.

But I was happy, and quiet - and I think that's why my mom encouraged it.

My kids still pull the catalogs from my hands, but these days, the shorties are more likely to want to roam the toy store. And I'm ok with that - as long as they know we aren't buying everything they spy. Typically, Toys R US is our toy store of choice, and we've spent many a happy afternoon strolling around, day dreaming and creaing wish lists. It gives me a chance to see what the newest toys are out there, what's hot and upcoming, and what really grabs my kids attention like no other. It's a backhanded, sneaky search, if you will. A chance to see what they'd pick, if they could.

My kids are often drawn to builidng and creating toys - Legos, K'Nex, Goldie Blox, etc. Things that allow them to create and build. Often, they will follow the instructions the first time, and then break it down and make something totally different. I love it - love to see what their minds can create.

Recently, I was invited to become part of the Toys R Us Blogger Brigade, and was sent a selection of toys. All of these toys would make fantastic gifts for kids on your list - and two of them are even better for grown ups!

Two lucky readers will win the first two toys on the list - the Beatles Yellow Submarine Building set or the Kiss Rock stage- which are really very, very awesome and I'm super excited to be able to offer to you! If you are interested in winning, leave a comment telling me which of the two you'd rather win. Comment by Midnight on December 16 and I'll pop it in the mail to you the next day!

Let's get started - I highly recommend all of these toys if you've got some presents left to buy - and I'm betting that you do, especially as Christmas is just a bit more less than two weeks away. Yikes.

Beatles Yellow Submarine™ Building Set

Build The Yellow Submarine, and help The Beatles save Pepperland from The Blue Meanies! This one-of-a-kind building set lets you recreate the awesome adventures of the iconic Yellow Submarine with passengers, John, Paul, George and Ringo. They can do battle against the two Blue Meanie figures, or get out their instruments and jam, since their ship doubles as a concert stage! Includs over 200 pieces; Ages 7+. Suggested retail price is $34.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

KISS® Rock Stage Big Rig Building Set

Build a rock stage big rig, and take your Monster KISS figures on an amazing music tour! This unique building set lets you create the power of a real KISS concert with The Demon, The Spaceman, The Catman and The Starchild. After they rock out, the two roadie figures will help pack up their equipment, and drive the band off to their next sold-out show! Includes over 300 pieces; Ages 7+. Suggested retail price is $34.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

Lincoln Logs® Redfield Ranch

Build a home on the range! Lincoln Logs® Redfield Ranch™ includes 124 real wood logs, plus colorful figures and other building accessories. Step-by-step instructions for building a ranch complete with a horse and cowboy figure are included. Parts come in a newly designed and collectible storage container, so clean-up is quick and easy. Suggested retail price is $39.99. Ages 3+. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

I'll take cooperative, quiet play for $200, Alex.

521 Amazing Value Tub Building Set

Build anything you can imagine with the 521 Piece Value Tub! Loaded with 521 parts for lots of building fun! Includes instructions/ideas for 35 unique models including, dragsters, Ferris wheels, dinosaurs, creatures and more! Parts and built models can be stored in the convenient storage tub. Made in the U.S.A. Suggested retail price $24.99. Ages 7+. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

New Super Mario Bros.™ 2 Thwomps™ Building Set

Go on a brand new adventure with Fire Mario™ & Silver Luigi™ as they journey through a castle course! Featuring K'NEX's all new jump disk and launcher that allow Mario to run and jump, like he does in the game. Build Fire Mario & Silver Luigi and drop them through the warp pipe to enter the course. Look out for the Thwomps - slam them down to open your path. Make your way past the Thwomps, collecting coins as you go - don't forget to grab the Power Up mushroom at the top! Drop through another warp pipe and guess what - there's another side to play on! Use the sliding platform to cross the lava. Who will you find behind the door? It's a Bone Goomba™! Hit the target to defeat him, pop-up the flag and you've cleared the course! Combine your Thwomps building set with the rest of the K'NEX Super Mario™ building set line to take Mario on an even BIGGER adventure! For ages 8+. Suggested retail price is $59.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

Super Mario 3D Land™ Bowser’s Castle Building Set

Go on a brand new adventure with Mario™ - battle Bowser™, and save the princess in the FINAL course! Featuring K'NEX's all new jump disk and launcher that allow Mario to run and jump, like he does in the game. Build Mario and make your way through the entrance gate to Bowser's Castle! Look out for Draglet™ - a battery-powered motor makes him a spinning danger at the entrance. Use the track slider to cross the pit, and jump up to collect the coins! Watch out for the Fireballs - you make them move by turning the white connector. Hurry past the spinning Fire Bars, and hit the mystery box - what did you get? Jump across the moving platforms, through the warp pipe and up the elevator platform to Bowser's final hiding place! Use the jump launcher to knock him down! Save Princess Peach™, pop-up the goal flag and you've WON THE GAME! Combine your Bowser's Castle building set with the rest of the K'NEX Super Mario™ building set line to take Mario on an even BIGGER adventure! For ages 8+. Suggested retail price is $99.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.

Typhoon Frenzy™ Roller Coaster Building Set

Bring a wave of fun from the ocean to your living room with the new Typhoon Frenzy Roller Coaster Building Set from K'NEX! Build with over 640 K'NEX parts & pieces including, rods, connectors and track, and add motorized power to send the silver coaster car twisting and turning through over 19 feet of swirling, non-stop action! Plus, download exclusive instructions to build an incredible second model, the Tsunami Surge™ Coaster! All K'NEX rods and connectors are made in the USA! Ages 9+. Suggested retail price is $39.99. Available exclusively at Toys “R” Us.