5 Best Back-To-Basics Toys You Missed On The 2017 Late Late Toy Show

The Late Late Toy Show just aired and it was the best one yet. It was also the most popular Irish show of the whole year, with more than 1.3 million viewers. To be fair, I’m not one for tech toys. I like the ones that inspire creative play or that will be used over and over again, rather than a lot of what’s on the market today. Host Ryan Tubridy did a fantastic job, as always, and there were something like 300 different toys featured over the course of two hours. So, if you didn’t get to see the show, and don’t have time to watch it all, I’ll break down my five favorites and save you some time.

1) Stranger Things Monopoly

Target.com / Via target.com

If you’re a fan of throwback games and want to share the classic game with your older kids, but are pretty sure they’ll spend more time on their iPhones than engaging with you, go for the Stranger Things version. It’s based around season one, with all the properties being important locations in the show, Forts and Hideouts instead of houses and hotels, and Demogorgon attacks instead of utility payments, so it clearly resembles normal life to a much greater degree than classic Monopoly.

2) Magic Tracks

Toys 'r Us / Via toysrus.com

Magic Tracks are probably most-ideal for kids 5-8, but the manufacturer says ages 3 and up. This one is pretty cool because each individual slat in the track is its own piece, so kids can put together just about any shape or size track they want. The edges of the track are raised up enough that the cars won’t jump it… at least until your child starts getting really creative and builds tracks that zoom down your stairs and stuff. It also glows in the dark, which the kids will probably like, but parents will probably appreciate it more because that means they can see it in the dark and avoid stepping on it.

3) Mia Doll

Lottie / Via uk.lottie.com

The Mia Doll is put out by Lottie Doll, and at a glance, she looks pretty much like any other doll on the planet. She’s got the girl empowerment thing going for her by wearing a sportier look and is supposedly a wildlife photographer. What they don’t really market about her, and here’s the cool part, is that she has a cochlear implant. I personally love the fact that they’ve downplayed this, which means Mia will probably wind up in more homes, growing a better culture of acceptance and diversity.

4) Santa's Magical Fireplace

Santa's Magical Fireplce / Via santasmagicalfireplace.com

How does Santa get in your home if you don’t have a fireplace? With Santa’s Magical Fireplace, of course. This is basically a miniature fireplace that “grows” to accommodate Santa when he arrives. It comes with a cute storybook to explain how it works to kids and includes a vial of magic dust. If you’re into DIY, you can also get your craft on and dress up the fireplace more, like by adding miniature stockings or décor to match your tree. This is also supposedly Santa-approved. I’m guessing he likes the fact that he can eat a few extra cookies and not worry about whether he’ll fit back up the chimney. Hmm… I wonder if these folks will start making pants too.

5) Zycom Zing

Zycom / Via ebay.co.uk

This little scooter is specially-designed for riders between the ages of three and five, with a maximum weight of 66 lbs, and the handles can be raised or lowered some to suit various heights. They’ve adapted the configuration of the wheels for better control and stability, so there’s two in front and one in back. The wheels also light up, which makes it a safer choice for riding at night, plus encourages the kids to keep burning off their energy outside. The lights will probably not prevent you from stepping on it in the dark, but it does fold up for storage, so there’s that.