Top bargain toys for 2001

Nov. 16 - Often, the toys kids find most appealing are also the most expensive. But there are exceptions. Consumer specialist Herb Weisbaum asked kids to test hundreds of toys and he’s here with with their top choices for under $20. Check out the top bargain toys in “Today’s Toy Test 2001” that won’t break the bank.

SCHOOL AGE

BUCKET OF FUN

Perler Beads

Price: $9

Making things with craft beads is not only fun, it’s a great way to develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition and fine motor skills.

These Perler beads are specially made to “fuse” when heated. All a child needs to do is lace the beads in patterns on special pegboards. Then an adult uses an ordinary iron to fuse them together into permanent shapes. With 6,000 beads per bucket, this kit will keep kids creative for hours.

MAGNET CRAFTS

Dowling Magnets

$15

We tested two of these kits. “Funky Frames” comes with twelve magnet picture frames in assorted colors and shapes-hearts, ovals, rectangles and houses- that are ready to customize with stickers, glitter glue, and jewels. Once they’re done, you’re ready to display your favorite photos on any magnetic surface.

The “Fridge Art” kit lets young artists design custom magnets for the fridge, filing cabinets or locker. You get 15 pre-cut flexible magnet shapes in 3 colors. Decorate them with everything from glitter glue to googly eyes.

CRAYOLA LIGHT UP TRACING DESKS

Binney & Smith

Price: $15

These portable drawing tables light up from underneath; just pick a design template, maybe a fender for a car or the skirt of a dress and cover with tracing paper. After you’ve drawn that part, add another and another until your special design is complete. Mix up the tracing pieces to get a different design each time. There are two desk sets: a vehicle designer and a fashion designer. Both use D batteries.

PRESCHOOL

COLOR CHANGING SPONGE PAINTERS

Alex

Price: $10

These chubby marker pens (red, blue and green) have a sponge on the tips. Use them to create all sorts of doodles and designs. Now, grab the magic wand and rub it over the colors and watch them change! Or try this- write a secret message with the magic wand and watch it appear as you color over it with the painters.

WONDERBOARD: DRESS-A-DOLL

Dowling Magnets

Price: $13

If you’re looking for a toy your little one will use over and over again, this is it. The Dress-A-Doll Wonderboard (a double-sided magnetic playboard) comes with one magnet doll, eight mix-and-match articles of clothing and dozens of fun accessories, including: hairstyles, hats, umbrellas and shoes. It’s interactive fun on a very low-tech scale.

NUTTY ELEPHANT

Hasbro

Price: $16

Each player has some peanuts that they place on the board. “Nutty” the elephant pivots around the center of the board with his magnetized trunk picking up peanuts along the way. The first child to get rid of all of his peanuts wins! Kids love the constant action, sound and music.

TODDLER

INFANT NOBBLY WOBBLY

HandsOn Toys

Price: $12

This squeezable 5-inch ball is made with six interwoven strands of brightly colored, pliable plastic. A mirrored inner ball produces colorful reflections. It’s also a rattle. Roll it, squish it, or shake it — what fun!

2 IN 1 SOUND STACKERS

Mega Bloks

Price: $6

This 6-piece set builds into cute 2-sided friendly animals. There’s a button on each animal head. Push it and hear a nursery rhyme sung in the animal’s voice.