Give a little

Local toy stores are stacking their shelves with holiday goodies to prepare for the upcoming gift-giving season. From new items, like Kendama, to classics making a comeback, like Furby, we have a whole list of hot, new items your kids will be begging for this holiday season. Learn the insider tips and tricks on where to get these fabulous finds without leaving Reno.

For the storyteller

Learning Toys Express has been the premiere adoption agency in Reno for The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition since 2008. This holiday tradition promotes the magic of Christmas for children of all ages while encouraging good behavior. Families “adopt” an Elf on the Shelf, read the included story and name their elf, which will then sit on the shelf and observe the family’s behavior. Then, the little elf reports to Santa Claus on who has been naughty and who has been nice. Learning Toys Express carries the DVDs, plush elves, skirts and the Learning Express Exclusive: The Shrinky Dink Elf on the Shelf Kit. Kits run $24.99-29.99 each and can be picked up at either of the store’s two locations, 5110 Mae Anne Ave. and 197 Damonte Ranch Parkway.

Kendama is a skill toy that originated in Japan, and according to Learning Express Toys, it has been surprisingly popular. The toy, made up of two wooden cups of different sizes placed on the center of a wooden spike and a smaller cup with a ball connected by a string, is sometimes called ring and pin. The toy allows for simple to complicated sequences of balances, juggles and catches, resembling the elaborate tricks associated with the yo-yo. Learning Express Toys recently put in a large order for more kendama, which has been selling out, to help keep them stocked throughout the holiday season. Prices range from $9.99-29.99 depending on brand, size and design.

For the techie

CKRC Crawlers, located at 1110 S. Wells Ave., says they are stocking up on radio-controlled helicopters for the holiday season because they are flying off the shelves. With a plethora of radio-controlled options, the Syma S109 may be their most popular. Radio-controlled helicopters start at $50. For more information or to check if an item is in stock, call 378-3303, or visit www.ckrccrawlers.com.

For the big kids

Toys “R” Us offered up a list of the season’s 15 most sought-after toys to help parents make their gift-giving selections. Furby, a classic toy that made its debut in 1998, is making a comeback. The interactive toy “with a mind of its own” is keeping up with technology by offering a downloadable Furbish-translating app to help you communicate and understand your furry friend. Furbies come in a variety of colors and designs and are $54 each at Toys “R” Us stores.

Projected to be one of the hottest toys of 2012, older kids may prefer the Wii U, which offers asymmetric game play by allowing the television and the Wii U GamePad to work as two integrated screens. This new type of play allows each player to have different goals, challenges and views within the same shared gaming experience, according to the Toys “R” Us website. Currently available for preorder, the system is set to be released on November 18, just in time for the holidays. There will be two versions of the gaming system released, a basic 8gb version available for $299.99 and a 32gb deluxe set for $349.99. Available at Toys “R” Us, 5000 Smithridge Drive. Call 827-8697 or visit toysrus.com for more information on availability.

For the old soul

Get nostalgic with Reno Rails, 1229 E. Fourth St., where ready-to-run train sets are a big holiday seller. Reminiscent of the toy trains kids used to play with in the 1950s, Reno Rails stocks sets that include the cars, tracks and remote control needed to have your very own train set to run around the Christmas tree. The Lionel brand is a staple because many parents grew up with them while MTH is known for having better electronics. Lionel and MTH brands are priced from $270-400. The store also sells individual cars and track pieces for those interested in building custom sets of their own. For more information, call 337-6669.

For the pop culture fan

Target, 6845 Sierra Center Parkway, created a list of the top 20 holiday toys for 2012 to aide parents in their search for the toy that will make their kid’s reaction worthy of its very own YouTube video. Another spin on a classic, Target is offering an Easy Bake Ultimate Oven, an update on the Easy Bake Oven originally introduced in 1963. The updated version no longer needs a light bulb to cook delicious treats. The set, which runs $44.99, comes with baking pan, cupcake pan, pan pusher, chocolate chip cookie mix, red velvet cake mix, pink frosting mix, rainbow sugar crystals package, paper cupcake wraps and an instruction/recipe booklet. The toy is recommended for children ages 8 and up.

As part of the Batman epidemic taking over the world of little kids everywhere, Target is offering a LEGO Super Heroes Batwing Battle Over Gotham City building set. Combining two favorites, LEGOs and Super Heroes, the set is designed act out the epic battle between Batman and The Joker. The set, which includes 278 building pieces, helps kids create models of two vehicles: The Joker’s helicopter and the Batwing, armed with two flick missiles and bomb release function. Set also includes a comic book. Suggested for ages 10 and up. Price is $31.29. For more information or availability, call 853-8900.

For the gamer

Games Galore, 5460 Meadowood Mall Circle, is offering new versions of popular games this year that they expect will be hot items during the holiday season. Perplexus recently came out with a new version called Perplexus Twist. The game, appropriate for children ages 6 and up as well as adults, uses dexterity to move a maze ball through the provided maze. It has four versions, including a rookie version and an epic version, is rated for kids ages 8 and up. The games are expected to be top sellers for the store this year. Perplexus Twist is available for $29.99.

Games Galore will be offering the 20th Anniversary Edition of Mind Trap. Mind Trap is a game full of brainteasers suggested for ages 12 and up. Players can play the full version of the game or read the situational, geometric and word problems listed on the provided cards and solve them individually. Due to the game’s popularity, buyers may want to call ahead to assure the item is in stock, 826-7788. Game available for $29.99.