Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Kids games, movies, toys and more

Toys

Star Wars Jedi Holocron – $15.99-24.99 Uncle Milton / Amazon

This is no Jedi Mind Trick! Test your knowledge against the all-knowing Jedi Holocron. Think of any Star Wars being, location, or technology. Answer its questions and be amazed as it guesses what you're thinking in 20 questions or you win. Can you outsmart the Holocron?

Star Wars Force Levitator – $19.99-24.99 UM / Amazon

Magically suspend and move objects in mid-air using an invisible, electrostatic force! Master the amazing force like a Jedi as you Force Push deflector targets using the Jedi Training Rod and Force Pull them using the energy from your hands!

Star Wars Force Trainer 2: Hologram Experience – $79-119 UM / Amazon

Now you can move holograms with just the power of your mind! Re-enact famous Jedi challenges as you advance through 10 different levels of Force Training. Develop your powers of concentration and see if you can reach the rank of Jedi Master.

Star Wars Bladebuilders – $49.99 Amazon

Every imaginative child that loves Star Wars should have one of these. The Bladebuilders comes with multiple parts to let your child create his/her own customizable lightsaber with over 100 combinations, all of which light up and make sounds. The possibilities are endless.

LEGO Star Wars (Prices and Links below)

As you can guess by now, we are huge advocates for Star Wars, especially with The Force Awakens releasing in theaters soon. Since LEGOs are amazing and everyone loves them, the LEGO Star Wars sets for The Force Awakens are some of the coolest we've seen. You can't go wrong with Poe Dameron's X-Wing Fighter ($84.99), the new red and black First Order Special Forces TIE Fighter ($68.59), or Kylo Ren's Command Shuttle ($104.99) which comes with Kylo Ren! If you want to go a little less expensive, you can get Rey's Speeder ($19.87), which comes with Rey, who's shaping up to be an amazing character in the new film.

LEGO Minecraft (Prices and Links below)

There is one thing that is universally true: kids love Minecraft. Whether it's the game on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, toys, books or LEGOs, kids can't get enough of it. All of the kids I know, including my own, have multiple LEGO Minecraft sets, and they want the newer ones too. There's The Mine ($91.99) that comes with Steve, Creeper, zombie, skeleton and a spider, as well as a huge mine cart track; Desert Outpost ($59.68) complete with enemies, weapons, TNT, a boat and Steve and Alex; Snow Hideout ($34.99) which includes a shooting Snow Golem, Steve, a creeper and has a wintery look to it; and finally, the Nether Fortress ($76.90), which has glow stone, a fire-shooting Ghast, zombie pigman, Steve and Alex.

There's also the Minecraft Crafting Box ($40.99), which has Steve, a skeleton, a mooshroom, a pickaxe, Redstone, torches, plants, oven, TNT and more among 521 Minecraft-themed LEGO pieces. It has instructions for eight different buildings you can build from the set.

Disney Descendants Dolls – $21.99 Target

Meet the teenage descendants of Disney’s heroes and villains wearing their enchanted signature looks from the movie. These dolls each come with rooted hair, a stylish outfit, an iconic locket, and a sticker. Disney's Descendants follows in the footsteps of other TV musicals like High School Musical, has has quite the following.

Shopkins – Varying prices Amazon

I'll do my best to describe Shopkins. Shopkins are grocery store and shopping store-themed characters that kids love to collect and play with. There's blind bags and play sets and vehicles. Boys and girls alike love these little toys, which I've seen range from $3 to $40 depending on the set.

The Peanuts Movie Happy Dance Snoopy plush – $29.99 Toys R Us

Your little one will feel like part of the Peanuts gang with the Peanuts Happy Dance Snoopy, which dances along to the show's classic theme song. Giving Snoopy a kiss on the nose will prompt the Beagle to laugh, kiss back, give your child a raspberry or get angry. Kids are sure to love watching his reactions and start dancing along.

Imaginext Power Rangers Morphing Megazord – $47.49 Amazon

Unleash the fire power of the Imaginext Morphin Megazord on Power Rangers villains like the Putty Patrol! Turn the Power Pad on Megazord's left shoulder for an awesome transformation – his chest opens, his eyes light up and his chest "morphs" into a cannon. Under attack? Push a button on the cannon to fire Power Missiles. And so much more. The adventure continues on back, with a jail cell, a place to meet with Zordon, an elevator – and lots of levels and platforms for figures to stand on. With so much to do, imagine the adventures your little fans will create (or recreate) with their favorite Power Rangers characters and villains!

Kids Gliderboards – $449 Gliderboards

Glider boards are electrically powered scooters that use innovative technology to maintain your balance while using it so that standing still, moving forward or turning around is easier then walking; All you need to do is lean toward the direction you intend on going and it will get you there. Comes in a variety of colors.

Star Wars BB-8 by Sphero – $179.99 Amazon

Sphero brings to life Star Wars: The Force Awakens' cute, adorable rolly droid, BB-8. You control this tiny replica with your smartphone or tablet. BB-8 by Sphero also recognizes and reacts to your voice, and can also record video. It's probably the coolest Star Wars product to own this year.

MEGABLOKS Halo UNSC Attack Gausshog – $24.99

Deliver a heavy blow and set the scene for an epic showdown with the UNSC Attack Gausshog by Mega Bloks Halo! A heavy-duty variation of the classic Warthog ATV, this iconic UNSC vehicle features a black resin finish and gold interior, as well as working suspension for tackling tough terrain. It comes equipped with a 360-degree rotating Gauss Cannon that’s capable of devastating enemy vehicles and crushing ground troops in one mighty blast. Build the Gausshog and load your iconic Master Chief and Arbiter characters to lead the assault.

MEGABLOKS Halo Phaeton Gunship – $44.99

The UNSC will be diving for cover with the arrival of the Phaeton Gunship by Mega Bloks Halo! Used by the Forerunner Prometheans in their long war against the virulent Flood, the Phaeton once again takes to the skies. Build the Phaeton and support the two Promethean Soldiers as they try to prevent a brave Spartan from getting a lock on the Phaeton with her rocket launcher!

MEGABLOKS Halo Scorpion's Sting – $54.99

Crush the Covenant alliance beneath your treads with the Scorpion’s Sting by Mega Bloks Halo! Versatile, reliable, and protected by tons of ceramic and titanium battleplate, the Scorpion main battle tank is also the final word in UNSC firepower. Now you can build your own Scorpion tank with four independently articulated tracks and strike back at the Covenant with a powerful cannon.

Movies

Minions – $18.99 Amazon

The Minions are presented in an origin story that showcases their unpredictable personality and physicality, and pairs them with equally memorable human characters. As it turns out, Minions have existed since the beginning of time. They have evolved from single (yellow) cell organisms into the familiar beings we know, and they live for a collective purpose: to seek out and serve the most despicable master they can find.

Big Hero 6 – $24.44 Amazon

Big Hero 6 is an action-packed comedy adventure that introduces Baymax, a lovable, personal companion robot, who forms a special bond with robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to Baymax and his diverse group of friends — adrenaline junky Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred — who transform into a band of unlikely heroes.

Inside Out – $22.54 Amazon

When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.

Aladdin – $23.44 Amazon

Climb aboard for a magical carpet ride with nonstop laughs, action-packed adventure music that will make your heart soar. For the first time ever, Disney's Aladdin is revealed in a whole new way on Blu-ray and Digital HD — with never-before-seen bonus! With the help of a hysterically funny, shape-shifting, 10,000-year-old Genie, street-smart commoner Aladdin and clever, confident Princess Jasmine join forces against the evil sorcerer Jafar to put an end to his plans to take over the kingdom!

Paddington – $13.99 Amazon

Paddington tells the story of the comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear who travels to the city in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined -until he meets the kindly Brown family who read the label around his neck that says "Please look after this bear. Thank you," and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rare talking bear catches the eye of a museum taxidermist.

Star Wars Trilogy – $34.96 Amazon

With Star Wars: The Force Awakens releasing in theaters on December 18, and Star Wars Rebels making a splash on Disney XD, the original Star Wars Trilogy on Blu-ray is the perfect gift for you child. Episodes 4 throug 6 are fun for the whole family!

Descendants – $14.49 Amazon

Meet the next generation of villains in Disney's Descendants! Imprisoned on the Isle of the Lost, home of the most infamous villains who ever lived, the kids of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella De Vil have never ventured off the island… until now. Sent to idyllic Auradon to attend prep school alongside the children of beloved Disney heroes, these villainous kids must execute a plan that helps their evil parents achieve "world domination" once again! Will Maleficent's daughter and the other rebel teens follow in their rotten parents' footsteps or will they choose to embrace their innate goodness and save the kingdom?

Home – $9.99 Amazon

Oh, a lovable misfit from another planet meets a girl named Tip. The two unlikely friends embark on the greatest journey of all time…the journey Home. An entertaining watch for children and parents alike!

Cinderella – $22.99 Amazon

Celebrate Disney's Cinderella, a modern classic that shines with beauty, imagination… and magic! Despite being bulled by her stepmother and stepsisters, a spirited Ella resolves to take charge of her fate. Add a royal ball, a Fairy Godmother and a glass slipper, and suddenly — magic becomes reality!

Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection – $16.99 Amazon

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes an extraordinary new collection of award-winning and beloved short films featuring Disney's Frozen Fever, the Mickey Mouse cartoon Get A Horse, as well as other amazing shorts like Feast, Paperman, and Tangled Ever After.

Avengers: Age of Ultron – $22.49 Amazon

Marvel Studios unleashes the next global phenomenon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — Avengers: Age of Ultron. Good intentions wreak havoc when Tony Stark unwittingly creates Ultron, a terrifying A.I. monster who vows to achieve "world peace" via mass extinction. Now Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and The Hulk — alongside Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury — must reassemble to defeat Ultron and save mankind. It's PG-13 rating means there is fighting, violence and a couple of curse words, but it's nothing kids can't handle with a little supervision.

Games

Lego Worlds – PC $14.99 Steam

LEGO Worlds is an interesting experiment in player freedom. Kind of like Minecraft but different enough, it's the ultimate LEGO sandbox for building and exploration. It's still early on in the game's development, but for Early Access, it's exciting where LEGO Worlds might go! Continue to Preview

Lego Jurassic World – Multiplatform $40 Amazon Steam

LEGO Jurassic World is a game that both adults and children can enjoy. It’s dinosaurs! And what’s not great about dinosaurs?! The best and worst moments of the film are on display here, and unlock the movies, it’s all fun to experience — even kicking a velociraptor out of a window. If you’re a LEGO fan or a Jurassic Park fan, you’re going to love this game. And even if you aren’t, it’s a solid enough game with plenty of replay value. Continue to Review

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition – Multiplatform $49.99 Amazon

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition is the best version of the game to-date, with tons of improvements to Toy Box, multiplayer, combat and more. The addition of Star Wars is the biggest draw, as you can reenact the movies or come up with your own adventures with characters you love. Continue to Review

Skylanders Superchargers – Multiplatform $49.99 Amazon

We were genuinely surprised at just how different and, not to mention, fun SuperChargers is compared to its predecessor. It's a game for kids, sure, but adults can easily find a lot to love about this game, and the franchise as a whole. It's nice that this time around players aren't expected to buy every single vehicle to unlock everything in the story mode. Continue to Review

Lego Dimensions – Multiplatform $84.99 Amazon

LEGO Dimensions is a damn fine example in the toys-to-life genre. It might be more comforting to know that these toys are actually toys, and can actually be played with. here is just so much to do, from the main story, to exploring each world and completing a myriad of objectives, to unlocking new upgrades for your vehicles, to collecting minikits and Gold Bricks. Continue to Review

Splatoon – Wii U $59.99 Amazon

Splatoon is a vibrant, fun, and enjoyable shoter that the Wii U sorely needed. It's quirky and different, and it provides a safe, non-toxic place for the entire family to have a multiplayer shooter experience, without any of the violence that usually comes with it. Continue to Review

Disney Infinity Play Sets and Figures – Multiplatform $12-35 Amazon

While the Starter Pack for Disney Infinity 3.0 comes with Anakin, Ahsoka Tano and the Twilight of the Republic Play Set, there's so much for available to purchase. The ULTIMATE Star Wars experience would be the Rise Against the Empire Play Set, which comes with Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. We consider that a must-purchase. There are also Han Solo, Darth Vader and Chewbacca figures available. If Star Wars Rebels is more your thing, characters like Ezra, Saba, Zeb and Kanan are available for individual purchase. The most recent Star Wars figure to come out is Darth Maul.

If you're looking for characters that aren't Star Wars, there's a Play Set for Inside Out, which has a ton of platforming and jumping. There's also Toy Box games that can be purchased, where you can use any of the Disney Infinity characters. The Toy Box Takeover is extremely fun, offering a good amount of replayability for collectibles and higher difficulties. The story is fun, with quality, comedic cutscenes, and the combat can be surprisingly challenging. It’s all done from a third-person, bird’s eye ¾ angle that feels like a zoomed out version of Diablo 3 on consoles. I highly recommend Toy Box Takeover for those looking for more combat and platforming. It feels more like another Play Set than just a Toy Box game.

Then there's Toy Box Speedway, which is great for those looking for a kart racing experience and multiple race tracks based on Disney movies. Other notable figures you can buy are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Olaf, Mulan, Sam Flynn and Quorra from Tron Legacy, Hulkbuster and Utron.