Top toy picks set to make hefty dent in the wallet

By ALEXIS GRANT

Parents buying for Christmas will have to splash the cash if they want to give their kids the most popular toys.

Half of the top 10 toys chosen by children in Duracell's toy survey cost more than $129.

The Robosapien, distributed by Cave, was voted favourite toy by New Zealand child judges, Duracell announced yesterday.

Priced at $170 and designed by an American space scientist, the robot burps, whistles, walks and picks up objects.

For the survey last month more than 90 5-to-10-year-olds from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch played with more than 50 toys, then answered questions from toy experts about their preferences. The toys chosen ranged in price from $30 to $239.

"The kids did not purely choose the more expensive ones," said Duracell's business manager for New Zealand, Janine Holt.

"It just so happened that these were the ones that captured the kids' imagination."

Second-placed Luv Cubs, made by Hasbro, giggle when tickled and burp when patted on the back. They cost $90.

Mattel's Polly Pocket! Groove Par-tay Bus was voted third. For $43, the dolls come with clothes, a party bus and DJ turntables.

The cheapest toy was Lego's Clikits Designer Desk Set, for $30. In 9th place, it includes a pencil case and other school supplies.

Robosapien also made the top 10 list in five of the nine European countries surveyed.

New Zealand was the only country to choose a wooden toy in its top 10. The $170 Kits 4 Kids Painted Castle, made by Eager Beaver, ranked in 6th place.