10 Hot Toys to Buy Early - Grandparents.com

The holidays start earlier every year, and Type A grandparents know the importance of getting an early start on gift grabbing. (We recommend our Last-Minute Gift Solutions for you B-types.)

Grandparents.com and The Toy Insider have the latest news on what’s flying off store shelves, both online and off.

1. Hannah Montana tickets

If you heard Hannah’s name more than forty-six times during your granddaughter’s last visit, it’s quite possible your littlest girl dying to see the Disney pop phenom live in concert. Miss Montana is hitting concert arenas all holiday season long and tickets are scarce at best. If you’re willing to shell out a few extra bucks, you can still nab a few good seats through a licensed ticket broker. Find a local broker at the National Association of Ticket Brokers so you don’t get illegally ripped off.

2. Hasbro Optimus Prime Voice Changer Helmet

Part of the summer movie’s major merchandise blitz, the Transformers Optimus Prime Helmet is equal a blockbuster with grandkids age 5 and older. They put the helmet on, speak into the attached microphone and their voices instantly sound like the autobot protagonist. It sounds silly but kids are freaking out for it. Get one before a possible sell-out.

After almost completely selling out of the gaming console last year, there’s a slight chance of history repeating. Although the folks at Nintendo have worked hard to make sure stock levels are sufficient, it’s not like they can crank out the super sleek, mind-blowingly accurate and record-breakingly compact machines like cotton candy. There are plenty on shelves right now so grab one while you can.

4. Nintendo DS Lite: In CORAL PINK

The Wii appeals to everyone but this coral-colored handheld device is a special nod to girlie gamers, and they’re just tickled pink. With a slew of gal-friendly DS Lite games coming down the pike, including the ubiquitous Hannah Montana, your granddaughter needs all the appropriate gear ahead of time.

5. Care Bears 25th Anniversary Bear

You might remember the Care Bear from your own kids’ holiday wish lists about 25 years ago. The plush ursine has proven its staying power with an anniversary edition that grandchildren are clawing for. The final stats aren’t in yet, but this white Tenderheart bear with Swarovski crystal eyes and sterling silver nose seems to be the most popular. Hunt one down and guard it like fresh meat at a campsite.

6. SanDisk Sansa MP3 Player

This mini-MP3 player also has an FM tuner and a built-in microphone for audio recording. Grandchildren on the go will appreciate the durable belt buckle, and, the good news for you is it's less expensive than most other 1-gig players. Order one early here.

7. VEXplorer Robotic System

Grandkids can build, program, and control this robotic pal and include fun add-ons like "The Claw," which can hold a soda can. The intrepid bot also has a spycam that transmits images to a computer or television screen. A big hit with grandchildren who are as techie as they are nosy.

8. EyeClops Handheld Bionic Eye

This handheld magnifying device is already popular with kids for the simple fact they can hold it up close to a coin, their own skin (and anything else), to see it in striking — sometimes gross — magnified detail. It hooks up to your TV screen for easy viewing.

9. Little Einstein's Pat Pat Rocket

With just a couple of love taps from your space-minded grandchild, this interactive play set transmits classical music as it glides along a tabletop. Even cooler is that the music changes, based on the rocket's speed. With a choice of four plastic pals, this smart rocket even knows which one is sitting in the driver's seat.

10. Parents My Pod

For grandkids not quite old enough for those tiny, techie, touchscreen devices. The My Pod has big, kid-sized buttons for them to easily play the classical music it's programmed with already.