Print edition: 
Toy makers displayed about 100,000 toys at the recent Toy Industry Association's trade show in New York for buyers, sellers and media. Most new products are expected on shelves later this year, although prices may be subject to change. Here are my picks of the ones that could be holiday hits and the ones you may want to avoid.
For Barbie collectors
Check out the Christian Louboutin Barbie in her thigh-high pink boots, along with the Ladies of the '80s line featuring Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett and Debbie Harry.
Hi-tech creepy
Often, I'm amazed by the high-tech capabilities of today's toys. But, once in a while, an idea that sounds good in theory ends up feeling creepy in real life. Take for instance, Video Girl Barbie, complete with a video camera built into her chest and a small LCD in back. Up to 27 minutes of footage can be shot with this doll, then downloaded and edited with barbie.com software.
With Barbie's shiny hot pink bodysuit and tight jeans, she already looks a bit like Paris Hilton and with her subtly disguised, built-in video camera necklace, it's an unfortunate reminder of video tapes gone wrong. Ew. $50.
Not to be undone, Wild Planet Spy Video TRAKR from the SpyGear line is launching an application-enabled, remote-controlled, video-recording vehicle. Basically, it's a video camera on wheels, with a remote that has a screen on it so you can see what it sees. It also can pick up and transmit audio. It is programmable and runs on open-source software, so kids can download applications for their robots. The element of being able to spy and record seems a little too Peeping Tom and voyeuristic. $119.99.
Tween hit
Has your tween-aged daughter outgrown her Barbies? A shirtless Jacob doll, pegged to the "New Moon" Twilight movie, may change her mind. The only clothes the Jacob doll wears are ripped denim shorts and sneakers. His six-pack abs are exposed and well-defined, along with a tat on his arm. $24.99.
Best build it
We've seen magnetic building sets before, but none as cool as the Mag Formers set. You begin by connecting the magnetically charged squares, triangles and other shapes next to one another on a flat surface, then lift the creation up and it creates a 3-D sphere, house or rocket. The 30-piece set is made so the magnetic pieces always connect. Besides the fun of arranging and rearranging these pieces, we suspect there are some sneaky geometry principles being learned. $34.99
Most overexposed licensing
The toy industry's favorite movie is coming out with its third sequel, and there was plenty of "Toy Story" love at the fair. Expect to see ubiquitous licensing movie tie-ins from every major toy maker, and even the not-so-obvious ones, like the Toy Story Slinky Dog Koosh ball. The Disney-Pixar movie is set to be released in June, but the toy merchandise already feels like it goes to infinity and beyond.
Most creative
For the first time, LEGO is entering the board game aisle. Its innovative games allow players to build the game board before playing. My favorite was Creationary, a twist on the traditional Pictionary game. In this version, you have to construct the object that your teammates must guess. There are four building categories — vehicles, buildings, nature or things — and three levels of difficulty. If it was fun to laugh at your spouse's drawing skills, imagine how amusing it will be to watch him "build" a sofa. $29.99.
Best family bonding
Pizza night usually means sitting around the television watching a movie or TV show with the kids. But this boxed activity, Pizza Night Family Dinner Game, has 150 funny questions and games families can play together to spice up pizza night. It's simple enough for a 5-year-old, and the questions are amusing enough to entertain tween-aged kids. It's a good way to get your family talking. $19.99.
Most useful
Traveling with little ones just got a bit easier with Melissa and Doug's Trunki, a hard-shell animal-shaped suitcase on wheels that kids can ride. Seriously, it supports up to 200 pounds. If you've got more than one pint-sized traveler, they link up and can be pulled as one. With the bright colors and sleek styling, this is luggage your children will love to tote and ride. Now, if only they made one in my size. $49.95
Little ones will want
Small children can spend hours in a play kitchen, but those oversized play sets can take over too much living space in a small room. The KidKraft Pink Small Kitchen is a best-seller in Europe, where home space is at a premium. Even though it's pint-sized, the well-designed, modern kitchen has all the essential for pretend play.
Another favorite, the Fun Explorers Pirate Ship Activity set, is visually appealing and engaging. Either of these big-ticket items would be a hit during the holidays with preschoolers. Pink Small Kitchen $99. Pirate Ship $149.
Cool craft-maker
The Alex-Panline Foil Bead Maker takes sheets of shiny, colorful foil and turns them into beautiful beads that can be strung into jewelry. The kit includes Foil Bead Maker Machine, three bead molds, bead rolling guide, 72 sheets of foil in four colors, four earring hooks, elastic cord, five satin cords and a beading needle. When I showed pictures of the beads to one of our newsroom crafters, her eyes lit up. $21.99.
For the smarties
Truth be told, most "educational" toys are too overtly educational. They end up seeming more like work than play. But these Elmer's MythBusters science kits, based on the Discovery Channel's myth debunking show, appeal to kids' natural curiosity. The newest sports-themed one will have children investigate questions like why some football players paint black marks under their eyes. $19.95.
Highest ick factor
Do we really need a powder that turns our kids' bath water into thick, gloopy slime? Gelicity Skin Technology markets its Gelli Baff products as taking a bath in goo, which can be dissolved with a sprinkle of its "dissolver packet" when your child has had enough splashing around in muck. Granted, this may lure some reluctant bath-takers to the tub, but instructions that warn them not to eat the gunk they're "bathing" in is simply too stomach-turning for most adults. It is sold through gellibaff.com.au and other online stores. $14.95.
Niftiest carrying case
Mattel's new Hot Wheels Stealth Rides car fits in a credit card-sized carrying case, which doubles as the car's remote control. A push of a button pops the flattened car into its regular shape, which can be raced for 30 minutes on a single charge. This one is going to appeal to boys of all ages (even the man-sized ones). $24.99.
