Walmart enlists kids to help select ‘hot’ holiday toys

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart on Thursday announced its annual holiday top toy list, but this year’s list has a new spin: It was put together with the help of kids. The chain brought together 1,000 kids ages 18 months to 10 years to test, play with, and help select the top toys for the season.



“We are taking the guesswork out of customers' holiday toy shopping by turning to kids to tell us what the real top toys are," said Scott McCall, senior VP of toys and seasonal at Walmart U.S. "Kids told us they want interactive toys as well as classic brands. After hearing this feedback, we did what we do best. We made price investments to offer absolutely great savings on these holiday toys and more for our customers."



According to an Associated Press report, Walmart gathered the kids over a three-day weekend in August in Dallas, where they played with 50 toys and chose their favorites.



The "Chosen By Kids" toys will be grouped together throughout the season in special in-store displays, on Walmart.com and in newspaper circulars around the country beginning later this month. The list features newcomers and classic favorites, and includes a new robotic pet Furby, a hugging Elmo and a Barbie dream house.