2011's Hottest Toys for Girls

Got a girl on your Christmas or birthday list between the ages of four and twelve? If so, have you thought about what you'll get the little princess? As usual, many of the most popular toys for this year are related to movies and television shows. Shows like Dora the Explorer and movies like Twilight have sent their related products soaring! Get yours soon, before they get scarce. Consider online shopping - it's easy, convenient, and crowd-free!

Not all the hot toys this year are related to movies or television, however. In fact, two of the hottest girls toys, Zhu Zhu Pets and Zoobles, don't have their own movie...yet! Another newbie that's getting a lot of attention is Furry Frenzies, by FurReal Pets.

Below are some of the hottest toys for girls this year:

From the popular movies, Twilight,Twilight New Moon, and Twilight Eclipse, these dolls look just like the main characters, Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, and others. These figures are sure to become collector's items! Your kids will love creating their own scenarios for these characters, enhancing their imaginations. Not recommended for young children because of small parts.

Jacob is pictured below. To see other figures available, just click on him!

The perfect companion for any little girl or boy, My Pillow Pets are toys and pillows in one. They're super soft and cuddly, and when they get dirty, you can just toss them in the washing machine. Open your pet's tummy with the easy velcro closure and your pet becomes a snuggly pillow!

My Pillow Pets are available in the following critters: unicorn, ladybug, dog, penguin, panda, dragon, dolphin, bumblebee, dinosaur, monkey, horse, pig, T-rex, butterfly, turtle, bunny rabbit, tiger, lion, cat, koala, bear, frog, and zebra.

What little girl doesn't love Dora? And this Dora actually dances! This doll is fifteen inches tall and comes with two outfits. When Dora wears her fiesta outfit, she dances the meringue, and when she wears her ballerina attire, she performs a ballet. Little girls will feel like dancing along with Dora the Explorer! Recommended for ages 3-7.

This is one of the absolutely smokin' items for this holiday season! In fact, many experts are predicting that Zhu Zhu pets will be among THE toys of the year. This cute little furry guy scoots around and makes his own hamster "chatter." They also purr when they're petted. You can purchase habitats for the Zhu Zhu pets, too. Zhu Zhu pets are recommended for ages four and up.

To see more Zhu Zhu pets, click on the Zhu Zhu pets hamster below!

This a great habitat for zhu zhu pets. Your zhu zhu hamster scurries, explores, naps, and talks.The funhouse will entertain you and your pet for hours. It has plenty of openings to add more sections, too. Click on the product to see more versions and additions. Recommended for ages four and up.

Based on the popular television show, kids can mix and match the clothing articles, creating their own fashion show. This toy will keep kids buisy and engaged for hours while using their creativity and imagination. Recommended for ages 6-12.

More fun from TV's iCarly! Kids love this television show, and they'll love these iCarley toys and games, too! No matter which iCarley game or toy you choose, your little iCarley fan will love it. Sing, play, and dance with this favorite TV personality. With the iCarley dance pod, the firlonyour gift list candance along with ICarley. With the microphone, she can become a "rock star" and perform at her own concerts, right in the privacy of her own room. You might want to be more than one!

This is sure to be a hit! Girls can design and make their own jewelry with these great kits. They'll have fun and use and enhance their creativity at the same time. There's no telling what kind of creations your child might come up with! She might just set a new fashion trend with her own hand-made necklaces and bracelets.

All the jewelry-making kits are pretty simple to use, so most kids will be able to enjoy their new hobby without much help from you or from another adult. Because of small pieces, these aren't recommended for toddlers.

Zoobles are projected by many marketers to be the hottest toy of all this Christmas! Zoobles are adorable little critters that hide inside balls. When the balls roll over certain places in the Zoobles Happitat, they emerge from the ball.

Zoobles and Zoobles Happitats are for boys and girls, but I included them here because of their colors. Most of the ones I've seen are pink, purple, or pastel green - my grandaughters' favorite colors!

Zoobles have small parts, so they're recommended for ages four and up.

Mark my words: Zoobles will be hard to find by December - unless the manufacturers really increase production. Buy your Zoobles early so that the kids on your list won't be disappointed!

You can see more Zoobles and Zooble Happitats by clicking on any of the Zooble products below.

 This game plugs rightinto your TV, so you don't need a separate game console. Play along with Hannah and be part of her band! Kids can go on tour, too! After mastering a song, they can progress to the next city. Guitar is included. Recommended for ages five and up.

 Wow. Barbie has come a long way. This isn't like the Barbie house I had as a  kid! This one has all kinds of bells and whistes, including realistic sounds like a crackling fire, a shower running, a doorbell ringing, and even a toilet flusing. The outdoor tiki lights and hot tub, along with the indoor chandelier, light up, too. The house is fully furnished, has a big screen TV, an elevator, and a fully stocked kitchen. Recommended for ages 4-10.

Squinkies are adorable, squishy little pets and pals that come in their own bubble. Inside the Squinkies bubbles are also surprises! Squinkies include dogs, cats, ponies, babies, kids, and more! Buy the Squinkies their own playhouses, too. Collect all the Squinkies and keep them in a special carrying case.

Squinkies are not recommended for children under three years of age because of small parts.

Furry Frenzies are just too cute! My granddaughter just received some of these for her birthday, and all the litle girls at the party loved them. They're made by FurReal Friends. The Furry Frenzies are similar to Zhu Zhu Pets, and they include cuddly critters like puppies,kittens, and bunny rabbits. These are sure to become your kid's new best friends.

Furry Frenzies are recommended for ages 4-12.

These cuddly Fur Real Pets are almost like having the real thing - without the mess. These FurReal pets are interactive, and most come with accessories. My granddaughters absolutely adore their FurReal pets and have quite a collection. In fact, they always ask for more at Christmas and birthdays, even though they have living and breathing real pets at home. Your kids might enjoy having a FurReal pet that looks like their real pet. And by the way, your real dogs and cats will probably enjoy these virtual critters, as well. Our Great Danes are absolutely fascinated by them!

FurReal Pets have small parts and are not recommended for children under three.

I just purchased my first American Girl doll. My 7-year-old granddaughter told me that's all she wanted for Christmas this year. I'm sure she'll be adding other items to her list, but for now, an American Girl doll is number one with her. The one I bought looks very much like my little princess. Now her sister wants one, too, so I have to buy one that looks like her - blond hair and brown eyes.

The American Girl dolls hold their value and will usually increase in value if they're well taken care of. You can see lots more American Girl Dolls and products by clicking on the doll below.

 There's a new Barbie in town - a mermaid Barbie! This mermaid Barbie is way cool. She actually swims and dances in the water when you wind her tail. Mermaid Barbie also has hair that changes colors in cold water. Mermaid Barbie is from the movie, Barbie in a Mermaid Tale.

Barbie Mermaid is recommended for ages over three.