Dress-up dog a hit for kids

Elizabeth Granton, 6, says dolls and toy animals are still a big part of her life. And she thinks Tini Puppini, the $30 dress-up dog, looks like a lot of fun.

"He's cute," says Elizabeth, as she craddles the dog in her arms. "I'd love to have one."

Kids can spend hours with these pretend pets, brushing their hair and dressing them to the nines. The dogs love to travel and can be carried around to visit friends or family.

If a toy dog doesn't do the trick, maybe an elf will. The Summergreen Elf House, $70, is a magical, hand-painted and detailed toy that is home to magical horses and elves.

If it's a white Christmas, kids will be testing out the new Ski Doo Snow Cross, $120, an innovative toboggan with a modern design.

And to make sure the holiday season isn't too peaceful, there's the Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25, $50. Touted as "the ultimate in mission supremacy," the EBF-25 features an automatic, 25-dart, belt-fed blaster that blows away the competition. Unleash a fury of darts from a a hiding place with the gun on its tripod, or fold it up and battle on the run. Oh yes, it requires six D batteries.