Memo to Santa and Mrs. Claus: Be Sure It Has an ‘Off’ Switch

Toy expert Claire Green likes to tell the story of two little girls, one who has a new high-tech talking doll and one who has the old-fashioned kind.

“My doll can say 12 phrases,” the owner of the talking doll says proudly.

“My doll can say anything I want her to,” says the other.

That, in a nutshell, is the choice parents face as they mull over the thousands of new toys that line the stores’ shelves this holiday season. Should they get their kids the toys of their dreams, the ones that are being hyped ad nauseam on TV? Or should they look for toys that stimulate the imagination and lead to creative play, even if they aren’t on their kids’ wish list?

Some parents find that the two lists can coincide. Among this year’s must-have toys, one--Lego’s Championship Challenge ($50)--is recommended by just about everyone, from Consumer Reports to the Baltimore-based, nonprofit Parents’ Choice Foundation, which evaluates toys and media.

“The construction of the soccer stadium has value, and then you play the game,” explains Jim Silver, co-publisher of the industry guide Toy Wishes. He and his three daughters, ages 5, 8 and 9, spent hours together “testing” the hot new Lego set.

The bad news? Championship Challenge is hard to find in stores, says Silver.

Among the toys most in demand--the ones Silver believes people will be kicking and clawing for in the aisles this year--he also likes Mattel’s Harry Potter Trivia Game ($50) for its educational as well as play value.

“You can’t play the game unless you read the book,” he reasons.

You won’t find Harry Potter Trivia on many of the toy “seals of approval” lists that multiply this time of year because it wasn’t ready for submission in time. Which brings us to the whole question of using these lists as guides. They are worth consulting, but as the December issue of Consumer Reports notes, they might be biased. The programs get the toys they test free from the manufacturer; and some require entry fees, accept toy ads if they’re magazines or charge for the use of their seal of approval.

In spite of the bewildering multiplicity of choices, or maybe because of it, parents should have an easier time shopping for toys this holiday season. Unless you live on Mars, you know that PlayStation 2, the dominant toy phenomenon for 2000, has been unavailable because of the computer chip shortage. Your kid probably won’t be expecting one under the tree. Other potential must-haves--scooters and robo-pups--are toy categories, not specific brand names, so they should be available in a range of prices.

All this leaves toy testers and industry analysts talking about trends rather than specific blockbuster toys.

Toys for the holidays are trending in these directions, analysts say:

* Let the chips fall where they may. Computer chips are embedded in just about every kind of toy you can imagine. The negative is that some of these toys can be very bossy.

“They tell kids what to do instead of being a prop,” says Joanne Oppenheim, a child development expert who founded the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, based in New York City.

Not all high-tech toys curtail the imagination. Parents’ Choice Foundation gave Lego’s interactive My Bot ($50) a silver commendation.

* Do as I say. Children’s versions of their parents’ “toys” are hot, like Cybiko ($130), a personal digital assistant for kids. Family Fun’s testers gave Cybiko high marks. Parents magazine liked it too. Kids can e-mail, play games and chat online.

“We have to accept that this is a generation raised with technology,” says Diane Debrovner, senior editor of Parents magazine. “We have to learn to love it.”

* Dog days. Interactive puppies ($30-$150) are the most obvious example. But the cuddly golden retriever from Folkmanis ($60), a giant hand puppet, is destined to be a hit as well.

* Shades of Martha Stewart. The craft category is expanding rapidly, if you consider the Barbie Lip Gloss Maker ($20) a craft. How about Creativity for Kids’ Goody Machine ($18)? The recipient paints the gum ball machine base. (No gum balls included.)

Some craft kits are getting high praise from the experts. Gregory Lauzon at Family Fun magazine loved Curiosity Kit’s Pottery Wheel ($40).

* You read the book. Tie-ins continue to be important, from Harry Potter Trivia to the Madeline dollhouse from Eden LLC ($150) to everything Grinch.

* Can you turn that down, please? Kid testers loved the new musical toys, such as Wild Planet’s Radio DJ ($25) and MGA Entertainment’s One Man Jam II ($25). But with all the interactive toys on the market, be warned: As Joanne Oppenheim puts it, “There are lots of noisy toys this year. So many have no volume control and no off switch.”

Dedicated parents will do a little homework before they head to the mall. The authorities on child development suggest finding a balance between what your children want and what you feel are good toys with lasting play value.

You might watch TV commercials together and point out how the toy could disappoint. Or you could channel a wish list item into something more appropriate. The make-your-own nail polish kit could be replaced by another, less problematic craft kit, for instance.