Hot new toys
Here are some of the latest, greatest playthings

Scott Moore, March 26, 2008

"There were more than 100,000 playthings on display at the American International Toy Fair in New York City last month, and somebody had to check them all out. (We know -- lucky!)"
Kids weren't allowed in, but KidsPost was there for you, sorting through about 7,000 new toys and games to find the hottest, the coolest and the most awesome things coming out this year. Here are some favorites:

Earthopoly
An eco-friendly Monopoly-like game with pieces made from bamboo, lima beans, black walnuts, crystals, shells and glass. By Late for the Sky, $25, age 8 and older.

Exago
Place four of your tiles in a row to win in this latest family game from a Holland-based company that also makes Rolit. By Goliath Games, $30, age 9 and older. Available in spring.

H2Go
A hydrogen-powered, radio-controlled car that zooms up to 6 miles per hour and will run eight to 10 minutes. It takes just seconds to power up. The solar-powered charger also will work with other electronics. By Corgi, about $130, age 10 and older. Available in fall.

Comic Book Creator 2
Making your own comic book has never been easier -- you don't even have to draw. One version of this software allows you to make your life story or scrapbook in comic-book form. Others, with licensed tie-ins, let you create comics with Speed Racer or Marvel superheroes. Print your finished product or post it on the Internet. By Planetwide Media, $50, age 10 and older.

'ME2'
A 3-D, 360-degree video game powered by you. Your on-screen avatar's strength and accessories depend on how much activity you log with a pedometer. Want to buy a virtual-world jet ski? That will cost you about 2,500 steps in the real world. By iToys, $35, age 8 and older. Available in August.

Dazzle It
Add charms to your clothes without puncturing the fabric or getting locked into one design. Part of a Girl Zone line of craft kits that replicate the look of fashion magazines. By iToys, about $20, age 7 and older. Available in August.

You Gotta Be Kidding!
A gross card game of "would you rather . . ." with interesting but unappealing choices: Would you rather eat a bucket of apple stems or 20 banana peels? By Zobmondo, $25, ages 7 to 12.

Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro
A radio-controlled car that races up walls and even on the ceiling. By Spin Master, $30, age 8 and older. Available in fall.

Struts
Plastic ponies! With fashion accessories! What's not to like? By Playmates, $15, age 6 and older.

Slap Wacky!
A frantic five-minute card game in which players rush to put together shape patterns and claim points. By Morning Star Games, $12, age 7 and older.

Domo
A brown, furry box with arms, legs and a gaping red mouth. Already a hit in Japan, and the subject of thousands of fan sites. By Play Along Toys, $6 to $40, all ages.

Hexbug
Micro-robotic creatures respond to sound and sense when obstacles are in front of them. Crab and inchworm models are due later this year. By Innovation First, $10, age 8 and older.

Ruin
A ruthless version of Sorry! in which players can change the game board on every turn. By Buffalo Games, about $30, age 8 and older.