Fisher-Price: the hits just keep on coming

When boys get to a certain age, there are games that they must have. In years' past, it has been ESPN's GameStation and Shot Block Basketball. This year, the gotta-have-it game is ESPN Fast Action Football ($199.99) from Fisher-Price, East Aurora, N.Y.

This indoor electronic marvel has physical game controls--kids must get active to play. Players run on the footpad: the faster they run, the faster the action. The joystick controls the participants' lateral moves. They can play head to head or against the computer. Try Running Back Maze, Quarterback Challenge, Forty Yard Dash or practice other skills and drills in Training Camp mode. In Rookie or Pro mode, kids can play a four-quarter, four-down game of football.

Play-by-play commentary, sounds of the gridiron, and electronic scoring give players the ultimate football arena experience. Additionally, there are built-in cup holders, so water bottles always will be close at hand.

For your youngest athletes, try the Fisher-Price Baby Gymnastics Bat & Score Goal ($20.99), which adapts with your growing child. It starts out in sitting mode, where baby can swat at the colorful hanging soccer ball or the wiggly cheetah referee and be rewarded by a swinging purple rhino with music, lights, and sounds. The ball can be detached and the rhino lowered to be the goalie. The baby then can score a goal and hear the roar of the crowd.

Being kids at heart, every year we wait for the new Tigger toy, and this year's does not disappoint. Turbo Tail Tigger ($24.99) does what Tiggers do best--he bounces. With a squeeze of his hand, Tigger bounces higher and higher, all over the place, on his coiled-up tail, all the while singing "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers." With fun phrases, wacky sound effects, and that infectious laugh, it's Tiggerific.

For the musical-minded, the I Can Play! Piano ($79.99) is an innovative TV plug and play system that uses the Piano Wizard method to teach young children to play. The 21" three-octave piano has color-coded keys and the child can choose to play the melody with the left hand, accompaniment with the right, or both. In the easiest mode, the television shows images that move up the screen to demonstrate what notes to play and when. When playing Beethoven's "Fleur de Lis," music notes move upwards; in Old MacDonald, it's eggs. It comes with a "Piano Favorites" cartridge that includes eight songs, two games, and a freestyle mode. It runs on six D batteries, or you can use the included adapter to plug it in.

Visit www.fisher-price.com for information on these and their many other toys and games.

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