10 UNUSUAL TOYS : that will lead to inspired gifts for children

‘Tis the season when parents, grandparents, and assorted relative and friends search the stores for the perfect toy for that special child. Only the least imaginative types find this task a snap as they head for the same old fluffy dolls and rolling trucks, however disguised in colorful new incarnations. Those who delight in the different spend more time and look harder.

Because everyone already knows about the heavily advertised games, toys and action-figure sets, 10 unusual toys have been selected here as a starter kit of ideas. While there are too many retail outlets to mention, the list includes reasonably priced playthings that ought to be readily available to the intrepid shopper at department stores or full-service toy stores. These items were found at Toys International in the Glendale Galleria and/or Intellitoys in Beverly Center.

Coloroo Zoo. This selection of specially designed cloth critters, including hippos, penguins, fish, seals, and frogs, is meant for tub-time play. The five-inch stuffed animals change colors in warm water. To change them back to their original color, you let them dry or place them in cool water. The colors are soft pastels: green, lavender, pink, blue, tan. For ages six months and over. By Mattel. About $7 each.

Questron. An electronic wand works with a selection of 24 colorful workbooks. The child uses the wand to answer questions in the books, and the wand senses whether the reponse is right or wrong, letting the child know with beeps, buzzes and flashing lights. The books include mazes, games, coordinated learning programs, and yes-and-no quizzes. Reusable workbooks are available for early childhood, grades 1-5, and for all ages. By Price/Stern/Sloan. Wand, about $12. Books, about $4 each.

Instant Railroad. The perfect stocking stuffer, this is a tiny set of five capsules, each containing a different train made of foam. The child drops the foam into warm water and it expands. All five differently colored pieces press together to make a one-foot long train. Other sets available include Instant Critters, which contains an aardvark, a bear, a squirrel and a beaver, and Instant Zoo. For ages 5 and older. By Instant Products, Inc. About $2.

Lil’ Sport Football. This sporting toy, designed like a miniature goalpost, comes unassembled and looks easy to put together with its plastic nuts and bolts. You can adjust the height of the passing ring, which is suspended between the posts. The red, white, and blue set comes with a soft foam ball. Good safe football practice for ages 3 and older. By Ohio Arts. About $35.

Lumiscope. This high-tech kaleidescope is sound-activated, responding to voices or music. Powered by a nine-volt battery, Lumiscope creates colorful designs with multicolored lights. You rotate the two sections by hand, make some noise, and watch the light-emitting diodes, which should last a lifetime, do their amazing work. The volume control is adjustable. For ages 8 and older. By Wobbot International Ltd. About $30.

Rollercoaster. Ostensibly a preschool manipulative toy, the Rollercoaster appeals to the senses of all ages. Attached to a light-colored wood base, five sturdy colored wires extend to form a sort of three-dimensional maze. On each wire are beads of different shapes, sizes and colors (red, green, yellow, blue). Besides helping develop motor skills and coordination, this contraption is simply fun to touch. For ages 6 months and up. By SophistiKids. About $50.

Gabby Bear. Talking teddy bears are a big item this season, and here’s one that tells 15-minute adventure stories, complete with synchronized eye and mouth movements. Gabby is 20-inches tall, uses four AA batteries, comes with a color-coordinated cassette tape and read-along story book and is dressed in denim jeans and a striped polo shirt. Various alternate stories are available separately, and your child can use any cassette tape and Gabby will “sing” along. For ages 3 and up. By Select Merchandise. About $50.

Rock ‘n roll. Made in Holland, this baby toy has universal appeal. A simple ball, red and round, with a smaller ball that rotates inside, it can be played with in the crib or bathtub or on the floor. It rattles, it rolls, and the smaller ball changes colors as it moves inside the larger. For ages 6 months and up. By Ambi Toys. About $7.

Bubble Mower. Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to get kids real household equipment instead of toy imitations. However, because you can’t buy your preschooler a real lawn mower, this new toy is a pleasing alternative. Child-sized, the sturdy red plastic mower blows bubbles as it’s pushed. It makes a satisfying noise too, has a control panel with ignition keys, and a spinning flywheel. No batteries are needed and it comes with bubble solution. For ages 2-6. By Fisher-Price. About $17.

Remote Control Ball. Passersby will do a double take when your youngster takes this bright orange or green remote-control ball out to play. Similar to the more famliar remote control cars, this ball goes where you tell it to with the four-function battery-operated controller. About eight inches in diameter and made of hard plastic, the ball has a 40-50 foot range. Perfect for the child who is bored with hand-operated balls, or for the technically inclined young person who thinks anything goes better with batteries. For ages 8 and older. By Shinsei. About $70.