Today's Parent magazine on Thursday released its top holiday toy list, which excludes any toys containing traces of lead.

"I've always screened very thoroughly for the safety issues that I can identify — lead is really hard," said toy editor Marcia MacQuarrie.

Budding movie directors can start as young as six with a Bratz doll that comes with a movie camera. The movie camera is actually a digital camera that can be connected to a computer or television set.
(Robin Rowland/CBC)

The magazine initially sought assurances from manufacturers that the toys were free of lead before sending them to McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., for verification.

Toy safety continues to be a top concern for consumers leading into the Christmas season. In recent months, U.S. and Canadian officials have issued a series of recalls of made-in-China toys including Thomas & Friends toys, Barbie accessories, and Dora the Explorer toys for safety problems involving lead levels.

But MacQuarrie emphasizes that beyond mere safety, parents should strive to find as a good a match to their child's interests and play habits as possible.

"You're trying to find a good match between the way the child likes to express themselves through play and the toy that you're buying them because there's just so much variety out there now," she said.

Other toys making the magazine's list include the video game Guitar Hero for teens, an interactive treasure chest for school-age children and a storybook station for toddlers.

Separately, the Canadian Toy Association released its top toy list on Thursday. It included a toy PDA, a new Bratz doll equipped with a functional camera and an electronic banking edition of Monopoly.

"There's more technology and interaction in the toys," said Kerry George, a spokeswoman for the CTA, an industry group made of manufacturers, importers and distributors.

"A lot of companies are actually driving kids to websites so they can download birth certificates and names and play online games."

She noted that traditional toys including Lego and Crayola have modified their products to keep children interested but retain their traditional functions and values.

The CTA estimates the Canadian toy industry is worth $1.4 billion.