Wal-Mart, Amazon unveil top 100 toys for Christmas

Toys that inspire imagination and active play are among the anticipated best-sellers come the holidays.

Retail giants Wal-Mart and Amazon revealed recently their lists of the top 100 toys for Christmas, and several prominent brands have emerged as favorites.

Hatchimals continue to build on last year's success while newly launched Fingerlings are proving to be a hit by consistently landing on both companies top 10. Licensed character-themed toys are likewise popular with Disney, Star Wars and DC Comics leading the way. The characters often appear in action figures, and ride-on and role play models, including cars, and doctor and cooking sets.

Toys that stimulate learning and creativity are also among the expected best-sellers. Engineering models such as the Klutz Lego Chain Reactions Craft Kit and Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Discovery Kit, along with Play Doh sets, are popular. Releases that keep children active will be in high demand as well. Ball pits and mechanized blasters such as those from Nerf and Adventure Force are examples.

In a press statement, Wal-Mart said that it interviewed hundreds of kids, ranging from 18 months to 12 years old, to come up with the list. The company is the largest toy retailer in the US. Amazon's rankings, meanwhile, can be viewed on its website, where customers can readily place an order.