Kids Wish for 'iHoliday' in 2011

As you are making your holiday shopping list and checking it twice, be aware that what many kids really want are the top-selling Apple devices.

The Apple iPad is the most desired consumer electronic among kids ages 6-12 this holiday season. A recent Nielsen survey shows:

• iPad: 44 percent of kids survey want one, up from 31 percent last year.
• iPod Touch: 30 percent
• iPhone: 27 percent
• Computer: 25 percent
• Tablet (non-iPad): 25 percent

If you are looking for a deal on an iPad, the only discount shoppers can snag will be on Thanksgiving Day, when Jon Vincent of BlackFridayinfo.com said the company will offer its once-a-year 5 percent to 7 percent discount on the device and other Mac products online only, according to thestreet.com. Retailers are offering gift cards with the purchase of iPods to significantly reduce the price, it said.

Two products that offer unique gaming technologies – Nintendo 3DS (25 percent) and Kinect for Xbox 360 (23 percent) – lead the kids' wishes this year. the Nielsen survey found.

Without the launch of a major new video game system, business2community.com says to expect retailers to resort to bundling today’s hottest games with the gaming system.

While you are out shopping, you might check with www.toysafety.mobi, an interactive website for safe toy shopping that consumers can access on their smartphones. Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan’s 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report.