1. Badminton/Volleyball Set
Pricegrabber
2. Kinect for Xbox 360
Microsoft
Kinect is a camera add-on that allows users to play Xbox 360 games without a controller or other peripheral (like a mat). Instead, on-screen avatars mimic your off-screen movements and even respond to voice commands. Many Kinect games are family-friendly--no blood and guts here. Look for Kinectimals (in which the player cares for zoo animals), Kinect Sports, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, Joy Ride (a kart-racing game), Dance Central, an EA Sports Active sequel, and even Zumba Fitness.
PlayStation3's answer to Wii and Kinect is a camera and motion-controlled option called PlayStation Move (compare prices).
3. Hasbro Twister Dance Contest
Hasbro
Now those famous Twister dots are dance teachers. Follow the lights from the console and dance on the dots. The console is pre-programmed with 5 songs that can be played at 3 skill levels. You can also plug in your own MP3 player and dance to any song in your library. For two to four players, ages 8 and up.
4. Zipline Set
Slackers
5. Pongo Portable Ping Pong
Umbra
6. Bop-It Bounce
Hasbro
Bop-It Bounce is a noisy, high-tech reinvention of the old paddle-and-ball-on-a-string toy. Use the paddle to play one of six skill games—the electronic voice commands will tell you what to do, but it's up to you to hit the ball in just the right way to win.
7. Monkey Business Sports PowerPitch HorseShoes
Monkey Business Sports PowerPitch Horseshoes
8. Ladder Ball
BlongoBall
Just about every backyard in my town has a pair of ladder ball goals in it somewhere! This simple game (also called Blongo Ball or Top Toss) features two goals, or racks, and six pairs of brightly colored golf balls attached together with rope. The object of the game is to toss the balls onto the goal to earn points. Simple? Yes—but addictively fun too. Play one-on-one or in teams.
9. Nintendo Wii
Nintendo
Kids (and adults) still clamor for the Nintendo Wii, which features interactive, motion-controlled game play. Plus try active add-ons: The Wii Fit Plus (compare prices; read review) is a balance board and set of 40 activities designed to give a real workout in a virtual environment. A more little-kid-friendly alternative is Bandai Namco's Active Life Outdoor Challenge, which uses a durable mat controller (compare prices).
New for holiday 2012 is the Wii U (compare prices), which features a touchscreen "game pad" controller.
10. Sports Resort for Nintendo Wii
Nintendo
Welcome to Wuhu Island. Here you can try 12 sports activities, from archery and cycling to table tennis and wakeboarding. This game comes packaged with the Wii MotionPlus accessory, which makes your Wiimote even more sensitive than before.
