For the 3rd year in a row, we bring you the coolest collection of toys on the planet. As we do ever year we add one more number to the list from the year previously which takes us to lucky number 13.
Without further ado, here is the 2008 collection of the coolest toys around. From hand crank locomotives to a dinosaur that gives bouncy rides, these toys are perfect for kids of all ages. Enjoy.
The Hand Crank Locomotives
The hand crank trains makes me wish I was a kid again, or at least a kid with rich parents.
This is the heirloom locomotive reminiscent of the ones encountered at carnivals and fairs in the 1940s that uses the simple pushing and pulling of a child’s arms on a hand-crank to propel it around an outdoor track. Each of the two included locomotives is made from cast aluminum with stainless-steel crank handles, and supports a single child up to 100 lbs. Minimal effort is required of children as they crank, so each train glides easily on precision-crafted, cast-iron wheels with a familiar “click-clack” sound with no slipping. The 30′ diam. 12-gauge circular track is made of welded steel, and sets up in under one hour with the included fasteners and wrenches; Includes two locomotives and track. Includes two nylon covers to protect locomotives. Ages 3-13.
Price: $4100
Snowball Blaster
Firing your Snowball Blaster is a simple process, pack the snow into the forming chambers, pull back the slingshot firing mechanism and let rip on targets up to 50 feet away. There are three forming chambers, which make three snowballs that are said to be perfectly spherical. You will always win the snowball fight as long as the snowball blaster is around.
Price: $30
[ via Geek Alerts]
EyeClops Night Vision Goggles
If you are looking for a great excuse to buy the night vision goggles, ThinkGeek has you covered:
Here’s the situation: you wake up in the middle of the night and you have to pee. Real bad. But you don’t want to turn on all the lights, for they will burn your eyes with their incandescence. So, you either injure yourself, stumbling in the darkness, or you wet your bed. Neither is fun. If you have some of these awesome Night Vision Goggles next to your bed, you’ll be able to see in the dark and pee in safety and ease.
Ok, so you might think these things are just toys, the type that say “night vision” but really just have a pop out flashlight. Nope. These are the real deal; true infrared night vision, for the price of a toy. You can’t imagine the happy dance we did when we realized these worked really well. Now we can sneak around like the ninjas we know we are, in the dark, watching all – and you won’t be able to see us. Unless you’re a ninja too, and have some EyeClops Night Vision Goggles of your own.
Price: $90
[via Gizmodo]
UBERARC 3200
If your kid loves to build stuff, especially 7′ 10′ towers this toy is for them. Plus, any company that starts with the word Uber, you know they must be good. 
This complete professional construction kit is for architects, engineers, students and anyone that loves to build! Build representations of existing sky scrapers, bridges, and other structures Create prototypes of your own designs Basic building techniques are provided which show you how to create load-bearing walls, curves, arches, etc. 8 Foundation plans are included Build a sky scraper from real blueprints Learn to build from blueprints. Full scale blueprints are included that teach how to build from plan views, isometric views, detailed views and more. Download and print your building permit and learn about wind loads and seismic loads.
Price:$275 
Playskool Kota My Triceratops Dinosaur
An awesome, prehistoric friend, KOTA The Triceratops Dinosaur from Playskool is ready to accompany your imaginative child on all kinds of adventures. With lots of sound effects, including music, munching, stomping, and roaring, this baby dinosaur is a realistic creation. He even moves his head and tail and blinks his eyes. KOTA is built so that curious kids three and older and up to 60 pounds can enjoy a bouncing ride.
Price:$240
[via Geekolgie]
