Kids are beginning to play a bigger role in determining which toys are worth buying for Christmas, and some are using YouTube to give their advice.
Among the new critics is 8-year-old Evan, who is giving reviews for toys like the Android Birds Space Softee Dough playset on his channel EvanTubeHD, which started in 2011, and has over 800 million views, according to The Associated Press. Eleven-year-old Audrey uses her channel RadioJH, which has over 60 million views, to review mystery toy bags sold at Toys "R" Us and similar stores.
"KittiesMama" provides toy reviews and stars siblings Noah, 14, Jonah, 12, and Emma, 11. Emma gives kids tips on how to look like characters from My Little Pony and other toy lines. The reality show has almost 400 million views.
Eleven-year-old Gracie Hunter and her mother, Melissa, look for dolls that are difficult to find on their show "Mommy and Gracie," having traveled from their New Jersey home to Canada on one occasion to find a Monster High doll, The Associated Press reported. The show has gained almost 90 million views.
The young reviewers have gained attention of several toy companies, such as Spin Master, which says that its Spy Gear toy sales increased by 65 percent thanks to Evan's reviews. Spin Master, Mattel and other toy makers are showing their appreciation by not only sending the children toys, but marketing deals as well. Evan appeared in one of Spin Master's TV ads for new Spy Gear toys. Robotic toy maker Anki worked with Evan and KittiesMama for race car reviews, and "Mommy and Gracie" has been appearing in promotional videos for WowWee's Elektrokids collectible dolls.
The parents of these children are making sure that they only provide their first names to ensure their safety, The Associate Press reported. They are also focusing on providing a genuine service, with Jason, Audrey's father, saying RadioJH is doing well enough that it doesn't need a partner, and Jennifer, the mother behind KittiesMama, saying she only partners with brands that her kids like.
Melissa from "Mommy and Gracie" says she and her daughter only accept deals that benefit charities for children, and Evan's father, Jared, says he works with partners that the audience can relate to. Jared added that he is using the money made from his son's channel to invest in his children's future.
Both Evan and his father are surprised with the success EvanTubeHD has had. "It's kind of surreal," Jared said.
"I didn't think it would turn out like this when I first made the channel," Evan said. "I thought I would just get four views."
