PTPA Media (Parent Tested, Parent Approved) has listed the HEXBUG Ant as one of its Top 5 Toy Picks this year.

This autonomous, high-speed micro robotic creature with probing, tactile antennas and hooked claws. The industrious critter features front and rear touch sensors that allow it to maneuver around objects in its path and wheel-legs that propel it forwards, backwards and over small obstacles with furious speed.

Check out the other picks over at their site.

HEXBUG Nano and the rest of the HEXBUG product line had a quick mention on Make Magazine’s Holiday Gift Guide among a bunch of other robotic toys.

Another year, another profusion of robot kits, toys, and showy humanoids demo’d by entertainment conglomerates and big car companies. The more things change, the more they stay the same. It wasn’t a huge leap year for the evolution of robokind, but there are definitely plenty of new tools and toys to play with, and plenty of perennial favorites, too. Let’s have a look…

Check out the full listing, including photos and videos, over on Make Magazine’s site.

The HEXBUG product line was listed as the #1 toy on Wyoming Tribune Eagle’s Top Toy List for 2009.

Like the popular Zhu Zhu Pets Hamsters, HEXBUGs are robots, but Innovation First International has science and math education in mind for the children playing with these toys. The mission of HEXBUGs is to inspire children to play with robots and from that play spur further interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

Read the full article at their site, including a few HEXBUG reviews and information about the other 9 toys on the list.

Feature in Nov / Dec 2009 issue of Department Store Buyer in the UK

“Are you looking for stocking fillers for the teenage and adult male market?  Something that is fun, unique and great value?  Then look no further than HEXBUGS, the range of 4 robotic insects”

See the full feature on our Facebook page

Seek4Shopping.co.uk has featured the HEXBUG as a gift for your husband, boyfriend, brother, dad, etc. Check out what they had to say:

We all know at least one man who has everything and considers socks/smellies and ties a disappointing present. There is nothing more entertaining than a wind-up critter to alleviate boredom. Hexbugs are the brain child of Innovation First Inc. Micro Robotic creatures in Original (a winged bug looking suspiciously like a cockroach!), Inchworm, Crab, Ant and Nano, Hexbugs react to light, sound and avoid obstacles put in their path. Each variety scuttles around, providing much entertainment for its owner and would be a great stocking-filler.

This and more ideas can be found on their site.

We’ve teamed up in the UK with Step Ahead Magazine with a competition to win a Hexbug

“HEXBUGS are tiny bug shaped micro intelligent robotics taking the UK by storm, and predicted to be found in many stockings this Christmas.. Step Ahead has teamed up with the makers of HEXBUGS to offer FIVE lucky readers the chance to win a HEXBUG worth £9.99 each.”

To enter the competition (for UK residents only), please go to their site

The Ants are featured on the fabulous Toyology website, the online source for Toy News and Reviews in the UK, featuring all the latest (and best) toys and gadgets available

“The latest arival in the Hexbug range are these multi-coloured ants, great additions to any robotic collection, making a fine companion for any Robosapien or a plaything for your PLEO. Even on their own they’re enough to entertain us humans, each one has six rotating legs with three feet attached that spin into motion at the flick of a switch.”

Check out the full review over at their site

Chopsybaby.com, an online parenting magazine from the UK, has reviewed the HEXBUG product line.

Mike says: “The bug almost looks like a thing a GCSE or A level student may make for a exam since its built out of coloured yet clear perspex. This means you can see the circuit board and gears that make it work. That is something I like about it as it makes you wonder if I could make one.

Check out the full review over at their site.

BigToyTalk has put up a review of the Original, Inchworm, Crab and Ant.

The original bugs have now been joined by new versions including Crab (pictured right, around £12.99) and the high-speed Ant (always in a hurry and priced around £9.99).

Check it out at their site.

Family Fun Guide, the grown-ups guide to what kids like, has reviewed the HEXBUG product line.

These micro robots are hugely entertaining, and make great stocking stuffers. The Hexbugs come in five different insect-like styles – the Original bug design, the Ant, the Inchworm, the Crab and the Nano. Each robotic creature reacts slightly differently when switched on.

Read the rest of the review on familyfunguide.co.uk