Mom and daughter team up for viral toy review videos

This year, many boys and girls aren't looking to elves for gift inspiration. They're going online, where other kids are influencing toy sales and Christmas lists. One young tester is drawing fans from all over with her videos on YouTube, CBS News' Adriana Diaz reports.

Don't be fooled by her small size. An 11-year-old with fiery red hair and bedazzled glasses has become one of the most recognizable young faces on the Internet.

Her name is Gracie Hunter. She and her mom Melissa are the stars of the aptly named "Mommy and Gracie show," where they put new toys to the test.

Their quirky videos have been viewed more than 100 million times, something they never imagined.

"I don't think ever, we thought, well, you know, we'll see what happens," Gracie said.

"I remember the first time we got comments from people we didn't know, and we were like people are watching us," Melissa added.

The two started making videos as a way to bond after mom Melissa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"We were faced with our first summer of me at home, and we were calling it Mommy and Gracie camp," Melissa said. "And I said to Gracie, 'What are we going to do all summer?' given that I couldn't really go outside and do the normal things that you would do."

But Gracie knew exactly what she wanted to do.

"And I was like, let's start a YouTube channel!" Gracie said.

Their show quickly became a hit despite lacking, shall we say, the polished look of other productions.

"We don't do retakes and stuff, so if we mess up words, if we drop stuff, if we knock it over we just keep going," Melissa said.

"I can't tell you how many times you've dropped stuff off the side of the table," Gracie added.

Melissa said it happens all the time, but Gracie doesn't let their inexperience get her down.

"Go pick it up, keep rolling," she said.

Gracie is part of a growing crop of pint-sized online toy reviewers.

They've become increasingly popular, Gracie said, because kids want an honest opinion -- and who better to give it than one of their own.

"We are not afraid to say, 'Dang this toy is ugly,' or 'Dang this toy is really bad,'" Gracie said.

These channels can generate big bucks in ad revenue for families, enough to supplement incomes, and with millions of viewers, these tech savvy tots can drive trends with their opinions - an opportunity not lost on the $22 billion toy industry.

Companies like Spin Master have paired up with hundreds of online reviewers, including Gracie - who they call "influencers."

Maria Aguilar, is Spin Master's head of social media.

"Over time, the level of influence from these influencers really get people going to looking at our websites, toys, checking them out and then eventually seeing sales lift," Aguilar said.

And by a lot. Spin Master attributes a 60 percent jump in sales for one of their toys to these influencers. But these partnerships are not without controversy.

Toy companies often give reviewers free toys. Some are even paid to promote products, blurring the lines between advertising and genuine opinions.

But even though toy companies are sending her their toys, Gracie still feels the responsibility to tell the truth.

"If something is terrible, we're not going to be like this thing is terrible, we are going to say it politely, but we're still going to tell the truth," Gracie said.

Gracie said she knows she won't be a kid forever, so her days as a toy reviewer are numbered, but she does plan on keeping her YouTube personality going in some way.

In the meantime, Gracie and her mom have partnered with Toys "R" Us to donate funds to Toys for Tots and other charities this season. They see it as a way to help those in need.