Top Toys of the Year

We searched high and low to hand pick the very best toys for your children!

Babies and Toddlers

Baby Basketball
How about a little December Madness? Baby may not be able to slam dunk but he sure will enjoy tossing critters around — and you’ll enjoy showing him how to shoot baskets. Six soft and sound-making animal critters are included with the weighted “basket” with backboard. Ages 6 months and older, $26.99. International Playthings, www.intplay.com.

Flip & Peek Fun Phone
Babies love to play with Mommy and Daddy’s gadgets and mimic what they do, and this fun toy cell phone lets them do just that. Baby can press buttons on the keypad to hear ring tones and greetings in both English and Spanish. Ages 3 months and older, $5.99. Infantino, www.infantino.com.

Little People 50th Birthday Play ‘n Go Farm
The original Play Family Farm from 1968 is back with the same classic design, complete with retro-style figures. The set includes the farmer, sheep and cows figures, a tractor, connectible fence pieces and water trough. All pieces fit inside the tin take-along barn. Ages 1 - 4, $17.49. Fisher-Price, www.fisherprice.com.

Snuggle Pods
Your infant’s first lovey will become a treasure as the years go by. The tiny baby doll is cozy inside but can be removed and re-tucked. How sweet it is! Ages 0 and older, $15. www.Manhattantoy.com.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Playset
Ages 6 months and older; $20
Kids Preferred; www.kidspreferred.com
The World of Eric Carle toy line brings the award winning author’s work to life.  The hungry worm gnaws his way through a bevy of fruits — your tot will enjoy the colors, sounds and textures.  A window panel lets you see inside the soft, baby-safe toy.

Play’n Go Table
Ages 1 and older; $39.99
MEGA Bloks; www.megabrands.com
The Play’n Go Table is perfect for little builders.  Connect the “bloks” to the table and build whatever you like.  Not only that, remove the table top to reveal a hidden storage compartment for your “bloks.”  Side handles make it portable and the legs fold in easily for storing.

Girls’ Push, Pull & Ride
Ages 1-and-a-half to 3; $39.99 Radio Flyer; www.radioflyer.com
This cute, three-in-one toy is perfect for toddlers on the go.  The pink snail is a ride-on and push/pull toy, and the shell flips over to convert it from a ride-on to a mini wagon for carrying her toys.

Ride & Learn Giraffe Bike
Ages 18 - 36 months; $54.99
VTech; www.vtechkids.com
Quick assembly is a parental plus for this fun and sturdy toddler toy from Vtech.  Kids can learn the alphabet while peddling the stationery bike or enjoy four other activities accessed by buttons around the LCD display window.  Added bonus: the giraffe will power down on its own after several minutes of disuse, saving battery life.

Play House Gym
Ages 0 - 24 months; $79.99
Lamaze; www.learningcurve.com
The Play House Gym is unique for its three-stage play-and-grow ability.  Each stage converts the gym into something different and offers activities from tummy time to interactive role play.  Accompanied by lights, sounds, and boy and girl dolls, this is great for Baby’s development.

Tikes Patrol Police Car
Ages 1-and-a-half to 5; $59.99
Little Tikes; www.littletikes.com
Your little guy can patrol his home with the Police Car.  The classic kick car has a new face that includes the original horn but has added a walkie-talkie with sound effects.  Stop that car!

If the Shape Fits Eebee
Ages 6 months and older; $32
Every Baby Company; www.eebee.com
This adorable little Eebee plush comes with four stackable soft shapes that fit around the doll’s arms and legs or Baby’s.  Little ones can explore color matching and just have silly fun.

Basic Rhythms Guitar
Ages 18 months and older; $19.99
Step2; www.step2.com
Tots will enjoy jamming on this festive guitar with three different play modes.  Pressing the three round buttons results in nursery songs, and tapping the three “strings” lets little musicians make their own tunes.  The accompanying color-coded music sheets offer four popular tot tunes for your budding star to play.

Explore ‘n Grow: Tumble ‘n Twirl Top
Ages 6 months and older; $19.99
Playskool; www.playskool.com
Baby will get a kick out of the Tumble ‘n Twirl Top.  Open the front door and push down on the top, and the balls whirl around and shoot out the door.  Baby can easily put them back via the hole in the top.  It’s sure to keep him active.