Trains, Planes & Automobiles (And Spaceships, too!)
MAGNA-TILES Space 32-Piece Magnetic Construction Set ($49.99) This special kit is one of my favorites in the Magna-tiles lineup. It comes with all the pieces needed to build an imaginary space shuttle, or Mars rover out of magnetic tiles. I love that it comes with a magnetic action figure that can be used to propel imagination-powered play. Caution: It has some smaller pieces which should be kept out of the reach of smaller siblings or kids who are still exploring the world by putting things in their mouth.
Monster Jam Marvel Mega Spider-Man RC All-Terrain Remote Control Monster Truck ($85) Not every toy needs (or should have) batteries. I prefer toys that run on imagination. Still, this huge (nearly 2 feet long!) (rechargeable) truck will be such a smash that I'll make an exception in this case. Despite its size, the light wheels make it a vialble option for indoor play. The easy-to-use remote requires 2 AAA batteries.
Fat Brain Toys 100pc Mountain Train Set - Wooden Magnetic Train with Roundhouse ($99.95) This deluxe train set is destined to be a big hit for the holidays and it delivers hours of open-ended play. It comes with so many specialty items that in the past would have required much more expensive add-on purchases: A station, roundhouse, tunnel, risers, and people and trees, not to mention trains, cars, and trucks! This set is best for kids that have already mastered the basics of putting together wooden tracks with a more basic set; otherwise they may get overwhelmed by the number of pieces and complexity they add to the equation. Ages 3 and up.
Games
Bluey Hide & Seek Game ($14.95) Tech adds function here that delights and adds value. One person presses Bluey's nose and hides it. Once hidden everyone tries to find it, guided by the talking figurine's spoken clues. Once found, press the button and everyone can dance to the Bluey theme song. 3 & up.
eeBoo Giant Shiny Shark Dominoes and eeBoo Giant Shiny Forest Dominoes ($17.99 each) eeBoo makes several animal themed domino sets that can be used by 2 to 4 players in a modern take on a classic matching game. The game features handsomely illustrated oversized tiles (4.5 inches x 2.25 inches). My grandson loved learning the names of each shark and being able to identify them as he played. This sort of toy pairs well with a good book for additional information. (4&up)
Puzzles
Peaceable Kingdom Puzzle & Play: Race Day ($21.95) Putting together this 26"x36" puzzle of a race track is just the beginning of the fun. Once assembled you can use the three supplied race cars (or bring your own) for pretend races! The puzzle has 48 pieces, so, for more experienced puzzle builders.
Audio Players
The market has become over-saturated with audio players that are triggered when a child touches them with a card or toy to play a story or piece of music. What distinguishes them is less the hardware, and more the library of content that is available. Here are three of the best. Each system has mechanisms by which parents can record reading or music for kids. I love being able to send my grandchildren stories they can listen to when I'm not around. The Yoto players also have an on-line daily mini-podcast written just for kids.
Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy ($99.99) Toniebox has a good selection of "named" authors. Yes, they also have "licensed" content based on movies and TV, but the real quality here - material that might get your child interested in reading, comes from the quality books that have been given the audio-book makeover. You'll find titles as diverse as Dr. Suess' Green Eggs and Ham and Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Yoto Media Player ($99) The Yoto Media Player doesn't use plastic toys, but rather, cards that have a somewhat nostalgic feel - taking me back to the days when we would put CDs in slots to hear music. Unlike the Toniebox, it has a very simple screen and can also act as a night light.
New this year is a smaller, less expensive (and more portable) version available in many colors: the Yoto Mini Media Player ($69.99). It works with the same library of cards, and is perfect for on-the-go.
Dolls
Corolle Drink and Wet Bath Baby Paul ($62.07) You don't have to be a girl to like playing with dolls, and not all dolls are girl-dolls. One of my most beloved toys was my Tiny Tears baby doll. This doll reminds me of Tiny. His eyes open when he sits up, and close when you lie him down for a nap. But there is one major difference; this doll is anatomically correct. Safe for a play bath, it comes with a pacifier and bottle and potty where it can pee when you press his belly.
A girl version of this set known as Baby Emma is also recommended, but at the time of writing was not available on Amazon. You can check the link here to see if Emma is now in stock.
