As a blogger, I get a chance to see all of the hottest holiday toys at events such as Toy Fair, Time to Play and more. Here are a few of my favorite toys….
My Favorite Dolls:
www.mylittlemissmuffin.com
These adorable dolls transform from a cupcake into a doll. Visit the website to watch the video and to see why “there’s nothin’ like luvin’ a little miss muffin.” My tween goddaughters love Little Miss Muffin almost as much as my eight month old baby, who giggles when Miss Muffin plays peek-a-boo. Little Miss Muffin comes in three sizes: Jumbo (perfect for naptime), 9″ inch (which can do double-duty in our play kitchen) and mini (which seems to be my preschooler’s favorite). Little Miss Muffin is sold exclusively at Toys R Us stores, and mom will be happy to know that a portion of every sale supports Share Our Strength’s Great American Bakesale. Follow Little Miss Muffin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/popnflip or Facebook: www.facebook.com/littlemissmuffin
Bigjigs Princess Castle
Bigjigs Heritage Playset Princess Palace
Every girl loves a dollhouse, and the Princess Palace from Bigjigs is a dream dollhouse. This heirloom-quality, wooden princess palace can be assembled in less than 20 minutes (without tools!) and comes complete with dolls and accessories. The doors and windows work, and there’s even a secret entrance! Since Bigjigs knows that boys enjoy imaginative play as well, they also sell heritage playsets in themes boys will love such as King Arthurs Castle
Corolle Blue/Green Stroller
To prepare for our baby’s arrival, we got my son a Corolle Tidoo Doll. Our pediatrician said that dolls can help children express their feelings and adjust to a new sibling. The Tidoo Doll is sweet baby doll that is perfectly-sized for a toddler or preschooler. My son enjoyed pushing “baby” in the Corolle Blue/Green Umbrella Stroller
Paddywhack Lane Costume Club Treehouse
Paddywhack Lane Costume Club Treehouse:
There’s so much to do in the Paddywhack Lane Costume Club Treehouse. Play on the tube slide. Have a turn on the tire swing. Gaze through the swivel telescope. Share a cup of tea with a friend, or take a snooze on the comfy bunk beds. Priced at $59.99 (but we found it on sale for less than $45 at Amazon
Steiff Dragon
Steiff Stuffed Animals & Teddy Bears:
Steiff is the company that invented the teddy bear. Over 100 years later, Steiff still maintains the same high standards. Their heirloom-quality stuffed animals are handmade in Germany in the same workshops where they have been created for more than a century. Many Steiff animals become family heirlooms. We have several Steiff bears that belonged to grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great grandparents. Since Steiff animals are baby-safe, we have several. My baby’s lovey is a Steiff Good Night Dog, which we have named Giggles since he giggles when playing with it. There is a Steiff stuffed animal for every budget and to suit every child’s interests. Candace’s children adore dragons and unicorns and fantasy creatures, and they’ll be receiving a Steiff Dragon and Steiff Unicorn this Christmas.
Happy Napper
Happy Nappers
Koo Koo Birds
My son is totally koo-koo for the Koo Koo Birds. We have the Ruby-Colored, Bad-Tempered Sapsucker, which reminds me a bit of the Angry Birds but cuter. When he squeezes the KooKoo Bird, it makes a goofy “KooKoo Kall” that never fails to make him laugh. Every 6″ plush KooKoo bird has a surprise: a KooKoo egg with a mini KooKoo Bird inside. We found these for $12.99 at ToysRUs. Follow Koo Koo Birds on Twitter: twitter.com/totallykookoo and Facebook: facebook.com/totallykookoo
My Favorite Things That Go:
Cars 2 (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy):
I have watched Cars and Cars 2 countless times. My son adores Lightning McQueen, Mater, Holly Shiftwell and Finn McMissile. If your little one loves cars, this DVD is a must-buy.
DUB Garage Blazerz
DUB Garage vehicles from Toy State are much more sophisticated than the average toy car. The DUB Garage Blazerz ($24.99) is my son’s favorite from the line. Press a button for motorized forward and reverse driving action, hip hop music or realistic vehicle sounds. But the best feature is the lights….and there are a lot of lights: headlights, tail lights, underglow lights and even a lighted interior.
CAT Flashlight & Night Light from Toy State
CAT Preschool Flashlight & Nightlight:
My baby and my preschooler both adore playing with the CAT Preschool Flashlight and Night light. This working flashlight looks and rolls just like a CAT Dumptruck. There’s even a button that activates a honking horn. The flashlight automatically goes off when the handle isn’t pressed– which saves the battery. There’s a timer that mom can set to activate the night light at bedtime. This is the perfect gift for a truck-loving boy who is still afraid of the dark.
Bigjigs Town and Country Complete Wooden Train Set (101 Piece)
Bigjigs Town & Country Wooden Train Set
Wooden trains are a classic toy, and Bigjigs Rail offers one of the most complete wooden railway systems available. There’s even a pink wooden train engine as well as a princess train for girls who want to play along. The Princess Train is the only pink wooden train of its kind. An ideal first train set, it contains a chunky engine and three detailed royal carriages, which attach using a magnetic system – perfect for little hands to use! Like all the Bigjigs wooden trains, it can be used with any wooden railway system. We have the Town and Country set ($89.99), which is the perfect starter train set for boys or girls.
EzyRoller
EzyRoller:
Not a luge, not a bike, not a scooter, the EzyRoller moves like a snake, without chains or pedals, using easy right-left leg movements. There are no chains and no batteries – the EzyRoller moves and turns silently. If you want to see it in action, watch this video: http://vimeo.com/24395890. The EzyRoller can be used indoors as well as outdoors. My son likes going under “tunnels & bridges” (aka kitchen tables) on his EzyRoller. The wheels are Polyurethane, so they won’t scratch my floors. My preschooler AND my babysitter both love the EzyRoller, and it actually fits both of them. This is a ride-on toy that can be as gentle or as exciting as you want. It costs $99, but it will be used for many years. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ezyroller.
KaZAM Balance Bike
The Kazam Balance Bike ($99.95) was picked as a top outdoor toy by Parents Magazine in June 2011, and I can understand why. My 3 year old son learned how to bike on this easy-to-use balance bike. The Kazam bike has been featured on NBC’s The Today Show, in Parenting Magazine, and was the recipient of the the 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award and the 2010 Creative Child Magazine Ride-On Toy of the Year Award. You can read our full review here. Follow KaZAM on Facebook.
My Favorite Educational Toys:
Kiwi Crate
My son receives a themed crate filled with art projects, science experiments, imaginative play, and more every month. Kiwi Crate provides all the materials and detailed instructions, so we can get started immediately on a craft project when the crate arrives. Crates can be purchased by month ($19.95 each with free shipping) or a one year-subscription (with one free month included). Candace wrote a detailed review of the Kiwi Crate on her other blog Naturally Educational. Click here to read the full review. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kiwicrate.
:If an iPad is on your child’s wish list but would break your budget, consider the Kindle Fire. At $199, the Kindle Fire is an affordable tablet. I can use the Kindle Fire to read ebooks, browse the web, Tweet, Facebook or watch movies, and my son can read interactive ebooks or play educational apps. Click here to browse Kindle Fire Apps for Kids
