A slightly new look to a classic ball roll toy. This one is made of eco-friendly wood. Place a ball at the top of the run and watch it drop from one level to the next till the ball goes kurplunk at the bottom. This repetitive action is good fun for older toddlers and develops both eye hand coordination, visual tracking and the delight of making things happen. The large wooden balls store on top of the run and have a slight jingle sound as they cascade down the runway. 19 months & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP: This runway is a little more tippy than others. You may want to tape the base down so that it is not accidentally knocked over. That said, one of the long range skills may in fact be using it without the tape, by developing the eye hand skills to place the ball with care. Like learning to turn pages in a book with care, placing the ball on top without knocking the track may come with practice. This is a good toy for developing tracking skills and you can combine that with simple counting. Since the ball makes a distinct sound as it falls from level to level, it's fun to count one…two…three…four…as it rolls to the floor. Hearing the sound and seeing the action is a good way to reinforce beginning counting.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of new series of articulated wooden animals that are perfect for block settings or pretend play. The four animals featured in the Australia set are a kangaroo with baby in her pouch, a koala, wombat and emu. The set comes with cardboard habitat that they can be displayed on. The back of the display has factoids about the habitat and each of the creatures. These are handsome little figures that are smooth to the touch and articulated so that they can stand, sit, or lie down. Even their heads can be moved to look down or upward. The emu with it's long neck is wonderfully articulated, though not always steady on its feet. A nice blend of pretend and science. 3 & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of new series of articulated wooden animals. These are perfect for block settings and pretend play. The three animals featured in the African set are a giraffe, lion, gorilla. The set comes with cardboard habitat that the figures can be displayed on. The back of the display has factoids about the habitat and each of the creatures. These are handsome little figures that are smooth to the touch and articulated so that they can stand, sit, or lie down. Even their heads can be moved to look down or upward. In this set the giraffe's neck is articulated to move in many ways. A nice blend of pretend and science. 3 & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of new series of articulated wooden animals. These are perfect for block settings and pretend play. The four animals featured in the Polar set are a polar bear, arctic fox, penguin, and harp seal. Unfortunately, they have mixed the creatures of North and South Polar regions in one set. Though the setting may look similar, the penguin is not found where the Polar bear lives...so use this as a teaching opportunity. The set comes with cardboard habitat that the figures can be displayed on. The back of the display has factoids about the habitat and each of the creatures. These are handsome little figures that are smooth to the touch and articulated so that they can stand, sit, or lie down. Even their heads can be moved to look down or upward. In this set the polar bear's head is articulated to move upright or down for hunting. A nice blend of pretend and science. 3 & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

One of new series of articulated wooden animals. These are perfect for block settings and pretend play. The three animals featured in the Asia set are a panda, tiger, and an elephant. The set comes with cardboard habitat that the figures can be displayed on. The back of the display has factoids about the habitat and each of the creatures. These are handsome little figures that are smooth to the touch and articulated so that they can stand, sit, or lie down. Even their heads can be moved to look down or upward. In this set the elephant's trunk is articulated to move in many ways. A nice blend of pretend and science. 3 & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A sweet little car with of smooth wood that rolls easily with just a swipe of the hand. It's flexible so it is easy for little hands to grab and push. There's nothing complicated here, just take it out of the box and let baby explore. Made of eco-friendly wood and colored with water-based non-toxic colors that are attractive and safe. A good choice for babies who are crawling. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

For girls who love the storybook character, Madeline, there is an abundance of good news this season. Four different 63 piece puzzles with scenes from the books that are sure to please her fans. There's Madeline and the Tiger with all the other girls clinging to Miss Clavel in fear, while Madeline stand alone smirking at the tiger in the cage. Or consider puzzles with images of Pepito and the Bad Hat, A Walk in London, or The Cats of Rome. Also sure to please, Madeline arriving at Le Pont D' Avignon. This one comes in a box with a carry handle and includes 4 crayons and four pictures to color. All of these 63 piece puzzles are pretty challenging. Marked 4 & up, we'd say these will be a challenge for most 5-6's. So, unless you have a puzzle master in your house, you might want to build confidence before you bring home a puzzle that is too frustrating. These make good birthday party gifts for under $10.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Hands down one of those super cool toys that everyone wants a turn trying.  The new DISNEY TRON movie will launch December 17th and while we haven't seen the movie, we can tell you that the toys are fun.  The Tron Legacy Zero Gravity RC will drive all over your walls AND upside down. To add to the fun, it lights up as it goes leaving a light trail.   The vehicle is controlled by  a wireless remote control and can go both backwards and forwards pretty quickly.  The sound is a tad too loud (so that if you're supposed to be asleep you're parents will know you're still playing with this great vehicle). 

Age: Later School Years, Tweens, Teens. Award Year: 2010.

The way the pieces are cut make these 24 piece puzzles relatively easy to put together. It's not hard to see how to fit the engines together and to add the other parts of the puzzle around their favorite character, Thomas the Tank Engine. The pieces are smaller than those in the giant floor puzzle, but big enough for little hands to get hold of and rotate until they fit together. Marked 4 & up. If your child is not entirely new to puzzles, this will provide some challenge without utter frustration. A good choice for kids who are big Thomas fans and have mastered 15 piece puzzles and are ready for the next step up. Also, consider the Thomas & Friends Jumbo Floor puzzles from the same maker.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010.

A red backpack that opens to a small track and storage container for hot wheels. It comes with just one vehicle.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.