Slide the phone open and you see who is on the phone. It might be Oscar or Ernie or Abby Cadabby. Push a button and the character says one of the three numbers on that line and then rings. This is a pretty big phone, but what with the sliding, button pushing and face changes, it will be interesting for beginning pretend play. A fun prop and just the right size for a stocking stuffer surprise. 18 months and up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Seems the school bus has shrunk a little, but it's still one of those perennial favorites. This season it has been updated for the Sesame Street gang. But it only comes with two characters, Count Von Count is the driver and Elmo is there with his backpack. If you want more passengers, that will be extra, please. It can hold three figures and since loading and unloading passengers is so much a part of the fun, we suggest you bring them home with the bus. Passengers can get on through the door or the open roof top. To open the door, press the purple button on the hood. No batteries needed for this roll and play vehicle. They say 18 months & up, we think it will be enjoyed more by 2's and up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A jumbo see-through paint can with four big tubes of finger paints, two interesting textured rollers, two sponge stampers (a star and a circle), 25 sheets of finger paint paper, a mixing dish, a disposable apron and for those who need more--instructions and ideas. Just be sure to cover your work surface and stand back. This is a kit that will give hours of satisfying discoveries.  3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Hot pink satin on one side and velour prints on the other side, this 12"X 12" blanky has textures to explore and some crinkle sounds. There are satin knotties, ribbons tabes, plush loop, felt tabs and a crinkly shimmery silver ruffle. This is an eye catching lovie that babies may find both stimulating to explore and comforting to hold.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011.

A marvelous Diva fabric 8" chime ball with a jolly jingle safe inside and plenty of surface textures to explore. There are colorful satin knotties, textured loop to hold, a crinkle velour patch, ribbon tabs and furry no-shed fringe. Each segment of the ball has a different fabric--high contrast black and white, velour with stars and another with hot pink splotches, silvery dots, and corded lavender velour.A perfect toy for first social games. Rolling the ball back and forth or crawling after it.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Frog is one of three 10-inch Comfort Cuddly toys. His body is green checked cotton with licks of orange calico checks, blue feet and a bold patterned tummy. His features are stitched for safety and his eyes sit high like two bumps on top of his soft as silk velour head. Like the other Cuddly Blankies, this is an unstuffed doll that is easy to clutch. It is not really a blanky in the traditional sense, but it just may become a comfort toy that kids like to hold onto as they rest. It makes no sounds, but there is plenty for eyes to see and textures for little hands to explore. Also see O is for Owl and L is for Lion Cuddly Blanky toys. Infants and up. 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: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A 36-piece set makes a good choice for beginning builders or as an add-on to other block sets. Although these are not unit block size, they add interest as decorative elements. Some of the blocks are painted with small shaped that resemble windows. There are arches, cylinders, squares, rectangles, triangles and other odd shapes that kids will find useful for creative building. The set includes a cloth storage bag. All of the pieces are big enough to be safe for toddlers. 1 1/2 & up. There is also a smaller 23 piece set with interesting shapes that is also interesting. PBS Kids Tower Blocks (29.99)

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

There are countless ways to play with this 34-piece block set. Kids can simply use them for building in an open-ended way or use the numerals to mark other bock structures. Ideally, they will also be used for playful math activities. All of the wooden blocks have numerals, dots, number words and pictures on their various sides. Some are cubes, others rectangles. Use them for simple matching games, dominoes, or number facts. Several of the blocks also have chalkboard finish that kids can draw on with the chalk included in the set. The set comes with a cloth bag for storage. 3 & up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP Activity:

Put 3-4 numeral blocks out. Use a drum or clap your hands. Can the playr find the numeral block that matches the number you clapped. Listening and connecting the beats to the symbol for that number is a concrete way to reinforce number concepts and counting.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Scaled for Kelsey and other 18" dolls in the Journey Girls collection, this is a terrific foldable wheel chair with fabric seat and a pair of crutches as well as a plaster foot cast, an arm cast, ice pack and an elastic bandage. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Although the Journey Girls line is all about travelling and experiencing different places and cultures around the world, this foldable wheel chair with crutches and other props happens to be priced right! For kids with physical challenges it will be a welcome accessory for their dolls and dramatic play.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011.

An eye-catching first doll with a quiet little jingle inside. Elf Grenadine is just nine and half inches and dressed in non-removable velour-like and knit fabrics. Her face is vinyl with painted on features. Grenadine is done up in bright red with licks of orange and white stripes and a jaunty orange hat.  If you prefer more pastel tones, look for Elf Apricot with a light pink body, hot pink hat and apricot arms and trim. Either of these makes a cozy choice for baby to explore and for you to use for lap time games. 

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.