New to the list this year is the Doc McStuffins Time For Your Checkup Interactive Doll. This popular playset features Doc McStuffins, Lambie and several accessories. Use Doc McStuffin’s medical instruments to check Lambie’s heartbeat, ears and temperature. Doc McStuffins also talks and sings the “Time for Your Checkup” song. Recommended for ages 3 to 6 years.
The possibilities are endless with the wide variety of Lego sets on the market
looking for a starter set, try this LEGO Ultimate Building Set (also available in pink). This tub features a great assortment of Lego bricks and elements including a building plate, minifigure, windows, doors and wheels. It also includes building instructions for 5 models and photo inspiration for 25 more. Recommended for ages 4 to 12 years.
Dollhouses are a great gift for little girls in this age group and the Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse
There is no denying that kids love arts and crafts. Coloring, painting and creating masterpieces with Play Doh
Another new item this year is the Fisher Price Disney’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates Jake’s Musical Pirate Ship Bucky. Bucky comes equipped with all that is needed in order to fend off Captain Hook and Smee. Includes 3 push buttons which activate special features such a spring loaded cannon, and 25 pirate phrases, sounds and songs. Recommended for age 3 to 6 years.
Kids love to play dress up so why not put together a dress up trunk? For little girls, try something such as the Disney Princess Dress Up Trunk which features costumes of Disney characters such as Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. For the boys, try the DC Comics Boys Action Trio Superhero Costume Set which includes Batman, Robin and Superman. Recommended for ages 3 years and up.
It’s an electronic world and kids are mastering these systems younger than ever! Luckily, the learning game systems on the market today are not only fun, but also educational! The LeapFrog Tag Reading System
Fisher Price Imaginext toys
Dolls are perfect for this age range. Whether it be baby dolls or Barbie-type dolls, most little girls will spend hours carrying for them. The Baby Alive Baby Wanna Walk Doll is new this year and appears to be receiving positive reviews from kids and parents alike. The Baby Wanna Walk doll walks and talks on her own, saying 40+ phrases and sounds. Recommended for ages 3 and up.
Kids, especially boys, love cars and both Hot Wheels
To view Top Toy Picks for other ages, see this post.
!This award-winning activity kit allows future authors to write and illustrate their very own story on special book pages provided. Once the story is complete, it is sent to be published (in the pre-paid envelope included), and in a few short weeks the budding writer receives a color-copied, professionally type set hardbound book! The Make Your Own Book kit beautifully captures a child’s creativity and turns it into a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
is must have for the Nerf-loving fans this year! High-tech features include an electronic scope with pulsing lights for easy targeting and an acceleration trigger on the blaster to let you power up for ultimate-distance blasting! Includes the Tactical Rail System which makes it compatible with most Vortex and N-Strike Mission Kit accessories for customizing your blaster. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
, are very popular among both boys and girls in this group. Nintendo 3DS offers a new way to play – 3D without the need for special glasses. Each Nintendo 3DS system comes pre-loaded with a variety of fun games, applications and features, such as Nintendo 3DS Camera. One camera points at the user, while two additional cameras point outward. These two outer cameras take photos in 3D. Other than the advisory to restrict 3D mode for kids under 6, there are no specific age limit recommendations on the Nintendo 3DS (games do carry suggested age recommendations).
is a new oven from the makers of the classic you-bake-it toy. It comes with yummy mixes and pans for cooking up sweet treats and no more light bulbs needed! Easy to use, the oven features a larger cooking chamber so you can bake more than ever before! Oven comes with baking pan, cupcake pan, pan pusher, chocolate chip cookie mix, red velvet cake mix, pink frosting mix, rainbow sugar crystals package, paper cupcake wraps and instructions/recipe booklet. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
and 
), swim through the air with incredibly smooth and life-like swimming motion. These amazing fish provide hours of remote control indoor fun in even the smallest of rooms. They require only four AAA batteries plus helium and have complete up, down and 360 degree turning control. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
allows girls to make personalized bracelets for all of their friends. Set includes 4 color-coded looms, floss, beads, beading needle, step-by-step instructions and a handy carrying case that’s perfect for carrying over to friends’ houses. Makes 22 bracelets. Year after year, bracelet making is popular among girls in this age group and this year is no exception. Recommended for ages 8 to 12 years.
is a spy mobile combining top features from all of the Spy Video vehicles. Unlike conventional remote-control cars, the VX6 allows you to see what it sees with real-time digital video displayed directly on the color LCD screen. Now kids can keep an eye on the action, no matter where it happens. Ideal for budding spies, the VX6 offers infrared night-vision technology, so kids can complete covert missions even after the sun goes down. Recommended for ages 8 – 12 years.
. This fast and furious remote-control car has wheels that transform into claws. When the wheels are closed, this RC vehicle can gun at high speeds, but when the wheels are transformed into claws they facilitate claw flips, wheelies, and spins. Kids will be fascinated by the CyClaws’ speedy reaction time and crazy stunts. Recommended for ages 6 – 12 years.
is no exception! Standing over 1 foot in height, Imaginext Mega T-Rex adds a new, futuristic dimension to classic dinosaur play. He has motorized action, sound effects and removable armor for added play. Push the button to make his neck swing and jaw open while roaring like a real dinosaur. Includes a helmet, rear control pod and two projectile launchers. Recommended for ages 3 to 7 years.
. Product features include: dry erase board, chalkboard, a locking paper roll holder, a child-safe paper cutter, 4 clips, and a plastic tray. This easel is height adjustable and folds easily to store in the corner or under a bed. Comes with the accessories needed to help turn your child into the next Van Gogh. Recommended for ages 3 years and up.
(also available in 
) – the personalized learning tablet for kids! This learning tablet gives you access to more than 100 educational books, games, videos and apps. The LeapPad’s built-in camera can shoot video, allowing kids to make animation and to share with friends and family! Other electronic learning systems such as the 
, 
, 
, and 
or the 
. Each truck comes with several outfits and accessories to transform your child into a princess or superhero! Recommended for ages 3-7 years.
(also available in 
) encourages children to learn to read and to love reading as words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud. The Tag library includes over 40 books and games based on favorite TV, movie, and classic tales. Tag storybooks and learning activities help children build reading skills such as vocabulary, phonics, and reading comprehension. Parents can connect the Tag Reader online to collect fun rewards their child has earned and to see their child’s play. Holds audio for up to 10 books at a time. Recommended for ages 4-8 years.
from KidKraft. Made of wood and sturdy construction, the Savannah Dollhouse features four levels and six rooms of open space with 13 pieces of colorful furniture. Wide windows allow dolls to be viewed from multiple points of view. Plus, it is large enough that multiple children can play at once. It also accommodates dolls up to 11.5″ tall (FYI, Barbies are 11.5″ tall!). Recommended for ages 3 and up.
interactive playset brings animals to life by incorporating 4 habitats: grasslands, arctic, jungle and water. Place any animal on the peg at the hut and it recognizes that specific animal and responds with that animal’s name and the sound it makes. 
is perfect for your little engineer! All 
. Little ones choose which instrument Elmo plays and he magically recognizes which ones you give him. For even more rockin’ fun, Elmo also interacts with other Let’s Rock instruments (sold separately) and he knows when you are playing any of the other Let’s Rock instruments and plays along with you! Recommended for ages 18 months and up.
. This 8-instrument set includes centipede drumsticks, jingle bells ants, busy bee maraca & clacker, caterpillar tambourine and two shaka shaka eggs. As an added bonus, all instruments store neatly inside the drum! Recommended for ages 18 months to 3 years.
(also available in 
). Each Tag Junior board book introduces a different preschool skill. Open-ended questions and fun sound effects encourage children to take charge, as they touch any part of any page. You can also download audio for your child’s books and keep up to 5 at a time on your book pal. See your child’s progress through the online LeapFrog Learning Path and get printable activities to expand your child’s learning. Recommended for ages 24 months – 4 years.
which features a molded-in floor, an interactive phone, working doorbell and pass-through mailbox. Recommended 18 months and up.
