Faber Castell Young Artists Essentials Gift Set
(Creativity for Kids $49.99 Score:)

An amazing wood case with 64 drawing essentials: 24 colored pencils, 8 water color pencils, 2 graphite pencils, 18 oil pastels, 12 duo-tip markers, pencil sharpeners, 1 paint brush, 25 sheets of art paper, and a booklet. This is a great choice for kids that are a step beyond crayons and ready to explore new media. The gift box will help keep these riches in orderly storage, ready for school projects or artistic explorations. They say 5 -9. We'd say more like 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Educo All Season Dollhouse
(HaPe $129.99-189.99 Score:)

Three floors high, this modern six-room wooden dollhouse has 50's style licks of bright colors and is big enough for several children to enjoy together, with easy access from three sides rather than the usual one. It has clever adjustable stairs and even the roof that can be moved and rearranged. The house comes with four rooms of furniture for the family room, kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom. Or you can buy it without furnishings ($129.99) and add rooms and accessories gradually.  The company also makes a Caucasian or African American family that can be added for ($19.99.)

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

Colorforms 60th Anniversary Edition
(University Games $26 Score:)

What could be better than bringing home one of your childhood favorite toys and sharing it with your children or grandchildren? That's what you can do with this replica of the original Colorforms Set that has 350 geometric pieces in a spiral book and playboards to put them on. Unlike all the licensed images that followed since 1951, this is a more open ended set that allows kids to create their own themes. There is a small insert with images that can be copied, but best of all, this is an invitation to explore and discover how shapes can be transformed into designs and less literal images from one's own imagination. It's also an art form with no messy residue and no right or wrong rules. Getting the pages started may call for some adult help, but playing with the shapes develops fine motor skills, dexterity, and creative thinking.

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

North American Bear Nesting Puppets- Goldilocks and the 3 Bears
(North American Bear Co. $40 Score:) Here's a great gift idea! The Mama Bear and Baby Bear all fit inside the big Papa Bear. The big brown Papa has Goldilocks, a finger puppet with yarn pigtails, tucked in the pocket of his red overalls. Mama is in a pink flowered dress and Baby in blue gingham checks. This wonderful set is ideal for encouraging kids to retell a familiar story in their own words. With so many puppets more than one player can take a role and help in the story telling. Just as they like rehearing a tale, they will enjoy retelling it with these props. You can also encourage them to tell the further adventures of these familiar characters. Being able to sequence the story and put it in their own words is an important pre-reading skill that develops language and recall. A good story needs a beginning, middle and end and this one has a strong storyline with room for all that someone's been eating my porridge, sitting in my chair, sleeping in my bed! Kids love the repetition and the drama is sure to get more powerful as they grow into their roles. Also available, a charming set of the 3 Pigs and the Bad Wolf from the same maker. 4 & up.

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

North American Bear Nesting Puppets 3 Little Pigs
(North American Bear Co. $40 Score:)

What great gift idea! The mid-sized pig and littlest pig do nest inside of the biggest pig puppet. All are done up in pink velour. The big guy has 'I love bricks' embroidered on the front of his overalls. The middle one has 'I love sticks' on her overalls and the littlest one has 'I love straw' stitched on his. As for the bad wolf, he's a finger puppet stored in the big pig's pocket. This wonderful set is ideal for encouraging kids to retell a familiar story in their own words. In the recall department the embroidered images will help them retell the events. With so many puppets more than one player can take a role and help in the story telling. Just as they like rehearing a tale, they will enjoy retelling it with these props. Not only that, you can encourage them to tell the further adventures of these familiar characters. Being able to sequence the story and put it in their own words is an important pre-reading skill that develops language and recall. A good story needs a beginning, middle and end and this one has a strong storyline with room for all that huffing and puffing to make telling it good fun! Also available, a charming set with Goldilocks and the 3 Bears from the same maker. 4 & up.

 

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

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet
(LeapFrog $99 Score:)

When we first saw the preview of LeapFrog's LeapPad, we were hopeful that the final version would really be all that they promised: age appropriate, easy-to-use and engaging to a generation of kids that expect great graphics, games, and speed. (Sometimes what we see at preview doesn't always translate into the final product.) We're happy to report that the LeapPad really delivered on all counts.

Let's address the elephant in the room. The LeapPad is not your iPad. In many ways, we think it's better.  Well, better for the young audience for which it was designed. At $99, the white, lightweight tablet delivers satisfying speed and graphics to your older preschooler and early school age child. Unlike your  iPad, everything is meant for your child.  The games pull from LeapFrog's library of 100+ educational games- so you can select those that are most appropriate for your child and her needs. You can use all Leapster Explorer games and apps you already have- also a plus.  Our testers also loved exploring the art program- here's an example of where an adult may want a turn!  The LeapPad also has a built in camera and video camera. All in all- a great use of technology that will entertain and engage your child.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Hexbug Nano Glows in the Dark Habitat Set
(Innovation First $39.99 Score:)

Fans of the Hexbugs will want to check out the latest sets that glow in the dark. The Habitat set comes with ten pieces that go together easily. Part of the tracks and the two special "nanos" glow in the dark. The nanos work just like the original--they move quickly but now you can see them in the dark. If you like bugs and toys that glow in the dark, it doesn't get much better than this set. On the other hand, if bugs are not your thing, you probably will be a little freaked out by fast moving glow in the dark plastic bugs. You can buy more bugs separately.  

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

MindFlex Duel
(Mattel $99 Score:) In 2009 we gave a Platinum Award to Mattel's innovative MindFlex. The toy "reads" brain activity and with that energy you move a little blue ball along the adjustable obstacle path. Now, as the name suggests, Mind Flex Duel allows you to battle another player for dominance over the little blue ball. As with the original both players put on the headgear and attach the sensor to your earlobe. Turn the game on--and see which player can concentrate enough to move the ball across the finish line. Really a mental tug of war-except here you are pushing the ball with your thoughts. Seriously! One of the most innovative toys we've seen in years. You can also play many of the same solo obstacle games you played on the original. If you have teens that are jaded and will only play video games--start playing with this toy and see what happens.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens, Teens. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Playmobil Falcon Knights Castle
(Playmobil $104.95 Score:)

Our testers loved this large scaled castle from Playmobil. We're always clear to say the following about Playmobil builds: the directions could be clearer; the construction of Playmobil structures requires an adult; there are LOTS of pieces.  With all of those disclaimers, our testers consistently enjoy the product and the level of detail once it's put together.  Specifically, our experienced builders did have more difficulty this year putting the smaller castle in this line together. We recommend having two adults for some aspects of the build--to hold the pieces as the connections are being made.  We also suggest that large structures be built and possibley glued down on a board or table top where they will not be moved or knocked around. True, this means it is less open-ended than a set of block, that will also falls over with active play, but these large structures do become pretend settings that are fun to use, although they will surely require some rebuilding and fine tuning from time to time. Once this castle is put together, it is great fun. It has a main gate that you can crank close (and there is an "iron" gate to put down when you really mean to keep the bad guys out).  There are trap doors, walk ways and one really big tower.  Our testers also gave high marks the play figures (complete with period appropriate clothing) and spectacular horses as well. This is not a toy for preschoolers or even young early school kids.  The level of detail requires more dexterity than most kids under 8 bring to their play.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Fijit
(Mattel $49.99 Score:)

We were really taken by Fijits at toy fair. They have an interesting and pleasing squishy feel to them (there are three different colors-with different names for each) when you poke them.  It feels the way we think the Pillsbury Dough Boy would feel if you were able to poke him.  That tactile aspect of this toy sets it apart from the recent version of hard plastic interactive robots. Fijit has a fun repetoire of tricks. She can tell jokes, invite your child to dance (either to her own music or your child's). She's programmed to say 150 different things. On the downside, she doesn't always understand your voice commands--this can be frustrating. She also is pretty loud (no volume control) and she requires 5 AA batteries.

That said our testers really liked her corny jokes and how she bops to the music. Pure novelty.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.