A new on-line series of activity kits that are incredibly well conceived and designed.  We sampled a COLOR kit where the activities include making spinning tops and collages. We usually don't love most science kits - but these were just on target for early school aged kids (and we'd say older fours with adult assistance). The materials are lovely and the instructions are clear.  One of the downsides of most science kits, is that the instructions become too complicated for most kids and adults.  Here, the instructions are a playful blend of written and pictorial. The site also invites you to post your results.

These kits are really terrific parent/child or grandparent/child projects that can be completed in an afternoon. We also tried the company's WIND kit that was great fun (but is no longer available). 

NOTE: This is a subscription service so we have not been able to test all the kits going forward.  To order the COLOR kit shown on the Today Show, click here.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012.

Want a fun introduction to circuits?  This intro set from Laser Pegs comes with instructions for 6 different models, but our testers loved treating this as an open-ended set. Make the connection between the pieces and they light up.  The low watts come from the 3 AA batteries (not included).  The company makes more extensive (and expensive kits)-- one of our favorites was last year's award winning 3D Light board.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

An update of a classic; a multi-armed ball that infants can easily grab.  This one is done in a short no-shed plush and felt-like finish. A smiling honey bear's head sits on top and plump paws with different patterns are attached on the side. Inside the arms of the ball is a fabric bee. Pull it out and it vibrates as it goes back into place. A quiet jingle bell is safely hidden inside.  A good choice for sitting-up babies.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Players are on a mission to the moon, you will travel over ten galaxy cards landing on space stations. But watch out. The galaxy shifts as you move through space! If you land on a black hole you'll be rocketed backwards. Land on an Asteroid field and you will be stuck! This is a fun game with a few molecules of science thrown in. Game play is about 15 minutes. 2-4 players. 6 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Choose a yellow and blue tub with 120 pieces or the pink and raspberry version. Either of these come with one action figure, a wheeled base, a working doorway and window, a plastic mini computer, stickers, and a variety of block shapes. It's a truly open ended set with room for storing more, although it contains enough to get builders started. These are the same size as Lego Duplos and compatible. Unlike many Duplo sets, this is marked more realistically for 3 & up. As we have indicated in the Pink Duplo reviews, we don't prefer gender specific blocks, but we recognize that some girls were not building at all with the primary color sets. So, if pink is the only way to get your girls to build, we say bring them on. It's more important that we give girls the opportunity to develop the spatial skills that boys have historically honed with their building toys. These are basic skills that are needed in math and science for boys and girls. 3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Choose a yellow and blue tub with 120 pieces or the pink and raspberry version. Either of these come with one action figure, a wheeled base, a working doorway and window, a plastic mini computer, stickers, and a variety of block shapes. It’s a truly open ended set with room for storing more, although it contains enough to get builders started. These are the same size as Lego Duplos and compatible. Unlike many Duplo sets, this is marked more realistically for 3 & up. As we have indicated in the Pink Duplo reviews, we don’t prefer gender specific blocks, but we recognize that some girls were not building at all with the primary color sets. So, if pink is the only way to get your girls to build, we say bring them on. It's more important that we give girls the opportunity to develop the spatial skills that boys have historically honed with their building toys. These are basic skills that are needed in math and science for boys and girls. 3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Finding a low-to-the-ground ride-on that actually steers but doesn't tip over is not so easy. At last, we have good news! This yellow construction truck is a combo fun for beginning walkers it can be used as a push toy and for foot to the ground riding. Sound buttons on the steering wheel will make a hit with toddlers and happily for adults, it has a volume control. It also comes with a detachable toolbox for beginning pretend play-for the older tots. The seat is more comfy than the company's earlier ride-on dump truck. This is really basic gear for active play and building big muscles. They say 1 & up. We say this is best for toddlers who are steady on their feet, which is often a little later.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A relatively small painted wooden doll house with lift up roof that makes getting into the house easy. It has a carry handle feature, but would be a tad heavy for young children to handle on their own. That said, this is a good scale for a small space or as a good toy for Grandma's little visitors. It comes furnished with a family of four and 18 pieces of furniture. You fold the front down to reveal a painted garden, as well. Marked 3 & up. 

SNAP This small uncomplicated house will fit on a table top or wheelchair table.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2012.

An update from the can and strings inventions you played with in school, this plastic set works really well to the delight of our testers young and old. It comes with 3.3 yards of yellow tubing with a red and blue telephone on either end. Go around a corner so that you can't see each other and whisper something. Your voice comes through loud and clear. An early science lesson about sound! 3 & up.

SNAP: For kids who are working on speech, this is a fun prop that will add playful fun to their efforts. Try a game of echo. Say what I say...start with one or two words and buld. Reverse roles and you say what your child says.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Push the light switch on top of the mountain and watch the little cars speed down the spiral runway. Add the plastic boulders and they can chase the two little cars that can stick together or run solo. There's a switch on the runway to release the boulders separately from the cars. Loaded with batteries the lights will flash and sounds will be activated. However, kids will enjoy this with or without the sounds and lights. 18 months & up.

SNAP: A winning choice for learning about cause and effect and a sense of success as they use the two different actions to make thing happen. The cars do go too fast for tracking with ease, but they do invite some pretend play as well as plenty of pleasure from repetition.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.