Easy to assemble, this all-wooden high chair is pink, white and natural wood finish. The feeding table does not lift, so no fear of pinched fingers. It is low enough for older two's to use for feeding dolls and teddy bears. Comes with a pink seat cushion for dolly's comfort. 2 & up

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Designed for little hands, this fingerpaint kit comes in a cute tin carrying case loaded with four colors of washable finger paint, three plastic scrapers with different edges and three stampers. Ideal for exploring textures, colors, and open-ended hands-on painting. You will need to provide the paper, apron or smock and drop cloth to protect the work surfaces. 3 & up.

SNAP: Chubby handles on the painting tools are easier to grasp and ready for exploring.  Some children are reluctant to put their hands directly into the paint, while others will see no reason to use the tools. Either way, with tools or hands-on painting offers opportunities for them to see how paints blend to form new colors as well as giving concrete meaning to words like wavy, straight, jagged, wiggly, etc. It also encourages whole hand, arm and finger motions that provide a sense of control and sensory feedback. Messy? Sure. But play and learning go hand in hand with some messiness. Cover up their clothes and the work surface and be prepared for serious clean-up. Keep it playful.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2013.

A set of seven cardboard play masks. These do not get worn on the face like your old Halloween mask. They are flat faces with cut out eyes and handles to hold onto. Fun for making up stories and playing them as you would with puppets, only here the players use their whole bodies if they like. Also available, Mystery in the Forest Set with three humanoid faces, with hat, crown or flowers in addition to four animals. Marked 3 and up. We think children who are slightly older and have more language will enjoy these even more.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Just right for twos, this new six piece chef set is ready for some pretend cooking fun!  Comes with a pan, a pot and lid, a slotted spoon, mixing spoon and bright orange colander. We're delighted with the gender-free color choices (purple, orange, green, teal and grey) - making this a set without any built-in agendas. Pieces are plastic and sturdy - and could also be used in the bathtub (especially the colander!).

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2013. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Remember your old inflatable bop toy? You punched it and it popped right back up. A classic that has always been great for letting off steam or pent up energy on long winter days when going out is not possible. They were standard fare, although they often deflated into a useless heap after the patch kit was misplaced. These days there are still plenty of vinyl bop toys around, but this new collection comes with a choice of cotton fabric covers that will reduce the chances of the inflatable getting a quick knick. Choose a friendly brown bear, a goofy penguin, or a smooshed grey elephant. They are made of  eco-biodegradable vinyl that will eventually disappear rather than clog up the land fill. Yes, they are pricey and we hope the small start-up company will be able to bring their price down before long. That said, it is a toy that will see a lot of action. 2-6

SNAP:A great toy for active venting without getting scolded for punching or kicking. It's also big enough to be enjoyed by kids who are 5 or even 6.

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

For the dollhouse, you won't find a sweeter collection of multicultural dolls, both boys and girls to play in this company's treehouse or the dollhouse you may own. These fabric dolls have solid feet to stand on and are dressed in charming outfits. Some, like the dancer come with a ballet bar and there is a soccer player with a goal. Dolls are sold separately. The company also does a line of wooden outdoor equipment that could be used outside of any dollhouse. There is a picnic table, a see-saw, and a pop up cloth tent($80 for the set.) We did not see the wooden dollhouse as pictured online nor the furniture. We assume it is beautifully finished as all the other furnishings we did handle. We did see the Treehouse ($120) an open wooden setting with a swing and climbing ladder and a very long slide. It is a nice setting, but it probably will not take the place of a dollhouse. This is a new company with some pricey but beautiful looking products. We look forward to seeing more in the future. Meanwhile, we have to say these are the most special props for dollhouses we have seen in years!

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

Choose a Caucasian, African, Asian or Hispanic American doll. Each of these Barbie for President dolls comes dressed in a smart suit that is pink, of course. Her jacket has red, white and blue trim and she is wearing pearls, earrings and a campaign button.

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

Push the blue gem on Cinderella's necklace and her dress lights up as fairy dust sounds tinkle. In her blue ball gown Cinderella is ready to go to the ball and her glass slippers are ready for dancing! Marked for 3 and up, but we think it will be enjoyed more by slightly older girls.

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

An open-ended magnetic set of arcs with 24 colorful pieces. They can be used flat on the table or use the bases to build vertically in two stacks or an arching one. Happily the magnets are fully enclosed for safe play. There is no right or wrong way so this is a set that invites exploration and imagination. 3 & up.

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

An unusual modern-style dollhouse. This big three story chalet comes in two parts. Kids can rearrange them into different configurations. The open wall and roof design makes it accessible by several children at a time. We are not crazy about the color scheme and we wish it came with play figures as well as the furniture. Note: the colors online are different from the toy we tested. The roof is orange not yellow as pictured. Figures are extra. Made of recycled rubber wood, it has the look of pressed or composition board and it is stained, rather than painted. 3 & up.

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