Learning Pots & Pans
(Fisher-Price $17.97 Score:) On the plus side, these pots have encased beads that are fun to move about, but the toy requires the pots to be stacked in one correct order (way too hard for babies and young toddlers). There’s a shape sorter in the lid and music in the base. This is one of those toys with the alphabet song and counting that’s marked for 6–36 months. In the end, this set tries to do too much and fails. (800) 432-5437.

Age: Infants,Toddlers. Award Year: 2006.

Amazing Baby Developmental Duck
(Kids Preferred $12 Score:) For starters, use this as a dangly gazing toy to hang in baby carrier. Pull down and the duck jiggles, press and it squeaks. Older babies will like chomping on duck’s chewy teether “feet” that slide back and forth in its vibrantly patterned body with licks of black and white stripes. Also fun, Developmental Butterfly ($12); lots for eyes and hands to explore on this gaily patterned butterfly with crinkle-sounds wings, squeaky body, and many textures. A good take-along stroller toy. (866) 763-8869.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007.