Little Champs Sports Center
(Little Tikes $29.95 Score:) Toddlers like to imitate older siblings and this little sports set allows them to shoot baskets, hit a baseball, and spin a football. The basketball has a sound chip scoreboard that cheers them on and the baseball clicks as it turns on the post. 9 mos. & up. (800) 321-0183.

Age: Infants,Toddlers. Award Year: 2006.

Taf Toys 2 in 1 Smart Gym
(Edushape $69.95 Score:) Like last year’s Smart Mat, this is an oversized playmat with a gym in the middle! 39 x 59, with many textures, colors, and patterns, this has arches that connect securely to hold dangly toys that jitter, ring, and play music. Ideal for gazing at, batting, and kicking, and for multiple discoveries. The huge mat itself has built-in mirror, squeakers, and rattling rings. In contrast to the ActiviTot, these arches are not easy to set up, but they work well once you’ve done it. Our family with triples still raves about the original mat (sans arches) that is ten dollars less. (800) 404-4744.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007.

Gummy Guppy
(Sassy $2.99 Score:) Large enough to be safe, this multicolored fish-shaped teether has interesting textures and bends slightly for two-handed investigations. (800) 323-6336.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007.

NooBoo Symphonic Stacker
(Manhattan Toy $29.95 Score:) We tested a lot of fabric stackers this year but most were unforgiving—they didn’t move easily on the post. These pleasingly soft patterned, textured, easy-to-grasp rings (they look almost like flowers) are fun to explore—they also activate “magical” sounds when stacked (although they don’t always work 100% of the time). A good parent/child toy. (800) 541-1345.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007.

Amazing Baby Developmental Blanket Teether
(Kids Preferred $11 Score:) One of our favorite new toys of the year. Not really a blanket, this is about 12" of flat bear with crinkle body. It has chewy teether hands, easy-to-grab rings on its feet, and interesting patterns on its patchwork body. A variety of textures include plush head, satin foot, and velvety velour back. Likely to get a lot of touching moments. (866) 763- 8869.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007.

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.

Musical Babipouce
(Corolle $30 Score:) Babies are often fascinated by dolls that look like real babies. This year's Babipouce goes one step further—pull the top of this doll's hat and it plays "Beautiful Dreamer." Like earlier versions of Babipouce, this one is soft and safe enough for baby to handle with sewn-on velour romper and painted face. No moving eyes or doo-dads. You will need to remove ribbon on the doll's hand.

Age: Infants,Toddlers. Award Year: 2008.

Royal Jungle Puppets
(Manhattan Toy $12 Score:) These brightly colored 9" animal hand puppets (lion, monkey, and elephant) are just right for tracking games or just hamming it up for your baby. Our favorite is the lion with the brightly colored mane. This lion is also available as a music box, but it has a metal key- which is unfortunate.

Age: Infants,Toddlers. Award Year: 2008.

Alex Jr. Grab a Little
(Alex $8.99 Score:) Soft ring shaped velour rattles that are easy for baby to grab and explore. They have bright patterns, stitched features, quiet rattle and come as Pinky Pig, Max the Dog, Limon Lion and Freckles Frog. This is a classic soft rattle shape that won’t hurt even with jerky hand movements.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008.

Hopscotch Pulldown Teether
(Gund $12 Score:) Pull down and this yellow dotted giraffe will make a quick trip up as it vibrates. An interesting diversion that may amuse baby momentarily. You can hang this on the stroller or car seat. The textured teether attached to the giraffe will probably provide more lasting pleasure to sore gums. 6 months & up. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2008.