If you would like a change of pace from your tried and true (and still great) Monopoly, Candyland, and Scrabble, have we got good news for you! This was the year of innovative games. Try these for now and stay tuned, more games to come. Click here to find some of the top picks of the season.

Construction toys are more than fun. They are basic gear for many important kinds of learning. Age appropriate building toys change as children grow from toddlers to teens. Click here to see the review.

We wanted to see how last year's Dance Star Mickey would play with this year's Let's Rock Elmo and Rock Star Mickey....

Not so fast Mickey, Elmo is also a rock star this year.

We put last year's bigger, plusher and more animated Dance Star Mickey up against the new Rock Star Mickey...

For many of us, the thought of science books is a reminder of some old boring textbooks we "had" to read. Forget about that. Click here for some of the new choices books for young scientists in the making.

We've taken a look at many of the new toys and games created under the license.  Read Stephanie's blog for a quick survey and take a look at our youtube channel for video reviews.  You can also read our guest reviewer's take on the sequel on Stephanie's blog.

Crafts are a perfect way to keep kids busy and at the same time develop their ability to follow written directions, use their imagination, and stay with a task to completion. This season we've received some new and updated craft kits that are sure to engage your kids creativity. Click here for some of the best crafty choices.

We love this time of year!  Your kids pull on last summer's play clothes--and they soon discover how much they have grown.  During the course of the year, you'll also notice that the "growing up" goes way beyond the notch on the family growth chart.  A year older also means that they'll approach play differently.  Your now sure-footed toddler is ready to just go, go, go. Your four year old can now play a game that would have been frustrating and tear-producing just a year ago.  Your five year old who enjoyed pretend play with his whole body may now have a new found fascination in miniature play figures.   Here are some of our new favorite toys that promote active play.  Click here to read the article. You can also watch Stephanie with MSNBC's Tamron Hall on NBC's TODAY SHOW from June 17th by clicking on the video below... 

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We wondered how the toy industry was going to respond to this new category of game play for the toddler/preschooler set...Read Stephanie's Blog's for the latest gadgets on the horizon. Here's one of the less expensive accessories that may save your iPhone from sippy cup damage! Fisher-Price's Laugh & Learn I Can Play Case.