Lots of toys for babies and toddlers are designed for parent child interaction. The playful moments between parent and child are part of the fun as well as learning. Toys that involve children with little lessons in cause and effect are often the most interesting playthings they return to again and again, until they have mastered them with some independence. These are toys that call upon developing dexterity, memory and the excitement of making things happen. Here are a few choices that empower children to make something happen.

Finding toys for twos can be a challenge. Twos have often outgrown their babyhood toys, but are not up for the frustration of a lot of preschool toys that go beyond their dexterity or problem solving skills. Click here to find out more...

Toddlerhood is a sort of remarkable but often murkily defined time between babyhood and preschool. Toddlers are still closer to their inarticulate babyhood than the powerful preschoolers they will become when they can say what they want and don't want. Yet, they are increasingly able to get about and to take steps toward greater independence. Click here to find out what to choose.

 As holidays and family get togethers approach, finfing ways to make the miles fly--from here to there--calls for special planning with kids. Getting there is rarely half the fun, but it can be a lot easier when you have some treats in your travel bag. Click here to find out what to pack....

We're delighted to announce the Read It! Play It! Award Winners for 2012. Books are a perfect springboard for inspiring creative games and craft activities. These titles best lend themselves to word games, dramatic play, story telling and art. Congratulations to the award winners!  Click here to see the books and games to play with the first of our Read It! Play It! Winners for 2012.

So proud to announce that Joanne's book The Prince's Bedtime is now being sold at the Buckingham Palace Gift Store! If you have or know a little one that has trouble getting to sleep, this is a must read! Even better, you can order your paperback copy now (it also comes with a audio CD narrated by Jim Boadbent) for only $9.99 by clicking here. 

In a year when budgets are tight, choosing toys with long term play value is more important than ever. Almost all new toys are exciting when they come out of the box. The true test comes weeks later. We ask our testers to write to us two or more weeks after they arrive. We want to know if the toy they are testing is still being used and enjoyed. Most of the playthings that measure up in this test are open-ended toys. The best of these are not toys for watching, but rather those that involve active doing. Construction toys, art supplies, puppets, dolls, housekeeping props, miniature settings, and athletic equipment are among the classics that allow kids to shape their own games. Click here for 12 good open-ended choices.

Our list is full of fun games, activities, dolls, and other fun props for play. Here are 20 of our favorites for this year. Click here to read the reviews. 

Every year we see a lot of toys that are "refreshed" with just enough tweeking to make them feel almost new. We sometimes forget that to kids most things are new. It would be a shame if kids missed out on building blocks or crayons or trucks, just because they weren't invented yesterday.  Don't be afraid to bring home some of the favorites you played with not so-o-o-o long ago. Here is a short list of some of this year's Blue Chip list.

For all the little ones on your shopping list there are plenty of choices that pay-off in play power without your paying out buckets. Click here for five great choices.