(LEGO $24.99) A chubby airplane, airport with tower and luggage chute are ready for dramatic play after they are assembled. Marked for 2-5, we think older twos might like to play with the 29-piece setting with the three figures. But building the chunky style Duplo pieces will be beyond them and most threes. That said, this is a fun parent/child build and it will be used for dramatic play by 3s, 4s, and 5s who are no strangers to airports. This is as familiar to many young chi

(Cuddle + Kind $50-70) New from Cuddle + Kind, knitted mermaid dolls that are sure to please: Maya, the Mermaid (13” $50; 20”/$70) is a beauty, a mermaid of color, with black yarn hair, a lavender fringe midriff top and multicolored mermaid tail. Or consider Isla with red-haired mermaid or Pearl with with polka dotted tail or yellow haired Skye with a star in her hair. Also see, our earlier reviews for Sabastian the Lamb is done in cream and light blue short pants with suspe

(Corolle $39.99) Just like the real thing! This newly minted umbrella stroller folds up for travel and holds a favorite doll or soft animal for a stroll around the yard or block. Done up this season in a bright cheerful new cherry polka-dot fabric. A perfect gift for the new Big Sister or any devoted doll player. Ages: Preschoolers Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2018 Click here to purchase the product from Amazon.com

(eeBoo $21.00) A big 36 piece floor puzzle featuring all sorts of animals driving in whimsical vehicles made of veggies. When completed it's a big 3 feet long, with lots to talk about. Illustrator Kevin Hawkes has created a scene that just might spark some original stories that you and your kids can tell together—try it! Also by Hawkes another panoramic scene, A Lovely Day, with families out skating, strolling, buzzing the flowers and enjoying the clear sunny day. Ages: Presc

(Corolle $66 and up each) Ambre comes with a full head of reddish hair for brushing and styling again and again. She's a freckle-faced charmer that's 14" big and wears a pink dress, headband and ballet flats that match. She comes with Corolle's signature vanilla scent and her very own hairbrush, which will get lots of use. If you prefer a blonde, choose Adele or for a brunette choose Alice. Each of these soft bodied dolls has sleepy eyes that open when she sits up and close w

(Corolle $67 each) Louise is an armful, a big 14-inch soft-bodied baby doll with blue eyes that open and close and ideal for Big Sister gifts. Her adorable face, arms and legs are made of vanilla-scented soft vinyl. Louise can be posed to sit up. She can also keep her thumb in her mouth. Dressed in a top and trousers, a matching headband and ballet slippers. Lilou's clothes are just like Louise. She's the same size but she has big brown eyes and tan skin tone. Ages: Toddle

(eeBoo $21.00) A winter scene with animals skating, sledding, singing, playing instruments, and building snowman on a three-foot long panorama puzzle with 48 big pieces. The scene by artist Kevin Hawkes is colorful and perfect for the season. Also charming, by the same artist, Busy Vehicles, a three foot panoramic puzzle with animals riding amusing vehicles made with veggies, fruits and other silly things like shoes and hats. One more Kevin Hawkes panorama puzzle scene, A Lov

(Corolle $39.99) A charming multi-ethnic doll with a 12” soft bean-filled body that makes her posable. Her brown eyes open and close and she’s dressed in a soft pink long sleeve PJ and headband. She has Corolle’s signature vanilla scent. 18 months and up. Ages: Older Toddlers Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2018 Click here to purchase the product from Amazon.com

(LEGO $28.99) Many Duplo sets are packaged with one project to build. That can be fun, but for beginners, we prefer a more open-ended set of bricks. This 65-piece box has the makings for buildings, a vehicle base, a dog and character figure, not to mention a variety of colors and sizes of bricks that can be put together and knocked over in endless ways. Try not to get too engaged with replicating the pictures on the box. Explore how wide or high a train of blocks you can put

(Corolle $27) A 12" soft doll with pj's that do not come off and signature Corolle Vanilla scent. Her little cap comes part way off, but is attached so it won't go lost. She's a sweet armful for a first birthday. Her vinyl face and hands come in a light toffee brown skin tone or a Caucasian tint ($27). Ages: Infants, Toddlers Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2018 Click here to purchase the African American version from Amazon.com Click here to purchase the Caucasian ver