(Corolle $70) Dressed in a charming pink dress with a matching headband and floral trim,, Leonie is a 14” huggable baby doll with sleepy eyes and soft body. Her bald head makes her safe enough for toddlers, who still mouth their toys. Like all Corolle dolls she’s scented with vanilla. Or, consider the adorable new Madeleine ($39) a 12” baby doll with a printed blouse that celebrates Corolle’s 40th year as a preeminent French doll maker. Both dolls have soft bodies, vinyl head

(Gamewright $12.99) This game is based on the movie Spinal Tap, not a film most kids will know. If you’re looking for nostalgia this is probably not for you. It’s a relatively easy game to learn and requires pretty simple adding skills. Players begin with three cards each and three cards on display on the table. As play begins, the first player adds one card to the displayed cards on the table. If he puts down one that adds up to less than eleven, the game continues. If the c

(Gamewright $15) This is a deceptively easy-looking matching game. It’s a lot harder than Concentration, although you will be looking for matching pairs. But, in Twin It the cards can look the same at first glance…but look again and you’ll see you’ve been fooled. The patterns are similar but they have to really match before you can claim a pair. There are several fun variations suggested that can make the game even harder. It’s all about being fast to spot the twins and grab

(Gamewright $24.99) Our testers loved the original Sushi Go! card game that inspired this more complex game with playing board trays, menus, swap cards, chopstick and pudding tokens. They liked this even more! The object here is to collect the most points by making great combos with sashimi and tempura cards. One problem, this is a game that could make you and others hungry for the real thing! Alternative idea: plan ahead and order in a boatload of sushi to feast on as you p

(Horizon $9.99) The white plaster Elephant comes out of the box ready for a paint job. Kids can be as creative as they like with the six pots of paint and tiny brush. You might want to give your crafter a larger brush for the first coat of paint. There is a plastic inset for planting a very, very small plant. This would make a nice Mother’s Day or holiday gift for Grandma or a dear Auntie! The end-product is bound to be one of a kind, even if all the elephants came out of a m

(Horizon $12.99) We get a lot of craft kits marked for younger crafters that are really way beyond beginners. This is marked six and up and it really is for early school aged kids who are getting expert at doing a simple double knot (an important skill for getting those sneakers tied!) This will give the beginning knot maker plenty of practice in a fun way. The pre-made pillow needs no sewing. It’s ready to stuff with fiber that comes in a separate bag with a warning to be su

(BizyBeez $69.99) A versatile 41-piece magnetic construction set with a base, 8 curved rods, 16 straight rods, 8 balls, 4 half balls, and four wheeled pieces that can turn constructions into working vehicles. Since all the pieces are magnetic, there is a lot of hands-on learning about the opposite and same poles and how the attract or repel each other. There are sample constructions, but really this is an open-ended building set that can be used to invent games and inventions

(Fat Brain $24.95) A fun game for a party with not too many kids, since there’s a fair amount of watching going on., along with the laughter. Split the group into teams, give the orange glasses and nose to one team and the green pair to the other team. Teams take turns with one player choosing a card and drawing as many of the items on the card with the nose marker, while his team tries to name the picture…on the drawing board. The team gets a point for naming each of the ite

(Edushape $16.99) Three safety mirrors are sealed into three different foam shapes...a circle, square and triangle that can stick to the walls of the tub when wet. Gives your favorite toddler a chance to admire his favorite person. They will no doubt want to see how their hair looks dripping wet, how many funny faces they can make, and test to see how many toys can float on these colorful shaped islands. They can also be enjoyed on dry land. 1 and up Ages: Older Infants, Tod

(Thinkfun $14.99) Now you can use this cooperative game to get kids actively involved with learning Yoga moves. It's an active fun game that helps kids learn 36 yoga poses pictured on the cubes they roll. A good way to grow their focus and flexibility. This can turn a rainy day into a silly time with active fun. They are not playing against each other but together to beat moves of the focus symbol, which just might beat everyone. 6 and up. Ages: Early School Oppenheim Toy Por