(Hape $19.99) Three musical instruments that toddlers will enjoy as they shake rattle and dance along. Finished in smooth wood and not loud enough to make you cringe. There’s a maraca, a clapper and a tambourine with a see-thru drum head to tap. Marked 1 and up, but this is more like an 18 month-2year old toy. SNAP: A fun way to engage kids with rhythm and music. These three instruments each have a distinctive sound. Ages:Older toddlers and preschoolers Oppenheim Toy Portfoli

(Hasbro $99.99) Here’s a lovable Simba, looking more like a little playful lion with big eyes, soft fur, short legs, and a playful way. Like all the Fur Real interactive animals, Simba is loaded with motions and interactions to engage the imagination. This lion cub has more than 100 ways to move and is activated by touch and talk.. Kids will laugh they have a roaring contest with Simba. He wags his tail, shakes his head, crouches down and stands up tall. All the while, he i

(Just Play $55) Here’s an interactive honey toned Simba that is touch and motion activated. He moves his mouth and neck as he roars or says phrases loaded into his memory. He's not as interactive as the Hasbro FurReal version, has fewer motions and sounds, but he's also less pricey. Ages: Preschoolers Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2019 Click here to purchase the Just Play SImba product from Amazon.com

(Buttonbag $24.99) Everything the beginner needs for earning to sew is packed in this charming little suitcase. Packed inside are needles, pins, scissors and fabric, patterns, and threads for creating a little felt elephant, a fabric owl, two hanging heart and bird decorations, a felt unicorn patch, cat and dog brooches, a little felt purse and a drawstring bag. The quality of the material is top notch, a lovely array of embroidery threads, to decorate with and an instruction

(Viking $58) Choose your animal…a white and black panda, yellow leopard with spots, a tan bear, a very sweet pink bunny, and a cute blue cat. This low-to-the-ground rider with coaster wheels is marked 1-5, but we suggest this is best for toddlers who are steady on their feet, so the coaster wheels don’t move away before they can get on and steady themselves. These Cute Riders will go slower on a rug, but really take off on hardwood floors. Kids hold onto the ears on all of th