(eeBoo $10.95 each) We started with the 3-D Glow in the Dark Triceratops Puzzle. Kids will like how the slender box that the puzzle comes in turns into a mini setting where their finished puzzle/dino can be displayed. But first, there’ s some serious punching out to do with the sturdy cardboard pieces...but be careful! Don’t toss the boards that are marked with the letters of the alphabet! They will help you see how the pieces are fit together with matching letters, alphabeti

(Math For Love $ 14.99) In looking for games to support early math skills during this time of virtual school, we came upon Tiny Polka Dot Game for older preschoolers and early school aged kids. It’s not a new-this-year game, but it’s new to us and we think useful for families doing hybrid learning. It’s not one game, but 16 easy-to-learn math games that reinforce basic math skills all in one box. The brightly colored cards come with dots in various patterns, and numerals. Tin

(Fisher-Price $149.99) No doubt about it, Imaginext DC Super Friends Super Surround Batcave is going to be on a lot of wish lists and letters to Santa. Given the size of this not-so-mini setting, Santa’s going to need a stretch-sled. As pretend settings go, this is anything but mini. It’s over 4 feet wide and 2 ½ feet tall, so it’s not for cramped living spaces. On the plus side, it’s big enough for multiple children to use together and comes with plenty of play figures, pro

(eeBoo $21.99) Who doesn’t love a pop-up book? Unlike a storybook with a tale told by others, Koala’s Cozy Cottage is a wordless little book that opens into a setting where children make up their own stories as they move the four stand-up play characters from room to room. Cleverly designed with pop up-furniture and flaps that open doors, windows, and cupboards—no detail has been forgotten. You’ll need to tie the ribbon that holds Koala’s cottage open and help put the stands

(Lego $49.99) Our tester likes using his Lego builds for dramatic play and with this 3-in-1 kit, he has lots of choices. He can construct three different kinds of trucks: one with suspension, or as an off-roader, or a tractor pulling vehicle. With 499 pieces, this is a fun vehicle with a “giant” 3-D Burger sign that goes on the roof, steps that fold out, a dog and two mini figures. The finished truck is 7” high, 6” long, and sure to be serving up burgers wherever fast-food i

(Lego $39.99) Our five-year old tester loved this 273-piece Mars Research Shuttle kit that he was able to build pretty much by himself! Once it was done he had good fun using it for dramatic play. The Shuttle is 9 inches long with a cockpit that opens, as do the cargo doors. A good-sized Mars rover has a grappling arm, a helidrone has spinning rotor blades and a scanner and the set includes two action figures. Our tester’s favorite —an astronaut with a golden helmet. The pi

(Anne Williams Group $16.99) Our tester thought these were very cute, although she found removing the double sided tape used to secure the pompoms to the animals' bellies a little difficult. So, for beginning crafters, you may need to help with this step. This kit comes with a Fairy Bear, Lucky Bunny, and a Magic Deer. It also includes 3 wands, a crown, a set of wings, and a flower headband, so they can add accessories to their creations for imaginative play.The three felt pr

(Hape $21.99 ) For beginning pretend play, a small tabletop play kitchen with be just right! Designed for toddlers, the small stove comes with a pot with a lid, a frying pan, a spoon and one spatula. Little chefs will like turning the knobs of the stove to make them click. Kids begin their dramatic play with familiar activities that they see adult engage in and cooking is a basic. We know there are big kitchens with all kinds of bells and whistles. This one is compact enough

(Anne Williams Group $16.99) Here’s an update to the popular DIY Puffy Charms Kits from last year. Kids can create necklaces, 10 stretchy bracelets, and three pins. Our tester reports that matching the two halves of the charms together takes patience and fine motor skills. That said, kids can make more than 111 charms— some are clear epoxy, metallic gold, silver or blue. They are designed with foods, catchy sayings, rainbows and more. Once the charms are created, the jump rin

(Anne Williams $17.00) With scratch art, 551 stickers, doodle activities, personality quizzes and other activities, this interactive journal is going to keep your tween/teen niece, daughter, granddaughter, or neighbor, busy and happy for hours. It’s entertaining, the way magazines used to be, only this has more active doing involved. 36 pages that delve into their likes and dislikes and invites them to discover more about themselves in the process. Best of all, it requires