( Tytan Toys $39.99) Our Disney and Mickey Mouse fans loved this new magnetic tile set that includes three wheeled- bases that connect like train cars. There are then an assortment of magnetic tiles to build your train with -- including squares, rectangles and triangles. The set also comes with stockers for added decoration. 38 pieces in all plus three sheets of stickers. These tiles are compatible with other magnetic tile sets. Our testers also loved this company's Micke

(Basic Fun $34.99) Your classic TONKA Dump Truck that's ready to load, haul and dump your cargo with it's lifting bed. The bed is still made of steel while the other parts of the truck are made of plastic. The "Next Gen" aspect of this truck comes from the bolder more modern design of the front cab. The Dump Truck is a great choice for the sandbox and backyard pretend play. 3 & up. Ages: Preschool Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2025

( Play Monster $16 & up) It's a big year for this classic gear drawing toy. To celebrate the 60th anniversary, you'll find many...

( Luki Lab $29.99) Pure fun! Our parents liked how easy it was to set up the play area with plastic pieces that click together to form a circle. The plastic tree is filled with all the nuts. On your turn, you press down the top of the tree which release many nuts and this is where the fun begins. Each player has a chimpunk on a stick -- the idea is to capture as many nuts as possible. At the end of all of the rounds, the chipmunk with the most nuts wins. The rounds are fast

( Peaceable Kingdom $19.95) Finding first games for older toddlers can be challenging which is why we were so delighted to try Patch's Pockets. It is just on the target for young players learning about taking turns. We suggest that you play this cooperatively to start. The box holds the carrot patch. Players take turns pulling the carrots (they have different colors) and matching them to the oversized Bunnies that have a pocket on their overalls. The pockets are also one of

( Foros $39.99) One of our favorite new board games of the year! Foros is a beautifully crafted board game. Think tic-tac-toe mashed up with Connect Four. The game play is to get four pieces in a row. You can play with two players or in teams. The game pieces are well finished (there are natural wood cubes and dark wood cylinders. Our testers found the more they played, the more they learned about strategies for moves. The game is marked 6 & up and can be played at this a

( Mindware $21.95) Here's an interesting add-on for playing with Magna-Tiles. While box shows magnetic tiles, you must provide your own - none are included in the set. The forms attach to the tiles with two different illustrated roads to use on your tiles. Now for some, this will take away from the open-ended, abstract play that magnetic tiles encourage. For others, the more detailed and realistic "road" will be appealing - it becomes more of a puzzle to have the roadway c

( Luki Labs $ 10.99 each) One of our favorite toys of the season. To make it work, you flatten the car and insert it in to the slim plastic launcher "card". Once loaded- you push the button and the car comes speeding out! Would be fun to have two so you can races. It's important to use the toy on a flat surface. The cars come in a variety of models and colors. 5 & up. They also have Pets 2 Love which are cats and dogs that work the same way. Ages: Preschool, Early School Y

( Mag na-Tiles $69.95) A wow-wee set of Magna-Tiles that our testers loved because of the different variety of pieces. The tall triangles, the balconies, the tall door - were all fun to build. This is a 48 piece set that also includes a dragon (another plus with our testers). We still think if you're just starting out with Magna-Tiles an open-ended set is a great idea. We also recommend the Magna-Tiles DLX Classic Set ($119). Ages: Preschool, Early School Years Oppenheim

(Mindware $26.95) Here's a fun craft project that includes everything you need to make this butterfly wooden stool. The set comes with two paint brushes, a rainbow of colors and glue (for securing the wooden legs). The image of butterfly is pre-printed on the top which will give kids a guide. There is a paint guide full of info about color mixing. Remind your child that they don't have to do what's on the box (most likely done by a professional adult artist). We were very im