Gold: Toddlers

Hape Hauler Dump Truck

(Hape $28.95) Our preschool testers loved this dump truck for pretend play with blocks and trains. The yellow base is wood with a plastic working dumping back end. The set comes with a wooden road block to warn traffic of on-going construction. There is also a construction worker that's just the right size for older twos and preschoolers to grab and become part of their own action adventures with the dump truck. Marked 2 - 8. Ages: Toddlers, Preschoolers Oppenheim Toy Port

Jasey's Toy Chest Wooden Vehicles Puzzle & Play Pieces

( Jasey's Toy Chest $14.99) Our testers LOVE this puzzle that comes with 8 different wooden vehicles that are taller than the puzzle board -- making them easier to grasp. What's especially fun is that the vehicles can be used for dramatic play on their own or used in block play. There is an ambulance, a train, a plane, a police car, a bus, a firetruck, a cement truck and a boat. There is also an adorable Wooden Farm Puzzle & Play Pieces . 12 months & up. Ages: Toddlers Oppe

Jasey's Toy Chest Wooden Farm Easy-Grasp Peg Puzzle

( Jasey's Toy Chest $17.99) A beautifully crafted puzzle featuring four animals - a lamb, a chicken, a horse and a cow. The illustrations are lovely and have a storybook quality. The wooden-knobs make these easier to for younger toddlers to grasp -- making this the perfect first puzzle. Your toddler will enjoy picking up the pieces -- and will eventually have the fine motor skills to place them back. You can talk about the names and the sounds the animals make as you explo