(LEGO $28.99) Many Duplo sets are packaged with one project to build. That can be fun, but for beginners, we prefer a more open-ended set...

(Fisher-Price $22.99) For toddlers, who generally love big trucks, this Mega Bloks Race Rig is sure to be a winning choice. The truck...

(Fisher-Price $39.99) A classic miniature setting for beginning pretend play. The house opens for play time and then packs away easily...

(Fisher-Price $21.99) For toddlers and preschoolers this bag of 80 colorful pegged blocks is a basic. Toddlers will need some learning...

(VTech $7.99 each or $21.99 set of three) Push the window on these little vehicles and they light up and activate music and sounds and...

(Mudpuppy $12.99) This is like a knowing-and-naming book on a ring. Instead of binding the single images into a board book, these...

(Hape $39.99) Ideal for apartments that might not have room for a full toy kitchen or for Grandparents with visiting grandchildren. This...

(Phaidon$14.99) With fold out pages, this playful cardboard book has fold out pages. It starts with a conventional image and label, as in...

(Hape $14.98) It's easy to carry the three nested pails and two scoops since they all fit together as one under the handle. Each of the...

(Mindware $12.95) A classic set of nesting blocks with handsome graphics will have long term play value as children go from knocking down...