( 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

( Melissa & Doug $144.63) A wow-wee kind of gift for preschoolers that love to pretend to cook like their folks. There's a lot to do here with both a pretend grill and a pizza oven that's a combination of wood with plastic features. The set comes with lots of pretend food including wooden shrimps, fish and meat (with one side raw and the other side cooked). And of course there's a wooden pizza pie that you can add topping to as well. Our testers loved that the dials made a

( Super Smalls $32) Hands down the jazziest swim goggles we have ever seen. Everyone wanted a pair (including all of the adults). They...

( Hasbro $19.99) If you have a Peppa Pig fan in your house, you'll want to take a look at this adorable set that includes the family's red car, Peppa, the new baby, a car seat and suitcase that has pictures of baby bottles inside. It' s marked 3 & up because the the baby is small. Our tester loved that the front hood and trunk opened. You can also buy the full family of five separately ($12.99). Ages: Preschool Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2025

( Pottery Barn $159) A wow wee kind of sprinkler for summer fun. It takes a while to fill the dino with air -- so you may want to do it...

( Creativity for Kids $11.99 each) Our testers flipped over this cute kit that comes with two butterfly claw clips and four barrettes that are full of glitter (does it get any better than that?). There are also rhinestones, adhesive charms and the words imagine and dream to add to all. Ages: Marked 6 and up. Ages: Early School Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2025 Shop this product on Amazon