(Mattel $139.99) The adults in the room had mixed emotions about this latest version of the Ultimate Garage from Hot Wheels. Our preschool testers really loved it - especially pulling on the tail of the dinosaur to lift the dinosaur head to the top of the garage. Our testers also loved that there were multiple ways down the garage. But be forewarned, it's a lot! This is not the Hot Wheels Garage of your childhood. It's over the top and will not be for the more reserved playe

(Fisher-Price $46.90) Our parent testers wanted us to share that this required more assembly than prior Fisher-Price Little People builds. So if you're not handy, you may want to skip this one unless you have a friend or family member to call on. Our kid testers really enjoyed this multi-level play setting. It has two roads down the mountain (one is twisting). It comes with a Little people red vehicle, a figure, and a bear! The set also includes a snowboard, a campfire and a

(Connetix $49.99) This new 30-piece set is really cool. It comes with a rechargable light up piece. You can use the piece to light up the rocket or any build that comes to mind. Magnetic tiles are ideal open-ended play. These are pricey sets for sure, but will have lasting play value. Marked 3 & up. Ages: Preschool, Early School Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award 2026

(VTech $34.99) Let us preface this review by saying, it comes with a lot of pieces, it has a lot of buttons to push and it can make a lot of noise. That said, our preschool testers really loved it. What they particularly loved was how easy the scanner works. You just pass the object over the scanner -- and just like at Trader's Joes -- it makes a beep. The toy comes with a paper shopping bag, tons of plastic food as well as cardboard "food" you construct. There is also money

(Melissa & Doug $24.99) Our testers loved this oversized floor puzzle with 48 pieces. When completed the puzzle is 3 feet x 2 feet. The puzzle also received high marks for featuring a unicorn -- actually two unicorns in a woodland setting with a castle and rainbow in the background. The glow-in-the-dark pieces added to the fun. Marked 3 & up but will be even more enjoyed by the 4 and up crowd. Working on a puzzle together is a great way to build your child's ability to prob

(Playmobil $129.99) We are delighted that Playmobil brought back their classic Castle build. These sets are ideal for parent-child play opportunities. They call for parental involvement for the building and then your child has an amazing pretend setting for spinning their own stories of castle intrigue. The castle comes with lots of great features including a working drawbridge, hidden passages, a trap door, etc. Comes with 3 knights to get you started. This would be an a

(Mindware $24.95) Here's a fun and fast-paced game that our preschooler testers love to play. The game comes with five plungers which adds a new dimension to this match game. Set out one set of cards on the table face up so everyone can see them images on the cards. As each player takes a turn flipping a card over from the draw pile -- the race is on to find the match. The first to plung and claim the match, wins the pair. Ages: Preschool, Early School Oppenheim Toy Portfo

(LEGO DUPLO $19.97) Toddlers will enjoy this small DUPLO building set that's focused on vehicles! Our tester loved that there were different colored bases to work with -- yellow, red and green. There's also a helicopter in the mix. This 42 piece set is a great place to start with older toddlers who are ready to build and then enjoy playing with their creations. At first, you'll model how to put the pieces together and don't worry so much about matching the picture on the box.

(Red Toolbox $26.99) Our testers couldn't wait to play with this three truck set that includes a cement mixer, a dump truck and a tow truck. For younger preschoolers, this set is perfect for pretend play. The twist here is that the set also comes with a small screwdriver for taking the trucks apart. At first this will be a parent-child activity but will quickly be something that your child can do and enjoy on their own. Marked 3 & up, but the taking apart and putting back to

(LEGO DUPLO $19.97) Older Bluey fans will enjoy putting together this 104 piece set that creates a mini playground setting for Bluey and Chloe (both character figs are included in the set). Our testers loved the slide and ladder that bring you down and up to the two level play area with a tic-tac-toe game. Lots of pretend opportunities here once built. Editor's Note: Many Bluey fans are younger than the age range on this box. This is intended as a first build set for 4s and u