As a mom and an educational consultant, I believe in the power of play. A few carefully chosen toys can boost creativity and problem solving–here are a few of our top picks this year. With the best educational toys, your children will not even realize how much they are learning!

This is one of my favorite categories of toy. My mom recently brought out an old pull toy of mine and it is a classic that just keeps on giving. Push and pull toys delight babies, amuse toddlers, and occupy preschoolers. Some, like the sophisticated and clever mix-and-match Automoblox, are collectibles suited for older children, teens, and even adults.

The selections from our Hottest Holiday Toys Awards are engaging, interactive, and made from high-quality and often eco-friendly materials.

Kids love tracing. My daughter will set there filling page after page, tracing numbers and letters. In an attempt to save a few trees, I got her a dry-erase book for copying her letters and numbers. Which works pretty well until she forgets to clean it or the pen dries out or her baby brother gets ahold of the marker and tries to eat it.

Even better? The LeapFrog Scribble & Write…

Zambi the Baby Elephant (Furreal Friends) is a charmer. He giggles and will even give you a kiss. But Zambi has a serious side–50% of the net profits go to benefit orphans of the AIDS epidemic in Africa as part of Project Zambi…

Next up on our 12 Days of Giveaways is another Hottest Holiday Toys Award-Winner. I fell in love with Harumika when I received it for review in July.

And when I say “fell in love with” I mean that I actually play “Project Runway” with it at night when my daughter is sleeping…

Kitchens are a classic toy for toddlers up through young school aged children. Just like the adults, children at a play date congregate around the kitchen. With the Step2 Fresh Market Kitchen (Step2.com – $200), there is room for several children to play side-by-side or engage in imaginative games of grocery shopping and cooking with friends…

The name “Radio Flyer” evokes memories of flying down the driveaway on my tricycle and, of course, hauling freshly picked apples in a classic red wagon. A beautiful thing about parenthood is the opportunity to relive those memories with my children.

Just in time for apple-picking season, Radio Flyer sent me their Ultimate Comfort Wagon, a fresh take on a classic toy…

y little one just turned three and we’re still trying to hold the line on the birthday party escalation. Since she has a some friends, now, we had a few girls over for ice cream cake and crafts.

My daughter loves crafting and the party pack of small Calafant Toys cardboard toys from Creative Toy Shop was the perfect party activity and take-home toy favor…

Whether your child is eagerly or anxiously anticipating the first day of school, doll play is a perfect way to work through these emotions.
My daughter adores her collection of dolls, caring for each as if it were a real baby. Now that she is a preschooler, Corolle sent her Annabelle (re-Christened “Calliope” by my daughter), the latest addition to the Miss Corolle collection. Miss Corolle dolls are perfect pals for preschoolers, kindergartners, and school aged children.
Like many preschoolers, my daughter is learning self-care and hygiene. She already …