Radio Flyer Classic Wood Rocking Horse $79.00

This is a classic toy no child should be without! The wood rocking horse has natural solid wood construction with a smooth finish, soft molded saddle and a wide rocker base for safety and stability. Add to the decor of your home with this collectible, inspire your kids imagination and pass it down for generations to come.

Features:

* Classic Children’s Toy
* Natural solid wood construction with smooth finish
* Wide rocker base for safety and stability
* Soft molded saddle
* Sure grip handles
* Awards: National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winner

Kidkraft Henry the Horse Rocker $49.99

Henry the Horse will make your little cowboy feel like he’s the real deal, herding cattle and chasing down train robbers in the Old West. He can even practice hoisting himself up onto Henry, using the stirrups hanging from either side of the saddle. Combine that with the exciting movements and sounds coming from Henry and playtime is more fun than ever!

Pottery Barn Nursery Horse Rocker $99.00

Sized for the littlest riders, this rocking horse is covered with the softest chamois fleece. The runners are made of solid wood for a smooth, secure and gentle rocking motion. Wood handles provide a steady place to grip.

Alex Toys 3-in-1 Music Island $21.07

Music in the tub, how fun! This colorful toy features three real instruments for bath time, all built into the fish-shaped floating island with carry handle. Includes drum, xylophone and octopus jingle shaker; plus two mallets, music sheets and music holder.

Leap Frog Learn & Groove Musical Table $39.99

A favorite among moms and kids alike, the award-winning Learn & Groove Musical Table engages and entertains with more than 40 songs, sparkling lights and lots to spin, slide, push, pull, open and close.

In learning mode, babies and toddlers will feel like maestros, as what they tap or push elicits letters, numbers from 1 to 10, colors and opposites - in either English or Spanish. Flip the page to music mode and your little one can move and groove to more than 40 songs and melodies, including nursery rhymes, real instrument sounds and upbeat dance tunes. Babies can begin learning and exploring on the floor and then graduate to standing play. Detachable legs allow for easy travel and storage.

Plan Toys Fish Castanet $2.80

You don’t need to spend a fortune to give your baby a musical experience! These would make great stocking stuffers! Beautiful clapping sound can be produced by this cute Fish Castanet. Available in Red, Green or Blue.

Shop for more fun and affordable musical toys.

Fisher-Price Interactive Baby Grand Piano $44.50

Little ones can rock out with their very own Baby Grand Piano! This pint-sized piano teaches numbers and colors, as well as exposes them to musical concepts like tempo, pitch and style. Baby is encouraged to play and learn with the eight light-up keys and four activities with four songs led by a dancing character and “magic” music book. Features three modes: Learning, Musical Fun and Imagination.

Leap Frog ClickStart My First Computer $39.99

Turn your TV into a learning PC with Leap Frog’s ClickStart My First Computer. With a child-friendly wireless keyboard, console and mouse that converts for right or left-handed use, your little one will dive headfirst into the digital world. The doggy-designed keyboard has the same QWERTY key positioning as a standard version to advance their typing skills, while the mouse will teach proper screen navigation.

Four included games provide essential skills for school and beyond. Along with computer navigation, your child will be taught letters, numbers, phonics, matching, vocabulary, word building, animal facts and more! There’s so much to learn and do inside this safe computing environment.

Learning Resources Attribute Lacing Buttons $14.99

String-along fun! Easy for little hands to manipulate, this 48-piece set includes large plastic buttons in four colors, three shapes, two sizes and two hole styles. Four 36″ laces and Activity Guide “lace up” a good time! Stringing the easily grasped buttons promotes eye-hand coordination, fine motor, cognitive and visual perception skills. This one is best for kids over 3 years old as the buttons could cause choking.

Vtech Baby’s Learning Laptop $17.99

If I had just seen this one online, I probably wouldn’t have been interested in it but my daughter was given this as a gift when she was about 6-months-old. She STILL loves it and she’s almost two! Three modes of play teach shapes, common objects, feelings and music. Light-up screen interacts with colorful keyboard and moveable mouse sized for little hands.

Leap Frog Brightlings Builders $9.97

Leap Frog Brightlings Builders hold fun surprises that encourage exploration! Nine pieces fit together in different ways, motivating babies to create endless combinations. Different shapes and sizes develop spatial awareness. Colors, textures and sounds stimulate all the senses.

Shop for more affordable learning toys at Smarter.com.

Discovery Kids Glow Star Globe  $34.99

The Star Globe has two great functions in one:  a planet Earth globe and a glowing star map.  It has all of the regulation markings on the Earth globe and all of the major stars and constellations.  Not only is is educational, it’s really cool and decorative and since it illuminates a whole room, it’s a great night light too!

StarScope Telescope $125.55

The StarScope is just like having a real astronomer by your side as you observe the night sky!  An advanced-design telescope with unique computer software to help you experience the night sky like never before!  Install the software on your computer to get coordinates.  Set your telescope with these coordinates to target planets, stars and constellations.  No more frustration over whether you are pointed at a star, a planet, or even a street lamp with this high-quality, high-tech telescope.  Load the included software onto a computer and it provides young stargazers coordinates to find the star field, planet, or solar system they want to investigate.  It features 38X and 103X magnification.

Thames & Kosmos Wind Power $39.99

Build a working wind turbine to harness power out of thin air.  Wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today.  Wind energy has been used for centuries to pump water and crush grain in windmills, and is now increasingly being used to generate electricity to power our modern world.  Kids can conduct more than 20 experiments with the wind turbine, including experiments with different numbers of rotor blades, different blade angles and profiles, different wind speeds, different gear ratios, and so on.  Use the wind turbine to generate mechanical power to lift a heavy weight, or generate electricity to light up an LED and charge a rechargeable battery.

With these toys, your children will soon be off the couch and out exploring instead!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more science and nature toys.
Discounts on learning toys.

Most parents and educators agree that activities should not be split by gender.  Boys should have as much of an opportunity as girls to play house, care for dolls, or use toy mops and brooms.  In these modern times, many men share the parenting and household duties equally with women.  Additionally, it’s just as important for boys to learn how to be gentle and loving as it is for girls to be involved in sports and other traditionally “boy” activities.  The best thing you can do is offer an array of toys to all of your children and let them choose what they want to play with.

Here are my top 5 favorite dolls:

Paul Drink-and-Wet $38.37

Meet Paul.  He’s got cute chubby cheeks, an adorable smile, and he’s anatomically correct.  He drinks from his own bottle, and when his tummy is full you squeeze him and he goes potty!  What a great way to introduce potty training to a little boy!  Paul would also be a great addition to a girl’s doll collection and would be a great jumping off point for talking about the differences between boys and girls.

Abby and Lucy Baby Dolls $39.00

Pottery Barn’s Abby and Lucy dolls are 15 inches tall and made of super soft cotton jersey.  Hey have friendly little faces and blushing cheeks and are perfect for hugging and snuggling.  They are simple in design so little boys can play with them and not feel silly.

15” Baby Doll $24.99

The lovable doll has a huggable soft body.  She giggles and hums “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.  She would make a great lovey for any boy or girl to sleep with at night.

Corolle Babipouce Christening Doll $21.39

This was my daughter’s first doll.  At only 12”, this doll is great for babies.  The all white outfit is unisex and made of velour so it‘s super soft to the touch.  The doll’s body is totally soft, only the face and hands are plastic.  A perfect first doll!

Baby Alive Better Now Baby $19.99

Another peeing doll?  Yes!  But, that’s not all!  She also takes “medicine” and other medical supplies such as a nasal aspirator to teach young children how to care for others.  Kids will love making her “all better”.  Baby Alive also comes in several different ethnicities.  A great way to introduce children to different cultures is with dolls, and Baby Alive is a great doll to start with.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more baby dolls.

KidKraft Large Play Kitchen: $114.99

Oh, how I love this!  Why can’t I have a pink refrigerator for my real grown up kitchen?!  I love that it’s solidly built from wood and big enough for a few kids to play with at once.  Check out the pretend ice dispenser!

Melissa and Doug Deluxe Kitchen Play Center $224.89

Melissa and Doug are known for making toys that are extremely high quality and educational, and this is no exception.  I love how this kitchen looks so realistic down to the “magnets” on the fridge and the colorful “tile”.

Guidecraft Sunflower Play Kitchen $119.99

This one is smaller, but it’s plenty big for fun.  The sink is removable and holds water so kids can get a first taste of dish washing.

For Here or To Go Kitchen-Land of Nod: $35.00

This stovetop is great for travel or vacations at grandma’s house but what I really like about it is that it can be used on a counter or kitchen table so your child can cook along with you, and the it can be folded down and moved!  Very clever, and a bargain!

Guidecraft Play Natural Kitchen Center $184.80

I like this kitchen because it’s two sided so kids can play on either side and not run into each other.  The natural wood look is something you usually have to pay a lot more for too.

You may have noticed that I haven’t chosen anything plastic, and that’s because my personal preference is for wood.  I do want to share this one though, because I think it’s really unique and you get a LOT for the money:

Little Tikes Sizzle & Serve Kitchen: $169.99

It features a grill, a pot rack and an ice dispender that actually dispenses (plastic) ice!  It also can be configured in two different ways to fit your space.  Cool!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more toy kitchens.

Crayola 3D Giant Chalk Set: $11.99

This is the must have chalk set for kids this year.  Every kid I know wants this!  The chalk set comes special chalk and 3-D glasses.  When worn, the glasses make the sidewalk designs pop out in 3-D.  Very cool.  Plus, it all washes off with water.

Banzai Wiggling Water Sprinkler: $14.99

Fun for all ages!  The sprinkler has an extra long hose and 15 wiggly sprayers.  Water your lawn and entertain your kids at the same time!

Little Tikes Auto Pitch Batting Trainer: $24.98

For beginners this is a standard easy T-ball set.  It can change into an automatic pitch-up machine or kids whose skills are a little more developed.  Push the foot switch to release five time-delayed balls.  It plays a sound to tell your child the ball is coming.  Great for developing muscle coordination and motor skills and so fun too!

Wham-O Slip‘N Slide Double Wave Rider: $19.00

The Double Wave Rider lets two kids slide at once.  Perfect for hot summer days.  Kids can race each other or take it slow and enjoy the cool water.  The slide is huge: 16 feet long!  It is sure to bring lots of laughs!

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set: $22.84

This one is for the little people!  Toddlers love this basketball set.  You can keep it indoors too!  It’s great for developing motor skills.

Intex Sun Shade Pool: $19.99

This pool keeps baby shaded.  Made for babies, but big enough for pre-school aged children too.  The extra wide walls make it more comfortable.  So fun for baby, and mighty nice for mama too:  put your feet in, and sit back with some cold lemonade while baby splashes away!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more affordable outdoor toys.
Discounts on sports toys.

YouTube - Watch Link

If you have a toddler or preschool aged child, you’ve probably found yourself scanning the web for Yo Gabba Toys.  They haven’t been around long, but the product line is expanding.  Here are my top picks!

Yo Gabba Gabba Grooves Guitar: $15.99 - The guitar plays several Yo Gabba Gabba songs.  Toddlers love to push the buttons and dance. It is a favorite at our house!

Yo Gabba Gabba DJ Lance Magic Dance Hat & Glasses: $24.99 - DJ Lance defines cool for the under 4 crowd.  He’s a wicked dancer and best of all, he seems like the nicest guy ever.  You just want to hug him!  Kids will be beyond thrilled to get to dress like him.

Yo Gabba Gabba Play Tent: $23.99 - Children can put on their own shows and have all kinds of fun hiding inside.  If you’re lucky, they may even nap inside!

Yo Gabba Gabba Dance Time Dancing Brobee: $21.99 - The first time my daughter saw this, she fell onto the floor she was laughing so hard.  It’s goofy and loud, just the kind of thing little kids love.

Looking to redecorate your toddler’s room?  This Yo Gabba Gabba bedding set ($69.95) is super cute and would work for a boy or a girl. It’s specifically made to fit a toddler bed and is affordable.

I hope this list has helped all of the Yo Gabba families out there—and if you are new to Yo Gabba Gabba just wait—soon you’ll be singing along with your kids to all of the songs!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Yo Gabba Gabba toys.

What is your budget?

A basic no frills wagon can be found for around fifty bucks.  A top of the line version with all the bells and whistles can run you upwards of $200.  How long will the wagon be in your family?  If your family is young and you plan on having more children, you may want to invest more in a wagon that will last as long as your family uses it.  On the other hand, if your children are older and will only be able to ride for a couple of years, you may want to steer clear of all of the pricey features and add-ons.  Most wagon manufacturers recommend children aged 18 months - 4 years old be allowed to ride in a wagon.  Having a good idea of how long you will actually use the wagon can help you narrow down the best deal for your family.

Metal or Plastic?

The classic red metal Radio Flyer wagon has a cool retro look to it but the short sides can make riding around with babies and young toddlers a little nerve wracking.  Radio Flyer has addressed this problem with a variation on the classic by offering a model with 50% higher sides.  As an added bonus they have also made the handle longer so us taller folks don’t have to break our backs dragging the kids all over the ‘hood.

Radio Flyer Big Red Classic All Terrain Wagon: $142.94

If you prefer metal, you should be cautious about storing the wagon in the direct sunlight–nobody wants a burned tush!  Also, most metal wagons are not contoured for little bodies and may not be as comfortable as the plastic versions.

Plastic is a very popular choice.  The smooth rounded corners are easier on the kids when they are getting in and out.  Many models, like this one from Step 2, include a side door.  A plastic wagon can be hard to repair and if left out in the sun, you can expect some fading.

Step2: Wagon for Two Plus - Willow Green: $52.32

What are your must have features?

Think about when you and the kids hop in the car and run to the store.  What do you take with you?  Chances are, you’ll be loading up your wagon with the same stuff.  Does Junior need a drink and a snack and his favorite book?  Do you frequently babysit the neighbor kid?  Does your daughter refuse to leave home without 12 of her very favorite stuffed animals?

Many wagons now include at least one cup holder.  Step 2 offers a trailer that you can add on to your wagon for more carrying capability.  Do you have little one that burns easily (like I do!)?  You may want to choose a wagon with a canopy to keep the sun’s harmful rays off of your little one’s precious skin.

Voyager Canopy Wagon:  $119.99

Finally, where do you plan on taking your wagon? 

If you’ll be sticking to the city sidewalks, the type of tires on your wagon is probably not a huge concern.  If you’re into camping and hitting the nature trails, you may want something with all terrain tires.  Wagons with real air tires provide a smoother, more quiet ride when you’re off the pavement.

With all of this information, hopefully you’re a little closer to choosing a wagon for your family that will bring many treasured memories.  Happy cruising!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more kids’ wagons.

I love anything retro.  I especially love retro style toy kitchens for kids!  They can pretend to be top chefs while making pretend dishes using its many fun features.  Toy kitchens like this one (if properly maintained) can be handed down for generations!  I’m sure you all remember having one as a kid.

KidKraft Red Retro Kitchen: $169 Now: $119.99

Also, check out this cute cooking set I found that would go nicely with this KidKraft kitchen…..

Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mini Cooking Set: $24.95

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more toy kitchens.
Discounts on KidKraft toys.