Best Toys of 2008: Babies & Toddlers
Our staff tested hundreds of toys to find the ones we know your kids will love. Check out our baby and toddler toy picks for the hottest gifts. You can just shop, wrap, and relax.
By Kourtney Eidam and Selin Kucuk from Parents Magazine
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Alexandra Grablewski
Babies: Monkey's Jungle Retreat Activity Gym
Unlike many playmats, this one has lots of warm, modern colors -- and it's easy to put up and take down. Plus, your baby will get in some extra tummy time with the mirror and music-box toy.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Learn with Me! ABC 123 Ball
Unzip this ball for tons of fun. The buttons, ties, and pockets on the inside help babies with their fine motor skills.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: 'Round the Farm
Babies will get a kick out of squeezing the ears on each animal face to hear "oink," "ribbit," and more barnyard sounds.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Stacking Ball Colori
This clever soft toy is a ball and stacker all rolled into one.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Activigator
A great first travel toy, this adorable plush alligator has teether feet, activity rings, and a link that can attach to a stroller or a diaper bag.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Architecture ABC
The best part about these colorful blocks? They're soft so you can let your little one toss or chew on them without any concerns.
Parents, 6 months+, $20.What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Sweet Island Dreams Mobile
Soothe your child to sleep with a mix of classical music and nature sounds. Bonus: The music box detaches so you can use it at bedtime for years to come.
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Bryan McCay
Babies: Busy Ball Choo Choo
Babies are fascinated by this moving train, especially when the plastic balls pop out the top and circle back down.
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Michael Kraus
Babies: Amazing Animals: Spinnin' Around Musical Zoo
What a cool first playset! It comes with animals that roll, twirl, make sounds, and are chunky enough for little hands.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Fold-Away Playground
When your active toddler is done shooting hoops, kicking goals, and taking rides down the slide, just fold the playground up for easy storage.
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Alexandra Grablewski
Toddlers: Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse
Fun inside and out, this pint-size dome has ball sorters, color-coded keys, spinning beads, and loads more activities.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Sesame Street Building Sets
Bring your child's favorite characters to life with big, bulky blocks that are easy to snap together. She'll love building Bert and Ernie, Super Grover, and Elmo.
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Alexandra Grablewski
Toddlers: Pop Tunes Big Rockers Guitar
These cool instruments let your little rock star jam to songs that won't make you crazy, like "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks.
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Bryan McCay
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Michael Kraus
Toddlers: Pop Tunes Big Rockers Keyboard
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Round Hounds
The perfect pet for toddlers, this low-maintenance pup goes into hyper-drive to "fetch" a ball or slipper.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Activity Princess Castle
Each cute character rattles or squeaks in this plush playset, and they close up neatly in the tiny castle tote.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Grow 'N Go Bike
A mini bicycle that adjusts as your child gets bigger also has sturdy training wheels and sits low to the ground for extra safety.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: '50s Diner
It's got a kitchen on one side and a booth for customers on the other. Neat features include an "Order up!" bell, a working jukebox, and plenty of faux food.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Little MD Kit
Teach your kid all about compassion with this terrific kit: He can "heal" his sick teddy with play medical instruments. And a portion of the proceeds goes to the global charity CARE.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Pull & Learn Carrier
Vroom! Vroom! Your kid can tow cars and learn colors, numbers, and animals from the truck.
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Bryan McCay
Toddlers: Mini Sweeper
The rubberwood truck has a little brush attached to the front to look like the real thing. Eco extra: It even comes in recycled packaging.
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Bryan McCay
Wooden Stacker
Top off the seven colorful, nontoxic rings with one of four heads (a robot, bear, princess, or toy soldier) to add another layer of fun.
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Bryan McCay
Pull-Along Zebra
It's made from recycled materials -- and we dig the simple design.
Originally published in the November 2008 issue of Parents magazine.What do you think of this story? Give your opinion!
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Bryan McCay
More Great Toys
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Courtesy of Hasbro
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