Best Toys of 2012
Our gift to you this holiday season is a stress-free shopping guide for the hottest playthings of the year. They topped our kid testers' wish lists!
By Kourtney Eidam with Sarah Rammos and Brooke Bunce from Parents Magazine
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Bryan McCay
Rocktivity Sit to Stand Music Skool
Playskool goes new-school with this modern-music activity table that has a DJ section and attachable legs. 6 to 36 months, $45; playskool.com
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Bryan McCay
Monkey in the Mirror
This cute chimp from Lamaze can hang by its tail on your child's crib, or you can fold it into a triangle so she can see her reflection during tummy time. 0 months+, $25; tomy.com
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Bryan McCay
MiYim Finger Puppets
Five friends for the price of one! These organic cotton cuties are great for putting on a show—or letting your teething baby chew on their adorable ears. 0 months+, $15; diapers.com
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Bryan McCay
Koala Ring Rattle
Crocheted from soft bamboo threads, this handmade rattle is perfect for little hands. 0 months +, $15; dandelionforbaby.com
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Bryan McCay
Having a Ball Roll and Pop Fire Truck
Encourage your child to crawl with this BrightStarts vehicle that shoots out balls for him to chase. Put it in Park so he can push the buttons and work on his ABCs. 3 months+, $20; toysrus.com
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Bryan McCay
Spin 'N Saucer
Kids will have a blast on this UFO-shaped ride-on with 360-degree wheels that roll in every direction. 18 months+, $30; radioflyer.com
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Bryan McCay
B. Woofer Guitar
Your tot rocker will get a kick out of jamming on this unique instrument. Not only does it play acoustic and electric, but it also howls when strummed! 2 years+, $24; target.com
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Bryan McCay
Wobble-Along Elephant
Your budding walker can get in extra practice with the help of this sweet plush pet from the Parents toy line. 12 months+, $22; manhattantoy.com
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Bryan McCay
Wonder Glow Blocks
Classic wooden blocks just got a lot cooler, thanks to this high-quality glow-in-the-dark set. 2 years+, $23; wonderworldtoys.com
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Bryan McCay
Puzzle Stacker: Square
Add another level of play to this well-crafted stacking toy: Its pieces fit together in a variety of ways. 12 months+, $30; pkolino.com
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Bryan McCay
Play House
Your kid will dig out the cloth "wall" of this dollhouse lets down to make a garden playmat. You'll love the compact size of this three-story dream home. 3 years+, $80; plantoysusa.com
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Bryan McCay
Chuck and Friends Diggin' Rigs Buster the Power Crane
The talking crane assists your kid with sculpting bricks, road signs, and traffic cones in this Play-Doh set. 3 years+, $22; playdoh.com
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Bryan McCay
All Around Easel for Two
With a chalkboard on one side and a magnetized dry-erase board on the other, your artist will have twice the fun. Bonus: 94 letter and symbol magnets. 3 years+, $40; step2.com
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Bryan McCay
Magic Moves Electronic Wand
Pump up your kid's playdate with this wand that gives silly suggestions to act out, such as "Stomp like an elephant!" 3 years+, $20; educationalinsights.com
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Bryan McCay
YBike Explorer
Pedal across pavement, grass and other terrains in this go-kart. Steering is easy once your kid gets the hang og the right and left handlebars. 5 years+, $190; fatbraintoys.com
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Bryan McCay
Race Through Space
Morph family game night into a galactic challenge. After each round of play, the bottom of the board is moved to the top to shake up your strategy. 6 years+, $20; ravensburger.com
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Bryan McCay
Marker Airbrush
Even kids who don't usually like coloring or drawing will want to give this awesome hand-powered sprayer a try. It lets you make funky designs on paper or clothing. 6 years+, $25; crayolastore.com
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Bryan McCay
K'Nex Angry Birds
Little fans of the app can build scenes to knock down in the real world with bird launchers. 5 years+, $12 and up; knex.com
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Bryan McCay
All Duct Out
Duct tape is all the rage, and this trendy set gives your fashionista enough multicolored tape and patterns to make a whole wardrobe of stylish purses and accessories. 7 years+, $28; alextoys.com
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Bryan McCay
OgoDisk RAQ
Take a game of catch to the next level with this wacky set. Your kids pass the ball back and forth using handheld trampolines. Add "tails" to the holes in the ball to make it more unpredictable. 7 years+, $38; ogosport.com
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Bryan McCay
Suspend
Surprisingly addictive, this balance game requires a steady hand. Hang all the wires form your pile first to win. Psst! It's not as easy as it seems. 8 years+, $17; melissaanddoug.com
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Bryan McCay
Colorfall
Dominoes are making a comeback this year. Follow the instruction cards to set them up; then knock them over to see Lady Liberty, a rainbow, and much more. 8 years+, $45; marblesthebrainstore.com
Originally published in the November 2012 issue of Parents magazine.
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