Parents Magazine Best Toys of the Year

We tested new toys with kids (they're so picky!) and parents (even pickier!) to find the ones we're sure are winners. (You're welcome!) Find this year's best toys for every age, starting with baby and ending with big kids! We've got 58 winners in all, so we know you'll find ones just right for the special children on your list.

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3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant

Jeffrey Westbrook

Your baby will have a ball springing up and down on the seat of the Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant, or toddling behind it when she's a newly upright citizen. The big ears crinkle, and the toy can play a bunch of songs and phrases to keep her attention. 9 months+, $45

Buy the 3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant

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Forest Friends Shape Sorter

Jeffrey Westbrook

Three textured friends are fun to pop in and out of this smiling Earlyears Forest Friends Shape Sorter. One of our baby testers found them oh-so-squeezable! 9 months+, $25

Buy the Forest Friends Shape Sorter

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Sit & Play Activity Seat

Jeffrey Westbrook

It's easy to inflate the colorful Mamas and Papas Sit & Play Activity seat for your little one's enjoyment, then deflate the insert so you can store it away. 6 months+, $40

Buy the Sit & Play Activity Seat

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Skwish Stix

Jeffrey Westbrook

Colorful, intriguing Manhattan Toy Skwish Stix sticks to your high chair or floor-seat tray for virtually drop-proof fun. 6 months+, $24

Buy the Skwish Stix

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Twilight Buddies Fox

Jeffrey Westbrook

Twilight Buddies Fox, from CloudB, is a cuddly friend by day and projects soothing stars on the ceiling at bedtime. "It's great to use at night, and easy to take to Grandma's," says Dawn Savas, mom of Kira, 1. Birth+, $30

Buy the Twilight Buddies Fox

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Explore & More Roll Around Rattle

Jeffrey Westbrook

Even little fingers can easily grasp the Explore & More Roll Around Rattle, from Skip-Hop. 3 months+, $8

Buy the Explore & More Roll Around Rattle

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Nutty Ball Track

Jeffrey Westbrook

So lovely! Roll acorns down Janod's wooden Nutty Ball Track and bells chime. 12 months+, $45

Buy the Nutty Ball Track

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Nursery Trampoline

Jeffrey Westbrook

Galt's Nursery Trampoline is a hoppin' good time. It's low to the ground, plus nice and stable; just have your toddler hold on while he hops! 12 months+, $65

Buy the Nursery Trampoline

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Lego Duplo's Creative Picnic

Jeffrey Westbrook

Build toy food with your toddler using Lego Duplo's Creative Picnic, then use your creations for some imagination games. 18 months+, $25

Buy the Lego Duplo's Creative Picnic

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Sesame Street Let's Imagine Elmo

Jeffrey Westbrook

Switch out his hat and Playskool's Sesame Street Let's Imagine Elmo starts a new game. He counts, sings, giggles, and as always, responds to hugs! 2 years+, $40

Buy the Sesame Street Let's Imagine Elmo

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Wooden Block Castle

Jeffrey Westbrook

This gorgeously decorated Wooden Block Castle is a great value from Walmart's brand called Spark. Create. Imagine. 18 months+, $13

Buy the Walmart's Wooden Block Castle

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VTech's Smart Shots Sports Center

Jeffrey Westbrook

This counts! VTech's Smart Shots Sports Center keeps score and cheers kids on. "Anything that my son is allowed to kick a ball at wins in my house!" says Erika Janes, mom of 2-year-old Wylie. 12 months+, $40

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Tree Top Adventure Table

Jeffrey Westbrook

Manhattan Toy's splurge-worthy wooden Tree Top Adventure table has four toy-covered sides. Great for two or more kids to play together! 12 months+, $100

Buy the Manhattan Toy's Tree Top Adventure Table

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Hand Sign Alphabet

Jeffrey Westbrook

Hand Sign Alphabet A-Z tiles feature letters on one side and American Sign Language pictures on the other. The wooden tiles, from Plan Toys, are made in an eco-conscious factory that strives for zero waste. 2 years+, $30

Buy the Plan Toy's Hand Sign Alphabet

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Customizable Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Engine

Jeffrey Westbrook

For the first time, you can design your own Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Engine. Pick the color, name, and number, and it will be mailed to you along with a keepsake book. 2 years+, $35

Design Your Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway My Custom Engine

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Stack & Pull Train

Jeffrey Westbrook

Twenty-one wooden blocks make up this wooden Stack & Pull Train, from Manhattan Toy. 12 months+, $30

Buy the Stack & Pull Train

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Puppy's Smart Stages Train

Jeffrey Westbrook

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy's Smart Stages Train has 50-plus phrases and songs. 6 months+, $35

Buy the Puppy's Smart Stages Train

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Wooden Pull Along Shapes Turtle

Jeffrey Westbrook

This Wooden Pull Along Shapes turtle is from Walmart's line called Spark. Create. Imagine. 18 months+, $12

Buy the Wooden Pull Along Shapes Turtle

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Barnyard Shape Sorter

Jeffrey Westbrook

The John Deere Barnyard Shape Sorter's door opens to spill all of the pieces out and start again. 18 months+, $16

Buy the Barnyard Shape Sorter

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InRoad Toys PlayTape

Jeffrey Westbrook

Such a brilliantly simple idea! Make a road or track for toy vehicles using PlayTape from InRoad Toys. We had a young tester create a highway in seconds! 3 years+, $8 to $13 per roll

Buy the InRoad Toys PlayTape

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Disney's Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet

Jeffrey Westbrook

Disney's Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet offers gentle lessons on friendship and manners. 3 years+, $15

Buy the Disney's Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet

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Barbie Build 'N Play Rooms

Jeffrey Westbrook

Form a dollhouse or a town from Mega Bloks' Barbie Build 'N Play Rooms. 4 years+, $10 each

Buy the Barbie Build 'N Play Rooms

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Snake Jumbo Stuffed Animal

Jeffrey Westbrook

A full 27 inches long: Melissa and Doug's Snake Jumbo Stuffed Animal. 3 years+, $50

Buy the Snake Jumbo Stuffed Animal

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Hasbro's FurReal Friends Get Up & GoGo My Walkin' Pup Pet

Jeffrey Westbrook

This sweetie obeys commands! Guide Hasbro's FurReal Friends Get Up & GoGo My Walkin' Pup Pet through the special leash. 4 years+, $60

Buy the Hasbro's FurReal Friends Get Up & GoGo My Walkin' Pup Pet

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Keep energetic kids active with toys that encourage them to be on the move.

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Radio Flyer Cyclone

Jeffrey Westbrook

This Radio Flyer Cyclone challenges riders to use their arms to build momentum. 3 years+, $60

Buy the Radio Flyer Cyclone

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Disney Junior Super Stretchy

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kids have to twist like a pretzel to play Disney Junior Super Stretchy, by Wonder Forge. 3 years+, $17

Buy the Disney Junior Super Stretchy

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Pancake Pile-Up! Relay Game

Jeffrey Westbrook

Moving fast with a loaded spatula wins the Pancake Pile-Up! Relay Game from Educational Insights. 4 years+, $18

Buy the Pancake Pile-Up! Relay Game

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Press Here: The Game

Jeffrey Westbrook

Press Here: The Game from Chronicle Books encourages kids to work collaboratively to build colorful patterns. 3 years+, $20

Buy the Press Here: The Game

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Our editors choose the best games for kids of all ages for this year's best toys round-up.

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PS 2014 Balance Bench

Jeffrey Westbrook

A balance beam that's sized just right! It's an exciting challenge for little feet to navigate this PS 2014 Balance Bench from IKEA. 3 years+, $50

Buy the PS 2014 Balance Bench

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Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Pet Clinic

Jeffrey Westbrook

Treating stuffed animals is seriously fun with Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile pet clinic. "I like the vet toy because it has wheels and I can take it to the park to play," says Emily, 5. 3 years+, $50

Buy the Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Pet Clinic

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Wooden Stack & Count Parking Garage

Jeffrey Westbrook

A colorful way to reinforce counting: Melissa and Doug's Wooden Stack & Count Parking Garage. 3 years+, $20

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Olaf Snow Cone Maker

Jeffrey Westbrook

Add flavoring to treats made in the Olaf Snow Cone Maker by Jakks Pacific. 4 years+, $25

Buy the Olaf Snow Cone Maker

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Snow Glow Elsa

Jeffrey Westbrook

When you raise the arm of Jakks Pacific's Snow Glow Elsa, "Let It Go" plays. Plus, it comes with Olaf! 3 years+, $35

Buy the Snow Glow Elsa

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Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Sing-Along Boombox

Jeffrey Westbrook

A toy tester fave! Belt out tunes with the Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Sing-Along Boombox by KidDesigns. We had kids singing duets with this. 3 years+, $30

Buy the Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Sing-Along Boombox

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Kids love toys that feature their favorite animated characters. See the ones that sparked imagination.

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DigiBirds

Jeffrey Westbrook

DigiBirds, by Spin Master, respond to your whistle and harmonize together. Sit them down, or wear them each on a ring! 5 years+, $30 for three

Buy the DigiBirds

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Zoomer Dino

Jeffrey Westbrook

Zoomer Dino, also by Spin Master, is cute but naughty, bumping things and burping. However, get him fast, last year's Zoomer dog sold out! 5 years+, $100

Buy the Zoomer Dino

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Mattel's Bounce-Off Game

Jeffrey Westbrook

In Bounce-Off, by Mattel, players race to copy a pattern. 7 years+, $18

Buy the Bounce-Off Game

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Sew Cool Sewing Machine

Jeffrey Westbrook

Sew Cool, by Spin Master, helps kids turn out simple crafts with a safe sewing machine (they can't touch the needle!). Extra activity packs are sold separately. 6 years+, $35

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Play-Doh DohVinci Style & Store Vanity Complete Design Kit

Jeffrey Westbrook

Dough that acts like paint! This Pliable dough is nice and forgiving, making Hasbro's Play-Doh DohVinci Style & Store Vanity Complete Design Kit fairly frustration-free. 6 years+, $20

Buy the Play-Doh DohVinci Style & Store Vanity Complete Design Kit

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VTech's Kidizoom Smartwatch

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kidizoom Smartwatch from VTech teaches time and is also a digital camera! 4 years+, $60

Buy the VTech's Kidizoom Smartwatch

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Design Masters Super Charged Sketchbook

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kids can customize cool cars using Design Masters Super Charged Sketchbook, by Wooky Entertainment. 7 years+, $10

Buy the Design Masters Super Charged Sketchbook

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Max Tow Truck

Jeffrey Westbrook

Max Tow Truck, by Jakks Pacific, can push or pull up to 200 pounds, and it says phrases as it goes. One tester sat in a ride-on toy behind this and it towed him. Fun! 6 years+, $60

Buy the Max Tow Truck

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Lego Friends Jungle Bridge Rescue Set

Jeffrey Westbrook

Makes for wild story lines! Lego Friends Jungle Bridge Rescue set comes with people, animals, and vehicles. "My friend and I built the helicopter with the people inside. It was cool," says Madelyn, 7. 7 years+, $30

Buy the Lego Friends Jungle Bridge Rescue Set

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Deluxe Roominate Kit

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kids put circuits to work when they use the Deluxe Roominate kit. It comes with all you need to make a simple room, but encourages kids to scour the house for pieces they can repurpose so they can build even more. 6 years+, $50

Buy the Deluxe Roominate Kit

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The Human Body Science Kit

Jeffrey Westbrook

Experiments get personal with The Human Body Science Kit from Thames and Kosmos, which helps kids examine their fingerprint, teaches them to build and use a stethoscope, and more. 5 years+, $40

Buy The Human Body Science Kit

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GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine

Jeffrey Westbrook

This is how animation works! Kids watch a story jump to life with GoldieBlox and the Movie Machine. 6 years+, $30

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Lego Fusion Town Master

Jeffrey Westbrook

Snap a pic of your kid's Lego Fusion Town Master creation using your tablet or smartphone, and it zaps into the game app, where it's added to your child's virtual town. The app encourages kids to keep building! 7 years+, $35

Buy the Lego Fusion Town Master

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Crayola's My Virtual Fashion Show

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kids use Crayola's My Virtual Fashion Show to first draw a design, and then snap its picture with an iPhone to see it come to life on a virtual model walking the runway. 6 years+, $40

Buy the Crayola My Virtual Fashion Show

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Deluxe Hair Chalk Salon

Jeffrey Westbrook

Wash-out glitter hair highlights? Irresistible with the Deluxe Hair Chalk Salon from Alex Toys. "I added streaks to my hair and to my little sisters' hair," says 9-year-old Lucy. 8 years+, $25

Buy the Deluxe Hair Chalk Salon

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Mini Pom-Pom Pets Kit

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kids can create Mini Pom-Pom Pets from this Klutz kit. 8 years+, $20

Buy the Mini Pom-Pom Pets Kit

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Lego's Lord Business' Evil Lair

Jeffrey Westbrook

The Lego Movie inspired this elaborate Lord Business' Evil Lair. 8 years+, $70

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Hot Wheels Street Hawk

Jeffrey Westbrook

The remote-control Hot Wheels Street Hawk both rolls and flies. 8 years+, $60

Buy the Hot Wheels Street Hawk

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Hasbro's My Monopoly Board

Jeffrey Westbrook

Your photos, downloaded and printed, are used to populate Hasbro's My Monopoly board. 8 years+, $20

Buy the Hasbro My Monopoly Board

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WowWee's MiP Robot

Jeffrey Westbrook

WowWee's MiP carries things on his tray and can be directed via app or by hand. "I love MiP. I can tell what he wants by his sounds!" says 9-year-old Joe. 8 years+, $100

Originally published in Parents magazine in November 2014.

Buy the WowWee's MiP Robot

Replay gallery

Account

Best Toys of the Year 2014

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3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant

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Forest Friends Shape Sorter

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Sit & Play Activity Seat

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Skwish Stix

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Twilight Buddies Fox

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Explore & More Roll Around Rattle

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Nutty Ball Track

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Nursery Trampoline

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Lego Duplo's Creative Picnic

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Sesame Street Let's Imagine Elmo

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Wooden Block Castle

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VTech's Smart Shots Sports Center

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Tree Top Adventure Table

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Hand Sign Alphabet

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Customizable Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Engine

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Stack & Pull Train

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Puppy's Smart Stages Train

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Wooden Pull Along Shapes Turtle

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Barnyard Shape Sorter

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InRoad Toys PlayTape

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Disney's Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet

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Barbie Build 'N Play Rooms

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Snake Jumbo Stuffed Animal

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Hasbro's FurReal Friends Get Up & GoGo My Walkin' Pup Pet

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Radio Flyer Cyclone

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Disney Junior Super Stretchy

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Pancake Pile-Up! Relay Game

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Press Here: The Game

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PS 2014 Balance Bench

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Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Pet Clinic

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Wooden Stack & Count Parking Garage

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Olaf Snow Cone Maker

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Snow Glow Elsa

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Disney Frozen Cool Tunes Sing-Along Boombox

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DigiBirds

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