Best Toys of the Year 2014

By Jessica Hartshorn
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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We Pick the Best Toys of 2014

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Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Best Toys That Get Kids Moving

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Best Toys That Feature Favorite Characters

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Best Games of 2014!

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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