Still don't know what presents to buy your preschooler for the holidays? Check out these fun, affordable toys.
By Kourtney Eidam and Karen Snyder Duke
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs
Sing-A-Ma-Jigs
These offbeat characters won us over and delighted kids, both young and old, with their harmonized notes. 3 years+; $13 each; fisher-price.com
What's in the Cat's Hat? Game
What's in the Cat's Hat? Game
One player hides any household object inside the hat, while the other players have to figure out what's in the hat with the help of yes-or-no cards (think 20 Questions). 3 years+; $20; icandothatgames.com
Big Wheelie Cycle
Big Wheelie Cycle
Pop long-lasting wheelies with this motorcycle -- no expertise necessary. The big buttons are great for remote-control beginners. 3 years+; $25; kidgalaxy.com
Stormy Seas
Stormy Seas
Ahoy mateys! Kids take turns balancing cargo on Stormy Seas's artfully designed moving game board. But be careful not to rock the boat, or you'll dump the pieces. 3 years+; $40; hapetoys.com
Color Wonder Story Stampers
Color Wonder Story Stampers
Crayola's ingenious mess-free-marker formula has found its next niche: stamps. These sea creature stampers only work on the special paper so you don't have to worry about ink stains on your kid's clothes or the couch. 3 years+; $12; crayolastore.com
Leapster Explorer
Leapster Explorer
Proving that video games can be fun and educational, this handheld system is a high-tech tutor that uses amusing activities and graphics to help your child with early reading, math, logic and other skills. And parents can even get an online progress report. 4-9 years; $70; leapfrog.com
Pop Goes Froggio
Pop Goes Froggio
Preschoolers spin the wheel to see which animal the arrow lands on. The first kid to find the matching critter card in the room gets to jump on the stomper and launch the frog into the sky. 4 years+; $18; hasbro.com
Sesame Street Shape & Spin Elmo
Sesame Street Shape & Spin Elmo
Everyone's favorite Sesame Street character is teaming up with Play-Doh to teach kids how to recognize different shapes and colors. Press Elmo's hands down to make a dough model and hear what he has to say about your creation. 3 years+; $20; playdoh.com
Sky High Scoops
Sky High Scoops
Our preschool toy testers got super excited trying to stack all the scoops in the order called out by this electronic game. The winner gets the cherry on top. 3 years+; $25; learningresources.com
My Take Along Puppet Theater
My Take Along Puppet Theater
Forget huge doll houses! This fold-up stage allows your kid to put on Broadway-worthy shows with a variety of back-drops and props. It also includes a sound-effects box to add music, laughter, and applause to his productions. 4 years+; $50; playmobilusa.com
V.Reader
V.Reader
If your child has her eye on your Kindle, she'll dig this sleek gadget, which lets her read interactive stories and play games on its large touch-screen display. 3-7 years; $60; vtechkids.com
Rad Dogs
Rad Dogs
Puppy love is guaranteed when your child meets these hip, huggable hounds. 3 years+; $9-16; douglascuddletoy.com
Smart Fortwo Coupe
Smart Fortwo Coupe
Get your kids to run over to the neighbor's for a cup of sugar in this eco-trendy two-seater: It's Power Wheels' longest running (and possibly coolest) car ever, thanks to its innovative battery. 3 years+; $250; fisher-price.com
Laundry Jumble
Laundry Jumble
Kids sort the clothes hidden inside the dryer with just their sense of touch. Find the most matching pieces to win. 4 years+; $30; educationalinsights.com
Backyard Barbecue Get Out 'n' Grill
Backyard Barbecue Get Out 'n' Grill
Your child can cook you dinner tonight with this portable grill that comes with play hamburgers and hot dogs. 3 years+; $40; littletikes.com
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