Best Preschool Toy Gifts for the Holidays

By Kourtney Eidam and Karen Snyder Duke
Peter Ardito
Still don't know what presents to buy your preschooler for the holidays? Check out these fun, affordable toys.
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Sing-A-Ma-Jigs

Peter Ardito

These offbeat characters won us over and delighted kids, both young and old, with their harmonized notes. 3 years+; $13 each; fisher-price.com

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2 of 15

What's in the Cat's Hat? Game

Peter Ardito

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

3 of 15

Big Wheelie Cycle

Peter Ardito

Pop long-lasting wheelies with this motorcycle -- no expertise necessary. The big buttons are great for remote-control beginners. 3 years+; $25; kidgalaxy.com

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Stormy Seas

Peter Ardito

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

5 of 15

Color Wonder Story Stampers

Peter Ardito

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

6 of 15

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

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7 of 15

Pop Goes Froggio

Peter Ardito

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

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Sesame Street Shape & Spin Elmo

Peter Ardito

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

9 of 15

Sky High Scoops

Peter Ardito

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

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10 of 15

My Take Along Puppet Theater

Peter Ardito

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

11 of 15

V.Reader

Peter Ardito

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

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Rad Dogs

Peter Ardito

Puppy love is guaranteed when your child meets these hip, huggable hounds. 3 years+; $9-16; douglascuddletoy.com

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Smart Fortwo Coupe

Peter Ardito

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

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Laundry Jumble

Peter Ardito

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

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Backyard Barbecue Get Out 'n' Grill

Peter Ardito

Your child can cook you dinner tonight with this portable grill that comes with play hamburgers and hot dogs. 3 years+; $40; littletikes.com

Copyright &copy 2010 Meredith Corporation.

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