activities & toys

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Baby's First Blocks

Ten bright blocks are ready for baby to drop into the open bucket or through the shape-sorting lid. Baby will love filling the bucket with blocks, dumping them out, then starting over again. Great for eye-hand coordination and other early skills. Then baby can move on to sorting and stacking and learning about identifying and matching shapes. Includes plastic shape-sorting box with take-anywhere handle and ten colorful blocks.

Hasbro Playskool Busy Ball Popper

Get ready for some poppin', droppin', air-powered fun. Drop the five colorful balls onto the track. Watch them pop out of the top, roll down, then pop out all over again. Sometimes the balls spill over for even more interactive, put-and-take play. Silly sound effects and eight upbeat tunes accompany the animated action. This toy provides one "air-mazing" experience for your little one. Measures 18" x 7" x 13". Requires 4 "D" batteries (not included).

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table

It's a learning fiesta for your little one. This interactive, bilingual activity table engages and entertains your baby for hours. There are songs, melodies, twinkling lights and real instrument sounds, plus lots of things to spin, roll, slide, open and close. The table plays over 40 songs and melodies so your baby stays entertained while exploring. When babies turn the center page, the activity table switches modes and transforms musical discoveries into learning activities where each instrument plays a learning song. The Learn and Groove Musical Table also helps your child develop the motor skills needed for learning to stand. Contoured grips make "pulling up" a piece of cake. As babies learn to stand, their little hands can stay busy with reaching, grabbing and pulling. Measures 23" x 5.5" x 15.5". Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included).

Provide a world of learning and musical fun for your child with the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table. Designed for children ages six months to three years, this innovative toy is chock full of learning and musical activities designed to provide visual and auditory stimulation and motor skill development, as well as opportunities to learn about colors, the alphabet, and opposites for older children -- and much more.

The toy is full of learning and musical activities designed to provide visual and auditory stimulation.

This plastic-molded table sits flat on the floor for babies to play at while sitting. View larger.

Grows with your Child
The sturdy, plastic-molded, brightly colored table sits flat on the floor for babies to play at while sitting. You can attach the table's legs to adjust it to accommodate toddlers' play while standing. And it offers plenty of activities at different levels of learning to keep your child entertained for these early developmental years. Your child will delight in spinning the maraca to hear a fun rendition of the ABC song; playing the colored piano keys to practice motor skills and learn about colors; moving the trombone's slide to count to 10; and sliding the cello to learn about up and down. Kids can tap on the colorful drum and learn about colors and primary shapes, too. Then, by flipping the pages of the "book" to go from the Learning Mode to the Music Mode, kids can hear more than 40 songs and melodies, including nursery rhymes and fun individual instrument sounds that will have them singing and dancing.

Plenty to Do, Lots to Learn
With all of these activities, your child will exercise his or her memory and problem-solving skills with lots of things to push, pull, turn, open, and close. And with the flip of a switch, the songs and games switch from English to Spanish, offering a great introduction to foreign-language learning. The Learn & Groove Musical Table requires some assembly and needs 3 AA batteries for operation. Batteries are not included.

What's in the Box
1 LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table.

Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

The Mozart Magic Cube is a true breakthrough in music education. This exciting learning toy teaches how sounds combine to form true polyphonic music, and is appropriate for all ages. Just press one of the musical sides and hear the instrument play on. Your child can compose and arrange millions of musical masterpieces. Measures approximately 6" x 6" x 6". Requires 3 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).

Awards:

• 2000 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
• 2000 Parents Choice Approved Award

A true breakthrough in music education, the Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube will be music to your baby's ears. Providing hours of interactive play for budding young composers of all ages, this award-winning toy is the perfect musical foundation for little ones.

The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube teaches how sounds combine to create baby's own Mozart masterpieces. View larger. The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube offers: Sounds from 5 instruments. Soft, rounded corners for baby's safety. Fun and entertainment for babies of all ages. Music Education in a Cube Fun, creative, and inspiring, the Magic Cube teaches how sounds combine to create eight Mozart masterpieces. With a touch of a button, this interactive cube lets your child add or subtract from any combination of five different instruments, including harp, French horn, piano, flute, and violin. Each selected instrument button flashes along to the beat of the music. An orchestra button even plays all the instruments at once. Baby-Safe Design Designed with durable plastic construction, the Magic Cube features bright colors such as yellow, green, purple, and magenta. Made with soft, rounded corners, it's easy and safe for baby to hold. The 6-inch cube requires three AA batteries (not included).

Fisher-Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage

A symphony of music, lights and melodies rewards your baby's movements through two modes of interactive play. In Mode 1, your little one can hear songs by activating one of four instruments. Instruments include a drum, mini xylophone, trombone and guitar. In Mode 2, baby is encouraged to "play" the instruments and shake the magical microphone for musical sounds and a dazzling light show. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (included). Measures 12"L x 16"W x 19.5"H.

Give your little one an exciting introduction to music with the Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage from Fisher Price. Created for children ages six months and up, the Sing-Along Stage offers plenty of interactive musical features designed to grow with your child. The toy features "Instruments" that activate sounds when their buttons are pressed, and you and your child can sing along with and dance to five fun songs.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Toy offers many stages of learning fun, making it a fun, educational, and economical choice The Bad: Assembly is made difficult by irregularly sized screw holes In a Nutshell: Interactive, musical toy gives your child a fun introduction to making music At a Glance Ages: 6 month and up Requires: 3 AA batteries (included); Philips screwdriver for assembly and for installing fresh batteries

Give your little one an exciting introduction to music with the Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage.

Features include "Instruments" that activate sounds when their buttons are pressed and five fun songs.

An Exciting Experience for Your Little Performer
The Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage features a large picture mirror, framed by exciting blinking lights at the top and an "audience" of smiling, cartoon babies at the bottom. Musical instruments with happy faces sit below: a guitar, a keyboard, a drum, and a trumpet. Each instrument has moving parts that activate sounds. The toy comes with a "magic" microphone, which is really a rattle. Shake it, and the sound of the rattle will activate songs and other fun sounds. The lights blink as the music plays, making a spectacular show for your little one to enjoy.

Sing Songs or "Compose" You Own
The toy includes two modes, which are easily selected by sliding a button at the top of the toy. The "sing-along" mode plays five different fun songs, which are activated by shaking the magic microphone or pressing any of the buttons on the musical instruments. Younger babies will enjoy listening to the music and watching the lights blink. They'll also love hearing you sing along with the songs. (We were happy to find that the toy comes with lyric cards.) As your child gets older, she can learn to sing along with you, too.

Select the "build-a-song" mode for your child to experiment with sounds herself. When she shakes the "magic microphone," a voice singing a "scat" will start. When your child plays with any of the musical instruments, she will hear that instrument play. It will continue to play a "solo" until she presses the buttons on any of the other instruments. Their sounds will then be added to the instrumental piece. For example, press the drum, and a back beat will be added. In all, the toy has three different, jazzy "add-on" instrumental pieces -- even our adult toy testers enjoyed these catchy, authentic-sounding tunes. The toy also says several fun phrases, as well as the sound of cheering and applause, encouraging children to dance or sing along.

Musical Toy Grows with Your Child
While we love all of the musical features of this toy, we especially like that the Sing-Along Stage is designed to grow with your child, which means that your child will get a lot of use out of it while making new discoveries as they get older. The toy stands at the perfect height for six-month-old babies to play with while sitting. They will enjoy looking at themselves in the large picture window, watching the blinking lights, and experimenting with the cause and effect features of the buttons. Our two-year-old toy tester also enjoyed this toy -- she loved dancing and singing along with the songs.

The toy requires just a little bit of adult assembly, which is where we encountered our only problem: the legs need to be screwed on to the toy to allow it to stand, but the holes for the included screws were not sized properly. This made it difficult for us to manually tighten the screws satisfactorily. However, the toy was still able to stand sturdily for safe play

. The Sing-Along Stage requires 3 AA batteries, which are included.

What's in the Box
Sing-Along Stage, "magical" microphone, three AA batteries.

Bring out the performer in your little one with the Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage. Your child will enjoy grooving to fun songs with the "magical" microphone and pretend musical instruments. Designed for children ages six months and older, this toy provides several developmental benefits, such as encouraging motor skill development and problem-solving skills, and provides visual and auditory stimulation.

From 6 months of age and up the stage is just the right height to sit and play.

Each mode offers just enough difficulty for your little one to be challenged and have fun at the same time. View larger.

Flashing Lights and Fun Music
The Sing-Along Stage features five fun songs for you and your baby to sing along with. It's easy and fun for your baby to play with: Just shake the "magical" microphone to start the music! While the music plays, your child will delight in the four dancing spotlights, the pop-up audience of friendly smiling fans, and the big picture mirror to watch him or herself groove. Four musical instruments sit along the bottom of the stage: Baby just presses the horn, the xylophone, the drum, or the guitar to hear them play. You and your child will have great fun singing and dancing together with all of the songs!

Different Stages to Grow with Baby
The Sing-Along Stage includes two levels of advancement for babies and toddlers. Each mode offers just enough difficulty for your little one to be challenged and have fun at the same time. For babies from 6 months of age, the stage is just the right height to sit and play. He or she can discover how to shake the microphone to make a song play! Your baby can also learn how to press each musical instrument to hear it play a solo, learning to differentiate between the different sounds. Musical lyrics are provided for you to sing along with the songs, providing quality interactive time with your baby. As your child gets older, he or she can stand, dance, and groove with the magical microphone while the music plays. In this more advanced secondary mode, the toy allows your child to get creative with the music. Start the song by pressing the button. Shake the microphone to add voice. Press each instrument to add their sounds to the song. This toy requires three AA batteries, which are included in the package. Adult assembly is necessary and requires a Phillips screwdriver (not included).

What's in the Box
1 Fisher Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage, play microphone, and 3 AA batteries.

Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo

Everything your baby needs can be found in this Rainforest Jumperoo. Its newly designed frame allows you to opens it up from the top, and lets the seat rotate 360 degrees so baby can play and interact from any side. A fun seat and toys at five locations on the platform engage baby all the way around, and an electronic toy at the front has motion, music and lights that can be activated by baby spinning a drum.

Seat also features a bobbling elephant, a monkey swinging from a vine, a parrot hanging from a bead bar, a clear spinning bead ball, a tiger that plays hide and seek, a spinning lizard that makes rattling sounds, a tethered chew toy and a stack of chips with cute graphics for baby to explore.

Two soft leaves extend from the frame to create an overhead 'canopy' with soft toys that dangle down for fun bat-at play. Jumperoo has has three height adjustments for extended use. Frame pivots to a nested position so it can be tucked away when not in use. Includes a motion sensor that encourages kids by rewarding them with lights and sounds when they jump. Weight Capacity is 25 pounds. Requires 3 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 43.125"H x 32"W x 37"D.

Introduce baby to a place full of exciting sights and sounds and lots of safe jumping fun with the Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo. Designed for use by a child who is able to hold his or her head up unassisted, and who is not yet able to climb out or walk, this baby jumper delights baby with interactive play options and stimulating movement to help encourage healthy development.

The Jumperoo helps encourage healthy development. View larger.

Bright colors and fun music engage visual and auditory senses. View larger.

Promotes Comfort and Security
The Rainforest Jumperoo is a safe and comfortable place for baby to sit and play, whether he stays for just a moment or for several minutes. Two soft leaves extend from the frame to create an overhead canopy with soft toys that dangle down for fun bat-at play. It also features a rotating seat with soft spring covers that keep little fingers safe from pinching, and three-position height adjustment for a custom fit.

The Jumperoo is a safe and comfortable place for children to sit and play. View larger.

Stimulating Interactive Play
Everything your baby needs at play-time can be found in this Rainforest Jumperoo. Its newly designed frame both allows you to open it up from the top, and lets the seat rotate 360 degrees so baby can play and interact from any side. A fun seat and toys at five locations on the platform engage baby all the way around, and an electronic toy at the front has motion, music and lights that can be activated by baby spinning a drum. (Mom or Dad can also activate an option for four minutes of continuous play.)

Little explorers will also enjoy playing with the Juperoo's many animals and toys, including a bobbling elephant, a monkey swinging from a vine, a parrot hanging from a bead bar, a clear spinning bead ball, a tiger that plays hide and seek, a spinning lizard that makes rattling sounds, a tethered chew toy, and a stack of chips with eye-catching graphics for baby to explore.

Encourages Healthy Development
The Rainforest Jumperoo is designed to help encourage healthy development. Moving, spinning, and jumping in a baby jumper enhances large motor skills. Secondly, the variety of textures integrated into the rainforest toys provide tactile stimulation, while the bright colors and fun music engage your child's visual and auditory senses. This educational system also enhances learning through discovery; baby's actions make things happen, helping him to understand cause and effect. Finally, reaching and grasping onto the baby jumper's toys fosters eye-hand coordination.

Easy to Use, Move, and Store
Parents will appreciate the quick take-down and portability of the Rainforest Jumperoo--the frame pivots to a nested position so it can be tucked away when not in use, and it simply folds so you can carry it from room to room. And no doorway is required to use this toy, making it a breeze to set it up anywhere.

The Rainforest Jumperoo includes a motion sensor that encourages kids by rewarding them with lights and sounds when they jump, has a weight capacity of 25 pounds and maximum height 32 inches, and requires three "AA" batteries (not included). It also measures 32.0 x 43.125 x 37 inches (WxHxD).

Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle

This jungle of fun includes a rocking croc, an elephant with a ball-drop trunk, and a 360-degree spinning hippo with an appetite for ball-dropping fun. Animals feature fun lights and sounds to reward baby. As baby grows and is ready to stand and cruise, this inviting jungle provides a sturdy place for her to hang on to for support. Once she reaches the top jungle rail, your little explorer can spin the sun mirror, swat the wiggly-jiggly tree frog, flip the click-clack butterfly wings and bat the colorful rollerball with rattle beads. Baby can place the balls into the monkey's hands and watch as the monkey sends them down the spiraling ball shoot, and surprise! The balls will pop out of one of two ball ramps. Features music, lights, songs and sound effects, plus six colored balls. Requires three "AA" batteries, included. Some assembly required. Measures 36"L x 24"W x 22"H.

Whether your baby has just mastered sitting up, crawling, or walking, the Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle provides access to a wide variety of fun, stimulating activities. As long as your baby is three to 36 months old, he or she is set to enjoy finding, grasping, and rolling six brightly colored balls with the singing monkey at the center of this sturdy, jungle-themed play set.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Jungle-themed play station designed to benefit children as they grow and develop The Bad: Large footprint; may not keep the interest of older children In a Nutshell: With flashing lights, jungle songs, and colorful characters, this set inspires interactive play At a Glance Ages: 6 to 36 months Requires: Phillips screwdriver for assembly

Children will be delighted by the songs and flashing lights of the Musical Jungle. View larger.

The Musical Jungle features sturdy construction that won't easily break. View larger.

Innovative Jungle Encourages Active Play
This durable, plastic play station is set up as an arc, with a slide for balls wrapping around the center support and a bright orange monkey sitting above the slide. The monkey's hands are cupped so that kids can practice balancing balls in them, and his arms move. Each time your child uses a ball or their hand to move one of his arms, he breaks out in song and stimulating, colored lights on the front of the jungle flash.

One song with a fun beat begins, "Walk like an elephant, stomp, stomp, stomp." Another says it's "time to move, fast or slow." Kids ability to clap with these tunes or sing along really makes playtime in the jungle more fun. Best of all, there's several different songs, so parents and kids don't have to keep listening to the same tune over and over again.

In addition to the music and the slide for balls at the center of the jungle, there's a spinning hippo at one end of the arc and a big blue elephant at the other. The hollow elephant has openings in his ears, and when baby drops a ball into them, it comes shooting out his mouth, often eliciting a bout of laughter. If your baby is crawling or walking, he's sure to tire himself right out chasing after run-away balls. There's another set of fun features to help keep the jungle interesting for younger children, especially those who are not yet cruising around on their own. There's also a hanging rattle ball, an alligator on a swing that moves back and forth, and a safe, plastic mirror shaped like the sun so that baby can contemplate her reflection. All these different toys mean that the Musical Jungle stays interesting as children develop new skills.

Durable, Dependable Construction for Safety
We really appreciated how strong the top arch is. Despite being made of plastic, our adult tester was able to lean on this arch without feeling like it was about to break. This is good news for parents of children who are learning to pull themselves up or still need to hold onto an object while standing, since there's no need to worry about the sturdy, stable Musical Jungle coming apart and hurting or disappointing a child.

All in all, we found lots of ways to have fun with the Musical Jungle. Despite the fact that this set is recommended for children up to 36 months old, we found the activities it offers and the infant-friendly look more suited to younger children. There are many great reviews of this jungle set out there, and it seems like most often they come from parents with a child who has not yet turned two.

This toy requires adult assembly. You'll need a Phillips screwdriver and a little bit of patience. While the included instructions do an excellent job of illustrating each step in the assembly process, snapping the pieces together and getting the screws secured takes a bit of effort. Despite the time involved, we really appreciated the fact that this activity set uses real hardware to provide a very solid structure.

The Musical Jungle is much stronger than plastic toys assembled solely from snap-together pieces, and the parts can be unscrewed by an adult if you want to disassemble the jungle for storage, another feature that similar products often overlook. Three AA batteries are included to power the lights and sounds.

What's in the Box
Six balls, monkey, elephant, hippo, center arch, sun mirror, rattle ball, base, two arch ends, two tube pieces, two ramp pieces, two legs, 16 screws, three "AA" batteries, and instructions.

The monkey's cupped hands will hold a ball. View larger.

The hippos large mouth holds many balls. View larger.

Putting a ball in the elephant's ears will cause it to shoot out of its mouth. View larger.

Fisher-Price Amazing Animals Sing and Go Choo-Choo

Toot! Toot! This motorized train helps Baby learn about animals through songs and play. Each train car has a unique feature that's sure to capture your little one's attention. The engine has a light-up smokestack that makes the train come to life when pressed. The train begins to roll forward and a song plays. Place an animal in the driver's area to learn more about the world of animals through a song. The second car features a bead bar to engage Baby's interest. Choose from two modes of play: sitting mode for the youngest baby and motion-activated mode for older play. Includes three animal friends. Requires 3 "C" batteries (not included). Measures 13" x 12" x 6.8".

Toot! Toot! Here come the animals, riding around on a musical choo-choo train. This fun motorized train helps babies ages six months to three years learn about animals through song and play.

The Amazing Animals and Their Choo-Choo
Simply place one of the three small friends in the engine car to one of four amusing songs about animals. Baby will love to crawl along with the train as it lights up, playing music and sounds. The Go Choo-Choo also encourages curiosity as the baby figures out how to make it go. Each train car has a unique feature that captures your precious little one's attention and keeps them busy. You can choose between a sitting mode for the youngest baby and motion-activated for older play. Watch out parents, the tunes are so catchy, you'll soon be humming them yourself!

Each animal car is full of rewarding activities to engage baby's attention. The engine car has leaf-shaped beads that slide from side-to-side and the smallest car has a built-in trapeze for the monkey. A light-up smokestack delights the eyes and when pressed the train moves forward in a straight line. For hours of amusement, the animals have movable joints, textured feet, teethable ears, and rainstick sounds. This toy is made from sturdy plastic and can withstand harsh child play. It rides especially smooth over hard surfaces, but works on carpet too. Best of all, should you suddenly feel like you're in a zoo, there is a power-volume control for quiet play. The Go Choo-Choo Train requires three C batteries (not included) and measures 23-by-7-by-13 inches (LxWxH).

Features
It is no surprise that this choo-choo was chosen for Parent's Magazine Best Toys of the Year award, 2006, as well as other prestigious awards. It develops motor skills and helps babies learn to crawl, while teaching them about animals. And these chunky animals are not just cute, their feet are sculpted with various textures for fun exploration and they have teether ears to chew on. This toy also appeals to a diverse age, from babies who are first learning to crawl to toddlers who like to sing along with the animal friends. Plus, Amazing Animals sets are available if you'd like to add to the bunch.

What's in the Box
Three animal friends and a motorized train.

Select 'Sit and Play' mode for younger babies.

Select 'Move-Along Fun' mode for active babies.

Wild Planet A Pirate's Life Treasure Hunter

Pirate treasure chest splits into treasure map and pirate's booty. Hide the bottom of the pirate treasure chest and follow the treasure map to find it. X marks the spot - it flashes from blue to orange as you approach the treasure. Measures 4" x 4" x 3". Ages: 4 + Manufacturer: Wild Planet

Lamaze Jacques the Peacock

This new Lamaze Play & Grow Peacock comes complete with multiple textures and sounds to keep baby entertained. Crinkly fabric, a peek-a-boo mirros, bold colorful patterns and soft fuzzy textures invite little ones to explore and learn. Jacques the Peacock comes complete with a Lamaze link, so you can snap it to a car seat, high chair, or anywhere else.

Designed for use from birth on up, the Lamaze Play and Grow Peacock has bright colors and multiple textures and sounds that are sure to stimulate and delight baby. Developed in conjunction with child development experts from Yale University, this "first friends" toy comes complete with a Lamaze link for easy attachment to strollers, carriers, and diaper bags, so it's a snap to take the Play and Grow Peacock with you on play dates, errands, or trips in the car.

The Lamaze Jacques the Peacock offers: Different textures, mirror, and colorful patterns encourage exploration Soft velour body with several busy wings A Lamaze link clip for easy attachment to strollers, carriers and diaper bags

Multiple textures and sounds to keep baby entertained. View larger.

Stimulates Baby's Vision and Auditory Skills
When babies are first born, they see in black and white. This is why the Play and Grow Peacock strikes a balance between bright, high contrast patterns that help stimulate baby's vision, and bold solid colors that give baby's eyes a place to rest. Sounds like crinkle, squeakers and jingles also help stimulate and develop baby's auditory skills. Finally, large, friendly eyes on the Play and Grow Peacock invite baby to focus and stare at a single object, which helps calm baby while supporting healthy eye development.

Child-Safe Design
Whether they're playing in the crib or preparing for a nap, your little one will enjoy hours of delight with the Play and Grow Peacock. Safe and easy for little hands to manipulate, it features a soft velour body that invites snuggling and playing. And the busy wings have different textures and interactive components--like the mirror, which allows for both independent and parent/baby peek-a-boo play--to keep baby engaged as he grows.

The Play and Grow Peacock comes with a limited 90 day warranty.

Squeaker

Rattle

Mirror

Crinkle

High contrast Black and White

About Learning Curve
The creative force behind hundreds of award-winning toys, Learning Curve created the Lamaze Infant Development System by working in tandem with parents, babies, and childhood experts. Learning Curve understands that what matters most to parents is keeping their children healthy, happy, and safe. The company's goal is to help parents do just that by offering products for every stage of a child's development--from feeding to playing to sleeping. Learning Curve's thoroughly researched developmental toys engage children, and provide parents with peace of mind. And their care, safety, feeding and soothing products give you solutions to day-to-day needs at mealtime, bedtime, at home and on-the-go.

What's in the Box
Peacock toy and Lamaze link clip.

Whether playing in the crib or napping in the car, your baby won't want to go anywhere without Jacques the Peacock. Safe and fun, this plush toy from Learning Curve is a winner with babies and young children of all ages.

Child-Safe Design
Lamaze Jacques the Peacock features a soft velour body and busy wings with a peek-a-boo mirror, multiple textures, squeaker, and crinkles to keep your baby entertained. The link is perfect for hanging from an activity gym and connects easily to any Lamaze toy or play mat. This friendly toy comes with a 90-day limited warranty.

About Learning Curve
Learning Curve offers developmental toys that engage children, and provide parents with peace of mind, knowing their children are being inspired and enlightened by safe and high-quality playthings. Learning Curve created the Lamaze Infant Development System working in tandem with parents, babies, and childhood experts. Lamaze ensures your baby will grow, discover, and learn with the right toy at the right time.