February 2011 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Adorable Activity Gym with oversized, round mat surface has soft linen and patterned arches, includes a Tummy Time pillow and offers 17+ developmental activities.

This Busy Time Activity Center is the result of a collaboration between Parents, America's foremost family magazine, and Manhattan Toy. This lovely, wooden activity center looks as much like a sleek piece of furniture as it does a developmental toy, and every surface provides a different stimulating world to explore. The colorful bead maze builds motor skills and eye hand coordination; the xylophone teaches cause and effect, promotes a love of music, and provides auditory stimulation; colorful, lettered pockets with drop-in objects promote eye/hand coordination and accompanies kids on the road to literacy; and turning knobs and spinning balls capture babies' sense of wonder and imaginations.

This sturdy but stylish durable wood cart is brimming with built-in activities, lots of storage space in the heavy nylon pocket, and an anti-tip braking function for beginning walkers. Colorful bead-bars, chunky wood shapes with sorter, and space for teddy bears and toys make this a hands-on favorite for years.