December 2010 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

With its big hand grip, this big eyed blue critter is easy for baby to grasp and it's just right for rolling along the floor. It is colorful, light, has textures on each wheel and three fabric tufts (cotton, satin and corduroy) on top of its head. Best of all the gears on its side twirl as it goes along. Lift the gears out and they can be stacked in a tower and then fitted back into their slots. A fine choice for a baby learning to crawl.
— As of 1.10.2011 this product was listed as one of the top 30 bestselling toys on Target.com. Pros: Colorful; durable; educational; can be used with other Playskool gear toys.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

A lovely set of stackers that are made from recycled milk jugs, contain no BPA, Phthaltes or pvc, and if you want to feel even better the product is made in the USA. This is a great toy to explore with your older baby or toddler.  While you can stack them in "order", you don't have to- a nice feature.  Each cup has two small holes for safety purposes - so that your child can not create a suction over his face.  Even with the holes this is a fun set to bring into the bathtub.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

An update of an old favorite, this high chair toy has a big suction cup to fasten on the high chair or it can be detached from its stand and used for two handed play. The bold contrast spinners are sure to attract visual attention and delight babies who love the power of toys that they activate with ease. There are two see-through balls with spinners inside and bright colored clackers that invite exploration by little fingers.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner, 2009.

Toddlers like toys with multiple pieces and these six colorful star shapes are challenging for little hands to put together and pull apart. There may be a short learning curve for the putting together action, but these big plastic pieces they have no right and wrong order. These not only help build motor skills, they can help knowing and naming color words and simple counting.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner, 2009.

This is a new activity toy that provides a variety of activities and sounds to keep baby entertained while on the floor or in the crib. Use on floor, or attach straps for use in crib. Includes multiple activities to develop different motor skills.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

This kit was developed by a pediatrician to assist parents in getting through their child's first year. The kit comes in a pastel colored gift box and contains a Fussy Baby Soother blanket, diaper rash ointment and skin protectant, a Gumdrop pacifier, a bottle for homemade saline solution, a digital thermometer and a nose suction bulb. Also included is a Baby Care guide, covering topics such as developmental milestones, health care, rashes and common questions new parents ask.

DINGaRING characters like Betty Butterfly feature old-school craftsmanship and good quality materials. All are safe and non-toxic, with wooden rings and internal rattles, designed to serve as an interactive toy for ages 0 and up. Each toy comes with its own introduction swing tag and unique backer card which allows it to be free-stand, hung or laid flat, for various display options.

The Fli Mobile from Boon Inc. features a stylized dragonfly with adjustable wings. Available in pink or blue, Fli is designed to gracefully hang above baby’s crib using the included mounting hardware.
— “I can attest as to how very easy these are to install!” exclaimed Alexandra of design {for} baby. She suggested that the mobile is “perfect for floating above cribs, or adding a modern flair to your child's room or playroom.”
— Baby Gear Today’s reviewer described the Fli Mobile as “Super easy to install and oh so cute!” She installed the pink version in her daughters’ playroom, much to their delight.

This system combines a quality sound monitor and a movement monitor in a single system. Whether baby is awake or sound asleep, Angelcare® under-the-mattress Sensor Pad will detect all of baby's movements. Rechargeable Parents Unit (4 AAA rechargeable batteries included).

A combination of a quality sound monitor and a movement monitor in a single system. Whether baby is awake or sound asleep, Angelcare® under-the-mattress Sensor Pad will detect all of baby's movements.

This movement monitor can be used with a sound monitor that you may already own or can be used on its own if there is no need for a sound monitor. Can be used anywhere baby sleeps (camping, chalet and other places without electricity).

This sound monitor can hear all of baby's sounds and can be used anywhere baby sleeps.

The PregoFIT Workouts DVD series consists of three DVDs, one for each trimester. Each DVD contains total-body workouts designed specifically for each month of pregnancy. Each workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for each stage of pregnancy and is designed for any fitness level (beginner, intermediate or advanced). The workout videos are filmed in high-definition and run from 25 to 40 minutes each.

This unique multi feature tricycle is designed to provide a safe mode of travel for children ages 10 months and up. It can then grow with childre up to three years of age. Parents can steer the trike with the telescopic adjustable handle, and a built-in clutch gives the option of ride control to either the parent or the child. It comes fitted with a safety harness and a seat belt, and includes a functional, washable seat cover that coordinates with the fashionable animal-print canopy.

The PortaChair is designed to keep chilrden secure on the go, in locations where there are no highchairs in sight. It is compact, lightweight and folds small enough to fit in a baby bag, at the bottom of a stroller or even in a purse. The innovative design fits a wide variety of chairs and is flexible to accommodate a growing child. The PortaChair is machine washable and safety-tested. Awards: Mom's Best Award 2010

This musical bee baby learning toy is designed to teach basic numbers, shapes and colors. Children can shake the bee to see a playful flashing light and hear upbeat melodies, or be soothed to sleep with a soft glowing light, lullabies and nature sounds. The sound sensor automatically activates the musical bee to put fussy babies back to sleep.
 — As of 9.13.2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 127 reviews on Walmart.com and was listed as a top-rated toddler toy. PROS:  Safe, well-made, engaging and keeps children busy.

Pewi is an innovative walker/ride-on for the toddler market. Designed for children as young as nine months old, and as a child grows with the Pewi, it transitions into a foot to floor ride-on. With specially designed caster wheels, the Pewi ensures a quiet smooth ride that is suitable for indoor and outdoor play. As a ride-on a child can easily move the Pewi in any direction. The Pewi is designed to help develop early stage balance and motor skills. For ages 9-24 months. Available in 3 colors – Red, Pink and Blue.
— Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Playmatters in Avon, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a March 2014 survey that the Pewi was a best-selling outdoor toy.

Neatnik Saucer is a patented, three-in-one invention designed to keep babies tidy and happy while eating in restaurants. It is an integrated high chair liner, placemat and germ barrier that covers everything within baby's reach. The sturdy rim and toy fasteners keep food and playthings off the ground. High chair straps fit through openings in the seat liner. "With Neatnik Saucer, dining out with baby no longer needs to be a messy, stressful experience," Coulson's Crib PR Consultant Tami Kelly told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 PTPA Media Award

Four colorful construction vehicles scrape, dig, roll, lift and haul, preparing the site for construction. Designed for boys, this mural measures 168" wide × 90" tall.

This children's paint-by-number wall mural features a cute little elephant reading a story to his jungle pals, including a couple of monkeys, a giraffe, a hippopotamus, a leopard, a lion and a snake. This mural measures 96" wide × 72" tall

This playful and colorful beach shack wall mural was designed to act as a headboard for a twin-sized bed or crib or it can simply be used on its own. Change the colors as necessary to fit either a boy or girl's room, and repeat elements in the scene to extend the mural if desired. Pictured here, this mural measures 144" wide × 84" tall.

This simple silhouette of a little boy playing in a tree is designed for a variety of trendy bedding. It can be painted in any color to match the room's decor. Pictured here, the mural measures 72" wide by 90" tall.

The Tango Tiger Cuddlemat is a luxurious floor mat featuring the popular Tango Tiger plush fur and suede paw details. This patterned mat is super soft for little faces, tummies, hands and feet. It is designed to rest on carpet or hardwood floors, with a non-skid belly to secure it from moving.

DINGaRINGs' natural wooden teething ring, luxuriously soft body and gentle rattle are designed to make them ideal gifts for newborns and teething babies. Lulu Ladybug is a magician's assistant who loves lip gloss and line dancing, and hates thunder. This product is "the ultimate non-plastic baby toy," Kate Nicolson, director of O.B. Designs, told TDmonthly.