This game features a word board and letter cards that include letters for the complete alphabet with extra vowels and consonants. A child or teacher selects letter cards from the back to spell a word. To play, a child tosses the die to determine which color card can be turned to reveal a letter, and then has a chance to guess the word, playing until a word is guessed correctly. The game teaches children to mentally complete words with only partial information — an important reading sub-skill for developing word recognition and reading speed. Tag Toys are “unique and they can't be found in the mass market stores,” CFO Barbara Villafana told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

Available in 1lb bags and in 10 different colors. The sand is non-toxic, contains no free silica or free quartz making it environmentally friendly. $3.95 each.

Giant, solid maple sorting cube with solid maple shapes to sort. 4 different sorting combinations from simple to complex. Large openings on each side for easy retrieval of shapes. Solid maple construction makes this sorting cube virtually indestructible.

Classic wooden stack and nest toy with safe, rounded corners and brightly colored bases to arrange in sequence six ways. Recessed edges help the child make and correct and stable fits.