Mom in the City’s Holiday Toy Guide 2008: Infants
October 31, 2008 by Kimberly · 21 Comments
1. Alex Toys’ ‘ROUND THE FARM : Suitable for ages 6 months+, this award-winning toy is great for helping babies learn better motor skills (i.e. catching, rolling, grabbing, etc.). Little kids will especially enjoy hearing the different animal (dog, cat, pig and frog) sounds as they learn to press each animal’s ear.
Price $24.99
2. baby Zoobies : The perfect size for children under 2, these stuffed plush animals are adorable. They convert to very comfortable pillows. Also, there are very soft, warm blankets inside that can be used separately (the blankets feature a “comfort corner”).
Price: $25.00
3. Fisher-Price‘s Laugh & Learn™ Learning Home™ : For ages 6 months to 36 months, this little house will help your little one learn in a variety of ways. It not only teaches academics (letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc.) but also everyday experiences (dropping, spinning, sorting, etc.). Both sides of the house are filled with activities including 21 “sing along” songs. Note: 3 “C” alkaline batteries are required for this toy.
Price: $70.00
*4. Infantino’s Play Time Activity Center: For newborns +, this 4-sided center will grow with your baby. It’s great for playing on the floor during “tummy time”. It’s also fun for infants to play with as they grow older. Activities include a peek-a-boo mirror, put-and-take bird’s nest and more. There are many different variations of this type of toy (for obviously good reasons!) but this is my pick for 2008.
Price: $29.99
5. International Playthings’ Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse: Ages 12+ months will love this roomy playhouse. They will have fun playing with the various built-in games (i.e. ball play, sorting shapes, peek-a-boo, etc.) on both the inside and outside. It is also a great hiding place for when the kids get a bit older (there’s space for several children to play in it). One of the things that I like the most about the playhouse (as a city dweller) is that it’s sturdy but easily folds up so that you can tuck it away.
USD$ 99.99
6. Leap Frog’s Learn & Groove® Counting Maracas: Appropriate for ages 6 months to 3 years, these little maracas are a lot of fun for the kids. There are three different “modes”: 1.Counting – each shake allows the child to count to 10 in both English and Spanish. 2. Colors – introduces the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple in English and Spanish. 3. Music Play – music plays when the infant shakes the maracas. This is another toy that parents can see their kids grow with. (Initially my kids would just mouth the maracas, look at the lights and enjoy the music. As they grew older, the playtime became more meaningful. This is one of my favorite gifts to give to parents of small children.)
Price: $16.49
7. Melissa & Doug’s ABC Blocks : Recommended for ages 1+, these three plush blocks are great starter toys for the little ones. I especially like their bright colors, the different textures and the jingling sounds. (Moms will also appreciate that the blocks’ carrying case is phthalate-free.)
Price: $19.99
8. VTECH’s Sit to Stand Alphabet Train™ : For ages 12 months to 24 months, this little train teaches a lot! There are letter blocks, a small book, number buttons and much more. I like that this toy can grow with your child. When they’re younger, they can play with the different parts on the floor. Later, they can use it as a walker or as a ride-on toy. Once again, there are many different variations of this type of toy (for obviously good reasons!) but this is my pick for 2008. Note: 3AA batteries are required for this toy.
Price: $49.99
*Mom in the City newsletter subscribers can enter to win Infantino’s Play Time Activity Center by leaving one of their personal top infant toy picks in the “Comments” section below or in an email to contests@mominthecity.com with “Infants” in the Subject line by November 30th.
My little boy would enjoy the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn house the best. It’s so hard to figure out what they would like though!
hematopoiesis at hotmail dot com
Melissa an dougs ABC blocks are nice,my littlest grandson would play with those a lot,thanks for the chance
From your list, I love the Zoobies! Personally, my daughter loved her Fisher Price star stacker that plays music. Thanks for an awesome giveaway!! m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi! One toddler toy that I have found to be a winner is the “Fisher Price World of Little People Learn About Town!” It is great for one child or or a couple of friends to play with.
The imagination and learning can soar with this toy. Thanks, Cindi
My 9 month old would love the vtech sit to stand train. My toddler had a similar toy when he was an infant but our neighbors dog chewed it up and destroyed when he wondered into our yard so now we can not pass it along to our baby and with the tough times we don’t know if we can buy another.
I think the Zoobie is the cutest toy that has come out in years. Who couldn’t help but cuddle a Zoobie? I know my granddaughter would.
I have to agree with your choice of the Counting Maracas. They are my almst 2-year old’s favorite toy and my 4 month old loves them too.
I love Melissa and Doug toys, their puzzles especially. I do like those plush blocks though.
I would love to win the activity center from Infantimo for my friends who are adopting a newborn, due in December!!!
Also on my list are quality wooden toys, like quality rattles and teethers from Haba.
our little girl loves stuffed animals-she would love the baby Zoobies
I have had my eye on one of the Zoobies for awhile now!!
My youngest son would absolutely love the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn house..Thanks for a great giveaway!
V-Tech sit to stand Alphabet Train is a toy I’d love for my son who is 1. My son’s favorite toy now is his Playhut. They are recommended for ages 3 and up, but my little guy LOVES his. It’s something he and my oldest can play in together….I’d recommend one to anyone!
I think my son would have a blast with the Infantino Activity Center. Thanks
My daughter loves her Lamaze Freddie the Firefly
My daughter loves her Glow Baby! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Great giveaway for a tough xmas season this year!
i have always loved the exersaucer.
Thanks 4 the great giveaway
I think the Baby Einstein Baby Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym is a cool baby toy.
For infants, the Infantino Foot Rattles!