Baby
Einstein Discover & Play Piano Bouncer
Kids II
The bouncy chair has become one of the staples of early childhood. Perfect as a safe, secure place to sit upright and watch the world around them. This soothing bouncer offers a wonderfully padded seat and as an added plus an electronic motion attachment that gently vibrates your baby. The musical toy attachment offers playtime options that include classical music play. The toy also detaches which allows for use as your child grows.
Recommended Ages: 0 and 2
Retail Price: $39.99
Baby
Einstein Discover & Play Activity Gym
Kids II
If you're a parent that likes all the bells and whistles,
then this is the play gym for you...and your baby too, of course. Babies loved
the toys, lights and music of Bach and Beethoven that are just about everywhere,
a real sensory treat. The motion sensor which offers a nice cause and effect
response delighted little ones. The arches are very sturdy and higher than many
other gyms so that baby can move around freely. The mat is soft with bright
colors and graphics and there is a baby safe mirror and frame for adding your
own picture.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up Retail Price: $59.99
Carter's
Butterfly Play Gym
Kids II
The adorable butterfly design of this baby play mat, complete with brightly colored dangling toys and mirrors, really impressed our testers! Parents told us that they look to gyms such as these to keep their baby calm and busy. They found that this mat with the butterfly antennas that crinkle and rattle, along with the face and tail that are soft squishy pillows were just right for the job.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up
Retail Price: $44.99
Celebrating
Imagination Activity Butterfly
Kids II
This activity toy for your baby is a handful of fun. There are loads of stimulation points that your baby will love discovering with his hands, feet or mouth. Bright and colorful, there are light-ups, rattles, mirrors and more that provide just the right amount of feedback to keep them entertained and happy.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up Retail Price: $14.99
Celebrating
Imagination Renaissance Musical Dragon
Kids II
Wherever Kids II got the material that covers this ever so cute dragon, our testers want to know. It feels like a combination of velvet and terry and when they finally released it from their own grasp they found that their babies loved it too! Each of the dragon's feet will play Twinkle, Twinkle when squeezed. Each foot triggers a different instrument and there is a button that plays the whole song with all the instruments. Did we also mention that this is a very soft toy?
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up Retail Price: $17.99
Pitter
Patter Prayer Friends Plush Assortment
Kids II
It's hard to imagine a better bedtime companion than these
adorable prayer friends. If you teach your child the Lord's Prayer and if
reciting it is a part of their bedtime routine, then this doll will become a
cherished little friend in your home for many years. Our testers told us that
they would consider giving this as a gift to just about anyone, no matter what
the age.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up Retail Price: $5.99
Silly
Sounds Activity Caterpillar
Kids II
Cuckoo, Boing and a Xylophone trill are not exactly the sounds a caterpillar makes, but don't tell that to your child, who will simply have a blast with this adorable toy. Soft and squishy with a variety of fabric textures, colors and lights, this is a stimulating toy that is perfect for the crib or playpen. There are lots of handholds and rubber pieces that teethers will also love.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up
Retail Price: $12.99
Singing
Plush Assortment
Kids II
Even after two months of review it's still a toss-up whether it was the adorable design or adorable sing-along feature that made this and absolutely irresistible doll. There are three models of dolls each with its own musical theme, be assured that each one will tug at your heart. And at seven dollars, you surely can't go wrong.
Recommended Ages: 0 and Up
Retail Price: $6.99
Eco-Park
Sensory Mat
Star Electronics
The best toys for your baby's crib, highchair or stroller are those that are both visually stimulating and offer a variety of reactive play options. This sensory mat has all of that plus lights, sounds and vibrations that delighted our testers. The water filled pouch, which is the centerpiece of the mat intrigued little one who determinedly tried to capture the floating pieces. There are two hidden settings which adjust the sound settings along with an "Off" switch.
Recommended Ages: 3 months and up Retail Price: $20.00
When you place your baby on the kitchen floor with this
cute little interactive turtle you can be sure you'll get a reaction. Once you
press on the turtle's shell he will take off wobbling in circles around the
floor, which in turn means your giggling baby will follow. The turtle doesn't
have to move, there is another mode that allows for stationary play with loads
of flashing lights and music to entertain and engage your child. Parents liked
the cute design and how appealing the chase 'n play aspect was to their little
ones.
Recommended Ages: 6 mos. and Up Retail Price: $14.99
When you purchase a toy for a newly mobile child, you want to make sure that it has plenty of the stimulation like bright colors, great sound effects, engaging activities. The Rock 'N Roll Drum has all of this in spades, as well as a great price. Nudging the drum to elicit both sound and lights delighted our little testers and of course banging to their hearts content was a big favorite.
Recommended Ages: 6 mos. and Up
Retail Price: $12.99
Around
the Block Wagon
Parents Magazine Play & Learn Toys by Battat
Is it a toy chest or a walker? No matter, it does both just as well and along the way will provide your child with hours of active play. The solid wood design impressed our testers as did the colors and pieces. The blocks are made of wood, plastic and fabric all of which were both stimulating and intriguing to children. The size is just right for new walkers to proudly push around. The clean up concept is a great lesson for kids to learn at an early stage.
Recommended Ages: 1 and up Retail Price: $49.99
For more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667
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Last Update: November 12, 2003
Chase
'N Play Turtle
Rock
'N Roll Drum