Top Toy Picks 2010: Ages 18 months - 36 months

Set the stage for reading with the LeapFrog Tag Junior Book Pal (also available in Purple) . Each Tag Junior board book introduces a different preschool skill. You can also download audio for your child's books and keep up to 5 at a time on your book pal. See your child's progress through the online LeapFrog Learning Path and get printable activities to expand your child's learning. Recommended for ages 24 months - 4 years.

The Step2 LifeStyle Custom Kitchen is perfect for hours of pretend play. Kitchen includes a 17-piece accessory set consisting of a frying pan with lid, boiling pot, 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 cups, 2 knives, 2 forks, basket, salt and pepper shakers and a phone. The kitchen features realistic electronic features in the stovetop and phone. Sink also includes a swivel faucet. Recommended for ages 24 months to 6 years.

There are all kinds of levels of wobbly fun in the Playskool Weebles Treehouse Playset. Send the topsy-turvy little figures up to the treetop by turning the crank. Then, send them gliding back down again on the curvy slide. Exciting electronic music and sounds accompany the fun-time action. There's a crow's nest, a carpenter shop, and even a trusty telescope! Recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Little People sets are perfect for this age group, but one of my favorites is this Fisher-Price Little People Happy Sounds Home. This was our daughter's first "dollhouse" and was a big hit. Playset folds open to reveal plenty of rooms on 2 levels, plus activities and fun sounds to keep them busy. Features an open and close refrigerator, ringing telephone, washer/dryer unit with realistic machine sound effects. The tub bubbles and lift the toilet seat to hear it flush. Comes with Mom, Dad, and Baby figures, table, 2 chairs, and high-chair. Recommended for ages 12 months to 4 years.

Mega Bloks Building Imagination Bag Classic 80 pcs are the perfect size for your little builder to learn how to create things with his own two hands. Gives your little one the opportunity to stimulate his/her imagination and learning skills while encouraging discovery, fine motor skills, and open-ended play. Includes a practical storage bag to keep all of the pieces securely in one place. This set comes in Pink as well. Recommended for ages 12 months and up.

The new Fisher-Price Dance Star Mickey also makes our Top Toy Picks list for 2010. The new, innovative Dance Star Mickey walks, talks, and dances his way into kids' hearts, topping off his skills with an "out of this world" grand finale to one of his signature dances. Although it is a new toy, the customer reviews are already high. Recommended for ages 18 months to 6 years.

If you are in the market for a train set for your little engineer-in-training, the Fisher-Price Geotrax Rail and Road System Grand Central Station is a great starter set. All Geotrax sets are constructed from durable plastic and features large pieces that are perfect for little hands. The big, easy-to-use remote control makes the train go backward or forward and has a range of about 12 feet. With so many different Geotrax sets that you can easily link together, this toy will provide your little one with years of entertainment. Recommended for ages 2 and up.

For some outdoor fun, take your toddler for a test drive on the Fisher Price Lil' Quad. This sturdy and safe Power Wheel ATV has built-in footrests and a convenient cargo rack on the back for toting around toys. Designed especially for toddlers, the Lil' Quad rides low so it's easy for little ones to get one and off by themselves. Sturdy and fun to drive, this ride-on moves forward at 2 mph. Can be used on both hard surfaces and grass. They have many different styles to choose from including Dora, Diego, Batman,  and Barbie. This toy was a huge hit in our house for both our little girl and boy. Recommended for ages 1-3 years.

Let's face it, kids love to make noise  - the louder the better!  Embrace your child's musical talents with the Bee Bob Band. This 5- critter band ensemble includes: ant jingles, bee maracas, caterpillar tambourine, ladybug bells, and centipede drumsticks. Plus, all instruments store neatly inside the drum. Recommended for ages 18 months to 3 years.

Introduce your toddler to letter names and sounds with the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set. Featuring big, bright letters that are easy for little fingers to grasp, the playful phonics songs help children remember the sound each letter makes. Simply place a letter into the reader and press to hear its name, sound, and a delightful phonics song. Recommended for ages 2 years and up.


To view Top Toy Picks for other ages, see this post.