2014's Best Toys for Kids of All Ages
By Jessica Hartshorn from Parents Magazine
We tested new toys with kids (they’re so picky!) and parents (even pickier!) to find the ones we’re sure are winners. (You’re welcome!) Find this year’s best toys for every age, starting with baby and ending with big kids!
Babies
3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant
Your baby will have a ball springing up and down on the seat of the Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce, Stride & Ride Elephant, or toddling behind it when she’s a newly upright citizen. The big ears crinkle, and the toy can play a bunch of songs and phrases to keep her attention. 9 months+, $45; target.com
Forest Friends Shape Sorter
Three textured friends are fun to pop in and out of this smiling Earlyears Forest Friends Shape Sorter. One of our baby testers found them oh-so-squeezable! 9 months+, $25; earlyears.com
Sit & Play Activity Seat
It’s easy to inflate the colorful Mamas and Papas Sit & Play Activity seat for your little one’s enjoyment, then deflate the insert so you can store it away. 6 months+, $40; mamasandpapas.com
See more of Parents Best Toys for babies.
Toddlers
Nutty Ball Track
So lovely! Roll acorns down Janod’s wooden Nutty Ball Track and bells chime. 12 months+, $45; fatbraintoys.com
Nursery Trampoline
Galt’s Nursery Trampoline is a hoppin’ good time. It’s low to the ground, plus nice and stable; just have your toddler hold on while he hops! 12 months+, $65; amazon.com
Lego Duplo’s Creative Picnic
Build toy food with your toddler using Lego Duplo’s Creative Picnic, then use your creations for some imagination games. 18 months+, $25; shop.lego.com
See more of Parents Best Toys for toddlers.
Preschoolers
InRoad Toys PlayTape
Such a brilliantly simple idea! Make a road or track for toy vehicles using PlayTape from InRoadToys. We had a young tester create a highway in seconds! 3 years+, $8 to $13 per roll; inroadtoys.com
Disney’s Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet
Disney’s Sofia the First Talking Magical Amulet offers gentle lessons on friendship and manners.3 years+, $15; walmart.com
Radio Flyer Cyclone
This Radio Flyer Cyclone challenges riders to use their arms to build momentum. 3 years+, $60; radioflyer.com
See more of Parents Best Toys for preschoolers.
School-Age
DigiBirds
DigiBirds, by Spin Master, respond to your whistle and harmonize together. Sit them down, or wear them each on a ring! 5 years+, $30 for three; digibirds.com
Zoomer Dino
Zoomer Dino, also by Spin Master, is cute but naughty, bumping things and burping. However, get him fast, last year’s Zoomer dog sold out! 5 years+, $100; zoomerdino.com
Mattel’s Bounce-Off Game
In Bounce-Off, by Mattel, players race to copy a pattern. 7 years+, $18; walmart.com
See more of Parents Best Toys for school-age children.
Big Kids
Deluxe Hair Chalk Salon
Wash-out glitter hair highlights? Irresistible with the Deluxe Hair Chalk Salon from Alex Toys. “I added streaks to my hair and to my little sisters’ hair,” says 9-year-old Lucy. 8 years+, $25; alextoys.com
Mini Pom-Pom Pets Kit
Kids can create Mini Pom-Pom Pets from this Klutz kit. 8 years+, $20; barnesandnoble.com
Lego’s Lord Business’ Evil Lair
The Lego Movie inspired this elaborate Lord Business’ Evil Lair. 8 years+, $70; shop.lego.com
See more of Parents Best Toys for big kids.
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