Crafts & Fun

It’s a jungle out there. The malls and department stores you’ll find yourself in this holiday season are no place for unprepared parents. To make your life easier, we marshalled 60 families to test more than 450 of the latest toys and games. Here’s a list of our testers’ top picks — your toy-shopping cheat sheet. marks the real standouts. • Toys for Infants • Toys for Toddlers • Toys for Preschoolers • Toys for School-agers • Toys for Preteens • Where to Get Them Get advice from a toy expert! Today's Parent toy editor, Marcia MacQuarrie, dishes with you about the hottest toys and games of the season, just in time to get your holiday shopping list organized! More Gift Ideas with Pick-a-Present Looking for more bright ideas? Use our Pick-a-Present tool to search for toys and games by child's age, interests and your budget.

• The Latest Greatest Toys! Hot off the Press: Check out these recommendations for games and toys so new they couldn't make the magazine deadline. • Last-Minute Gift Guide Stocking stuffers for under $15 (and a few others we couldn't resist)

Billy Bear Jack in the Box
(12–36m, International Playthings, $28, 3 AA batteries included)
Colourful lights wink on and off like a Christmas tree as baby turns the crank. Once your little one has done this a few times, she’ll be squirming with anticipation as she waits for Billy Bear to pop out of the box again.

“Samantha [21m] loves to turn the handle and make him go ‘pop’ and she always wants me to push him back down to go again and again.” – Barb Kustec

Activity Bath Toys
(12m+, Brio, $30)
This attractive, brightly coloured fabric bath toy is perfect for the way kids like to play in the tub. A plus for parents: It dries fast.

“Popular with both John [12m] and Katherine [3½ ], from chewing on the spoon to using the ‘net’ to catch all the fish in the tub.” – Jim Cogill

Quatro
(12–36m, Lego, starting at $15 for 20-piece tub)
New this year in the Lego/Duplo tradition is Quatro — the next biggest size. It’s all the fun of the original bricks, jumbo scale for even younger children.

“Scotty [1] is a bit young to build yet, but he’s always playing with them. He loves putting them in and out of the bucket, or just carrying them, chewing on them, knocking them down and banging them on the wall.” – Jill Chapman

LeapStart Learning Gym
(0m+, LeapFrog, $60)
This two-stage baby gym features twinkling lights, instrumental melodies from around the globe, and foreign languages. It converts from a motorized mobile for infants to a sit-up activity centre for older babies.

“It’s easy to put together, easy to use and lights up in a darker room, which Heidi [6m] finds fascinating. My older kids [5, 8] like learning to say hello in five different languages.” – Kelly Knoll

Goofy Giggles Remote Control
(6–36m, Little Tikes, $35)
This odd-looking critter erupts with giggles and a tooting horn as it scurries out of baby’s reach, enticing him to follow. The removable remote control activates the sounds and signals the giggler to move forward or spin. It’s a great interactive way for older siblings to play with baby.

“Declan [4½] likes to drive it around while Cian [16m] chases after it. The toy definitely gets our friend’s child, Logan [12m], crawling after it too!” – Victoria McMullan

The Little Mommy Potty Training Doll
(2+, Fisher-Price, $30)
After she drinks real water from her bottle, a built-in magnetic valve keeps this dolly’s diaper dry until she sits on her potty, where another magnet releases the liquid into the potty bowl. Her potty demo isn’t the only reason to love this vinyl baby — she’s also a good basic doll.

“Every toilet-training child should have a peeing dolly and this is a good, reasonably priced choice. Having multiple bottles is great; Clara [2] likes to pretend to drink out of one while feeding ‘baby’ with the other.” – Barbara Fleisig

Aquadoodle
(2+, Spin Master, $40)
This drawing surface is no less than a miracle. Just fill the markers with water and dampen the stamp pad, then let your child get as creative as he wants. Provide a brush and he can “paint” with water — or dare we suggest an old toothbrush so he can splatter? The worst mess you’ll clean up is a little spilled water. The artwork disappears as the canvas dries, making it ready for a new masterpiece.

“My twins [2] like to paint, but I don’t have the energy for mess! This lets them colour freely together and there is nothing to clean up. With two pens there’s no fighting.” – Cindy Joseph

Take & Play Neighborhood Kitchen & Garage
Take & Play Neighborhood Bedroom & Bathroom
(2½+, Manhattan Toy, each $30)
Each double-sided playset features a two-room combination — bedroom and bathroom or kitchen and garage — where simple stuffed figures can act out domestic scenes. Tethered accessories, such as a toothbrush, frying pan and garden hose, enhance the fun. A terrific introduction to imaginative play.

“James [3] loves role-playing the people, which he has shown little interest in with other toys. He plays them having dinner, watching TV, going to bed, even being disciplined. I underestimated his desire for make-believe play.” – Cynthia Andrew

Fridge Phonics
(2+, LeapFrog, $30, requires 3 AAA batteries)
These magnetized letters do a lot more than just stick to your fridge. Put a letter in the game unit and press it to hear a catchy song about the letter. Highly visible on the fridge, this toy draws kids back throughout the day, and parents are impressed by how well it reinforces letter names and sounds.

“The song helps Thomas [3] learn all the sounds that letters make, and James [2] has learned more than half the letters of the alphabet thanks mostly to this toy.” – Barb Wong

Counting & Sorting Farm
(2½+, Manhattan Toy, $30)
Even before they’re ready to count, kids find lots to keep them busy with this collection of fabric farm animals and cylinder-shaped houses. Ideal for toddlers to stuff in, pull out, stack, sort, count and play pretend.

“Devon [2] loves all the different animals and the ‘homes’ they live in. He’s more interested in getting them into the right houses than in counting them at this point, but I think that will change as he gets older.” – Julia Williams

Hullabaloo
(4+, Cranium, $40, requires 3 AA batteries)
Like a cross between Simon Says and Twister, this energetic game demands quick thinking and creativity. Players hop, skip, tiptoe, mimic animals, repeat silly phrases, and do funky dances and twister-like contortions. It’s lots of fun and there might even be a winner — if someone happens to be standing on the lucky spot.

“It’s hilarious to watch the kids doing their victory dances! It makes them think quickly, the music really grabs their attention, and everyone gets a turn to win — a real bonus at this age.” – Karen Jacksteit

Language Littles
(3+, Language Littles, $50, 3 AA batteries included)
Parlez-vous français? Each of these talking rag dolls has a modest vocabulary of English and another language and pauses to allow the child to repeat the phrase. The French “Jolie” was by far the most popular with our testers. Kids can also check out the website for games that reinforce the doll’s lesson.

“Talitha [4] begins early French immersion next year and is already repeating French words and phrases thanks to ‘Jolie.’” – Paula Benson

Fly & Discover Globe
(3–5, VTech, $30, 4 AA batteries included)
Junior geographers love flying the airplane around this 16 cm (6 in.) talking globe as they search for answers. Age-appropriate facts and quizzes encourage preschoolers to learn about the world beyond their everyday lives.

“I’m flying a plane! I learned about all animals and things around the world, like the Pacific Ocean is the biggest ocean and the Sahara Desert is the biggest desert you’ve ever seen.” – Michael [5]

Leapster
(4–8, LeapFrog, $99, requires 4 AA batteries)
This outstanding hand-held game player/art studio/electronic book keeps kids independently entertained for hours. It combines the appeal and portability of hand-held video players with educational content you can trust.

“This toy doesn’t just capture my child’s imagination, it steals it. Talitha picked it up, turned it on, and I lost her for two hours.” – Paula Benson

LeapFrog Cash Register
(3+, LeapFrog, $40, requires 3 AA batteries)
Here’s a versatile and fun electronic toy that teaches how to recognize coins and add up money. Kids like the plastic price tags that can be looped around pretend merchandise and scanned. Parents like that the plastic coins are Canadian.

“The girls like playing store. They buy the toys around the house and take turns being the cashier and the customer. I really like the fact that it teaches them to recognize the coins and how much they are worth.” – Laurie Tresa

Fizzy Foamy Science
(4+, Scientific Explorer, $30)
Amazing that plain ol’ baking soda can provide such a spectacular demonstration of basic chemistry. This kit turns your kitchen into a laboratory where you can nurture your preschooler’s inquisitive mind. The guidebook has an upbeat tone and kid-friendly explanations that help you and your child get the most out of this toy.

“It’s fun to watch it explode. My friend’s explosion was bigger than mine, but mine lasted longer. The most fun was the lemon juice and the bubbles with the dish detergent.” – Jacquie [4]

Camp Set
(4+, Learning Resources, $30, requires 4 AA batteries)
Get out the sleeping bags and camp out with this realistic-looking equipment. There’s a shovel to dig a rain trench, light-up camp stove, pan and utensil set for eating, wrist compass, first-aid kit, canteen and working lantern to light up the night — everything but the bugs!

“My kids set up camp on their beds every night before going to bed. We do a lot of camping, and I’m planning to bring this with us next time so the kids can ‘cook’ while I do.” – Laurie Tresa

Love me Chou Chou
(3+, Zapf Creation, $70, requires 6 AA batteries)
This 48 cm (19 in.) doll is so lifelike, it’s easy to imagine she’s a real baby. Parents observed their preschoolers in far more complex games of pretend than with traditional dolls.

“Even without batteries, it was love at first sight. Rosy [3] likes the enhanced pretending and the fact that she is able to soothe her baby — that makes her feel big and capable.” – Shenda Tanchak

Rugged Riggz
(3+, Little Tikes, each $20,
trucks with light and sound include 2 AA batteries)
With no-nonsense styling and rugged durability, these simple trucks offer exactly the right dose of inspiration for imaginative play. They’re all great, but the fire truck was our testers’ favourite.

“It’s a very simple, durable toy that Rain [4] played with time and again. There are only two parts (so they don’t get lost), but there are enough movable features to keep him excited.” – Pat Brimblecombe

Big Top
(4+, Gamewright, $16)
Half the cards in this matching game picture multiple animals in odd colours. The pair for each
card depicts the missing animal, in the missing colour. It’s a bit more challenging than a regular match game.

“At first glance the cards look like an ordinary matching game — but what a refreshing change and a nice transition to card games.” – Shelly Mosseau

Noah’s Ark
(3+, Plan Toys, $40)
The simple wooden animal shapes mean this basic toy is powered solely by creative imagination — no batteries needed. It combines boat and animal themes, both popular with preschoolers.

“`This is a farm boat.’ Rain [4] tells lots of different stories with his boat — from pirates to rescue ship, farmyard to thunderstorms. Amazingly, no animals have been lost, perhaps because he likes matching them up and placing them inside the boat ‘to keep them warm.’” – Pat Brimblecombe

Color Wonder Fingerpaints
(3+, Binney & Smith, $9)
It’s a bit like smearing Vaseline on paper, except this goop makes colours appear like a Polaroid picture on the specially treated paper. There are two sets available — a colouring/activity book with hidden pictures to discover, or blank paper for kids who prefer traditional freestyle finger painting.

“Jesse [3] isn’t a crayon child, but this paint set has helped him take an interest in working with paper. I put him in paint clothes. No need: He could have worn a suit. It really is ‘no-mess paint.’” – Cindy Dick

Night Animals
(4+, Pamela Drake, $14)
This unique 18-piece wooden puzzle with googly-eyed nocturnal animals was a big hit. Featuring two layers with a different picture on each, it’s a striking toy with the flexibility to adapt to your child’s readiness.

“An excellent transition toy when growing out of simple puzzles. The googly eyes take the cake.” – Shelly Mosseau

Bella Dancerella
(3–8, Spin Master, $40)
This floor mat, free-standing ballet barre and interactive video teach aspiring dancers the five basic ballet positions. After the lesson, your little ballerina can join the other dancers in a couple of fun numbers. Requires a VHS player and screen.

“Anya [4½] is in her own world when she is doing the ballet moves.” – Karen Jacksteit

Scrapbook Creations
(6+, Natural Science Industries, $16)
The kit supplies a pink cardboard cover with a pretty ribbon to weave through the cut-out holes, plus
lots of stickers, glitter glue, rhinestones and decorative frames. With her own photos and drawings, your child can create a wonderful keepsake.

“This is a picture of me and my sister. There are hearts and the word love. I used stickers and frames. I made this myself, you know.” – Tia [6]

Formula Fuelers
(6+, Mattel, $20–$30, requires 3 AA batteries)
Kids love inventing bizarre concoctions — like green tea and five drops of soy sauce — then testing how well their “fuel” recipes work in the car or motorcycle. In one mode, the vehicles move with or without the fuel concoctions, as the real fuel for this vehicle is the batteries.

“I like experimenting like a mad scientist putting in secret formulas. It’s good that not all formulas work, but most do.” – Talon [10]

The Klutz Book of Paper Airplanes
(7+, Klutz, $25)
Our testers say this book is better than other paper airplane books, with its easy-to-follow folding instructions and designs that actually fly well. Kids like that it explains basic principles of flight and translates these into practical tips.

“It has pretty good instructions and the planes are easy to fold. I like that the easiest planes are at the front and the hardest are at the back, and that it comes with fancy paper.” – Ryan [8]

Wooly Bully
(7+, Asmodée éditions, $30)
Players strategically place their tiles domino-style to secretly pen their sheep and keep them safe from attacking wolves. Younger siblings can join in this great family game because it requires no reading or math skills.

“One of best games I have ever played. After I play, my brain keeps thinking about Wooly Bully.” – Sam [5]

4-Way Spell Down/4-Way Count Down
(6+, Cadaco, each $25)
These wooden games are more than educational tools — they are fun, well-designed games. Even older kids long past mastering basic math and spelling skills enjoy playing.

“I like that you can put down more letter keys if you’re clever enough to spell a big word. I beat my mom because I put down three keys in one turn by spelling ‘yacht’ when I rolled an A and T.” – Conor [11]

i-TOP
(6+, iToys, $15)
Here’s a clever high-tech version of a classic toy. Spin this top and it’ll count the revolutions or measure how fast it’s spinning. It has a memory too, so kids can try to beat the high score. There are four games that appeal to school-agers and teenagers alike. When they’re done, the top collapses to fit snugly in a pocket.

“It’s better than other tops because it’s more a game than just something to do. I like that you can try to beat the high score.” – Cam [14]

Maask
(6+, Blue Orange Games, $30)
Roll the die and pick a peg to uncover. If the die and peg colours match, the peg is yours. You can add it to your stash, but if another player matches it later in the game, he claims it for his own hoard. It’s a twist that keeps this memory game challenging and unpredictable right to the end.

“Tia [6] didn’t like when I stole a piece from her, until she realized she could steal too. Then she was very excited (‘I’m going to steal everyone’s pieces and win!’). And she did just that. Great memory game.” – Laurie Tresa

The Original Glowball
(6+, Your Idea, $15)
It looks like a plastic light bulb, but this kid-friendly nightlight doesn’t need electricity. Just expose it to light and it glows for about 45 minutes. It’s quick and easy to make, and kids love that it’s a nightlight they can make themselves.

“Look, Mommy, it glows! It’s neat because I made it myself and ’cause I can move it around my room — I can’t do that with the other nightlight.” – Kelsey [7]

Scene It? Jr.
(8+, Screen Life, $40)
The appeal of this exciting quiz game is enhanced by sounds and visual effects from your DVD player. But it is the sheer variety of challenges made possible by the DVD format that make it fun for everyone. There are a few trivia questions, but players can answer most just by paying attention. A teen version (13+) is also available. Requires a DVD player and screen.

“It’s cooler than other board games because it’s got fun things like video clips of your favourite movies. And, it’s more relaxing because you sit on your couch to play.” – Dom [14]

Spool Knit Jewelry
(12+, Klutz, $30)
The best thing about this kit is the stylish bracelets (and other things) kids make using the colourful stretchy cord and beads. Clear instructions and quality supplies make for an enjoyable, frustration-free activity. Note: Use clear nail polish to keep ends from fraying.

“It’s a bit hard to start, but it gets better once you get going. I like that the instructions are really complete and the diagrams make it easier to understand. The stuff you make looks really cool to wear.” – Leah [13]

Kit & Caboodle
(8+, Gamewright, $20)
This compact game combines the dice-rolling chance of Yahtzee with good sorting skills.

“I like that there’s so many different options to chose from. You just have to look for the right combination and have a lot of luck.” – Duncan [10]

Me and My Friends: The Book of Us
(8+, Klutz, $23)
With fun, silly pages to fill out by two or more pals, this friendship memento is perfect for tweens who are just beginning to form deep and lasting relationships. Part journal, scrapbook and time capsule, it makes a wonderful keepsake.

“I think it’s awesome. They had some really original ideas to do — like saying what fruit or vegetable your friend is most like.” – Kelsey [13]

Who? What? Where?
(12+, Pazow!, $40)
It’s like Pictionary, but here you get to sketch a who-what-where combination. These completely unrelated things conjure bizarre images that give this madcap game its unique charm.

“You’ll get something like Chewbacca playing hopscotch in a trailer park or Mary Poppins hitchhiking in Stonehenge. It’s fun to hear what everyone else guessed for something you drew, and its fun trying to figure out the other drawings. “ – Sarah [10]

Jurassic Plant
(4+, Scientific Explorer, $20)
This activity is easy enough for kids as young as four to manage, but it takes much older children to appreciate
the marvel of watching a real plant’s dead-looking branches come alive again. It’s worthwhile researching “Resurrection Plant” online to learn the plant’s amazing story.

“It starts growing so quickly. In two minutes you can actually see the branches moving. Sometimes you can even hear the fibres stretching — they sound like Rice Krispies. And if you forget to water it, you don’t have to worry that it’ll die. It just curls back up again.” – Conor [11]

• Ambi (represented by Pierre Belvedere) (514) 286-2880

• Asmodée éditions (represented by Foxmind Canada) (514) 369-7777 foxmind.com

• B-Bel 1-866-673-3310 b-bel.ca

• big Boing (415) 331-7558 bigboing.com

• Binney & Smith 1-800-461-0332 crayola.com

• Blue Orange Games (represented by Northbridge) 1-800-748-8986 blueorangegames.com

• BRIO Scanditoy Inc. 1-800-461-3057 brio.net

• Cadaco (represented by Rumba Games) (905) 795-3553 cadaco.com

• Cardinal Inds (718) 784-3000 cardinalgames.com

• Cranium (distributed by Northbridge) 1-800-748-8986 cranium.com

• Duncan Toys 1-800-457-5252 yo-yo.com

• Editions Gladius 1-800-804-5998 gladius.com

• Educational Insights 1-800-995-4436 educationalinsights.com

• Find It Games (represented by Zibbers) 1-800-642-0902 finditgames.com

• Fisher-Price (represented by Mattel) 1-800-567-7724 fisher-price.com

• Four Four Four (905) 271-6644 payperbox.com

• Gamewright (represented by Rumba Games) (905) 975-3533 gamewright.com

• Hasbro 1-800-752-9755 hasbro.com

• Imaginability (represented by PlaSmart) 1-877-289-0730 wedgits.com

• International Playthings 1-800-631-1272 intplay.com

• iToys (416) 703-5886 irwintoy.com

• Klutz (represented by Scholastic) (905) 887-7323 klutz.com

• Language Littles (212) 535-8122 languagelittles.com

• LeapFrog 1-800-701-5327 leapfrog.com

• Learning Resources 1-800- 222-3909 learningresources.com

• Lego 1-877-518-5346 lego.com

• The Little Tikes Company 1-800-321-0183 littletikes.com

• Manhattan Toy 1-800-541-1345 manhattantoy.com

• Mattel 1-800-665-6288 mattel.com

• Milton Bradley (represented by Hasbro) 1-800-752-9755 hasbro.com

• Natural Science Industries (represented by R P Toys) 1-888-425-9113 nsitoys.com

• Out of the Box Games ( represented by Northbridge Trading) 1-800-748-8986 otb-games.com

• Pamela Drake, Inc. 1-800-966-3762 woodkins.com

• Parlor Gamez (represented by Northbridge) 1-800-752-9755 parlorgamez.com

• Pazow! (650) 341-8256 pazow.com

• Plan Toys (represented by BRIO Scanditoy)1-800-461-3057 plantoys.com

• Playskool (represented by Hasbro) 1-800-752-9755 hasbro.com

• Scientific Explorer (represented by Northbridge) 1-800-748-8986 scientificexplorer.com

• Screenlife (represented by Mattel & Northbridge) 1-800-665-6288 (Mattel) or 1-800-748-8986 Northbridge) sceneit.com

• Spin Master Toys 1-800-622-8339 spinmaster.com

• Think Fun (represented by Pierre Belvedere) (514) 286-2880 thinkfun.com

• Tiger Electronics (represented by Hasbro) 1-800-752-9755 hasbro.com

• Tiny Love (represented by Pierre Belvedere) (514) 286-2880 tinylove.com

• VTech 1-877-352-8697 vtechkids.com

• Woodstock Percussion (represented by Touch the Sky) 1-800-268-8844

• Wild Republic (represented by Creative Press) (440) 582-5671 wildrepublic.com

woodstock@chimes.com

• e-youridea.com (distributed by Zibbers) 416-787-8516 theoriginalglowball.com

• Zapf Creation (represented by Cone Inc.) (407) 351-7702 zapf-creation.com

• Zibbers 1-800-642-0902

• Top Toy Guide 2004 • Toys for Infants • Toys for Toddlers • Toys for Preschoolers • Toys for School-agers • Toys for Preteens • Where to Get Them • The Latest Greatest Toys! Hot off the Press: Check out these recommendations for games and toys so new they couldn't make the magazine deadline. • Last-Minute Gift Guide Stocking stuffers for under $15 (and a few others we couldn't resist)

Originally published in Today's Parent, November 2004