Alphabuild
Kid O, $50
Magnetized blocks of varying sizes snap together to form distinct letters of the upper case alphabet. Practice problem solving skills to select the correct pieces to match together, while also having the flexibility for open-ended play. Available at Blue Manatee.
TOMY Gearation: Time to Imagine
TOMY, $49.95
Gearation will have your little one building and re-building all day long! The magnetic board holds 11 fun, whimsical gears that rotate when you press the “on” button. Each gear does something different including making different noises. Kids will have to use problem-solving skills to get the gears to work. Available at Coolest Toys on Earth.
Magic Moves Rainbow Jam
Educational Insights, $21.99
For your music lovers! Touch any color to hear its musical sound or a song about that color. Kids can learn about different musical styles and learn to create music. (Also comes in Jammin’ Gym) Available at Jungle Jim’s Toy Balloon.
Pallina Game in Bamboo
Hape, $39.99
Kids learn strategy while they carefully remove one bamboo stick at a time while trying to not drop any of the balls. Available at Jungle Jim’s Toy Balloon.
Sequence for Kids
Jax, $14.99
A go to game for game night! Learn the strategy behind which card to play, while also learning about turn taking and matching the animal on the card to the animal on the board. You can also find it in Sequence Letters. Available at United Art & Education.
YBike Evolve
YBike, $169.99
3-and-1 trike. This trike focuses on the early developmental skills for easy transition to a pedal bicycle. Available at King Arthur’s Toys.
Pop-Up Theater Tent
Kidoozie, $29.99
Easy to store pop-up theater that offers hours of fun while kids use their creativity to put on puppet shows. Available at Jungle Jim’s Toy Balloon.
Charley Harper Tree of Life Block Puzzle
Pomegranate, $20
Toddlers will love discovering animals in this delightful Charley Harper puzzle. Blocks can be stacked or used to create the “Tree of Life” picture. Available at Fort Thomas Central.
Zooblock Rhino Roll
Djeco, $34
Animals, construction, and tools. What more could you ask for? This wooden steam roller Zooblok toy can be interchanged with others in the collection to create new construction vehicles. Available at Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe.
Sleeper Hero Book and Stuffed Doll
sleeperhero.com, $49
Written by two local moms, this book and stuffed super hero combo will help youngsters establish good sleeping patterns. The story empowers kids to stay in bed at night and the stuffed animal gives the literal red and green light as to whether it is OK to get out of bed. The stuffed “sleep hero” also doubles as a cuddle buddy! Available at Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe.
Ze Pirate Boat
Djeco, $89
Arg! If you know a little matey, this wooden pirate ship would make a great gift. Wooden with beautiful details, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser to last for years to come. Available at Stoney’s Village Toy Shoppe.
Play Parking Garage
Plan Toys, $100
This sturdy, wooden, multi-level play garage is sure to impress any recipient. Creative play is encouraged as cars fuel up at the gas station, go up the elevator and down multiple ramps. Available at John R. Green Company.
Dynamo Dominoes
Hape, $39.99
Line them up to knock them down! These colorful dominoes will spark creativity in your builders as they carefully map out turns and obstacles. Available at John R. Green Company.
Waiting
Kevin Henkes, $17.99
Five stuffed animal friends sit in a windowsill, waiting for something to happen. This lesson in patience will become a family favorite in no time! Available at The Blue Marble.
Giant Road Jigsaw
Orchard Toys, $24
Get your engines started! Connect puzzle pieces that look like a road to make a toy car racetrack. Available at The Blue Marble.
Fridgigears
Can You Imagine, $27.95
These magnetic gears stick to the fridge for easy playing. One gear also doubles as a picture frame for your favorite pint-sized engineer. Available at Cincinnati Museum Center’s Store to Explore.
Popular Playthings Stacking Game
Hexacus, $47.95
25 stackable pieces create endless possibilities! Sort and build hundreds of colorful patterns, shapes and sculptures, then stack them away for easy storage. Available at Cincinnati Museum Center’s Store to Explore.
Play N Trace
Boogie Board, $34.99
The fun of tracing without the trouble of tracing paper! Press the button to erase and then start over. Available at Parent Teacher Store.
Kidoozie Super Hero Cape
International Playthings, $19.99
Design your own superhero cape with stickers that are easy for small fingers to apply, then it’s up, up, and away! Available at Learning Express Toys.