Supernanny’s top preschooler toys 2007
Don’t hit the mall or log onto Amazon without checking out our pick of the year’s best preschooler toys!
Safety first…
You won’t be alone if you’re having bad dreams about toy safety as the holiday season looms. All parents will be expecially concerned to ensure that any toys their child receives are safe, in the wake of this year’s massive toy recalls. Don’t assume that a toy is safe just because it’s made here in the USA, or that anything made in China is a potential danger. American made toys aren’t immune from recalls – and in any case many of the recent problems were caused by design flaws (in fact, three quarters of all the toy recalls over the last two decades have been due to faulty design, with only 10% due to the use of lead paint).
Be vigilant and make safety your priority when
choosing toys – check for easily breakable small parts; steer clear of long pull cords; avoid excessively loud toys, and those with battery compartments that aren’t secured shut by screws.
1 Corolle Interactive Lia
So realistic, she’ll make you feel broody! The size and weight of a real baby, her soft body is perfect for cuddles – and what a bonus: she ‘speaks’ to your child in French, English, Spanish or Italian. She comes complete with a bib, potty, bottle and weaning set; plus three bracelets that select which language she speaks.
3+, Corolle, $90 online
2 Home is Where the Heart Is Dollhouse
This gorgeous, sturdy three-storey doll’s house has an open design for easy access and furniture fiddling and is wonderful for imaginative play and role-play. Don’t forget to order a doll family and furnishings!
3+, Ryan’s Room, $105.99 at Small World Toys and via Amazon
3 Radio Flyer Classic Red Bike
The perfect transition from trike to bike, with the stylish retro look Radio Flyer is known for. Real rubber tires make for a comfortable ride and the trainer wheel detach. Comes complete with a ringing chrome bell.
3+, Radio Flyer, $49.90 at Toys R Us and Target, and via Amazon
4 Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel
If you prefer traditional easels, this is the one for you! Adjustable height, with chalkboard and white board and a paper roll included for painting; incorporates a handy paper cutter so you can tear off the finished work of art. Sturdy plastic trays attach to hold paint and chalk supplies.
4+, Melissa & Doug, $49.99 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon
5 Smart Cycle
Would you believe: a stationary bike for kids! Great for tiring them out on a rainy day, this plugs into your TV and offers a range of educational video games to watch and interact with as your child rides. Requires 4 x D batteries.
3+, Fisher-Price, $100 online and via Amazon
6 Dado Cubes
Postmodern building blocks: these award-winning slitted cubes slot together, enabling your child to explore proportion, balance, structure and color as he constructs his 3-D architectural masterpiece.
3+, SKU, $24.95 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon
7 Ryan’s Room Pirates of the Sea
Wooden pirate ship toy with real rope rigging, sails, gangplank, crow’s nest and a working anchor. You’ll be playing Pirates of the Caribbean all day!
3+, Ryan’s Room, $105 at Small World Toys and via Amazon
8 Diggin’ Wobble Deck
Electronic balance board game is great fun to use and improves your child’s fitness level while it hones reflexes, balance and co-ordination.
5+, Diggin, $37.95 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon
9 Optimus Prime Leader
For thousands of years, Optimus Prime has traveled through space… in search of your child’s Christmas stocking! Great play options as a robot or truck – his movable armor, ion blaster and and electronic horn sounds and lights will have Dads competing with their kids to get first dibs on Christmas morning! 2 x AA batteries included.
5+, Hasbro, $39.99 online
10 Lincoln Logs Frontier Lookout
A kid classic that promotes planning, logical thinking, problem-solving and creativity as your child constructs a cabin, fort, tower, canopy, fence and lookout – and mounts the flag as the final touch!
3+, Lincoln Logs, $12.95 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon