Supernanny’s top toddler toys 2007
Don’t hit the mall or log onto Amazon without checking out our pick of the year’s best baby 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 toddler 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 New Rodeo
Cute, solid rocking horse transforms into a ride-on later and incorporates an ingenious mechanism for adjusting the leg height to fit your child. You’ll need batteries: 3 x AAA.
12-36 mths, Chicco, $40 at Target and FAO Schwartz, and via Amazon
2 I Am The Boss
This soft, huggable dragon hides a surprise: unzip him and there’s a ball pit all ready for your toddler to collapse and roll in!
12 mths+, K’s Kids, $80 online and via Amazon
3 Puzzibilities
These chunky wooden puzzles are perfect for boosting your toddler’s hand-eye co-ordination. Choose from Around the Town Vehicles (pictured), Farm Animal Friends, Wild Safari Friends and more.
12 mths+, Small World Toys, $12.60 online and via Amazon
4 Pull-back Autos
Soft padded police car, taxi, school bus and fire truck will roll as far as 20 feet and won’t mark the walls when they crash! Bonus: they’re washable too.
12 mths+, K’s Kids, $28 online and via Amazon
5 Play ’n’ Ride Train
Sturdy, wide wheelbase makes it tip-proof and the back rest will prevent your baby falling backwards. Fun features include a horn to honk, a moving piston and colorful jumping balls, plus a secret storage compartment.
12 mths+, Chicco, $40 at Target and FAO Schwartz, and via Amazon
6 Radio Flyer Liberty Spring Horse
Take your tyke back to the days when kids wanted to be cowboys, not superheroes! The wide, stable base makes him tip-proof, the saddle has real stirrups and he has a yarn mane and tail. We defy you not to hum the Bonanza theme tune when your child unwraps this…
2+, Radio Flyer, $139.99 at Toys R Us and via Amazon
7 Zoo’m
This wooden magnetic maze toy is just detailed enough to keep your child and a friend or sibling occupied for an hour or so while you take a well-earned break!
2+, Educo, $27.95 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon
8 Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
The 12 colored shapes are chunky for tiny hands and make a satisfying clatter as they fall inside the cube!
2+, Melissa & Doug, $14.95 at Fat Brain Toys and via Amazon
9 Edushape Mini Stars
Plastic stars snap together to make a range of shapes and geometrical designs: great for developing fine motor skills and finger strength.
2+, Edushape, $19.95 at Sensory Edge and via Amazon
10 Counting and Sorting Farm
Consists of two cute animal pens and an assortment of stuffed cows, sheep, pigs and a chick. Toddlers will love putting the animals to bed in their pens – develops fine motor skills and introduces the concepts of numbers and counting.
2+, Manhattan Toy, $25 online and via Amazon