When looking for a gift for baby, it’s a good idea to have a variety of things for them to play with. I know I got caught up in buying a lot of interactive and educational toys for my son when he was very young.They provided the mental stimulation I was looking for and they were fun as well. It’s also good to have something’s that offers physical activity and that’s why Baby Einstein Animal Exploration Tunnel is tops on my list as a great gift to give for Christmas. (Or any time for that matter)

This is a lovely and safe way for little ones to explore their world.  A crawling baby will hear the sound of softly crunching leaves as she ventures through this soft sided tunnel and she’ll come across a variety of her favorite items like a chirping red bird, animal photo cards even a water filled apple tether. Because this tunnel consists of sheer paneled mesh windows, your baby will feel secure in the fact that she can see you and hear you. 

Young children of all developmental stages will benefit from this terrific toy and I bet this would be a wonderful gift for a child with special needs, too.

If you’re shopping for a newborn, Baby Einstein offers a similar product for those that are not yet mobile. (Baby Einstein Activity Gym Seek And Discover)  

In a world where toys are here one season and gone the next, the amazing endurance of Fisher-Price Little People is unmatched. They have been played with and loved by children since the 1950’s and I personally have possession of my own Fisher-Price School Bus (circa 1968) that I snagged last time I was home. (Sorry, Mom and Dad!) 

That is why these have my stamp of approval as a top gift for holiday giving.

Because children have different interests, Fisher-Price offers a lot of variety. This is not a one size fits all type of toy and that’s why I like them so much. Although the look of them has changed over the years the concept has stayed the same.

Pretend Play. 

While kids may wonder why they are receiving these and may ask what size batteries they take, believe me when I tell you that most won’t be able to resist them. With choices like Michael with Bulldozer, Mayflower Playset, Lil Pirate Ship and Lil Kingdom Palace  one of these charming options will  surely peak their interest.

Actually, Little People Mayflower Playset would be a fun thing for the kids to play with on Thanksgiving. (How about a little early gift, Mom?) 

Check out Little People Hanukkah Set, for a multi-cultural experience complete with a collectible gift box. 

Always appropriate, always entertaining, Fisher Price Little People.

I can’t say enough about Lego’s.  They have kept my son enthralled for hours (So I can get some work done!) and I have fun playing with them too.

One of this years “must have’s” for the Lego loving child is The Lego Agents Mobile Command Center. There is something about the words “command center” that gets a little boy’s heart racing. Must have something to do with being the good guy. (Which is a fine thing.) This toy certainly comes with a lot of opportunity to do just that. 

The imaginary story of Dr. inferno and his evil henchmen will most definitely bring out the hero in your little guy, as he races against time to save the world.  With a little help from the intel center, weapons Bay (Whatever that is? I’m a girl so I’m still learning!) Jet plane boat and two cars surely it will all turn out all right. 

Until Dr. Inferno escapes in his monster robot! (Lego Agents Robot Attack, oh, how kids love robots!) This superset comes with missiles and a harpooned quad bike and is the perfect addition to the command center if your little guy has been extra good this year.  

Though the Mozart effect study is under fire…does early exposure to classical music REALLY help baby brain development? I’m not sure but, listening to classical music from an early age certainly gets them used to it…maybe they will prefer it to whatever outlandish music is popular when they are teens some day.

So, why not add a Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube to your holiday gift list? It’s one musical toy that won’t drive you nuts listening to it over and over and over.

I always recommend limiting electronic toys, but a few are fine if they are interactive, which this one is. Watch your child add or subtract instruments with the touch of a button including harp, flute, piano French horn and violin) and they can compose up to eight different songs to dance along to….OK- maybe compose is too strong a word…but you know how babies love buttons.

This would also be an inspiring gift to wrap up and place in your local charity’s giving tree for needy children at Christmastime. Or recommend it to that grandparent, uncle or friend who just has to buy something noisy for your child.

The sturdy design means it won’t end up in the trash pile anytime soon either.

It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas.  Especially when the hottest toys sell out quickly. One of this year’s best is Zhu Zhu Pets and is predicted to be the top seller of 2009.

This interactive hamster toy follows on the heels of the popularity of Littlest Pet Shop, which has been wildly successful for years, but these little guys will have you believing they’re real.

Zhu Zhu Pets are battery operated and have various mode settings, which allow them to squeak, bump and roll through their hamster house or play in the many different play sets available. One that I like is the Zhu Zhu Pets Giant Hamster City, which comes with everything your child needs to get started.

This set includes two hamsters, funhouse, exercise wheel, garage, sleep dome and adventure ball.  Kids can set the mode to whatever activity they want.  Time to play (watch them race around!) or time to snuggle (they’ll coo and purr when you hold them.) They’ll love watching  these silly hamsters explore their habitat and because this particular set comes with two pets, a sibling or friend can join the in the fun!

Though I’m not usually a fan of electronic toys, this one is great for boys and girls who really enjoy “things that go”. when the battery runs out, don’t replace it. They’ll get hours more fun  making the hamster run around using “kid power”.

Zhu Zhu Pets are also sold separately if you want to start out small (Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster “Pipsqueak” With Orange Pet Bed And Carrier) for a younger child.  But don’t hesitate; these little guys are flying off the shelves!

With fall arriving in just a few short weeks, I thought I would share with you some of the top Halloween costumes for kids. (From Pricegrabber, of course.)

Baby Nemo Clown Fish: How cute is this? It’s perfect for a chilly October night, as it acts like a bunting and fastens snugly in the back to keep your baby cozy and warm.

Peter Pan: I like costumes that are different and original and let’s face it, kids won’t let you pick out their costumes forever! (For babies’ eighteen to twenty four months)

We like Pirates in my house, and this is about as classic as you can get.  What’s great about this costume is that it really is gender neutral.

Baby Ice Cream Cone: So yummy you’ll want to take a lick. They’ll probably get extra treats for wearing this winner. (Back closure makes diaper changing a snap.)

Princess White Velvet Native American Princess: Pre-teen girls will appreciate this costume, especially if they are into the American Girl dolls or books.

Cherokee Warrior: This impressive costume will complement Princess White Velvet beautifully. (That is, if your daughter will let her brother trick or treat with her!)

Ben Franklin Historical Halloween: For the intellectual child that wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a pirate costume.  This unique costume could win your kid a prize!

Chewbacca: Star Wars is still popular after all these years and again, it’s gender friendly.

Cowgirl: For the tomboy (girl), there’s nothing like the wild, Wild West!

Finally, a Princess:  Every little girl who dreams of being one. (I might be one myself this year!)

One of the top names in kids clothing and accessories that “organic” people know is Under The Nile.

This company was started by a woman whose own children were allergic to many commercial dyes in traditional kids clothing.  Along with her husband, (who by the way is Egyptian, hence the name) they started making their own line of 100 pure Egyptian Cotton clothing and accessories. These are hugely popular with the Hollywood crowd and even regular people like us.

The cotton they use is grown in Egypt and is dyed only with metal-free or vegetable dyes and they operate under the Fair Trade Act to ensure everyone involved in the production of their goods is treated fairly. Unfortunately, my own child has outgrown most of their products but here is one that I think is just terrific.

The Organic Fruit Basket by Under The Nile contains a banana, watermelon, pear and grape all stuffed with and made from certified Organic Cotton. Any baby would enjoy chewing on these “fruits” and you can be sure they are safe to put in their little mouths.  What a great way to teach about healthy eating habits and even introduce new foods to them.

The sweet faces on the fruits and darling braided tote basket for carrying them around in completes this innovative and modern toy. I plan on introducing some more products from Under The Nile to you, but in the meantime consider this customer- top-rated item as one to buy for your own  “little banana.” (Also sold separately Under The Nile Organic Banana Toy)

As I was strolling around a music festival the other day, I happened upon some very artsy vendor’s selling beautiful handmade clothing, jewelry, etc.

Over in one little corner of one of the artist’s booth was a very whimsical display of her handmade finger puppets, each one cuter than the next.  This is not a toy you’ll see around much these days I thought to myself and I promptly picked out a half dozen to take home with me. I checked Pricegrabber to see if they offered any puppets, and here are the ones that I loved.

The Cirque Du Soliel Finger Puppiezes from Manhattan Toy is a set of finger puppets based on the very popular musical and includes four puppiezes for little fingers to enjoy.  They can stand on their head like real acrobats or walk down the stairs with the help of some little fingers!

Make a stage out of a shoebox, and have your kids put on their very own show.  They can decorate the stage and even add a tightrope for their new friends with a bit of string and some glue. Add some music to the production and watch their personalities shine!

Manhattan Toy  makes some other great toys for babies too. ( Biggles Ball.)

eeBoo’s website promises to offer only “ beautiful, useful and well-made gifts for children”, and uses only the original art work of well- known, well- loved children’s book illustrators to create vibrant and original toys and gifts.”  I’m very excited about the wonderful products they have to offer, and I would like to share with you a few of my favorites.

eeBoo Spanish Bingo: A fun way to expose children as young as three to another language!

eeBoo Good Manner Flash Cards: Well, we could probably all use some of these.

eeBoo Fairies Of The Field Lacing Cards: Oppenheim Gold Award Winner, this is an old fashioned toy that has been updated with gorgeous illustrations and is a simple way to teach hand eye coordination to youngsters.

eeBoo Castle Sketchbook: For the princess in your life.

eeBoo Santa’s Flight Advent Calendar: It’s never too early to start shopping for Christmas.

eeBoo Poet and Astronomer Paper Doll Set: You can be anything you want to be.

I could go on and on, but you’ll just have to check out PriceGrabber for their extensive collection of fabulous eeBoo products.  Wrap one of these lovely items up in some pretty tissue or even some recycled newspaper and you will be giving the gift of creativity, knowledge and fun, all in one beautiful package.

University Games has won many awards for their creative and engaging products from such prestigious magazines such as Parenting , Family Fun and Child to name a few.

They have recently re-introduced an exact replica of the original Colorforms Playset, which was first introduced in 1951.

Made in the USA, Colorforms contains 350 pieces of colorful, primary stick on shapes to make whatever you kid”s imagination dreams up. -a rocket ship for boys, a doll house for girls.  The simplicity of this set, which has been updated to house them in an elegant spiral bound book, is the perfect addition to a kid’s toy collection.

Over stimulation is never good for children and this interesting toy is the perfect way for you child to quietly unwind from a busy day.  Give them 45 minutes of quiet time before dinner or bed, to construct something on their own.  These shiny vinyl pieces stick to most surfaces and will even stick to each other if need be.

Also included is a design booklet to help inspire kids to get started. University Games also makes gender specific Colorforms such as Astro Boy Playset, which will most likely appeal to boys, and Fancy Nancy Playset, geared more toward the young ladies.  But who’s to say?

The original collection will develop more creativity in a child, but just get them playing with any of these marvelous sets and you’ll see why this classic toy will be around forever.