
(They’re not the only fans: The first generation of Take Along Tunes was released over a decade ago, and it’s remained popular ever since.) I suspect the appeal lies in the generously sized, tempting center push-button that activates the melodies, the easily graspable beaded handle (my toddler daughter would clutch it in one hand while cruising around, as if wielding a tiny boombox), and (perhaps most important) its tolerable sound level. 13, as colorful lights flash along-would prove irresistible to my son and, later, his little sister. Despite that humble introduction, the music maker-which plays an array of classical tunes, like Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Mozart’s Serenade No.
#Critters playset full#
When I was expecting my first child, a friend bequeathed me a garbage bag full of used baby gear, and this unassuming little piece of plastic was in the jumbled mix. (Since kids develop at different rates, all age recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt.) And please share your own best ideas in the comments below. We also have guides to gifts for tweens and teens. If you’re looking for more kids gift ideas, check out our guides to the best gifts for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, and 10-year-olds, as well as great stocking stuffers for kids. Children with medical complications and developmental delays may engage most with toys recommended for infants when shopping for them, it’s best to ask their parent or caregiver about the child’s developmental (versus biological) age. Our testers have played with these toys outside of their age-range recommendations and found them to be appropriate for this guide. Some of the toys on this list are officially recommended for children ages 2 and up and 3 and up. We talked with Cleveland and other child development experts-and mined the collective knowledge of parents and other caregivers on our staff-to identify fun and engaging gifts for the youngest recipients. This age is also a good time to invest in keepsake items that will remain special as a child grows up. So toys with different textures that invite small hands (and, of course, mouths) to grab and investigate are good choices, as are starter ride-on toys that offer the opportunity to roam. Play at this age is largely focused on sensory exploration and motor development, Cleveland points out. Look for toys that are open-ended, like blocks and stacking cups that can be played with in more than one way, said Sarah Cleveland, director of a child-care center near Austin, Texas. By investing in the right toys and gifts, you can set your child up for years of fun. (Be sure to save those boxes.) Others have already begun to develop their own unique preferences, personalities, and abilities. In fact, they may be as excited by the packaging as by what’s inside. They are twin baby Hazelnut chipmunks that have a bottle and pacifier and come wearing tiny diapers you can pretend to change.When it comes to presents, many 1-year-olds aren’t picky. This little set comes with Jordan and Riley Chipmunk. You’ll also get the best fit when you pair these authentic Calico Critters figurine sets with their coordinating accessories. The price tag for larger Calico Critter sets can get a little high but much like with American Girl dolls, cheaper competitors just aren’t as cute, detail-oriented or well-made. These critters have been around since 1985 but have gained popularity in recent years.

#Critters playset series#
What are Calico Critters exactly? It’s an award-winning toy series of quality animal figures about 2.5 inches in size designed for pretend play.Ĭhildren can pair them with cute clothes, accessories and even little Calico Critter houses. Calico Critters toys worth the priceĬhances are if you know a child who enjoys figurines, you’ve heard them talk about Calico Critters. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated.
