BEST LAST-MINUTE TOYS
Great Toys, Ready & Waiting
Product Options
Melody Book & Doll
American Girl
MSRP: $115.00
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 8 Years+
Why We Love It
Beautiful American Girl doll along with the first book in her series. Story set in 1960s Detroit in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement.
Buying options:
Great Vehicles Ferry
Lego City
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6-12 Years
Why We Love It
Cool captain's deck and gate that opens and closes to let cars onto the ferry. Great combination of building and pretend play. Note: Ferry doesn't actually float.
Buying options:
Restaurant Kitchen Puzzle
Janod
MSRP: Check for pricing
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6-9 Years
Why We Love It
Excellent quality, 208-piece puzzle features a fun, detailed scene that doubles as a hidden picture game. Put the pieces together then find the 51 hidden objects (anyone see the hidden lobster?!).
Buying options:
Sleeping Queens
Gamewright
MSRP: $11.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 8 Years+
Why We Love It
Delightful card game with comical characters (Pancake Queen, anyone?). Builds basic strategy and has an excellent math component. One of the most engaging games on the market.
Buying options:
Rat-a-Tat
Gamewright
MSRP: $11.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6 Years+
Why We Love It
Players compete for the lowest score in this comical card game that builds memory and basic math skills. An all-time Red Jellies favorite.
Buying options:
Phoenix Bladerunner
Rollerblade
MSRP: $64.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages:
Why We Love It
High quality inline skates for youth rollerbladers. Adjustable length allows skates to grow with your little one's feet.
Buying options:
Ghost Hunters
Smart Games
MSRP: $13.49
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6 Years+
Why We Love It
Boo! Position the flashlights correctly to shine a light on the ghosts hiding in the haunted mansion. Builds problem solving and spatial reasoning. Includes 60 challenges.
Buying options:
Outfoxed
Gamewright
MSRP: $17.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
A cooperative whodunit with a cool clue decoder. Crack the case of the stolen pot pie before the guilty fox escapes. Builds deductive reasoning and teamwork.
Buying options:
Go Go Gelato!
Blue Orange Games
MSRP: $19.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6 Years+
Why We Love It
Little shop owners must plan ahead to match their customers' gelato orders by passing scoops between cones. Great beginning logic game with sweet components.
Buying options:
16' Jump Rope
Just Jump It
MSRP: $14.00
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6 Years+
Why We Love It
Let's get jumping! This high quality rope has an excellent weight and length. Comes in a variety of colors. Order two to introduce double dutch.
Buying options:
Stained Glass Dolphin Craft
Melissa & Doug
MSRP: $19.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
Littles create their own "stained glass" creations with this peel-and-press sticker kit. Hang in the window for full effect. Builds focus and fine motor skills.
Buying options:
Race to the Treasure
Peaceable Kingdom
MSRP: $15.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
A cooperative game in which players work together to build a path and beat the ogre to the treasure. Excellent for spatial reasoning, strategy, and team play.
Buying options:
Owl Pal Pillow Craft
ORB
MSRP: $16.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
Use a stylus to punch fabric into pillow according to a numbered legend. Results in an adorable craft.
Buying options:
Quadrilla Marble Run
Hape
MSRP: $149.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
Exciting runs, quality pieces, nearly a dozen suggested runs. A great bet for little architects ready for a challenge.
Buying options:
Smart Games
Color Code
MSRP: $19.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
Tackle 100 challenges of varying difficulty by layering colored tiles. Develops logic and spatial reasoning skills. Bonus: Beautiful materials; small and portable.
Buying options:
Gobblet Gobblers Game
Blue Orange Games
MSRP: $24.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
A twist on the classic tic-tac-toe game: larger pieces can "gobble" smaller ones! Builds memory and strategic thinking. Quick play.
Buying options:
Quadrilla Marble Run
Hape
MSRP: $149.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
Exciting runs, quality pieces, nearly a dozen suggested runs. A great bet for little architects ready for a challenge.
Buying options:
Smart Games
Color Code
MSRP: $19.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
Tackle 100 challenges of varying difficulty by layering colored tiles. Develops logic and spatial reasoning skills. Bonus: Beautiful materials; small and portable.
Buying options:
Gobblet Gobblers Game
Blue Orange Games
MSRP: $24.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 5 Years+
Why We Love It
A twist on the classic tic-tac-toe game: larger pieces can "gobble" smaller ones! Builds memory and strategic thinking. Quick play.
Buying options:
Color-a-Cape Fairy
Great Pretenders
MSRP: $21.77
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
A great art project that leads to dramatic play. Plus it's washable, so kids can color it again and again!
Buying options:
Dig It Up! Donosaur Eggs
MindWare
MSRP: $24.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
Calling all paleontologists! Littles "excavate" a dinosaur from a clay egg using a chisel. Nurture a love for science with this excellent group activity. 12 eggs in the set.
Buying options:
Match it! 4 Letter Words
Learning Journey International
MSRP: $11.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
Self-correcting puzzle introduces littles to spelling and reading with kid-friendly images. Boosts letter recognition.
Buying options:
Grand Hotel Building Set
Wonderhood
MSRP: $47.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4-8 Years
Why We Love It
Design and build your own hotel complete with working elevator. Encourages creativity and open-ended pretend play. Includes design challenges.
Buying options:
Little Red Riding Hood
Smart Games
MSRP: $23.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4-7 Years
Why We Love It
Use puzzle pieces to build Little Red Riding Hood a path to Grandma's house. Second level of play incorporates the Big Bad Wolf. Builds spatial reasoning and problem solving skills.
Buying options:
Hisss
Gamewright
MSRP: $13.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 4 Years+
Why We Love It
Draw cards and match colors to complete the most snakes. Boosts matching, spatial logic, and turn-taking. Great first game.
Buying options:
Solid Tempera Paint
The Pencil Grip
MSRP: $24.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3 Years+
Why We Love It
No water. No brushes. No mess! Little artists can't paint quite as precisely as they could with a thinner tip, but these paint sticks have vibrant colors. Fast drying to boot.
Buying options:
Maze Maker
Maze-O
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3 Years+
Why We Love It
Littles design their own mazes (and build creativity and spatial reasoning) with this awesome set. Follow the designs on the activity cards or create your own.
Buying options:
Science Laboratory
Thames & Kosmos
MSRP: $49.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3 Years+
Why We Love It
Let's get to the lab! Follow one of the 10 activity cards or use the tools for open-ended scientific exploration. Includes information for caregivers (and a handy storage case).
Buying options:
Fire Chief Costume
Melissa & Doug
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3-6 Years
Why We Love It
Cute costume inspires independent and cooperative play. Well-made, durable, and machine washable.
Buying options:
Parking Garage & Car Wash
Melissa & Doug
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3 Years+
Why We Love It
Small size and great combo of parking garage and car wash. Engaging features like a working elevator, garage with doors, and roller and dryer strips. Easy carry handle.
Buying options:
Mini Deluxe Scooter
Micro
MSRP: $89.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 2-5 Years
Why We Love It
Let's get moving! Littles steer this well-made scooter by leaning in the direction they want to go. Smooth ride. Adjustable T-bar height. Develops balance and coordination.
Buying options:
Fossil Hunter Lottie
Arklu
MSRP: $24.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3 Years+
Why We Love It
Calling all paleontologists! This high quality doll is ready for the dig. Small size convenient for travel. Bonus that Lottie looks like a kid (no makeup, jewelry, or high heels).
Buying options:
Castle Logix
Smart Games
MSRP: $24.50
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 3-8 Years
Why We Love It
A beautiful 3D wooden puzzle that promotes problem solving and spatial reasoning. With 48 challenges of varying difficulty, it continues to engage kids as they grow.
Buying options:
Garden Build & Spin
Learning Resources
MSRP: $14.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 2 Years+
Why We Love It
Attach gears and characters to board then see the cause-and-effect of turning the handle. All pieces mix-and-match. Great introduction to gears.
Buying options:
Tea Set
Green Toys
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 2 Years+
Why We Love It
Durable, lightweight tea set for four encourages pretend play. Made from recycled materials. Dishwasher safe.
Buying options:
Construction Trucks
Green Toys
MSRP: $34.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 2 Years+
Why We Love It
Sturdy set of vehicles encourages pretend play. Works well for beach or snow. Compact size for easy travel. Multiple kids can join the fun. Made from 100% recycled materials.
Buying options:
Dudley Dump Truck
WOW
MSRP: $30.89
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 18 Months - 5 Years
Why We Love It
Most durable toy truck you may ever find. This top-rated product encourages imaginative play, and kiddos love the (battery-free!) motorized tipping. Includes carry handle.
Buying options:
Fire Engine Playset
Indigo Jamm
MSRP: $44.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 18 Months+
Why We Love It
Beautiful wooden fire truck and peg firefighters encourage pretend play. Figures can ride on ladder or inside engine.
Buying options:
My Take Along Ship
Playmobil
MSRP: $29.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 18 Months+
Why We Love It
It floats! Littles jump into pretend play with this seaworthy set. Large pieces are perfect for little hands. Closing case and handle make it easy to bring to playdates and restaurants.
Buying options:
First Building Blocks
Fisher-Price
MSRP: $20.00
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 1-5 Years
Why We Love It
Big, sturdy blocks are perfect size for little hands and stack easily. Fuels imagination and motor skills.
Buying options:
Dump Truck
Green Toys
MSRP: $29.90
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 1 Year+
Why We Love It
Time for some serious construction work! This working dumper fuels imaginative play. Made from recycled materials. Durable and easy to clean.
Buying options:
Butterfly Shape Sorter
Janod
MSRP: Check for pricing
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 18 Months - 3 Years
Why We Love It
Beautiful wooden toy with butterfly-shaped base builds shape and color recognition and enhances fine motor skills.
Buying options:
Country Critters Play Club
Hape
MSRP: $149.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 1 Year+
Why We Love It
Beautiful graphics. Includes 5 activities (including ball rollercoaster and floating maze!) that boost color / shape recognition, fine motor skills, and cause and effect.
Buying options:
Spin Again
Fat Brain Toys
MSRP: $29.95
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 1 Year+
Why We Love It
This crowd-pleasing stacking toy helps develop eye-hand coordination. The fast spin is an extra (mesmerizing!) bonus.
Buying options:
Baby Stella
Manhattan Toy Co.
MSRP: $20.00
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 1 Year+
Why We Love It
15-inch, super soft doll with embroidered features, removable clothes and diaper, and a magnetized pacifier. Perfect first doll.
Buying options:
Pull-Back Vehicles
Melissa & Doug
MSRP: $24.99
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 9 Months+
Why We Love It
Vroom! Little ones build fine motor skills by pulling vehicles back and watching them race ahead. No worries about crashes, either. It's a lightweight toy with soft fabric.
Buying options:
Shapes Bath Toy
Baby Loovi
MSRP: $17.85
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 6 Months+
Why We Love It
Vibrant puzzle / bath toy combo builds motor skills and shape recognition as baby gets older. Pieces stick to the walls or sides of the tub when wet.
Buying options:
Stack & Pour Buckets
Skip Hop
MSRP: $10.00
Mfr. Recommended Ages: 9 Months+
Why We Love It
Great for bath or beach! Cute buckets have three different sprinkle designs to engage kids' attention. Small enough for little hands and easily stackable.
Buying options:
