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BEST LAST-MINUTE TOYS

Great Toys, Ready & Waiting

No need for dashing through the snow! Retailers still have these top toy picks from our independent reviewers in stock and ready to ship. Check out our best finds for the Newest Arrivals, 1 Year+, 2 Year+, 3 Year+, 4 Year+, 5 Year+, and 6 Year+ kiddos that can be yours in time for the big day.

Newest Arrivals

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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?!).

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Owl Pal Pillow Craft

ORB

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Gobblet Gobblers Game

Blue Orange Games

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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.

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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.

 

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Gobblet Gobblers Game

Blue Orange Games

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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.

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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!

 

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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.

 

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Match it! 4 Letter Words

Learning Journey International

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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Hisss

Gamewright

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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Science Laboratory

Thames & Kosmos

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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).

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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.

 

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Magna-Tiles, 100-Piece Set

Valtech

 

MSRP:  $119.99

Mfr. Recommended Ages:  3 Years+

 

Why We Love It

These sturdy, magnetized pieces inspire open-ended creative play. Excellent for shape recognition and motor skills. Smaller sets: 32 pieces for $49.99; 48 pieces for $74.50.

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Parking Garage & Car Wash

Melissa & Doug

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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.

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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.

 

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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). 

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Castle Logix

Smart Games

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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Construction Trucks

Green Toys

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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My Take Along Ship

Playmobil

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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Butterfly Shape Sorter

Janod

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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Baby Stella

Manhattan Toy Co.

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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. 

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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.

 

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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.

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Stack & Pour Buckets

Skip Hop

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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.

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1 Year+
2 Years+
3 Years+
4 Years+
5 Years+
6 Years+
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