Liv Dolls, Spin Master Ltd., $14.99 each; age 5 and up. Glam to the hilt, Liv teenage dolls strut in style. Each of four diverse dolls can be posed and comes with interchangeable wigs and an online code for more games and fashion fun.
Makedo, Makedo,Reeves International Inc., $15; age 5 and up. Kids create fun and functional items by using imagination and ordinary household recyclables. Armed with this set of connectors, hinges and multi-purpose tools, young children can saw cardboard and punch holes to make cars, costumes and more.
Springfree Trampoline, Springfree Trampoline Inc., $1,599; ; age 6 and up. Marketed as the safest trampoline, flexible fiberglass rods replace traditional metal springs and are located beneath the jumping surface for a safer and more natural bounce. The FlexiNet enclosure keeps kids safely inside and guides them back to the trampolineÂ’s center.
Real Construction Deluxe Tool Set, JAKKS Pacific Inc., $29.99; age 5 and up. A “must have” for builders who are too old for pretend tools but too young for real ones. Build a garage for toy cars or a dollhouse with lightweight tools.
Real Construction Deluxe Tool Set
For ages 5 and up: The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel Kit, Scholastic Media/New Video, 2010; 2 hours, 12 min.; $24.95; age 5-8.
Amazing Airplanes, by Gaby Goldsack, illustrated by Lee Montgomery and Anthony Williams; Silver Dolphin Books, 2010; $14.95.
Farm, by Elisha Cooper; Orchard Books, 2010; $17.99.
My Name is Not Isabella, by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Mike Litwin; Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010; $16.99.
Who Will Plant a Tree?, by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Tom Leonard; Sleeping Bear Press, 2010; $15.95.
Herotopia, Herotainment, 2010; free (premium features available with membership, $5.95/month); age 6-12.
Leapster Explorer, LeapFrog Enterprises, 2010; $69.99; age 4-8.
For more on the season’s must-haves, return to our 2010 Toy Guide or check out the following “best-of” lists:
- Best DVDs
- Best music
- Best video games and software
- Best books and magazines
- Best toys for infants and toddlers
- Best toys for preschoolers
- Best toys for ages 5+
- Best toys for ages 8+
