$79.99; www.intellitoys.com; for ages 2 and up. This soft bear will be your child’s companion during playtime and bedtime for years to come. Not only is he cuddly, he recites up to four hours of songs and stories, and plays games such as “Simon Says” – thanks to electronics tucked into his back. Parents can customize the bear’s responses with their child’s name, favorite music and stories, by using the included software (PC and Mac compatible) and USB port on the bear. Kids can engage the bear in interactive games by pressing his hands and feet to respond. An online store allows parents to purchase additional songs and stories, available in a choice of languages.

$12.99; www.skjp.com; for newborns and up. When hanging like a mobile, this toy tugboat spins when one of the two plush sea creatures dangling below it is pulled. Rattles, squeaks and wiggles accompany each touch to the adorable crab and fish. It includes a connector ring with which Tug-a-Boat can be attached to activity arches, play gyms, strollers and more.

Large Rag Doll Grenadine, Corolle, $35; www.corolle.com; ages 0 and up.

 

This classic beauty will win the hearts of your little ones. Impeccably designed in ultra-soft materials, she stands out as a bold beauty in magenta. Her embroidered facial features are simple and safe. She has a permanent velour hat and matching removable jumper dress. Innocent eyes will captivate; puff-ball slippers will delight. This doll can be an active playmate by day and a cozy companion at night. 

Elmo Tickle Hands, Fisher-Price, $30; www.ticklehands.com; ages 18 months and up.

 

Elmo has danced, tickled and giggled into the lives and hearts of children everywhere, but this innovation allows children to feel like Elmo in an interactive way never before experienced. The contagious laughter of Elmo accompanies the vibrating tickle of Elmo-like hands. Children don furry red paws and tickle others while they feel the vibrating tickle themselves. One glove has the electronic tickle component, while the other is purely kid-charged.

 

The set includes a short instructional DVD in which Elmo teaches children the “Tickle Hand Groove” – which gets kids off the couch, movin’ and groovin’ to Elmo’s funky beat. 

WeBlocks Reflector Cube Set ($262),
WeBlocks Construction Tower ($243),
WeBlocks Tactile Cube Set ($175),
WeBlocks Gears ($307),

Wee Blossom; www.weeblossom.com or www.munchkinfield.com; ages 3 and up.

 

Each set of this modular system has plastic waffle-like panels that interconnect to create cubes, walls or structures. Some have concave and convex mirrors to provide visual interest; others have different tactile patterns for sensory play. Moving gears can be placed on some panels for kinesthetic play, while window cut-outs provide peek-a-boo fun. Most sets have square pieces; however, the Construction Set includes triangular shapes to create towers.
 

Joobles: Cutie the Lamb, Fair Indigo, $25; www.fairindigo.com; ages 0 and up.

 

Sure to become a constant companion and bedtime lovey, Cutie the Lamb gives more back than just happy hugs. Each is made of earth-friendly dyes and organic yarn, is knitted by hand, and all features are sewn on for safety and comfort. Proceeds from sales help impoverished Peruvians, making this very soft and unassuming lamb a gift to our world and to mankind. 

Apple Grove Pals Deluxe Farm Playset, Little Tikes, $34.99; www.littletikes.com; ages 18 months and up.

 

This simple life-down-on-the-farm set provides easy exploration and discovery that leads to learning and development. Three animals reside on the farm and find fun activities to keep them busy: playing on the teeter-totter and the swing hung from the barn rafters, working the elevator that leads to a hay slide, and clicking the water wheel.

 

Children may be puzzled to find that one of the animals is a zebra, not a traditional farm animal. The accompanying book explains why and provides simple life lessons in the process. This book can also be used to jumpstart pretend play by acting out the various scenes. Included in the set are interchangeable, oversized hats that add whimsy to little ones’ play. 

LeapFrog Enterprises, $17.49; www.leapfrog.com; for ages 1 and up. Mix and match magnetic truck, car and tractor puzzle-halves on the magnetic play board to create more than 25 wacky vehicle combinations; hear fun and goofy songs for each combination. Babies learn colors, vehicle names, sorting and matching skills.

$19.99; www.intplay.com; for newborns and up. This ultrasoft, stuffed plush bunny doubles as a puppet and encourages tactile and auditory exploration through crinkle ears, a squeaky tail, a rattle head and teether paws.

$7.99; www.sassybaby.com; for ages 6 months and up. This newly redesigned rotating rattle has many attached shapes that spin; motion-sensor lights are an added bonus. The rattle can be secured on its suction cup base or hand-held.