$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.

Safety 1st ProGrade™ Complete Family Thermometer, Dorel Juvenile Group USA; $39.99; www.djgusa.com.

What makes this the only thermometer your family needs is the three interchangeable probes for underarm, rectal or oral use. A large LCD screen makes temperature reading easy and does double duty as a clock and a backlight. Additionally, the thermometer saves the last 10 readings and features a flashing red bar to indicate fevers. Alerts lets parents know when to clean after use or when the battery is low (conveniently uses AAA batteries).

“One device that can be used for both an infant and older child. You can see the read-out in the dark.”
Pediatric Judge

“It’s portable and the three tips can be stored in the thermometer so they don’t get lost. A fever light bar lights up red when you have a fever; I love the big blue screen with large numbers.”
– Mom Tester
 

Smart Steps Magic Label, Evenflo; $6.99 for 50; www.evenflo.com.

This product allows you to affix labels to food containers for school, and note freezer expiration dates on baby food and other dishes. It’s also an innovative solution for parents who want to leave a personalized message for their child or instructions for caregivers, and it’s great for keeping track of your containers sent to daycare with your children. The stickers dissolve in water so you don’t need to remove them before washing, and there is no residue left on the plastic or glass.

“They dispense easily and I use them daily for marking my child’s lunch.”
– Tester Mom

“I need to label so many things for my son and I like that these come off in water.”
– Tester Mom
 

$129.99; www.fisher-price.com; for ages 3 and up. This brontosaurus-like dinosaur is nearly child height and grunts and roars when moving. A wireless remote makes it clomp forward, turn left or right, open its mouth, blink its eyes and stand on its hind legs. The spikes light-up along its back and it can spit a ball or bone from its mouth.

For more fun with dinosaurs, check out:

Fossil League
Imaginext T-Rex

 

Swinxs, Swinxs BV, $150; www.swinxs.com; ages 4 and up.

 

This game console has 10 preinstalled games, and more can be downloaded free of charge. The physical action-inducing games range from timed relay races and hide-and-seek to Swinxs’ version of musical chairs. Players wear colored rubber wristbands that are scanned and identified by the unit. The screen-less hub provides clear audio directions and emits whimsy and attitude. If you need a break, relax and play the jukebox: the music emanates from the Swinxs console.

 

The lightweight rechargeable unit holds a charge for up to four hours and entertains one to 10 players at a time. Many game variations give children plenty of options to keep their minds and bodies active, while playing with friends and having fun.
 

Family Fun!

Sid the Science Kid: Change Happens, NCircle Entertainment, 2009; 115 min.; $12.99; www.ncircleentertainment.com; ages 2 to 5. Scientific concepts are fun to learn about while watching the adorable animated Sid, his family and friends learn about life. Kids love the songs and dances, and watching live children work on experiments similar to ones they do themselves in school, such as growing mold on food and observing how ice melts. This DVD teaches them that it’s fun to ask “why?” and then discover answers through experimentation and observation.

“It’s wonderful to see a DVD where children, parents and grandparents enjoy experimenting and learning together, and where school comes across as a fun environment. Great age-appropriate science concepts.”
– Adult Juror

“I love the experiments and how they tried to melt ice to get the fruit.”
–  Child Juror, age 5
 

Sherlock, Playroom Entertainment, $10; www.playrooment.com; ages 5 and up.

 

In this clever update to standard memory games, cards are laid in a circular pattern and dictate the direction in which Sherlock moves. When Sherlock lands on cards he has already revealed, collect them. The first player to collect six cards wins.

By varying the number of cards that players are required to collect, playing time can be adjusted for a shorter or longer game, or to make play easier or more difficult. This is one game where memory and deduction are “Elementary!”


“I never played cards this way before. It’s cool.”
– Child Tester, age 9
 

Best Bang for the Buck Winner!  

$20; www.setgame.com; for ages 8 and up. This twist on the card game Set adds the chance of dice and the consideration of dominoes while maintaining the challenge and thought process of the original game. A handsome game board and components give a sophisticated feel.

Spore™ Galactic Adventure, Maxis/Electronic Arts, 2009; $29.99; www.spore.com; ages 12 to 14.

 

Requires: Web browser and valid EA Spore account. Expands the Spore universe, in which players create and evolve their own creatures, and lets players beam down to exciting new worlds.

 

Although Maxis has created some terrific missions for out-of-the-box play, the magic of this game emerges as players create their own customized game experiences by creating and evolving their own creatures with the “Adventure Creator.” This powerful engine is more than a modding tool or level editor. It’s downright brilliant! For gamers who have always dreamed of creating levels like the pros, the “Adventure Creator” gives players complete freedom to create missions with almost limitless characters, settings, music and sound effects. Will Wright and the team at Maxis continue to push the limit on what games can truly be!  
 

Judge's Top Pick! 

Desperation Records/Nettwerk, 2008; $13.99; www.barenakedladies.com; for all ages. This CD may well be “best of show” this year. The band’s gentle, radio-friendly pop translates perfectly to kids’ music: always clever, never cloying, and endlessly witty. The “Crazy ABC’s” song killed me ... and if you don’t look out, “The Ninjas” will kill you!