This year I had the opportunity to go to Sweet Suite 15 and the Toy Insider HoliDAY of Play to get a first hand look at what was going to be the hottest selling toys of the year. These are the toys I feel a preschooler would enjoy the most.
Play All Day Elmo - $59.99 - 18 Months to 4+ Years
The Play All Day Elmo has two modes, one for toddler play and one for a preschooler. This was perfect to use with my toddler because once she became an expert on that mode and becomes a preschooler next year I can switch up the mode and she has a whole new Elmo and games to play with. The Elmo has 8 different modes of play and 150+ play responses like turning him upside down and tickling his tummy. It also has a Nap switch when you are done playing with him where he will sing a song and go to sleep.
Design & Drill® Flower Power Studio™ - $32.99 - 3+ Years
I love that it is a drill set made for girls. Girls want to be handy with tools too and my daughter loved it. Having the base fold and close was a big plus to contain all of the little pieces. Once I put the batteries into the drill my daughter was in love! She felt like a big girl using the drill and got the hang of it pretty quickly. She wouldn't stop until each nut was drilled in place. I love how it came with a booklet of designs to try.
Legoland Discovery Center Annual Pass - $65.00 - 2 to 10 Years
What kids don't love LEGOS? We took my daughter when she was 2 and a couple of weeks ago when she was 3. She enjoyed it both times so much that we are getting her an annual pass for the Holidays. Going just three times pays for itself and there is so much to do! You get a factory tour, view mini land made out of LEGOs, build and race cars, watch 4D movies, sing karaoke and the littlest ones have their own DUPLO village to play with and so much more. Great for when the weather gets colder and it's the gift that keeps on giving.
Learn with Homer Learning Program Annual - $79.95 - 3 to 8 Years
Learn with Homer is a learning program that was developed by top literacy experts and proven to give results. I love that it has supplemental material you can print out and extend the lessons. One of my favorite features is allowing the children to record and hear themselves sounding out letters and words. My three year old has been using the program for about a month and a half now and is already reading and just started spelling words.
Sands Alive - Price Varies on Kit - 3+ Years
I got to first experience the Sands Alive at the HoliDAY of play event. I have been hearing about this sand for a while now and just wanted to play with it. You can easily mold it and manipulate it with tools. Then just knock it over and watch it come alive with how it moves.
Stikbot Studio Pack - $14.99 - 6+ Years
Although this one has a higher age range, I have been helping my daughter create movies using the Free app and one of the Stikbots we got in our HoliDAY of play gift bag. The little figurines have suction cups and joints that allow you to move them however you want to easily create stop motion movies. After you are done with your movie you can upload it to social media and share your creation. The package includes two stikbots and one tripod.
Amusement Park Engineer - $64.95 - 3+ Years
I love that the Amusement Park Engineer has a story connected to the kit where you have to problem solve and build things to help out. You go around the amusement park fixing and building things that are useful. The plastic pieces are big, bright and easy to put together which is best for little hands. I love that you can build 20 structures and machines with this one kit.
How do you find the perfect gift for your child?
