5 to 8 Years

What it is: This LEGO City Harbor set imitates a real working loading dock, complete with a large floatable cargo ship, a full-service dock with transport truck, conveyor belt, and working crane
Why we like it: There are lots of details in this set, from sleeping quarters for the captain onboard to a fisherman on the pier, that encourage creative play. Children will also learn a bit about how products (in this case play food) get from farm to table.

What it is: A set of foam pieces and connectors that can create shapes, structures, and costumes of any sort. The Bend & Pretend kit includes fabric to incorporate into costumes.
Why we like it: This original toy encourages very playful  afternoons. The educational component is in figuring out how to make new creations, and in the creative play they do once they have costumed themselves with their creations.

What it is:  A lightweight square of material with adjustable Velcro loop enclosures attached all along the sides and center of the square. The Velcro loops mean that the fort can be attached or suspended from just about anything.
Why we like it: Like the magic of an empty cardboard box, the Fortamajig is a simple object brimming with possibilities for endless hours of imaginative play. There are few toys that offer such timeless appeal to children of all ages.

What it is: Incredible pop-up book representing fantastic creatures and mythological heroes by renowned pop-up artists Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart.
Why we like it: It’s not just the pictures and paper sculptures that are great, but the thoughtful text too. Older children can learn lots reading this to younger siblings.

What it is: Sophie Blackall provides new illustrations for Aldous Huxley’s little-known children’s book.
Why we like it: Vivid colors and cheeky details paired with the words of a well-known author make for a book that parents will enjoy as much as their children.

What it is: A football that is softer and smaller than a regular football, with material lining the outside. On each edge, the football is lined with soft, fuzzy “fur” that adheres to Velcro on the included gloves for an almost guaranteed catch.
Why we like it: Kids loved it because it made them feel like professional football players.

What it is: The Brilliant Creations Advanced Notebook is designed to teach children ages five through eight skills in the areas of reading, math, creativity, science, social studies and Spanish through games and fun activities. The Notebook looks like a small laptop, and there are over 120 games on the computer
Why we like it: This is overall a good product for five to seven year olds who want to have a computer like their parents.

What it is: A card game that plays like a variation on Go Fish. The cards feature bright and sparkly illustrations of mermaids that drew girls (and boys) to play the game over and over.
Why we like it: The beautiful design and mermaid theme make it very appealing to four through eight year old girls (and boys!). Our kids testers wanted to play over and over.

What it is: A pirate puppet with an earring, a gold tooth, a facial scar, and a movable eye patch. He’s topped with frizzy red hair and a bandana
Why we like it: “Blimey” will quickly come to life in a group of young kids. The product information includes a two-character play that can be used as a starting point for many oral language experiences and fun activities.

What it is: Pixy Cubes, from Blue Orange, is a set of sixteen cubes in geometric, four-colored designs. The cubes can be used for free play to create nearly limitless original designs or to copy one of the 80 images from the design cards.
Why we like it: The beautiful cards and die come with instructions providing play variations for children young and old. Children and adults can play this together on a fairly even playing field.

What it is: Mister G’s new album offers a variety of songs on his new CD, including several bilingual ones
Why we like it: This is an impressive children’s music debut, offering expert musicianship, vocal talent, and witty wordcraft throughout. There’s enough stylistic variation to keep many kids happy.

What it is: A Wii game version of the familiar books, I Spy Spooky Mansion offers twelve rooms rendered in 3D graphics. Players explore these as they complete puzzles and minigames.
Why we like it: Most of the attention here is on solving the rhyme-and-seek puzzles. And they are all-consuming and challenging.