I am having so much fun shopping for me soon-to-be four-year-old this holiday. While my older daughter has gotten to the point where she wants clothing and electronics, and my baby is too little to care, my middle daughter is the perfect age. Not only is the holiday season still magical for her, but there are just so many fun toys out there to feed her little imagination. Even with twice the gifts to buy (her birthday is a few days before Christmas), I am still finding tons of things she would love even though I’ve pretty much wrapped up my shopping. Such is the case with this Melissa and Doug Mailbox Set. I saw this at an educational toy store while I was shopping for my baby’s first birthday. So far, I have fought the temptation to buy it, but it just looks like so much fun. The set includes a mailbox (with key), “letters” and removable stamps. You can purchase one on sale for $26.95 at FatBrainToys.com and inspire some creative play.

The Melissa and Doug Deluxe Wooden Railway Set includes tracks, bridges, the engine shed, trees, and so much more. $64.99 is a pretty impressive price for a 138 piece set. Trains, cranes, tracks! Putting it all together is even part of the fun. Sold at Amazon.com, I think this is something to keep it in mind for this Christmas. I think it will be compatible with some of our other sets and Thomas trains as well. You can even get this set, Suretrack (keeps tracks from pulling apart), and the train table for $195.09

My son has adored puzzles of this sort for the longest time. Even as a tiny expert at 2 and a half, he’s happy to sit and put them together, making choo choo noises and vroom noises to go with the various shapes. This brightly colored option by Melissa & Doug would surely please both his puzzle loving hands and his little eyes as well. The pieces on this particular puzzle can even be stood up for play outside the puzzle board as well, something any child would enjoy. I’d also consider setting them up on a nursery or play room shelf as decorations. With 9 pieces and a $10.00 price tag, the Chunky Vehicles Puzzle measures 12” by 9” and can be found at www.flyingpeas.com. A great addition to any play room!