I like the idea of the Edushape Play and Sound Mat. I think it could entertain a baby who is either not on the go, just starting to push herself around, or really on the go and popping in for some fun now and then. It could really last in a playroom or play area for a couple years. The flowers have buttons on them that baby can push; the reward for pushing them is a melody. With textures, mirrors, and a price tag of $50 at diapers.com, it’s an idea for a young baby’s Christmas gift this year that isn’t cheap but isn’t overly expensive either.

You can get a jump on holiday shopping while saving a bundle with this fun kitchen stove from Plan Toys. Originally $89.99, this high-quality toy is currently on sale for just $49.99 at Oompa.com . We already have great kitchen toys, but I find this deal tempting nonetheless. This is sure to bring a lot of joy to any little cook.

Natural Pod has created an eco-friendly doll house that appeals to both genders. Made of 100% FSC Certified Europly, and without any glue or screws, it measures 2 ½’ wide x 2′ deep x 2 ½’ high and easily dismantles to store flat. Its removable roof allows kids access from all sides of the house. Its versatility has led children to use it as a fire station and parking garage as well. You can view this unique doll house, which sells for $595 CAD (about $551 USD) at NaturalPod.com.

Right now, Natural Pod is giving away a doll house worth $625 in a special contest. Details can be found here. This contest ends Oct. 31, 2009.

Hopunki has created a Baby Play Roll Mat, designed for babies who are learning to sit, roll, and crawl. This way, baby has a clean, safe place to practice tummy time, and because it’s inflatable, it can be taken anywhere. Its inflatable edges help to keep baby from wandering off the mat, while the corners of the mat can help prop baby up. The mat comes with four inflatable cylinders, a carry bag, and a foot pump. Unfortunately, at this time it’s only sold in and shipped within Australia. If you’re lucky enough to be reading this from Down Under, you can view this product at Hopunki.com.au, where the cost is $165 AUD.

There are a lot of pirate costumes on the market, but this is one of the cuter ones that I’ve seen. It includes everything your child will need to transform himself into a fierce (or not so fierce) pirate: cuffed jacket, elastic waist pants, a belt, boot covers, eye patch, and pirate hat. Available in sizes from toddler through young adult, this is sure to be a favorite even after Halloween. You can purchase one on sale for $27.99 (down from $41.95) at overstock.com.

This sweet little infant/toddler ladybug costume is as cute as can be. I love the soft pink colors, and the costume itself looks very snuggly. This one looks like it will be easy to get on and comfortable enough that little ones won’t mind keeping it on. You can purchase one on sale for $24.99 at costumeexpress.com.

Here is a fun costume for little girls who love to get all dressed up. Designed to fit toddlers up to 24 months, this fairy costume includes a shimmering dress, matching booties, and a fancy headpiece and wings. This is the kind of thing that my middle daughter would want to wear for dress up throughout the year. You can purchase one for $24.99 at HalloweenExpress.com. The only downside to this one is that it may not work so well in cooler weather.

Usually I find that the options for girls’ clothing at Gymboree are far better than the boys’ choices. When it comes to Halloween costumes, however, the opposite always seems to be true. While I’m not terribly excited by the princess and fairy costumes that abound on the site, I quite like this dinosaur costume. Available in sizes from 6-12 months up to 4T/5T it is mostly sweet with just a little bit of fierce thrown in. I think most children, boys and girls alike, go through a dinosaur phase at some point, and this costume would be a perfect choice for such kids. You can purchase one for $29.75 at Gymboree.com.

My mother bought this toy for my oldest daughter a few years ago. It had been forgotten in the toy box for a while, but my three year old discovered it recently and is having a ball with it. The set includes two Daisy Girls dolls and 42 magnetic mix-and-match outfits. The plastic case with its furry trim is a fun way to keep everything together and to take it with you on the go. You can purchase the set for $19.99 at Target.com.

Pottery Barn Kids is out with their Halloween costumes (already!) and, as always, they have a lot of great ones. I think this sweet little cupcake costume is as  cute as can be. Made from soft felt, it features a coordinating headband so your little cupcake is topped with a strawberry. Available in sizes from 2T-3T up to 7-8 years, this costume retails for $59. You can purchase it, and/or check out the company’s other great Halloween products, at PotteryBarnKids.com. I think it would continue to be a dress-up favorite even after Halloween.

When my oldest daughter was a toddler, we had all of the plastic Little Tikes kitchen pieces. This  Deluxe Wooden Kitchen & Laundry Center has really come a long way from those early models. It includes everything little ones need to keep house–from a stove and refrigerator to a laundry center, complete with an adorable little laundry basket. This would definitely inspire hours of dramatic play at our house. You can purchase one for $199 at LittleTikes.com.

I was flipping through the catalogue that came with our Plan Toys doll house furniture and came upon this adorable picnic play mat. My middle daughter (who is three) is very into pretend play right now. She carries her toy food and dishes all over the house. This is right up her alley, plus it is easily portable and, more importantly, easily contained. I think she would actually enjoy keeping her toy food neat and orderly in this mat. It buttons to keep picnic goods inside and is made from 100% cotton using fair trade practices. You can purchase one for $35 at peekagreen.com.

Children love puppets and pretending. Putting on their own show stimulates their imagination. This Step 2 Puppet Theater combines these two loves of kids - puppets and performing - into a stage for your child to let her imagination run wild. The unit is made of sturdy poly construction, with a curtain and doors, and comes with two hand puppets. The stage is even lighted (by 3 AAA batteries, which are not included) for dramatic effect. In no time, your child will be inviting you to her puppet productions. My son plays with a puppet theater similar to this one at preschool, and I’ve witnessed how creating roles and their own plays sparks a child’s imagination. This toy won the National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval in 2008.

You can purchase the Step 2 Puppet Theater at Step2.com for $69.99. For a limited time, they are also offering free shipping.

Four seems to be the age when children start wanting to help parents with chores. Although the idea of your little one helping to put away dishes might be scary, little hands can help with smaller chores, such as sweeping up or even dusting. This Classic Pretend Play Toy Home Cleaning Set by Fun Time Toys plays to the eagerness in toddlers to help. The set includes a dustpan, handbrush, squeeze mop, and sweeping brush. All four are presented in a gift box. Kids might use this to “pretend” clean, mimicking Mommy or Daddy, but they just might want to help for real after pretending.

Recommended for ages three and up, you can purchase this unique toy set for $24.99 at Amazon.com. It might make it just a bit easier to say yes next time your son our daughter asks to help you out.

 
We bought the Lamaze Tug and Play Knot Block for our youngest son for Christmas and, though it doesn’t look like much, it really is a toy he enjoys. He will grab at it, look at it, or stick parts of it in his mouth as soon as he’s given the opportunity. Made to encourage two-handed play (coordination), it is colorful and full of interesting features. It’s fun to try to figure out where the knots inside start and finish, fun to listen to the different sounds it makes, and fun to find the shapes, though not overly apparent at first, on it. There’s a handy clasp on one end, so it can be attached to different things (we have it attached to the exersaucer) and pulled or tugged without getting away from baby’s clumsy hands. There are soft parts, fuzzy parts, long parts, round parts…so many parts for baby to enjoy. Get  yours for any child aged birth and up for $14.99 at LearningCurve.com.