Marty is a friendly, if a little goofy stuffed friend from Ingri. Handmade in the USA, this toy is constructed of naugahyde and can be wiped clean. He is definitely unique–which is nice in a sea of highly commercial stuffed animals. Although designed for older children (the recommendation is ages 6 and up), I think he would be a great decoration in a younger child’s modern bedroom. This toy originally retailed for $70, but is currently on sale for $35 at babygeared.com.

Here is a holiday decorating idea that children and parents can both enjoy. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive, this whimsical wreath is made from holiday cards of the Victorian era. Children will no doubt love taking a look at the toys from long ago. Best of all, at $39.95, this simple wreath won’t destroy your holiday budget. You can purchase one at williams-sonoma.com.

If you are looking for a unique and special gift for a little boy or girl this holiday season, check out these super-sweet mice from Chloe In Style. Hand-stitched using wool felt, these 12″ dolls can be personalized with a name. Both boy and girl versions are available. This unique gift is not cheap, however. Be prepared for its $124 price tag. You can purchase one at Chloeinstyle.com.

Nothing is better than wooden toys for safety and eco-friendliness. This wooden helicopter by Love These Toys is a simple, fun toy for little ones. You can rest assured that it is 100% hand-crafted in the USA and safe. At just $15, it’s a deal as well. You can view this helicopter at LoveTheseToys.com, where you can also see the rest of the safe, American-made toys the company offers.

This zid zid kids Vinyl Bird Poof promises to be a lot of fun. Perfectly-sized for kids, this multi-purpose ”poof” can be used as a chair, climber, or rolling toy. The clean, modern design will stand out in any room. I like this bird model, but several other animal versions are also available. I think kids will be immediately drawn to this product. You can purchase one for $78 at designpublic.com.

If you want a pre-selected collection of baby toys to give to a mom-to-be at your next baby shower, I found just the thing. The Sassy Baby 9 Piece Developmental Toy Gift Set is sold for $27.99 at Amazon.com. With teethers, rattles, and links, it’s the answer to the lazy (or just really busy) shopper’s prayers.  There’s a less expensive Sassy Baby’s First Rattle and Teether 5 Piece Gift Set for $14.99 as well.

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.

Here is a hip toy that is sure to bring a smile from kids and parents alike. Safe from birth up, Ze Super Zeros Zebu the Zebra is quirky and fun. I love his contrasting patterns and colors, and the little removable superhero cape is extra sweet. He stands nine inches tall, and will no doubt inspire some great adventures for your child. You can purchase one for $29.99 at sbkidsco.com. Several other friends are available as well.

I had some fun magnetic toys as a kid–of the draw a mustache or find your way out of a maze variety, but none of them could compare with this great Sea Life Magnetic Toy from Anatex. It looks fantastic, so I have no doubt that children will be drawn to it. Its take along design makes it perfect for keeping kids busy in the car or on the go. Two wands allow for two children to play–or for one child to cultivate his or her skills with two hands. You can purchase one of these for $59.87 at 1888toys.com.

Cute-ture makes a lot of fun, high-quality infant and toddler products. This sweet little animal book is just another great example of their style. Its pages feature fabric cut-outs of different wild animal friends. The soft pages are easy to grip and make early learning fun. I love the cute gingham binding. You can purchase one of these for $26 at lalaling.com. I think it would make a wonderful gift.

When my oldest daughter was three, one of her friends had a toy accordion. We loved it, and I searched high and low before finding one for her. She never used it quite as much as I had hoped, but it was still a lot of fun. I need to dig it out for our middle daughter. Of all the loud “musical” instruments my kids have had over the years, I find this one  very easy to tolerate. It doesn’t take much for it to actually sound pretty good, which I thinks also gives them a sense of accomplishment. You can purchase this particular Schylling model for $22.99 at fatbraintoys.com. It makes a unique gift that is sure to bring a smile.

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve my big blue tricycle. I got so much use out of that thing. Sadly, my daughters aren’t as interested in trike-riding, or perhaps our life isn’t quite as conducive to it. Either way, I’ve tried to introduce them to this great activity. While we went with a Kettler this time around, my older daughter had one of these great retro tricycles from Radio Flyer. I loved the way it looked, and she loved ringing the little bell. She had some trouble getting it moving, but I don’t think that had anything to do with the trike itself. It held up well, even though it was often stored outside. I finally gave it away when she was almost seven and it still looked great after three years of use. That alone makes it well worth the $79 price. You can purchase one at LandOfNod.com. It’s also a magical gift.

Easter is just around the corner, but there’s still time to buy your little one a special Easter gift that doesn’t include candy. PersonalizationMall.com currently is offering reduced prices on many of its personalized gifts for Easter, including this Quacking Diggity Duck. The t-shirt on the duck comes in blue or pink, and is personalized with your child’s first name. Imagine the squeals and laughter on Easter morning as your child squeezes his new Quacking Diggity Duck and hears him quack! The duck measures 9 inches high and is recommended for ages 3 and up. You can purchase one on sale for $19.95 (regularly $24.95) at PersonalizationMall.com.

We received a Manhattan Toy Winkel for our new baby and it is the perfect first toy. At three months, my daughter is just trying to grab objects. The Winkel is great because it is very easy to grasp, so her uncoordinated attempts are rewarded. She seems quite interested in it, and although she can’t move it enough yet to get the shaker to work, she likes the sound when I shake it for her. Once she starts teething, I think she’ll appreciate it even more. Best of all, it is easy to clean, which is perfect because it is going everywhere with us these days. You can purchase one of these practical toys for $14.99 at mbeans.com. It also makes a great gift. I’m so glad I received this one because I never would have picked it out but it is a fantastic find.

 
Off the beaten path — that is how you can describe Discovery Ratos the Rat by Deglingos. Pull his tail and he vibrates, but the fun doesn’t stop there; squeeze his hands for other fun reactions. Because he’s not for you if you’re under 3, he might not be as entertaining as he looks. I’m just not sure I’d grab this guy up for my 3-year-old, as he’s into more “big boy” toys than this. He resembles a baby toy we have and I think my son would recognize that fact. However, Rato might be something great for pulling out in the car or waiting room for short-term entertainment.  Funny looking, just as a toy rat should be, he’s $35 at FAOSchwarz.com. Got a party to go to? Get it gift wrapped for $6.