Magnetic Trucks

Made by Valtech, these magnetic working trucks vehicles give kids endless opportunities to create their own vehicles. My son has a set of these and he can play with them for hours. They are easy to put together, so it's something that he can do by himself without adult assistance. Each time, he creates different vehicles including bulldozers, firetrucks, and cement mixers.
I love toys that allow children to be creative and he is so proud of each creation. The toys gets outstanding reviews from parents. You can't go wrong with this set! Price: $30

Yookidoo Dicovery Dome

On the colorful fabric backdrop, you'll find a ball roller coaster, shape sorter, peek-a-boo and an entrance to the playhouse inside. Constructed of fabric sides that fold up quickly. It's a perfect for home or on the road. There are so many activities inside and out, it sure to keep little ones busy for hours. This item gets great reviews and is flying off the shelves. Still it's $100 price tag seems a bit steep. Do a thorough search before buying and you are likely to be able to get it for around $80.

Have Fun Learning Phonics

This is one of the best videos I've ever invested in. It is so enjoyable to watch that the kids don't even realize that they are learning. The format for teaching the letter and phonics is so memorable that the kids pick up on it in no time. I have given this as gifts and told all my toddler mommy friends about it and every one of them sings it's praises. It's on sale at amazon for $9.

ELF ON THE SHELF

Have you met this little elf yet? Isn't he the cutest thing? Well, if you are looking to start a fun tradition for the holidays, this book is adorable. Ever wonder how Santa knows who is naughty or nice? He sends a scout elf to every home. The elf watches the children and their behavior and reports it back to Santa each night. By morning the elf returns to its assigned home and hides in a different location, allowing the children to play a delightful hide-and-seek game. The book warns that if the elf is touched he will lose he magic powers, which hopefully deters little fingers from man-handling him. How can you resist a tiny red guy that's willing to take a little heat off of you and be Santa's tattle tale? Certainly that's worth $28.

Little Einstein Pajamas

The Disney Outlet has these adorable pajamas on clearance for $2.99. Yes, they are summer pj's, but for those of us in southern California you would think it's still summer with today's temperature of 85 degrees. So, if you are my neighbor, you could probably still use these. For those of you looking out at snow, you could always plan ahead for next spring and buy the next size up. For this price, you can't go wrong! There are several styles to choose from but sizes are limited.