Saturday, November 28, 2009

SANTA BABY: Top Infant toys of 2009

As November is fastly fading into December, there is one thing on every mom's mind. Christmas Shopping. With only days until Christmas Eve, there is now pressure to find the perfect gifts, get them wrapped, and placed under the tree. (Or in the back of the closet until Santa arrives!) I've been personally scouring the ads, trying to find the BEST deals on the coolest infant toys. I only want the very best for my son's First Christmas!

While I bought most of Cadens little presents this summer during toy clearance time, I want to get him a few big ticket toys to replace the things he is outgrowing (the jumperoo and swing). That's why I can't wait for Toy Tuesday! You may be asking what is it though. Toy Tuesday is a one day event on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 featuring all the best deals from all your favorite toy stores under one roof brought to you by Bill Me Later! Companies such as Toys "R" Us, Walmart.com, FAO Schwarz, eToys.com, Overstock.com and many more have teamed up to bring us great one day only promotions on the toys we want!

I've done a TON of research through magazine articles, internet sites, and mommy forums and have came up with this list of the coolest toys for babies under 12 months. I can't wait to find great deals on these toys and many more!


1. Laugh and Learn Kitchen/House/Farm
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Home Playset -  Fisher-Price - Toys"R"Us

6 months+
Retails for $69.99 at Toys "R" Us
"Baby loves crawling through the entry way into a two-sided playhouse that encourages exploration of everyday activities and introduces the alphabet and numbers. With soothing music, traditional sing-a-long songs and sounds, the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Learning series with shape-sorters and two interactive play modes makes the experience of learning a joy. Baby will learn from cause and effect activities and be rewarded for taking risks." Toys "R" Us

2. Songs 'N Smiles Silly Town LinkFisher-Price Stack 'n Surprise Blocks Songs 'n Smiles Sillytown -  Fisher-Price - Toys"R"Us
6 months+
Retails for $49.99 on Toys "R" Us
"The Fisher-Price Stack 'n Surprise Blocks Songs 'n Smiles Sillytown Play Set features music, lights, motion and lots and lots of pop-up surprises, peek-a-boo action, stacking play and tumble-down fun all around the town. It's easy for baby to stack blocks in a variety of spots and see friendly faces pop up. Build blocks up on the tower, send the car down the ramp and bat the roller for silly music and exciting action. Baby will love making peek-and-pop blocks come to life." Toys "R" Us

3. Elmo Tickle Hands
Fisher-Price Sesame Street Tickle Hands Elmo
18 months+
Retails for $28.49 on drugstore.com
"Tickle and dance! These furry gloves look just like Elmo's. Put them on, pop the DVD into your player, and put your hands in the air to feel them shake & move whenever Elmo says "Tickle Hand Groove!" for hours of silly fun." drugstore.com

4. My Pal Scout/ My Pal Violet

LeapFrog My Puppy Pal - Scout -  LeapFrog - Toys"R"Us
6 months+
Retails for $14.99 on eToys.com
" Give learning a personal touch with this soft, cuddly green puppy named Scout! Scout connects to the computer so you can customize the music and personalize the learning with your child's name and favorite food, animal and color. Scout comes with 5 pre-loaded songs, or you can select and download your choice of learning tunes and lullabies from an online list of 30 songs. Press a paw to play music, learning songs or games!" eToys.com

5. LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table
Leapfrog Learn & Groove Musical Table
6 months+
Retails for $33.74 on Walmart.com
" The Leapfrog Learn & Groove Musical Table keeps baby engaged with 15 musical activities, in both English and Spanish. Colorful, interactive learning stations introduce early reading, math and language development skills through fun and engaging activities. Flip the center page to Music mode and your baby will move and groove to more than 40 songs and melodies, including nursery rhymes, real instrument sounds and upbeat dance tunes." Walmart.com

6. Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle
Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Crawl & Cruise Jungle
6 months+
Retails for $64.99 at Toys "R" Us
" It’s a jungle full of active fun that’s sure to generate squeals of delight while encouraging baby’s developing physical skills. A silly monkey, spinning hippo and big-eared elephant invite baby to put, take, drop and roll six colorful balls. Sitting, crawling, standing or cruising, there’s plenty of musical, light-up, sing-along fun and lots of busy activities to explore!" Toys "R" Us

7. Hasbro Playskool Busy Ball Popper
Playskool Explore 'N Grow Busy Ball Popper
9 months+
Retails for $17.00 at Walmart.com
" Make baby giggle with these with poppin', droppin' colored balls. Pump the plunger and drop the balls onto the spiral track. When they reach the bottom, look out! The balls will pop out the top. Lively songs help keep the fun rolling along. And later, when baby's a bit older, there's even more fun to be had by chasing after the bright, busy balls." Walmart.com

8. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox -  Fisher-Price - Toys"R"Us
6 months+
Retails for $29.99 at Toys "R" US
" This mailbox is ready to deliver loads of learning fun, with adorable characters, rich music and sing-along songs, and lots of busy activities for baby. Three colorful letters to mail plus 26 letters to learn! There's also a parcel to shake and rattle, and plenty of bat-at, spinning, peek-a-boo, put-and-take play." Toys "R" Us

9. VTech Baby's Learning Laptop
Vtech Baby Learning Laptop -  Vtech - Toys"R"Us
6 months+
Retails for $14.00 at Walmart.com (Currently a rollback at $12.50!)
"The colorful keyboard interacts with the bright light-up screen to teach shapes, common objects and feelings. Entertaining sound effects, melodies and a moveable mouse round out the fun." Walmart.com

10. Fisher-Price Walk and Ride Lion
Fisher-Price Go Baby Go: Stride to Ride Lion -  Fisher-Price - Toys"R"Us
9 months+
Retails for $39.99 at drugstore.com
"There's nothing like having a friend you can rely on - especially when you're learning to walk! This charming lion is ready to steady baby's first steps, encouraging progress with rewarding lights, sounds, and upbeat music. Once walking is a sure thing, toddlers can hop on the lion's back and ride all around for a roaring good time." drugstore.com

I can't wait to get started on my BIG ITEM Christmas Shopping for Caden! I'm definitely going to go with the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn House, and probably a couple of the other ones. I think the LeapFrog Table looks awesome. :) With the help of a gift card I received from Bill Me Later, Caden will be the envy of all the babies in his playroom!

Bill Me Later and eToys.com have teamed up to help you out this Christmas! One reader (chosen at random) will win a $250 giftcard from eToys.com and $500 gift card for a local hospital, shelter, or school! To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post about your favorite infant toy this Christmas season!

Good Luck!

112 comments:

Tiffany @ Lattes And Life said...

The Playskool Chase Me Critter is my favorite this season!!

Unknown said...

The elmo Tickle me hands is my favorite.

K has the music table and the laptop and absolutely loved it. She plays with them both several years later.

John Deere Mom said...

I am loving the LeapFrog musical table. You can't go wrong with a LeapFrog product...and that one looks awesome for my 1 year old niece!

Anonymous said...

My daughter had the leapfrog table and LOVED it. I can't wait to use it for our next kiddo!

Harmony said...

I love the busy ball popper. My little guy absolutely loves it!

Amy said...

I love the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox. We have the learning house and my older son and baby love it!!!

Ann On and On... said...

V-Tech Baby Learning Laptop...is such an great item. What an amazing giveaway!!! Thanks for sharing.

Maren said...

My favorite infant toy of the season would have to be the busy ball popper it just looks like a blast!

Sherry said...

We had something similar to that little crawl through house when my oldest was a baby. He loved it for years!! We also have one of the mailboxes. My 1 (almost 2 )year old love it. In fact, she tried to take it to bed with her last night!! Good Luck and have FUN!!

privitt58 said...

The V-Tech lap top computer is great. My grand kids love anything v-tech.

Laree said...

I think those tickle me elmo hands look like fun.

Alicia said...

Definitely the Leapfrog Learning Table. Always a hit!

Brenda said...

THe Leap Frog musical table looks FUN!

Heidi said...

The LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table is our favorite. LeapFrog is a staple in our home and my son LOVES anything musical.

Anonymous said...

I'm hoping to buy one of the leapfrog toys for my nephew. He would love it!!!
~Marianne
marmaid91@hotmail.com

Kristina said...

The Fridge Farm is my favorite. It's something fun for the kids to do in the kitchen while I'm cooking dinner.

Kristina

Tammy Taylor said...

I only have a few more "big ticket" items to get. This is the best giveaway.

taylor(leslie) said...

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table is now on my shopping list! It looks like fun!

Thanks for the list...I am going to use it for Squirt's 1st birthday this February too! =)

taylacy504 at yahoo dot com

Tara said...

any leapfrog product is great for little ones, especially the musical table!!

Becca said...

I really like the busy ball popper. I have the train one like it, and my 18 month old and even my 4 year old play with it on a daily basis! Thanks for your research, and have a Merry Christmas!

Sherry said...

I love the Laugh N' Learn Playhouse. We had it at the preschool I worked at and the kids could not get enough of it!

S H said...

LeapFrog Violet is a favorite in our house...it was meant for Christmas, but she got it early!

Jacy said...

It was a toss-up between the Leapfrog table and the Vtech laptop. Actually I also really like the Hasbro ball popper and the big musical jungle.

Hmmm... I think I like the laptop best.

Katie Trenerowski said...

The Tickle Me Elmo hands is my favorite!
~Katie
KatieDedrickson(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

My favorite infant toy is the LeapFrog Musical Learning Table & the I also would love to have the Evenflo Triple Fun Jungle Exersaucer!! Oh how I would love to get that for my LO!! I also LOVE the Bumbo!!

CaySedai said...

My kids are 13 and 16, so it's been awhile since we've had infant toys in our house. One of my favorites was a ring with sort of photo frames on it. I think it came with designs, but you could also put in your own photos, which we did. So we could sit together and I would point at the pictures and say, "this is your cousin Alex, and this is Jessica ... "

I have to say that the toys just keep getting cuter. I almost wish I had a baby now to buy toys for. Until my girls are old enough to get married and start their own families, I'll have to substitute by helping buy toys for the nursery at church. I promised to get a doctor play kit.

HeaddaMarie said...

My daughter had the busy ball popper & absolutely loved it! Even my son who was 5 also enjoyed it!! I like the learning laptop.

Amber said...

The Leapfrog Musical Table is a great toy! My kids have one and play with it all of the time. It's a good toy that is appropriate for a 12 month old, but still fun for older kids.

dellenam@yahoo.com

Nau Ohana said...

Our favorite toy is the busy ball popper. Both my children have grown up with it and absolutely love it.

deseret.nau@gmail.com

Megan said...

My fave infant toy right now is the Taggies camera

Unknown said...

My favorite is the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox. So adorable!

Thank you so much for the chance to win!

leoandchelle at yahoo dot com

Kathy said...

I think I like the learning laptop. My little girl will be 7 months around Christmas time and is outgrowing all her baby toys. This would be perfect!

Niecey said...

What a great giveaway!

My favorite infant toy this season is the leapfrog My Pal Leap Violet.

Amanda said...

LOVE the Elmo Tickle Hands.... love the giveaway!!!

Julie said...

My favorite toy is the busy ball popper! I am sure that would be load of fun for years to come.

Anonymous said...

I love the busy ball popper. Loads of fun for years to come.

jlillback@gmail.com

Tuesday Girl said...

The busy ball popper is a huge hit in our house. The tickle me elmo hands would be perfect for thsi Christmas!

susan said...

We love the Sassy Photo Block Zoo because you can add your own personal phots and it has a great texture.

Timothy Ethan said...

I like the Spin & Learn Alphabet Zoo.

We have the Learning Table. Definately a good learning toy for young children.

As for the Elmo Tickle Hands. These are a waste of money. ONLY 1 Hand is made to vibrate and there is only 1 song on the DVD.

But if you are looking for a toy for sensory input for your child's hands this toy would definately work.

Doty Family said...

I loe the busy ball popper toy! Now were into dolls and trucks. I miss the baby toys!

Unknown said...

I love the Laugh and Learn Mailbox. Too cute

Brian & Heidi Haas said...

The V-tech laptop...it's great for in the car!!! :)

Thanks!!

Madeline said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Claire said...

I do not have an infant this Christmas :( but I like the Busy Ball Popper by Playskool. My daughter had something similar when she was a baby and it provided hours of enjoyment!

erica mueller said...

FP Ocean Wonders Soothing Seas Aquarium!! My kid had one of these, tho not as fancy, and he loved it. In fact, he's almost 3 now and will still play with it!

I have a friend with a new baby and I think she'd like this!
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2674699

ericaemueller[at]gmail.com

Crissy said...

My DD loves the Busy Ball Popper and her music table! This is a great list of toys for those under 12 months!

Anonymous said...

My beautiful godson loves Elmo, so I already have my eye set on buying Elmo Tickle Hands for christmas. I just know that he will adore him !!!!!

jessefernandez16@yahoo.com

Little Miss Paige said...

From your toy list, I love the music table. The buttons are big and colorful!

In general, my favorite baby toy this season is the Infantino Spiral Spin Top. Find it here: http://www.etoys.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2574141

Casey said...

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox. We have almost all of these great toys on the list. The ball popper can keep a kid occupied for hours, not to mention the family dog too!
cjthomps26@yahoo.com

Cherie said...

I think I'll be getting the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox for my nephew!

Angela G said...

I love the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table.
ag1414@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I think the Busy Zoo Activity Center would be the best toy of the year!
aricanden@hotmail.com

KatBouska said...

I LOVE this!! That money can really go a long way! My little guy is obsessed with all things Elmo right now so that's definitely the route I would go. We saw one at Toys R Us that moves and talks and is super lifelike. It was like holding the real thing. I wish I could buy him one!

Anonymous said...

These are all fabulous! I think my grand-daughter would love the Tickle Elmo hand! So much fun!

Alison said...

Those Tickle Me Elmo hands are hilarious!!!!

Finding Normal said...

Addison's getting a Scout too. Noah's getting more Leapster games. Mad love for all Leapfrog stuff!

annemarie said...

I love the busy ball popper - must get it for my grandson! Great giveaway!!

Mami2jcn said...

We have the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table and the Laugh and Learn Kitchen/House/Farm. They're both great! The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox looks like a lot of fun. And we'd also like to get the Leapfrog My Pal Violet.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Janet said...

Leap Frog has some things that are great for my 7-year-old (autism, non-verbal). He loves lights and sound.

jdoll@mail.win.org

Janet said...

Leap Frog has some things that are great for my 7-year-old (autism, non-verbal). He loves lights and sound.

jdoll@mail.win.org

Nikki N said...

We had a table similar to the Leapfrog table, and the kids loved it! My other favorite toys for the little ones were the ones that involved putting an object into one area of the toy and having it show up in another! nnfrc@msn.com

Katie said...

My favorite infant toy would have to be the busy ball popper. My little girl always play with it!

Anonymous said...

I love the Hasbro Ball Popper. It looks like my 16 months old could enjoy this....

jessenia_fernandez@stream.com

Rhonda said...

Love the LeapFrog musical table! My kids love music! Awesome giveaway! This would be so cool and could use it! Thanks!

Dawn said...

cute baby ideas=thanks!

shawn said...

The leapfrog musical table is my favorite this season. I love all the Leapfrog toys.They are educational and fun.

Sharlene said...

The Leapfrog musical table is great. My kids would have loved that when they were infants.

melissa said...

i love leapfrog and that laptop is adorable!!

Janis said...

My son received the My Pal Scout for his birthday. For Xmas we are looking into Crayola products.

Carolyn G said...

My godson wants those Tickle me Elmo hands!!!

Aura said...

My mother still has the fisher price cash register from when I was a kid and my kids love it. I'm so happy they still sell it! The step 2 push around buggy is also on our list and my kids love the leapfrog table.

I would love to be able to help donate $500 to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. They did so much for my son during his 3 year stay there.
aahaft at gmail dot com

Deb said...

V Tech Laptop looks fun! Great giveaway!

Ginny said...

Mail is one thing my kids have always loved, so I'm loving the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

My favorite toy is the Tickle Me Hands Elmo this season!

afontana90@gmail.com

Abe & Holly said...

I would love to get the Leapfrog Music Table, that would be perfect for my baby boy, who loves music.

The Mommy Homemaker said...

My favorite toy this season is the Little People Nativity Set!

themommyhomemaker@gmail.com

Hyser Family said...

We got the Leapfrog Activity table a few years ago for my daughter. It got passed down to our son and we're saving it for any more that come along. It's always been a favorite!

Trina@theGilliganChronicles said...

I love the Elmo Tickle Me Hands. My 18 month old loves Elmo and would love to receive this for Christmas!

alison said...

the crawl and cruise toy looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

I love the leapfrog music table. Both my kids loved music when they were babies, and still love it now.

Jen VG
cressida4@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

I have the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table for my son and he LOOOOVES it! :) I think that'll be my favorite!
es1237 at gmail dot com

Tiffany said...

the my pal violet is my favorite toy this season!

Carol said...

i desperately want the learn and groove music table for my son - my daughter has wanted it since she was a year old and saw it in the doctors office!!!
nosunshyne at gmail dot com

Fokxxy said...

Wow. Lots of great toys. My favorite one I think is the Fisher-Price Go Baby Go Crawl and Cruise Musical Jungle. It would be awesome!!

thank you

ssummmer(at)gmail(dot)com

lisaandchris said...

My Favorite is fisher price walk and ride lion..

Ashley said...

My favorite is the Laugh and Learn house! We are definitely getting that for one of M's Christmas gifts. We already have several things on your list including the Lion and the laptop put away for Christmas! I also plan on getting either the Silly Town or the Musical Jungle and the Laugh and Learn mailbox :)

Angie said...

It has been so long since I purchased any infant toys (my kiddies are older now), but my brother and his wife have a new little one. I'd love to buy my nephew one of the exer-saucer things. Boy my kids loved those at that age!!
rennieangie@gmail.com

busymama said...

What a fun giveaway, I just bought one of the Hasbro ball popper train toys (So I am hoping it is a hit), we have loved out leapfrog table too!

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to get the Laugh and Learn Kitchen/house/farm ever since I first saw it.My littlest would just fall over himself laughing as he opened and shut the door because that's his newest feat lately.

autum22@gmail.com

Hippie4ever said...

Laugh and learn letters mailbox silenttributary(at)yahoo(dot)com

Stephanne said...

Lots of great toys featured here! We already had the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table and the Vtech Baby's Learning Laptop from when Sam was a baby and Nolan loves them both. He received the Busy Ball Popper on Thanksgiving from my grandparents as we did an early Christmas with them. He loves it and my 3 year old loves it too! LOL He will also be getting the Laugh and Learn Farm and the Laughing and Learning Letters Mailbox for Christmas so I think he'll love those too. But I would have to say that the favorite is the Leapfrog Table. If I had to pick one thing on this list for him it would be that!

Anonymous said...

I still love the classic Bumble Ball :)

Sarah
untenuredteacher at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I got the busy ball popper and the my pal scout for Ethan!

hether78 said...

My favorite infant toy this season is the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical table...they make great products!

hether78(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holly S. said...

My favorite toy this season is the Mega Bloks Smart Builders Piano...I really want to play with it now but I guess I'll wait until Christmas :)

hastovall at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I love the ball popper!!! My little man would think that it is the coolest!!
annamie2 at hotmail dot com

Real Moms Real Views said...

I love the Market Fresh Pantry Kitchen. It would be so fun to give my little boy.

Anonymous said...

I hoping for the leap frog tag reader for my daughter and some kind of tummy time mat for my son.

Madeline said...

My twin boys who are now 7 were all things Elmo and now my youngest boy is too, so the Elmo Tickle Hands are hands down the favorite.
scottsbabies@aol.com

Unknown said...

I really like the Leapfrog Musical Table.
This is an awesome giveaway!

Thanks for the chance to not only win but to give as well :)

eclaireham at yahoo dot com

The Bragging Mommy said...

I will have to pick the busy ball popper. My son started playing with it at 9 months and still plays with it to this day (2 years old) Talk about money well spent!!

Great Giveaway!

MomToAandI said...

My favorite toy this season is the LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table that we got for my daughter for Christmas and with her 1st birthday also in December we are looking at getting her the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnetic Letter Set. I can't wait to see how much she loves them.

fidget said...

the vtech baby learning laptop is something on our list

fidgetblogs at gmail dot com

Danielle said...

My older kids loved the older version of Hasbro Playskool's Busy Ball Popper, so I am sure our new baby would love the new version!

Carma Sez said...

you can't go wrong with the Vtech Baby's Learning Laptop - inexpensive and it would make a great gift!

Shannon said...

I love the Vtech Giraffe, such a fun today. We also like the LeapFrog musical table.

zealandsmom said...

My favorite toy is the L&L playhouse! We NEED this! :)

Steph said...

Busy ball popper! I bought this for Santa to give to my little one, and I am so excited to see how she likes it!

islandgirl706@gmail.com

Lisa said...

My daughter has the LeapFrog table, and she loves it.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.