Try re-imagining books as toys. “There’s a jillion different topics for books,” Davis says. “You just need to know a little bit about the child and then pick out the appropriate story book.” “Press Here” is the title and also the instruction for the new book by Hervé Tullet that launches young readers on a charming adventure. Watch them blow, tilt, shake, rub and tap colorful dots printed on the page to make them multiply, grow and rearrange themselves (Chronicle, $15, ages 4-8).
KangarooBoo’s Law advises avoiding electronic educational and leisure toys for age 5 and under. “If [children] are able to sit down and solve a problem or a puzzle or build something, it makes the foundation for them as a person,” she says. She also says toys that involve physical play help children develop fine motor skills, gross motor skills, patience and other mental capacities. Fastrack, a new board game by Blue Orange, pits opponents who twang elastic cords to send wooden disks shooting across the board and through a narrow slot. The first to get all 10 to the other side wins ($20, age 5 and up).
To get kids up off the couch and develop their physical well-being, Davis suggests new classic toys for outdoors, such as jump ropes and sports balls, and new throw toys, including Rhino Toys’ SkyO, a flexible flying ring that’s easy to catch and throw ($8, age 3 and up). The Z-Curve Bow from Zing Toys launches foam arrows a satisfyingly long way ($20, age 8 and up).
Whatever route you take to finding the best toy for a special boy or girl, Davis says, stop, think and proceed with inspiration. “You really need to know the child and try to engage the child in the purchase you make.”
Top Picks of Toy Store Gurus
Spot It by Blue Orange
($11, ages 6 and up) Kids can spot matching images on the play cards with up to 7 others or have fun on their own. “There are five different ways to play the game, so it has great value.” Jim Davis, Kid’s Center
Green Toys Flatbed Truck and Race Car
($33, age 1 and up) This 11-inch blue truck hauls a sleek red hot rod on its back, and has a flatbed that tilts up to allow the car to roll off.
Eni Puzzle by Eni Puzzles
($12, age 5 and up) “Call it the round jigsaw puzzle or cylinder Rubik’s cube. It pushes problem-solving and brain-teasing to a new level.”
Convoi by Haba
($45, 18 months) “Kids can pull it, stack it, sort it, and all the while they’re learning color recognition, counting and patterns.”
