Pretend Electronics

For some reason Tangle Toys (compare prices) are intriguing. They just beg you to pick them up and fidget with them. That's why the Original Tangle has spawned a long line of toys with varying colors, textures, sizes and shapes.

Tangle Toys are fun for fidgety adults but I think their real calling is helping kids with special needs. Twisting, turning and curving the Tangle in their hands makes...

We've had a ton of snow this winter, and until my Zipfy Freestyle Mini Luge arrived I never would've wished for more. Now I'm checking the 10-day forecast and hoping for the white stuff! The Zipfy is a high-tech, fast-moving, maneuverable sled that comes in 1o snazzy colors.

I test and try every product I review, so there won't be a comprehensive toy review until I get to ride the Zipfy on t...

In honor of National Grammar Day, March 4th, I'm outing myself as a grammar freak. I was raised by two teachers, I started learning AP style (the writing rules journalists follow) in high school and I majored in journalism in college. I've been writing and editing professionally for more than 15 years and I do my best to ensure that my writing is free of grammatical errors. Though I'm far from ...

I saw about a million new toys at Toy Fair, but only a few really stood out as innovative and fresh ideas. Chicco's 1 Two 3 Playhouse is definitely special. (That's pronounced "KEY-co"...it's Italian!)

It's a kid-sized clothing rack with cute little cloud-shaped hooks. The playhouse toy hangs from the rack, flush against the wall until playtime. Then it easily comes out and invites kids in w...

Maze books can be fantastic educational toys. They help kids work on fine-motor skills like pencil grip, and they help develop eye-tracking ability. My 4-year-old son is obsessed with maze books right now. He loves to sit at his own "desk," which we made out of an end table and the fabulous, colorful, cardboard Elia Chair.

Each of the activity books below offers colorful, educational and inter...