Toy Insider Parent and Contributing Editor Charlene DeLoach joined CT Live in Hartford to show off the year’s top toys to help kids learn. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best gifts of the season, be sure to check out The Toy Insider’s Spring and Summer Gift Guide.


BÉBE FUERTE STACK & COUNT KETTLEBELL

This kettlebell-style stacker is part of a language-inclusive TOMY collection. Babies and toddlers can learn to count or stack or pretend to workout with this kettlebell-inspired toy.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.84
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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STORY DREAM MACHINE + STORY PACKS

Project classic children's stories with this machine, which includes three titles, with additional packs sold separately. It features light and sound effects to enhance the story and doubles as a white noise machine.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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BOGGLE JR

Two different matching games encourage reading and memory skills. In Match It/Spell It, kids look at the picture and word, then spell it out. In Cover It, kids use the word shield to spell words from memory.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $18.95
  • Age:
  • 3+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

BEEP ‘N’ BUY CASH REGISTER

Kids can learn how to manage money by selecting groceries and then working out the price. This cash register features a solar-powered calculator, a scanner with light and sound effects, coins, and bills.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $44.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

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The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SHASHIBO WILD SERIES

Tweens can explore the natural world through four of Earth's unique environments — Arctic, Forest, Jungle, and Savanna — each featured on a shape-shifting puzzle box. More than 70 shapes are possible thanks to 36 internal, rare Earth magnets.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $25 EACH
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

SHASHIBO JUMBIE ARTIST SERIES

Imagine the most beautiful colors of the spectrum in a whole new light- dazzling, delicious hues that shine with vibrancy. Jumbie's incredible palette of RGB light reactive pixels have transformed the art world, and now Shashibo! His creative designs will amaze you from the moment you open your Shashibo — and mind — to Jumbie's…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $25
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Insider participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Director of Operations at Adventure Media & Events, where he's worked since 2014. A former editor at Playbill and graduate of SUNY–Purchase, he spends most weekends rooting for the New York Red Bulls pro soccer team and making subway systems out of Brio trains with his little boy Jonah.

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