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The Source for the Hottest Toys and Gifts for the Holidays
The Toy InsiderHot 200-2 YEARS3-5 YEARS6-8 YEARS9+ YEARSShopping Guide
3-5 YEARS


3-5 Years, PreschoolPreschoolers open their arms wide to explore the world around them. Their skills have moved beyond the basics and their personalities and preferences are starting to take form. Encourage imaginative and creative activities with role-playing, reading and pretend play. Provide opportunities for active play, exer- cising their bodies and their spirit of adventure. Social and emotional skills are emerging, so music, arts & crafts, teamwork and language skills are all important tools to build self-esteem and to instill a sense of mastery over their expanding world. As their confidence grows, so does their curiosity. Some children are ready to start learning socialreadiness skills such as colors, numbers and problem solving. Our role as caregivers has evolved into guiding them, as their abilities take shape and their imaginations soar.

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3 IN 1MUSICAL ISLAND, 3+
Three real instruments for the tub on a fabulous fish-shaped floating island! Includes a Drum, Xylophone and Octopus Jingle Shaker plus 2 mallets,music sheets and a music holder.
ALEX TOYS,www.alextoys.com

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15TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE DUAL DRIVE MEGAZORD, 3+ This Deluxe Megazord can transform into vehicles with lights and sounds, just like those on the Power Rangers TV series. Heads can be interchanged with other Megazords for never-before-seen creations. Celebrates 15 years of Power Rangers. BANDAI, www.bandai.com

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BARBIE AS ISLAND PRINCESS, BARBIE MAGICAL CASTLE VANITY, 4+
Girls can play real-life princess and get ready for the ball just like Princess RosellaTM from the movie "BarbieTMas The Island Princess." The Magical Castle Vanity doubles as a vanity AND a castle,with included musical features, and fun pretend jewelry. Dolls not included.
MATTEL, www.mattel.com

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BABY SO REAL, 3+
True-to-life baby dolls have child-proportioned and weighted heads and bodies, detailed fingers and toes and beautiful baby clothes. Multi-cultural offerings promote diversity and uniqueness. Forty-eight styles are available. ITOYS, www.irwintoy.com

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BARBIE FAIRYTOPIA MAGIC OF THE RAINBOW ADVENTURE ELINA DOLL AND DVD GAME, 3+
The Elina fashion doll acts as a remote control to play the included DVD game. Girls fly Elina to different worlds of Fairytopia in the DVD game and capture magical gems to save Fairytopia. MATTEL, www.mattel.com

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BARBIE WORLD TRAVELER SMART GLOBE, 3+
Music, cool sound effects, animation and the voice of Barbie bring world facts to life. This interactive touch globe introduces preschool children to animals, famous sites and food and clothing from around the world. Five fun game modes.
OREGON SCIENTIFIC, www.oregonscientific.com

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BRIO NETWORK SYSTEM, 3+
BRIO Network reveals an original world of rail play featuring imaginary creatures who live inside your computer. These net-workers drive super-cool vehicles on wooden train tracks, respond to email messages and teach kids about the "net" with hands-on role-play.
BRIO, www.brio.knex.com

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CALICO CRITTERS BABY PLAY NURSERY SCHOOL, 3+ Nursery school activities for your Calico Critters collection include classroom play, a rooftop patio, pretend accessories and a wading pool. Includes two soft-flocked and irresistible Calico Critters babies. INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS, www.intplay.com

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CARE BEARS 25TH ANNIVERSARY TENDERHEART BEAR WITH DVD, 4+
New, limited edition 25th Anniversary Care Bear features a beautiful white and silver bear with authentic Swarovski crystal eyes and sterling silver-plated accents. Packaged with a rare DVD containing the first Care Bears episode, The Land Without Feelings.
PLAY ALONG, www.playalongtoys.com

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CARNIVAL CLUBHOUSE SUPER FORT, 3+
Kids can build their own funhouse fort and play favorite carnival games. Colorful, easy-to-build panels and pieces provide hours of inventive play, both indoors and out. Includes game tickets, game play pieces and accessories.
CRANIUM, www.cranium.com

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CLICKSTART MY FIRST COMPUTER, 3-6
Safe computing experience helps little ones build preschool and basic computing skills through a series of engaging games. Console plugs into TV. Features child-sized wireless keyboard and mouse. Additional games featuring kids' favorite characters sold separately.
LEAPFROG, www.leapfrog.com

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DELUXE ACTION TRAIN TABLE, 3+
All-in-one multi-child train table provides hours of imaginative play. Compatible with most train sets including BRIO, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Matchbox and more. Included lid provides surface flexibility and keeps set clean.
STEP2, www.step2.com

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DORA THE EXPLORER BUILDABLE HOUSE, 3+ Build and rebuild Dora's favorite hangout. Includes fun activity cards to encourage kids to create Dora and Diego adventures. Fully articulated Dora figure and multiple accessories total 48 pieces for construction and role-play fun for preschoolers.
MEGA BRANDS, www.megabrands.com

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DR. SEUSS THE CAT IN THE HAT, I CAN DO THAT! GAME, 3+ Can you…limbo under the trick-a-ma-stick…while balancing the fish…on your stomach? Hundreds of hilarious combinations offer loads of out-of-your seat fun. Promotes reading development, physical activity and memory skills. I CAN DO THAT GAMES, www.icandothatgames.com

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EASY-LINK INTERNET LAUNCHPAD, 3+
Parents simply connect the Easy-Link Launchpad to their computer via a USB cord. Three included Easy-Link characters (Elmo, Wiggles and Fisher-Price) securely link kids to their favorite sites to play preschool-appropriate online games and activities. FISHER-PRICE, www.fisherprice.com

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FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED, 3+ Game introduces children to numbers and strategy while developing fine motor skills. The monkey's bed randomly shakes, sending the colorful monkeys jumping, bringing laughter and learning to preschoolers as they practice counting skills. UNIVERSITY GAMES, www.ugames.com

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GIGGLING ELMO HOT TOMATO GAME, 3+
Press Elmo Hot Tomato's nose to make him giggle and shake. Players try to pass him to the next player before he stops! Use enclosed cards to learn colors, shapes and more.
CARDINAL GAMES, www.cardinalgames.com

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I SPY 3-D SEEING DOUBLE GAME, 3+
Kids put on 3-D glasses and enter the magical world of I SPY. Kids read the rhyming cards and locate matching objects on the game board. Hours of engaging fun for kids of all ages. BRIARPATCH, www.briarpatch.com

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INTERACTIVE LIA, 3+
17-inch, beautifully realistic, multilingual baby doll communicates in four languages. Specific, gentle touches and tickles to Lia will result in endearing, realistic responses to little Mom's affections.
COROLLE, www.corolleusa.com

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LOLA'S PINK MILK GAME, 3+
Charlie and Lola try to collect pink milk cards without letting the pesky tigers drink them. This adventurous game features Lola's favorite drink, Pink Milk! Teaches preschoolers basic logic, patience and counting skills.
RIX PRODUCTS, www.marinagames.com

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MATCHBOX MEGA RIG SHARK ADVENTURE, 3+ The versatile Mega Rig building system lets kids disconnect and recombine the Shark Ship vehicle to build 40 different vehicles. Each has wheels and floats so kids can play with the Shark Ship set on land or in water.
MATTEL, www.mattel.com

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MIGHTY WORLD EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAYSET, 3+ The Emergency Response Set from MightyWorld includes a team of five response technicians. The set features a fullfunction ambulance, a police car and a police motorcycle, all with lights and sounds, plus many other accessories. INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS, www.intplay.com

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POKÉMON DIAMOND & PEARL ULTIMATE POKÉDEX, 3+ A handheld, interactive virtual encyclopedia of Pokémon! For the first time ever, all 430+ Pokémon characters will be displayed with their individual Pokédex description. Includes five interactive games in the base control unit.
JAKKS PACIFIC, www.jakkspacific.com

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PRETEND & PLAY GYMBAG, 3+
Through role play, this realistic gym bag helps children learn the importance of exercise and healthy habits. Zippers, buckles, buttons, snaps and ties on bag teaches everyday dressing skills and improves hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Includes sports balls, exercise chart,water bottle and other role-play tools for healthy lifestyle play.
LEARNING RESOURCES, www.learningresources.com

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REMARKABLES, 3+
Remarkables coloring storybooks feature washable fabric. Children color, wash and color again! Ten-page book comes with four washable markers for hours of fun with all of your child's favorite characters from Disney, Nickelodeon, Sesame Street and Marvel.
SENARIO, www.senario.com

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SPIDER-MAN III ULTIMATE WEB BLASTER, 3+ Spider-Man fans will enjoy role-playing with water, web fluid, projectile launchers or the foam dart blaster. The amazing web blaster creates spiral webs with special web fluid. One can of web fluid is included; refills available separately. HASBRO, www.hasbro.com

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SQUAWKERS MCCAW, FURREAL FRIENDS PARROT, 4+ Just like a real parrot, Squawkers McCaw can repeat words, be "taught" to speak, respond to touch, make sassy sounds and even dance. Uses innovative animatronics and voice recognition and has programmable features. HASBRO, www.hasbro.com/tiger

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SUGAR PLUMFAIRYMUSICAL SKIRT, 3-6
This musical-feature skirt plays the classic Tchaikovsky music from the Nutcracker Ballet. The lavender skirt is full of sparkles and layers of soft tulle, and is lined with satin for itch-free wear. Musical device is hidden within an interior front pocket. Press on for music and it continues with motion. Three AAA batteries included.
ACTING OUT, www.actingoutdressup.com

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TRANSFORMERS ACTIVITY STATION, 3+
This active playset engages kids with 48 activities in eight different learning modes. Features a QWERTY keyboard and Smartchip technology to adjust the levels of learning based on your child's performance.
KIDDESIGNS, www.kiddirect.com

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TROOP GROOVY GIRLS, 4+
Soft dolls include reversible sashes (for both Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts) and messenger bags to match their outfits. Craft kits, patch stickers and other troop fashions sold separately.
MANHATTAN TOY, www.groovygirls.com


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