Not sure what to get the younger kids on your holiday shopping list? Toy Insider Associate Editor Maddie Michalik stopped by NBC in Indianapolis to show off some great toy ideas for the littlest ones this holiday season. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the holiday season, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.


SAFARI LEARNING STATION (LEAPFROG)

  • From sitting to crawling and standing, the Safari Learning Station grows with children while keeping them learning and entertained.
  • The three-in-one arch adjusts for floor play to standing play and includes three different modes.
  • Giraffe, Lion, and Zebra introduce the ABCs and 123s while playing catchy safari-themed songs.
  • Press the light-up piano keys to make music and discover shapes and colors.
  • Little ones can spin Elephant’s bead spinner for fine motor fun and twist Chameleon’s tail to learn about colors. Children will also love dropping the balls through Monkey’s tail and watching as they roll down the ramp, through the trees, and back to them.
  • Age: 6 months – 3 years
  • MSRP: $49.99
  • Available: Target

SCRUFF-A-LUVS (MOOSE TOYS)

  • Each Scruff‐a‐Luv comes as a matted ball of colored fur with only its eyes showing, so it’s a mystery what animal kids are rescuing! The adorable animal is revealed by washing the matted ball in water, towel drying the animal, blast drying it with a hair dryer, and brushing and styling its fur.   
  • Each Scruff‐a‐Luv comes with a collar, name tag, adoption certificate, brush and hair clips.
  • Scruff‐a‐luvs can be washed over and over again. This special kind of plush allows kids to play with it in the bath, role play with it, and care for it like a real pet – the possibilities are endless!
  • Age: 2+
  • MSRP: $19.99
  • Available: Amazon, Target

FISHER-PRICE THINK & LEARN ROCKTOPUS (MATTEL)

  • Rocktopus is a STEAM toy that brings creativity to the learning process by allowing kids to explore a variety of musical styles while learning about different instruments, rhythmic patterns, and more.
  • Rocktopus features 15 unique instruments across five different genres of music, enabling a truly hands-on physical approach to learning as preschoolers mix (and remix) their own musical creations.
  • Kids are in control of their very own compositions by adding or subtracting instruments, changing the tempo, and layering in fun sound effects.
  • Features three interactive play modes: Math, Music, and Game.
  • Age: 3+
  • MSRP: $59.99
  • Available: All major retailers

About the author

Bill Reese

Bill Reese

Bill Reese is Business Operations Manager 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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