Everyone loves a good video game and tablet, but it’s also important to supply children with toys that keep them thinking on their own. Toy Insider Mom Laurie Schacht shared the top toys for imaginative play with Woman’s Day senior editor Taryn Mohrman. From beautiful fantasy puppets to the smartest talking bird around, these toys are guaranteed to keeping minds moving and creativity strong.

GrownUpLimited.CrayolaQwikflipQwikflip 2-Sided Glow Easel (Grow’n Up Limited)

  • The Crayola Glow Easel is a Qwikflip, two-sided easel with illuminated, glow, and chalkboard surfaces.
  • It has 10 LED sequences and three locking easel positions.
  • Comes with 2 gel markers, 4-count Crayola assorted color chalk, and an eraser.
  • Ages: 4+
  • MSRP: $49.99

Folkmanis.DragoninTurretShow & Tell Storytime Fantasy Puppets (Folkmanis)

  • Fantasy play just got more entertaining with new puppets from Folkmanis.
  • Fierce and bold, the Winged Dragon reptile is a handful of fun! Kids can create their own fairytales animating the mouth and wings of this magical beast.
  • The Sea Serpent puppet is an enchanting creature that features scaly-looking, midnight blue skin with feathery, three-humped spine highlighted with bright blue accents on his movable head and tail.
  • The Dragon in Turret is the latest pop-up. This king of this castle is a lively baby dragon with colorful metallic accents.
  • Encourages imaginative and creative thinking.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $27.99 – $35.99

CraZArt.FlyingAceSnoopyLiteBrixFlying Ace Snoopy Lite Brix (Cra-Z-Art)

  • Build a 3D construction Flying Ace Snoopy using the Cra-Z-Art Light Brix building system – create and build with lights!
  • Compatible with other brick systems.
  • Features Flying Ace Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and Woodstock pose-able figures, LED light up dog house, stickers, brick blocks.
  • Ages: 3-7
  • MSRP: $19.99

“Sands Alive! Glow” (Playvisions)2535.sands.alive.Pet Shoppe.2015.30November2014

  • Prevents bacterial growth and never dries out
  • Non-Toxic and all natural mineral oil allows it to only stick to itself, not your clothes or the carpet!
  • When exposed to air, the sand becomes fluffier and lighter for more play material.
  • Play with it in a well-lit room, or take it into your bedroom and turn off the lights for the ultimate glow experience.
  • The sand will charge with any light source. The sand underneath the surface will not charge and stay the same color, allowing the sand to change color once it is exposed to UV light. Play with it under our hands-free UV Glasses or UV Penlight to experience the color changing effects!
  • Use the UV Penlight to Write with Light! Flatten the sand and play tic-tac-toe, write your name, or write a secret message.
  • Ages 3+
  • Retail pricing of $19.99-$79.99

MadameAlexander.ThePixieDoodlesThe Pixie Doodles (Madame Alexander)

  • The Pixie Doodles line includes five 9-inch Fairy Dolls for decorating, coloring, and playing.
  • The dolls are fashioned with playful, colorful hair inspired by fun Crayola color names and the most popular color fashion trends for girls.
  • Launching for the holiday is Jazzberry Pink Pixie Doodle, Sizzling Tangerine Pixie Doodle, Purple Pizzazz Pixie Doodle, and Misty Green Pixie Doll.
  • Each set comes with a Pixie Doodle fairy doll, a fairy dress to be colored and doodled on, a detachable glitter-edged decoratable wings, sparking colored gem stickers, Crayola Markers, plus design inspiration for young decorators.
  • Ages: 3+
  • MSRP: $14.95- $29.95

KahootzToys.FashionPlatesFashion Plates (Kahootz Toys)

  • The classic mix and match fashion drawing set is back and better than ever!
  • The new Fashion Playes design set makes it easy and fun for aspiring designers to create their own fabulous fashion dsigns.
  • Create one-of-a-kind look by combining the different rubbing playes together into the new Fashion Plates tablet.
  • With just a few passes of the rubbing tool, your design transfers to your sketch paper.
  • Adding colors and detail to your new look is a snap with the included artists pencils and the fashion textures build into the back of each Fashion Plate.
  • The stylish portfolio case neatly stores your tablet, plates, and tools, making it easy to take your designs and fashions on the go!
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $19.99

yummy_nummies_cupcakes_blip_toysYummy Nummies (Blip Toys)

  • Yummy Nummies are candy, snack, and meal making sets that come with everything kids need to create no-bake, realistic-tasting mini foods!
  • Magically fun and delicious, Yummy Nummies intrigue little taste buds with an involved and educational activity that requires no oven or stove.
  • The results are adorable little foods that look and taste just like the real thing – a hamburger tastes like a real tiny hamburger, and the cupcakes smell freshly baked!
  • Made with only food ingredients from the USA, Yummy Nummies are a tasty and fun way for little chefs to explore and learn in the kitchen!
  • Ages: 6+
  • MSRP: $7.99-$15.99

Strand Bands Designer Kit (The Bridge Direct)TheBridgeDirect.StrandBands

  • Kids can make, wear, and share their own one-of-a-kind accessories with ease!
  • The Strand Bands Designer Kit includes everything fashionistas need to make fashion-inspired accessories with more than 180 feet of peel-apart Strand Bands.
  • The included Strand Styler features an open center for easy weaving, slits on the bottom to hold the bands in place, and can be used on a lap or tabletop.
  • There are so many styles to create: kids can fringe the ends, change the thickness, and create accessories that reflect their own individual styles.
  • The jewelry creations are so easy to take on and off, and are water-proof.
  • Kids can visit StrandBands.com for even moredesign inspiration and ideas.
  • Three collections to choose from: Purple, Pink and Teal.
  • Ages: 8+
  • MSRP: $17.99

28086 LLP S3 Bird Clever KeetLittle Live Pets Clever Keet (Moose Toys)

  • Clever Keet is the smartest bird that you’ll ever meet.
  • When kids first meet their bird, they can give him a name that he’ll remember.
  • He can record and repeat messages like the other birds in the Little Live Pets flock, but can remember phrases and mash them up to make all new sentences.
  • Clever Keet can also swing on his perch, eat and drink on his own and dance in the mirror. He loves to move around on his cart, too!
  • Age: 5+
  • MSRP: $59.99

About the author

Christopher Braun

Christopher Braun

Christopher Braun is the editorial assistant at Adventure Publishing Group. He is a recent transplant from Ohio, and spends the bulk of his free time reading, running and exploring his new home in New York. When he’s not at home or in the office, he’s on a park bench somewhere, enjoying fresh air with his nose deep in a novel or magazine. With a lifelong interest in literature and art, Christopher loves any toy that helps kids share their creativity and imagination with family and friends. He thinks coloring books and crayons are necessary for a fulfilling life and no home is too small for a craft closet. To keep up with Christopher, follow him on Twitter @chrisjamesbraun.

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