Need a gift? Try these top toys for toddlers

It’s America’s biggest and most comprehensive toy test. Thousands of kids across the country tested hundreds of this year’s new toys to see which ones they like the best. For “Toy Test 2005,” contributor and consumer specialist Herb Weisbaum has the winning results, which he shares in a special report on “Today.” First up is a look at the toddler category.

We tested 35 toddler toys this year. For us, toddler toys are appropriate for children from 18 months to about 3 years. Toys with small parts (which could present a choking hazard to a toddler) and those recommended for children 3 and up were tested in preschool classrooms. For more top-rated toddler toys, plus a complete list of all the winners in every age group, check out the “Toy Test 2005” Guide. Here are the top six toys for toddlers:

Step2

Luxury Sport Coupe (Step2, $70)
This year Step2 took the classic kid-powered coupe and gave it some fun styling on the outside and a luxury feel on the inside. The grill, hubcaps and door handles are painted metallic silver. The bucket seats and steering wheel are made to look like leather. Push the square button on the steering wheel and hear the sound of the engine revving (that’s why the car requires batteries). The dashboard has a lot of detail for a toddler car, including clicking dials. The door opens and closes. It’s easy to see why the Luxury Sport Coupe by Step2 got the highest overall score — it’s big, red, and moves around! It’s also perfect for playing pretend. As one teacher told me, “The kids like going to grandma’s house or to get something to eat. Sometimes, they’re just going!” Like other Step2 toys, this one is sturdy and built to last. Teachers told me the Luxury Sport Coupe is built low to the ground, so you don’t have to worry about it tipping over. “That means kids feel very secure in it,” one teacher said. (Requires 2 AAA batteries; manufacturer’s age: 18 months and up; adult assembly required.)

Fisher-Price Friends

Check-Up Time Elmo (Fisher-Price Friends, $20)
Kids love to play doctor and few patients have the instant appeal of Elmo. “They really like to care for something other than a baby doll,” one teacher said. “With Elmo, they’re taking care of their friend.” With Check-Up Time Elmo, there are lots of ways to do that. There’s a stethoscope to check his heart, a thermometer to take his temperature, a bandage to cover his boo-boo (it sticks on with Velcro) and a tissue to help him blow his nose. Little doctors will quickly learn that Elmo is quite a silly patient. Touching different spots on his body will activate cute sound effects and funny phrases. For instance, take his temperature and he says “not so hot, not so cold, Elmo’s just right!” After his third check-up, Elmo starts to sing! This set also comes with a soft, washable book, which explains about going to the doctor. Teachers gave that high marks. They say it’s a great way to teach kids that seeing the doctor is fun, not scary. (Requires 3 AA batteries; manufacturer’s age: 18 months and up.)

Playskool

Weebles Weebly Wobbly Tree House (Playskool, $30)
Those delightful Weebles, who “wobble but they don’t fall down” have a colorful new place to hang out. The Weebly Wobbly Tree House has been designed for fun activities — from the crow’s nest at the top to the whirly water wheel below. The set comes with three wacky figures who like to ride the slide from the second story to the ground floor. Electronic sounds and music add to the fun. Teachers tell us the tree house is well made and gives toddlers a place to have all sorts of imaginary adventures. “They ask for it every day,” one teacher told me. “The Weebles are more fun than people with arms and legs,” she said, “and kids like to test the theory that the Weebles don’t fall down.” (Requires 3 AA batteries; manufacturer’s age: 18 months and up; some adult assembly required.)

LEGO Systems

LEGO Quatro Mountain Climber (LEGO Systems, $25)
Here’s a LEGO truck that’s already built, which is why it’s perfect for this age group. This bright blue monster truck is made to race around and haul loads of LEGO Quatro bricks. Push the button on the hood to hear engine sounds. Since this is a LEGO truck, it has places on the hood, on the roof and inside the flat bed where kids can attach those bricks to build small structures. Teachers told us all the kids liked playing with the Mountain Climber. They said it’s very easy to maneuver and very well made. “The kids would race around like crazy with it!” one teacher told me. “They like dumping out the blocks and then picking them up again. They put them on front, on top, so you can make it look like other things. They really get to use their imagination.” The truck comes with 20 building bricks. (Manufacturer’s age: 12 months to 3 years)

Mattel

Little Mommy Baby Checkup Center (Mattel, $30)
Did I mention that kids love to play doctor? It’s fun to role-play. So, it’s no surprise that another “check-up” toy made it into the winner’s circle. The colorful Little Mommy Baby Checkup Center is a mini pediatrician’s office built onto a play table. It’s made to fit a Little Mommy doll (sold separately), but any doll under 14” will do. This Checkup Center has a scale to weigh a baby doll, and a sliding gauge to measure her height, plus an assortment of doctor tools — all with animal themes — for checking ears, eyes, pulse and blood pressure. The battery-powered stethoscope (button cell included) makes two sounds, a beating heart and giggling. Teachers told us the slide-in legs can be pulled out by a curious child. For that reason, they said this toy is probably more suited for children around 3 and up. They also noted that some of the small pieces are made from lightweight cardboard that do not last very long. Still, they said, “this was a real hit with the kids” that they would recommend to parents. (Manufacturer’s age: 2 years and up.)

LeapFrog

Educational winner
Learn-Around Playground (LeapFrog, $60)
This play center is both fun and educational — what parents would expect from a LeapFrog toy. There’s so much to do here — things to push, pull and move around — that help your young one learn colors, shapes, textures and first words. This playground is also very musical. Tug on the “Touch & Learn Textures” and hear one of three songs about bumpy, fuzzy and smooth textures. Slide the frog, Leap, and he sings the alphabet song. Play the “Number Rock Keyboard” and count along to five rock ’n’ roll songs. Kids love sending things down the slide. If it’s one of the balls from the playset, the “Smart Ball Drop” will say what color it is. “They think that’s fabulous,” one teacher told me. The Learn-Around Playground is designed to grow with your child. There are things to do while sitting or standing, so it appeals to babies and toddlers. It also has two modes: Learn & Grow and Compose & Play. Here’s something else you should know — teachers told us it is very well made. “It’s very sturdy,” one said, “it doesn’t tip over like some other toys.” (Requires 3 AA batteries: manufacturer’s age: 6 months to 3 years.)

Consumer expert and “Today” contributor Herb Weisbaum has been helping people across the country for more than 25 years. His award-winning reports have exposed everything from quack medications to bogus investments. Since 1990, his Toy Test has helped millions of parents and grandparents select the best toys for their kids. To learn more about Herb Weisbaum and his latest consumer reports, you can visit his Web site at: www.consumerman.com

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