With so many choices available, holiday toy shopping can easily become an overwhelming (and expensive) task. Finding the right age-appropriate toy for your sugarplums not only can create a holiday hero (yes, you!), but it can also can further enhance your child’s learning and development─ without your little one even realizing it.  Here are some selections that are filled with entertaining items that are active, educational, creative, and above all, fun!

Newborn to 6 months

• Under the Nile Endangered Species Collection

This plush toy is made from 100% organic Egyptian cotton (no pesticides or chemicals have been used through the entire production process). Perfect for cuddling and makes a great teether. The Endangered Species collection includes humpback whales, sea turtles, polar bears and more. Retails between $16.00 and $22.00.  The Endangered Species collection can be purchased online on various websites, including: http://www.naturalbabyhome.com/.

• Musical Benji Bunny (HABA)

This sweet plush bunny is created from high-quality organic cotton.  It contains a waterproof music box that plays soothing melodies to calm your little one to sleep.  Retails for:  $29.00.  The Musical Benji Bunny can be purchased online at: http://www.haba.de

6 months to 12 months

• CrocoBloco Activity Toy (Discovery/K’s Kids)

CrocoBloco’s center consists of four detachable blocks that are adorned with numerous activities─ detach the head and tail pieces to make this colorful crocodile the perfect size for your baby to cuddle with.  Let baby pull on the flower and watch his tail wag. Babies and parents will delight with all the stimulating sensory activity.  Retails for $59.95 at: http://www.fatbraintoys.com.

• Tap & Roll Musical Drum (Infantino)

Made to encourage crawling, this motion activated drum can be tapped anywhere to hear a single note, or if baby rolls it along the floor, multiple notes will ring out. Retails for: $12.88 online at: www.walmart.com.

12months to 24 months

• Catch-Me-Kitty (VTech)

This electronic learning toy from VTech invites your little one to a game of chase through sounds and movement.  Catch-Me-Kitty moves and scoots across your floor, encouraging your baby to chase it.  As your little guy approaches the kitten, a sensor knows exactly when they are near and the cat reacts with sounds and motions. Retails for: $15.99 at:  http://www.vtechkids.com

• Count ‘n Crunch Cookie Monster ( Playskool)

Count ‘n Crunch Cookie Monster is a great way to encourage early counting skills and number awareness. Watch your little girl count away with Cookie Monster as she feeds him his favorite food─cookies.  Cookie Monster responds by counting and giggling. Retails for $24.88 at:  http://www.walmart.com/

2 to 4 years

• Ambre 14” Miss Corolle Doll (Corolle)

Festively attired for the holidays in a bright red coat with a raspberry pink striped scarf, furry hat and boots to complete her ensemble, Ambre is soft and very huggable.  With bright blue eyes that open and close, Ambre is destined to become your little girl’s favorite doll friend.  Retails for: $69.99 at specialty shops nationwide.  To find a retailer near you, please visit their website at: http://us.corolle.com/tools/Store-locator

• Build and Store Block Activity Table (Step2)

This multi-purpose table provides an ideal play space for building, drawing or any creative adventure.  Four cups and two removable trays assist in organizing small piece sets, such as Lego’s™ with molded-in storage areas.  Retails for: $79.99 at Toys “R” Us online.

4 to 6 Years

• Learn to Write & Draw with Mr. Pencil (Leap Frog)

Little imaginations everywhere will soar to new heights, as this handheld device features over 150 step-by-step lessons that teach children how to draw their favorite animals, characters, as well as upper and lowercase letters and numbers.  Lots of art tools are included so your son or daughter can create anything that they can think of.  Works with all Leapster and Leapster 2 products.  Available for purchase online at: http://shop.leapfrog.com/leapfrog/ for $24.99.

• The Magic School Bus: Jumping into Electricity (The Young Scientists Club)

Generate lightning bolts, make your morning cereal dance, create static hair and much more as your budding Thomas Edison discovers the wonders of science with this unique kit. Retails for $18.79.

6 to 8 years

• Tetris Link

The popular game from the 80s is back! Tetris Link is a new tabletop strategy game that promotes strategic thinking, reasoning and fine motor skills.  Players take turns rolling die and dropping Tetriminos into the tower.  The object of the game is to link the Tetriminos of the same color to earn points while blocking opponents from scoring.  When the tower is full, the player with the highest score wins the game.  Retails for $19.99. http://www.technosourcehk.com/index.php

• Crayola Glow Book

Create glowing, moving animated art with this unique book.  Your little artist can bring their own cartoons to life with layered drawings and lights that flash to make the drawing move.  With a quick wipe of a damp cloth, they can instantly create new images. Retails for $19.99 at Toys-r-Us stores and online.

8 to 10 years

• Recon 6.0 Programmable Rover (Smart Lab)

The Recon 6.0 Rover is a perfect tool for learning.  Your child can program the robot to navigate courses that can deliver a treat to the family dog; surprise someone with a personalized message; carry a soda or just dance.  Teaches early programming, basic math skills and problem solving.  No computer is required. Available for purchase online at:  http://www.amazon.com/ref=gno_logo for $55

• Simon Flash (Hasbro)

This new high-tech twist on the popular Simon game will test your memory and logic skills to the max!  A portable game case makes it easy to take along on a road trip. Retails for: $29.99 at major toy retailers, including Toys-r-Us, Wal-Mart and Sears.

10 and up

• Risk (Hasbro)

The ultimate game of global domination is back in this latest update.  The classic game reintroduces the Napoleonic-era military theme to pique the interest of your aspiring world leader.  The object of the game is to occupy every territory on the board with the help from the roll of the dice. Available online at: http://hasbrotoyshop.com and major toy retailers nationwide for: $19.99.

• Super Mario 3D Land (Nintendo)

Everything that your son or daughter loves about Mario™ is reinvented in spectacular 3D, without the need for special glasses.  The appropriate balance of new and familiar abilities add unique game-play strategies to their adventure─Mario can run quickly with a dash move, and the new Circle Pad lets players have complete control to move Mario through each level. At http://www.amazon.com/Super-Mario-3D for $38.99