TDmonthly's December Staff Picks

Inspired by nature and suitable for babies 3 months and up, this hand-crafted rattle features quality hardwoods, water-based finishes, a curvy, easy-to-grasp shape, fuzzy berries, click-clack leaves and a variety of textures and shapes. Launch date: October 2007.

The TykeLight casts the perfect glow of light for play under the covers, inside tents, in the backyard and for outings down darkened hallways. The TykeLight lights the way and becomes the security friend for any wanderer. Parents can also check on little explorers without disturbing their sleep with the soft-glow nightlight feature. Long-lasting, rechargeable batteries and kid-friendly design make the TykeLight the perfect playtime friend day or night. TykeLight is fully rechargeable and will deliver many adventures for little tykes over the years.

These donut- and heart-shaped pendants mimic real gemstones and hang on a black, silk cord with a breakaway clasp. The jewelry is made from a food-safe, phthalate-free, non-toxic, lead-free, federally approved silicone, so it is safe for babies to handle and chew. Eight colors are available. Teething Bling makes “a great shower or new baby gift,” Director of Marketing Amy Maurer Creel of Smart Mom told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Innovations 2008. Launch date: October 2006.

Where to Buy: Creative Kidstuff

This gift set comes with four, different colored Baby Barbells™ Exercise Rattles. Small, light, and cute, these little rattles are crafted for the tiny hands of premature or full term infant. Containing an exacting number of acoustic pellets, they rattle softly and soothes the baby without a noise startle.

The monster-shaped laundry bag can be used to store laundry or toys to keep a child’s room organized. The monster is bright and funky with striped horns, blue accents, red lips and white teeth. The bag features a loop behind the horns for easy hanging.

The uniquely designed Kingka Matching and Memory Game (English/Chinese version) is a multi-purpose toy that can further stimulate children’s spatial perception after they master the identification of a circle, a square and a triangle. It also exercises visual discrimination, fine motor skills, memorization and concentration, and teaches the hottest foreign language, Chinese. Kingka is the most age-appropriate toy that introduces Mandarin Chinese to toddlers and preschoolers from English-speaking families. Made in the USA, this brain-teaser game challenges people in all age groups.

The globe sits on a crystal base and smoothly revolves, simulating the natural rotation of the Earth. The globe is also available in either a classic or a geographical variety. Launch date: 2007.

This cross between a scooter and a skateboard features 360-degree steering with pivot-steering technology. It allows riders to easily drift, carve and turn, and has an aircraft-grade aluminum base, cast polyurethane wheels, and a durable front fork designed to enhance skatepark, street and downhill performance.

The 37”-long Quadcoaster, a four-wheeled push scooter, accommodates up to 300 pounds. Kids ride it by alternating legs to push from the rear. It has a wide stance and a wide upright handle on a stable platform for controllable steering and balance. It provides physical benefits, helping children improve their motor-planning skills, strengthen their muscles and weight-shifting abilities, and hone their visual motor skills. The Quadcoaster also features locking-break levers. Launch date: 2008.

Sasha is part of the Signature Series, best known for glossy, white porcelain faces. She wears authentic 17th- and 18th-Century Russian folk costumes, which include embroidered velvet, mink and silk. The doll stands 19” tall and is handcrafted in Russia. Launch date: 2008.

Niecey, a soft and huggable adventure doll, is all fabric and stands 12" tall. She comes with a soft-cover storybook that gives parents and children an opportunity to bond while helping to build children's attention spans and sharpen their listening skills. In "Niecey’s Surprise Pie," readers witness an entire town’s transformation from grumpy to joyous as Niecey’s Surprise Pie puts a smile on everyone’s face.

The 17”-tall doll features 14 points of articulation, a hand-painted face, a micro-sequined ‘scale’ costume and a display stand. Unlike the original Aquaman, this deluxe version features a new head sculpt and hairstyle. Production of this doll is limited to 1,000 pieces. Launch date: November 2007.

This action figure is poseable and comes with interchangeable parts for customization. It is available in blue, white, black and tan colors. “The four Pre-assembled Alpha Male figures are ready for action straight out of the box and require no assembly. Each part is interchangeable with the complete Stikfas range of Action Figure Kits and is ideal for budding stop-motion film makers, photographers, customizers or just [kids] having simple fun posing them,” Martin New, director of sales and channel marketing for Stikfas/Saizon, told TDmonthly.

From the company’s Classic Linen Collection, this journal is embellished with Swarovski crystals and features artist-quality paper. "In a world of outsourcing, all of our products are created in our artisan workshop located in Los Angeles," Brittney Lane of Press & Marketing for Terra Traditions told TDmonthly.

This family card game encourages kids to practice math and money skills as they try to be the first to discard all seven cards by matching color, currency value, currency picture or Exact Change. Charity Inspirations donates 50 percent of its net profit to children’s charities chosen by customers. Launch date: Fall 1998.

The game is one of strategy, based on inner and social awareness. It celebrates Earth Day every day and invites everyone to think about their choices and actions and the larger community around them. By answering questions and engaging in discussion, players learn how their choices affect the earth and its inhabitants. "[This is] the only game on the market where a player wins by using a 'pay-it-forward' strategy," Elightened Play! Owner Eileen Thournir told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 17, 2008.

Hey Daddy-Os! Hey Mommy-Os, too! Does your child need to be sedated? Should mama’s boy or girl be too busy howling at the moon, let them pulsate to this backbeat. The Ramones sang about brats, babysitters and believing in miracles. Is there any doubt the band didn’t want to grow up? If you want a happy family, this album will provide pleasant dreams.

This high-quality wall decoration provides a pirate theme for adventurous teen girls. Each reproduction canvas can be customized with names or favorite phrases. Each canvas is signed by the artist, Sherri Blum, and comes with a pre-installed hanger for easy hanging.

The front flap of the messenger bag is made of fully functional zippers. Unzip one for a more modest look, or unzip them all for a flashy flapper style. Launch date: 2006.

Part of “The 5 Senses Series” designed for children 6 months to 4 years, “Braincandy, Taste My World” presents Bruce Brain, Mojo Mouth and the rest of the Sense Gang in tasteful adventures such as trying new foods. The DVD features country music tunes.

Just like with a Frisbee, one can play free-style and toss, spin, catch or even roll the Ring. It is most commonly played by two or more people — young or old, boys or girls — and is fun for everyone, whether in a backyard, a park or on a beach. It can be played in an open field or even on a volleyball court, allowing players to make up their own rules.  It is said to have an easier grip and control than a Frisbee.

This cooperative game teaches players about how over-hunting and destruction of natural habitats places species in danger. Players get to conduct research and initiate laws and conservation methods to save as many endangered species as possible. The box includes 20 endangered creature cards, 50 research, protection, hunting and habitat tokens, a project marker, an educational booklet with species information and game rules. Advanced game rules are available for older players.