Best Toys for Kids 2011-2012

Picking an age-appropriate toy that will keep your child out of harm's way plus be entertaining at the same time can be a challenge. The selection of safe, fun and stimulating toys is becoming enormous and I'm here to help weed through the confusion about where to start.

Here are reviews for the 3 top toys for kids that have been best-sellers this year in three separate age catagories and which are also receiving high rankings by consumers for their creativity and fun. Look for links at the bottom for even more reviews.

Let's Rock Elmo (For kids 18 months and up):

Keeping your toddler entertained will be easy with the Let's Rock Elmo. The popular Sesame Street character comes with a microphone, tambourine, drum set and instructions. Child chooses which instrument Elmo should play and Elmo "magicallly" recognizes which one he was given and starts his concert. He sings six different songs. Two more instruments are sold separately; Let's Rock Guitar and Keyboard. The child can play these and Elmo will accompany them.

A great toy for preschoolers if they love Elmo or if you want to nurture a love of music at an early age. Predictions are for this to be a favorite Christmas toy this year. The Let's Rock Elmo takes 6 AA batteries which are included for a list price of $69.99.

LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (For kids 4-9 years of age):

The LeapFrog learning system has been at the cutting edge in technology for children of varying ages for years. This LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet is the latest release for 4-9 year olds. Like an iPad for kids it has a 5" touch screen and 2GB of memory which enables it to run over 100 different apps covering subjects including reading, math, science, geography, art, music, language and culture, health and more. The skill level automatically adjusts the challenge to match a child's pace and it remembers progress from use to use. There is also a built-in camera and video recorder.

The LeapPad comes in pink or green with 4 apps to start. Others apps/games/books may be purchased separately. A great innovative toy that will inspire kids for a list price of $99.99.

Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster (For kids 6 years and up):

This not only sounds kool, it is. Nerf has added high-tech to this Blaster in the electronic scope with pulsing lights for easier targeting and an acceleration trigger to power up for distance blasting. As with other Vortex blasters, the XLR long-range disc technology will launch discs an ultra-long distance.

The Nitron Blaster comes with a 20-disc magazine and has storage capacity for additional magazines, sold separately. There are some really neat accessories available for purchase to customize your Blaster, too. Get your 6+year-old up and active with the Nerf Vortex Nitron Blaster for a list price of $54.99.

There is a huge selection of innovative toys for kids of all ages that are fun and engage their minds as well. Think birthdays or Christmas for any of the best toys for kids 2011-2012 here.

Resource: Top 10 Toys - Squidoo Hobbies, Games and Toys