Top Ten Gift Ideas for Toddlers: Watch Your Toddler Learn with These Educational Toys

Toddlerhood is a frustrating time - for both the child and the parents! Communication is difficult, to say the least, with young toddlers (18 months to 3 years) and becomes a mastered milestone by the end of toddlerhood (age 4). Interactive and educational toys can help encourage communication skills and toddlers and the holiday season is a perfect excuse to stock up. Below are the top ten gift ideas for toddlers.

TMX - Tickle Me Elmo: The hottest toy of the season is selling out left and right. With a retail price of only $39.99, parents are paying upwards of $90 to get one under the tree this season. What's so great about it? Well, not only does it celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Tickle Me Elmo (which had parents in wrestling matching), but TMX - Tickle Me Elmo is the most interactive Elmo toy out there. He features a variety of tickle spots (chin, tummy, and toe) and has progressing tickle reactions (slapping leg, giggling, falling on back, etc.). TMX - Tickle Me Elmo is recommended for ages 2 and up.

Easy PC: How many times has your toddler wiggler her way into your lap to slap away at your keyboard? This year, let her have her very own. The Easy PC, winner of Dr. Toy's Smart Play Children's Product in 2005, hooks up to the family computer and allows your toddler to play interactive PC games that promote colors, shapes, and more - all with no reading required. Software includes. The Easy PC retails for $89.99 and is recommended for ages 1 to 5.

LittleTouch LeapPad Learning Center: Toddlers can take on stories, music, puzzles, and more with the LittleTouch LeapPad Learning Center. The Learning Center comes complete with two activities and more than 100 are available for purchase. Parents and younger children can use the Learning Center together, working on problem solving, language, and math, while older toddlers can enjoy the interactive touchscreen during independent playtime. Retails for $34.99 with additional books retailing at $12.99. Recommended for ages 6 to 36 months.

Smartville - Alphabet Train Center: A big hit this holiday season for the toddlers is VTech's Smartville - Alphabet Train Center. The Train Center boasts 25 "hot spots" where little ones can insert one of the 25 pieces to learn about shapes, colors, words, and more. Smartville - Alphabet Train Center retails for $49.99 and is recommended for ages 1 and up.

Trike 2 Bike: Your toddler can keep up with the big kids and burn off all that little kid energy in this little wonder. Fisher Price's Trike 2 Bike features a tricycle that quickly converts to a two-wheeler with just a lift and pull - no tools required! The bike is toddler-friendly at booth levels, though, with rubber grips and large peddles. Helmet recommended. The Trike 2 Bike retails for $39.99 and is recommended for toddlers 2 and up.

Guidecraft Flipping Tabletop Easel: There's a lot of toy in this small item. Kids can draw on the chalkboard side or play with the magnetic dry erase board. You can also add a roll of paper for kids to paint, color, or stamp. The Guidecraft Flipping Tabletop Easel sells for $40 and is recommended for toddlers 3 and up.

Melissa and Doug Puzzles: Starting at just four pieces and going up to 500, Melissa and Doug puzzles are quality toys that will last for generations. Chunky hands can easily grasps the large wooden pieces and the puzzles will survive use and abuse. Pick from a variety of themes - farm, jungle, dinosaurs, transportation, and more. There's a perfect Melissa and Doug puzzle for the toddler in your life. Puzzles start at just $6.99, making them an affordable gift option for the holiday season, and are recommended for kids 3 and up (but my son has been playing with them since 12 months).

LeapFrog Phonics Radio: A toddler gift with swing (or hip-hop or classical)! LeapFrog Phonics Radio plays musical tunes based on your toddler's selection on letters. The music focuses on sounds and letters. With an easy-to-hold handle, the toy weighs in at less than two pounds - keeping little feet safe. The LeapFrog Phonics Radio retails for $29.99 and is recommended for ages 18 months to 2 years.

Pound-A-Ball: Let toddlers get their frustrations out with a mallet and unsuspecting colorful balls. Pound-A-Ball focuses on motors skills. The tried-and-true holiday gift is already out of stock on Amazon. Pound-A-Ball sells for $14.50 and is recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Braincandy: My Five Senses (DVD): Created by parents, this DVD uses puppets to explore our five senses. Parents can make the most of the video by explore its teachings afterwards (activity ideas are available online). Retails for $19.99. Braincandy is recommended for ages 6 months to 4 years.

For toddlers, the key is to keep their holiday gifts educational and entertaining.