No better buy-in than learning through play!  The Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kit introduces children to a lot of the basics, like learning how to identify letters, forming shapes and how to follow directions.   Since all the activities are like games, it will hardly feel like a traditional lesson plan.

The exercises help them absorb each concept by executing it hands-on. Kiddos learn how to make letters, shapes and pictures with clingy stickers that adhere to a gel board. Games that include finger tracing, mystery letter recognition, and fishing for letters (yes, with a little rod included) are all part of the fun.  Great for those little visual learners!

Children will learn how to color inside the lines, complete with mini canvas boards and crayons.  Parents and kids can also get active with body awareness exercises that help with coordination, balance, directions and fine motor skills. Our tester learned he was right-handed!

The kit also includes a map-like board game that addresses counting, navigation and taking turns – a great launching pad to play board games with older siblings or friends!  All the fun packs up neatly in a handy travel case.  $50 at www.grasshopperkits.com.

Battles with bedtime? With back to school routines in full swing, here’s a neat idea in teaching your tike time management.  TimeBuddy lets you set multiple alarms for those important daily tasks. You can even record their name and personalized message. It comes with over a hundred activity sticker options to customize your clock’s face, helping little ones to identify with ease.  Program in English, Spanish or French, $35 at www.golearntoys.com.

Fun experimenting with color?  Yes, please!  These art kits by Faber-Castell are a rad way to kick-start your child’s artistic expression.  Recommended for ages 5 and up, the “Learn to Paint” kit comes with kid-sized tools including brushes, pallet and five washable paint colors.

For an extra creative outlet, the “Texture Paint” kit allows kids to experiment with tempera paint, texture tools and introduces artists to mixing and other techniques.  A batch of paper is also included in this kit.  Bring on the fridge art! Prices start at $20 at www.greatartstartshere.com.

This is one fun bouncer! The Gymini Bouncer is a one-stop shop of entertainment and stimulation for curious infants.  The bouncer has interesting baby-activated features and sounds to help with developmental milestones.  It also has a calming vibrating setting fussy babies may like and can adjust to two sitting positions.  $50 at www.tinylove.com.

Move over high maintenance aquariums – with this one you change the water every three months!  The EcoAquarium is a smart, efficient way to teach responsibility, all while enjoying the company of two new friends.  The 4X4 or 6X4 tanks come with everything you need to set up shop including 2 dwarf frogs (fish options also available, maintenance differs).  Choose from 10 fun gravel colors.  It also comes with a lucky bamboo plant, decorative rock and more.  The care is super easy and a gallon of spring water will last you a year!  Different EcoAquarium kits available and yes, the frogs do come in the mail. Our testers loved watching them swim around and stretch out those little webbed limbs, cute! Great first aquarium gift! $23 and up at www.wildcreations.com.

Potty training?  The Boon Training Toilet is a slick-looking, functional option.  In addition to its drawer style potty catcher, it also has some side storage space for any needed must-haves.  Love the built-in toilet paper holder too – smart! Close the lid and you have a sturdy stool as a perfect companion to wash hands and brush teeth. Available in blue and green, $35 at www.booninc.com.

These fun aprons are perfect for arts and crafts, help with cooking or sloppy joe night.  They are permanently water, soil and mess resistant, thanks to its eco-friendly water-based acrylic coating.   Wipe clean or throw in the wash. Available in boy, girl and unisex styles. $19.95 at www.mimithesardine.com.

Mellissa and Doug Nesting and Stacking blocks are great toy for mastering those fine motor skills.  Our tester enjoyed stacking the chunky, sturdy cardboard boxes and lining them up across the floor.  Stacked completely, and the tower is 3 feet high!  Fun, colorful alphabet art is a visually stimulating way to introduce little ones to their ABC’s.   The boxes fit nicely into one another for speedy cleanup and travel ease.  Recommended for ages 18 months+. $14 at www.toysrus.com.

Constantly in and out of the car on errands and kid activities? Parking lots can be a distracting and tricky experience with little ones who aren’t aware of the dangers of oncoming traffic and don’t always listen when you tell them to stay put.

Parking Pals help drive the message home. These magnetic decals, available in assorted styles, stick directly to your car so you can identify a safe zone. Have your child place his/her hand on the decal while they wait for you to load/unload other items or children. The colorful magnets are attention-grabbing and after a few trips, your child will know to go directly to their safe zone. $7.99 at  www.parkingpalmagnet.com.

I know first hand how sign language can bridge the communication gap with a baby who is not yet talking.  I used sign with all three of mine and avoided a lot of tantrums because of it.  The Signing Time line of DVD’s is a fantastic learning tool for emerging talkers through pre-school and beyond.  From letters, to colors, fruit, feelings and more,  the adventures with Alex and Leah are educational, colorful and full of super catchy songs.  Parents will enjoy the episodes right along side their little ones.  You can purchase the complete line which includes the DVD’s as well as CD’s and flash cards.  Individual products can also be purchased separately.  Learn more at www.signingtime.com.