Most popular toys for the 2009 Holidays newborn to 24 months

Each year, it seems the infant and baby toy market undergoes a momentous transformation as companies stock shelves with the latest and greatest, but this year, many of the top toys are holdovers from previous years and even some old fashioned American traditions.     Perhaps this is a sign of the economy and the manufacturing sector’s reluctance to invest in the development of new products, but this year’s list has plenty of repeats and sure winners for the tiny tikes this holiday season.

One of the best selling products over the past few years has been the traditional Radio Flyer wagons.    The have changed drastically over the years and the most common wagon is a molded red plastic model that has delivered for families and kids for the past ten or so years.   These wagons will take your child on an adventure from around 6 months to 6 years and come in handy at amusement parks, picnics and youth sporting events.     They sell for between $80 and $100.

For purists, Radio Flyer still offers the classic Little Red Wagon built with a sturdy metal frame, however in this day and age is impractical when compared to the new versions which includes seat backs and seat belts.

About eight years ago, Fisher Price embarked on a new way to market their baby products with the Ocean Wonders line.  From there they introduced the Rainforest line of product which has now been replaced with the Precious Planets line.    Of course, you can’t go wrong with most Fisher Price baby toys and playsets and any parent would be happy receiving any of the Precious Planetstoys as present for their children,  but the top sellers this year in the line have been Precious Planets Jumparoo, Play Yard and Playtime Gym.  Precious Planets porducts vary in price from $10 to $100 depending on what you’re looking for.

Moving down the list, no child’s development options can be considered complete without an Evenflow Exersaucer.    Exersaucer has become a staple of any nursery and rightfully so.     The company makes about a half dozen different variations of the product ranging from unisex models to the tea party themed Tea for Me Exersaucer just for girls. Exercausers sell for between $40 and $100 depending on the model.

Even young babies want to take their music on the road just like mom and dad take their iPods, so Baby Einstein has created Takealong Tunes, a toy that promotes  music appreciation and auditory development by introducing your little one to baby-friendly versions of classical masterpieces by Mozart, Vivaldi, Chopin and Rossini with the Baby Einstein takealong Tunes.  This inexpensive gift costs approximately $10.

One of the coolest toys for babies this year is The Parents Magazine Battat Busy Zoo activity cube, a fun-filled learning experience. The activities are simple enough for one-year-olds to understand and large enough for them to manipulate with ease. On top, they can move animals along tracks or twirl wooden shapes along looping wire. Choices around the four sides include rotating picture blocks until they form a picture of a variety of animals; turning any one of interconnecting gears to make them all spin; opening and closing a door and window. It’s a combination of all the toys we see at the pediatrician’s office all in one. This all in wonder retails for around $55.

Another product in the “Wish we had this when I was a kid” category is the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony.  It offers interactive, fun, and educational video games designed to grow with your child through toddlerhood. It’s for children 12 months or older and under 44 lbs.  It’s pretty much an interactive playground horse that will keep your boy or girl.  It retails for around $60.

Fisher-Price Little Superstar Jammin’ Band Musical Microphone is another interactive toy that just didn’t exist when we were kids.  It’s an all in one little tyke rock band kit that features a keyboard, guitar, drum and a convenient stand for young rockstar to hang his gear up on.  The mini rock band kit sells for around $50.

Those are just some of the cool gadgets, gifts and playsets for the 2009 Holiday season for newborns to 2 year olds.  Check out more great gift ideas at The Toy List