This week we review several fun toys that will get you and your kids rolling—and in one case, rocking and rolling.
Light & Sound Firetruck (BRIO)
Your toddler will love rolling all over your house—lights flashing and sirens wailing—putting out fires. The retractable hose and connectable ladders give the firetruck a relatively realistic feel, and the two smiling fire fighters (included) will keep your little one company as she saves the day. The truck’s soft plastic wheels won’t damage your floors, and there’s no water involved, which is nice. Batteries are included. For kids 18 months and up. Under $30. http://www.brio.us
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As a top layer in mild weather, underneath something else for colder days, or all by itself if Spring ever decides to show up, this jacket is well worth a look. It’s got a “puffer”-style chest or vest and knit sleeves with thumb holes. Available at JCPenny in four color combinations for around $64. 
This easy-to-learn board game is a great way to introduce younger kids to the idea of cooperative crime solving. Players draw WePhone cards (which look like mini text messages), which either send them around the board to gather evidence that will be used to keep the “bad guy” in jail, or report an obstacle that sidetracks the detective. Each piece of evidence has a corresponding tile, which is placed in the center of the board. The object is to gather all the evidence before the WePhone tiles run out. If you do, the crook stays behind bars, where he or she no doubt belongs. If you don’t, well, shuffle the WePhone cards and try again. You’ll need about 20 minutes to play. Under $15. 2-4 players, ages 7+. 
Waldlaufer is best known for their women’s shoes, but their men’s line is well worth checking out. We’ve been wearing these shoes for about two months now, using them for everything from daily wear to hiking and even to the gym a few times. They’re a bit heavier than your average shoe, but are rugged, sturdy, easy to wear for long days out and about, supportive, and definitely keep those feet dry. They‘re also so comfortable that you won’t leave them in your closet when the season changes. About $190. https://www.waldlaufer.com
While it’s definitely possible to do some of the experiments in this kit by adding nothing more than milk, if you want to do them all, you’ll need a few other items from your cupboard, including glue, a bottle of cola, white vinegar, and baking soda. Once you’ve got all your ingredients together, you’re ready to start learning about the science of art (or is it the art of science?). You’ll experiment with natural reactions (such as what happens when you drop food coloring into milk and then add a drop of soap), watch how colors explode, and create tie-die-type designs that you can turn into mouse pads and other real works of art. $15.95. Ages 5+ (adult supervision recommended). 
Combine these 20 two-sided puzzle pieces to create a different ghostly tall tale every time. Actually, it’ll be a long tale—up to eight feet, to be precise. The pieces are there for guidance, but the true inspiration needs to come from you. Better yet, get the whole family together, and as each person adds a piece to the puzzle, he or she also adds a few minutes of horror to the story. Ages 6+. Under $15. 
Last year’s hit toy is back with an ever-bigger surprise inside. The all new Hatchimals Surprise let you hatch two sweet, cuddly Hatchimals from the same egg—that’s right, twins. As you play with and hold your colorful egg, the Hatchimals inside make all sorts of sounds to let you know they’re trying to hatch. When they’re finally ready, you’ll see their rainbow eyes and they’ll begin to “push” their way out of the egg. Although they’re twins, each Hatchimal has a unique personality. As you interact with them, they learn new tricks and habits, like how to talk, dance, sing, tell jokes, play games, repeat what you say, and more. They also interact with each other, sometimes sweet, sometimes arguing, like any siblings will. About $60 in stores and online. 
This handy item is perfect for meal prep, and has a “smart” base with a touchscreen that lets you choose between four high-performance appliances. Don’t let all the high-tech electronics fool you—it’s durable and easy to clean. The System comes with a book of tasty, chef-created recipes that you can make at home using your new machine(s). Choose from items like homemade pastas, margaritas, pizza dough, fresh salsa, and much more. At retailers nationwide for about $269.99. 
If your children love cars, or shows like Pokémon or Battlebots, they’ll surely enjoy this set, which comes complete with everything you’d want or need. It includes a Track Set and Battle Arena, dual loops that you can reconfigure for side-by-side racing, one long track, a crash zone, and an “epic jump” for the perfect ending… The kids will use the Battle Arena to, yes, you guessed it, battle each other (or mom and dad). The set comes in its own case, which makes for easy clean-up, storage, and take-along. Ages 4+. Under $30 at your favorite toy retailer. 
This easy-to-play card game is like Fantasy Football, but for crime aficionados. Each of the 32 cards features one or more gangsters (including classics like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde, and lesser-known villains like Belle Star and Mishka Yaponchik), along with a bit of history and scores for body count, charisma, finances, rap sheet, firepower, and legacy. Play your card, and may the baddest baddie win. For ages 7+. Under $10.