Information and evaluations (by real kids) on the season's hottest toys.

Name of toy: Fix & Learn Speedy Age: 2

Description: Fix & Learn Speedy gets kids learning while they tune him up for the perfect blend of vehicle and tools to get Speedy going. Two modes of play, racing and fixing, let kids play with vehicle sound effects, hear ABC racing songs when they press the license plate, or sing along with counting songs.

Price: $29.99

Where can I buy it? Available at most major retailers

Tester: Maya, 18 months

Evaluation: Maya got very excited the moment we showed her the toy, and started jumping up

and down while we got it out of the box. She immediately grabbed one of the 'drivers'

(which double as tools to fix the engine) and kept it in her fist the whole rest of

the night. The lights and sounds of the engine were pleasing to her, and she also smiled and yelled when the license plate was pressed -starting one of the various songs that play. I'm fairly certain she also enjoyed the flavour of the plastic 'screw driver'

that comes with it -I believe she's doing a massive survey on the flavours of

different coloured plastic and the 'Fix and Learn Speedy' was a welcome addition.

Maya will have the ability to grow and learn along with the toy as she gets older. At the moment she is at the very youngest end of the age range for this toy, so some of the more advanced features like identifying specific shapes and using the correct tool to 'fix' the problems are a little beyond her ... but the 'Fix and Learn Speedy' has enough other child-pleasing features to still make it an instant favourite.

Name of toy: Pop on Pals Amusement Park Deluxe Playset

Age: 2-4

Description: Meet the Pop On Pals! A world of fun pals, pets, vehicles and playsets with endless mix n match "Popabilities." In the world of Pop On Pals little ones can be anything they want to be. Just press down on the pal and pop-on mix n match rings-it s that easy. Encouraging imaginative play and helping develop little ones fine motor skills, the signature "pop" sound adds to the fun.

Price: $5.99 and up

Where can I buy it? Available at most major retailers

Tester: Emma, 2

Easy to open package: 3/5 Durability: 4/5

Age appropriateness: 3/5 Allowance for creativity: 3/5 Education value: 3/5 Rate of return play: 3.5/5 Fun factor: 3.5/5

Evaluation: Emma's first reaction upon seeing the Pop On Pals Amusement Park playset we got was, "Wow!" Her little two-year-old hands made a futile attempt at ripping open the package and unscrewing the million little twisty-ties holding every single loose part down.

At first blush, the Ferris wheel and dragon swing that play music when they're moved and the rollercoaster that's got a cart you can push down the tracks looked like fun. But then I had to try to explain to a toddler that there's a special yellow lever she had to crank to activate the Ferris wheel. The same lever moves the dragon swing as well, but you've got to know to shift it to the left. Or, as Emma's solution to the complicated contraption was, you can just turn the Ferris wheel manually. Ditto with the dragon swing. Plus, the dragon swing doesn't swing so well when you've got the Pop On Pals sitting in them, which totally defeats the purpose of the swing.

Pushing the pals down the rollercoaster was a blast, but a little tricky. The rollercoaster car has to be perfectly aligned on the tracks and facing a certain way for it to smoothly coast down.

Emma quickly grew weary of the amusement park despite all the bells and whistles. However, she still plays with the pals (we were given two extra figures to accompany the one pal included in the playset) and makes them interact. Simple is often better.

Name of toy: EcoTown Age: 3

Description: Children can play in an entire town that runs on clean, renewable energy! This set includes an eco-home (size: 9.5" X 7" X 11"), ecotrain station, charging station, street accessories and cotton playmat (size 47.25" X 31.25").

Price: $149.99

Where can I buy it? netscanada.orgTester: Noah, 3

Easy to open package: 5/5 Durability: 5/5

Age appropriateness: 5/5 Allowance for creativity: 5/5 Education value: 3/5 Rate of return play: 5/5 Fun factor: 5/5

Evaluation: Noah loves his trucks and trains, so he is really enjoying this toy. He plays all day long with it and brings along the little cars everywhere he goes. He has a really good time setting it up and taking it down. He also brings other toys (trucks) and adds to the little town.