VTech: playtime goes wild with learning.

• Position: Electronic toys

Having fun while enhancing development is the VTech way--and our family wouldn't have it any other way:

Smart Shots Sports Center ($39.99, 12-36 months). Parents can cheer on their little sports stars, as this electronic sports center features a soccer goal and basketball hoop for a fun two-in-one experience. Kick the soccer ball into the net to hear fun sounds or toss the basketball into the hoop and the magic sensor will count up to 10 each time a basket is scored. Three buttons introduce shapes, numbers, opposites, sing-along songs, and more. Turn the gears or flip the page to hear fun phrases and sounds. The Sports Center also features a light-up screen that plays a variety of fun animations and shows numbers, shapes, and letters to reinforce learning. Score, win, and learn.

Chomp & Count Dino ($19.99, 12-36 months). Children can learn about colors, foods, shapes, and counting with this adorable Dino. Simply insert one of the eight brightly-colored play pieces in Dino's mouth and watch as he eats and recognizes each piece. Play in either meal or counting mode and Dino responds with rewarding sounds and phrases all while introducing colors, numbers, shapes, and foods. By pressing the question button, kids can answer Dino's questions by feeding a specific food piece or by feeding a specific number of pieces to show what they've learned. Five shape buttons help kids learn shapes and numbers. Spinning the disc on Dino's back will play sing-along songs. Dino also can be pushed or pulled by a string. He will recognize the movement and play fun melodies.

Sit-to-Stand Smart Cruiser ($39.99, six to 36 months). Cruise into the learning zone. This two-in-one toy grows with children and transforms from a floor play toy with detachable steering wheel activity panel to an exciting ride-on toy. The interactive steering wheel features driving, learning, and music modes with more than 80 songs, sounds, and phrases that introduce animals, opposites, and first words. Turn on the engine, move the gear shifter or press the horn to hear realistic driving sound effects. Children can pretend to drive to six different fun locations with arrow buttons teaching the concept of direction and road safety. Attach the steering wheel to the Cruiser and it becomes a fun ride-on toy. There also is a front activity panel and under-seat storage children can fill with small toys for more fun on the go.

Lil' Speller Phonics Station ($24.99, three to six years) lets children...