The Best Toys of 2012 (According to Good Housekeeping) Are …

Good Housekeeping won't reveal their Best Toys of 2012 list until the December issue hits newsstands on November 20, but we have a sneak peek of the list, which, interestingly enough, was compiled using some of the best toy testers in the world: kids.

A hard-nosed jury of 140 children, ages 3 to 13, along with a few engineers, recently got together at the magazine’s product-testing facilities in New York to research and play with 135 of the newest toys being sold today.

Some of the top toys to make this year’s list are ones that teach, and most cost under $25, according to the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. "Parents can feel confident that our winners are safe, fun and encourage creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills," said Rosemary Ellis, editor in chief of Good Housekeeping. [Prices subject to change.]

Good Housekeeping's Best Toys of 2012

Ages 3 and up:

Hexbug Hive Habitat Set

• Hexbug Hive Habitat Set ($30, pictured)
• Techno Source Glow Crazy Doodle Dome ($20)

Ages 4 and up:

TMNT Shellraiser

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Playmates Shellraiser ($38, pictured)
• T.S. Shure ArchiQuest Architectural Elements ($30)

Ages 6 and up:

Micro Chargers Loop Track

• Moose Toys Micro Chargers Loop Track ($15, pictured)
• Crayola Marker Airbrush ($25)
• LEGO Friends Adventure Camper ($30)

Ages 7 and up:

Codee

• Techno Source Codee ($8, pictured)
• Playmobil E-Rangers Headquarters ($130)

Ages 8 and up:

Silverlit Porsche Carrera 911

• Silverlit Porsche 911 Carrera ($66, pictured)
• Colorfall ($45)
• Wild Planet Night Sight ($40)
• Hasbro’s Bop It! Smash ($23)

Ages 9 and up:

K'Nex Atomic Coaster

• K’Nex Atomic Coaster ($60)

Ages 10 and up:

Ravensburger 3D Building Set

• Ravensburger 3D Building Set ($19)