OUR FAVORITE PLAYTHINGS

By Belinda Luscombe

--Fort $115; dollsandreams.; ages 3 and up This smart, sturdy and uncreatively named fort will be the centerpiece of many games. Attack it, defend it, play king and queen, open the drawbridge and slide up the gate. Its simplicity is an invitation to more imaginative play than fussier--and more fragile--castles.

--To the Rescue $16; Discovery Toys; ages 3 to 5 The driver of this chunky little fire truck sways merrily enough as he's pushed along, but the real fun comes after the ladder is raised and the truck opens like a suitcase to reveal a treasure chest of little knobs and handles to push, pull and turn, all with appropriately satisfying whirs and clicks. Kids provide the siren.

--Wallace & Gromit $25; BBC/CBS Fox video; all ages Strictly speaking, this boxed set isn't a toy. But on a rainy day or when a child is sick, each video is 30 min. of delightful distraction. Wallace is a flatheaded, cheese-loving inventor, Gromit is his genius dog (he knits, he paints, he outwits evil penguins!). They (and creator Nick Park) have won an armful of awards, including two Oscars.

--K'NEXosaurus $25; K'NEX; ages 8 and up Is your kid too smart for lego? K'NEX requires greater mental and digital dexterity, and the results are more inspired. The K'NEXosaurus set makes three different critters, all of which move like living things (Can you say vertebrate?). Best of all, the K'NEX pieces can be combined any old way, so your child can take evolution into his or her own hands.

--Brio Battery Engine $20; Brio; ages 3 and up Brio train sets, with their wooden tracks, magnetic cars and stylish bridges, are a much loved element in many toy collections. But the joy of pushing a train around eventually palls--and this battery-powered engine adds a little extra sizzle. It's too wide for at least one of Brio's bridges (duh), but it puts a lot more chug into an old favorite.

--SuperSonic Ear $20; Wild Planet Toys; ages 5 and up The idea is for kids to use this groovy parabolic-dish gun and headset to listen in on sounds of nature--caterpillars munching, woodland creatures scuttling--they wouldn't normally be able to hear. Neat concept. There's potential for danger--like accidentally pointing the dish at speakers while big brother is playing Metallica. But used sensibly (on nature--Yeah, right!), it could be lots of fun.

--Barbie Fashion Designer $45; Mattel; ages 6 and up Girls--or young Calvin Kleins--design doll clothes with this CD-ROM, print them on special paper and make them without sewing. Why pay for whatever bizarre Barbie outfit Mattel offers next when your angel can make her own?

--Dragon Flyz $12; Galoob; ages 5 and up Everyone knows this toy. A string is pulled, and something spins into the air. Dragon Flyz, the boy's version of last year's popular Sky Dancers, is an appealingly hideous iteration. The launcher is a ferocious-looking dragon that, when its tail is yanked, shoots off macho warriors or ghoulish villains with bad overbites. Scary, twirly stuff.

--Little Smart Talk 'n Tell $30; VTech; ages 3 to 6 Looking gratifyingly like Mom or Dad's cellular, complete with antenna and stand, this toy phone plays jaunty tunes while teaching children shapes and counting. Its special feature is that parents can program a phone number in their home, and the toy will repeat it to kids, ask them to dial it and learn it.

--By Belinda Luscombe