Stumped on what to get your preschooler this holiday season? Well, look no further. Marking our biggest toy test ever, more than 8,000 kids road-tested hundreds of new toys for “Today’s Toy Test 2004." In the second installment of our special series, contributor and consumer specialist Herb Weisbaum shares the skinny on which toys ranked highest for the preschool set. Here's more on the winning results he discussed on "Today":

We tested 130 preschool toys this year. For us, preschool means toys appropriate for children ages 3 to 6. Toys designed for kids 6 and up were tested in the school-age category.

Thomas Interactive Barrel Loader (Learning Curve, $30)
This high-tech Thomas train set uses electronics to teach kids while they play. It’s part of the new Thomas & Friends Interactive Learning Railway line. When Thomas or a friend pulls up to one of the “smart” destinations, a friendly voice has the children do something. The water tower tells them how many fill-ups Thomas needs, then counts along as they do it. The barrel loader asks them to stack one or more of the three barrels: the yellow honey barrel, the green pickle barrel or the purple jelly barrel. Microchips hidden in the barrels let the loader know what was done. Teachers used words like “excellent” and “great” to describe this toy. They told us both boys and girls liked it. This set comes with a die-cast Thomas engine, barrel car, electronic barrel loader, barrel drop off and electronic water tower. The 16 pieces of track look like wood, but they’re made from plastic. They are compatible with the classic Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway sets.  (Sold exclusively at Target.) (Requires 6 AA batteries.)

Power Wheels Kawasaki KFX Ninja (Fisher-Price, $190)
Fisher-Price has done it again, with two Power Wheels ride-on vehicles in the winner’s circle. This sporty quad is styled after a real vehicle, the Kawasaki KFX700 ATV. With its big off-road tires, big handlebars and rugged styling, it almost looks like the real thing, but this Kawasaki is kid-size. Teachers told us, “The kids just loved it!” Little drivers (up to 65 pounds) use the twist-grip throttle on the handlebars to go 2.5 or 5 miles per hour. The KFX Ninja comes with a 12-volt rechargeable battery.

Power Wheels Kawasaki Adventure 4X4 ATV (Fisher-Price, $260)
The utility 4-wheeler is also styled after a real vehicle — the Kawasaki Prairie 650. The trailer has a built-in seat for a second rider. Kids had fun driving this ATV and going for a ride in the backseat. As with the Ninja, this vehicle is powered by a 12-volt rechargeable battery. There are two kid-appropriate speeds: 2.5 and 5 mph. This model can hold more weight; drivers can be up to 90 lbs, the child in the trailer can be up to 40 lbs. Teachers told us this was a great outdoor toy that the kids “couldn’t get enough of.” Both of these Power Wheels vehicles require adult assembly, which will take some time.

Dora’s Talking House (Fisher-Price Friends, $50)
Dora’s adobe style home is not your traditional dollhouse. For starters, it unfolds for setup; so simple a child can do it. Then there’s the expandable roof and the big open-play spaces. Teachers told us Dora’s House was “very well built.”  It’s called the talking house because it’s chockfull of things that make sounds and talk, including a doorbell, refrigerator, oven timer, radio and picture of Dora’s family. As you’d expect, Dora talks in both English and Spanish. Kids love that! As one teacher wrote, “This is a wonderful learning toy.” The set comes with poseable figures of Dora, her mom and dad, plus a couch. Additional furniture is sold separately. (Requires 3 AA batteries.)

Fold 2 Go Trike (Radio Flyer, $60)
To a preschooler, there’s something magical about a tricycle. Maybe that’s why teachers told us kids wanted to ride this “again and again.” The Fold 2 Go Trike has a bright red steel frame, a bell on the handlebars and a plastic yellow basket on the back. It’s from the same company that’s made those little red wagons since 1917. Radio Flyer designed this trike to have a low center of gravity, which gives it really good stability. The adjustable seat has three positions. Teachers told us it’s “the perfect size” for this age group. The Fold 2 Go Trike comes completely assembled and ready to ride, but when playtime is over, it folds up for easy storage or to take along in the car. The top of the seat has a built-in handle grip for easy carrying. A safety latch keeps the trike secure in the open position.

My Pirate Ship (Mega Bloks, $30)
This colorful pirate ship is loaded with accessories and fun things to do. The crew consists of two pirates, a mermaid, a monkey and a parrot. Put them on the bow and they make different sounds. Accessories include a telescope, raft, and cannon. This ship comes assembled, but most of the parts are removable, and many of them are interchangeable. Remove the upper deck and you’re inside the Captain’s quarters. Take off the main deck and go inside the ship’s hold, where you’ll find a cage and crew beds. One other nice feature, the ship has wheels, so kids can roll it along. The set comes with 12 blocks, a palm tree and a hammock for building a treasure island. Teachers said this play set was both, “fun and creative.” (Requires 3 AA batteries.)

Animal Hospital (Parents Magazine, $20)
At first glance, it looks like an oversize lunch bucket, but this is a pretend animal hospital. Budding vets can care for the three stuffed animals (dog, cat and bird) that come with it, or any of their dolls. The hospital has three separate cages, each with its own color-and-shape matching key. It comes with a real flashlight and an assortment of pretend vet tools, including a stethoscope, tweezers, play syringe and thermometer. Teachers liked this toy because it encourages “creativity, imagination, role playing, and nurturing.” They said their kids “played with it constantly.” (Sold exclusively at Target.) (Requires 1 AA battery.)

Consumer expert and “Today” contributor Herb Weisbaum has been helping people across the country for more than 25 years. His award-winning reports have exposed everything from quack medications to bogus investments. Since 1990, his Toy Test has helped millions of parents and grandparents select the best toys for their kids. To learn more about Herb Weisbaum and his latest consumer reports, you can visit his Web site at: www.consumerman.com

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