The Few, The Proud…The Award-Winning Toys

Who Made the Cut This Year?

Thousands of products are introduced to the toy industry every year, but only a limited number are good enough, playable enough and innovative enough to garner an award.

In addition to issuing TDmonthly Awards, TDmonthly Magazine regularly asks manufacturers to present their award winners to our readers so that retailers can quickly identify products with great potential and manufacturers can learn and be inspired by others' successes. Here are the most recent responses:

Nika by FRIENDS FOREVER GIRLS

This 18" vinyl doll represents a character in the Friends Forever Girls series of dolls and books centered on friendship, community and character. She comes with a purse accessory, a Butterfly Promises bookmark, and "The First Day of Forever" book. 6/5/2009 (Price: $59.00; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tail Wags Cat Helmet Cover by TAIL WAGS HELMET COVERS INC.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist and received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009. 6/3/2009 (Price: $40.00; Age: 1 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Giftique Press 'n Dress Doll - Personalized by POCKETS OF LEARNING LLC

The company's longtime sweetheart, the Press 'n Dress Doll & Outfit Collection, is available in an embroiderable carry case for personalization. Developed from the concept of paper dolls, each interchangeable cloth outfit has secure Velcro® backing so kids can just “press to dress.” The product is tested and certified safe for all ages, and is designed to develop role playing and social skills. "Press ‘n Dress is absolutely perfect for the little girls who have not yet developed the small motor skills to dress and undress a traditional doll," May Grant, director of communications for Pockets of Learning, told TDmonthly. Press 'n Dress has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy in 2000; National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors Award Winner in 2002; and a TDmonthly Top Toy award in 2008. Launch date: June 2009. 6/3/2009 (Price: $24.95; Age: 2 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stackers Storage Play Set: Noah's Ark by TIER TOYS

This colorful stack and play puzzle combines together to form Noah's Ark. The Ark breaks up into 13 layers, 12 of the layers acting as different levels of storage for the different plastic animal figures residing within them. Each layer of the ark have special spaces to hold each individual animal figure in place. 21 pairs of animals as well as two human figurines are included. Animals include giraffes, pigs, birds, horses, rhinos, and dogs. This product received a 2009 Tillywig Brain Child Award and Sterling Fun Award, as well as a 2009 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. 6/2/2009 (Price: $49.99) ENTER TIER TOYS TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hide & Seek Board Game by LEMONTREE GAMES, LLC

Not just for the backyard anymore! Now the whole family can play this fun favorite indoors. Hide from IT until the coast is clear, then head for home! But watch out! Getting home isn't as easy as it looks. For 2-8 Players. Hide & Seek was awarded a 2009 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence. 5/28/2009 (Price: $19.95; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cuddle Together Blanket Set by COCALO INC.

The Cuddle Together Blanket Set features a soft 30” x 40” blanket for Baby and a cozy, coordinating 40” x 50” throw for Mom. The set is available in Pink & Ivory and Sage & Ivory, and "promotes bonding," Elina Rodina, marketing manager for CoCaLo Inc., told TDmonthly. It received an iParenting Media “2009 Excellent Products” award. Launch date: September 2008. 5/28/2009 (Price: $42.99; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Quelf by IMAGINATION INTERNATIONAL

Players pick one of eight quirky characters and make their way around the board answering "Scatterbrainz" categories and "Quizzle" trivia, or acting out "Stuntz" and "Showbiz" cards, all while following the "Roolz." "Quelf provides cross-generational appeal that is active, wholesome and hilarious fun that the whole family can enjoy together. It is the most random and silly game on the market and will provide players with a memorable night!" Jill Schneiderman, in marketing for Imagination International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2005. This game has received the following awards: 2007 Creative Child Seal of Excellence, 2007 iParenting Media Award, 2006 Major Fun Award, 2006 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, and 2005 Upbeat Magazine Board Game of the Year. 5/28/2009 (Price: $15; Age: 12 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Jing Joe Cooling/Warming Infant Pad by PATONGCO LLC INC.

The Jing Joe Cooling/Warming Infant Pad is a 9.5" x 14" nylon pad with a built-in fan that draws in ambient air and delivers it out the front mesh spacer. The pad is design to fit easily in a car seat, stroller, swing or bouncer to provide a cushion of air for a child to sit up against that will keep them dry and comfortable without compromising the safety. "[An] opening on each side of the pad accommodates [the] shoulder strap so as not to compromise intended safety features, and also allows use of accessories, such as [the] padded head support and shoulder strap padding. Adjustment to the shoulder straps is required depending on size of the child," Anthony Tong, president of PaTongco LLC, told TDmonthly. The Jing Joe has received the following awards: 2009 Mom's Best Award; 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; and 2009 The Toy Man Editor's Choice. Launch date: February 17, 2009. 5/22/2009 (Price: $49.95; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JazzyToes Bright Mary Janes Baby Socks by JAZZIES LLC

JazzyToes Bright Mary Janes Baby Socks with non-skid soles are created to match vibrant outfits of little girls. The Mary Janes come with a silver, sparkling flower on the buckle. Included in the set are six colors: Red, Pink, Orange, Purple, Green and Yellow. The product comes in a ready-to-mail gift box. Size: 0-12 months, 12-24 months. "Our sizing is more generous than other socks in the market that they truly fit babies up to 24 months. Our socks come with non-skid soles, and are compliant with CPSIA. The socks come with ready-to-mail packaging, so [it] makes gifting a breeze," Lisa Dunkerley, manager of JazzyToes, told TDmonthly. JazzyToes have received the following awards: 2008 Creative Child Award, PTPA Award and iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009. 5/22/2009 (Price: $25; Age: 0 to 2) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Trapdoor Checkers by GOLIATH GAMES

This game was designed to transform checkers into a game of cunning and luck where kids can beat their parents. On each turn, players spin to see if they either move, or open and close trap doors. If a checker is on one of the trap doors, it might fall through. Trapdoor Checkers features "quality components that stand the test of time," Jodi Swindle, operations manager at Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. This game earned a 2009 Major Fun Award. 5/22/2009 (Price: $29.99; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

To view more products and learn more about each award, please click on the following links: TDmonthly Awards, Dr. Toy, iParenting Media Awards, TIA T.O.T.Y., ASTRA, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, The National Parenting Center, Family Review Center, Parents' Choice Awards, Canadian Toy Testing Council, Mr. Dad, The Toy Man Product Guide, Teachers' Choice Awards, NAPPA, Toy Wishes Ultimate Toy Awards and MAJOR FUN. You can also access TDmonthly's review sections to see which products earned 5 TD stars.

And to learn more about how award winners are chosen, read What Makes an Award-Winning Toy.

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