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:

Toad Toss'n by DRIVEWAY GAMES COMPANY LLC

The floating bean bag toss game consists of a 36” x 24” wedge target that inflates and floats like a raft and eight frog-shaped waterproof bean bags. Lilly pad scoring zones add a fun, new twist to the game. The game can be played on land or in a pool. "It takes the fun and huge popularity of traditional lawn bean bag toss to the swimming pool, indoors and beyond with the first-of-its-kind inflatable, floating target and toss bean bags," President Justin Greiwe of Driveway Games Company told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2008 Toy of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: June 1, 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $16.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoo Collection - Pin the Panda by ZOOBIES

The plush panda transforms into a pillow when the Velcro enclosure is pulled apart. The pillow then transforms into a blanket when unzipped. The plush is a toy, blanket and pillow in one. The Zoobies Zoo Collection is a 2008 Babies and Mom's Radio "Squeel of Approval" Award winner. 3/17/2008 (Age: All Ages) ENTER ZOOBIES TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KidsWatch™ - Internet Safety & Parental Control Software by COMPUTER BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC.

The software helps parents protect their children while they are not around. The software allows parents to limit their child’s Internet surfing, chatting and game play, and allow them to monitor chat, websites visited, program use and computer use. Parents can even set up the software to send them email notifications when suspect words or phrases are encountered in chat conversations. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. 3/17/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Goober Baby Tote Bag by GOOBER BABY DESIGNS INC.

The 8” x 10” versatile cotton and vinyl bag functions as a purse, diaper bag, snack bag, medical kit and much more. It features a see-through front for quick access to contents, practical waterproof interior for easy wiping and a durable, easy hook and loop closure. “The clear front of this Canadian-made tote takes organizing to a new level, allowing moms to quickly access those smaller items that would normally be lost in the bottom of their diaper bag or purse,” Goober Baby Designs Inc. Co-Founder Jennifer Bogart told TDmonthly. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 2006. 3/17/2008 (Price: $18.00; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Slide Diaper Bag by GO GAGA

The bag is ergonomically safe, stylish and sporty. It features a patented strap made of stretch nylon that spreads the weight of the bag across one’s back and shoulders. Designed to outlive its use as a diaper bag, the bag also fits a 14" laptop, or a yoga mat. “It also includes a padded shoulder strap which you can simply slide up to the shoulder - this cinches the strap, making it look like a traditional messenger bag for a completely different look and feel,” Go GaGa Founder Jill Cartwright told TDmonthly. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/17/2008 (Price: $95.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for Second Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn high frequency words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “This product is packaged with a handle so children can bring it [and be entertained] on road trips, or to restaurants or fast food places—even to grandma’s for the weekend stay,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 7 to 8) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for First Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn sight words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “The product is creative and artistic,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. “Children who love to color or create an artistic product will love this kit. Children who are having trouble reading will interact with words in a fun manner.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 6 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SeeMore's Playhouse Fire Safety & Dental Health DVD by SAFETY 4 KIDS LLC

The television series is full of loveable characters, animation, guest celebrities, live action and infectious sing-along music to teach preschoolers the basics of safety and wellness. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: January 15th, 2008. 3/12/2008 (Price: $12.98; Age: 3 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoo Collection - Bobo the Baboon by ZOOBIES

The baboon acts as a plush toy, but can be opened to form a pillow and blanket set. The Zoo Collection also includes seven other varieties: Poallu the Polar Bear, Taj the Tiger, Pin the Panda, Tama the Tortoise, Orazio the Orangutan, Gogo the Gorilla and Khimba the Koala (with baby Kai). Zoobie Pets have won various awards, including a 2008 iParenting Media Award, the Toy Man's "Best of Show" Award and the "Squeal of Approval" from Babies & Moms Radio. Launch date: 2008. 3/3/2008 (Age: All Ages) ENTER ZOOBIES TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

OgoSport Copter Darts Game by OGOSPORT, LLC

A twist on the traditional lawn darts game, CopterDarts utilizes a weighted plastic tip and foam wings to simulate the play value of lawn darts, without the use of metal tips. When thrown in the air, the CopterDarts hover back down in an agitated state of virtual slow motion, and upon landing, right themselves into a standing position. CopterDarts is a winner of Creative Child Magazine's 2008 Creative Toy Award. 2/26/2008 (Price: $33.00; Age: 3 and up) ENTER OGOSPORT, LLC TOYSHOW [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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