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:

MathMosis Mania (Home Edition) by BRAIN PARTY INC.

MathMosis® Mania provides children with a visual and kinesthetic approach to learning while having fun. The game gives children practice in counting, multiplication and division, and is designed to grow with children as they learn. Children will learn to play four different MathMosis Mania games, "which [help] children learn through many learning modalities including visual, analytical and movement," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: June 2008. 8/19/2009 (Price: $19.95; Age: 6 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mosaic Jewelry Box by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Girls can make a special place to store their jewelry with the Mosaic Jewelry Box, using more than 300 colorful acrylic tiles and glitter grout to decorate a plain white jewelry box and transform it into a sparkling masterpiece. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award. Launch date: December 3, 2008. 8/19/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 7 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sky Diver Paper Airplanes by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Kids can create 10 paper airplanes with the Sky Diver Paper Airplanes set, following simple folding techniques to turn sheets of paper with awesome patterns into slick airplanes. Kids can add sticker accents, then try to land their planes on punch-out runways. A bonus sky diver with parachute is included. "The thoughtfulness that goes into our product development process — selecting appropriate and engaging materials and providing detailed instructions for a quality creative experience" sets these kits apart," Lisa Brody, PR manager for Creativity for Kids, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award and a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: January 13, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $14.99; Age: 6 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bendaroos® by ALLSTAR PRODUCTS GROUP

These reusable building sticks are made from colored string coated with a special wax. Flexible Bendaroos building sticks are designed to adhere to virtually every household surface, and are easily removed to be used again and again. "Bendaroos' durability sets it apart from competitors. Bendaroos reusable materials allow kids to play for hours. Also, since Bendaroos do not break or wear, parents need not worry about buying replacement sets," Lindsay Durr, account coordinator at 360 Public Relations, told TDmonthly on behalf of Bendaroos. Launch date: August 2009. This product received a 2009 Outstanding Product iParenting Media Award. 8/19/2009 (Price: $5.99; Age: 3 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Meebie™ by ORKID TOYS

Meebie is a toy developed for play, with therapeutic benefits. Designed as a globally appealing tool for expression and learning, it may be used in educational settings, play therapy, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, social work, counseling and at home. The soft, furry Meebie measures 21" from head to seat and is fully washable. It may be used to express emotion, using the interchangeable pieces; comfort a child with separation anxiety, or one who has been hurt; engage children who are reluctant to express or participate; or teach specific emotions and emotional understanding. "Meebie’s 37 beautifully embroidered pieces can be arranged and rearranged in any number of ways, conveying all emotions," Lisa Johnson, co-owner of Orkid Toys, told TDmonthly. It was named among Dr. Toy's Best Products from 2007 to 2009. Launch date: September 15, 2005. 8/19/2009 (Price: $79.00; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gentle Giraffe On The Go by CLOUD B

Gentle Giraffe On The Go helps recreate sleep time routines by bringing familiar soothing sounds while away from home. Gentle Giraffe’s unique Serengeti sounds aim to take a child on a magical journey while effortlessly transforming unknown surroundings to a more familiar environment. It features four peaceful sounds, push-button sound selection with volume control, and two sleep-timer options, plus more, and may be used for all ages. Gentle Giraffe On The Go is part of the Cloud B Endangered Species Series, which helps bring awareness to animal friends who need our attention. A portion of every purchase goes to Conservation International. This product received a 2009 NAPPA Honors award, a 2009 iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Product in the Toy Category, a 2009 Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award in the Travel-Soothing Sleep Aids for Kids Category, a 2009 Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center, and a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Product Award. Launch date: June 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $24; Age: All Ages) ENTER CLOUD B TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crayola Undersea Adventures Color Stories Interactive DVD by SCREENLIFE

Crayola Color Stories are interactive coloring activities that tell the stories of Jerome, Pedro, Sadie and others from the Undersea Adventures world. Kids progress through the story by coloring on their pages along with the characters on the screen, learning as they go. Activities are randomized so that kids can play Crayola Color Stories again and again. "Interactive DVD story and coloring activities keep children engaged and entertained while they learn," Anita Lavine, director of public relations for Screenlife, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Award and a 2009 Creative Child Award. Launch date: June 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 3 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

X9 Rocket by PLAYHUT INC.

Kids can blast off on a cosmic journey in the Playhut X9 Rocket play structure, which is comprised of a large, shuttle-shaped play hut and two 20” tunnels. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, and EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $29.99; Age: 3 to 8) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Princess Adventure Hut by PLAYHUT INC.

The Disney Princess Adventure Hut is designed to be a magical getaway for any little princess. This versatile play tent is comprised of a large play hut and 4’ tunnel. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, mesh windows for peek-through entertainment, a flap door entrance for easy accessibility, and bright, bold Disney Princess graphics. EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $29.99; Age: 3 to 8) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

safe-T-seat by IBERT INC.

The Safe-T-Seat, created for children 12 months to 4 years, is designed to offer a better center of gravity than other child bike seats and is easy to install. "The patented mounting system is much easier than other front-mounted seats on the market," Kelly Eissinger, president of iBert Inc., told TDmonthly. It received a 2007 Creative Child Magazine Top Choice Award. Launch date: May 25, 2005. 8/19/2009 (Price: $94.95; Age: 1 to 4) [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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