November 2010 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

A smaller 9 ½ inch version of the original Miss Grenadine rag doll. She comes all dressed in a red, hot pink, and melon velour dress. Her arms and legs are easy to grab and her painted vinyl face is tucked in a non-removable hood. There is no hair to mouth or do-dads that will come off. Light weight and huggable, this is a perfect doll for the littlest pretender.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum, 2010.

Give these wooden painted maracas a shake. Painted in bug-like colors-red and black ladybug, yellow and black bumble bee, green and black grasshopper, these are smooth to the touch and have a good sound. Fun for keeping time with music or dancing time.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

Rubbery letters cover with a soft flocking and done in bright primary colors make these an eye appealing way to know and name the alphabet. The magnet is totally encased in each letter so no fear about safety. These are a great way to give kids a feel for the shapes of the letters, building a sensory awareness that will help them remember and eventually write.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

These balls come in many colors and interesting shapes. Some like the Crater ball has finger holds while the Bubble ball has bumps. You might also like the Fashion balls with swirling indents that make them easier to grasp. Or look for the ones with alphabet letters, geometric shapes, or numerals molded into their surfaces. They are the size of a softball and make a nice impulse toy that leads to active play.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that they sell around 20 Rubbabu balls a month, making them a best-seller.

Four friendly Weebles are ready for play in their own little treehouse. Put the figures in the tree and shut the door for a game of peek-a-boo. Put them in the treetop platform and they teeter and totter. Or put them at the base of the tree and turn the crank to bring them up, up, up and onto the ramp that they can slide down again. Toddlers will like the repetition of sending their Weebles up and down. The toy has four songs and eight different sounds.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

Yoga fans will relate to this baby mat immediately. It's made of a cushioned foam surface that is non-toxic  - 100%TPE  (no PVC, no Latex) and that rolls up in a bag for easy on-the-go activities.  Going to a mommy and me class? Just need a place to change the baby that doesn't feel creepy?   This mat is ideal for little ones and much like a yoga mat, very easy to take along. Comes in a variety of patterns.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

Here's a water table with a theme that is bound to appeal to kids who like playing pirates. One mom from toyportfolio.com said: "The fountain in the middle was a big hit! I also like that the pump automatically shuts off after a couple minutes--The button is very easy to operate on the pump. Both my 23 month old and 3 and half year old had no trouble with it! They loved all of the characters that came with it and enjoyed putting them in the boats and having them go down the slide. Clean-up was very easy! Just pop the plug out and empty."
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

A soft fabric block with easy to grab handle, ribbon tabs for feeling, a teether for chewing, a mirror for viewing, and a pocket for a photo. Lots of sensory feedback in this classic kind of toy with a picture book connection. The graphics come out of the book by the same name.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

A clutchable mini blanket with the head and arms of Nutbrown Hare in the middle. The blankie is satin on one side and has patches of velvety velour on the other side. Between the patches are small satin ribbon tabs with images of butterflies, feather, and mushroom on them.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

With its big hand grip, this big eyed blue critter is easy for baby to grasp and it's just right for rolling along the floor. It is colorful, light, has textures on each wheel and three fabric tufts (cotton, satin and corduroy) on top of its head. Best of all the gears on its side twirl as it goes along. Lift the gears out and they can be stacked in a tower and then fitted back into their slots. A fine choice for a baby learning to crawl.
— As of 1.10.2011 this product was listed as one of the top 30 bestselling toys on Target.com. Pros: Colorful; durable; educational; can be used with other Playskool gear toys.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

A lovely set of stackers that are made from recycled milk jugs, contain no BPA, Phthaltes or pvc, and if you want to feel even better the product is made in the USA. This is a great toy to explore with your older baby or toddler.  While you can stack them in "order", you don't have to- a nice feature.  Each cup has two small holes for safety purposes - so that your child can not create a suction over his face.  Even with the holes this is a fun set to bring into the bathtub.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

An update of an old favorite, this high chair toy has a big suction cup to fasten on the high chair or it can be detached from its stand and used for two handed play. The bold contrast spinners are sure to attract visual attention and delight babies who love the power of toys that they activate with ease. There are two see-through balls with spinners inside and bright colored clackers that invite exploration by little fingers.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner, 2009.

Toddlers like toys with multiple pieces and these six colorful star shapes are challenging for little hands to put together and pull apart. There may be a short learning curve for the putting together action, but these big plastic pieces they have no right and wrong order. These not only help build motor skills, they can help knowing and naming color words and simple counting.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner, 2009.

This is a new activity toy that provides a variety of activities and sounds to keep baby entertained while on the floor or in the crib. Use on floor, or attach straps for use in crib. Includes multiple activities to develop different motor skills.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

This kit was developed by a pediatrician to assist parents in getting through their child's first year. The kit comes in a pastel colored gift box and contains a Fussy Baby Soother blanket, diaper rash ointment and skin protectant, a Gumdrop pacifier, a bottle for homemade saline solution, a digital thermometer and a nose suction bulb. Also included is a Baby Care guide, covering topics such as developmental milestones, health care, rashes and common questions new parents ask.

DINGaRING characters like Betty Butterfly feature old-school craftsmanship and good quality materials. All are safe and non-toxic, with wooden rings and internal rattles, designed to serve as an interactive toy for ages 0 and up. Each toy comes with its own introduction swing tag and unique backer card which allows it to be free-stand, hung or laid flat, for various display options.

The Fli Mobile from Boon Inc. features a stylized dragonfly with adjustable wings. Available in pink or blue, Fli is designed to gracefully hang above baby’s crib using the included mounting hardware.
— “I can attest as to how very easy these are to install!” exclaimed Alexandra of design {for} baby. She suggested that the mobile is “perfect for floating above cribs, or adding a modern flair to your child's room or playroom.”
— Baby Gear Today’s reviewer described the Fli Mobile as “Super easy to install and oh so cute!” She installed the pink version in her daughters’ playroom, much to their delight.

This system combines a quality sound monitor and a movement monitor in a single system. Whether baby is awake or sound asleep, Angelcare® under-the-mattress Sensor Pad will detect all of baby's movements. Rechargeable Parents Unit (4 AAA rechargeable batteries included).

A combination of a quality sound monitor and a movement monitor in a single system. Whether baby is awake or sound asleep, Angelcare® under-the-mattress Sensor Pad will detect all of baby's movements.

This movement monitor can be used with a sound monitor that you may already own or can be used on its own if there is no need for a sound monitor. Can be used anywhere baby sleeps (camping, chalet and other places without electricity).

This sound monitor can hear all of baby's sounds and can be used anywhere baby sleeps.

The PregoFIT Workouts DVD series consists of three DVDs, one for each trimester. Each DVD contains total-body workouts designed specifically for each month of pregnancy. Each workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for each stage of pregnancy and is designed for any fitness level (beginner, intermediate or advanced). The workout videos are filmed in high-definition and run from 25 to 40 minutes each.

This unique multi feature tricycle is designed to provide a safe mode of travel for children ages 10 months and up. It can then grow with childre up to three years of age. Parents can steer the trike with the telescopic adjustable handle, and a built-in clutch gives the option of ride control to either the parent or the child. It comes fitted with a safety harness and a seat belt, and includes a functional, washable seat cover that coordinates with the fashionable animal-print canopy.

The PortaChair is designed to keep chilrden secure on the go, in locations where there are no highchairs in sight. It is compact, lightweight and folds small enough to fit in a baby bag, at the bottom of a stroller or even in a purse. The innovative design fits a wide variety of chairs and is flexible to accommodate a growing child. The PortaChair is machine washable and safety-tested. Awards: Mom's Best Award 2010