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The Few, The Proud...The Award-Winning Toys!
Who Made the Cut This Year?
By Alison Marek and Julie L. Jones
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:
Rubik's Revolution by TECHNO SOURCE
 The Rubik's® Cube is an icon recognized around the world, selling over 350 million units. Now there's an all new spin on the world's #1 Cube—the Rubik's Revolution™. Packed with speed games and brainteasers everyone can play, the award-winning Rubik's Revolution is an all new spin on the world's #1 Cube. Six addictive, fast paced electronic games are easy to learn, but will push your skills to the limit with multiple challenging levels to unlock. Fun for ages 5 or 105, play by yourself or compete against your friends in both single and multiplayer games to become master of the Cube. “Rubik’s Revolution was designed as the electronic sequel to one of the best-selling toys in history ... It provides a whole new take on cubing. It is about speed. It is about smarts,” said Eric Levin, executive vice president of Techno Source. “Techno Source is also offering a Professor Rubik’s Signature Edition for the specialty market.” Winner of 10 Awards including the TIA 2008 T.O.T.Y. Game of the Year, Rubik's Revolution won a 2008 iParenting Media Award, a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award, a Dr. Toy Summer 2007 Best Products Award and a 2007 NAPPA Gold Award. Launch date: Summer 2007.
― “I think it will do very well,” Debbie Wurzburger, owner of Toy Chest in Pikesville, Md., told TDmonthly.
— Four out of 58 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly cited Rubik’s Revolution as their most popular “big-kid” item.
— When asked what he would most recommend for older kids and adults, Bill DeFusco, owner of Toyz Toy Store in Chesire, Conn., told TDmonthly, “The first one that comes to my mind [is] Rubik’s Revolution.”
2/21/2007 (Price: $19.99; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Super Sports OgoDisks Set by OGOSPORT, LLC
 This 18” sports disk features a foam ring with a high-strength elastic membrane, and can catch and throw balls up to 150'. It is a safe, high-quality sports activity device that adapts to volleyball, tennis, baseball and other sports, and can be a blast at the beach or pool. A 12” size is also available. Suggested retail price for the two sizes ranges from $15 to $40. “The Super Sports Disk products are fantastic as confidence-building, motor-skill activities for young children, but are also great for more advanced users,” Kevin Williams of OgoSport told TDmonthly. This product received a Spring 2007 Parents' Choice Award. Launch date: May 20, 2007.
— Quality materials and a super bouncing effect earned the classy OgoSport a TDmonthly Innovations 2007 award. Its broad appeal and correlation to other sports make the disk applicable to a variety of fun and healthy activities, and its bright color and sleek packaging grab attention.
— “OgoSport is a good line for us,” Eric Masoncup, owner of Gepetto's Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., told TDmonthly about his best-selling gift for boys in summer 2009.
— Joe Beradoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey about best-selling toys that "during the summer, we sell 5-7 a week."
Past videos: WTHRA 2007
2/21/2007 (Price: $44.00; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
The Curse of the Ruby Rhino: A Dastardly Dice Game by GAMEWRIGHT
 In this game, two to five players roll the dice and try their best to corner the elusive jeweled beast and capture the most coveted of ancient treasures despite a curse. Players must watch out for fake gold, and capture the Ruby Rhino to win. Play takes about 10 minutes. “The Curse of the Ruby Rhino is an easy-to-teach, quick-playing dice game that is great for play between age groups. Both a 6-year-old and an older sibling will get equal enjoyment out of playing,” Jason Schneider, product development and marketing manager for Gamewright, told TDmonthly. This game received a 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. Launch date: March 2007.
2/21/2007 (Price: $11.99; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Yoga Bingo by SPIRALING HEARTS
 In Yoga Bingo, each player draws a card, performs the pose and then places a chip on the board. The first player to complete a row yells "Yoga.” “Yoga Bingo is an enjoyable opportunity for children to learn yoga through play and receive all of the benefits, such as increased flexibility, focus, self-confidence and an overall sense of well being,” Katie Feldman, a certified yoga instructor and Spiraling Hearts President and Creative Director, told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award winner. Launch date: February 2007.
— "The illustrative bingo cards feature photos of [Katie's] students who volunteered to help Katie make Spiraling Hearts a reality. All of the games have been kid tested and parent approved by her students and their parents," Cynthia Roberson, account executive at Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications, told TDmonthly. Additionally, "a portion from the sale of each Spiraling Hearts game is donated to children’s charities."
2/21/2007 (Price: $29.50; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Froggy Boogie by BLUE ORANGE GAMES
 It’s naptime at the pond, and Daddy and Mommy frogs want all Baby frogs to get rest on the big Water Lily. But the Baby frogs still want to play. They try to be the first to hop around the pond and cross the 11 small water lilies without being seen by the adult frogs. Under the new “Tree Campaign,” Blue Orange is committed to planting two trees for every tree used to create its games. This product received a 2007 Parent’s Choice Gold Award, a 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award, a 2007 Major Fun Thinking Award, a 2007 Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award and a Creative Child Award 2007 Game of the Year Award. Launch date: March 2007.
― Owner Linda Angel of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., told TDmonthly in spring 2007 that Blue Orange Games is one of her favorite vendors.
2/19/2007 (Price: $24.95; Age: 4 and up) ENTER BLUE ORANGE GAMES TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Bendomino, Dominoes With a Twist by BLUE ORANGE GAMES
 Bendominos play like regular dominoes, but the innovative, curved design gives players more control over the game. In this twisting game, a new Bendomino must match by number to either end of the chain, but also has to fit. "Watch a new pattern emerge as the shape creates a chain that snakes and twists across the table. The high-quality pieces are visually stimulating and irresistible to touch" Adeline Beatrix, sales manager of Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. "In addition, the design of the pieces presents new opportunities for creative play beyond dominoes." Under the new “Tree Campaign,” Blue Orange Games is committed to planting two trees for every tree used to create its games. Awards: 007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold, Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom, Spring 2007 Dr. Toy Best Products, 2007 Creative Child Seal Of Excellencep; 2007 Toy Man Seal of Approval, Award of Excellence and E-Choice awards. Launch date: February 2007.
― "It was a clever twist on a game that everybody knows how to play,” noted Patti Guetschon, co-owner of The Learning Station in Newark, Del.
— Bendomino makes its mark as a winner of a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award due to its innovative recreation of a familiar game. The packaging is sharp and eye-catching, as is the twisted playing field that emerges during play. The satisfying heft and chink of the playing pieces also puts Bendomino notches above other plastic games.
Where to Buy: Poopsie's; Berkira
2/19/2007 (Price: $15.95; Age: 5 and up) ENTER BLUE ORANGE GAMES TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Scribble Puzzle by SCRIBBLE MATS
 Scribble Puzzles feature 24 big, chunky pieces that kids can put together easily and color with wax-based crayons. The wipe-off surface allows children to decorate again and again. Finished puzzle size is 12-1/2" X 15". Six varieties are available. This product is a 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. Launch date: Fall 2007.
— “There doesn't seem to be anything like this on the market. … They are big, chunky pieces that the kids can put together easily, and they can color them. We create products that kids can use over and over again,” Owner Andi Thea of Scribble Mats told TDmonthly.
2/19/2007 (Price: $5.00; Age: 4 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Eye Know™ - Trivia for the Eyes by WIGGLES 3D
 Trivia for they Eyes. All new Edition for 2014! Explore the world through images. The updated version of Eye Know now features even more content and an alternate game play system for younger players. Select an image from the game board to identify and then answer one of three trivia questions about the topic. Choose from an amazing array people, places, animals, manmade objects, famous places, flags, logos and much more. SRP $24.99-$29.99, 2 or more players.
Awards: Mensa Select Award Winner.
2/19/2007 (Price: $29.99; Age: 12 and up) ENTER WIGGLES 3D TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Cheche the Cheetah by ZOOBIES
 Part of the Safari Pack, this super-soft plush is also a pillow and a blanket. It is three products in one. Zoobie Pets received a 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award and a 2007 Top Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine.
― Debbie Scholl, owner of Fundamentally Toys in Houston, favored these transformable pets/pillows/blankies at Toy Fair 2007.
2/9/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Capture The Gag™ by RUBBING HANDS
 In this game, two to eight children split into two teams, put on their colored wristbands, and unfurl their flags. Each team hides a Gag — a multifaceted creature that is magnetic and can also stick, grab and hook in hiding places — for the other team to find. The company’s Get-Out-Of-Their-Way Play “products allow kids to reinvent their play places and use their imagination,” Rubbing Hands Founder Chris Friden told TDmonthly. “There is no technology required and they are based on simple play that kids instinctively do on their own: hiding, finding, following and inventing, to name a few. These are fantastic gifts and party activities.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner.
2/2/2007 (Price: $29.95; Age: 4 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Following are some of the programs represented in TDmonthly.com's section of award winners: Dr.
Toy, iParenting
Media Awards, TIA
T.O.T.Y., Oppenheim
Toy Portfolio, The
National Parenting Center, and Parents'
Choice Awards.
You may also access TDmonthly's review
section to see which products earned 5 TD stars.
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