TDmonthly Magazine!




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:

Shark Teeth Excavation Kit! by DISCOVER WITH DR. COOL

Shark Teeth Excavation Kit! by DISCOVER WITH DR. COOLExcavate 3 genuine shark teeth just like a real paleontologist. Buried inside the shark tooth shaped digging brick shark-lovers will uncover 3 different species of shark teeth. This hands-on kit includes an excavation tool, brush, magnifying glass, full-color information guide, and an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. This is a must have gift for anyone who loves sharks. The genuine specimens in this kit are each millions of years old. This educational gift is a great way to start a fossil collection. Launch date: August 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys; 2012 Seal of Approval - Parent Tested, Parent Approved; 2012 Dr. Toy 10 Best Socially Responsible Products.
 9/11/2012 (Price: $14.95; Age: 6 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Wobble Deck Extreme by DIGGIN

Wobble Deck Extreme by DIGGINThis all new Wobble Deck is an electronic balance board that features four fun balance games that challenge the mind and body. Games include: Copy Wobble, Memory Wobble, Wobbly Statues, and Musical Wobble. Base detaches to become a portable handheld game. Fun for the whole family.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
 9/11/2012 (Price: $39.99; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Stunt Squadron by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Stunt Squadron by CREATIVITY FOR KIDSCustomize this fleet of 5 durable foam planes with color-in stickers, markers, and metallic accents. The soft but tough foam bodies are easy to assemble and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Wingspan measures 7". For ages 5 and up.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20
 9/11/2012 (Price: $18.00; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


HYDRODYNAMIC DELUXE Building Set by BRIDGE STREET TOYS

HYDRODYNAMIC DELUXE Building Set by BRIDGE STREET TOYSThis set comes with a large tray and footing in which kids build the structure. The tray measures approximately 10 inches by 16 inches by 3 inches deep. The tray and the footing are both white. The footing has a grid of 12 holes for columns (4 x 3 configuration). Build the structure using the footing in the tray for the base, place the submersible pump in the tray, add water until it completely covers the inlet on the pump, and then enjoy reconfiguring the pipes, opening and closing valves and watching the action. When one takes the set down, all the parts pack into the tray, the plastic lid snaps on and it can be safely stored away for future use.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
 9/11/2012 (Price: $89.95; Age: 10 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Omnitrix Touch by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Omnitrix Touch by BANDAI AMERICA INC.Simply touch the face to unlock the most technologically advanced Omnitrix ever created. The pop up touch pad allows kids to discover over 40 sounds and three separate modes of play. Mode one allows kids to hear 7 Alien voices, while mode two has ambient sounds that kids can overlay their own sound effects onto and create beats. Mode 3 allows them to replicate the DNA code found in other Ben 10 items to unlock secret messages from Azmuth, the creator of the Omnitrix.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
 9/11/2012 (Price: $24.99; Age: 4 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Ceramic Bead Sticker Party by ALEX BRANDS

Ceramic Bead Sticker Party by ALEX BRANDSIt's so easy to decorate ceramic beads with stickers. Just peel, stick and string. Includes 17 ceramic beads, 225 stickers, seed beads, 7 cords, ball chain, elastic, beading needle and easy instructions.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
 9/11/2012 (Price: $23.95; Age: 6 to 9) ENTER ALEX BRANDS TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


nanoblock Statue of Liberty by OHIO ART CO.

nanoblock Statue of Liberty by OHIO ART CO.You don’t have to be an engineer to create with nanoblock. With these micro-sized building blocks, 3D structures are constructed like never before. Watch as the beautiful Lady Liberty takes shape with over 700 assorted size and colored pieces. Includes detailed color instructions. Launch date: September 2012.
— As of 10/01/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com.
— Joe Berardoni Jr., owner of Puns Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that nanoblocks are one of their top selling hobby items.
— Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that for older kids, nanoblocks were her best-selling construction toy.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award
 9/7/2012 (Price: $40.00; Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Puzzles in Motion! Click It! Dino by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Puzzles in Motion! Click It! Dino by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONALClick It! puzzles take a traditional puzzle and blend it with today's popular technology. After completing the beautifully illustrated 24-piece "talk-about" puzzle, children can use any smart phone or tablet with a QR label reader application to "Click" the barcode and watch their puzzle come to life. The QR barcode will link them to a fun video animation of the puzzle that was just assembled. Additionally if kids flip the puzzle over, it becomes a fun coloring activity (crayons not included). Click It puzzles offer the traditional ways of learning along with the high tech ways to discover. Each puzzle measures 24"X18". Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20
 9/7/2012 (Price: $12.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


Puzzle Doubles! Discover It! 3D Space Floor Puzzle by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Puzzle Doubles! Discover It! 3D Space Floor Puzzle by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONALKids will be amazed as they watch their puzzle come alive with the Puzzle Double! Discover It! 3D Space floor puzzle. Taking the concept of a traditional puzzle to a new level, each Discover It! puzzle includes five fun, 3-D lenticular stickers. When kids finish piecing together the beautiful 30-piece, talk about puzzles, they simply add the stickers to their matching place in the scene and watch the puzzle come to life and move and change. Additionally, after assembling the puzzle you can turn it over for a fun coloring activity (crayons not included). Puzzle Doubles! Discover It! Space puzzle will provide children multi-dimensional ways to discover and learn. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
 9/7/2012 (Price: $14.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


Related Video:


16" Raggedy Ann Classic - Large by AURORA WORLD INC.

16" Raggedy Ann Classic - Large by AURORA WORLD INC.The original doll with a heart is back. Beautifully made with fine facial features in soft brown tones and yarn hair with the classic loop style. Has the traditional embroidered "I Love You" heart on her chest and features plastic button eyes.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award
 8/29/2012 (Price: $25.00) ENTER AURORA WORLD INC. TOYSHOW [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.

Advertise on TDmonthly




Related Articles Archives
·Toy Industry Adapts to 'Underconsumption Core' Trend
(11/1/2024)
·Toy Companies Diversify Product Lines to Engage New Consumer Segments
(11/1/2024)
·Empowering Play: How the 'Healthy Heroes' Trend is Shaping Child Development in 2025
(11/1/2024)
·Eerie Enchantment: The Rise of Spooky and Supernatural Toys in 2024
(11/1/2024)
·Navigating 2024 Toy Industry Trends: Sustainability, Nostalgia, and Holistic Play
(11/1/2024)

Related Product Archives

Drone Home Game
By PlayMonster LLC
» More Information

Educational Insights Circuit Explorer Rover Beginning Circuits
By EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.
» More Information

LeapFrog 100 Animals Book
By LEAPFROG
» More Information


Advertisement: