January 2011 Notable Toys — General Toys

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.

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.

A small pull down musical bear for the little (and big) sport in your life. Tug on the baseball and it plays Take Me Out to the Ball Game. This is a small musical that will fit on stroller or car seat for a lullaby on-the-go.
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.

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.

This is a great new assortment of authentic battery-powered steam and diesel locomotives hauling a variety of cargo and passenger cars. Kids will love the large, sturdy size of these trains as well as the realistic lights and sounds. Also included are the top ten railroading fun facts on back of packaging.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Now your child can go shopping with a colorful and sturdy Cozy Cart and put in a favorite toy. Push the cart around just like mom and dad do at the grocery store. The seat is big enough for a 12” doll or plush animal. Ample space in cart for toys and
other small items. Rugged construction lasts for many years. Easy assembly. No batteries required.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

A creative project allows your child to make many reusable Fuzzoodle combinations. Choose a Fuzzoodle, then pick some parts, twist it, bend it and build it.  The Fluffy Friends Large Kit includes 6 long Fuzzoodles, 4 short Fuzzoodles, 10 Fuzzoodle parts, and 1 idea booklet. Provides for fun and dexterity activity at the same time.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

The Strong Arm Fire Engine is a new free-wheeling vehicle with a multi-action trigger-lever built right in. Pull and rev up the lever and watch the sparks fly in the arm’s window as the siren wails. Squeeze the lever’s trigger to raise the fire engine’s ladder. This sturdy vehicle is kid-powered with plenty of playtime action.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010