Toys for children these days have to meet higher standards than in previous years. Parents have greater concerns about safety, entertainment and educational values. According to the Toy Industry Association, the very hottest toy trends involve:
- High play value i.e. toys that offer hour after hour of entertainment for the money
- Toys that will motivate couch-potato kids to get moving
- Larger-than-life entertainment
- Movie-licensed toys
- Toys that incorporate a high-tech or virtual world component
Best Toys Suggestions
Each year the Toy Industry Association hands out awards for “Best Toy” in a number of categories. The award winners for 2009 include:
- Best Toy of the Year
Winner: Bakugan Battle Brawlers Battle Pack Series 1 Spheres – Spin Master, Ltd
Bakugan Brawlers are action figure warriors that are tucked into spheres and pop open when they are rolled onto a Gate card. Each player has a team of 3 Bakugans and is trying to be the first to capture 3 Gate cards. Bakugan is a 2-player strategy game based on Cartoon Networks television series. Recommended for ages 5 – 9 years, this toy costs $20 – $40.
- Best Toy for Infant and/or Preschool Children.
Winner: Elmo Live – Fisher-Price, Inc.
Ever-lovable Elmo wins the hearts of youngsters again. This version of Elmo waves his arms, sits and stands while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. He does requires 6 AA batteries. Suitable for children 18 months and up, it is priced at about $50.
- Best Toy for Girls of Any Age.
Winner: Playmobil Horse Farm – Playmobil USA, Inc.
This is a dollhouse – but a Horse Farm version with a stable, horseboxes, area for horse grooming and accessories such as ponies, hay, wheel barrel, ladder and fences. Children can expand to this set by adding other attachments. The farm is for ages four and up and is priced at $99.
- Best Toy for Boys of Any Age
Winner: Bakugan Battle Brawlers Battle Pack Series 1 Spheres – Spin Master, Ltd
- Game of the Year
Winner: Bananagrams LLC – Bananagrams
A fun word game requiring no pencil, paper or board, this toy is very suitable for travel. It's also great for developing spelling and vocabulary.
Other Top Toy WinnersThe following are other winning toys:
- Educational Toy of the Year – LeapFrog TAG Reading System
- Activity Toy of the Year – Crayola Color Wonder Magic Brush
- Most Innovative Toy of the Year – Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro by Spin Master
- Specialty Toy of the Year 2009 – Create Your Own Pop-Up Books by Creativity for Kids/Faber-Castell USA
Prices may vary depending on time of year and retail location. The choices are many, but a little advance research in determining a child's interests can make the gift experience a joyful one for all concerned.
Some gift givers are also searching out educational games and toys or green Eco-Friendly Toys.
Reference: Toy Industry Association.
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Bev Yaworski - Bev Yaworski is a published writer and photographer for magazines such as Green & Organic Lifestyles, various parenting publications such ...
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