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Toy of the Year Award Winners
Every year the Toy Industry Association honors the best toys developed by the international toy industry for consumers in the United States. Find out who won below, and compare prices on these fun, innovative toys.
Bakugan for Birthdays
Bakugan had a big presence in the Toy Association's annual awards. It won for Toy of the Year, Boy Toy of the Year, and Property of the Year. For the latter, the association chooses the "licensor that had the greatest success spreading its brand or property throughout the industry while generating interest and excitement." Kids will not care about this award, but parents should, because all that buzz makes Bakugan-themed items the must-have decorations... more
Create Your Own Pop-Up Books
What makes reading a book to the kids even more fun? When you read a book they made with the Create Your Own Pop-Up Books kit. The Toy Association picked this as the Specialty Toy of the Year, but don't worry, you won't need any special skills to make your books. The set has all you'll need -- two pop-up books, stickers, markers, and illustrated instructions to guide you. Your kids just need to... more
Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro
The only danger with giving the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro to your favorite race car fan is that you might have to buy one for yourself because they're so addictive. These remote control cars won the Toy Association's Most Innovative Toy of the Year award, and once you see one in action, you'll quickly know why. Sure, they work great on the floor, but the fun is watching them race up walls and... more
Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup
If your kids have been clamoring for a pet to play with, but you're not ready for the real thing, the Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin' Pup is as close as it gets. The Toy Association's winner of the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year, this cute pup recognizes up to six voice commands. He also barks, shakes paws with you, and wags his tail. It does require six "D" batteries, but... more
Crayola Color Wonder Magic Brush
If only our parents would have had the Crayola Color Wonder Magic Brush, they wouldn't have needed to strategically place pillows over the purple paint splotches on the couch. Chosen as the winner of the Toy Association's Activity Toy of the Year, this drawing set includes the Magic Light Brush, six paint colors, and drawing tablet. Kids will love that the brush lights up to match the color they're painting with, and parents will... more
Crayola 3D Sidewalk Chalk
What does it take to get the kids of today to tear themselves away from the television (or computer)? The same thing it took twenty years ago a bit of chalk and ample sidewalk space. Crayola adds a twist, though, with their 3-D Giant Chalk set. Chosen as the Toy Association's Outdoor Toy of the Year, it comes with oversized chalk and two pairs of 3-D glasses that will make simple sidewalk drawings... more
LeapFrog TAG Reading System
Beginning readers will get all the help they need with the LeapFrog TAG Reading System. Winner of the Toy Association's Educational Toy of the Year, this versatile learning tool "reads" the pages of more than 20 different books and games. All parents need to do is hook up the Tag Reader to a computer and load the audio for up to five books at a time. Kids just hold the Tag Reader over the... more
Bananagrams
Although we're not sure what bananas have to do with word games, we love the bright yellow banana carrier that the letter tiles for Bananagrams come in. We also love how portable this game is versus typical board games just zip up your banana and you're ready to go! The Toy Association liked this game too, choosing it for the 2009 Game of the Year. It's suitable for ages seven and up, and... more
Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck
The Bakugan strategy game not only won the Toy Association's Best Toy of the Year award, it also won for the Boy Toy of the Year. The Handy Manny 2-in-1 Transforming Tool Truck was a runner-up, but unlike Bakugan, it's suitable for a younger crowd (3 years and up). Kids familiar with the show will recognize Manny's trademark red truck. It turns into his tool bench, complete with four tools, so kids can help... more
Playmobil Horse Farm
Voted the best Girl Toy of the Year, Playmobil's Horse Farm comes with an amazing array of accessories, including three horses, grooming tools, hay, and (our personal favorite) a box of tiny plastic carrots for the horses' afternoon snack. This detailed set will spark the imagination of any horse lover, boy or girl, but because of the small parts, Playmobil notes that the Horse Farm is not for children younger than three years.
