Looking For Advice On Which Toys Are Right For Your Kids This Holiday Season? Ask The Experts At ASTRA
-- Annual Best Toys for Kids Award Recognizes Toys that Support the Best in Play --
CHICAGO, Oct. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- There are so many "Best Toy Lists" available these days. Which ones can you trust?
Organizations that review toys and create "best toy" lists are an important resource for holiday shopping ideas. But it's critical that their judges are well qualified and unbiased and that their criteria for reviewing and rewarding toys are relevant, well thought out, and designed to support play.
The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), recognized nationwide for its prestigious annual awards program, today announced its 2016 Best Toys for Kids Awards. Twenty four winners in 17 distinct categories are chosen by specialty toy store retailers – more than 800 men and women who understand the value of play and, day in and day out, have hands-on experience with how kids play.
"The ASTRA Best Toys for Kids Awards experts base their choices on how a child engages with a toy," said Kimberly Mosley, ASTRA president. "They see on a daily basis what appeals to children of different ages – as well as what they'll play with just once then leave aside. Because they recognize a quality play experience when they see it, these toy experts can offer helpful and meaningful recommendations on brands both large and small." Many of these judges have received ASTRA Certified Play Expert recognition, after special training in how play influences child development and the learning brain.
As a result, the annual Best Toys for Kids Awards make it easier for moms, dads and other gift-givers to make smart buying decisions for their kids.
The Best Toys for Kids Awards honor the new and improved toys that promote open-ended or creative play, incorporate innovative design features and maintain exceptional safety standards. The winners of the 2016 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids Awards are:
ACTIVE PLAY
Kidoozie Counting Pogo Jumper
International Playthings
Slackers Ninjaline Intro Kit
b4Adventure – Brand 44 LLC
CHOOSE YOUR OWN CATEGORY
Rock and Roll It! – Piano
MukikiM Toys
Sneaky Cards
Gamewright, a div of Ceaco
CLASSIC PLAY 0-7 YEARS
Rat-A-Tat Cat
Gamewright, a div of Ceaco
WOW Flip 'n' Tip Fred
Reeves International, Inc.
CLASSIC PLAY 8+
Snap Circuits Jr.
Elenco Electronics
Rubik Cube 3x3
Winning Moves
CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY 0-7 YEARS
Robot Engineer
Thames & Kosmos
CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY 8+ YEARS
Geckobot
Thames & Kosmos
CREATIVE ARTS PLAY 3-7 YEARS
Craft-tastic Kindness Kit
Ann Williams
Fuzzeez™ Husky
The Orb Factory
CREATIVE ARTS PLAY 8+ YEARS
Peacock Silk Painting
Hotaling / Djeco
Sew Mini Treats
Klutz
EARLY PLAY
SpinAgain
Fat Brain Toy Co.
GAME PLAY 3-5 YEARS
Little Red Riding Hood
SmartGames
Balance Beans
ThinkFun
GAME PLAY 6+ YEARS
Happy Salmon
North Star Games
GAME PLAY 8 YEARS+
Dr. Eureka
Blue Orange Games
LEARNING PLAY
Code & Go™ Robot Mouse Activity Set
Learning Resources
PRETEND—DOLL PLAY
Folkmanis® French Bulldog Puppet
Folkmanis® Puppets
PRETEND—FANTASY PLAY
The Irish Fairy Door
The Irish Fairy Door Company | License-2-Play
PRETEND—ROLE PLAY
Calico Critters Seaside Ice Cream Shop
International Playthings
SCIENTIFIC PLAY
Hot Ice Crystals
Thames & Kosmos
About the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)
Founded in 1992, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is an international not-for-profit trade organization that serves more than 1,800 independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the specialty toy industry. ASTRA is a community of dedicated professionals committed to providing children with healthy, quality play materials that have high play value and are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do. ASTRA members are leaders who, through their businesses, make a positive impact on the economy and culture of the communities they serve. For more information, visit www.astratoy.org/
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161017/429344
SOURCE ASTRA
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