There are so many fabulous toys our there. Have you ever noticed that certain toys have received awards? Ever wondered why and who gives them? Here is a brief run down on some of the most popular toy awards and an example of an award winning toy from each category. Then at the end of the post, I list some of the most well-know award winning toys.
What Are The Toy Awards?
Toy awards are significant because they highlight high-quality, innovative, and educational toys that stand out in a competitive market. They provide a trusted guide for parents, educators, and caregivers, helping them choose products that promote learning, creativity, and developmental growth in children. For manufacturers, winning an award boosts credibility and visibility, often leading to increased sales and consumer trust. Furthermore, these awards set industry standards by encouraging toy makers to prioritize safety, sustainability, and meaningful play experiences.
1. Parent’s Choice Award
This is the toy award that I think most people will have heard of right away. The criteria that they consider can be summed up in the Parent’s Choice description of a good toy- “Good toys (and puzzles and games) offer new ways of thinking, new ways of seeing, and new ways of creating. Good toys, be they rooted in tradition or launched by technology, offer new approaches to learning; imagination, not a power supply, is the catalyst.” The Parent’s Choice Awards are very respected as they are chossen by Parents’ Choice Foundation’s panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents, and kids themselves. They are awarded with both objectivity and expertise. Parents Choice toys speaks very highly of the success of the toy in the real world.
Oibo baby blocks (above) are an excellent example of a Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner. To me, the parents choice awards shows it is a popular trusted choice. I know my own kids enjoyed Oibo toys when they were younger.
2. Dr. Toy’s Award
Dr. Toy Awards Winners are selected by one person- the noted play and child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy). The Dr. Toy Awards are given to toys that “encourage parents and teachers to focus on the value of play as essential to the learning process.” Dr. Toy’s Awards only go to safe, affordable, educationally oriented, stimulating new products for children.
Bizy Beez MagStix is an example of a toy that has won the Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Award.
3. Major Fun Awards
This award is selected by award winning toy designer and educator, Bernie DeKoven. The Major Fun Award recognizes toys that are “uniquely fun.” It is presented to games that are easy to learn, fun enough to play over and over again, made to last, and adapt to younger and older players.
Cuboro Wooden Blocks Marble Run is a Major Fun Award Winner. This really is a major fun toy. We have it and it is great fun for the whole family to work on building together.
4. Spiel Gut Award
If you don’t speak German, naturally you are wondering about the spiel gut meaning. Well, Speil Gut literally means “Good Toy” and is a German award. It is a highly respected honor offered by an independent collection of educationalists, psychologists, doctors, technicians, experts in design, chemistry, electronics, and parents. Their criteria include play value, material, workmanship, construction, durability, safety, design and as Spiel Gut puts it, “Playing always entails learning, not by means of teaching, but on the basis of personal experience – the most effective form of learning in childhood.”
Kellner Stickfigures are an example of a the Spiel Gut Award Winner. These are such a fun, imaginative toy set. These are sure to cherished for their creative appeal.
List Of Some Of The Most Well Known Award Winning Toys
Here are a few award-winning toys across different categories:
STEM & Educational Toys
- LEGO Mindstorms Robot Inventor Kit – Winner of multiple STEM and innovation awards.
- Osmo Genius Starter Kit – Recognized for blending hands-on play with digital learning.
- ThinkFun Gravity Maze – Awarded for its critical thinking and problem-solving elements.
Creative Play Toys
- Crayola Ultimate Light Board – Praised for fostering creativity through vibrant designs.
- Play-Doh Kitchen Creations – Consistently wins for imaginative play potential.
- Melissa & Doug Wooden Craft Kits – Popular in educational and design categories.
Active Play Toys
- Razor A Kick Scooter – A classic winner in outdoor and active play.
- Stomp Rocket Ultra – Celebrated for engaging kids in active, outdoor STEM-based fun.
Preschool & Toddler Toys
- Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair – Often awarded for engaging toddlers with learning and interaction.
- Green Toys Dump Truck – Recognized for its eco-friendly materials and durability.
Dolls & Pretend Play
- American Girl Dolls – Frequent winners for their focus on storytelling and diversity.
- Bluey’s Playhouse – A recent favorite for imaginative play tied to the popular series.
Family Games
- Exploding Kittens – A top pick in family-friendly card games.
- Catan Junior – Awarded for introducing strategic play to younger audiences.
These toys are examples of products that combine creativity, safety, and developmental benefits, often highlighted by trusted awards like TOTY (Toy of the Year) and Parents’ Choice Awards. Almost all of these are available through my affiliate Amazon link.
Toy Award Winners Conclusion
Giving award-winning toys as gifts is a fantastic idea because they’re often vetted for quality, creativity, and developmental value. Award-winner toys ensure your gift is not only entertaining but also enriching, making them a thoughtful choice for any occasion! So there you four different types of toy awards an example of of each. Do you notice these types of awards on stickers on the packaging? Does it have any impact of your buying decision?
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