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The Top 10 Toys the Toy Reviewers Loved

November 10, 2010 - 09:00 — MacQuarrie

'Tis is the season for holiday toy lists – and there are certainly lots of them! We profile various different organizations below - all publishing their list of the best toys of the year, and that doesn't even include all the bloggers or reader/customer reviews on retail and other sites. All told, there are literally hundreds of "best" toys out there. So how do you tell which really are the BEST toys? We've surveyed the lists for you, to determine the Top 10 Toys that appear most often. Most of the toys below have already been extolled as a best toy on at least three different award lists. Read the manufacturers description and check out the website to learn more.

Infants & Toddlers

Green Toys Stacker (6m+, Green Toys)

Manufacturer's Description: Eight whimsically colored nesting pieces stack easily from large to small, while also allowing little builders to use their imagination and stack in any order. Its unique design has no center post. No BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings, this Stacker is made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Preschool

Sing-A-Ma-Jigs (3+, Fisher-Price)

Manufacturer's Description: Sure to put a smile on your face with 3 different ways to play: Chatter, Sing a Song, and Harmonize. Squeeze their left hands to change modes then squeeze their tummies to see their mouths open and hear them sing and chatter! But the Sing-a-ma-jigs' favorite thing to do is harmonize! Start your own Sing-a-ma-jigs group today!

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

V.Reader (3+, VTech)

Manufacturer's Description: New readers will have fun practicing their skills on this touch-and-read animated e-reader system. Children's favourite characters come to life and help them learn with eight software options. Extras for parents to join in the learning process include USB connectivity for online progress reports, reading certificates and the option to download themes and stories for their child's touch-screen reading.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Leapster Explorer Mobile Learning Experience (4+, LeapFrog)

Manufacturer's Description: Introducing Leapster Explorer™, with games, e-Books, videos, online play, customizable learning skills and more. • A library of more than 40* games and activities includes cartridge games, downloadable learning apps (games, e-Books, videos, flash cards and more), a camera/video recorder** and more. • Children can learn school skills like reading, math, science and geography, plus creativity and life skills like music, health and problem solving. • Expand the fun and learning in LeapWorld™--a safe, online world of learning games and activities. Children can play unique games that connect their online and on-the-go play and learning. • Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog® Learning Path to see what their child is playing and learning, and explore ways to expand their child's learning journey.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Recycled Cardboard Dollhouse (4+, Creativity for Kids)

Manufacturer's Description: The sturdy corrugate dollhouse measures 21" x 17 1/4" x 9" and comes complete with markers, sticker accessories, punch out dolls and easy to assemble furniture. Use the supplies included in your set or go "green" and turn everyday items into awesome accessories. The fully illustrated guide shows you how.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

School Age

LEGO Games: 3841 Minotaurus (7+, LEGO)

Manufacturer's Description: The mighty Minotaur, a mythical creature, protects a secret temple hidden deep inside a labyrinth. Be the first to lead your heroes to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur and cleverly placing walls to block your opponents. Clear and simple rules make this game great fun for the whole family.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Spot it! (7+, Blue Orange Games)

Manufacturer's Description: A card game consisting of 55 cards, each decorated with 8 symbols. There are more than 50 difference symbols in all. One - and only one - matching symbol exists between any two cards. Get ready to Spot it! A sharp eye and a little bit of speed is all it takes to play the 4 quick party games included in the tin. All players play simultaneously, and no matter which mini game you're playing, the goal is always to be the fastest player to spot the matching symbol between the two cards and call it out.

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Teens & Tweens

Hot Wheels R/C Stealth Rides (8+, Mattel Inc.)

Manufacturer's Description: When stealth is a must for R/C action, this little car delivers. So slim it fits in your pocket, so powerful thanks to blink-and-you'll miss it speed. This Stealth Rides™ racing car gets the job done and zooms for home before anyone knows it's been by!

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Paper Jamz Instant Rock Star Guitar (8+, WowWee)

Manufacturer's Description: Paper Jamz is the only affordable and innovative play instrument - guitars and drums - that provides an instant rock star experience and open-ended play! The creative blend of technology and play is made possible with Active Graphics Technology which allows for circuit-embedded paper, enabling you to play like a pro by simply touching the paper surface!

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Scrabble Flash (8+, Parker Brothers/Hasbro)

Manufacturer's Description: Use the interactive SmartLink tiles to build your words and they'll flash and beep with each word you make! They'll also automatically time your turns and display your score with the maximum possible score. Put your skills to the test with three different solo and competitive games and slide, swap and shuffle your way to a win. It's fast-paced, addictive, word-building fun!

Link to manufacturer's toy profile

Check Out the Complete Lists:

Want more gift ideas? Here are the links to various toy review sites. As you browse these lists, keep in mind that each organization has its own method and criteria for determining which toys are best.

Toy Award Programs

In Canada

CTTC (Canadian Toy Testing Council): 2010 Toy Report

Online ratings and Awards for toys tested in 2010 will be available on November 19

Testing toys since 1952, the CTTC is the oldest non-profit toy awards organization anywhere. Toys are distributed to member families in the Ottawa area to test in their own homes for a period of 6-8 weeks. Testing results are reviewed by the CTTC 's evaluation council and a rating assigned.

The Noise on Toys

Online reviews available throughout the year at thenoiseontoys.com. 2010 awards announced on November 10

Established in 2009 after MacQuarrie left Today's Parent, the program continues its at-home toy testing (up to two months) with volunteer families in the Ottawa and Toronto areas. Comments from all testers are posted on the website – including both kid-testers and their parents, as well as an overall review summarizing testers' experiences with the toy. About 1 in 10 of almost 400 toys tested earn award status.

In the United States

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio

Online: http://www.toyportfolio.com/Awards2.php

Founded in 1989 by child development experts Joanne Oppenheim and her daughter Stephanie Oppenheim. Toys are evaluated by educators, and a network of family testers from all over the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii). Unlike most U.S. awards programs, there are no administration fees charged. Nor, is there any advertising on the website.

Dr. Toy

Online: http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2010-100-Best-Childrens-Products-Awards.php

For twenty years, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. has been selecting toys based on educational skills, developmental benefits and high play value.

Parents' Choice: Award Winners - Toys

Online: http://www.parents-choice.org/award.cfm?thePage=toys&p_code=p_toy

Evaluating toys on behalf of parents, caregivers and educators since 1978. Toys are selected by a panel of educators, experts (scientists, performing artists and librarians), as well as parents and kids. Only 20% of items submitted receive a commendation in one of six award levels.

NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards)

Online: http://nappaawards.parenthood.com/winning_toys_2010.php

For 20 years, NAPPA's team of independent judges have used input from parents, children and professionals working with children, to name the most entertaining, appealing, safe, educational, age-appropriate and enduring products.

Magazine & Newspaper Articles

Canadian Magaznies

Today's Parent magazine 2010 Top Toys

November 2010 issue & online: http://www.todaysparent.com/craftsactivities/toysbooks/article.jsp?content=20101026_142017_7088&page=1

The Today's Parent toy testing program was set up in 1999. Toys are tested at home (for six weeks) by volunteer families in the Toronto area. As an added bonus, all toys for younger children tested for lead and cadmium by an independent lab. Currently in its 12th year, the program is still going strong, but run now by magazine staff instead of an independent expert.

Canadian Family magazine: Toy Guide 2010

November 2010 issue & online: not available yet

The magazine hosts an annual play day at Ontario Place in Toronto. Included are photos of 100+ toys – no reviews or ratings are provided.

American Magazines

Family Fun magazine: Toy of the Year Awards 2010

November 2010 issue & Online: http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/toy-of-the-year-2010-946999/

Probably the most kid-oriented of all testing programs. Toy testing is overseen by a marketing research firm, Digital Research Inc. The program starts with 519 entries, which are screened at a toy testing camp in Kenebunk MA. A total of 71 finalists are then shipped to Kindercare Centers nationwide. Each of over 1,000 kids vote for a favourite toy in each category, as well as their overall favourite.

Parenting magazine: Mom Tested Toys of the Year

November 2010 issue & online: not available yet

Part of the magazine's Mom-based product review program, an unspecified number of toys are reviewed by volunteers (and their kids) across the United States.

Parents magazine: 2010 Top Toys of the Year

November 2010 issue & online: not available yet

The article is written by magazine staff and indicates that the toys are kid-tested. But there's no information regarding the testing process, or how many toys were evaluated to come up with the toys included. Did they just have staffers' children play with toys randomly submitted by manufacturers, or was there a more formal program?

Creative Child magazine

November 2010 issue & online: not available yet

An unspecified number of toys are reviewed by over 100 moms, educators and early education professionals at a two day event. Products are divided into categories and displayed at various stations. Guest reviewers are asked to sit and review each product at a station, then move on o the next station. Review forms include written comments and a score value based on criteria that correspond to the product category.

Toy Manufacturers Associations

These are the umbrella organizations that represent manufacturers. The toy picks are submitted by the manufacturers, and tend to be the key drivers: toys that have had extra resources pumped into both their development, and their marketing/promotional campaigns. What you get from these the toy picks is an indication of which toys are likely to be the big sellers this season.

In Canada

Canadian Toy Association (CTA)

http://www.cdntoyassn.com/

In the United States

Toy Industry Association (TIA)

http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

Co-Op Media Tours

Do not mistake these as the editorially-based expert recommendations they may appear to be. In reality, they are more akin to advertisements: toy manufacturers pay big money (between $10K to $15K) to purchase a toy "spot" on one of these media tours. You can read more about this venue in an article by James Rainey (That Pitch was Paid For) published September 15 in the LA Times. (link) Both reviewers are well-known experts in the toy industry, so I guess the lesson is to always wonder about who it is you take advice from.

Chris Byrne – "The Toy Guy" Time to Play

http://www.timetoplaymag.com/

Elizabeth Werner

A lawyer by profession and according to some, a "self-proclaimed toy expert", who blogged for iVillage and Time To Play Magazine.