National Parenting Product Awards has been busy this year playing, testing and evaluating hundreds of toys, games, apps, books, CDs and lots of other family-friendly products. And we’re ready to reveal some of our favorite finds in our annual Jingle gift guide.
Make Play & Learning Fun
Squishmallows
Ready, set, SQUISH! Squishmallows make great couch pals, pillows, bedtime buddies and travel companions. Each one in the squad is adorable and huggable.
For all ages
$2.99-$19.99
squishmallows.com
In & Out Activity Table
A unique design features three ways to play. Twin tables open to reveal deep wells for sand, water, blocks, craft supplies, sensory water beads and more. A doubled sided tabletop with molded-in cup holders is great for crafting or snacking. For space saving storage, the tables nest and stack. No assembly required. For ages 18 months & up
$69.99
simplay3.com
My Audio Pet
Cute and tiny powerful Bluetooth speakers. They offer Parable Wireless Stereo Technology, so you can use them individually or pair two together for an amazing stereo sound. They feature easy wireless connection to most smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, built-in mic for hands-free options, rechargeable battery, and remote selfie function.
For ages 5+
$29.99
myaudiopet.com
UNICEF Kid Power
An activity tracker that gives kids the power to save lives. The more kids run, jump and play, the more points they earn. Points unlock RUTF packets (ready-to-use therapeutic food) that UNICEF sends to malnourished children.
For ages 6+
$39.99
unicefkidpower.org
Toys, Games & Puzzles
Teach My Yoga Mat Set – Hop and Learn
Designed to encourage active learning through hopscotch and yoga. Your child can master the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors, while playing hopscotch and doing yoga
For Ages 3+
$24.99
teachmy.com
My Very Own Ice Cream Cart
Order up! Kids can role play as an ice cream server when they get behind the counter of this colorful ice cream cart. Included are scoops of ice cream, cones, bowls, scoopers, serving spoons, coins, and a credit card to ring up the orders.
For ages 2+
$19.99
americanplastictoys.com
KaBlocks
Stack the soft, foam building blocks in an array of shapes, sizes and colors on the special platform to create architectural feats — the higher the better. Then, simply jump onto the stomp pad to blast the structure apart.
For ages 3+
$39.95
mindware.com
GEO Salt Water/Solar Powered Robot
A STEM educational DIY robot kit that teaches young kids about the value of alternative energy sources and the science behind them. Kids can learn how to use alternative green energy sources to power up Geo and see the robot zip away from their fingertips.
For ages 8+
$19.99
amazon.com
Thomas & Friends Super Station
A fun multi-system track set with
three levels of play. Children play with engines from Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, MINIS and Wooden Railway. It includes Thomas, Percy, James and Harold and holds more than 100 engines with 35 feet of track.
For ages 3+
$99.99
toysrus.com
Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
This bulldozer encourages movement and motor skills in little builders when the colorful balls are counted as they pop up through the chimney, into the scoop bucket and back again. Kids push the chunky handle and watch the bulldozer come to life with poppin’ balls and fun tunes.
For ages 12-36 months
$24.99
vtechkids.com
Kidizoom Action Cam 180
The 180° rotatable camera
lets kids take photos and selfies from all angles, plus shoot videos with fun features like slow and fast-motion. Included accessories can mount camera to a bike, skateboard and more while taking action shots. The all-weather, waterproof case allows for use up to six feet underwater.
For ages 4+
$49.99
vtechkids.com
Cozmo
Say hello to Cozmo, a gifted little guy with a mind of his own. He’s a real-life robot with a one-of-a-kind personality that evolves the more you hang out.
Ages 8+
$179.99
anki.com/cozmo
COOP Sports Battle Bounce
Outdoor game for players divided into two teams. The objective of the game is to smack the ball across to your opponent, just like in volleyball. In BattleBounce, you have to bounce the ball off the net first so it ricochets upwards toward an opposing player.
For ages 8+
$29.99
coop-sports.com/battle-bounce
Zoo Jamz Stompin’ Fun Drums
Children follow along with the melodies and sing-along songs or create their own rockin’ beats. Mini musicians will love stepping on the elephant bass pedal to see the elephant trunk move up and down and create a fun bass sound effect.
For ages 18 months-4 years
$39.99
vtechkids.com
ThinkFun: Roller Coaster Challenge Engineering Game
The engineering challenge helps players understand physics and logic concepts. Choose one of the 40 challenge cards, then set up the board as directed. Players must build a working roller coaster that meets the build conditions.
For ages 6+
$29.99
thinkfun.com
The Learning Journey Match It! Spelling
A colorful set of three-letter and four-letter puzzle cards that provides children with an introduction to spelling. The puzzles are self-correcting — only cards with the correct sequence will fit together.
For ages 2-4
$11.99
tlji.com
Piper Computer Kit
Educational DIY computer that teaches coding through a Minecraft-like game.
For ages 7-12
$29
buildpiper.com
Marvel Swing & Sling Spider-Man
Swing, sling, flip and tumble with the new plush toy. Spidey has some amazing moves: he can swing in the air, hang upside down, tumble forward and backward, and even do a 360 backflip, then get back up. Press his foot, then pick him up by his webs. He even says fun phrases and plays the “Spider-Man” Theme Song.
For ages 3+
$39.99
justplayproducts.com
Disney Junior Doc McStuffins All-in-One Nursery
An adorable role play center full of exciting doctor features and accessories to explore. Diagnose using Doc’s portable electronic patient laptop, featuring a light-up screen, sounds and lullaby music.
For ages 3+
$79.99
justplayproducts.com
Tad’s Get Ready for School Book
Contains 12 pages of interactive learning and introduces ABCs, numbers 1-10, colors, animals, shapes, emotions, music and more.
For ages 2+
$21.99
vtechkids.com
Monkeys Up Board Game
This is a fast-paced game that will have you going bananas. Players compete to get the best score by flipping, switching and stealing monkeys. You will find yourself laughing head over heels until all of your monkeys are up.
For ages 6+
$21.99
roosterfin.com
Marvel Spider-Man Mega City Play Set
At a towering 46 inches tall, the set includes more than 20 features and five levels of play, from the subway to the bank vault and Peter Parker’s secret lab. Hook Spider-Man up to the web zipline and watch as he swings into action to stop villains from using the exploding door to steal money bags from the bank.
For ages 4+
$99.99
hasbrotoyshop.com
Stuck On You Personalized Name Puzzles
These wooden name puzzles are a great way to enjoy learning. A fun and educational tactile toy that will improve kids’ alphabet recognition skills and help them learn their name while having fun.
For ages 2-4
$20-$35
stuckonyou.us
The Wonder Crew
This doll combines the adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of a stuffed animal to give children a best friend. Includes a matching cape and mask for the child because it’s “adventure through friendship!”
For ages 3+
$24.99-$29.99
playmonster.com
KidKraft’s Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen w/ Lights & Sounds
This play kitchen brings the imaginative environment to life with burners that light up and realistic sounds of an ice maker. Speckled granite-style counter top, knobs turn and click, convenient storage space below sink, faucet and taps that turn.
For ages 3+
$229.99
kidkraft.com
Baby Love
GearZooz Roll & Roar Animal Train
A unique train where kids can mix and match 15 gears while strengthening their fine motor skills and problem solving techniques. Put the Smart Gear animals on the pegs to learn about animals. Press the buttons to listen to instruments or answer kid-friendly quiz questions and move the slider to explore locations.
For ages 18 months-4 years
$29.99
vtechkids.com
Pull & DiscoverActivity Elephant
Twist the dial and little jungle explorers will learn about jungle friends, what sounds they make, fun phrases and music. They can press light-up buttons that encourage motor skills or match the blocks with the shape sorter to discover colors, animals and shapes.
For ages 12-36 months
$29.99
vtechkids.com
Yoee Baby
An adorable toy that helps babies develop all five senses while playfully connecting with parents and other caregivers. Featuring a teether, rattle, plush toy and signature synthetic feather tail.
For ages birth-24 months
$24.99
yoeebaby.com
Go-Shins
Lightweight and soft rubber sock shoes for babies and toddlers. Non-slip and comfortable with cute designs. Machine washable.
For ages birth-36 months
$32.99
goshins.com