We have had a fun year at National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) unboxing, testing and playing with lots of toys. And now we’re bringing you the best of the best. We have something for everyone on your list — from toys focused on creative play and robots that teach about circuits, to creative games for family fun night and the newest surprise collectibles. At NAPPA, we know the best memories are made through play and family time spent together. That’s why we have been celebrating the best family products for the past 28 years.
Fun & Learning
KidiBuzz
This smart device does it all — sends texts, voice messages, photos and drawings, and also is a multimedia player for music and videos. Includes more than 40 learning games and awesome apps.
$99.99
ages 4 to 9
vtechkids.com
Kids First Coding & Robotics
Meet Sammy, an adorable peanut butter and jelly sandwich that’s a robot. Teaches coding principles and skills without a tablet, smartphone or computer. Simply lay down a sequence of physical code cards.
$129.95
ages 4+
thamesandkosmos.com
Avengers Hero Inventor Kit
With their favorite Marvel Avengers, kids become their own superheroes by building and customizing high-tech hero gear and unique identities. Comes with a companion app that walks you through the steps of creating circuits.
$149.99
ages 8+
shop.littlebits.com
Crayola Color Chemistry Lab Set
Equipped with STEAM-infused, playful experiments exploring color and packed with 50 colorful science activities. Enough Crayola supplies to do 15 experiments right out of the box.
$24.99
ages 7+
shop.crayola.com
PJ Masks Super Catboy Learning Watch by VTech
Put on the watch and save the day while playing four exciting games that explore shapes and early math skills. Includes nine different PJ Masks clock faces, an alarm clock with three alarm tones, timer, stopwatch and cuckoo clock.
$14.99
ages 3 to 6
vtechkids.com
Stocking Stuffers
Twisty Petz
These sparkly gems transform from a pet into a bracelet. Collect metallic kitties, rainbow ponies, pastel pandas and much more. Over 70 adorable animals to collect.
$4.99-$14.9
ages 5 to 8+
twistypetz.com
Perplexus Mini Spiral
In this tricky toy maze, players guide their ball smoothly through a course riddled with spirals. Tilt, spin, flip — do whatever it takes to stay on track.
$9.99
ages 7+
perplexus.net
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero
Based on the incredible true story of the unbreakable bond between a young soldier and a little stray dog on the brink of America’s entry into World War I, this is a heartwarming, critically acclaimed, animated “tail” that shows the world that the greatest heroes can come from the unlikeliest of places.
$19.99
for the entire family
funacademystudios.com
Game Time
Beasts of Balance
Thought of as Jenga for the 21st century, players work together to stack beasts onto the augmented reality playbase, which connects to an app.
$99
ages 8+
beastsofbalance.com
Laser Chess
A two-player laser chess-like strategy game where you must eliminate your opponents’ players by hitting their target before they hit yours.
$39.99
ages 8+
thinkfun.com
Shadows in the Forest
Play in the dark as you move the LED lantern around in search of Shadowlings, the mysterious creatures who avoid the light.
$24.99
ages 8+
thinkfun.com
Cat Crimes
A feline crime has been committed, and it’s your job to identify the culprit. A deductive reasoning game with a lovable cast of characters — who may be up to no good.
$12.99
ages 8+
thinkfun.com
Imaginative Play
Rescue Runts
Adoptable puppies that you rescue, groom and love. Includes grooming kit to remove fleas, wipe away tears, clean paws and comb fur to complete the transformation from ragged runt to sweet pet.
$19.99
ages 3+
rescuerunts.com
Hidden Temple with T-Rex
Set includes the full team: Nick, Emma, and Will, their pet dog Sammy, plus T-Rex, laptop, camera, gold statue, microscope, backpacks, storage containers, hiking equipment, and lots more accessories.
$59.99
ages 4+
playmobil.us
Royal Kingdom Adventure Castle
Fantasy and adventure abound in this mighty fortress — just beware of the dragon.. There are chambers to explore, stairs to scale and towers for keeping watch.
$49.99
ages 3 to 6
lakeshorelearning.com
Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets
Adorable, colorable and washable pet figures that kids can customize and collect. Six included washable markers, then clean them up in the included Scrub Tub.
$19.99
ages 3+
shop.crayola.com
Trend Lab Kids Plush Character Chair, Cow
This adorable cow chair is a cuddly companion for reading, relaxing and snuggling. Other animal designs also are available.
$76.95
ages 1+
amazon.com
Squishmallows
All new, jumbo size squishy buddies — great pillows, bedtime buddies, travel companions and best buds to relieve stress and anxiety.
$29.99
for all ages
squishmallows.com
Sharingland Cardboard Playhouses
Pop-up playhouses made from cardboard. Five unique and playful models come ready-to-play. Select from Grand Palace, The Epic Castle, Space Odyssey, Ancestral Teepee or Windmill Farm.
$99
ages 3+
sharingland.com
Selma’s Dolls — Annie, Lola, Ameena
A collection of soft ragdolls that celebrate diversity. Each doll is packaged with the same storybook, “Selma’s First Day of School.” Annie is a doll with Down syndrome; Ameena is a Muslim doll and Lola is Mexican-American doll.
$39.99
ages 2+
selmasdolls.com
cuddle+kind
Hand-knit by artisans in Peru using sustainable, fair trade practices, these dolls have a mission. For every doll sold, the company gives 10 meals to children in need around the world.
$50-$72
ages birth to 5 years
cuddleandkind.com
Magic Tracks Turbo RC
New racetrack that bends, flexes and glows.
$29.99
ages 3+
buyturborc.com
For Babies & New Moms
Touch & Discover Sensory Turtle
Cuddly plush featuring a variety of textures, colors and patterns to stimulate baby’s senses and encourage fine motor skills.
$19.99
ages 3+ months
vtechkids.com
Drive & Drool Keys
A rattling polka-dot ball makes for an engaging key chain with contrasting colors and a variety of textures.
$5.99
ages birth+
sassybaby.com
Bright Lights Soccer Ball by Vtech
Press the happy light-up face button to hear playful phrases and three songs that introduce opposites and numbers. Kick, pass or shake the ball to activate the motion sensor and hear fun sounds and music.
$14.99
ages 6 months to 3 years
vtechkids.com
Virtuoso Bears
With an adorable likeness to Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven, these cuddly pals carry 40 minutes of carefully selected tracks of sonatas, concertos and symphonies.
$49.99
birth to age 7
vosego.org
Lulla Doll
A sleep companion for preemies, babies and toddlers with a soft feel of natural cotton and soothing sounds of real-life breathing and heartbeat.
$69
birth to age 5
lulladoll.com
