Anyone who loves toys – kids, parents and grandparents - is invited to stop by Whiz Kids Toys in San Luis Obispo to play with this year's Best Toys for Kids award winners.
The annual Best Toys for Kids list represents the year's top picks from America's play experts: retailers who are members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA).
“ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids award winners are selected by local toy store owners across the country who understand how kids play," said Kathleen McHugh, president of the association. "These retailers have spent hours chatting with parents and watching kids play with the high-quality toys they carry in their stores. The 2011 Best Toys for Kids winners deliver exceptional value because they sustain a child's attention. They are toys that expand a child's imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens."
Lesa Smith, owner of Whiz Kids Toys, said she likes the award winners because they are “chosen by a community of people who care, like we do, about healthy child development.”
“The winners are chosen by people like us who understand the importance of play and know quality toys," Smith said. "Most of the toys are made by small manufacturers and only available at independent toy stores. The quality play that these toys facilitate helps kids learn and grow by helping children practice social skills, build logic and spatial skills, create new understandings and explore imaginative thinking."
Best Toys for Kids award winners are available at Whiz Kids Toys and online at www.shopwhizkidstoys.com. Toys selected for the 2011 Best Toys for Kids list are:
EARLY PLAY (Birth to 3 Years)
Early Melodies Pound and Tap Bench by Hape
Pic ‘n’ Pop by Tomy PRETEND PLAY (Doll Play)
Tidoo Raspberry by Corolle
Baby Stella Playtime Potty by Manhattan Toy
PRETEND PLAY (Role Play)
Calico Critter Caravan Family Camper by International Playthings
Healthy Gourmet Salad for Green Eaters by Hape
PRETEND PLAY (Fantasy Play)
Falcon Knights Castle by Playmobil
Shrinky Dinks Fairy Garden by Creativity for Kids CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY
Nanoblock by Ohio Art
Magnetic Wooden Blocks by pTegu CREATIVE ARTS PLAY
Happily Ever After Jewelry Box by The Orb Factory
Safety Pin Bracelets by Klutz GAME PLAY (3 to 7 Years)
Fastrack by Blue Orange Games
Perplexus Rookie by PlaSmart Inc. GAME PLAY (8 Years and Up)
PathWords by ThinkFun
Trigger by Blue Orange Games SCIENTIFIC PLAY
Big Bag of Science by Be Amazing!
Remote Control Machines by Thames & Kosmos ACTIVE PLAY
Freestyle Spooner Board by Spooner
Z-Curve Bow by Zing CLASSIC PLAY (Birth to 7 Years)
Pretend and Play Teaching Cash Register by Learning Resources CLASSIC PLAY (8 Years and Up)
Potholder Kit by Harrisville
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