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The
Top 20
20 Toys That Transform Children's
War Chests Into Toy Chests
For 2000 - 2001
Ages 3+
Raccoon
in a Garbage Can,
Folkmanis,
$24
Description:
A
baby raccoon puppet that hides in a
silver fabric “garbage can” and pops out at the
puppeteer’s will.
Why we chose it: This
mischievous puppet offers an irresistible invitation to storytelling both
by children
and adults. Puppets encourage
imagination, creative play and open-ended communication.
Fun
Gripper Bowling Set, Saturnian,
$30
Description:
A tie-dyed stuffed bowling ball with 6 pins in a
convenient lightweight bag.
Why we chose it:
The easy gripper ball with brightly colored, 7-inch well-balanced pins, provides
hours of fun for one child, a group of children, or a whole family.
A good indoor activity game for those long winter or rainy days.
Enchanted
Kingdom Play Mat Set, Felt
Kids by Learning Curve, $30
Description:
A
giant felt mat that unfolds to reveal a castle surrounded by a moat, and
includes 42 felt play pieces.
Why we chose it: Children spend hours
moving the characters – a magician, king and queen, wizards, unicorns, and
other whimsical creatures -- around the play area. Children are fascinated with magic kingdoms, and this set
allows them to make up their own stories, which can end differently each time.
Ages 5+
Hoberman
Mini-Sphere, Hoberman Designs, $15
Description:
A unique ball made of polymer links that expand and contract.
Why we chose it:
A new twist on an old toy, this ball flips open when thrown.
It surprises children and
adults alike. There are six
suggested activities on the package, although children invent many more.
pegLoom, Harrisville
Designs, $20.
Description:
A
classic hardwood loom with nylon pegs, wool yarn and everything needed for a
complete woven project.
Why we chose it:
Boys as well as girls enjoy weaving with this simple, sturdy loom.
Children do not need to be artistic or good with their hands in order to
succeed. The small loom allows
children the satisfaction of having a clear beginning, middle and end to their
work. The loom can be used over and
over again as children master the craft and continue to create new objects.
Ages 6+
Radio
DJ, Wild
Planet, $25
Description:
A mini-broadcast system that allows children to
transmit their voices, sound effects and taped music to a radio in a different
room, using AM frequency.
Why we chose it:
This product allows children
to create their own talk radio shows, report the news, or just play their
favorite music “on the air” for their friends. The directions are simple,
and children don’t tire of hearing their own voices and their favorite music
on the radio.
Safari
Rush Hour, Binary
Arts, $20
Description:
A
plastic puzzle with varying levels of difficulty.
The puzzle pieces represent three-dimensional jungle animals, which must
be moved around in a strategic manner to allow the players to escape from the
jungle.
Why we chose it:
This puzzle appeals to all
ages and makes a terrific family game, as well as a great solo pastime.
Parents seem to enjoy this puzzle as much as the children do.
It is the latest addition to the popular Rush Hour series.
Sky
Ray Delta Kite,
Saturnian, $17
Description:
A nylon kite with fiberglass frame and attached tails and line, in bright
tie-dye colors.
Why we chose it:
This is a good beginner’s kite, although it does require a good wind. Everyone
needs to go fly a kite sometime, and this florescent kite encourages children
and adults alike to get off of the couch and head to the great outdoors.
American
Pastimes Collection,
Channel Craft, $25
Description:
A
collection of three classic games -- jumbo jacks, marbles, and pick-up sticks --
in a wooden collector’s crate.
Why we chose it:
Traditional toys never go out of style. These
high quality pieces come with clear instructions and offer hours of play.
Children can make up their own rules and games, too.
My
Family Tree, Alex $15
Description:
A
combination of craft kit /introduction to genealogy.
The kit comes with felt banner, leaves, markers and dowel for hanging.
Why we chose it:
Using simple materials, children can construct a personal family tree while
learning and sharing family stories.
Sun
and Golden Parakeets 3-D Puzzle Mobile,
Ark Creations $12
Description:
Thick
foam puzzle pieces that fit together to make decorative birds that can be hung
up as a mobile.
Why we chose it: The
soft, durable, colorful pieces make for a challenging puzzle, and also give
children a peek into nature. The company makes many animal puzzles, all of which
can fit together to create an ever-expanding mobile. A portion of the proceeds
from each puzzle is donated for the support of endangered wildlife.
The
Amazing Game Board Book,
Innovative
Kids, $20
Description:
An eye-catching assortment of 50 classic and innovative board games in a
neat storage book, suitable for travel or table. Games range from Chinese
checkers to dominoes and maze games.
Why we chose it: Board games bring
families, or groups of children, together. Different games require varying
amounts of skill and concentration, so children can select different games at
different stages of development. Children
and adults alike will be drawn again and again to these attractive games.
Ages
7+
Wire
Art Mini-Kids Kit,
Francis Family Toys $12
Description:
A
craft kit with enough wire, beads and tools to make 4 pliable kid sculptures.
Why we chose it: This kit allows
children to make their own twisted wire figures of different ethnicities.
Children can play with their creations; tell stories to them or about them; or
display them as artwork. This kit requires some practice to perfect the skills.
Adults may want to work with their child initially.
Magnetic
Dreamings, Orb
Factory, $25
Description:
A 12”
x 12” magnetic mosaic board, with 2000 tiny round magnets in 10 colors.
Note: As part of the
project, children need to punch out the chad-like magnets.
Why we chose it:
This magnetic mosaic set encourages children to
create their own patterns based on actual Aboriginal designs.
Children love magnets, and these tiny ones are fun to arrange in large
swathes on the board. Adults have also become mesmerized by the process.
Ages 8+
After
Dinner Science, Wild
Goose, $22
Description:
A
zany science kit that comes with instructions and some supplies for 20 or more
unlikely experiments, such as pulling iron from food or magnetizing silverware.
Why we chose it:
Designed to amaze the family
after dinner, these experiments use ordinary ingredients to show how science is
part of everyday life. The value
lies in the activity book: the clear, easy-to-follow instructions require little
more than common household items, but offer hours of fun and learning.
Star
Explorer,
DaMert
Company, $25
Description:
This
set includes everything children need in order to learn how to read the stars
and identify the constellations: a hand-held “Celestial Seeker” with
transparency cards, a belt pouch, a small red-filter flashlight, and detailed
instructions.
Why we chose it:
This is an intriguing way to
encourage families to get out and enjoy the night sky. As an additional bonus,
the cards reveal fascinating information about stars and ancient legends.
Woodstock
Country Band,
Woodstock Percussion, Inc., $30
Description:
A set of
classic country-style instruments including a washboard with wooden playing
stick, harmonica, jaw harp, and a kazoo. Comes
with playing instructions.
Why we chose it:
Music is good for the soul! This quality set provides an entertaining
introduction to music-making. A group of children can create a band, or one
child can play the whole assortment. No
musical skills or talent needed – just a desire for fun.
A
Book of ARTrageous Projects, Klutz, $20
Description:
An
art activity book created in conjunction with the New York Metropolitan Museum
of Art.
Why we chose it:
This beautiful book contains
both humorous and sophisticated art projects. Ideas range from making a mummy
out of an old doll to creating a copper book.
Ages
12+
Cranium, Cranium, Inc. $35
Description:
A
trivia board game that engages children and adults by relying on a wide variety
of talents, including charades, sculpting, drawing with eyes closed, spelling
backwards, and even humming. The
game requires a minimum of four players.
Why we chose it:
This game allows children to
express themselves in many different ways.
Children who are creative, or dramatic, or artistic, or trivia buffs, or
good with words – or all of the above -- can all shine at different points in
this game. Parents find out all the
things their children know about (but we didn’t dare to ask!)
Wonjul
Boomerang, Quercetti,
$11
Description:
A
birch wood hand-painted Australian boomerang.
Why we chose it: This new
Olympic-inspired boomerang offers a fresh look at an old outdoor sport. The
flying performance is comparable to professional boomerangs. Youths can practice
for hours to perfect their skill. Throwing
instructions included as well as precautions — hence the age recommendation.
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