THE 26th ANNUAL

GREAT AMERICAN

TOY TEST

WHAT ARE TOYS?
The word toy comes from a Scandinavian word meaning little tool. This term could not be more appropriate. Play is not just the way a child passes time, it is in a profound way a childs work-- and the tools of that work are toys. We have learned some definite things in the 26 years of the Great American Toy Test. First, kids 5 and under are not much different than kids that age were fifty years ago. Little kids have pretty much the same interests all kids have had for generations. Second, todays kids are far more technology-savvy than previous generations. The toys your kids play with today should encompass this spectrum: simple, traditional toys that have entertained kids for decades, as well as technology and computer-based gadgetry that will help them get ahead in the 21st century.

HOW THE TOY TEST WORKS

More than 90 major toy makers entered toys in this years Great American Toy Test. Each toy maker supplied us with dozens of copies of each toy, so we could assemble near identical sets of toys. We received about 6,300 toys, which made comparable sets of about 100 toys per set. The sets were shipped to day-care and latchkey kid centers in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Cleveland, Miami, Phoenix, Denver, St. Louis, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Grand Rapids, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, Wilkes-Barre, Austin, Fresno, Charleston-Huntington, Lexington, Flint, Ft. Myers, Roanoke, Des Moines, Tucson, Syracuse, Rochester, Paducah, Shreveport, Chattanooga, Cedar Rapids, Tri-Cities, Waco, Evansville, El Paso, Lincoln, Lansing, Augusta, Reno, Peoria, Monterey, Boise, Columbus, La Crosse, Bakersfield, Wichita Falls, Sioux City, Terre Haute, Mason City, Binghampton, Sherman, and Clarksburg. Kids 2 years to 12 years-old played with the toys for three weeks while their teachers and supervisors observed. The toys were graded by the adults and kids on these criteria: quality, durability, ease of assembly, maintenance, short-term interest, long-term interest, educational value, safety and just plain old fun.

SPECIAL NOTE

Each year, a number of agencies, organizations, groups and individuals make announcements regarding the acceptability of certain toys and the safety of others. This year, as in others, there may be a toy or toys on our list that comes up on someones list of unacceptable or unsafe toys. Some parents might have ethical, moral, religious or philosophical objections to some toys because they are war-related or seem to perpetuate gender stereotypes. Some of the toys we tested fall into these categories. We think that parents should choose toys based on their own personal standards. The Great American Toy Test makes no judgments about any toys except in the case where a toy consistently proves itself to be unsafe during the test. No such toys proved themselves unsafe in this years Great American Toy Test.
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THE FABULOUS 14 TOP TOYS
THE SMARTGLOBE by OREGON SCIENTIFIC AGES FIVE AND UP $100 Thirty activities provide interactive learning including country capitals, currency conversion and national anthems. With its wireless stylus and high quality sound, it can be customized for three age groups beginning at age five, right into college. Up to four people can play at the same time. To keep it current, connect it to your ccomputer and update it on the internet.

V.SMILE POCKET by V-TECH AGES FIVE AND UP $90
Ths is a go anywhere portable high resolution video learning system, but can also be directly connected to your TV. Here's where video game mania meets learning skills. It plays all of the more than 20 V.SMILE Smartridges each containing exciting games that teach school skills ranging from spelling and math to science and music.
READ WITH ME DVD by FISHER-PRICE AGES THREE TO SEVEN $85
This is an animated interactive learning system complete with a wireless, child-friendly remote. This amazing toy teaches a love of reading through story comprehension and vocabulary. At significant moments in the story, children are encouraged to stay and play on the page where they can learn the meaning of new words. They can also respond to questions about the characters and key story elements. Its portable but can also be plugged into your TV for dual screen learning action. Your child interacts with the handheld screen but can also see the learning unfold on his or her TV screen. As they learn to write letters on their handheld screen, those letters then appear on the TV, starring in animated stories that teach math, reading, spelling, science, writing, art, music and logic.
LEAPSTER L-MAX by LEAPFROG AGES FOUR TO TEN $100
PIXEL CHIX by MATTEL AGES SIX AND UP $30
This is a hand-held, high tech, interactive miniature electronic doll house that also contains an electronic "girl friend" who asks the child's advice about life decisions. What should she wear? Who should she go out with? What should she have for dinner? In return, the child gets feedback, fun, games and many other surprises. And, if you connect your Pixel Chix to another child's Pixel Chix, you've got amazing interactive fun. As kids play on the interactive zoo mat, they learn letters, animals, animal sounds and matching. The set contains more than two dozen figures; one for each letter of the alphabet. Kids also answer questions for a total learning experience on this very basic but high tech toy that several chilren can use at one time.
LITTLE PEOPLE LEARNING ZOO by FISHER-PRICE AGES TWO TO FIVE $35
SHAKE & GO SPEEDWAY by FISHER-PRICE AGES 3 AND UP $40
Shake the cars to rev 'em up as the race goes on. This incredible playset actually counts laps and determines the winner. Infrared technology allows the track announcer to give a play by play of each race. This sturdy toy comes complete with track and two cars but other cars can be added.

FABULOUS 14

In no particular order. the children chose these as the most popular for 2005/2006. These were the highest scoring toys with our testers; an extraordinary accomplishment. (Toymakers provided the suggested retail prices. May be purchased for less at stores.)
BABY ANNABELLL ZAPF CREATION AGES THREE AND UP $40
This is an incredibly lifelike infant. Like a real infant, Baby Annabell demands love, care and responsibility. She babbles, laughs, cries and sleeps; opening and closing her eyes in reaction to sounds around her, including you child's lullabyes.
BELLA DANCERELLA POPSTAR SPIN MASTER AGES THREE TO EIGHT $25
On the dance mat, kids learn all the moves needed to be a superstar as they sing and dance with Bella and her friends. That's done as they follow along on the televison with the included forty-five minute DVD thats loaded with special features. The studio includes a numbered step mat and real microphone headset.
DISNEY CD & GRAPHIC KARAOKE SYSTEM FROM DISNEY ELECTRONICS AGES SIX AND UP $40
Kids just loved this high quality sing along machine. With the included cables, you can put the lyrics up on your own TV screen. This system has echo effects and can handle one or two microphones. It can also play regular CD's for listening enjoyment.
TWISTER MOVES FROM MILTON BRADLEY AGES EIGHT AND UP $20
This is a game where you compete by twisting, dancing and moving to the music. Listen to the commands of the jammin' DJ's and see if you can keep up. There are enough mats for up to four dancers and a whopping hundred and forty-four dance sessions provided on three included CD's.
NERF WEATHER BLITZ ALL CONDITIONS FOOTBALL FROM HASBRO SIX AND UP $10
This kid-sized, all conditions football is as tough as the conditions kids play in. In the lake or pool, even in the worst weather: rain, mud, ice or snow, the raised finger grooves and end surfaces make this ball easy to throw and easy to catch.

BIG SCREEN 20-Q FROM RADICA AGES EIGHT AND UP $40
This high tech version of Twenty Questions contains a logic chip that claims to read your mind. You think of something. The Big Screen Twenty-Q asks you questions. If it can't tell you what you're thinking of in no more than twenty questions, you win. Amazingly, it usually does tell you what you were thinking of.
DORA THE EXPLORER PLUG AND PLAY T-V GAME FROM JAKKS PACIFIC AGES FIVE AND UP $20
Simply plug it into your own TV and travel with Dora and friends into the natural world. There you use interactive decision making to help the environment; scoring points for protecting plants, animals, water, land and air, having fun and learning all the way.

THE BEST OF THE REST

On the following pages are the rest of our toys that scored so well we also confidently recommend them for your consideration. They are surefire winners too! We do this to make a very important point. There are more than 100,000 toys on the market. Some are brand new. Others have been around for generations. Above and beyond our Top Fourteen Toys, the best toys for your little ones may also be found in these categories as well. We want to give you the widest range of products and price ranges to pick from. They come in all price ranges which should indicate that prices does not necessarily have a lot to do with whether a toy is or is not a hit with children. DOLLS, STUFFED ANIMALS, PLUSHES, PUPPETS AND INTERACTIVE CHARACTERS These toys literally become a childs friend. Its that one-on-one relationship that makes these toys so endearing. Toy Name Silly Sentences Junior Edition Dress N Dance Adventure Dora Singin Buggy Bunch Tumble Time Tigger Ripped Pants Sponge Bob Little Mommy Dolls Dragon Mommys Magic Cell Furreal Friends Scamps: My Playful Pup Bratz Rock Angels-Chloe Bratz Rock Angles-Jade Bratz Rock Angels-Yasmin Bratz Rock Angels-Sasha Bratz Rock Angels Funky Fashion Makeover Heads Bratz Babyz Boyz-Cameron Bratz Rock Angels Recording Studio Bratz Rock Angels Concert Stage With Roxxi Rescue Pets Barbie & Me Barbie as Princess Annika (Magic of Pegasus) Brietta the Pegasus Styling Head Barbie Fashion Fever Dolls Barbie Fairytopia Jewel Dolls Barbie Fashion Fever Dolls My Scene Goes Hollywood-Nolee My Scene Goes Hollywood-Madison My Scene Goes Hollywood-Chelse My Scene Goes Hollywood-Barbie Teen Trend Dolls-Courtney Teen Trend Dolls-Gabby Teen Trend Dolls-Kainna Pound Puppies-Here Puppy Puppy Barbie Prince Aidan (Magic of Pegasus) Ballet Studio Doll Theater Karina Grace Doll Anna Sophia Doll Dancing Dilemma Doll Book Dolls Stable Missy The Horse Olivia Hope Doll Brianna Joy Doll Lily Rose Doll Horse Sense Doll Book Doll Sleeper Sofa Doll Sleeping Bag Manufacturer Anton Games/Packaging Network Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price/Mattel Folkmanis Goldberger Hasbro MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Mattel Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Age Range 6 to and up 2 and up 18 mo. and up 4 and up 18 mo. and up 8 and up 2 and up 4 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 4 and up 6 and up 6 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 5 and up 3 and up 5 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 6 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up Price $ 30 $ 30 $ 30 $ 35 $ 30 $ 18 $ 50 $ 20 $ 50 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 30 $ 8 $ 25 $ 50 $ 17 $ 20 $ 20 $ 30 $ 10 $ 17 $ 10 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 20 $ 40 $ 40 $ 40 $ 35 $ 18 $ 50 $ 15-16 $ 16 $ 20/set $ 75 $ 24 $ 16 $ 16 $ 16 $ 20/set $ 20 $ 10

T H E GREAT AMERICAN T O Y T E S T DOLLS, STUFFED ANIMALS, PLUSHES, PUPPETS AND INTERACTIVE CHARACTERS (continued) Toy Name Taylor Angelique Doll Two Pet Baskets Its Hard To Say Goodbye Doll Book Magic Glow Doodle Bear Care Bears Share-A-Story Cupcakes Candy Sprinkles Doll Cupcakes Cutie Fruity Cupcakes Tea Party Manufacturer Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Only Hearts Club Play Along Toys Play Along Toys Radica Radica Radica Age Range 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 4 and up 4 and up 4 and up Price $ 16 $ 10 $ 20/set $ 25 $ 40 $ 10 $ 10 $ 20
LETS PRETEND & FANTASY TOYS Kids use these to role-play , learn social skills (such as sharing and cooperation) or find career interests. This is, by far, the most diverse group of toys with a myriad of themes ranging from nurturing, cooperation to conflict and combat, reality to fantasy. Toy Name Tamagotchi V2 Raise The Roof Barnyard Baby Gymtastics Play Wall Roll-a-Rounds Drop & Roar Dinosaur Laugh & Learn Musical Learning Chair Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Learning Walker Loving Family Twin Time Dollhouse Elmos Musical Peek-A-Boo Gym Check-up Time Elmo Doras Talking Kitchen Total Make-Over Angelica Weebles Weebly Wobbly Treehouse and Figures Bulls Eye Bounce and Roll Cool Crew Talkn Toolbench ChatNow Star Wars Darth Vader Voice Changer Transformers Starscream Cyberton Supreme Crawlerpillar Polly Pocket Cash Register Barbie Hug N Heal Pet Doctor Matchbox Buried Treasure Playset See Me Play Tunnel I See U Tunnel Jungle Safari Tent & Tunnel Star Dressing Room All Aboard 6 Train Tunnel Rad Racer Pit Stop Tent Girl Tech Password Journal Bob The Builder Talking Toolbelt Hide & Seek Safari Stick Pony Spy Night Patrol - Listener Spy Light Hand Roboraptor Robopet Manufacturer Bandai America Parents Magazine Childs Play/Battat Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Fisher-Price Friends Playskool/Hasbro Playskool/Hasbro Playskool/Hasbro Tiger Electronics/Hasbro Hasbro Transformers/Hasbro Insect Lore KIDdesigns KIDdesigns Matchbox Pacific Play Tents Pacific Play Tents Pacific Play Tents Pacific Play Tents Pacific Play Tents Pacific Play Tents Girl Tech/Radica Learning Curve/RC2 R&R Games Tek Nek Toys Wild Planet Wild Planet WowWee WowWee Age Range 8 and up 3 and up 6 mo. to mo. and up 1 to mo. and up 3 and up 6 mo. and up 18 mo. and up 2 and up 4 and up 18 mo. and up 3 and up 3 and up 8 and up 5 and up 5 and up 4 and up 3 and up 3 and up 3 and up 2 and up 2 and up 3 and up 3 and up 2 and up 3 and up 8 and up 2 and up 4 and up 3 and up 6 and up 6 and up 8 and up 8 and up Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 30

$ 30 $ 35 $ 35 $ 75 $ 30 $ 50 $ 30 $ 25 $ 30 $ 20 $ 35 $ 35 $ 70 $ 60 $ 40 $ 70 $ 20 $ 15 $ 35 $ 15 $ 15-20 $ 5-7 $119 $ 90
T H E GREAT AMERICAN T O Y T E S T GAMES & PUZZLES Games and puzzles represent a unique part of the toy world. They are often a link between playmates, parents, grandparents and other family members. Games and puzzles teach thinking as well as social skills, such as strategy, problem solving, competitiveness, cooperation and communication. Toy Name Silly Sentences Junior Edition Baffle Gab I Spy In Common I See You Maya & Miguel Word Scramble Count Across Whoonu Fractions Supreme Cogno: Deep Worlds Alfredos Food Fight Attacktix & Booster Pack Buckaroo CandyLand DVD CandyLand Dora The Explorer Sponge Bob Life In Bikini Bottom Operation Simpsons Pretty Pretty Princess Cinderella Wild Adventures in Mini-Golf Empire State 3D Puzzle Clue Mysteries Electronic Guesstures Monopoly 70th Monopoly Jr. Disney Princess Pictionary Shout The Music Sorry - Madagascar Star Wars Monopoly Trivial Pursuit Nickelodeon Edition Bop It Blast Dream Life MX Dirt Rebel Star Wars Light Saber 6ix-Sided Bug Puzzle Foam Play Croquet Poppin Puzzler The Story Telling Game Electronic Quiz Quest Skeletons in the Closet Bratz Rocxk Angelz Fun on TV Guitar Game Sentence Says Game LONPOS 101 Pyramid 7 Rectangle Game Youre Pulling My Leg! Youre Pulling My Leg! Jr. Pet Detectives Snorta Pacardy 20Q Challenge Play TV Baseball 3 Skannerz Racerz Rubber Horse Shoe Set Scene It? Harry Potter Edition Eco-Ranger: Animal Kingdom Game Manufacturer Anton Games/Packaging Network Word Salt Briarpatch Briarpatch Briarpatch Cadaco Cranium Learning Resources/Discovery DoubleStar Fundex Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Milton Bradley/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers/Hasbro Parker Brothers Parker Brothers Tiger/Hasbro Tiger/Hasbro Tiger/Hasbro Tiger/Hasbro Insect Lore International Playthings International Playthings International Playthings International Playthings Learning Resources MGA Entertainment Marban Industries LONPOS/Mic-O-Mic Americas Morningstar Games Morningstar Games Morningstar Games Out Of The Box Publishing Patch Products Radica Games Radica Games Radica Games Schylling Screenlife Snap TV Games Age Range 6 to and up 7 and up 3 to and up 6 to and up 6 and up 8 and up 4 to and up 4 and up 3 to and up 9 and up 6 and up 5 and up 6 and up 12 and up 8 and up 12 and up 8 and up 5 to and up 13 and up 6 and up 8 and up 8 and up 8 and up 8 to to and up 4 and up 5 and up 5 and up 5 and up 8 and up 7 and up 7 and up 7 and up 8 and up 13 and up 9 and up 7 and up 8 and up 8 and up 8 and up 8 and up 6 to and up 8 and up 6 to 9 Price $ 30 $ 30 $ 18 $ 13 $ 20 $ 20 $ 17 $ 15 $ 30 $ 20 $ 10 $ 16 $ 30 $ 10 $ 20 $ 20 $ 13 $ 40 $ 20 $ 20 $ 25 $ 40 $ 13 $ 25 $ 20 $ 18 $ 30 $ 20 $ 20 $ 40 $ 40 $ 50 $ 15 $ 39 $ 18 $ 15 $ 20 $ 25 $ 25 $ 30 $ 17 $ 13-18 $ 20-24 $ 13-18 $ 20 $ 15 $ 30 $ 40 $ 20 $ 10 $ 40 $ 25

T H E GREAT AMERICAN T O Y T E S T GAMES & PUZZLES (continued) Toy Name Manufacturer Tangle Jr. Glow In The Dark Game Tangle Coleco Player Video Games System Coleco/Techno Source Sudoku Techno Source Disney Checkers & Tic Tac Toe USAopoly Disney Princess Checkers & Tic Tac Toe USAopoly Disney Princess Bingo USAopoly Disney Princess 3 in 1 Game USAopoly Winniw The Pooh Dominoes USAopoly Winniw The Pooh Checkers & Tic Tac Toe USAopoly Winniw The Pooh 3 in 1 Card Game Set USAopoly Disney Dominoes USAopoly Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Monopoly USAopoly The Simpsons Treehouse Of Horror Monopoly USAopoly National Parks Campfire Games: Checkers & Tic Tac Toe USAopoly Esphera 360 degree 60 piece Globe Warren Industries Esphera 360 degree 540 piece Warren Industries Duel Masters Trading Card Game Wizards of the Coast Codename: Kids Next Door Trading Card Game Wizards of the Coast Baffle Gab Game Word Salt The Ladybug Game Zobmondo!! Entertainment
Age Range 3 and up 5 and up 8 and up 5 and up 5 and up 5 and up 5 and up 3 and up 4 and up 4 and up 3 and up 8 and up 8 and up 6 and up 6 to and up 10 and up 6 to and up 3 to 7
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

Price 36

$ 20 $ 15 $ 15 $ 10-14 $ 9-13 $ 30 $ 12
ARTS & CRAFTS These are toys of self-expression and creativity, allowing kids to communicate, through the arts. Italian Easel Battat 8 and up Girlfitti Digital Scrapbook Crayola/Binney & Smith 6 to 9 Color Explosion (2 colors) Crayola/Binney & Smith 6 and up Color, Craft & Carry Discovery Toys 4 and up Pixter Multi-Media System Fisher-Price 4 and up Play-Doh Doggie Doctor Play-Doh/Hasbro 3 and up Lite Brite FX: Flash Art Lite Brite/Hasbro 5 to 8 Disney Dream Sketcher Jazwares 4 and up Pretend & Place Trace & Learn Cake Learning Resources 3 and up Make Your Own Valentines Made By Hands 4 to 10 Etch A Sketch Wired Ohio Art 4 and up EDUCATIONAL TOYS These toys teach various academic skills: reading, math, science, biology, geography, etc. in a fun way. The Amazing Dinosaur Plant DuneCraft 3 and up Play2O Dynatech Action 4 and up Teddy (Teaching Bear) Educational Insights 3 and up View -Master Super Sound 3D Viewer View-Master/Fisher-Price 3 and up Dr. Dreadfuls Freak Food Lab Funrise 5 and up Leap Stages Infant Learning System LeapFrog birth to 18 mo. Learn-Around Playground LeapFrog 6 mo. to 3 My First LeapPad Learning System LeapFrog 3 to 5 Easy Reader Phonics Program LeapFrog Pre-K to 1st grade Montgomery Schoolhouse Shape Sorter Maple Landmark 1.5 and up Barbie Exploring the World Oregon Scientific 5 and up Snappy Sounds Woof Silver Dolphin Books 3 to 5 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Silver Dolphin Books 0 to 4 Totally Dinosaurs Silver Dolphin Books 8 to 12 Story Reader Electronic Book Story Reader 3 to 8 National Geographic Dinosaurs & Fossils Thames & Kosmos 8 and up Creative Cosmetics Thames & Kosmos 12 and up Write and Learn Letterbook Vtech 3 and up Write and Learn Lightboard Vtech 4 and up

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
CARS, TRUCKS, PLANES AND TRAINS Provides an adult world fantasy by allowing kids to pretend to do one of the key things adults do: drive. Toy Name Power Rangers SPD Patrol Cycles Matville Double Play Set Matville Vehicles Rock Crawler Tonka Chuck & Friends Fly Wheels Basic Launcher Fly Wheels RC Kids Next Door K.O.L.A.S.S.A.L.I.N.E.R. My First RC Inchworm - Buggies My First RC GoGo Auto KG Racer - Baby Carriage Bigfoot Ragin Monster Truck Matchbox Mega Rigs Dino Adventure Hot Wheels Acceleracer Accweledrome TYCO R/C Shell Shocker Line Chaserz Bob The Builder R/C Scrambler Thomas Wooden Railway Sir Topham Hatt Figure 8 Set Take Along Thomas Center Island Quarry Playset Air Hogs R/C Zero Gravity Solar Racers Mini Vehicles Manufacturer Bandai America Discovery Toys Discovery Toys Nylint/Funrise Tonka/Hasbro Jakks Pacific Jakks Pacific KIDdesigns Kid Galaxy Kid Galaxy Kid Galaxy MGA Entertainment Matchbox Hot Wheels/Mattel Tyco/Mattel Overbreak Learning Curve/RC2 Learning Curve/RC2 Learning Curve/RC2 Spinmaster Uncle Milton Industries Age Range 4 and up 3 to to and up 2 and up 8 and yp 8 and up 5 and up 3 to to to and up 3 and up 5 and up 8 and up 3 and up 3 and up 2 and up 2 and up 8 and up 4 and up Price $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 20

$ 50 $ 30 $ 70 $ 10

SPORTS, RIDE-ON AND OUTDOOR TOYS Teach physical skills and important social skills such as sportsmanship, cooperation, strategy and obeying rules. Also included in this section are toys more appropriately played with outside. Toy Name Hog Wild ESPN Shot Block Basketball Power Wheels Cadillac Escalade Simon Says Sit n Spin Star Party Ribbon Dancer Fold 2 Go XL Trike Classic Rock & Bounce Pony Twist Trike Deluxe Canopy Steering Trike Spider-Man Chopper Trike Heart 2 Heart Chopper Trike Manufacturer Parents Magazine/Childs Play/Battat Fisher-Price Fisher-Price Playskool/Hasbro International Playthings Radio Flyer Radio Flyer Radio Flyer Radio Flyer Tek Nek Toys Tek Nek Toys Age Range 18 mo. & up 5 and up 3 and up 3 and up 5 and up 1.5 and up 9 mo. to to to 5 2.5 and up 2.5 amd up Price $ 40 $ 70 $290 $ 20 $ 17 $ 60 $ 60 $ 60 $ 79 $ 40 $ 40
MUSIC, DANCE, RHYTHM AND VIDEO These toys can become the beginning of a lifelong love of music. Kids who excel at music often excel in school. This year weve added the burgeoning category of video cameras for kids to this section. As you can see, these toys are as much entertainment and education tools as they are toys. Toy Name American Idol Digital Camcorder Star Station VideoNow XP Player Bratz Plugged In Digital Video Camera ATC-1000 Hands Free Camera Barbie Digital Camera Manufacturer Digital Blue Fisher-Price VideoNow/Hasbro MGA Entertainment Oregon Scientific Oregon Scientific Age Range 8 and up 3 and up 6 and up 6 and up 8 and up 6 and up Price $ 99 $ 60 $ 60 $100 $ 20 $ 40

T H E GREAT AMERICAN T O Y T E S T CONSTRUCTION STUFF Impart physical and mental skills to children in a fun way: mechanics, design, creativity and expression. Toy Name Formulate-4 KNEX Pirate Ship Park Kid KNEX Fun Wheels Rovin Rollers Flex KNEX Construction Squad LEGO Mountain Climber LEGO Thomas Load & Carry Set LEGO Wild Hunters LEGO DUPLO Fire Station LEGO Fire Station LEGO Police Station LEGO Iron Predator vs. T-Rex LEGO Vladeks Dark Forest Lego Battle of Metru Nu Bionicle LEGO ARC-170 Starfighter LEGO Tiny Turbos - RX Sprinter Racers Bob The Builder Clik Bricks Battle Crawlers Arena Playset Manufacturer Discovery Toys KNEX KNEX KNEX LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO LEGO Learning Curve/RC2 Wild Planet Age Range 3 to and up 3 and up 6 and up 1 and up 2 to and up 2 to and up 5 and up 7 to and up 7 and up 6 and up 6 and up 2 and up 6 and up Price $ 25 $ 50 $ 20 $ 30 $ 25 $ 30 $ 30 $ 30 $ 30 $ 70 $ 40 $100 $ 80 $ 40 $ 4 $ 15 $ 15-20
IMPORTANT SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS CHOOSE AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS -- Everyone likes to think his or her child is smarter and more capable than other kids of the same age. Dont fool yourself. If a toy is beyond the childs mental or physical ability, it could end up presenting a significant safety hazard to the child. It could also be boring, or not much fun. Be wise and respect the age label on the package. These age ratings were determined by experts with your childs best interests and safety in mind. KEEP BIG KIDS TOYS AWAY FROM LITTLE KIDS -- Little kids (3 and under) love to put things in their mouths. Thats why you should never allow older kids toys to be in an area where little kids can get hold of them. Many older kids toys have small parts on which a young child could choke. The complicated nature of older kids toys often makes them hazardous to tots. BEWARE OF BROKEN TOYS -- Though a working toy can be perfectly safe, it can be extremely dangerous when its broken. Typically, broken toys can become swallowing or choking hazards (when a small part breaks off) or cutting hazards (when an edge becomes sharp or juts out). Once a toy is broken, carefully check for hazards and take it away from the child if it does indeed pose a hazard. REPORT DANGEROUS TOYS -- The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is the nations watchdog for unsafe toys. This agency has the legal authority to inspect, evaluate and recall toys which may be unsafe. Consumers are encouraged to contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission by phone or online. Toll Free 1 (800) 638-CPSC / www.cpsc.gov. ORDER TOY SAFETY PUBLICATIONS OR READ THEM ONLINE FROM THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Telephone - (800) 638-CPSC / Internet - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/toy_sfy.html ADDITIONAL TOY INFORMATIONON THE INTERNET The Toy Industry Association - The official web site of the association of toy makers throught the United States. http://www.toy-tia.org/content/navigationmenu/parents/Toy_Safety/Toy_Safety.htm Oppenheim - A widely quoted independent consumer review of children's toys. http://www.toyportfolio.com/ Toy Tips is an independent voice for child development. Since its inception in 1991, Toy Tips provides researched information on toys that build skills and enhance a childs development. http://toytips.com Dr. Toy - Product suggestions and generic toy information from Dr. Toy aka Stevanne Auerbach http://www.drtoy.com Public Interest Research Group - This is a consumer activist site called Toy Safety Net. http://www.toysafety.net Baby Center - Go to sites search engine and look for toys. http://www.babycenter.com Special Needs Kids - This is the nations central source on toys for chidren with special needs. http://www.lekotek.org

T H E GREAT AMERICAN T O Y T E S T CANT FIND IT? Heres how to contact the consumer relations offices of the toymakers who participated in this years Toy Test. Weve listed the toy company, its telephone information line and its internet worldwide web site (all begin with http://)
Action Products Intl. (800) 772-2846 www.apii.com Anton Games/Packaging Network (877) 745-5973 www.sillysentences.com Aurora World (888) 287-6722 www.auroragift.com Baby Einstein (800) 793-1454 www.babyeinstein.com Baffle Gab/Word Salt (888) 385-2498 www.bafflegabgame.com Bandai America (714) 816-9500 www.bandai.com Battat (800) 822-8828 www.battatco.com Briarpatch (973) 376-7002 www.briarpatch.com Cadaco (800) 621-5426 www.cadaco.com Childs Play/Parents Magazine (212) 222-0120 www.childsplay.com Cranium (877) 272-6486 www.cranium.com Crayola/Binney & Smith (800) 272-9652 www.crayola.com Digital Blue (770) 579-0501 www.playdigitalblue.com Discovery Toys (800) 341-8698 www.discoverytoysinc.com Dowling Magnets (800) 624-6381 www.dowlingmagnets.com DoubleStar (866) 462-6466 www.cogno.com DuneCraft (800) 306-4168 www.dunecraft.com Dynatech Action (800) 359-6088 www.dynatechaction.com Esphera 360 (800) 477-2157 www.esphera360.com Educational Insights (800) 995-4436 www.educationalinsights.com FIKI Sports (310) 257-2900 www.fikisports.com Fisher-Price (800) 432-5437 www.fisher-price.com Folkmanis (800) 654-8922 www.folkmanis.com Fundex Games (800) 486-9787 www.fundexgames.com Goldberger Doll (800) 452-3655 www.goldbergerdoll.com Hasbro (800) 327-864 www.hasbro.com Insect Lore (800) 548-3284 www.insectlore.com International Playthings (800) 445-8347 www.intplay.com JAKKS Pacific (877) 875-2557 www.jakkspacific.com Jazwares (954) 845-0800 www.jazwares.com KIDdesigns (888) 867-8697 www.kiddirect.com Kid Galaxy (800) 816-1135 www.kidgalaxy.com KNEX (800) 543-5639 www.knex.com LeapFrog (800) 701-5327 www.leapfrog.com Milton-Bradley (888) 836-7025 www.hasbro.com Parker Brothers (888) 836-7025 www.hasbro.com Parents Magazine/Childs Play (212) 222-0120 www.childsplay.com Playskool www.hasbro.com/playskool 800-752-9755 Tonka 800-844-3733 www.hasbro/tonka Learning Resources (800) 222-3909 www.learningresources.com LEGO Systems (800) 453-4652 www.lego.com Made By Hands (773) 761-4200 www.made-by-hands.com Maple Landmark (800) 421-4223 www.maplelandmark.com Marban Industries (800) 959-8611 www.sentencesays.com Matchbox (800) 524-8697 www.matchbox.com Mattel (800) 524-8697 www.mattel.com Melissa & Doug (800) 284-3948 www.melissaand doug.com Memcorp (954) 660-7026 www.disneyelectronics.com MGA Entertainment (800) 222-4685 www.mgae.com Mic-O-Mic Americas (877) 642-6642 www.micamericas.com Midway Games (408) 473-9499 www.midway.com M.O.G. Kids (866) 664-7323 www.mogkids.com Morning Star Games (800) 304-4263 www.morningstargames.com Ohio Art (800) 800-3141 www.world-of-toys.com Only Hearts Club (805) 384-4800 www.onlyheartsclub.com Oregon Scientific (800) 853-8883 www.oregonscientific.com Out Of The Box Publishing (800) 540-2304 www.otb-games.com Overbreak (800) 799-5350 www.overbreak.com Pacific Play Tents (877) 722-0083 www.pacificplaytents.com Play Along (954) 956-2210 www.playalongtoys.com Patch Products (800) 524-4263 www.patchproducts.com Pazow (415) 885-5006 www.pazow.com Radica USA (800) 803-9611 www.radicagames.com Radio Flyer (800) 621-7613 www.radioflyer.com RC2 Corporation (800) 704 www.learningcurve.com R&R Games (888) 874-3353 www.rnrgames.com Schylling (800) 767-8697 www.schylling.com Screenlife (800) 383-4263 www.screenlifegames.com Silver Dolphin Books (800) 788-3123 www.silverdolphinbooks.com Snap TV Games (310) 828-1700 www.snaptvgames.com Spin Master (800) 622-8339 www.spinmaster.com Story Reader (800) 745-9299 www.pilbooks.com Tangle (888) 829-3808 www.tangletoys.com Techno Source (212) 929-5200 www.technosource.com Tek Nek Toys (888) 900-0155 www.teknektoys.com Thames & Kosmos (800) 587-2872 www.thamesandkosmos.com ThinkFun (800) 468-1864 www.thinkfun.com Uncle Milton Industries (800) 869-7555 www.unclemilton.com USAopoly (888) 876-7659 www.usaopoly.com University Games (415) 503.1600 www.universitygames.com VTECH (800) 521-2010 www.vtechkids.com Warren Industries (800) 447-2151 www.warrenindustries.com Wild Planet (800) 247-6570 www.wildplanet.com Wizards of the Coast (800) 324-6496 www.wizards.com WizKids (425) 641-2801 www.wizkidsgames.com WowWee (800) 310-3033 www.wowwee.com Zapf Creation (877) 629-9273 www.us.zapf-creation.com Zobmondo!! Entertainment (800) 417-0017 www.zobomondo.com Zizzle (847) 572.9300 www.zizzle.com

The National Toy Hall of Fame
at the Strong Museum - Rochester, NY www.strongmuseum.org
Strong Museum, houses the worlds largest (70,000+ items) and most comprehensive collection of toys and dolls. The hall serves as an interpretive gateway to Strong Museums world-renowned collection and provides additional opportunities for both hands-on experiences and intergenerational memory sharing among guests. The Strong Museum is also the home of the National Toy Hall of Fame. This year, National Toy Hall of Fame added these toys to its distingished list: Candy Land - This classic Milton Bradley game is almost 60 years old and teaches not just learning colors, but life skills such as following directions and sportsmanship. Jack-In-The-Box - The classic model, known most recently as playing Pop Goes the Wesel has been around since the 1700s deligting kids with is spectacular surprise of a clown jumping out from the trap door. The Good Old Cardboard Box - Big boxes, especially those made to ship such things as stoves, refrigerators and large televisions, Though never intended as toys, boxes have always captured childrens imaginations whove imagined and used them as fortresses, castles, space ships and other make believe enclosures for many decades; a most appropriate chioce. In the past, the National Toy Hall of Fame already included these 31 unforgettable honorees. Alphabet Blocks Barbie Bicycle Checkers Crayola Crayons Duncan Yo-Yo Erector Set Etch A Sketch Frisbee GI Joe Hula Hoop Jacks Jigsaw Puzzles Jump Ropes LEGO Lincoln Logs The criteria for selecting toys for the National Toy Hall of Fame are: Icon-status: The toy is widely recognized, respected, and remembered. Longevity: The toy is more than a passing fad and has enjoyed popularity over multiple generations. Discovery: The toy fosters learning, creativity, or discovery through play. Innovation: The toy profoundly changed play or toy design. A toy may be inducted on the basis of this criterion without necessarily having met all of the first three. Anyone can nominate toys on site at Strong Museum, via the Internet, or by U.S. mail. An internal museum Advisory Committee comprised of curators, educators, and historians, reviews the submitted nominations and determines which toys meet the criteria for selection. A National Selection Committee then reviews the list of toys that meet the criteria. Each National Selection Committee member votes for his or her top toy picks for induction. The votes are then tallied. The toys receiving the most votes making the cut for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. The Strong Museum, One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607 / www.strongmuseum.org / (585) 263-2700 Visit the Museum: If youre travelling or vacationing in western New York State the Strong Museum is about an hour from Niagra Falls in the Buffalo area and two hours from the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Marbles Monopoly Mr. Potato Head Play-Doh Radio Flyer Wagon Raggedy Ann(TM) Rocking Horses Roller Skates Scrabble Silly Putty Slinky Teddy Bear Tinkertoy Tonka Trucks View-Master