best games Archives - NAPPA Awards

July 12, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

GeoSafari Jr. My First Walkie Talkies

Encourage exploration, communication and build confidence. Features a single button for easy use, a secure kid-to-kid radio channel, wrist strap, 90-meter range and durable design. $21.99, ages 4+, educationalinsights.com

Cry Babies Minnie Mouse

Meet the adorable toy that cries real tears just like a real baby. The newest addition comes dressed inspired by one of Disney’s most beloved characters – Minnie Mouse, complete with her classic polkadot dress and iconic mouse ears. When she’s crying, put her pacifier in her mouth and watch as she magically stops crying. $24.99, ages birth-24 months, target.com

Cry Babies Tiny Cuddles Disney

The softest version of these popular dolls now have a magical makeover as Disney inspired characters. Feature Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, Daisy Duck and Winnie the Pooh. Each one comes with a matching pacifier and cries real tears. $12.99, ages birth-24 months, target.com

Kidscleancar

Features a unique detachable mop attachment that allows children to help clean the floor while they play. Can be installed and removed in just two seconds. The design is versatile for both indoor and outdoor use. Includes a variable speed feature with a rotary button that allows parents to set speed limits. $199, ages 3-8 years, henrytoybox.com

Tamagotchi Uni Sanrio Characters

This device integrates two iconic and beloved brands. Users can collect Sanrio accessories and items for their character alongside innovative Tamagotchi gameplay. Players can pamper their character with Sanrio-inspired treats, adorn them with adorable accessories including the iconic bow, and engage in interactive games that capture the essence of Sanrio’s celebrated spirit. $79.99, ages 6+, bandai.com

Tamagotchi Connection

A cultural phenomenon. The next chapter in the Tamagotchi legacy, bringing back treasured elements from the past for today’s fans. Boasts an array of features designed to delight users of all ages. With pixelated technology, each virtual pet comes to life in great detail, offering an interactive companionship experience. $29.99, ages 6+, bandai.com

Hello Kitty Tamagotchi Nano

Brings together the timeless charm of Hello Kitty with the gameplay of the classic Tamagotchi. With adorable Hello Kitty-themed graphics and mini-games, fans of the beloved character can nurture their characters in true Tamagotchi style. If you take good care of your Tamagotchi character, it will go on a journey to London with Hello Kitty. $19.99, ages 8+, bandai.com

Aphmau 11” Classic Mystery Plush

These new 11” plushies are the latest official Aphmau release, including 8 different MeeMeows to collect. Each comes in a blind bag for surprise unboxing fun with super soft fur, squishy bodies and signature happy faces. $19.99, ages 3-8, bonkertoys.com

LankyBox Golden Mystery Boxy

This all-new set is filled with awesome collectibles, making it the ultimate surprise unboxing experience. Includes micro figures, a pop-it, a lanyard with charm, and stickers, all in a special gold color. $19.99, ages 3+, bonkertoys.com

July 12, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

GraviTrax Junior

Introduce children to marble run and construction toys in a vibrant and easy-to-learn way. Start building right away and immerse yourself in thematic worlds for added creative play. Features jungle, ice, desert and ocean-themed sets and expansions. $14.99-$129.99, ages 3+, amazon.com

Professor Maxwell’s VR Atlas

Become globe-trotters throughout this 144-page book as you discover famous landmarks, points of interest, man-made and natural wonders, cultures, languages and even food from around the world. With 15 tangible projects and activities included in the kit, the 100+ piece will inspire kids to learn about their world. $69.99, ages 8+, abacusbrands.com

Numberblocks Playing Cards

With a numbery twist on popular card games like Go Fish, Old Maid, and more, children will love playing and learning with their favorite characters. These cards offer a playful and engaging way to practice early math skills—making learning a blast. $9.99, ages 2-4 years, hand2mind.com

Growing Greenhouse Color and Number Playset

Foster color recognition and counting skills while promoting eco-consciousness in a fun and interactive way. Features adorable flowers, pots and a guide filled with kid-friendly sustainability facts. $24.99, ages 18 months+, learningresources.com

February 29, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

These recent NAPPA Award winners are wonderful Easter and anytime gifts.

PEEPS EggMazing Egg Decorator

This whimsical bunny-shaped decorator holds and spins hard-boiled eggs. Using the included vibrantly colored, non-toxic markers, kids create custom, colorful Easter eggs without the mess. $27.99, ages 3+, heybuddyheypal.com

BIZYBOO Easter Hide ‘N’ Seek Busy Bags

A perfect mess-free, on-the-go and low-fuss companion. Using both written and visual prompts found on an attached card, children will have a blast prodding and shifting the beads around, seeking out the Easter objects. $9.99, ages 2+, vangotoys.com

Sprinx – My Bumpas Weighted Character

Helps promote a sense of security, reduce stress, improve sleep quality and create a calming effect. The weighted arms are perfectly sized to give realistic hugs and display unconditional love. The exterior is soft and comforting. $39.99, ages 3+, mybumpas.com

Buzz Buzz

Laurie Berkner’s got a pig on her head. Celebrate 25 years of her timeless classic album remastered for the whole family to enjoy. Sing along to all-time favorites. $9.99, ages 1-7, laurieberkner.com

Rubik’s Cube Retro Cube

Celebrate Rubik’s 50th anniversary with this collector’s edition. Displayed in a replica of the 1980s issue packaging, this blast to the past is decorated with the original Rubik’s Logo and classic-colored stickers. $14.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

stickers. $14.99, ages 8+, amazon.com

Ahhhhh

Andrew & Polly’s 6^th album empowers kids to take on tough stuff by helping them think, feel and sometimes even shout their way through challenges in an ever-changing world. Eleven awesome songs featuring smart and amusing lyrics. $9.99, entire family, andrewandpolly.com

PAW Patrol Basic Vehicles

Join the pups on action-packed missions with these new eco-conscious vehicles. Made from up to 85% recycled plastic, these vehicles are authentically detailed so you can recreate iconic scenes from the show. Enjoy endless PAWsome adventures with your favorite hero pup in their signature vehicle. $9.99, ages 3+, amazon.com

For more gift ideas visit nappaawards.com

February 6, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

Games can enhance connection, build social skills, support critical reasoning skills and simply add more fun to our daily family activities.

Congratulations to these recent NAPPA Award winners:

Smart Sudoku

A hand-held game featuring 2500 paperless puzzles across 5 difficulty levels. The interactive grid provides instant answer checking, auto-timing and connective battle functions to enhance the puzzle-solving experience. $56, ages 4-adults, giiker.com

Waffle Time

Draft combinations of fruit toppings and whipped cream to load up your waffle. Create patterns to spread syrup for scoring points. What you draft not only affects your score, but also your turn order and how much syrup you can use. $39.99, ages 10+, alderac.com

Prickly Path

Join the coyote for a stroll through the desert to admire the beautiful groups of wild cacti in bloom. A fun family strategy and decision-making game that can be played in 20 minutes. $36, ages 8+, simplyfun.com

My Mine

Eureka, you have struck gold! Try to mine as many nuggets as you can in this board game, but beware—the other miners will also be trying to stake their claim and may even try to take some of yours. $30, ages 6+, simplyfun.com

Nanodoodle Doodle Board

Make up your own games with this portable LCD writing tablet that can be attached anywhere—clip to school bags or suitcases and take creativity on the road. Parents can also use it as a memo note for shopping lists. $19.99, ages 5+, mytekfun.com

For more product reviews visit nappaawards.com.

December 16, 2020 by

One of our favorite childhood memories is looking through toy catalogs and circling the ones we loved and hoped would arrive wrapped with a big bow. Flipping through the pages and dreaming about each item was a big part of the whole holiday experience – the anticipation of something wonderful. We want to give you that feeling again with our Jingle Holiday Gift Guide. We have been busy all year testing and evaluating to bring you this wonderful collection featuring more than 250 award-winning toys, games, books, family music and other unique finds. NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 30 years. This year’s selection includes products with positive messages of kindness, inclusion and community – products that celebrate diversity and uniqueness. This year, watching those smiles on our kids’ faces when they rip open their holiday gifts will be even more special. Happy Gifting!

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Gifts with a Positive Message
Unique finds, including items perfect for those who love cozy and warm
Toys to spark imagination
Products that are all about creativity
Outdoor Fun
Book, music and games

June 15, 2020 by

This summer will be different, but as parents we need to do all we can to create fun and a sense of calm for our kids. So this summer, turn your backyard into the FUN ZONE! Our NAPPA Awards Guide to Summer Fun is here to help you bring that carefree vibe home. We have toys, family games, music, recipes and much more. Happy Summer!

December 10, 2019 by NAPPA Awards Team

A fun night of family games and laughter is the best way to spend time together during the holidays! Check out these NAPPA Award winners and bring the fun this holiday season.

Adventerra Games

We are excited for this environmentally-focused game series from Adventerra Games. There are four board games in the series including: Global Warming, PowerHaus, Recycle Rally and WaterGames. $24.95/each game, 7+, www.adventerragamesusa.com

ProjeX Projecting Game Arcade

Turn any room into an incredible gaming arcade. No need for a TV! Project crisp graphic images right onto any blank wall and enjoy real-life gaming, without the limitations of a screen. $49.99,6+, www.projexgame.com

Chickapig

Break your flock of Chickapigs free while dodging opponents, hay bales and an unruly pooping cow in this strategic board game created by Brian Calhoun and Dave Matthews. $25, 8+, www.chickapig.com

The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon Box of Lies Party Game

Challenge friends to the bluffing game of hilarious objects. $19.99, 10+, www.hasbrogaming.hasbro.com

Disney Villainous: Wicked to the Core

Discover your unique abilities while dealing twists of fate to your opponents. $24.99, www.ravensburger.us

King of the Ring

Can you be the Last Sumo Standing? Find out in this battle. $19.99, 6+, www.yulutoys.com[crosshead]

Mickey’s Snuggle Time

A calming game that’s perfect for bedtime, naptime or any quiet time. $24.99, 3+, www.amazon.com

Friends of a Feather

Add feathers to your bird each turn by drawing from the deck or trading away your unwanted ones to the nest. $19.99, 3+, www.ravensburger.us

Full Circle

Use spelling and critical thinking to inspire creativity and competition. $14.99, 8+, www.playmonster.com

Pick Me Up, Piggy!

Tell stories, remember where to find hidden farm friends, take turns and work cooperatively to win the game. $19.9, 3+, www.MindWare.com

Domino Maze

Thrills of a classic domino run with an added twist. $29.99, 8+, www.thinkfun.com

Catventures Game

Answer fun questions about cats and act out silly things they do. $24.00, 4+, www.petitcollage.com

My First Memory Game Ocean

Expand memory and object recognition skills while having fun. $9.99, 2+, www.tlji.com

SmartGames Smart Farmer

An engaging puzzle game where you help the Farmer separate the animals so they have their own areas on the farm. $22.99, 5+, www.smartgamesusa.com

Fish for Fish

Campers race against their friends to catch the most fish with their plastic “spear. $19.99, 4+, www.yulutoys.com

Invasion of the Cow Snatchers

Take control of your very own UFO to solve 60 magnetic challenges as you maneuver your way over and around farm obstacles. $29.99, 6+, www.thinkfun.com

Cheeky Butts

A hot potato style family game of spot and match. $14.99, 6+, www.bananagrams.com

Honeycombs Game

Connect your tiles by matching their symbols. Features three unique ways to play, each varying in speed and competitiveness. $19.99, 6+, www.honeycombsgame.com

KIC-Start – Kids in Conversation

A fun get-to-know-you card game with 150 conversation-starter questions great for kids and adults.
$19.95, www.contenderbrands.com

Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A. Personalized Board Game

In a race across America’s coasts, move your piece along the colored tiles and cross the finish line first to win! $29.99, www.iseeme.com

Heads Talk Tails Walk

Can you hop like a frog while clucking like a chicken? Have a blast trying. $14.99, 3+, www.thinkfun.com

Orangutwang

How much can you hang before he goes twaaang? Take turns hanging fruit and jungle friends on the orangutan. $22.99, 4+, www.playmonster.com

Jabuka

Quickly twist letters and transform words in this clever and fast-paced game. $20, 8+, www.jabukagames.com

3UP 3DOWN

A fast-paced discard game with a surprising finish. $9.99, 7+, www.ok2win.com

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE

A matching game with an explosive twist. $14.99, 8+, www.ok2win.com

For more holiday gift ideas, visit NAPPA Awards! #playlearnconnect

April 23, 2019 by Elena Epstein

We love family games and we have some great new ones for you. All recent NAPPA Award winners! Gather the family for some fun!

Heads Talk Tails Walk

Can you hop like a frog while clucking like a chicken?

Have a blast trying with Heads Talk Tails Walk, delightfully silly card game. Players try to match hidden head tiles to the correct body tiles. If the head and body don’t match, the real fun begins! Players walk and talk like the mismatched tiles—with hilarious results. $14.99, ages 3+

Orangutwang

How much can you hang before he goes twaaang?! Orangutwang is a fun, suspenseful and wild game! Take turns hanging fruit and jungle friends on the orangutan, but watch out! At some point, he’ll be holding too much and he’ll spring up and send the fruit and friends flying! Easy to set up and requires no batteries. For 2 or more players. $22.99, ages 4+

KIC-Start – Kids in Conversation

KIC-Start, standing for “Kids In Conversation” is a get-to-know-you card game designed to teach kids the art of conversational curiosity. Family-friendly and ideal for kids and grownups to do together. Each game contains 150 conversation-starter questions. Players take turns drawing cards, asking questions and responding with their answers. The whole idea is to learn how to practice curiosity, ask great questions, actively listen, formulate responses, articulate answers and genuinely engage with others. $19.95, for the entire family.

For more game reviews, visit nappaawards.com! #playlearnconnect

July 19, 2018 by

Upgrade your family game night with these new and innovative games that bring hours of laughter and fun!

Fruitenzy

Gather your family to have a “berry fun” game!! The goal of Fruitenzy is to score the most points by making the best fruit combinations. Score 6 points for getting a pair of pears. Score 10 points for getting three apples (one of each color). Score 9 points if you have the most huckleberries. But beware of the poison berries — those will cost you points.
$14.99
For kids 10+

Drop It

Drop It is a colorful, inventive family game that’s easy to learn but deceptively mind-boggling! One at a time, each player drops a shape into the vertical game board’s drop zone. Players earn points for the highest level that their shape reaches when it lands and extra points for touching bonus circles. The winner is the player or team with the most points at the end.
$29.95
For kids 8+

Thanos Rising – Avengers: Infinity War

Thanos Rising – Avengers: Infinity War is a cooperative dice and card game for 2-4 players. In the game, players will recruit heroes and assemble a team to face off against Thanos and his villainous forces in an effort to thwart him from accomplishing his master plan – collecting all six Infinity Stones to power the Infinity Gauntlet and wreak havoc on the very fabric of reality.
$49.95
For kids 10+

SmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts!

Can you move the squirrels around and hide their acorns underground? SmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts! is a sliding puzzle game with 60 nutty challenges to test your skills. Fun for kids and adults, Squirrels Go Nuts! comes with a portable game board and lid, making it perfect for on-the-go fun!
$14.99
For kids 6+

Strawberry Ninja

In a place not that far away, a lush garden was invaded by a ninja, a Strawberry Ninja! Strange as your garden may be, it’s never good to have a ninja running loose in your backyard, so now it’s up to you (and to one brave kitten) to apprehend the rascal! Build the garden, discover its secrets, guide the kitten together in this a beautifully illustrated cooperative tabletop card game for children and adults alike.
$19.95
For kids 8+

Laser Chess

Kids who love lasers and playing chess will love this game. Laser Chess is a two-player laser chess-like strategy game where you must eliminate your opponents’ players by hitting their target before they hit yours. When your laser hits their target, YOU WIN! Designed by the inventor of top-selling games Laser Maze® and Khet!
$39.99
For kids 8+

Happy family game night and remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards

June 22, 2018 by

For a lot of us summer is a great time to visit grandparents and other extended family. It’s also a perfect time to step away from our daily routines and take some time away exploring a new city, a nearby beach or a national park. Wherever your summer travels take you, these great new NAPPA winning toys and games will keep your kids entertained.

Take-Along Tracks

The Carry & Go Track Table by Simplay3 brings the fun wherever little drivers want to play — on or off road! Double-sided play opportunities and patterns offer limitless adventures for an assortment of children’s cars, trucks and trains. Side 1 has molded-in car tracks with varying intricate textures and patterns and detailed trim. Side 2 has molded-in train tracks to accommodate child’s wooden train sets and detailed trim to add to the fun.
$39.99
Ages 2+

A Flexible Travel Buddy

Oogi is an irresistibly tactile and wonderfully expressive new figure toy. With suction cup head, hands and feet, and long stretchy arms, it connects to other Oogis and any smooth surface. Oogi leaves room for the imagination and invites children to explore and experiment while playfully training hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Unlike traditional dolls for girls and action figures for boys Oogi is gender neutral and fun for all ages, perfect for travel too.
$14
Ages 3+

A Game of Chance

An Adorable Companion

Marshfellows are adorable, huggable s’mores that make a great travel companion. They are super soft and durable made from ultra-soft, minky fabric and live in a Marshmallowy world on the verge of being S’MORED by the chocolate and graham cracker kingdoms. Now homeless, the Marshfellows need new happy homes. Adopt one today.
$24.95
For All Ages

A Card Game with the Heroes

Happy Travels. Remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!

Elena Epstein is a mom of two and the director of NAPPA Awards, the longest running and most respected awards program in the industry, celebrating the best in family products for 28 years. For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com.