imaginative play Archives

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

May 2, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

Rainbow Climber Gym

An indoor playground made of high-quality hard beechwood. Features a compact yet spacious design that facilitates physical and emotional development. Suitable for big families and playdates – can bear up to 440 lbs. Comes with double-sided slide, wooden rings, wooden swing and hammock. $779.99, ages 18 months+, amazon.com

Flat 2 Fast Card Racers

This toy transforms from cards to superfast racing cars with the press of a button. No pull back needed. Portable and fits perfectly in a pocket or backpack for on-the-go play. $12.99, ages 5+, lukilab.com

furReal Walk-A-Lots Bernedoodle Interactive Toy

This cute puppy is ready for a stroll. Her bouncy walk and wobbly head move just like a real pet. Listen for barks, howls, a “rwar-ing” happy tune, and other adorable noises. $19.99, ages 4+, justplayproducts.com

Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls

A line of diverse luxurious plush dolls that encourage young girls to explore the world of S.T.E.A.M. With a mission to inspire and empower, the dolls are role models for young girls and strive to encourage positive thinking. $59.99, ages 3+, theodoradolls.com

Fingerlings Sweet Tweets Birds

Unlock friendship at your fingertips and share secret messages with these cute, interactive birds. Feature 40+ sounds and reactions. On your finger, record and play back secret messages. Off your finger, your Sweet Tweets bird listens and repeats everything you say. $9.99, ages 5+, shopwowwee.com

Littlest Pet Shop Beach Besties Collector Set

A adventure has arrived! Collect a new generation of bobblin’ head pets with over 65 exciting new friends. Discover the must-have crew, their unique purrsonalities, breeds, and rarity levels. $19.99, ages 4+, littlepetshop.com

BRIO Dinosaur Adventure Set

Explore the amazing prehistoric world of dinosaurs. This 21-piece train set is full of dinosaur-themed play and includes a train with two wagons and multiple scenic pieces like the dangerous lava cave and grassy meadow tracks. $79.99, ages 3+, brioplay.com

STAR WARS Doorables Galaxy Peek

Discover an out-of-this-world collection of 25 figures. Chase after rare and ultra-rare characters like Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Grogu, and the Mandalorian. The unique Death Star-inspired capsule doubles as a display. Ideal for collecting and trading. $9.99, ages 5+, justplayproducts.com

May 2, 2024 by NAPPA Awards Team

Claymates’ Family of 4

Designed to encourage open-ended, imaginative play. Includes handmade wooden figures and colorful non-drying clay blocks. Kids create their own characters, facilitating self-expression, fine motor development and social awareness. Crafted from sustainable brown walnut and light maple hardwoods. $33, ages 3+, claymatesusa.com

Lite-Brite Super Bright HD, Pokémon Edition

Unleash your inner Pokémon Trainer to light up your creativity. Based on the retro toy, this modern version brings POKEMON to life in a whole new way. Featuring a brighter display with double the LEDs and higher definition. $24.99, ages 6+, basicfun.com

Horses of Waterfall Ranch

Gallop into adventure. A fully furnished home where you can cook breakfast in the kitchen. So much to do in the adjoining horse stable, including feeding, brushing, and caring for the horses. Put on a helmet and ride with your best friend around the ranch, and train for the next competition. $149.99, ages 5+, playmobil.com

Folkmanis Mini Finger Puppets

These puppets believe imagination is the key to a healthy childhood, encouraging play and discovery to develop the skills necessary in life. Bring nature to life with the chameleon, snake, roly poly, banana slug, and more. $8.99-$12.99, folkmanis.com

VIP Fashion Dolls

With an innovative pull-string mechanism, kids can effortlessly transform their doll’s hairstyle. Megan wears a chic metallic silver dress and pink boots, while Quinn features a glittery gold outfit. Each doll is paired with five unique premium accessories. From heart-shaped stickers and gel-infused glitter, each accessory set inspires endless creativity. $17.99, ages 5-8, vippets.com

February 11, 2021 by

While every day is a great day to show your love and appreciation for your kids, Valentine’s Day gives all of us a wonderful opportunity to express our feelings — and nothing says love more than kindness. At NAPPA Awards, we are celebrating kindness and positivity all year long by showcasing books, music and other great products that will bring joy and connection to your family and remind us that we need to be kind to ourselves, to each other, to our community and to our world.

Best for Mom

Let’s start with all the moms who always put everyone else first. We know this past year has not been easy, parenting through a pandemic, that’s why we love KindNotes. These beautiful jars of 31 handcrafted messages, enclosed in mini decorative envelopes, combine the charm of handwritten notes with positive affirmations perfect for a little pick-me up. Comes in a variety of designs and themes and can be customized. Starting at $34.95, kindnotes.com

And we think every mom deserves some quiet time to reflect and recharge. MamaZen Mindful Parenting App provides the perfect space to relieve stress, fatigue and anxiety using a combination of meditation, hypnotherapy and mindfulness . The 150 brief audio sessions (5-15 min) cover common topics among moms. 30-day free trial, then $14.99/month, mamazen.com

Spread Kindness Through Music

We know you’re going to love these recent NAPPA Award winners as much as we do. Music is such a wonderful source of well-being and the messages of kindness in these songs are universal and great for all ages.

Make it Happen!

Cheery, charming and energetic songs celebrate the simple joys of life, while also delivering positive messages of empowerment, courage and strength. Packed with lyrical wisdom centering on creating meaningful relationships and experiences. $9.99, staceypeasley.com

Thank You, Mister Rogers – Music & Memories

A heartfelt tribute album featuring classic songs performed by award winning artists. Highlights include the spirited Latin rhythms on Jaci Velasquez’s playful take of “You Can Never Go Down The Drain,” Jon Secada’s Spanish interpretation of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” and actress/singer Rita Wilson, whose husband Tom Hanks wonderfully portrayed Fred Rogers in the movie, provides a tender rendition of “Sometimes People Are Good.” $10.95, thankyoumisterrogers.com

A Mind of Your Own

Featuring Nashville-based songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, a Brooklyn-based, fiddle-playing child psychiatrist and an array of acclaimed Americana performers in a captivating and upbeat debut album filled with songs and skits touching on a variety of topics—making new friends, coping with failure, learning a new language, dealing with emotions and bullying. Invites listeners to think deeply on feelings and emotions that come with growing up, while focusing on resilience. $14.98, folkways.si.edu

Words to Inspire

Find a cozy nook and start reading together. Beautiful illustrations and words will inspire you to be in awe of nature and all the creatures around us. There is so much to be thankful for if we just take a look around and really notice.

Good Morning, Good Morning

The lyrical wordplay encourages children to explore their surroundings and notice the subtle sensations within their bodies, all while helping them develop their daily mindfulness practice. Written and illustrated by women of color and featuring diverse characters. $12, ages birth-4, bounlesblooms.com

The Mighty River

Celebrates the community we share through nature and the diverse animals and plants that call the river home. Includes beautiful illustrations, a wide array of information, ideas on how to protect our waterways and space to draw and describe river animals and scenes. $15, ages 2-8, years, beautifulworldbooks.com

Kindness Tales

A curated collection of children’s stories celebrating the timeless power of kindness to make the world a gentler, safer and even more loving place by author and highly-respected folklorist, Margaret Read MacDonald. $16.95, ages 6-10, augusthouse.com

The Book of Cultures

A 120-page picture book for young readers to discover the world, embrace its diversity and go on adventures near and far, all from the comfort of their home. Featuring 30 stories with buddies from different countries, followed by a 2-page activity snapshot on each culture. $35, ages 4-9, worldwidebuddies.com

Be Together

To teach our kids about their big feelings is a true gift. Sit together, talk and use these creative and colorful cards to enhance your child’s social emotional learning.

The Little Yogi Deck: Simple Yoga Practices to Help Kids Move Through Big Emotions

A colorful card deck featuring 48 simple yoga and mindfulness practices to help kids work through big emotions on and off the mat. Eight color-coded categories include anger, worry, excitement, sadness, joy, jealousy, shame and peace. Includes a practice booklet. $19.95, ages 5+, Shambhala.com

Mindful Moments: Guided Exercises and Mantras for Kids

Easy-to-follow guided exercises blending mindfulness meditation and empowering affirmations to build emotional intelligence and encourage kids to tap into the present moment and their unique strengths. Includes mindful tips booklet. $30, ages 2+, boundlessblooms.world

Imagine That

It is through play that kids learn about life. Give them a world filled with imagination, kindness, love and generosity.

Poppy the Kindness Unicorn & Pawley Bear

Join Poppy and Pawley on their journey filled with friendship, kindness, and lots of fun as they spread kindness through Sharewood Forest. $34.99, ages 3+, plushible.com

Care Bears: Love-A-Lot Bear

A group of huggable BFFs living that sweet caring life. Perfect for unlimited bear hugs and ready for you to take on your adventures of sharing and caring. Comes with a collectible Care Coin to spark on conversation and action on everyday acts of kindness. $14.99, ages 4+, Walmart.com

Sharewood Forest Friends

Enter a magical world filled with friendship and sharing. Each friend comes with an adorable outfit, pajama set and reusable packaging that unfolds into a unique playscape, where kindness grows as large as the mighty oak and spreads like wildflowers. $34.99, ages 2-4, sharewoodfriends.com

For more product reviews visit nappaawards.com

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!

November 20, 2019 by

Kids learn and grow through play. This holiday season, give the gift of imagination with these fun friends.

Disney Junior Minnie Walk & Dance Unicorn Feature Plush

Press Minnie’s hand to see Penelope dance. Attach Minnie’s hand to Penelope’s back and watch them walk together. $39.99, 3+, www.JustPlayProducts.com

Blaire Doll

2019 Girl of the Year is a Chef-in-training who loves to gather everyone for dinner. Comes with paperback book. $140, 8+, www.americangirl.com

Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppets with Tempo Control

Move the mouth of your Baby Shark puppet to hear it “sing” the entire Baby Shark song. Available in 3 characters. $19.99, www.babyshark.wowwee.com

JoJo Siwa Singing JoJo Doll D.R.E.A.M.

Sporting her signature double bow, this 10-inch doll sings her newest hit song, “D.R.E.A.M.” $19.99, 6+, www.JustPlayProducts.com

Harry Potter Hedwig Interactive Creature

This owl makes 12 unique sounds and responds to sounds by turning her head. $19.99, 4+, www.jakks.com

Playdate Ariel

She is beautiful and 32-inches tall. Lightweight and easy to carry around. $59.99, 3+, www.jakks.com

Juno My Baby Elephant

With over 150 lifelike movements and sounds. $99.99, 5+, www.junomybabyelephant.com

#SNAPSTAR

Squad includes Lola, Aspen, Dawn, Yuki, Echo and Izzy. Use app to glam up your doll and share with friends on social. $14.47, 5+, www.snapstartworld.com

For more holiday gift ideas, visit NAPPA Awards. #holidaygifts #giftguide #playlearnconnect

June 5, 2019 by Elena Epstein

YULU is a winner of multiple NAPPA Awards and an up-and-coming family and kids entertainment company that burst onto the international toy scene less than 4 years ago. Since then, their success has been spectacular.

In 2017, only a few years after attending University in The Netherlands, YULU partners Jochem van Rijn and Thijmen de Schipper arrived at the International Toy Fair with their own main floor Javits Center booth — a great start for two not-even-30-something-year-olds. We enjoyed learning more about YULU and co-founder Thijmen de Shipper.

Thijmen de Shipper (left) and Jochem van Rijn

Congratulations on the success of YULU. What would you say is the guiding mission of YULU?

We have a very simple mission: “More Play, More Fun!” But at the core of what we do is storytelling with all of our kids and entertainment properties. It’s all about making fresh, innovative toys and games that deliver creative, imaginative and active play experiences that recognize how today’s kids play and communicate. Bringing smiles to kids of all ages is always our top priority!

We would like our readers to get to know you better. Tell us a little about yourself growing up. What were your favorite activities as a child? What did you enjoy playing the most?

When I was very young I actually played a lot with Playmobil toys. I specifically remember going into the woods with my playset that had a teepee and covering it in mulch to hide it from the cowboy cart that was racing by with six horses and some nasty gunslingers! I loved creating my own stories; I even wrote them down in a little booklet that I still have to this day.

Actually thinking about it, a lot of my experiences when I was younger have had an influence on the toys we create today at YULU. My partner Jochem and I first met when we were in University in the Netherlands. During those days, we bought a huge world map, sand stripped the table and glued it on top of our coffee table as a massive Risk board. A weekly battlefield was organized! Looking back, it really was a start of my fascination with and love of games.

I’ve also loved all things James Bond and I’ve been watching those movies for years as a kid. These spy-themed films have been a great source of inspiration for our brand of Spy Code games. And our first outdoor item was a product called Helix, which was based on a game I played while I was as an exchange student in China.

It was also at University that Jochem and I became entrepreneurs as we developed an app for the rules of soccer, which was sold to the Dutch government just before the London Olympics. That definitely opened several doors for us with many people supporting and encouraging us to start something new. And YULU was born!

The YULU team at the 2019 International Toy Fair in New York

What do you hope kids experience when they are playing with a YULU toy?

We want our toys and games to really nurture creativity in kids, ultimately encouraging them to become more inquisitive about their surroundings and as a result, more interactive with people around them. We’re passionate about trying to create new play experiences that people have never seen before. One of our newest introductions, our #SNAPSTAR fashion doll brand of “social influencer” dolls, does just that by connecting with ‘tween girls in a way they can relate to in today’s world of YouTube and social engagement. We’re really proud of this brand.

Where do you envision YULU in the next five years?

Our growth over the last few years since we launched the company has been almost unbelievable.

This year, in addition to taking a giant leap into the world of fashion dolls with #SNAPSTAR, we’re launching a really fun line called Pop Pop Pets and Pop Pop Snotz, which combine the hottest trends in toys – collectibles, slime and fun reveals! New games include King of the Ring, an ice crème-themed stacking game called Oops Scoops, and our new Survival Skillz brand which includes both an obstacle course game called Torch Run and an action game Fish For Fish. New in our YULU Sports category is Double Juggle, in which we put a fresh spin on the traditional game of paddle ball.

Today, we’re an international creator and maker of a full line toy and games in over 40 countries. Pretty exciting. As we continue our journey, we hope to be able to expand the breath of our toys into new areas and new entertainment, and continuing having fun.

For more product reviews, articles and interviews, visit nappaawards.com. #playlearnconnect