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

 

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

 

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

Summer means more time at grandma’s and more playdates. These recent NAPPA winners are perfect to take along wherever you’re headed this summer.

Pop-Oh-Ver Stove and Counter Top Sets

Say hello to Pop-oh-ver, the clever brand of durable and detailed kitchen play sets that assemble in two minutes over a sturdy household chair! The Pop-oh-ver Counter Top Set fastens over a chair and like magic you have a place to fix your food anywhere you want it. The Pop-oh-ver Stove Set brings an exciting new twist to pretend kitchen play and is made from canvas-like material with realistic oven, stovetop, and microwave detailing.

$39.95
3+
http://www.kangaroomfg.com/categories/pop-oh-ver

Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital On The Go Pet Carrier

Disney Junior Doc McStuffins Toy Hospital On The Go Pet Carrier On the Go

The new Toy Hospital On The Go Pet Carrier from Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins comes with a loveable plush pet – either Findo the dog or Whispers the cat! The carrier features fun glittered accents, paw print windows and a heart-shaped latch to close the carrier door. The carrier holds every tool kids need to take great care of their pet pals, including a stethoscope, pet hair brush, otoscope, pet bandana and more!

$19.99
Ages 3+
https://justplayproducts.com/

GeoSafari Jr. Explorer Scope

Up close and far away, bring nature your way with this durable and fun 2-in-1 microscope/telescope. The GeoSafari Jr. Explorer Scope encourages scientific exploration and discovery. Great for introducing young kids to the fascinating world of life science. Perfect for STEM learning and scientific exploration on the go.  Includes scope with 8x magnification, perfect-fit goggles, break-away strap, soft rubber hand grips, and telescoping barrel with 15x magnification. Magnification and field of vision designed specifically for preschoolers’ level of perception.

$16.99
3-6 years
https://www.learningresources.co.uk/product/geosafari-jr-explorer-scope.do

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition by Amazon

Fire HD 8 Kids Edition By Amazon

The all-new Fire HD 8 Kids Edition includes a Fire HD 8 tablet, one year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a kid-proof case, and 2-year worry-free guarantee. Amazon FreeTime Unlimited gives you access to 15,000 age-appropriate books, videos, apps, games, and a kid-friendly web browser. With 8” HD display, quad-core processor, and up to 12 hours of battery life. Parents can manage and customize up to four child profiles, set bedtime curfews and control screen time and content.

$129
Ages 3-12
https://www.amazon.com/All-New-Amazon-Fire-HD-8-Kids-Edition-Tablet/dp/B01J94SBEY

Happy exploring and enjoying all your summer fun spots and remember to #PlayLearnConnect with #NAPPAAwards!

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