Summer means outdoor fun and what’s better than water play! These NAPPA Award winners are perfect for hot summer days.

Baby Spring Float Splash Station

The Baby Spring Float Splash Station is a part of the SwimWays Swim Steps program, designed to provide a fun and secure first-time water experience for babies. It includes adorable whale and starfish interactive water toys that squirt and spray water. It also features a patented inner spring around the outside edge for added stability, removable sun canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection, soft mesh seat with secure leg holes and mesh sippy cup holder. $29.99, ages 9-24 months.

X-Shot Fast Fill

The X-SHOT Fast-Fill allows you to refill your blaster in 1 second and get back to the water blasting action long before your opponents. Just dunk, fill and close with rapid sealing technology. It shoots up to 30ft/10m and you can fill it anywhere, because a Fast-Fill is everything. Up Your Game this summer! $12.99, ages 5+

PAW Patrol Swim Trainer Life Jackets

The PAW Patrol Swim Trainer Life Jackets are U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices for kids. Permanent flotation in the arms and chest provide greater mobility and the out-of-reach adjustable back buckles are convenient for parents and more secure for kids. The life jackets feature soft fabric and fit most children weighing 30-50 pounds. Available in PAW Patrol 3-D Chase & Skye characters (Chase & Skye sold individually) and PAW Patrol non-3-D character graphics. $18.88-$24.99 each, fits most children weighing 30-50 pounds.

For more award winning products, visit nappaawards.com

We have been very busy testing and evaluating lots and lots of products to bring you this special Summer Fun Guide filled with inspiration for outdoor fun, game nights, summer reading and learning and so much more! Check it out.

Meet our latest NAPPA Award-winning toys that will make great new friends for your kids.

Rubber Ducks from Wild Republic


These are not your mother’s rubber ducks! Wild Republic’s Rubber Ducks are free of any opening making them mold-free due to the unique hole-less design that does not allow moisture from collecting inside the duck. Rubber ducks are the perfect collectable for a water or land. Wild Republic has 31 different unique designs that can be used to educate children on animals of the world! $6.99

Squishmallows Hug Mees

Newest additions to the Squishmallows family have a “3D” look with hands, feet or paws for even more cuddling. Hug Mees are ready to give and get lots of love and are sure to please the ever-increasing Squishmallows fan base. Kids, tweens, collectors and toy lovers of all ages can look forward to adding the Hug Mees to their #SquishmallowSquad collections. Eight super soft, colorful, Hug Mees include two unicorns, two foxes, alpaca, blue bear, sloth and a raccoon available in four sizes: small (10”), medium (14”), large (18”) and jumbo (20”). $6.99, $14.99, $19.99 and $24.99, respectively.

Flutter Friends


Flutter Friends are birds that interact with kids and each other! Pet the hummingbird’s head or back to unlock over 40 realistic hummingbird sounds. Each tap will activate a variety of movement and sounds. Each Flutter Friend features soft, shimmery wings kids will love. Kids can help their Flutter Friend learn to fly by tapping their back twice. Their Flutter Friend will open their wings as she is guided through the air. $14.99, ages 5+

Hairdorables Pets Series 1

The Hairdorables Pets are just about the cutest fur-friends you’ve ever seen! Lovable, loyal, and with lots of “Big Hair Don’t Care” style, the Hairdorables Pets express their unique personalities. Each pet comes with their own brush, so girls can style their Hairdorables Pet’s hair, just like their Hairdorables Dolls. Pull, peel, and reveal 8 surprises inside. Each pet includes 2 accessories, 2 stickers, one brush, one adoption card, and one collector list. $7.99, ages 3+

Lights & Stripes Zebra


Dance all day with the Lights & Stripes Zebra™. Upbeat music and playful sing-along songs encourage your baby to move and groove. This zippy plush zebra features bold black and white stripes, colorful patterned fabric and a variety of textures to enhance tactile awareness. The friendly zebra’s tummy plays endearing phrases and introduces colors through catchy songs while glowing in five different colors. The plush zebra has a washable surface with removable electronics. This snuggly striped sidekick is perfectly sized for your little one to hug and bring on-the-go! $14.99, birth+

TLC Kritters


TLC Kritters need your care and love. Take home the incubator and open to reveal which baby animal you’ve received. Time for the gender reveal. Drop the included packet into water to reveal if your Kritter is a boy or a girl. The packet will include a gender reveal card and accessories for your Kritter. Use the included bottle to feed your new pet and – give it a squeeze to make it sneeze. Take off the Kritter’s diaper and dunk it in cool water to reveal a dirty diaper, noted by emojis. Clean the diaper by soaking in warm water. Collect all the TLC Kritters! $9.99, ages 6+

Summer is a great time to connect with kids and playing games is one of the best ways to come together as a family to have fun and make memories. Check out our latest NAPPA Award-winning games.

Honeycombs Game

The object of Honeycombs is to connect your tiles together by matching their symbols. The more matches you make the more points you earn. The Honeybee is wild and can be connected with any symbol. Features three unique ways to play, each varying in speed and competitiveness. Choose the one that suits your mood! $19.99, ages 6+

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

Announcing a brand-new way to engage the family with your own personalized board game, “Our Family’s Race Across the U.S.A.”! In a race across America’s coasts, move your piece along the colored tiles and cross the finish line first to win! Personalize up to six game pieces with the names and photos of your family members. Your family’s names will also be incorporated into the game board artwork. Create lasting family memories during family game night with this uniquely personalized keepsake. $29.99

3UP 3DOWN

3UP 3DOWN is a fast-paced, family-friendly discard game with a surprising finish! THE GOAL: Get rid of your cards before your family and friends can. THE SURPRISE: Three of your cards are not revealed until the very end – so you will need both strategy and luck! Takes just 3 minutes to learn and 10 minutes to play. It’s so fast and fun, you’ll all say, “Let’s Play Another Round!” $9.99, ages 7+

BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE


BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE is a dynamic matching game with an explosive twist! THE MISSION: Ignite as many matches as you can by using special action cards, strategy, your memory, and a little bit of luck. THE TWIST: The matchbox is always changing, and sometimes everything explodes! TO WIN: Race against the timer, use some mental math to ignite matches, and hope that you’re the one that gets to say “BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE.” $14.99, ages 8+

 

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com. #playlearnconnect 

Out latest NAPPA Award-winning albums are upbeat, fun and super family friendly. Take them along  on your next road trip or put on a dance party in your backyard.

Under the Big Umbrella by Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could

Three-time GRAMMY nominees Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could, have released their 10th studio album. This is a music-filled place where individuality is celebrated and kindness wins the day. Inspired by and written with students, teachers and families and enriched by a handful of classic pop songs that underscore the message, Rymer’s vibrant and colorful album is his most ambitious yet, a collection of 12 new songs full of hope for a future with “room for everyone.” As one educator says, Rymer “gives us the tools to help our students, of all abilities and backgrounds, understand, accept and truly enjoy one another.” $14

Bubba & Boo

Multi instrumentalist, Megan Schoenbohm, is an earthy, edgy, free-spirited songbird, who takes the audience on a mellifluous journey through themes of kindness, humanity, creativity and imagination in her debut children’s album, Bubba & Boo. The music is catchy & fun, and is sure to get the whole family singing along. $15

Earworm by Sean McCollough

Radio show host and songwriter Sean McCollough releases his third album featuring 13 stick-in-your-head original and cover songs. Earworm also features guest artists such as Billy Jonas and Molly Ledford. “I love introducing kids to music that requires an open mind, an open heart and ‘big ears,” says Sean. $13; $9.49 for digital.

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com. #playlearnconnect 

Summer is almost here and we have some great new toys that will definitely bring the FUN! Check out our latest NAPPA Award winners.

Free Wheelin’ Rider Sport Convertible Balance Bike

Free Wheelin’ Rider Sport Convertible Balance Bike is a stylish and original pushbike that changes and grows along with your child. Start it off as a 3-wheel push bike for younger children. As they get older, it easily converts into a 2-wheel balance bike to teach more advanced riders the skills they need for all future cycling. The height is also adjustable as little ones grow bigger. $59.99, ages 1+

POWERUP Toys 2.0 Free Flight Electric Paper Airplane Conversion Kit


POWERUP Toys is taking paper airplanes to new heights with the POWERUP 2.0 Free Flight. The powered propeller transforms your paper airplane into a soaring electric aircraft with more than 30 seconds of flight. It’s as easy as folding a paper airplane, clipping on the propeller, and launching it into the air – just like a normal paper airplane. $19.99, ages 8+

PAW Patrol Swim Trainer Life Jackets

The PAW Patrol Swim Trainer Life Jackets are U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices for kids. Permanent flotation in the arms and chest provide greater mobility and the out-of-reach adjustable back buckles are convenient for parents and more secure for kids. The life jackets feature soft fabric and fit most children weighing 30-50 pounds. Available in PAW Patrol 3-D Chase & Skye characters (Chase & Skye sold individually) and PAW Patrol non-3-D character graphics. $18.88-24.99 each. Fits most children weighing 30-50 pounds.

JBL JR POP

Keep the music going this summer — anywhere, anytime!  The JBL JR POP has epic sound quality and will be an instant favorite with kids and parents alike. With five hours of playtime, a waterproof design and JBL’s Signature Sound, the JR POP will have kids rocking out to their favorite “parent-approved” playlists from the school bus all the way through after-school activities. The best part is that this speaker is made just for kids – small enough to fit in their hands with a built-in strap for on-the-go listening. The JR POP comes in a variety of vibrant, two-tone color combinations that kids can customize with included sticker sets. The JR POP has a multi-color lighting mode that illuminates when it is playing — perfect for expressing your own personal style. $29.95, ages 3+

Rock Around Wobble Disk

Hold on tight for a rock, wobble, and 360 degree spin adventure with the Simplay3 Rock Around Wobble Disk! Kids 2 years and up can rock and wobble solo or have a parent add to the fun with a playful spin. Promotes core strength and balance. Molded in hand grips provide extra stability and a safety ring wraps around the middle of the toy saucer to help limit extreme wobbling. Made in the USA.$39.99, ages 2+

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com. #playlearnconnect 

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

The weather is getting warmer and we want to get outside and play! These recent NAPPA Award winners will definitely get the fun started.

Fold & Go Rally Racer

Ready. Set. Go…with this fun toddler race car that’s parent-powered. The Fold & Go Rally Racerfeatures realistic race car style detailing and can easily be transported and folded away for compact storage. Folds in three simple steps and locks together again when ready for a ride. Dual purpose seat belt for security and holding racer together in carrying position
Lightweight and made in the USA. $59.99, ages 1.5- 4

DROP DOTS

Add some color and fun to outdoor summer play with Drop Dots. These bounce balls from Kess feature a spiky texture that gives them an awesome unique feel while making them easier to catch and grip. Available now in Junior, Classic and Mini-sizes, Drop Dots are sold at major retailers nationwide in dozens of color combinations. $8.99, ages 6+

Big-A-Bubbles

Let the summer time fun begin with Big-A-Bubbles from Zing! Simply remove the bubble pouch from the packaging and pour one of the two bubble solutions into the pouch. Then dip the glove into the pouch, open the mouth of the glove with your hand, and watch GIANT bubbles form right before your eyes. The pouch is also re-sealable and refillable. Big-A-Bubbles comes in six different themed gloves, including, Lion, Crocodile, Pirate, Shark, Duck, and Bear characters. There’s a Big-A-Bubble for everyone! $1.99, ages 3+

More outdoor fun inspiration at nappaawards.com! #playlearnconnect

We have some great NAPPA Award-winning products perfect for your next pool party or a day at the beach!

Zoocchini Swim Diapers and Sunhat Sets

When you’re ready to hit the pool or the beach with your little one, these adorable swim diaper and sunhat sets from Zoocchini are a must have! The diapers are light weight, non-disposable and reusable. The quick dry swim diapers are lined with comfortable, soft mesh liner and have adjustable waist ties to ensure a snug fit. Unlike regular diapers, these swim diapers are designed to contain solid waste, which is mandatory for public pool safety.
$28.00, ages 3M – 24M

Splash Tail

Popping up in 2018 is the water balloon sling launcher, the Splash Tail. Kids will have a blast hurling the water balloons in the air or throwing them in a game of toss and catch. Recommended for ages 8 and up, each Splash Tail set comes with a colorful blue/orange sling and pack of water balloons.
$7, ages: 8+

Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy

The Baby Spring Float Sun Canopy features a patented inner spring around the outside edge for added stability in the water. Additional features include a removable sun canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection, see-through mesh sides on the canopy , fabric-covered inflation and a soft mesh seat with secure leg holes for durability and comfort, a wide base, child safety valves, dual air chambers and a mesh play space for splashing and playing with toys.
$19.99, ages: 9 months – 24 months

Bunch O Balloons Marvel™ Avengers™

Bunch O Balloons, by ZURU, has teamed up with Marvel Avengers to take down the summer heat. With blockbuster character symbols printed on the balloons, such as Iron Man, Captain America and the Hulk, water balloons have never been so powerful! Simply connect, fill and make hundreds of water balloons in minutes, and let the superhero water balloon warfare begin. Balloons are made from natural latex and recyclable.
$9.99, ages 3+

OgoDisk H2O

Take the water balloon toss to the next level with OgoDisk H2O. It can flyly, float, and dominate any water balloon fight. This flying disk designed just for water balloon play can also double down as the ultimate pool or beach toy with its ability to float in the water. Let the games begin!
$20.00, ages 8+

Watermelon Smash

Watermelon Smash from YULU is a twist on the water roulette challenge. Will you end up dry or soaking wet? Fill the watermelon with water or use the watermelon seeds for indoor play. Players take turns spinning the spinner to determine their fate. Follow the instructions on the spinner and press the watermelon against your head. Watch out, you never know when the watermelon will crack. The last player left in the game wins!
$19.99, ages 6+

Happy Summer. 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.

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