Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products - 1999
Toys for the New Millennium:
An Overview of the 100 Best Children's Products of 1999 with a Look Towards the Future of Play for the New Millennium
To assist you with your gifts giving this holiday and into the new year we have a great selection of new products for you to consider. We have reviewed over a thousand toys and children's products over this past ten years. It has been exciting and rewarding to see many new and innovative companies emerging, while many new and interesting improvements have been made among many established companies. Our 1999 products range across many different levels.
There is more to choose from today than ever before. It may also seem that way when you seek the right product for your child. By using Dr. Toy's Guide, you will find helpful guidance as you look for that perfect product, the one that will benefit your child the most.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Know your child and his or her interests;
- Understand what she is studying in school and what she needs to learn;
- Expand his interests and help him to develop a well-rounded approach to play;
- Give her new experiences that stimulate and that challenge different abilities;
- Help him develop both sides of the left and right sides of the brain, and help him to think and to be creative;
- Challenge and build her strengths and help her to learn new information.
Dr. Toy's selected toys this year have come from a wide diversity of excellent companies. By setting a limit on the number of products that receive our "Dr. Toy's Best" award, we provide special recognition, and a seal of approval to a select group of products. Plus, we give you some new ideas to consider.
In our final report, I prepare toy evaluations to help you find that perfect new toy. I know it's not easy with all the many choices that exist in Toyland. You can imagine how frustrating this process can also be for me as there are so many wonderful possible products to consider in each category. We try to narrow down the options to give you a wide and wise selection.
Dr. Toy selects 10 products for each of the following categories:
- Best Toys
- Best Educational Products
- Best Socially Responsible Products (to help children learn about their environment and themselves)
- Best Software/High-Tech Products
- Best Games
- Best Audio/Visual Tapes and Related Auditory Products
- Best Creative Products
- Best Active Products
I hope our report and the rest of the resources we provide on our award winning web site will assist you in many ways. We hope that these great products will help you focus on the type of great products available to help your child get the most from play.
We all hear about the "hot" toys these days. Some of these are fun, silly or otherwise amusing. Others you may have to investigate further to question their ultimate value, cost, and even potential negative qualities. There are no "easy" answers when your child is pressuring you for that "hot" product, but in the long run we believe that children need toys that involve them in play, and are not passing "fads." You must make the final decision. I can advise you, however, that it is worthwhile to think about your child's needs and then decide if there is a match.
Dr. Toy's Best Classic toys are also posted on our website. These are toys that have endured for many generations and are well worth the investment. If you appreciate classic toys as much as I do. Please review and consider adding to your cherished books our new book,Toys for a Lifetime, published by Rizzoli and FAO Schwarz. You will find wonderful toys that you played with as a child and a preview of toys of the future.
We also have many products among the "Best Vacation" winners that are excellent choices to take along when you're traveling with children at any time of the year. There are plenty of excellent products to choose from.
May I remind you, once again, that play encompasses everything your child does. They need you to play with them. They need to learn simple games, and to have plenty of conversations. They need you to read stories to them, and they need to sing songs, play with puzzles, do crafts, and have fun. Whatever you and your child enjoy doing together is perfect.
Play is an integral part of the way children learn. Play should be a natural part of your family's activities every day. Certainly, when you travel this holiday, or at any time, you want to make sure that travel is as much fun as possible. And while you are traveling your child can learn. Look for some of the interesting tapes we have listed in our "Best Audio."
Look for creative products to prepare for those times when there is a snow storm or rain fall and children are house-bound. This is the time to bring out those great creative products that have been packed away in storage. Open them on a bad weather day and the storm passes away while children are enjoying something satisfying.
Children can only focus on one toy at a time. Make toys something that you select year round to make their time interesting and challenging. Don't forget the products that help children with their activities, whether they are enjoying active play outdoors, or learning to do yoga or some other kind of physical activity.
Even play with pick-up sticks or marbles is physical and requires dexterity; the smallest activity brings the body into motion. Children like a variety of physical activity, so don't forget to add hula hoops, balls, and a bean bag toss.
Children also need time to play games, to think, to create, to use their imagination, and to learn strategy and how to figure things out. They need time to create, to play with dolls and puppets, and to use their skills.
As we move into the new millennium, we want to think again about how to prepare children for the future. You will want to find products that will help them become socially responsible and that will help them to understand themselves. Children should also learn how to get along with each other, how to cook and use other skills, and how to understand the world and the environment. Children should be able to play with products that teach them, and they should work closely with animals, science, their habitat, geography, and space exploration.
Educational products will help your child learn many of these skills. I have included a range of products. From learning to dress with the Let's Learn Basic Dressing cube, to products that will help your child learn the basics of phonics, science, chemistry, and business, there is something for every child and for every child's interest.
With our 100 Best Children's Products, we have tried to create a balance of types of items that provide something for every child's interest, from the baby stacking links and rings to racing a car, to a new form of paper dolls with Woodkins, to soft, plush toys, from a different kind of kaleidoscope to a space phone. Traditional products like the Thomas the Tank Engine layout to the Fire and Rescue Set give children something that transports their imagination into the realm of fantasy play.
In the high-tech area, there is an abundance of new products. Some really excellent products to look for include the outstanding Multimedia Encyclopedia by Grolier. Also, JuniorNet will provide your child with an open and safe door to the world of the Internet. New advances in the technical developments of LEGO and Neurosmith are outstanding. To help your children be comfortable at the computer keyboard consider the Little Fingers Keyboard; it is a perfect new tool. There is something for everybody, including a robot, Emiglio.
These are the products we have looked for this year. We were looking for products with the potential to provide your child with learning and joy. During the next year, your child will have an opportunity to play and experience some of these toys directly. Be sure to look at our online review of toy buying services to find an array of different ways to purchase these products.
Search through our site, come back often, and have a fun, playful year!
Please be sure to examine a copy of our new book,Toys for a Lifetime, that highlights over 50 classic toys from the past as well as the toys of the future. And look for ourDr. Toy's Smart Play: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q.(Play Quotient) to help you with ideas from baby to older children, plus 166 great ideas of ways to have fun with your children. What is most important is to have fun together as a family. Have a wonderful time with your child this holiday (and every day in the new year!).
Let's play!
| Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
| Action Products | Logiblocks Electric City 1 Kit | co cp es ty | 9-12 | $59.95 | 800-772-2846 |
| Alex | Stained Glass Clock | cp | 7-12 | $13.00 | 800-666-2539 |
| Amerigames Intl | Quick Checkers | bg es tr | 4-12 | $9.95 | 800-344-4241 |
| Ampersand Press | Wild Seed Game | bg es sr | 4-10 | $21.95 | 800-624-4263 |
| Aristoplay | Mars 2020 | es ty bg sr | 8-up | $30.00 | 800-634-7738 |
| Babyscapes | Miracle of Mozart | vt | 8 mos - 5 yr | $14.99 | 888-441-5437 |
| Backyard Productions | Baby Songs ABC, 123 Colors & Shapes | vt cp fp es ml | 2-6 | $12.98 | 800-745-1145 |
| Binary Arts | Hoppers | es pz ty tr | 8-12 | $12.00 | 800-468-1864 |
| Binney & Smith | Crayola Model Magic Make & Keep Critters | ae ac cp ty | 4 -8 | $15.95 | 800-272-9652 |
| Branbec | Kidtown Kids Island Playmat | es cp fp pl | 2-6 | $29.50 | 800-553-5988 |
| Briarpatch | Where the Wild Things Are | bg es pz | 4-8 | $19.95 | 800-232-7427 |
| BRIO | Fire and Rescue Set | co ty fp | 3-6 | $68.00 | 888-274-6869 |
| Bruder Toys | Loader Backhoe | tr ty co es | 3-5 | $39.99 | 877-450-5152 |
| CHICCO | Planet Discovery | co cp es fp ty | 3-6 | $19.99 | 877-424-4226 |
| Chronicle Books | Rubberneckers | tr | 5-12 | $12.95 | 800-722-6657 |
| Corolle | Calin | bp es sr ty | 8-12 | $30.00 | 800-668-4846 |
| Curiousity Kits | Wind Machine | ac cp es op | 8-12 | $24.95 | 800-584-5487 |
| DaMert | Mini Space Phone | ty | 8-12 | $8.00 | 800-231-3722 |
| DataDesk | Little Fingers Children's Keyboard | ae cp es eq cp | 3-8 | $99.95 | 888-355-4448 |
| Discovery Channel | Discovery Channel Art Lab | ae ac cp es | 9 up | $52.50 | 212-751-2120 |
| Discovery Communications | 3-D Camera Kit | ae cp es eq op ty | 8-12 | $59.00 | 877-324-7867 |
| Discovery Toys | Fascination Station | ae ty | 30 mos - 5 yr | $27.95 | 800-426-4777 |
| Dr. Pearson's Wonderful Toy Company | Peaches | d b t esp cp | 24 mos- 9 yr | $49.99 | 416-233-7776 |
| EDC Publishing | World History Series | bo es | 8-12 | $22.95 | 800-475-4522 |
| Edmark | Travel the World with Timmy | co cd es sw | 4-7 | $29.95 | 800-691-2985 |
| Educational Design | Kaleidoscope Science | es ty | 8-12 | $9.95 | 800-221-9372 |
| Fanny's Play House | Circus Friends | do fp ty | 3-8 | $44.00 | 516-822-3752 |
| Folkmanis | Finger Puppet Theater | pu | 6-9 | $14.00 | 800-443-4463 |
| Frank Schaffer Publications | Fun Pack | es | 4-6 | $9.95 | 888-285-5118 |
| GP Toys | Emiglio the Robot | ty | 4-10 | $100.00 | 800-338-1850 |
| Great American Puzzle Factory | Uncle Milton's Ant Farm Game | bg | 5-8 | $14.95 | 800-922-1194 |
| Grolier Interactive | Year 2000 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia | es cd sw | 9-12 | $59.99 | 203-797-3530 |
| Harvest Hill Press | Hey Kids! You're Cookin' Now! A Global Awareness Cooking Adventure | bo | 7-12 | $19.95 | 888-288-8900 |
| Hasbro | Playschool Kick Start Gym | ae ty | birth - 24 mo | $34.99 | 800-752-9755 |
| Hasbro Interactive | Tonka Raceway CD-ROM | cd | 5-8 | $29.95 | 800-683-5847 |
| Hoberman Designs | Expandagon Construction System | co ac cm cp es | 8-12 | $39.99 | 888-229-3653 |
| Hot Off the Press | Scrapbooking for Kids | bo ac cp fp sr | 7-12 | $6.95 | 800-227-9595 |
| Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta-Music | Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta-Spooky! | at bo cd fp ml no | 6-12 | $15.95 | 800-289-6923 |
| Imaginazium | Yoga Kit for Kids | ae at bo cp fp | 4-12 | $19.95 | 800-800-7008 |
| Immuel Toys | Sweel | ho es cp ae | 6-12 | $13.95 | 800-870-6903 |
| Inspiration Software | Inspiration | cd cp es sw | 6-12 | $69.00 | 800-877-4292 x72 |
| Instructional Fair Group | NumberStart | bg es | 3-6 | $15.95 | 800-443-2976 |
| International Playthings | Thomas the Tank Engine - Big Set | cp eq ty | 3-5 | $50.00 | 973-316-2500 |
| Judy/Instructo | Bugs-See Inside Playtime Puzzle | pz | 3-5 | $10.95 | 888-285-5118 |
| JuniorNet | JuniorNet | cd ac cp es sw | 3-12 | $9.95 | 800-952-7709 |
| K'NEX | Millennium Edition Challenge Set | ae co ty | 7-12 | $44.99 | 212-777-2220 |
| Kids II | Discovery Bug Play Gym | ae ty | 1 mo -12 mo | $29.99 | 770-551-0442 |
| Leapfrog Toys | Phonics Writing Desk | es eq | 3-5 | $29.99 | 800-701-3327 |
| Learning Materials Workshop | Carosello | ae co cp es fp | 3-8 | $89.95 | 800-693-7164 |
| Learning Passport | Neighborhood Townhouse | dh fp sr ty | 2-7 | $99.00 | 800-853-2762 |
| Learning Resources | Life Science Kit | ae es | 8-12 | $13.95 | 800-222-3909 |
| LEGO Mindstorms | Robotics Discovery Set | co cp es ty | 9-12 | $150.00 | 800-453-4652 |
| LEGO Toy Company | LEGO Technic Indy Storm | ae co cp es | 9-12 | $39.99 | 800-233-8756 |
| LEGO Toy Company | LEGO DUPLO Deluxe Harbor Highway | ae co cp es | 2-5 | $29.99 | 800-233-8756 |
| Let's Learn Educational Toys | Multi Dressing Cube | cp es eq op pl pz | 24 mo - 5 yr | $19.95 | 800-675-0090 |
| Lyrick Studios | ABC Baby Bop | e ml pl ty | 1-4 | $19.99 | 800-418-2371 |
| Manhattan Toy | Enchanted Finger Puppet Theater Set | ae cp fp pl pu | 3-5 | $50.00 | 800-541-1345 |
| Mattel Mt. Laurel | TMH Super Rebound | ty | 5-10 | $59.99 | 800-524-8697 |
| Mega Bloks | Build N' Go Easel | ae co cp es op ty | 2-5 | $19.99 | 800-465-6342 |
| MGA Entertainment | Virtual Car Racing | ty | 5-12 | $19.99 | 800-222-4685 |
| Milton Bradley / Hasbro | Pooh Candyland 100 Acre Wood Picnic Game | bg | 3-6 | $9.99 | 888-836-7025 |
| Neurosmith | Music Blocks | cp es ml ty | 3-5 | $69.95 | 800-220-3669 |
| North American Bear | Muffy VanderBear Sarter Set | do fp pl ty | 4-10 | $30.00 | 800-682-3427 |
| Oregon Scientific | Zip the Robot Learning PC | es cp | 5-8 | $49.95 | 800-853-8883 |
| Pamela Drake | Woodkins | ae cp do es fp sr ty tr | 3-11 | $13-$25 | 800-966-3762 |
| Parallel Universe | Castle Pattern | ae co ac cp fp sr ty | 1-12 | $12.00 | 888-877-5556 |
| Peaceable Planet | Peaceables | es pl sr ty tr | 6-12 | $7.99 | 877-473-2232 |
| Perfection Enterprises | My First Business | ac cp es ho | 6-14 | $19.95 | 315-689-7891 |
| Playhut | Space Shuttle | ae cp fp op ty tr | 3-5 | $29.99 | 888-752-9488 |
| Polaroid | I-Zone Instant Pocket Camera | ae cp es ho no tr | 9-12 | $24.99 | 800-343-5000 |
| Quadro | Universal II | ae co es op | 3-12 | $389.99 | 877-478-2376 |
| Quincraft | Makit & Bakit Decorative Bowls | ae ac cp es ho no | 9-12 | $10.99 - $11.99 | 800-342-8458 |
| Rand McNally | Children's Millennium Atlas-World | bo tr | 8-12 | $16.95 | 800-234-0679 |
| Rokenbok Toy | Action Factory Starter Set | ae co cp es fp | 6-10 | $199.99 | 888-476-5265 |
| Roylco | Piles of Puppets | ac cp ty | 4-7 | $15.99 | 800-362-8656 |
| Rumpus Toys | Monster in My Closet with Book | bo do fp pl | 3-5 | $19.99 | Out of Business |
| Sassy | Tote & Tinker Activity Center | ty | tba | tba | 800-323-6336 |
| Scholastic | I Spy Junior | cd es sw | 3-5 | $29.95 | 800-724-4718 |
| Scientific Explorer | Lightning Machine | ae cp es ty | 8-12 | $19.95 | 800-900-1182 |
| Scientific Learning | Away We Go! | cd es sw | 4-7 | $49.00 | 510-665-9700 |
| Selecta-Spielzeug | Dollhouse | dh | 4-8 | $198.00 | 518-273-0726 |
| Small Fry Productions | Brainy Baby, Left and Right Brain | vt | 6 mos - 36 mos | $15.95 / volume | 800-521-5311 |
| Snappit Toys | Snappit Train Set | co es ts | 6-8 | $19.99 | 609-802-6202 |
| Sony Wonder | Wimzie's House: It's Magic Time! | vt | 2-5 | $12.98 | 800-221-8180 |
| Soundprints | Dancing in the Sand: Story of Atlantic Blue Crab | at bo pl sr | 3-8 | $19.95 | 800-541-2205 |
| Sphere | Kiddie Car Tunes | at ts tr | 1-4 | $69.99 | 888-543-4886 |
| Straight Edge | Wheels on the Bus Rub a Dub Bath Book | bo | 3-5 | $5.00 | 800-732-3628 |
| Street Gold Records | Doo-Wop Yule Pop | at cd ml | 2-12 | $15.95 / CD | 800-720-5152 |
| Team Concepts | CD Audiomaster | cd es ty | 8-12 | $139.99 | 800-486-0898 |
| TEDCO | Snapshots Across America | bg | 8-12 | $19.99 | 800-654-6457 |
| Tiny Love | Tiny Love Stacking Links & Rings | ae es ty | 6 mos - 36 mos | $17.95 | 888-TINY LOV |
| Tivola Electronic Publishing | Oscar the Balloonist Discovers the Farm | cd es sw | 4-8 | $19.99 | 212-674-5842 |
| Toys to Grow On | Young Explorer's Backpack | es op | 5-10 | $19.95 | 800-542-8338 |
| Uncle Milton | EM3 Robotic Extender Arm | ae eq fp op ty | 8-12 | $24.95 | 800-869-7555 |
| VTech | E-Power | es tr | 8-12 | $99.99 | 800-521-2010 |
| Whacky Music | Boomwhackers Tuned Percussion Tubes | ae cp es ml no op | 3-12 | $24.98 | 520-282-3860 |
| Wild Goose Company | Leonardo Di Vinci | es | 8-12 | $21.99 | 888-621-1040 |
| Wild Planet Toys | Mega Dome Chemistry Chamber | ae fp ty | 8-12 | $25.00 | 800-247-6570 |
| Wrebbit | Mini Puzz 3-D | pz | 4-8 | $5.99 | 800-973-2248 |
| Zometool | Zome System Explorer Kit | co cp es sr ty | 6-12 | $64.95 | 888-966-3386 |
| AC - Arts & Crafts | AE - Active Toy | AP - Activity Product | AT - Audio Tape |
| BG - Board Game | BO - Book | CD - CD | CE - Children's Entertainment |
| CG - Card Game | CM - CD-ROM | CO - Construction Toy | CP - Creative Product |
| CR - Computer-Related | CS - Costume | DH - Dollhouse | DO - Doll |
| DV - DVD | EG - Electronic Game | EL - Electronic Product | EQ - Equipment |
| ES - Educational Skills Product | FP - Fantasy Play | GE - Game | HO - Hobby |
| ML - Musical | MM - Multimedia | NO - Novelty | OP - Outdoor Play |
| OT - Other | PL - Plush Toy | PT - Pool Toy | PU - Puppet |
| PZ - Puzzle | RS - Rubber Stamp | SC - Science | SR - Socially Responsible |
| ST - Stamps | SW - Software | TR - Travel Item | TS - Transportation |
| TY - Toy | UN - Unique Product | VG - Video Game | VT - Video Tape |
