Meet Dr. Toy
- December 19 and 21, 2007
- Lisa's Walk The Talk Show - Radio Interview
- December 12 (and syndicated), 2007
- Parent's Journal Show - Radio Interview
- November 14, 2007
- Dr. Toy Hits Toys for Tots Campaign Trail - First Stop Tree Top Kids Store!
- Other Recent Appearances
Dr. Toy is sorry to report that Aquadots has been officially recalled by its manufacturer. Inquiries should be directed to www.spinmaster.com.
DO NOT ingest. DO NOT allow children to ingest.
100 Best Products - 2007
Holiday Gift Guide - 2007
Worthy of Attention - 2007
Product Safety Tips
Welcome to Dr. Toy's Guide!
Dr. Toy's Guide, the world's first website to provide information on the best in toys and educational products, offers year-round, award-winning toy and children's product information plus timely articles, useful resources, links and much more. Take your time, bookmark this site, and return often. Over the years 3,000 toys and children's products have been selected for awards by Dr. Toy. These items are displayed with product descriptions and images, and company contact information.
This award-winning site is a free public service provided by The Institute for Childhood Resources, a not-for-profit organization. Dr. Toy provides children, parents, teachers, grandparents and other adults with important year-round information about Dr. Toy award winning products. These include toys, dolls, games, puzzles, books, software, CDs, audio and video discs and tapes, creative materials, construction toys, and much more! And, you can send your questions about toys - or find out how to locate that special toy - just Ask Dr. Toy! Ask anytime.
Dr. Toy has recently unveiled the first installment of her 2007 awards series. These items help illustrate the themes explored in her book Smart Play/Smart Toys with an emphasis on summer activities.
Let's play!
You may know about Barbie, Barney, Beanie Babies, Blue's Clues, Pokemon, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, yet there is so much more to the world of toys. It is astonishingly vast, and it offers so many great playthings for every child's skills and interests.
Dr. Toy's Smart Play book provides insight into the best applications of play and includes many helpful hints in selecting toys for any child at any age.
Clicking on the cover will point your browser to BarnesAndNoble.com where it is now available.
News Items - 2007
- November 26
- Plenty of Safe and Smart Toys Available Now
- November 21
- Dr. Toy and Wal-Mart Team Up For Holiday ’07 Smart Toy Buying Tour
- November 15, 2007
- Toy For Tots Seasonal Kick Off!
- November 1 - 14, 2007
- Tele-seminar with Dr. Toy at Parental Wisdom
- October 25. 2007
- Dr. Toy Podcast at VickyAndJen.com
- October 5, 2007
- Holiday Gift Guide - 2007
- October 1, 2007
- Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products - 2007
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- September 15
- Construction Exhibition Cyprus - 2007
Get all the details on this historic conference.
- Exhibition Handout
- Exhibition Press Release
- Exhibition Event Follow Up
- Exhibition Event Photos
- University of Cyprus
- April 22
- Earth Day is celebrated by a San Francisco Game Company. Dr. Toy recognizes the Blue Orange Game Company as winner of the first Green Toy Award. This is the first company to launch a campaign to better the environment by making a promise to its customers - and a commitment to society - by re-planting two trees for every one used in creating its games. To Julien Mayot, founder of the company, the use of high-quality, kid-safe materials in a sustainable eco-friendly way is an important component of all the company's wooden games, blocks and puzzles.
Details of their commitment can be seen here.
A list of their Dr. Toy award winning products can be viewed here.
The full press release can be read here.
- April 4
- In the course of writing The Toy Chest Dr. Toy spent three years researching all aspects of the toy industry, visited over 1,000 showrooms and exhibits, and evaluated more than 150,000 toys, along with interviewing hundreds of parents and observing children at play.
Now she is offering a rare limited edition, personally autographed, for sale. This makes a perfect gift ... but they're going fast. Order yours before this edition sells out. Click here for pricing and details.
- March 20
- Survey report released on behalf of the two year effort to draft a Code of Ethics for the toy industry. The survey is an important step in providing the documentation needed by TIA to take positive action on this long overdue issue. Details of the survey can be seen here.
- March 19
- Dr. Toy will appear at Willow Bridge Books in Raley's Center, Oakhurst, California, on Friday, March 30 at 5 p.m. and on Saturday March 31, at 1 p.m.. Doctor Toy will be the guest at the Friday "Author's Evening" and will speak on the topic "Is There a Future for Toys and Play?" Gadgets and Gizmos are replacing Games and Toys as popular playthings for children. Why iPods, cell phones, video and computer games are ruining childhood and what to do about it.
News Items - 2006
- Dec 20
- Dr. Toy named a 2007 Wonder Woman of Toys, as presented by the professional organization Women In Toys and Playthings magazine. Read the full story here.
- Dec 9
- Dr. Toy to appears at in-store meet and greet at G. Willikers Toy Emporium in Sacramento, CA. Dr. Toy will announce the top 12 toy picks for the holiday season on Saturday, from 1 to 4 pm, 1113 Front St. (916) 447-1091. This is a remarkable toy store located in the old historic district of Sacramento.
- Nov 18
- Dr. Toy appears at CMOM to judge their Kapla building contest. Kapla blocks were honored as one of 2006's Best Children's Products. Watch a video of what you can do (and undo) with Kapla blocks at Toy Directory Monthly.
- Nov 17
- "Parents and teachers should select a good mix of children's toys and products to help children gain an essential and lifelong love of learning." - Dr. Toy.
Dr. Toys says, "Toys are not just for the holidays or just for kids. Families need to play together and put more fun and interaction into their relationships. Here are some tips for selecting toys that enhance your child's learning and fun!"
Here are Dr. Toy's Tips on Smart Play in pdf or web format.
- Nov 17
- Dr. Toy attended the national kick-off for the Toys for Tots charity in Arlington, Virginia. Click to right for a gallery of photos taken when Members of the Alameda USMC reserves met Dr. Toy at her research center in Oct 2006.
- Nov 15
- The classic Easy-Bake Oven and Lionel Trains were inducted today into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. These two toys alone have provided happy hours of play to countless children for decades. Learn more about the Hall of Fame and these two timeless classics in this news release by Playthings.
- Nov 17
- Dr. Toy appears at an in-store meet and greet in Baltimore, Maryland at Be Beep - A Toy Shop.
- Nov 15
- Dr. Toys Tips on Games: Choosing Games & Making the Most of Game Time.
An Invitation to Play During National Games Week November 19-25. "Game time is a great opportunity for families to reconnect across all ages. Have a good variety of great games on hand for the holidays and get everyone engaged in the fun."
More tips on Games: pdf or web.
- Nov 15
- Here is a collection of the best online retailers in Dr. Toy's new featured section, Toy Stores Online. Find that special, classic or educational toy here!
- Nov 14
- Dr. Toy's Tips on Construction Toys: "Building with blocks and construction toys helps children to sharpen their minds, strengthen hands and improve coordination while having a lot of fun. Constructive play has many benefits to enhance dexterity, spatial thinking and creativity,"
More tips on Construction Toys: pdf or web.
- Nov 7 - 11
- Dr. Toy attends the National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C.) annual Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Toy has been an active member of N.A.E.Y.C. for more than 35 years and has attended all of their annual conferences. Dr. Toy was interviewed by FOX News in Atlanta on Thursday, Nov 8th at the N.A.E.Y.C. Expo.
- Oct 16
- Dr. Toy has released the 100 Best Children's Products for 2006 and 10 Best Lists as well as her annual Holiday Gift Guide. These free reports describe the best products selected for innovation, educational value, durability, and price - all so that you can make the best choice today. The 100 Best include board games, CDs, construction toys, and software. Take a few moments and see why more than ten thousand educators, parents, and industry professionals rely on Dr. Toy's expertise daily.
Earlier News Events:
- Oct 30
- Dr. Toy nominated by Playthings and Women in Toys as a Wonder Woman of Toys!
- Oct 27
- Dr. Toy's Holiday Gift Guide is ready for you! The Gift Guide contains great ideas for gift giving, as well as advice on play and playthings.
- Oct 16
- There's something for everyone in the year-end round-up of this year's 100 Best Children's Products. Let's play!
- Sept 19 - 21
- Dr. Toy attended the TGIFCon (Toy & Game Industry Convention) in Orlando, Florida to support toy and game inventors; meets dozens in face to face guidance sessions one on one. Read local coverage in Orlando Sentinal.
- August 17
- Dr. Toy met with guests at G. Willikers Toy Emporium in Sacramento, CA.
- July 25
- Dr. Toy was a guest on World Talk Radio. The KidsDadsMoms.com interview airs live at 1-2 PM (PDT), 3-4 PM (CDT), then will be archived.
- July 20 - July 22
- Dr. Toy was a featured speaker at the Discovery Toys® Annual Convention. Discovery Toys has garnered many Dr. Toy Awards over the years. Re-Discover all of them here.
Recent Videos
National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) Toy and Gift Videos Interview
Site Disclaimer
Our review of toys does not include any representation as to the safety of the toys we review.
Although we consider safety as one of the many criteria used in evaluating the toys we review, we make no representation as to whether a toy has any issues regarding its safety.
The manufacturers of the items we review are responsible for the safety of their products and it is their respective responsibilities to see to it that the items they manufacture and submit to us for review meet all safety standards.
We are always concerned with the safety and well being of children and recommend that parents select products that are clearly labeled and appropriate for their child's age and ability.
We are in no way responsible for the use and results of any product included on our site.