***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

This sturdy, spiral-bound book inspired budding artists to create wonderful collage designs, which made kids want to return to it again and again. Collage uses different materials to create works of art glued down on board or paper. This book, which featured attractive and fun design instructions by artist Eric Carle, also included 72 sheets of multi-coloured tissue paper to use (scissors, glue and glue brush not included). Children were delighted with their collage creations, which were simple, bright and easy to do.

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Unmasking a hit! Kids could not get enough of this colourful and well-designed play set. Two durable, fabric, reversible masks and 16 attachable Velcro pieces (eyes, muzzles, ears, feathers, etc.) let children use their imaginations to the fullest, coming up with a variety of creations that went well beyond the wolf, dog and bird masks pictured on the packaging. Kids enjoyed hours of play making masks and then wearing them. This pieces for this toy stored well in its clear plastic case, making it great for travel, too.

DRAWING FOR THE ARTISTICALLY UNDISCOVERED
ISBN 1 57054 320 8
KLUTZ INC.
10+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Cartoon cheer! This sturdy, spiral-bound, high-quality book provided loads of useful drawing tips and activities as well as black and red professional-quality pencils and a black graphic drawing pen. Coedited by John Cassidy and Quentin Blake (who has illustrated the works of Ronald Dahl), this book emphasized drawing as fun and encourages experimentation with a variety of cartooning techniques. Children produced some amazing pictures with a professional look. Younger testers enjoyed drawing, but older kids got the most from the book and enjoyed its humour. Very portable and an ideal solitary activity.

EXPEDITION WAGON
1034
TODAY'S KIDS
1.5- 5 years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Wagon ho! Kids greatly enjoyed travelling in this two-child wagon made of durable black, yellow and red plastic. Each wagon included a large handle which would fold underneath and snap tight for easy storage or transport. Other unique and useful features included built-in drink holders and an under-seat storage area, as well as a door that allowed children to climb in and out with ease. This wagon proved terrific for transportation and was thoroughly enjoyed as a toy for carrying treasures of all kinds. NOTE: Easy 10- to 15-minute assembly.

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Farm-tastic! This board game was a surprise hit with young entrepreneurs who enjoyed the ins and outs of keeping a farm operating and thriving financially. Players got to "own" a farm and had to buy crops, fruit trees, cows, a tractor and a harvester in order to expand their business. Players began each game with no money--they werre extended a credit line--but if they planned their farm wisely and managed their debt, they could make money while getting a good yield from the harvest. Players could also fall victim to "farmer's fate" in which unexpected distatsers or expenses arose. Sound like real life? Kids thought this game was wonderful, and enjoyed playing it again and again.

FRAMIN' FUN
0450
CURIOSITY KITS INC.
8+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Picture this! This craft kit invited young artists to use wood, papier mache, paint and various other craft items to produce a fun 20 cm x 25 cm (8" x 10") frame ro hold a 10 cm x 15 cm (4" x 6") picture. After painting the wooden base frame, children could then paint or use papier mache on precut animal shapes to add to the frame. Kids further adorned their creations with glass gems. An easy-to-bend wire hanger finished the project so the framed picture could be hung. This kit included generous amounts of craft materials, and children were thrilled with their works of art.

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

I spy with my little eye something that is fun! This set of 48 large cards with big, clear, appealing, durable, photo-quality reproductions combines the fun of such traditional games as "I spy" and "go fish". Children loved matching the many cool objects on the cards as well as playing "go fish" and other games. Playing the games helped kids work on memory, concentration and language skills while they entertained themselves. This compact set of cards was great for travel too.

K'NEX LOST MINES POWER TOWER CRANE
63149
K'NEX INDUSTRIES, INC.
11+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Up and up and up! Experienced, older builders had a blast constructing this huge Rube Goldberg-type contraption (including some 1878 pieces, two motors, and a new dual power controller) that resulted in a processing plant for a valuable ore called "K'NEXite". Construction required time, patience, attention to detail and a large chunk of floor space, but the completed project--taller than some testers--was quite impressive as it picked up balls of "ore" and dropped them into hoppers, followed by processing through a maze of pulleys and sluices. Full-colour instructions were complex, but in all this toy was a thrill to build and operate. NOTE: Four "AA" batteries required (not included).

LASER TENNIS
08-005
TIGER ELECTRONICS
7+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Imagine playing tennis with a beam of light instead of a tennis ball... that's the concept behind this game for one or two players, and kids thought it was a hoot. The game was set up with two plastic towers and a bridge area situated over a cardboard tennis court. Once the game was turned on, the "laser" bounced from the bridge over to one side of the court, and the player had to "hit" it back using a special paddle. While it was sometimes hard to get the paddle "just so" to connect with the beam, kids loved the fact there was a "thwacking" sound each time the ball was successfully hit, just like real tennis. Children also liked that they could play together or alone against the computer. NOTE: Four "C" batteries and one 9-volt battery required (not included).

LEGO MINDSTORMS
9719
LEGO CANADA INC.
12+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Robots... for real! (Warning: computer with Windows 95 a necessity!) With the help of a 47-page "Constructopedia" and 727 pieces of building blocks (rods, wheels, gears, antennae, wings and grapplers, etc.), computer-savvy kids were thrilled to create real working robots. These inventions were constructed using a RCX microcomputer with five built-in programs plus input ports for the connection of sensors--light and touch--as well as three output ports for motors. An informative tutorial CD-ROM was included to provide step-by-step instructions on how to write programs using RCX code. Programs were then downloaded from the computer with an infrared transmittor to the RCX microcomputer in each robot. Kids experienced immense satisfaction from the successful responses from their robot creations as they obeyed commands. This is a challenging toy with big rewards! NOTE: Six "AA" batteries and one 9-volt battery required (not included).

LIGHTS 'N SOUND PUT 'N TAKE
0301
SHELCORE CANADA LIMITED
6+ months
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

This brightly coloured, durable plastic toy, shaped like an igloo with a hole at the top and at the side, kept little ones busy for hours. Children would drop one of three balls through the top hole, and when the ball hit the bottom, it made lights flash and music play (12 melodies in all). This toy provided older infants and toddlers with practice in eye-hand coordination. Balls were also enjoyed on their own. A captivating little toy! NOTE: Three "AA" batteries required (included); features automatic shut-off.

LITTLE PEOPLE MOTORIZED BIG TOP TRAIN
72753
FISHER-PRICE CANADA INC.
6+ months
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Here comes the circus! This colourful train was a huge hit with kids because of all the fun things it offered in addition to being able to travel on floor or carpet without a track. A ringmaster could be "fired" from a cannon, a lion could jump through a hoop, and a monkey could perform a trapeze act. The train was activated with the flick of a switch, and the toy made train sounds. Children enjoyed loads of imaginary play, and didn't have to run away to join this circus! NOTE: Three "AA" batteries required (not included).

LITTLE SMART SING 'N SMILE PALS
80-20000
VTECH ELECTRONICS CANADA LTD.
6 + months
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Our young testers were captivated by the engaging look and sound of this electronic toy. Its toy-like, friendly animal "buttons" functioned like joy-sticks; when babies touched them, they made musical kitten, doggie, duck and bunny sounds. The toy also featured a melody button that played four different tunes ("Row, Row, Row Your Boat", "London Bridge", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", and "Three Blind Mice"). Touching the keyboard resulted in music or the sound of the letter appearing on each of the five keys. Four other buttons identified numbers and shapes. Children loved playing with this toy, which proved to be very durable. NOTE: Auto shut-off and volume control included; two "AA" batteries required (included).

MY PERSONAL TUTOR PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
ISBN 0 7356 0012 0
MICROSOFT CANADA INC.
3-7 years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Children had loads of fun while learning reading and math with this four CD-ROM set. In the first CD, kids joined Jab Jab the monkey and other jungle friends to help master early learning skills (patterns, shapes and colours, counting and quantities, etc.). In the second CD, children helped Rosy Raccoon create magic with alphabet activities. In the third CD, kids went on a trip to the circus and learned reading skills along the way. In the fourth CD, children visited the city of Mathopolis and solved arithmetic problems. All four CDs could be adjusted to a child's skill level. Players were also assisted by a virtual tutor, Professor Presto, and parents were provided with a useful Activity Guide. Kids really enjoyed playing the games offered by this Windows software--and learned things too!

PHONICS GAME
EI-6120
EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS
4+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Whether they were sight or phonics readers, children found that this game was fun and useful in honing phonics skills. Each game kit came in a large case with instructional videos and audio tapes, as well as six letter, vowel, word and syllable card games (In the Beginning, Silent Partners, Copycats, Double Trouble, Oddballs and Divide and Conquer). Playing two to three times per week--18 hours--was recommended to achieve best results, and games were supposed to be played in order. Children watched the video prior to each game to learn how to play, but by game four (Double Trouble), kids had learned how the system worked and preferred to skip the video. Some pronunciations on the video/audio tapes seemed to have an American accent, but overall parents did see an improvement in their children's phonics skills and reading after regularly playing this game--and kids actually enjoyed playing!

PLAYMOBIL CONSTRUCTION
3001,3002,3003,3004,&3014
PLAYMOBIL CANADA INC.
4+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Equipped to the max! This durable plastic playset in bright construction colours delighted kids with its neat vehicles and amazing detail. This construction-themed set featured such construction essentials as a dump vehicle, fork lift, digging machine and even a portable potty for the construction workers! Vehicles could "fill up" at the gas bar (a System X unit that was included to enhance play). All vehicles and equipment proved easy to handle, with smooth pivoting action. This set inspired many hours of absorbing imaginary play.

PLAYMOBIL FAIRY TALE
3019, 3020, 3021, 3022
PLAYMOBIL CANADA INC.
4+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Once upon a time, there was a wonderful, big, pastel-coloured castle made of durable plastic, along with many other smaller playsets that kept children magically captivated for hours. This fairy tale castle playset was a huge hit with kids, as it featured such remarkable details as candles on the wall, a chandelier, multiple rooms, turrets, etc. as well as a variety of royal figures. Additional playsets included a formal dining room, a music room, and a complete bedroom with luxurious canopy bed. Children enjoyed both assembling the castle (instructions were easy to follow) and playing with it. Everyone loved this toy, and so lived happily ever after!

SLAM DUNK TYPING
EA P/N9708
CREATIVE WONDERS
10+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

"What a great way to learn how to type! Every child who used this typing "tutor" said the software was fun, and it really worked. Playing on the theme of sport, this CD-ROM presented a personal "coach" who guided typists through 10 levels of challenging drills--from basic to advanced levels. The coach also provided entertaining feedback, pointed out the typist's "problem keys", and suggested subsequent drills. Each of the drills was designed to be progressive, improving speed and accuracy. This software was well designed, boasted a great theme, had good quality sound and graphics--just terrific! NOTE: Playable on both Windows and Macintosh systems.

TREASURE FRAME KIT
AA05
ADVENTURES THROUGH ART
5+ years
***

***BEST BET AWARD 2000***

Fab frame! Kids were thrilled when they finished this craft, which let them decorate their own 23 cm x 30 cm (9" x 12") unfinished wooden frame. Each kit included a big pile of trinkets---playing cards, plastic combs, puzzle pieces, movie tickets, pom poms, you name it--as well as glue to affix the materials to the frame. There was also a small plastic photo covering, and the decorated frames looked great with a photo placed inside. Children could work independently on this craft and were delighted after they were done. NOTE: Read instructions and decide which way you want to hang frame before gluing.