Childrens Choice Award 2001 - The Canadian Toy Testing Council


Children's Choice Awards 2001


Active Play
AIR HOGS HYDRO ROCKETS MODEL #SM 59010 SPIN MASTER Ages 8+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Water power! Kids needed to be in a wide open space when they launched this plastic and styrofoam water-powered rocket, because it really flew! After being pumped full of water, this toy would zoom up to 45.5 metres (150 feet) in the air. While some of these rockets wobbled a bit during flight, all flew well and stood up to repeated use, much to the delight of young outdoors aviation fans.

MAGIC DOORBELL PLAYHOUSE MODEL #4092 LITTLE TIKES COMPANY Ages 18 mos.-3 years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* House party! Kids had loads of fun ringing the sound-filled doorbell (six different sounds in all) of this realistic looking toddler-sided plastic play house. Other features included shutters, peek-a-boo windows, a kitchen counter, stove burners with clicking knobs, a mail slot and a toy telephone. This was a great first play house that inspired lots of imaginative play. Fine for both indoor and outdoor use; best for one or two children at a time. NOTE: Requires three "AAA" batteries.
Arts & Crafts
MAKE YOUR OWN LIP BALM MODEL #ISBN 1-57054-549-9 KLUTZ INC. Ages 8+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Flavourful fun! This craft kit was a big hit with kids who loved making and using their own lip balm. Each kit included two jars as well as a ring to hold balm, vials of flavoured oil, one brick of beeswax/coconut oil blend and two plastic bags. A choice of flavours was offered (separate kits): raspberry-orange, lemon-lime or chocolate and mint. Children could keep flavours separate or mix together for all-new tasty concoctions. This craft took about 30 minutes to complete--instructions were very easy to follow--with fantastic results.

MAKING FACES MODEL #87002 ROYLCO Ages 4+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Fabulous faces! This craft kit had kids unleashing their imaginations to make spooky and kooky papier mache face masks and puppets. Each kit contained a generous supply of materials including two plastic face forms, tissue paper, shredded paper, foil paper, coloured paper, dozens of felt strips, buttons, beads, stickers, glue, etc.) to make and decorate 10 masks. While kids loved making the masks, many also incorporated their resulting creations into imaginative play. Younger testers needed help with cutting, gluing and using double-sided tape. HINT: For a birthday party activity, make the mask forms the night before, and have kids decorate at the party. Great fun!

A BOOK OF ARTRAGEOUS PROJECTS MODEL #ISBN 1-57054-185-X KLUTZ INC. Ages 8+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Blast from the past! This well-designed, square, spiral-bound book (produced in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art) offered up all kinds of fun projects using historical art techniques. Kids could mummify a fashion doll and decorate her case, create a copper book or bracelet, produce collages, practice pencil drawing, learn how to use watercolours and more. The book was fascinating and easy to use; enough materials for one child to do the crafts were included. A super activity book.
Computer Software, & Games
JUMPSTART PHONICS LEARNING SYSTEM MODEL #ISBN 1-58189-239-X KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURE Ages 3+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Fantastic phonics! Kids needed no prodding at all to play and learn with this multimedia learning system that taught phonics. This kit combined two videos, three workbooks and four CD-ROMs with voice recognition technology to teach children reading, rhyming and spelling in a fun and enthusiastic manner. Kids start by watching videos emphasizing the aspects of phonics, and then are encouraged to interact with the same cartoon characters in the animated computer games, finally progressing to spelling and pronouncing words with the voice recognition technology. Each CD could be played separately or as part of children's continuing development. Excellent workbooks were provided to further reinforce skills learned. Kids loved using this kit, and this system enhanced learning for children just learning the alphabet up to the beginning reader. Big hit! NOTE: CD-ROMs playable on both Windows and Macintosh systems.

ROLLER COASTER TYCOON MODEL #99522 HASBRO INTERACTIVE Ages 9+

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Master builder! This Windows CD-ROM program that challenged kids to design and build their own profitable amusement park was a phenomenal hit. Players found this game to be both challenging and exciting, as they had to choose an environment, plan rides to attract customers, design the atmosphere of the park (including rest rooms, restaurants, foot paths) and even hire staff (mechanics, security guards, etc.). The goal was to attract a certain number of guests to the park within a designated timeframe, and to keep them happy (i.e. not sick on the rides)! Kids were thrilled with this game, and especially enjoyed the realism of the sounds and graphics.
Construction Toys
LEGO CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE MODEL #3409 LEGO CANADA INC. Ages 7+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Soccer sensation! Kids found this construction kit was fun to build but even more exciting to play. Once built, the toy was a tabletop soccer game that really worked--miniature soccer players could score goals with a flick of the ball. Children liked the co-ed teams and the nine variations of soccer field that could be built; about an hour was needed to finish each construction. Great instructions--a real winner!

LEGO DUPLO LITTLE FOREST FRIENDS MODEL # 2834 LEGO CANADA INC. Ages 2-4 years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Happy families! This 44-piece building set delighted children with its storybook scenario. This set featured four families--sweet Strawberry, mischievous Toadstool, noisy Bluebell and sleepy Meadowsweet--who lived under a large oak tree. The set provided kids with a storybook to suggest imaginative adventures, plus a great variety of toy pieces like a spider's web, large bumblebee, flowers, trees, vibes, a bed, teapot and strawberry house to bring the stories to life. A wonderful toy with an engaging theme.
Developmental Toys
TWIRLIN' WHIRLIN' GARDEN MODEL #71923 FISHER-PRICE CANADA INC. Ages 6 mos.-1 year

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Garden of delights! This activity mat and moving toy combination was a huge hit with babies. As little ones sat on the comfy mat, they could press a large yellow button to activate the plastic electronic toy section and set the music playing and the disks spinning. Kids could also stack on other plastic blocks with a garden theme and watch them whirl around. The music was lively; this toy inspired lots of giggles. NOTE: Three "C" batteries required; no on/off or volume controls, but toy switches off after a period of time.
Educational Toys
LITTLE SMART DJ JAZZ 'N JAM MODEL #80-30200 VTECH ELECTRONICS CANADA LTD. Ages 3-6 years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Boogie wonderland! This colourful electronic keyboard made of durable plastic had kids grooving to their own special jam and karaoke music sessions. Children loved the fact they could listen to or play music, as well as use the toy's mini-disc for creating DJ "scratch" sounds. The toy's push-button menu included a variety of musical instruments as well as options for hip-hop, jazz, rock, disco, dixieland, polka, blues and other music stylings. The small attached microphone, used for announcing tunes or singing along, was a hit. NOTE: Four "C" batteries required (included).

LITTLE SMART MUTTZART'S SYMPHONY SOUNDS MODEL #50803-30400 VTECH ELECTRONICS CANADA LTD. Ages Birth- 1 year

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Puppy love! Babies responded beautifully to this adorable electronic puppy toy that responded to baby's touch with music, playful barks, lights and more! The toy was attractively designed in black, white and red with easy-to-press paws. When the doggie's eyes were covered, it could play an interactive game of peek-a-boo. The toy also featured eight soft, soothing, classical melodies. The collar doubled as a crib or stroller strap. Whether it was play time or sleepy time, children adored this toy. NOTE: Batteries required (included); automatic shut-off and volume controls included.

NON-STOP GIRL MODEL #80-33900 VTECH ELECTRONICS CANADA LTD. Ages 6+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Non-stop cool! Kids were wild about this colourful laptop-style toy with carrying handle that offered 28 educational activities in four levels, including mathematics, spelling, grammar, music, typing and more, as well as fun activities (mood interpreter, horoscope haven, etc.). Numbers were positioned the same way as a real keyboard; games could also be played using a working mouse. This portable, high-tech toy was a huge hit.
Imaginative Play
BABIPOUCE ROSE (MY FIRST DOLL) MODEL #00234-0 COROLLE Ages 6 mos.-4 years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Baby love! Children fell in love with this charming, cuddly infant doll that had a soft body, realistic face and hands, and an attached pink-and-white outfit that did not come off. Little ones engaged in all sorts of imaginative play and wanted to take this toy everywhere, including under the covers in bed. A basic, wonderful baby doll; completely machine washable on gentle cycle.

BEBE DO MODEL #24023-0 COROLLE Ages 3+ years

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Sleepy baby! This beautiful baby doll featured gorgeous eyes that opened and closed, as well as a soft pillow for nap time. Children loved to snuggle and nurture this doll, which looked brand new even after hours of constant play. Clothing with Velcro was easy for little hands to put on and take off. A simple, basic, well-loved toy; machine washable on gentle cycle.

LARGE CARRY BED MODEL #58303-0 COROLLE Ages 3+

*CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2001* Nap time! This excellent quality carry bed with handles and a soft quilt cover was perfect for children to give their dolls a nap or to carry them around. A wonderful accessory for Corolle dolls, this carry bed also worked well with other dolls and toys too, inspiring lots of imaginative play.