DR. TOY'S BEST VACATION PRODUCTS 2001 Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy) |
Summer is a great time to explore many different activities at home, either indoors or outdoors. And it is also a grand time to explore nature in any of its forms.
The products Dr. Toy has selected provide children with experiences to help them learn during the summertime. There are great products to take along and use on a trip, and to explore once you arrive at your destination. There are products that will give children child plenty of things to do if you're staying at home.
Summertime should be about fun and learning, testing limits and learning new skills. These products provide children with creative activities. They will stimulate them with a whole range of new skills. Learning during the summer can include getting a jump start on skills like learning phonics, reading new books, playing math or strategy games. as well as having fun from all kinds of great activities.
There is something for everyone in this vast array of products. All of the companies selected have provided their best possible offerings. This summer will be about fun, exploration, and gaining new confidence.
We would like to hear from you about the experiences your child has with any of these products. We expect they will provide fun and learning, relaxation and stimulation, and a chance to test out all aspects of your child's abilities. HAVE A GREAT TIME!
Tell Dr. Toy about any questions you have about play and toys. Thanks for telling others you learned about these products from Dr. Toy's Award winners.
Note: The individual entries are still undergoing final revisions. Any missing images will be available as soon as possible
ac=Arts & Crafts | ap=Active Product | at=Audio Tape | bg=Board Game |
bo=Book | cd=CD-ROM | co=Construction Toy | cp=Creative Product |
cr=Computer-related | dh=Dollhouse | do=Doll | el=Electronic |
es=Educational Skills Product | fp=Fantasy Play | ho=Hobby | ml=Musical |
mm=Multimedia | no=Novelty | op=Outdoor Play | pl=Plush Toy |
pu=Puppet | pz=Puzzle | sr=Social Responsibility | sw=Software |
tr=Travel | ts=Transportation | ty=Toy | vt=Video Tape |
COMPANY NAME | ITEM | Price | Ages | Phone |
Alex | Medium Art Studio cp tr | $13.00 | 3-5 | 800-666-2539 |
Alex | Lapdoodle Board To Go bg cp ts tr | $15.00 | 3-5 | 800-666-2539 |
Applause | Naptime Pal pl tr | $23.00 | 3-5 | 800-777-6990 |
AquaToy | Glow AQUADISC pt | $29.95 | 6-12 | 888-521-1609 |
AquaToy | AQUA Skimmer pt | $9.95 | 6-12 | 888-521-1609 |
B.C. Bones | Allosaurus co es pz | $29.95 | 6-12 | 800-331-3252 |
B.C. Bones | Jobaria co es pz | $29.95 | 6-12 | 800-331-3252 |
Baby Buzz'r | Baby Buzz'r Deluxe es | $12.95 | 3 mo-3 yr | 801-495-2229 |
Binary Arts | Flip It es pz tr | $11.99 | 8-12 | 703-549 4999 |
Binary Arts | Galactic Takeover es pz tr | $9.99 | 8-12 | 703-549 4999 |
Binary Arts | Dino Dodg'em es pz tr | $9.99 | 8-12 | 703-549 4999 |
Borderline Games | Borderline USA Edition es tr cg | $9.95 | 8-12 | 973-761-6260 |
BRIO | Light and Sound Ambulance es ts | $17.00 | 3-7 | 888-274-6869 |
BRIO | Freddie Clown's Train Set es ts | $40.00 | 12-36 mos | 888-274-6869 |
BRIO | Mountain Action Figure 8 Set es ts | $39.95 | 3-7 | 888-274-6869 |
Cadaco | Wizard's Workshop Mystical Magic Set es | $9.99 | 8-12 | 800-621-5426 |
Cadaco | Jumble bg | $14.99 | 8-12 | 800-621-5426 |
Camp Kazoo | Boppy Tummy Time ae | $40.00 | 1-12 mos | 888-772-6779 |
Camp Kazoo | Boppy 5-in-1 Fun ae | $45.00 | 1-12 mos | 888-772-6779 |
Center for Creative Play | Time to Sing! at cd | $16.99 | 3-5 | 800-262-8052 |
Chicco | Sound N Music Spirograph cp tr ml | $24.99 | 3-5 | 877-424-4226 |
Chicco | Magic Calypso Drum cp tr ml | $24.99 | 3-5 | 877-424-4226 |
Child Light | Pilgrim Family--American Adventure Play Set es | $28.00 | 6-12 | 888-780-6258 |
Children's Health Coalition | Not Under My Roof: Protecting Your Baby from Toxins at Home vt | $9.95 | parents, teachers | 800-452-4789 |
CITI di Citterico Giulio | The Playhouse/La Checcona cp ae | $31.75 | 3-5 | 0039-039-2051588 |
Conceptual Math Media | Prime Pak es ts cg | $15.00 | 7-12 | 888-433-2224 |
Corolle | Mini Corolline Picnic Gift Set do tr | $22.00 | 3-12 | 800-668-4846 |
Curiosity Kits | My Own Band ac ml cp | $20.00 | 3-5 | 877-510-5487 |
Curiosity Kits | Make-Your-Own Sailboat co ac cp | $25.00 | 8-12 | 877-510-5487 |
Curiosity Kits | Star Player Pillows ac cp | $15.00 | 4-8 | 877-510-5487 |
Curiosity Kits | Classic Jacks and Ball Set ac ac cp | $5.00 | 6-8 | 877-510-5487 |
DaMert | Sci-Rover es sc cp | $10.00 | 6-12 | 800-231-3722 |
DaMert | Star Explorer es sc tr op | $25.00 | 8-12 | 800-231-3722 |
Days at the Beach | Can You Dig It Sand Tools cp es ho tr | $12.99 | 4-12 | 877-513-6069 |
Discovery Toys | Double Bubble Plane cp es no | $15.99 | 3-8 | 800-426-4777 |
Discovery Toys | Cool Moves! bg es pz tr | $14.99 | 8-12 | 800-426-4777 |
Discovery Toys | Flip Flop Faces es | $13.99 | 4-8 | 800-426-4777 |
Discovery Toys | Discovery Sub es no | $15.99 | 3-8 | 800-426-4777 |
Educational Insights | Geosafari Talking Globe Traveller es el ts tr | $49.95 | 6-12 | 800-995-4436 |
Educational Insights | Phonics Firefly es el ts tr | $34.95 | 3-6 | 800-995-4436 |
Educational Insights | Piccolo Interactive Discovery Center es el ts tr | $59.95 | 3-5 | 800-995-4436 |
Educational Insights | Sound Fx Mania es el ts tr | $19.95 | 6-12 | 800-995-4436 |
Elope | Kids Birthday Cake no fp | $19.99 | 6-12 | 800-553-5673 |
Elope | Sea Dragon Little Daydreamers Hat pu fp | $24.99 | 6-12 | 800-553-5673 |
Emily Songs | Emily Songs at cd | $14.95 | 4-12 | 888-376-3011 |
Folkmanis | My First Puppets Soft Book es pl pu bo | $35.00 | 6-36 mos | 800-654-8922 |
Frank Schaffer | Homework Helpers - Numbers Dot-to-Dot bo es | $2.49 | 4-6 | 877-833-5524 |
Free Spirit Publishing | Playing Smart bo cp es | $16.95 | 4-14 | 800-735-7323 |
Games for All Reasons | Paired Up Junior cg | $15.95 | 7-12 | 781-648-2029 |
Gamewright | Chomp! es cg | $9.99 | 6-12 | 800-638-7568 |
Gamewright | Bzz Out es cg | $9.99 | 3-10 | 800-638-7568 |
Gemini Kaleidoscope | MagniMarble 'Scope Kit' ac cp es | $12.00 | 7-12 | 800-999-8700 |
George F. Cram | Garfield Globe no es | $19.99 | 6-12 | 800-227-4199 |
Get Real Girl | Get Real Girl do | $25.00 | 6-12 | 866-474-4797 |
Golden Books Ent. | Road to Reading bo es tr | $3.99 | 4-9 | 888-317-4311 |
Golly Enterprises | Bottle, Bat & Ball tr at | $5.95 | 3-7 | 602-942-3219 |
Greene Street Records | Big Fish Little Fish cd | $14.95 | 3-5 | 717-238-0744 |
Hasbro | Grady Roads My Talkin' Truckbot co | $14.99 | 3-7 | 800-327-8264 |
Hooray! | Huggy Buggy Action Vehicles pl ts tr | $14.99 | 3-5 | 212-989-3660 |
Hooray! | Huggy Sports Balls ae | $4.99 | 2-5 | 212-989-3660 |
Hooray! | Huggyville Play Mat es pl ts tr | $24.99 | 2-5 | 212-989-3660 |
Hooray! | Huggy Sport Golf Set ae | $34.99 | 2-5 | 212-989-3660 |
Hopper's Musical Adventures | Baby Dance, Baby Sleep cd ml fp | $9.95 | 1-3 | 888-291-4174 |
Imagiix | Finger Fun Piano es ts tr | $19.98 | 4-10 | 800-462-4449 |
Inspiration Software | Inspiration sw | $69.00 | 7-12 | 800-877-4292 x30 |
Inspiration Software | Kidspiration sw | $69.00 | 5-8 | 800-877-4292 x30 |
International Playthings | Road Trip es tr | $7.99 | 4-7 | 800-445-8347 |
International Playthings | Travel Town es pl tr | $24.99 | 18-24 mos | 800-445-8347 |
Joriko Interactive | Alice's Adventures in Wonderland cd es el sw | $29.95 | 7-12 | 305-758-2476 |
Judy/Instructo | Smart Squares - Multiplication es pz | $7.95 | 8-10 | 877-833-5524 |
Judy/Instructo | Super Citizens Matching Game es cg | $7.95 | 5-8 | 877-833-5524 |
Judy/Instructo | Wood Sequencing Squares-Community es | $12.95 | 3-5 | 877-833-5524 |
Kid Concoctions | The Ultimate Book of Holiday Kid Concoctions bo ac cp es | $14.95 | 6-12 | 800-348-5890 |
Kid Galaxy | Bendos Scooter Sports Set cp es no | $9.99 | 6-12 | 800-816-1135 |
Kid Galaxy | Bendos Soccer Set cp es no | $9.99 | 6-12 | 800-816-1135 |
KiddyCat Records | Sunnytime Soup cd | $14.99 | 2-10 | 877-740-9228 |
Kidzup Productions | Let's Multiply! at bo cd es | $12.99 | 6-12 | 888-321-5437 |
K's Kids Production | Snap-Shot Album bo cp es ho pl tr no | $12.98 | 0-36 mos | 800-387-2587 |
K's Kids Production | Toy House Playmat cp do dh pl | $36.98 | 0-36 mos | 800-387-2587 |
K's Kids Production | Fold 'n Go Jumbo Playmat cp dh pl pu tr | $59.98 | 0-36 mos | 800-387-2587 |
Kuleana Productions | Be A Hula Girl cp es tr vt | $24.95 | 3-12 | 866-367-4852 |
LeapFrog | LeapPad es el ts tr | $54.99 | 3-12 | 800-701-5327 |
LeapFrog | Turbo Twist es el ts tr | $34.99 | 6-12 | 800-701-5327 |
Learning Curve | Felt-Kids: Fold and Go! tr | $12.99 | 3-8 | 800-704-8697 |
Learning Curve | Small Miracles: Dress-up Backpack Asst. tr fp | $40.00 | 3-8 | 800-704-8697 |
Learning Resources | Picnic Play Food Basket cp es | $18.95 | 3-5 | 800-222-3909 |
Learning Resources | Snap It Up Math Game es cg | $9.95 | 6-12 | 800-222-3909 |
Learning Resources | Snap It Up Spelling & Reading Game es cg | $9.95 | 6-12 | 800-222-3909 |
Lee Middleton Dolls | Playtime Wonder Doll do tr | $99.00 | 3-6 | 800-242-3285 |
LEGO | Life on Mars Aero Tube Hanger co cr es ho no | $89.99 | 8-12 | 800-453-4652 |
LEGO Software | The Brickster's Revenge in Game Boy Color el tr vg | $29.99 | 6-12 | 800-453-4652 |
Little Fiddle Company | The Clocks Symphony cp cd | $14.95 | 3-5 | 888-678-5636 |
Little Fiddle Company | Mini Maestro Presents the Tic Toc Clocks bo es vt | $16.95 | 3-5 | 888-678-5636 |
Manhattan Toy | Seek and Peek Turtle Toy ac | $25.00 | 12-24 mos | 800-541-1345 |
Manhattan Toy | Storytime Puss in Boots pu | $20.00 | 2-7 | 800-541-1345 |
Manhattan Toy | Take and Shake Snake ac | $25.00 | 6-24 mos | 800-541-1345 |
Manhattan Toy | Hullabaloos pu | $10.00 | 3-7 | 800-541-1345 |
MEGA Bloks | Garden Cart co cp | $14.99 | 1-5 | 800-465-6342 |
MEGA Bloks | Block Boat co cr | $9.99 | 1-5 | 800-465-6342 |
MEGA Bloks | Wagon co cr | $25.00 | 1-5 | 800-465-6342 |
MEGA Bloks | Truck co cr | $25.00 | 1-5 | 800-465-6342 |
MGA Entertainment | Palm Puppies no pl | $14.99 | 5-7 | 800-222-4685 |
Mrs. Grossman's | Travel Portable cp tr | $9.99 | 10-12 | 800-457-4570 |
Munchkin | Little Notes Butterflute cp ho pl ml | $6.95 | 18-36 mos | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin | Mozart Magic Drum cp ho ml | $14.95 | 3-5 | 800-344-2229 |
Out of the Box Publishing | My Word! Junior bg es | $8.95 | 7-12 | 800-540-2304 |
Out of the Box Publishing | Blink bg es | $8.95 | 7-12 | 800-540-2304 |
Pamela Drake | Woodkins do es | $15.00 | 3-11 | 800-966-3762 |
ParentBanc | Coin Abacus es el tr | $39.95 | 4-10 | 800-373-3333 x189 |
Parenting By Design | TV Allowance Game es sr | $19.95 | 4-12 | 866-442-6292 |
PATH/Learning Zone Express | Safari of Life Sexuality Game bg es | $19.95 | 6-12 | 888-455-7003 |
Pencil Grip | Band Buddies Jump Rope Kit ac cp no tr | $7.00 | 8-12 | 800-736-4747 |
Pencil Grip | Band Buddies Ball Kit ac cp no tr | $5.00 | 6-12 | 800-736-4747 |
Penton Overseas | Road Scholar at bg tr | $19.95 | 6-12 | 800-748-5804 |
Peopling.net | Peopling bg es | $15.00 | 6-12 | 716-662-7794 |
Perler Beads | Group Pack Bucket co ac cr es no | $9.00 | 5-15 | 800-523-8452 |
Phun From Phoenix | The Ref Bop Bag no | $15.00 | 2-10 | 480-966-6034 |
ProDiJeux | WordXChange bg | $29.95 | 9-12 | 514-932-4766 |
ProDiJeux | WordXChange Junior bg | $24.95 | 5-9 | 514-932-4766 |
Roundheads Worldwide | Roundheads cp do no tr | $10.95 | 6-12 | 888-789-7415 |
Roundheads Worldwide | Roundkids cp do es no tr | $14.95 | 6-12 | 888-789-7415 |
Roundheads Worldwide | Round Things es cp do no | $11.95 | 6-12 | 888-789-7415 |
Schylling | MagiCloth Doll Collection cp do es no ts | $10.00 | 3-12 | 800-541-2929 |
Schylling | Space Race Pinball Game cr es no ts tr | $5.00 | 3-5 | 800-541-2929 |
Spin Master Toys | Key Charm Cuties cp do dh tr | $12.99 | 4-10 | 800-622-8339 |
Stoney Creek Collection | The ABC's of Cross Stitch bo ac cr es ho tr | $14.00 | 8-12 | 800-243-1410 |
Straight Edge | Charlie and the Teddy Bear Fire Brigade bo pz ty | $10.99 | 3-5 | 800-732-3628 |
Talicor | Whap! bg | $9.95 | 4-10 | 800-433-4263 |
Taurus Toy | Block-N-Roll 70-Piece Action Set co es tr | $29.95 | 6-12 | 877-267-2565 |
TC Timber/Habermaass | Sand Play Kit ae | $13.00 | 1-3 | 800-468-6873 |
TC Timber/Habermaass | Mini-Memo es | $7.50 | 4-7 | 800-468-6873 |
TC Timber/Habermaass | Mini-Bingo es | $11.50 | 3-5 | 800-468-6873 |
TC Timber/Habermaass | Bucket Mill Set ae | $9.00 | 1-3 | 800-468-6873 |
Team Concepts | Vision Quest II es el | $24.99 | 5-10 | 800-486-0898 |
Thinkway Toys | 'N Style Girls do | $19.99 | 4-12 | 800-535-5754 |
Timbuk II Games | Vowel Play bg es | $39.98 | 6-12 | 800-863-9053 |
Tivola Publishing | Oscar's Creative Workshop sw-cd cp | $9.99 | 877-848-6520 | |
TK Designs | Totally Treble Musical Card Games es ml cg | $12.95 | 6-12 | 866-544-4318 |
Tree Toys | Wild Science Magna Bugs ac cp es | $14.95 | 9-12 | 310-645-9680 |
Tree Toys | Puzzle Books See and Spell bo es pz | $16.95 | 12-36 mos | 310-645-9680 |
Tree Toys | Wild Science Fizz Bombs ac cp es | $14.95 | 9-12 | 310-645-9680 |
Twooth Timer | Ready-Set-Brush! Kit bo es pz | $24.99 | 2-10 | 214-522-8596 |
VTech | Ring Around the Rosy es el tr | $9.99 | 6-15 mos | 800-521-2010 |
VTech | Sing 'n Learn CD Player es el tr | $14.99 | 6-15 mos | 800-521-2010 |
VTech | Pal Arounds es el tr | $17.99 | 4-6 | 800-521-2010 |
VTech | Bubble Gum Phonics Fun es el tr | $24.99 | 4-6 | 800-521-2010 |
Wham-O | Water Blast Hockey ae op | $24.99 | 5-12 | 888-609-4266 |
Wham-O | Surf Rider Slip N Slide ae op | $39.99 | 5-12 | 888-609-4266 |
Wildkin | Snooze Zoo Sleeping Bag ts sleepg bag | $74.00 | 2-8 | 800-945-4150 |
Wildkin | Wild Wheelies Rolling Luggage pl ts luggage | $49.95 | 2-7 | 800-945-4150 |
YOTTOY Productions | Dinosaurs in Action pl tr | $19.99 | 5-10 | 212-594-2202 |
Zapf Creation | Maggie Raggies - Annie the Shell Collector do | $19.99 | 3-8 | 407-351-7702 |
Zapf Creation | Baby Born Deluxe On Tour Set do | $24.99 | 3-8 | 407-351-7702 |
ac=Arts & Crafts | ap=Active Product | at=Audio Tape | bg=Board Game |
bo=Book | cd=CD-ROM | co=Construction Toy | cp=Creative Product |
cr=Computer-related | dh=Dollhouse | do=Doll | el=Electronic |
es=Educational Skills Product | fp=Fantasy Play | ho=Hobby | ml=Musical |
mm=Multimedia | no=Novelty | op=Outdoor Play | pl=Plush Toy |
pu=Puppet | pz=Puzzle | sr=Social Responsibility | sw=Software |
tr=Travel | ts=Transportation | ty=Toy | vt=Video Tape |
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