DR. TOY'S BEST VACATION PRODUCTS 2003 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 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
AE = Active Toy | AP = Activity Product | AS = Accessories Decorations Furniture | 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 | TS = Transportation |
TY = Toy | UN = Unique Products | VG = Video Game | VT = Video Tape |
Company Name/Website | Product Name | Type | Price | Age Range | Company Phone |
Action Products International | Drop Zone Extreme | ty | $9.99 | 5-12 | 800-772-2846 |
ALEX | Car Valet (Item #45) | ac cp es no ts | $25.00 | 3-12 | 800-666-2539 |
ALEX | Games to Go (Item #44) | bg cp es no tr | $25.00 | 3-12 | 800-666-2539 |
ALEX | Giant Flower Raft (Item #763) | pt tr | $12.00 | 5-12 | 800-666-2539 |
Anchor Bay Entertainment | James & the Red Balloon | vt | $12.98 | 3-5 | 800-233-3738 |
Baby Prodigy | Baby Prodigy | vt | $14.99 | 0-4 | 888-813-2408 |
Basic Fun | Mad Libs Electronic Keychain | el es no ty | $9.99 | 6-12 | 800-662-3380 |
Battat | 35mm Easy Camera (BB4661) | sc tr ty | $25.00 | 8-12 | 800-822-8828 |
Battat | Fishing Chair (BB2801) | ho tr ty | $34.99 | 3-12 | 800-822-8828 |
Big Truck Music | Music in My Heart | cd | $15.00 | 3-5 | 973-202-3111 |
Binary Arts | River Crossing | bg es pz tr | $14.99 | 8-12 | 800-468-1864 |
Binary Arts | Word Sense | es tr ts | $9.99 | 10-12 | 800-468-1864 |
Boggle Goggle Enterprises | Pinatta's View-A Trip to the Dentist | vt | $14.95 | 2-5 | 978-287-4628 |
Briarpatch | I Spy Travel Edition | bg tr | $9.99 | 4-12 | 800-232-7427 |
Brooklyn Gear | Kids Percussion | ml | $8.95 | 1-12 | 877-700-4327 |
Chicco | Travel Cassette Player | ml tr | $19.99 | 3-12 | 877-424-4226 |
Cranium | Cariboo | bg es | $16.95 | 3-6 | 877-272-6486 |
Curriculum Rocks | First Grade Rocks | at cd | $15.00 | 4-8 | 650-578-9704 |
DaMert | Best of Junior Triazzle-Sea Life | pz | $7.00 | 4-7 | 800-356-0474 |
DaMert | Career Kids--Professional Cartoonist | ac cp | $20.00 | 8-12 | 800-356-0474 |
DaMert | Frantic Fish | pz | $10.00 | 5-12 | 800-356-0474 |
Developing Hearts Systems | Bonding with Baby Developmental Books | bo | $20.00 | 1-12 mos | 866-527-8463 |
Discovery Toys | Cushie Croquet | ae es no | $29.99 | 5-10 | 800-426-4777 |
Discovery Toys | Gotcha Gator | no ty | $8.99 | 3-7 | 800-426-4777 |
Dr. Mac Productions | A Pocket of Tunes | cd es | $16.95 | 3-9 | 877-886-3723 |
Educational Insights | Blokus | bg | $29.95 | 6-12 | 800-995-4436 |
Educational Insights | Multi Colored Coin Struction | co ty | $19.95 | 6-12 | 800-995-4436 |
Elope | Alien/Robot Reversible (K3402) | ty | $25.00 | 3-12 | 800-553-5673 |
Elope | Rabbit in the Hat Reversible (K3403) | ty | $25.00 | 3-12 | 800-553-5673 |
Flashmaster | FlashMaster | eg es tr ts | $49.95 | 7-12 | 800-884-3531 |
Fun Spin Board Games | Wall Street Spin | bg cp es | $29.95 | 10-12 | 888-388-7746 |
Funrise Toys | Silly Putty | ac no ty | $4.99 | 3-12 | 800-882-3808 |
Games for All Reasons | Red-Handed | bg | $29.95 | 12-up | 781-648-2029 |
Gamewright | Hocus Focus: The Magical Game of Visual Trickery | ge | $5.99 | 6-12 | 800-638-7568 |
Gamewright | Stampede: The Wild & Frenzy Animal Card Game | ge | $5.99 | 6-12 | 800-638-7568 |
Giddy Up | Color n Carry 2 Activity Travelers | ac tr | $5.99 | 3-12 | 734-302-4444 |
Green Grass Enterprises | Tug Bug - The World Wide Traffic Game | bg cp es ge tr | $14.95 | 5-12 | 877-782-8463 |
Haba | Mini Memo | cp | $6.00 | 2-12 | 800-468-6873 |
Hands On Toys | Crunch Art Travel Kit | ac tr | $12.00 | 5-12 | 888-442-6376 |
Hands On Toys | Funny Football | ae ty | $10.00 | 3-6 | 888-442-6376 |
Hands On Toys | Nobby Wobbly Beach Ball 10" | op ty | $5.50 | 3-12 | 888-442-6376 |
Holigames | Holiday USA | bg | $24.95 | 8-12 | 888-612-0699 |
Hooray! | Jumbo Jet | ty | $9.99 | 2-12 | 866-278-7785 |
International Playthings | Imaginetics License Plate Game | cp ge tr ts | $7.99 | 3-5 | 800-445-8347 |
International Playthings | My First Baby Doll Set | do pl tr | $19.99 | 24-36 mos | 800-445-8347 |
Joy Stories | Joy Stories | cd pu | $18.99 | 2-8 | 866-339-5300 |
Kid Galaxy | Bendos Backpack | eq tr | $9.99 | 3-6 | 800-816-1135 |
Kid Galaxy | Bendos Bumper Car | el ho ty | $25.00 | 5-12 | 800-816-1135 |
Kid Galaxy | My First RC Excavator | co cp el ty | $14.99 | 3-5 | 800-816-1135 |
Klutz | My Anytime Anywhere Autograph Book | bo | $12.95 | 8-12 | 800-737-4123 |
kSERO | Metanon: The Biocode Adventure | bg es | $29.99 | 5-12 | 866-305-7376 |
LeapFrog | LeapPad Learning System | bo eg es tr | $49.99 | 4-8 | 800-701-5327 |
Learning Curve | Thomas & Friends Tidmouth Station Travel Set | ty | $79.99 | 3-5 | 800-704-8697 |
Learning Horizons | Learn on the Go Workbooks | bo es tr | $2.95 | 3-12 | 800-532-8876 |
Learning Resources | Reading Rods Phonics Activity Sets | es tr | $29.95 | 6-12 | 888-800-7893 |
LEGO Systems | African Adventures | co ty | $19.99 | 12-24 mos | 800-453-4652 |
LEGO Systems | Star Wars Mini Collector Sets | co ty | $15.96 | 7-12 | 800-453-4652 |
LEGO Systems | Trendy Tote | co ty | $14.99 | 6-12 | 800-453-4652 |
Madacy Kids | Crayola Music Box | ac cd cp | $9.98 | 3-5 | 800-784-0991 |
Mattel | Ello: Ello-opolis & Ello Aquaria | co cp | $19.99 | 5-12 | 800-514-8697 |
Mega Bloks | Alien Agency DNA Lab | sc | $39.99 | 6-12 | 800-465-6342 |
Mega Bloks | Tiny n' Tuff Vehicle Asst. | ts ty | $9.99 | 1-5 | 800-465-6342 |
MGA Entertainment | MicroBlast Racers Race & Chase Set | cp el ty | $24.99 | 6-12 | 800-222-4685 |
MindWare | Bella's Mystery Deck 2 | cg | $14.95 | 10-12 | 800-274-6123 |
MindWare | Kanji Game | bg | $19.95 | 5-12 | 800-274-6123 |
My Mommy Doll | My Mommy Doll/My Daddy Doll | do ts | $59.95 | 9 mos-7 | 866-781-4044 |
Nana Banana Classics | Buttercup Goes to New York City | bo es tr ty | $15.95 | 6-12 | 800-337-6717 |
Neurosmith | MagnaPhonics | el es | $49.99 | 4-6 | 800-220-3669 |
Neurosmith | Pet Me Platypus | el es | $19.99 | birth-12 | 800-220-3669 |
Old Fashioned Products | Knock-Out/Muggins | ge | $39.95 | 6-12 | 800-962-8849 |
Oregon Scientific | Barbie Talking Storybook | bo el es tr | $34.99 | 5-12 | 800-853-8883 |
Oregon Scientific | Big Brain Book Interactive Encyclopedia | bo el es tr | $39.99 | 5-12 | 800-853-8883 |
Oregon Scientific | Hot Wheels Quick Start | el es tr ts | $39.99 | 3-5 | 800-853-8883 |
Out of the Box Publishing | Wheedle | cg | $10.00 | 6-12 | 800-540-2304 |
Outset Media | Conjecture for Kids | bg cp es tr | $16.99 | 6-12 | 877-592-7374 |
Outset Media | Professor Noggin's Card Game Series | cg es tr | $9.99 | 7-12 | 877-592-7374 |
Pamela Drake | Madeline & Nicole Shopping | cp do ty | $20.00 | 4-12 | 800-966-3762 |
Patch Products | SWAP! | cg | $4.99 | 7-12 | 800-524-4263 |
Plastwood | Supermag | co cp es tr ts | $11.00 | 6-12 | 800-647-9989 |
Pockets of Learning | Spelling Bee Travel Bag | es tr | $35.00 | 2-5 | 800-635-2994 |
ProDiJeux | WordXchange Junior | bg | $25.99 | 5-10 | 866-386-9673 |
Purple Pebble Games | E-Z as ABC | es ge | $15.99 | 3-7 | 781-639-0209 |
Purple Pebble Games | Numbers Count | es ge | $15.99 | 3-7 | 781-639-0209 |
Rhino Toys | SkyO | tr ty | $5.95 | 3-12 | 831-458-5118 |
Schoenhut Piano | My First Piano | ml ty | $79.95 | 1-5 | 888-414-2739 |
Schylling | Musical Wind Up TVs | no | $9.99 | 24-36 mos | 800-767-8697 |
Small World Toys | Small World Kids My Life & Times | ac bo cp | $16.00 | 4-12 | 800-421-4153 |
Spin Master Toys | Astrojax | no | $7.99 | 8-12 | 800-622-8339 |
Spin Master Toys | Snatch | ge | $14.99 | 8-12 | 800-622-8339 |
Spring International | dig it up! | co cp pz sc | $15.95 | 6-12 | 888-238-8303 |
Storyboard Toys! | ArtHouse | co cp dh es ho | $199.00 | 4-11 | 720-652-0237 |
Strombecker/Tootsie Toy | Bubble Blizzard | op | $8.00 | 6-12 | 800-944-8697 |
Swingset Press | FrendzPakz-Friendship | bo ge ty | $4.99 | 6-12 | 888-543-9366 |
Tangle Toys | Doodle Dolls | cp pz tr ts | $8.00 | 3-12 | 888-829-3808 |
Tormont | Let's Make Stencil Art | bg bo es pz ts | $12.00 | 6-12 | 450-698-2322 |
Tree Toys | Fairyland Adventure Game | bg | $9.95 | 6-12 | 612-98996133 |
Tree Toys | Triopolis | es sc | $19.95 | 6-12 | 612-98996133 |
Trend Enterprises | Transportation Pocket Flash Cards | es ts | $3.99 | 6-12 | 800-860-6762 |
Uniset | Create, See & Draw | ac bo cp es tr | $10.00 | 6-12 | 404-614-1742 |
Vida Games | Green Alligators | cg es | $9.99 | 4-8 | 866-769-0269 |
Visual Development | Baby Eyes | vt | $14.95 | 1-36 mos | 877-439-3843 |
VTech | Smart Doodles & Tunes | ty | $19.99 | 3-5 | 800-521-2010 |
Walrus Factory | Amazing Magic Kit | cp es ho vt | $19.99 | 6-12 | 800-505-8066 |
Walter Foster Publishing | Learn to Draw & Paint with Wyland | ac bo cp es ho | $14.95 | 8-12 | 800-426-0099 |
WHAM-O | JELL-O Frozen Pudding Treat Maker | no | $19.99 | 5-12 | 888-942-6650 |
WHAM-O | Splash Tangle | ae ge | $12.99 | 5-12 | 888-942-6650 |
Wild Planet Toys | Waterball SL 175 | op tr ty | $14.99 | 6-12 | 800-247-6570 |
Wild Republic | USA State Birds Collection | cp pl | $6.00 | 3-12 | 800-800-9678 |
Winning Moves Games | Rubik's Tic Tac Toe | pz tr | $9.95 | 6-12 | 800-578-2468 |
Zapf Creation | Maggie Raggies Boo Boo Buddy | do | $9.99 | 2-12 | 877-629-9273 |
Zapf Creation | My First Baby Annabell | do | $19.99 | 1-12 | 877-629-9273 |
AE = Active Toy | AP = Activity Product | AS = Accessories Decorations Furniture | 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 | TS = Transportation |
TY = Toy | UN = Unique Products | VG = Video Game | VT = Video Tape |
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