Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products - 2001
Welcome to Dr. Toy's Guide! To assist you with your gifts giving this holiday and into the new year we have a great selection of new products for you to consider. We have reviewed over two thousand toys and children's products over this past dozen years. It has been exciting and rewarding to see many new and innovative companies emerging, while many new and interesting improvements have been made among many established companies. Our 2001 products range across many different levels.
There is more to choose from today than ever before. It may also seem that way when you seek the right product for your child. By using Dr. Toy's Guide, you will find helpful guidance as you look for that perfect product, the one that will benefit your child the most.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Know your child and his or her interests;
- Understand what she is studying in school and what she needs to learn;
- Expand his interests and help him to develop a well-rounded approach to play;
- Give her new experiences that stimulate and that challenge different abilities;
- Help him develop both sides of the left and right sides of the brain, and help him to think and to be creative;
- Challenge and build her strengths and help her to learn new information.
Play encompasses everything your child does. They need you to play with them. They need to learn simple games, and to have plenty of conversations. They need you to read stories to them, and they need to sing songs, play with puzzles, do crafts, and have fun. Whatever you and your child enjoy doing together is perfect.
Look for creative products to prepare for those times when there is a snow storm or rain fall and children are house-bound. This is the time to bring out those great creative products that have been packed away in storage. Open them on a bad weather day and the storm passes away while children are enjoying something satisfying.
Children can only focus on one toy at a time. Make toys something that you select year round to make their time interesting and challenging. Don't forget the products that help children with their activities, whether they are enjoying active play outdoors, or learning to do yoga or some other kind of physical activity.
Even play with pick-up sticks or marbles is physical and requires dexterity; the smallest activity brings the body into motion. Children like a variety of physical activity, so don't forget to add hula hoops, balls, and a bean bag toss.
Children also need time to play games, to think, to create, to use their imagination, and to learn strategy and how to figure things out. They need time to create, to play with dolls and puppets, and to use their skills.
These are the products we have looked for this year. We were looking for products with the potential to provide your child with learning and joy. During the next year, your child will have an opportunity to play and experience some of these toys directly. Be sure to look at our online review of toy buying services to find an array of different ways to purchase these products.
If you have a question about a toy, then "Ask Dr. Toy." If you have an answer or know of the availability of products, help us by looking at our "Ask Dr. Toy" feature and responding. You'll be fascinated with all of the queries that have come in, and we welcome your help as we find answers for all of these questions.
Search through our site, come back often, and have a fun, playful year!
Please be sure to examine a copy of our new book, , that highlights over 50 classic toys from the past as well as the toys of the future. And look for our to help you with ideas from baby to older children, plus 166 great ideas of ways to have fun with your children. What is most important is to have fun together as a family. Have a wonderful time with your child this holiday (and every day in the new year!).
Let's play!
| Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
| Lacey O'Neal | bo no sr | 4 - 10 | $15.95 | 888-333-1676 | |
| Dinosaur Excavation | ae es fp ty | $19.99 | 5-11 | 877-772-2846 | |
| Rocking Horse | ae cp fp ho ty | $80.00 | 3-5 | 800-666-2539 | |
| Baby Songs Silly Songs | vt | $12.98 | 0-6 | 847-933-9884 | |
| Baby Dolittle Neighborhood Video | es ml vt | $15.98 | 1-4 | 800-793-1454 | |
| Paint the Wild: Tic-Tac-Toe | ae cp bg | $15.00 | 6-12 | 609-936-8807 | |
| Phone Station | cp fp sr | $36.00 | 3-5 | 800-822-8828 | |
| Art Table Set | ac cp es | $151.00 | 3-7 | 888-999-2352 | |
| Boppy 5-in-1 Fun | ae es ty | $45.00 | 1-12 mos | 303-526-2626 | |
| Hello Kitty Best Friends' Game | bg | $19.99 | 6-12 | 800-232-7427 | |
| Muck & Bob | ty | $15.00 | 3-5 | 888-274-6869 | |
| Wild | cg | $11.99 | 8-12 | 800-621-5426 | |
| Time to Sing! | cd cp ml | $16.99 | 0-6 yrs | 800-262-8052 | |
| Fab Fashion Fun Dawn & Friends | do sr | $9.99 | 6-8 | 888-350-3296 | |
| Lou | do | $70.00 | 3-5 | 800-668-4846 | |
| Mini Windowsill Garden | ac sr | $14.00 | 7-11 | 800-311-8684 | |
| Curious Little Ones My Own Band | ae ac cp ml ty | $20.00 | 3-5 | 800-584-5487 | |
| Time Tutor | es sr tr | $27.99 | 5-10 | 800-426-4777 | |
| Book of the Seasons | ae ac bo | $16.95 | 6-9 | 800-475-4522 | |
| GeoSafari Laptop | es el | $49.95 | 3-8 | 800-995-4436 | |
| KidSafe TV | no sr | $24.95 | 3-8 | 888-983-5555 | |
| Astronaut Hat | ae cs cp fp | $19.80 | 6-10 | 800-553-5673 | |
| Pop Smarts | bg | $29.99 | 10-12 | 201-386-9465 | |
| Magnetic Portfolios | es | $34.95 | 6-12 | 800-445-5985 | |
| Wiggles | ae pl ty | $6.49 | 6 mo-10 yrs | 800-533-6708 | |
| Play With Letters Desk | cp es el | $29.99 | 3-7 | 800-432-5437 | |
| My First Puppets Soft Book | bo cp es pl pu | $35.00 | 6-36 mos. | 800-654-8922 | |
| Claymania | ge | $17.99 | 9-12 | 800-638-7568 | |
| Get Real Girl | do | $25.00 | 6-12 | 866-474-4747 | |
| Golden Pegged Puzzle Books | bo cp es pz sr | $12.99 | 2-4 | 800-558-5972 | |
| 3-D Undersea Jigsaw Puzzle | pz | $7.00 | 6-8 | 800-922-1194 | |
| Wiggly Giggly Plush | ae pl | $18.00 | 6-24 mos | 888-442-6376 | |
| Magic Screen Learning Desk | ty | $45.99 | 12-36 mos | 800-752-9755 | |
| Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Chants | cd es ml tr | $15.99 | 5-12 | 888-663-7122 | |
| My Best English Vol. 2 Colors | es vt | $16.95 | 12-36 mos | 800-851-7115 | |
| Movies in My Mind | ae at bg | $19.95 | 5-7 | 800-546-4440 | |
| Kidspiration | es sw | $69.00 | grades k-3 | 800-877-4292 | |
| Amazing Animal Trivia Game | bg es | $19.99 | 6-8 | 800-445-8347 | |
| KookaZoo Tunnel Gym | ae es ty | $29.99 | birth-2 | 770-751-0442 | |
| Kids' Learning Network | www.KLNlive.com | website | free | 9-12 | 617-542-6500 |
| Toddler Alphabet Sing-Along | at bo cd | $14.99 | 3-5 | 888-321-5437 | |
| Castles, Knights & Unicorns | at cd cp fp ml | $14.95 cd | 3-7 | 800-631-2187 | |
| Klutz Kwiz | es el | $17.95 | 5-10 | 800-737-4123 | |
| Math Blaster: Cross Terrain Challenge | cd-rom sw | $19.99 | 9-12 | 800-545-7677 | |
| Imagination Desk | ae ac cp es ml | $44.99 | 3-7 | 800-701-5327 | |
| Clue Finders 5th Grade Adventure | cd-rom es fp sw | $29.95 | 9-12 | 319-395-0115 | |
| Madeline Doll House | cp dh | $150.00 | 2-5 | 800-704-8697 | |
| BUCO | co cp es ty | $79.00 | 3-8 | 800-693-7164 | |
| Tick, Tac, Tock! Game | bg cp es | $13.95 | 6-8 | 888-800-7893 | |
| Bob the Builder--Bob and Lofty Meet the Mice | co | $14.99 | 2-6 | 860-763-6606 | |
| Cow Starter Set by Toytrain | es fp ho | $220.00 | 8-12 | 800-669-0607 | |
| The Tic Toc Clocks | bo cd | $16.95 | 1-5 | 888-678-5636 | |
| Ready-Step-Go Roller Skates | ae op ty | $14.99 | 1-3 | 800-321-0183 | |
| Bug Bingo | bg es ty | $14.95 | 3-12 | 888-420-7585 | |
| Remmy and the BrainTrain | bo cd ml | $16.95 | 4-8 | 607-347-4590 | |
| Madacy Kids | Fun with Mommy & Me ae ml vt | $39.98 | 0-5 | 416-756-2800 | |
| Handy Work | pu es cp sr | $10.00 | 3-7 | 800-541-1345 | |
| Families of the World Video Series | es sr tr vt | $19.95 | 5-11 | 800-888-9681 | |
| McWiz Junior | bg es | $29.99 | 6-12 | 888-691-2849 | |
| Learning Station | es ty | $34.99 | 18 m-6 y | 800-465-6342 | |
| DJ Mixer | cp ml | $49.99 | 6-10 | 800-222-4685 | |
| Wheels on the Bus | bg el | $19.99 | 3-6 | 888-836-7025 | |
| SquashBlox Castle Set | ae co cp fp pl ty | $129.95 | 3-7 | 201-792-5451 | |
| Sing With Me Magic Cube | ae cp es el ho ml | $39.99 | 2-7 | 800-344-2229 | |
| Sunshine Symphony | ml pl | $49.99 | 0-36 mos | 800-220-3669 | |
| Orchard Books | Why Butterflies Go By on Silent Wings | bo sr | $16.95 | 4-10 | 800-242-7737 |
| Original San Francisco Toymakers | Yano | cp ty es | $59.99 | 3-6 | 650-952-7701 |
| Rockit Robot | co es ho ty | $24.95 | 10-12 | 800-638-1694 | |
| Woodkins | do es cp | $15.00 | 3-11 | 800-966-3762 | |
| Three for All | bg | $25.00 | 10-12 | 800-524-4263 | |
| Cool Mad Libs | bo es tr | $3.99 | 7-14 | 800-788-6262 | |
| Learn in Your Car for Kids | at bo cd es tr | $19.95 | 7-12 | 800-748-5804 | |
| Classical Board Game | bg es | $15.00 | 9-12 | 716-662-7794 | |
| Poetry Pals Learning Center | bo es pz vt cp | $89.95 | 2-7 | 877-463-6896 | |
| Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Jr. | bg | $24.99 | 8-12 | 800-800-0298 | |
| WordXchange | bg es | $28.95 | 10-12 | 514-932-4744 | |
| We Sign--ABC, Numbers, Colors, Animals, Rhymes | ae es vt | $14.95 | 3-12 | 800-535-8368 | |
| Petite Performer Puppet & Props | ae cp fp pu | $8.99 pu | 3-12 | 801-544-7899 | |
| Yarn Critters | ac cp es tr | $12.99 | 7-10 | 800-342-8458 | |
| Pentagonia | bg es sr | $20.00 | 8-12 | 306-652-1280 | |
| Clifford Learning Activities | cd-rom es sw sr | $19.95 | 4-6 | 800-724-4718 | |
| Same or Different | cd-rom es sw | $19.99 | 3-5 | 800-253-0564 | |
| Millino 1452 | ty | $7.50 | 1-12 mos | 518-273-0726 | |
| Boo Boo Buddy | no sr | $5.95 | 12 mo-12 yr | 800-346-4655 | |
| Toddler | ae cd cp es ml | $15.99 | 0-4 yrs | 888-606-6874 | |
| You Are A Masterpiece | es sr vt | $19.95 | 5-12 | 800-521-5311 | |
| Deluxe Feltland Doll House | ae co cp do dh | $100.00 | 3-5 | 800-421-4153 | |
| Colorations Colored Puffy Paint | ac cp es | $12.99 | 3-5 | 800-293-9314 | |
| Incredible Shrinky Dinks | ac cp es ho ty | $29.99 | 6-9 | 800-622-8339 | |
| Spin Driver | ty | $39.99 | 18-36 mos | 800-423-2597 | |
| Original Tangle with Texture | no ty | $16.00 | 0-12 | 888-829-3808 | |
| Imagination Playmat | el ml ty | $49.99 | 3-24 mos | 800-486-0898 | |
| Bob-Builder Build & Learn | es el | $24.99 | 2-4 | 800-844-3733 | |
| Scrabble Jr Game: Wildlife | bg es | $19.95 | 5-8 | 888-876-7659 | |
| Me-Mo-Mo | es op ty tr | $49.99 | 5-8 | 800-521-2010 | |
| Inside-Out Sleep Game | ae at ml | $12.95 cd | 3-12 | 805-969-5654 | |
| Lego Racers | bg | $14.99 | 7-10 | 800-447-2151 | |
| Make Your Own Birdhouses | ae bo cp sr | $7.95 | 8-12 | 800-234-8791 | |
| Totally Extreme Rock Climber | ty | $39.99 | 8-12 | 514-344-1250 | |
| Good Night, Mr. Night Toy | cp do fp pl sr | $19.99 | 3-8 | 800-554-1447 | |
| Rock-A-Bye Chou Chou | do ty | $34.99 | 3-7 | 800-629-9273 |
| AC - Arts & Crafts | AE - Active Toy | AP - Activity Product | AT - Audio Tape |
| BG - Board Game | BO - Book | CD - CD | CE - 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 | 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 Item | TS - Transportation |
| TY - Toy | UN - Unique Product | VG - Video Game | VT - Video Tape |
