Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products - 2002
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 2002 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.
Dr. Toy selects the 10 Best from each of the following categories:
- Best Active Products
- Best Audio/Visual Products
- Best Creative Products
- Best Educational Products
- Best Games
- Best Socially Responsible Products (to help children learn about their environment and themselves)
- Best Software/CD Products
- Best Toys
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 |
| Barnyard Boogie--Puppet Book | bo cp es ml | $15.95 | 3-8 | 888-333-1676 | |
| Kidz Workshop EZ Build Projects | ac ho | $9.99 | 8-10 | 800-772-2846 | |
| Bilibo | ae cp eq op | $20.00 | 2-7 | 416-481-5407 | |
| Music for Babies | cd es ml | $15.95 | 0-3 | 888-228-1798 | |
| My First Desk | ac as cp es | $70.00 | 3-5 | 800-666-2539 | |
| All By Myself "Getting Dressed" | cp es sr vt | $14.95 | 2-5 | 866-408-5437 | |
|
Thomas & Friends Salty's Secret & Other Thomas Adventures |
vt | $12.98 | 2-6 | 800-233-3738 | |
| The Touch Game | bg es | $39.99 | 5-12 | 800-828-7002 | |
| Atollo a120 Building Kit | ac co cp ho ty | $12.99 | 5-10 | 866-428-6556 | |
| Finny Finds Friends in the Forest | bo cd es ml | $18.95 | 3-5 | 570-383-2579 | |
| Scramble Squares Puzzles | es no pz sr | $8.95 | 4-12 | 800-809-4242 | |
| Baby Beethoven Symphony of Fun | vt | $14.99 | 0-4 | 800-793-1454 | |
| Spring-Summer Harvest | cd es ml sr vt | $14.98 | 1-48 mos | 800-380-1213 | |
| Playtime for You and Me | es vt | $39.95 | 0-15 mos | 888-205-7529 | |
| Clip Crafts | ac no tr | $4.99 | 6-8 | 800-662-3380 | |
| Mega Tube Traxx | co ty | $22.50 | 5-10 | 800-822-8828 | |
| Crayola Crayon Maker | ac cp | $29.99 | 8-12 | 800-272-9652 | |
| Gobblet | bg | $29.95 | 7-12 | 415-572-3885 | |
| I Spy Rhyme-A-Thon Game | bg cp es | $24.99 | 8-12 | 800-232-7427 | |
| Chiccoland Tree House | ae cp es tr ty | $39.99 | 1-4 | 877-424-4226 | |
| Your Tiny Jungle Tot | cp es ml sr vt | $12.95 | 3-36 mos | 877-559-5100 | |
| Maggie and the Ferocious Beast | vt | $12.95 | 3-5 | 310-244-4000 | |
| Cariboo | bg es ty | $16.95 | 3-6 | 312-297-7575 | |
| Design Your Own Kit | ac ae cp op ty | $19.99 | 8-12 | 800-584-6848 | |
| Air-Musement Park | es no ty | $26.99 | 8-13 | 800-426-4777 | |
| First North Americans Kid Kit | ac bo cp es | $14.95 | 6-10 | 800-475-4522 | |
| GeoSafari USA Search | el es | $99.95 | 8-12 | 800-995-4436 | |
| Electronic Snap Circuits | eg es ho sc | $59.95 | 8-12 | 800-533-2441 | |
| Marcel The Mountain Biker | ae bo fp op sr | $24.95 | 3-7 | 818-706-9812 | |
| There's A Growly in the Garden! | bg | $15.00 | 5-9 | 888-267-4414 | |
| Kasey the Kinderbot | ae eg es sr sw | $64.99 | 3-7 | 800-432-5437 | |
| Puppet Theater | cp es fp ty | $80.00 | 3-12 | 800-654-8922 | |
| Hands Are Not For Hitting Board Book | bo es sr | $7.95 | 1.5-3 | 800-735-7323 | |
| Record-Your-Voice Book | bo cp es no sr | $29.99 | 3-10 | 888-386-9673 | |
| Scrambled States of America | ae cg es | $11.99 | 8-12 | 800-638-7568 | |
| Lena Mercedes Fire Engine | ae fp no op ts | $50.00 | 3-6 | 877-902-8697 | |
| Aquini Drink & Wet Baby | do | $19.99 | 2-7 | 800-959-3655 | |
| Cosmosphere | ty | $10.00 | 10-48 mos | 888-442-6376 | |
| Electronic Hand Held Boggle | eg | $10.99 | 8-12 | 888-836-7025 | |
| Playskool Air-Tivity Table | ty | $29.99 | 0.75-3 | 800-844-3733 | |
| My First Amazing Game Board Book | bg bo | $19.99 | 3-6 | 203-838-6400 | |
| Honey Bee Tree | ae | $14.99 | 3-5 | 800-631-1272 | |
| Irwin Toys | Caillou Sing Along | do | $24.99 | 3-7 | Out of Business |
| Just Enough Vocals Kit | bo cd es sr vt | $29.95 | 11-12 | 800-260-5119 | |
| Bendos Camper | fp op ty | $24.99 | 6-10 | 800-816-1135 | |
| Tuff Stuff Stereo CD Player | ae cd fp ho ml | $69.99 | 4-7 | 888-867-8697 | |
| That's My Name | vt | $16.99 | 1-24 mos | 800-444-7336 | |
|
Kids Collection of Greatest Classics, Vol. 3 |
cd cp ml tr | $14.98 | 0-12 | 978-369-0766 | |
|
My First Lunchbox & My First Toolbox Toy |
ae cp es fp ty | $24.99 | 0.5-3 | 770-751-0442 | |
| Jump Start Action Songs | ae at cd fp ml | $14.95 | 4-8 | 800-631-2187 | |
| Wraps | es tr | $7.95 | 5-10 | 800-737-4123 | |
| JumpStart Advanced Preschool | cm es sw | $29.99 | 2-4 | 800-545-7677 | |
| Quantum Pad Learning System | bo eg es sr | $49.99 | 5-12 | 800-701-5327 | |
|
FeltKids FeltHouse & Story Pieces Collection |
fp tr ty | $19.99 | 3-12 | 800-704-8697 | |
| Learn Every Day Preschool | bo es | $14.95 | 3-5 | 800-532-8876 | |
| Talking Clever Clock and Workbook | el es | $34.95 | 5-7 | 888-800-7893 | |
| Theatre Stories | co cp es fp ml | $29.99 | 4-8 | 800-233-8756 | |
| Ballyhoo Brothers Circus Train | ho | $299.95 | 8-12 | 586-949-4100 | |
| RohSzamBo | bg | $14.95 | 5-10 | 800-760-9930 | |
| Lewis & Clark Bingo | bg es ty | $13.95 | 4-12 | 888-420-7585 | |
| Name Train | cp es sr ts ty | $4.75 | 3-5 | 800-421-4223 | |
| Families of Russia | es sr vt | $29.95 | 3-12 | 800-765-5885 | |
| Land-Sea R/C | ae cp op ty | $69.99 | 5-10 | 800-222-4685 | |
| My Grandbaby and Me | vt | $17.95 | 1-12 mos | 888-741-2229 | |
|
Winky Wizard--The Birthday Burglar and (Your Child's Name) |
bo cd cp ml sr | $14.99 | 3-7 | 888-800-3150 | |
| Musini | ae eg es ml | $59.99 | 3-8 | 800-220-3669 | |
| I Need You and You Need Me | at cd es sr | $14.98 | 2-8 | 516-466-6040 | |
| Ultimate Baby CD | ae cp es ml sr | $16.99 | 0-3 | 707-224-0364 | |
| World Stars | cp fp sr ty | $7.95 | 6-8 | 866-869-7639 | |
| Hot Wheels Accelerator Laptop | eg es | $59.99 | 5-10 | 800-853-8883 | |
| Jungle Robot | co es ho ty | $19.95 | 10-12 | 800-638-1694 | |
|
Color Workshop Blopens Magic Color Change Kit |
ac cp | $14.99 | 4-8 | 888-661-9421 | |
| Cubee Tunnels | ae co cp es ho | $30.00 | 0-3 | 800-387-2587 | |
| Woodkins Design Studio | ac cp do fp sr | $18.00 | 7-12 | 800-966-3762 | |
| Busy Park Playground | es ty | $49.99 | 1-2 | 800-822-8828 | |
| PicturePages Partnership |
Bill Cosby's Picture Pages-- Early Learning Readiness Series |
cd es sr sw | $29.95 | 3-5 | 877-877-2887 |
| Geomag | co cp es ho tr | $19.95 | 3-10 | 800-647-9989 | |
| 3186 - Airport | cp fp sr ts ty | $89.99 | 4-8 | 800-752-9662 | |
| Playstages Theater Set | cp es pu ty | $159.99 | 6-12 | 866-646-4546 | |
| Proverbial Wisdom Jr. | bg es | $19.95 | 7-12 | 877-462-7579 | |
| Makit & Bakit Charm Jewelry | ac cp ho no | $5.99 | 8-12 | 800-342-8458 | |
| Time's Up | ae bg cg | $19.99 | 10-12 | 888-874-3353 | |
| Seven Horses of the Redfly Sacred Circle | bg sr tr | $7.00 | 5-12 | 406-254-7316 | |
| Rising Stars Toys | Squeeze Me Music Soft Piano | es ml pl ty | $29.95 | 2-5 | 317-566-8778 |
| Beginning Fractions & Decimals Video | es ml vt | $14.99 | 7-10 | 800-348-8445 | |
| Gee-Perz! Great Projects to Share | ac cp ho ty | $19.99 | 5-10 | 866-386-7799 | |
|
Clifford The Big Red Dog Wooden Shape Sorter |
es tr ts ty | $24.99 | 3-5 | 800-724-6527 | |
| Multiplication Hip-Hop | cd cp es ml | $13.99 | 6-12 | 718-637-6447 | |
| It's 2 Cute Ryan's Room | dh | $100.00 | 2-7 | 800-421-4153 | |
| Animal Sounds Pals | pl ty | $5.99 | 1-12 mos | 800-225-0382 | |
| Gymini Super Deluxe Lights & Music | ae es ml ty | $59.95 | 0-10 | 888-846-9568 | |
| Monopoly Activity Books | bo es tr | $3.99 | 4-12 | 800-860-6762 | |
| Star Theater 2 | es op ty | $29.99 | 8-12 | 800-869-7555 | |
|
Fun-in-a-Box, The Dr. Seuss Matching Game |
bg es | $15.99 | 4-7 | 800-471-0641 | |
| Knights of Knowledge | es ty | $49.99 | 5-8 | 800-521-2010 | |
| Code Busters | ac bo cp | $14.95 | 8-12 | 800-426-0099 | |
| LEGO Creator Deluxe Game | bg | $24.99 | 4-12 | 800-447-2151 | |
|
Young Scientists Club Science Kits Curriculum |
es | $10.99 | 4-12 | 800-964-1320 | |
| Baby Annabell | do | $49.99 | 3-12 | 877-629-9273 | |
| Zome DNA Kit | co cp es sr ty | $11.95 | 10-12 | 888-966-3386 |
| 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 | GN- Green Product |
| 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 |
