"Best Toys for Kids" awards are now the "Astra Play Awards"

Why?

As our committee worked on sorting through all the nominees, they were often hindered by two words: Toys and Kids. Defining what exactly a toy is and is not proved challenging. Are the products we sell in our neighborhood toy stores only for kids? And what ages are even considered kids? After great deliberation, the committee brainstormed new names that could encompass what we are all about; fostering good play for all ages. The name ASTRA Play Awards became the obvious choice.

The 2023 Play Award Winners!

ACTIVE PLAY: Anywhere Sports - Trampoline Pong by Thin Air Brands

ARTS & CRAFTS: Inspirational Nature Plant Press by DJECO

BABY / TODDLER: Spill Again by Fat Brain Toy Co

BRAINTEASERS: Safari Park Jr. by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.

BUILDING: Dino World XL by Magna-Tiles®

ECO: Cheese and Charcuterie Board by PlanToys

EDUCATIONAL: 100 Pics, Countries by Asmodee

FAMILY GAMES: Sleeping Queens 2 - The Rescue! by Gamewright

GAMES FOR TWEENS +: Big Potato - Herd Mentality by Gamewright / Big Potato

PLUSH: Vinnie Banana Slug Macaroon by DOUGLAS CO., INC.

PRESCHOOL GAMES: Indoor Scavenger Hunt by eeBoo

PRETEND PLAY: SmartMax - My First Pirates by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.

ROLE PLAY: Great Pretenders - Green Dragon Set by Creative Education of Canada

SCIENCE / STEM: Hydraulic Boxing Bots by Thames & Kosmos

The 2023 Play Award Complete List Of Finalists!

ACTIVE PLAY:

  • Mystery Key Treasure Chest by Goliath
  • Bubble Blitz by Odyssey Marketing LLC
  • Cobra Strike by Starlux Games
  • Ghosts in the Graveyard REDUX by Starlux Games
  • Trampoline Pong by Thin Air Brands
  • Bubble Blade by US Toy

ARTS & CRAFTS:

  • Inspirational Nature Plant Press by DJECO
  • My Painting Pad, Jungle by Floss & Rock
  • Air Dry Clay Set by Kid Made Modern
  • Dippin' Designs Enchanted Egg Wraps by Little Kids Inc.
  • Magic Friends Hidden Colors Magic Paint Sheets by OOLY

BABY / TODDLER:

  • Spill Again by Fat Brain Toy Co
  • Puffaboo Elephant by Fat Brain Toy Co
  • Baby RC Airplane by IPLAY ILEARN INC
  • Dino Garage by JURATOYS US
  • Ride-OnDino Portosaurus by JURATOYS US
  • Peggy Gears by Quercetti

BRAINTEASERS:

  • Logic! CASE Starter Puzzle Set by HABA
  • Genius Gems by MUKIKIM
  • Free Fall by Ravensburger/ThinkFun
  • Safari Park Jr. by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.
  • Tower Stacks by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.

BUILDING:

  • Zip Linx Triple Tower Blast by Blip Toys
  • Scorpio Grip x Sting by C-bionic
  • Dino World XL by Magna-Tiles®
  • Mini Waffle City - Café by Marioinex
  • Gravity Blocks by Popular Playthings
  • Knight Bus™ by UGears

ECO:

  • Mini Greenhouse Set by Dantoy/BuzzyKids
  • Outdoor Kitchen by Hape
  • Cheese and Charcuterie Board by PlanToys
  • PlayBio Kubo Shape Sorter by Quercetti
  • Jumbo Recycling Truck by Viking Toys LLC

EDUCATION:

  • 100 Pics, Countries by Asmodee
  • Wooden Stacking Blocks by Bimi Boo Kids
  • Writing Lab Montessori by Headu
  • Amelia Earhart interactive plush doll by Little Rebels

FAMILY GAMES:

  • Beat The 8 Ball by Blue Orange Games
  • Tetris by Buffalo Games/Gamewright
  • Sleeping Queens 2 - The Rescue by Gamewright
  • Shout it Out! By MUKIKIM
  • Flashback: Zombie Kidz by Scorpion Masque
  • High Score by Thames & Kosmos

GAMES FOR TWEENS+:

  • Herd Mentality by Gamewright/Big Potato
  • Fire Tower by Goliath
  • Reign of Dragoness by Grandpa Beck's Games
  • Ole Guacamole by Scorpion Masque
  • Zero to 100 by Scorpion Masque

PLUSH:

  • Weighted Giving Bear by DEMDACO
  • Vinnie Banana Slug Macaroon by Douglas Co.
  • Phoenix Wristlet Puppet by Folkmanis, Inc.
  • Bumpas, Oz by License 2 Play
  • Style 4 Ever Airbrush Plush Dino by License 2 Play/Canal Toys
  • Snuggle Puppy Hero by Snuggle Puppy

PRESCHOOL GAMES:

  • Sliding Toucan by Blue Orange Games
  • Indoor Scavenger Hunt by eeBoo
  • Silly Science Fine Motor Sorting Set by Learning Resources
  • Jump Jump Joey! By MW Wholesale

PRETEND PLAY:

  • Tree House Play World by Bababoo and friends
  • Green Planet Explorers Panda's Bamboo House by Hape
  • Holiday Camper Van by Le Toy Van
  • Shadow Theater by Papaton LLC
  • My First Pirates by Smart Toys and Games, Inc.

ROLE PLAY:

  • Green Dragon Set by Creative Education of Canada
  • Super Bricolo by DJECO
  • Pretendables Lemonade by Fat Brain Toy Co
  • Little Chef Cooking and Steam Playset by Hape
  • My First Baking Oven by Hape

SCIENCE / STEM:

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Rainbow Volcano Lava Lab by Learning Advantage
  • Dig It Up! Bubbling Ice Age Discovery by MW Wholesale
  • Hydraulic Boxing Bots by Thames & Kosmos
  • Trainbots: 2-in-1 STEAM Maker Kit by Thames & Kosmos
  • 2 in 1 Microscope Habitat by Thin Air Brands

Past Winners

2022

Games 5-7: Cowpie Catapults, The Good Game Co

Games 8-10: Forklift Frenzy, Fat Brain Toy Co

Arts & Crafts: Build & Grow Tree House Faber-Castell/Creativity for Kids

Pretend Play: Super Cityscape Transport Bucket Set, Hape

Puzzles: Puzzle By Number® - 800 PC Earth, Plus-Plus

Building: Builder Set, Magna-Tiles

Preschool Games: Pancake Monster, Blue Orange Games

Science: Ultra Bionic Blaster, Thames and Kosmos

Sensory: Sensory Bin Mermaid Lagoon, Faber-Castell/Creativity for Kids

Preschool: Roboflex, Smart Toys & Games

Educational: Dig it Up! Glow in the Dark Dinosaur Eggs, MindWare

Active Play: Dueling Stomp Rockets, Stomp Rocket