Category Award Winners

The plush (or soft toy) category oozed cuteness every year, everyone wants to test this category!

WINNER

Unicorn Soft Toy

By: H Grossman Ltd

Age: 3 years+

RRP: £19.99

A 60cm unicorn is a magical ty for any child this Christmas.  It’s a super soft special friend available in standing or seated versions.

More information at: www.ozbozz.co.uk

Available from: Smyths Toys

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “My daughter is currently unicorn crazy, so was super excited to test this. When she saw it was so large, her eyes nearly popped right out!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Bush Baby World Shimmies Bush Babies Princess Melina Soft Toy

By: Golden Bear Toys

Age: 5-9

RRP: £19.99

Princess Melina is the head of the Shimmies Bush Babies from Bush Baby World. You can wiggle her ears and move her eyes then watch her come alive in your hands.  Made from soft cuddly fabrics, sparkly detailing and fun accessories.

More information at: www.goldenbeartoys.com

Available from: Argos

Buy now from – www.argos.co.uk

What the testers said “We found the Princess Melina quite different and a joy to watch our girls play with her.  They enjoyed the movement and interaction.”

A vast array of toys fit into the wheeled toy category, but our testers always love trying them out, either zooming round a track or combining wheeled trucks with a little imagination.

WINNER

ANKI Overdrive: Fast and Furious

By: ANKI

Age: 8 years+

RRP: £169.99

ANKI Overdrive pits you against artificially intelligent supercars in a pulse pounding game of strategy and speed.  It merges the most exhilarating elements of the film with an unprecedented level of customisation.

More information at: www.anki.com

Available from: Argos

Buy now from –  www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “ANKI is our favourite brand, both boys enjoy the films so were excited to play the ANKI version – they loved it!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Ice Cream Truck

By: Diamont Toys/ AMAV Ltd

Age: 6 years+

RRP: £29.99

Ice Cream Truck is a delicious wheeled toy.  Pour in your own ice cream mixture, let the truck roll along, so you get your ice cream at the finish line.

More information at: www.amav.com

Available from: www.amav.com

Buy now from – www.amav.com

What the testers said “Something a little different.  We enjoyed making, playing and eating.”

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Imaginative play is so important in a child’s development.  Learning cause and effect and how things work is all done through well planned play.  Here is the best according to our testers.

WINNER

Pharaoh’s Pyramid

By: Playmobil

Age: 6-12

RRP: £59.99

The Pharaoh’s Pyramid is made of five chambers all equipped with secret switches, trap doors and thrilling puzzles. Children build the set themselves, designed to develop important motor skills whilst encouraging imaginative play.

More information at: www.playmobil.co.uk/pharaohs-pyramid/5386.html

Available from: John Lewis

Buy now from –  http://www.playmobil.co.uk/pharaohs-pyramid/5386.html

What the testers said “Such a great brand!  My child loved the accessibility of the pyramid, it’s such a large toy, we loved the fact sides came off for easier play.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Goopy Slime

By: H Grossman Ltd

Age: 3 years+

RRP: £2.99

Slime is the yukkiest craze of 2017.  Shops are selling out and of course the master of ‘toy crazes’ H Grossman are behind this latest phenomenon.  Let your imagination run riot!

More information at: www.ozbozz.co.uk

Buy now from – Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/

What the testers said “I have three boys so of course slime is going to be a hit!  In particular the loved the ‘toilet’ noises they could make with it.”

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The educational toy category in the Rainbow Toy Awards is looked at by teaching professionals and where possible tested by children in an educational setting.

WINNER

Times Table Tray

By: BigJigs Toys

Age: 3 years+

RRP: £11.49

Aid child development with this colourful wooden times table tray, ideal for early learning.  Help little ones learn times tables with ease, as well as encouraging dexterity and fine motor skills.  The bright colours will help keep little ones engaged for longer.

More information at: www.bigjigstoys.co.uk

Available from: Amazon

Buy now from – www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “We were having trouble with times tables and so when my child was asked to test this I was delighted – It has helped so much, I feel indebted to BigJigs for helping my child get back on track with Times Tables! ”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

LinkIt Card Game

By: Pikykwiky Ltd

Age: 6 years+

RRP: £12.95

A fast paced observation card game suitable for the whole family.  LinkIt uses two decks of cards. Each card from one deck is linked in some way to a card in the other deck – by way of a picture.  The winner will spot that link the quickest and call out!

More information at: www.pikykwiky.com

Available from: Amazon

Buy now from – https://www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “Fast paced and hilariously noisy, the whole family got involved in this one and had a great time.”

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…and so for the older children and big kids…

WINNER

Staccups

By: University Games

Age: 8 years+

RRP: £19.99

Speed and hand eye coordination is needed for this fast, frantic stacking game!  Race your opponent to clear all of your cups – match colours to stack ‘em then keep alert for the next match.

More information at: www.university-games.co.uk

Available from: Argos

Buy now from –  https://www.amazon.co.uk/

What the testers said “Fast and furious and we did have such a laugh!”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Rory’s Story Cubes: Fantasia

By: Esdevium Games

Age: 6 years+

RRP: £9.99

Rory’s Story Cubes: Fantasia allows you narrate tales of fantastical creatures and magical quests. Roll the dice, look at the images and create limitless stories – encourages imagination, creativity and develops confidence and language skills.

More information at: www.storycubes.com

Available from: John Lewis

Buy now from – https://www.amazon.co.uk/

What the testers said “We love making stories in our house so were excited to try out Story Cubes.  It added a new twist to story time as we used them as an aid at bedtimes too. ”

We always split the Games & Puzzles Category, as there is too much of a range for all of the entries to go up against each other.  This first sections looks at games & puzzles suitable for younger children.

WINNER

LinkIt Card Game

By: Pikykwiky Ltd

Age: 6 years+

RRP: £12.95

A fast-paced observation card game suitable for the whole family.  LinkIt uses two decks of cards. Each card from one deck is linked in some way to a card in the other deck – by way of a picture.  The winner will spot that link the quickest and call out!

More information at: www.pikykwiky.com

Available from: Amazon

Buy now from – https://www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “Fast paced and hilariously noisy, the whole family got involved in this one and had a great time.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Giggle Wiggle

By: John Adams Leisure

Age: 4 years+

RRP: £24.99

Giggle Wiggle is a twisting, turning race to the top.  Race to balance balls on Giggle Wiggle’s hands as he dances to the music. Be the first to stack them all then press the button to win!

More information at: www.johnadams.co.uk/product/giggle-wiggle

Available from: Tesco

Buy now from – https://www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “Bright and colourful and loads of fun.  It’s easy to play with few rules, great, as getting started quickly is a must in our house!”

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Children love to make and do, this never changes year on year, so our Art & Craft Category is always hotly contended.  This year our awards go to toys you may remember but now with a modern twist…

WINNER

Spiralite

By: John Adams Leisure

Age: 5 years+

RRP: £21.99

Spiralite allows you to draw and illuminate amazing spiral designs. Create perfect patterns with neon markers.  Draw, decorate and turn it on to make it glow – with 8 light show settings.

More information at: www.johnadams.co.uk/products/spiralite

Available from: Smyths Toys

Buy now from –  http://www.argos.co.uk/search/spiralite/

What the testers said “I used to love Spirograph as a child so REALLY loved helping my child test this, adding the light show added a new dimension too.”

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Original Shrinkles Bumper Box

By: Keycraft Ltd

Age: 4-11

RRP: £10.00

Shrinkles is a fun craft activity for all the family.  Draw and colour your Shrinkle creation then pop into the oven.  Watch the magic as your creation shrinks to 7 times its size, ideal to make badges, jewellery and other fun items.

More information at: www.keycraftuk.com

Available from: Hobbycraft

Buy now from – https://www.amazon.co.uk

What the testers said “They enjoyed the colouring and making. Of course, they needed my help with the oven bit but watching through the oven window added to the excitement.”

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