This Friday – right here on this site we will be announcing who all the winners and highly commended’s are for the 2016 Rainbow Awards… we can hardly wait!
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The Rainbow Toy Awards ceremony for 2015 is almost at a close and all that remains is to announce our overall champion for 2015.
It’s a toy that scored as near to perfectly as possible, a toy that scored more than every other toy in all of the categories, the testers said about this toy;
“Brilliant, quality, captures my children’s imaginations and they enjoyed this toy. This product also helped my son’s gross motor skills and he actually loved singing along with the songs and rhymes that are built in to the toy. The interactive aspect the toy, is wonderful my son had seven other vehicles and other Toot Toot products and they all integrate and interact with this toy, well worth the money and very impressed.”
“Brilliant value for money, you have interactive components in this toy and we loved how they interact with the other cars you can additionally purchase to go with this toy.”
OVERALL CHAMPION 2015
VTech Baby Toot Toot Drivers Garage
by: VTech Electronics
Our final category has the ‘Ahh Factor’ as it’s the soft toys that have been tested, and by tested we mean cuddled, chatted to, slept alongside and generally befriended of course!
WINNER
My First Baby Annabell Cuddly Sleeping Lamb
By: Zapf Creation
Age: birth+
RRP: £19.99
The My First Baby Annabell Cuddly Sleeping Lamb will make the perfect first toy for any newborn, due to its night time features which are sure to make bedtime routine less stressful for both parents and baby. The toy is the perfect nightlight as the little star on its tummy lights up once pressed and even plays a lullaby to help little ones nod off.
More information at: www.baby-annabell.com
Available from: Toys R Us, Smyths, Tesco
What the testers said “So utterly cute, we love making it move, this provided many giggles!”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Anagranimals
By: Anagranimals
Age: birth+
RRP: £19.99
Lending a unique twist to the plush sector in 2015, Anagranimals is the interchangeable soft toy range that has already scooped best new toy award at the London Toy Fair. The Anagranimals are a gang of cuddly creatures, each made up of three different animals, each one fixed with Velcro so all fully interchangeable, children can create up to 216 combinations such as the Hippo-Rilla-Roo and the Piggy-Croco-Puss.
More information at: www.anagranimals.com
Available from: www.anagranimal.com
What the testers said “It’s nice to see something that is so different! I think it provided enjoyment but also lots of discussion too “
Read MoreBuilding, making and creating with construction toys showed the testers all about cause and effect, hand eye coordination and many more skills. Using building blocks and all the other construction toys plays a huge part in any child’s fine motor skill development.
WINNER
Car Trax Turntable
By: H Grossman
Age: 3 years+
RRP: £11.99
Car Trax Turnaround Trax Set. Turnaround Trax has a flexible racing track that’s easy to assemble with a lifting bridge and turntable. Includes one car.
More information at: www.ozbozz.co.uk
Available from: Smyths, Amazon, Argos
What the testers said “We loved it! Was not expecting the car to be so fast and the turntable was a nice surprise”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Java Plane
By: Java Toy
Age: 3 years+
RRP: £6.50
Java is currently used as educational material in several nurseries and schools all over Hungary. Every toy comes with its own booklet, including pictures and guidelines to some common constructions. This set has full instructions to make the plane but Java also like to encourage creativity.
More information at: www.javatoy.co.uk
Available from: www.javatoy.co.uk
What the testers said “We are Java fans having seen their construction toys before, my little boy loved making the plane with his father”
Read MoreOutdoor toys are so important to a child’s development. Being outdoors means the play can be bigger, more energetic and sometimes more messy! Let’s see what the testers praised…
WINNER
Fish n’ Splash Water Table
By: Little Tikes
Age: 2-6 years
RRP: £49.99
There’s nothing like a day of fishing and now little anglers can have so much fun catching and counting colourful little pond swimmers right in their backyard. There’s lots of filling, pouring ad splashing extras to make water pay so much more fun.
More information at: www.littletikes.co.uk
Available from: Debenhams, Asda
What the testers said “We had the table in the garden when the grandparents were here, everyone (including Grandad!) had such a fun time! Lots of chat, giggles and learning too”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
LeapBand
By: LeapFrog
Age: 4-7 years
RRP: £29.99
Discover the only activity tracker made for kids that encourages active play and healthy habits with 50 fun challenges and a free Petathlon Games app
More information at: www.leafrog.co.uk/leapband
Available from: Toys R Us, Smyths, the Entertainer
What the testers said “The Leap Band itself is attractive, well made and very strong. The strap should outlast the product which is a benefit. The technology included is good for a children’s product.”
Read MoreMany of our testers are of preschool age and so we are able to have toys tested by many little hands and minds, often in a range of settings too, not just at home.
WINNER
LeapPad Platinum
By: LeapFrog
Age: 3-9 years
RRP: £99.99
The new edition to the number one LeapPad family, LeapPad Platinum is the most durable LeapPad tablet yet. Offering kids safe content, a seven inch high resolution, multi-touch capacity screen and fast processor, the LeapPad Platinum hosts over 800 age appropriate, educator approved games, some of which automatically adjust to suit the child’s learning level.
More information at: www.leapfrog.com
Available from: The Entertainer, Smyths, Toys R Us
What the testers said “It held their attention for as long as they were allowed to play with it, I love the time limit feature!”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
My Friend Freddy Bear
By: Vivid Toy Group
Age: 2-5 years
RRP: £39.99
My Friend Freddy Bear is the bear who really knows you. Specifically designed for preschoolers, My Friend Freddy Bear is an interactive bear with a difference, whose activities develop as the child grows up. Freddy Bear works via an app and will incorporate personal details into the things he says.
More information at: www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk
Available from: Argos, Smyths, Toys R Us
What the testers said “My son had so much fun with this! He was delighted at first just to cuddle and play with the bear but when he realised everything else it did he was absolutely enthralled and played with it for at least 40 minutes continuously which is a lot for him.”
Read MoreThe imaginative play category is always full of a whole plethora of different toys, kits, games and novelties, we enjoy seeing whether the children agree with the adults on what’s fun.
WINNER
VTech Baby Toot Toot Drivers Garage
By: VTech Electronics
Age: 1-5 years
RRP: £49.99
An interactive garage with cute tow truck and three floors of interactive play. Four electronic locations play tunes, phrases and songs, plus they teach colours, numbers and road safety.
More information at: www.vtech.co.uk
Available at: Amazon, JD Williams, Debenhams
What the testers said “Each child had lots of imaginative play and excitement with this toy.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Slime Baff
By: Zimpli Kids
Age: 3 years +
RRP: £4.99
Make bath time fun with Slime Baff. Turn your water into gooey, oozy slime and let your imagination run wild. Simply Dilute your Slime Baff by adding more water and safely drain away.
More information from: www.zimplikids.com
Available at: Gelicity.co.uk and Amazon
What the testers said “My kids were a little unsure to begin with, but quickly got stuck in, and had great fun. “
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