DR. TOY'S BEST VACATION PRODUCTS 2000 Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy) |
Summer is a great time to explore many different activities at home, either indoors or outdoors. And it is also a grand time to explore nature in any of its forms.
The products Dr. Toy has selected provide children with experiences to help them learn during the summertime. There are great products to take along and use on a trip, and to explore once you arrive at your destination. There are products that will give children child plenty of things to do if you're staying at home.
Summertime should be about fun and learning, testing limits and learning new skills. These products provide children with creative activities. They will stimulate them with a whole range of new skills. Learning during the summer can include getting a jump start on skills like learning phonics, reading new books, playing math or strategy games. as well as having fun from all kinds of great activities.
There is something for everyone in this vast array of products. All of the companies selected have provided their best possible offerings. This summer will be about fun, exploration, and gaining new confidence.
We would like to hear from you about the experiences your child has with any of these products. We expect they will provide fun and learning, relaxation and stimulation, and a chance to test out all aspects of your child's abilities. HAVE A GREAT TIME!
Tell Dr. Toy about any questions you have about play and toys. Thanks for telling others you learned about these products from Dr. Toy's Award winners.
Note: The individual entries are still undergoing final revisions. Any missing images will be available as soon as possible
ac=Arts & Crafts | ae=Active | at=Audio | bg=Board Game |
bo=Book | cd=CD-ROM | co=Construction Toy | cp=Creative Product |
cr=Computer-related | dh=Dollhouse | do=Doll | eq=Equipment |
es=Educational Skills Product | fp=Fantasy Play | ho=Hobby | ml=Musical |
mm=Multimedia | no=Novelty | op=Outdoor Play | pl=Plush Toy |
pu=Puppet | pz=Puzzle | sr=Social Responsibility | sw=Software |
tr=Travel | ts=Transportation | ty=Toy | vt=Video Tape |
COMPANY NAME | ITEM | Price | Ages | Phone |
Action Products | Logiblocs Room Alarm Pack co cp es | $24.95 | 7-12 yr | 800-772-2846 |
Action Products | Ultimate Saturn 5 Rocket es ts | $44.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-772-2846 |
Ajjava | Sense-ation! bg | $29.95 | 6-12 yr | 225-819-1991 |
Amerigames International | Quick Chess bg es tr | $9.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-344-4241 |
Anchor Bay | Baby Songs Animals vt | $12.98 | 1-6 yr | 800-745-1145 |
Artsy | Awesome Girls Doll do | $14.99 | 3-8 yr | 888-972-7879 |
Artsy | Awesome Girls Scrapbook Fun ac | $7.99 | 6-12 yr | 888-972-7879 |
Artsy | Beads 'n Love ac | $9.99 | 8-12 yr | 888-972-7879 |
Baby Buzz'r International | Baby Buzz'r no ts tr | $19.95 | 3 mo-3 yr | 801-495-2229 |
Baby Einstein Company | Baby Shakespeare bk vt | $19.95 | 1-4 yr | 800-793-1454 |
Baby Einstein Company | Baby Webster es | $8.98 | 1-4 yr | 800-793-1454 |
Basic Fun | Burple no tr | $10.00 | 6-12 yr | 215-364-1665 |
BeanStar Entertainment | Princess Bean's Messy World at cd | $14.98 | 4-9 yr | 800-246-9225 |
Biggwood | Community Puzzle ac cp pz | $10.00 | 3-12 yr | 800-652-3760 |
Binney & Smith | Crayola Activity Tote ac es tr | $14.99 | 3-8 yr | 800-272-9652 |
Binney & Smith | Crayola Wonder Fun Desk ac es tr | $16.99 | 3-8 yr | 800-272-9652 |
Bioviva | Betting on Nature cg es | $9.95 | 6-12 yr | 508-740-3075 |
Bioviva | Families in Nature cg es | $9.95 | 6-12 yr | 508-740-3075 |
Bioviva | Nature Keeps You Guessing cg es | $9.95 | 6-12 yr | 508-740-3075 |
Briarpatch | Jump Start Card Game es ge | $5.99 | 3-5 yr | 800-232-7427 |
BRIO | Builder System-Space Discovery Set co es | $48.00 | 3-7 yr | 888-274-6869 |
Cadaco | Print Shop ac | $14.99 | 5-7 yr | 800-621-5426 |
Chicco | Maxi Blocks co | $24.99 | 1-4 yr | 877-424-4226 |
Chicco | Smile It's a Real Camera ho | $18.99 | 4-7 yr | 877-424-4226 |
Chicco | Travel Sketch es | $12.99 | 3-5 yr | 877-424-4226 |
Classic Game | Where Are We? USA bg es | $19.95 | 6-12 yr | 860-875-9166 |
Competitive Edge | Mutual Mania bg es | $29.99 | 11 - 12 yr | 888-327-6460 |
Creative Teaching Press | Brain Builders es ts | $9.98 | 4-9 yr | 800-287-8879 |
Cultural Concepts | Diversity Works ge es tr | $15.95 | 8-12 yr | 800-497-8221 |
DaMert | GoGetter 2 bk es pz ts | $15.00 | 6-9 yr | 800-231-3722 |
Discovery Toys | Fire Hose Hero cp es | $19.99 | 5-9 yr | 800-426-4777 |
Discovery Toys | Glider Rider es ts | $9.99 | 6-9 yr | 800-426-4777 |
Dream Green | 1-2-3 Oy! es tr | $9.95 | 6-12 yr | 888-438-4263 |
Earth Lore | I Dig Treasures Mysteries of Egypt ac es | $24.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-440-2630 |
Edmark | Space Academy GX-I sw | $19.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-691-2986 |
Educational Design | Slippery Slimes Fun Lab es | $4.95 | 8-12 yr | 800-221-9372 |
Edufun | Eduplates Mixed-Up Barnyard at bk es cp | $16.95 | 4-7 yr | 877-733-8386 |
Elemen of Periodica | Elemen of Periodica at bg bk cd es cp | $4.99 | 6-12 yr | 925-200-7802 |
Emerald City Graphics | Baby Dazzle es vt | $19.95 | 1-12 mo | 913-789-8251 |
Exploratorium | Brain Explorer bk | $15.95 | 9-12 yr | 415-561-0372 |
Exploratorium | Outrageous Ooze es | $15.95 | 8-12 yr | 415-561-0372 |
Exploratorium | Science Explorer bk | $12.95 | 6-9 yr | 415-561-0372 |
Exploratorium | Science Explorer Out & About bk | $12.95 | 6-9 yr | 415-561-0372 |
Exploratorium | Sparks & Zaps es | $15.95 | 8-12 yr | 415-561-0372 |
Fotowear | Color & Wear ac cp no | $19.99 | 3-7 yr | 570-296-4709 |
Frank Schaffer Publications | Games on the Go bk | $5.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-421-5533 |
Frank Schaffer Publications | Match and Learn Tray Puzzles pz | $7.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-421-5533 |
Future Boomers | Beth Manners' Magic French at cd es tr | $9.98 | 2-6 yr | 800-743-6244 |
Games for All Reasons | Finish Lines bg | $29.95 | 12 up | 781-648-2029 |
Gamewright | Kitty Corners bg | $11.99 | 5-8 yr | 800-638-7568 |
GCDC Marketing | E*Writer Computerized Disc eq es no op | $14.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-477-6677 |
Harrisville Designs | Lap Loom ac | $39.95 | 7-12 yr | 800-338-9415 |
Hasbro | Munch 'n Slurp Teletubbies pl | $24.99 | 18 mo-3 yr | 800-752-9755 |
Hasbro | Talking Light-Up Dragon Tales pl | $19.99 | 2-5 yr | 800-752-9755 |
Hooray! | Huggy Sport Bat and Balls op | $14.99 | 2-5 yr | 212-989-3660 |
Hooray! | Huggy Sport Ringtoss op | $14.99 | 2-5 yr | 212-989-3660 |
Horace Hopper's Musical Adventures | Horace Hopper's Musical Adventures es cd pu cp | $39.99 | 3-5 yr | 888-291-4174 |
Hot Off the Press | Disney Character Collection Craft Foam Treasure Book ac bk | $9.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-227-9595 |
Hot Off the Press | Disney Scrapbooking for Kids Series ac bk | $9.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-227-9595 |
Hot Off the Press | Mickey & Friends Pom Pom Treasure Book ac bk | $9.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-227-9595 |
Hot Off the Press | Winnie the Pooh Cardmaking Treasure Book ac bk | $9.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-227-9595 |
Ideas that Play Entertainment | Buddy Brush and the Painted Playhouse ac cd-rom cp eq es pz sw | $24.95 | 3-5 yr | 877-682-2122 |
Innovative Kids | Amazing Game Board Book bg bk es tr no | $19.99 | 6-9 yr | 800-722-6657 |
Innovative Kids | Discover the USA bk es no pz | $14.99 | 7-12 yr | 800-722-6657 |
Innovative Kids | Groovy Tube Book Sea Splash! bg bk es | $16.99 | 5-12 yr | 800-722-6657 |
Innovative Kids | Peel & Sparkle Starry Skies ac bk es no | $14.99 | 6-9 yr | 800-722-6657 |
Interactive Learning Group | Video Buddy es vt | $59.95 | 3-6 yr | 612-820-0600 |
JAKKS Pacific | Flash & Splash Fishin tr | $7.99 | 12 mo-2 yr | 800-545-2557 |
Jon Nix | Foamania ac cp es pz tr ts | $4.99 | 4-12 yr | 888-295-0878 |
Judy/Instructo | Fun Foam Puzzles-Under the Sea pz | $9.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-421-5533 |
Judy/Instructo | Smart Squares-Numbers 1 to 24 pz | $7.95 | 5-7 yr | 800-421-5533 |
Judy/Instructo | Whose Baby Are You? ge | $6.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-421-5533 |
Kid Concoctions | Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions ac bk cp es ho | $14.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-348-5890 |
Kid Games | Cyberail no | $11.99 | 7-9 yr | 888-543-4263 |
Kids II | Fold N' Go Play Gym tr | $34.99 | 1-12 mo | 770-751-0442 |
Kids II | Teething Keys tr | $4.99 | 1-12 mo | 770-751-0442 |
Learning Curve | Lamaze Match & Play Jungle pz tr | $19.99 | 12-36 mo | 800-704-8697 |
Learning Resources | America the Beautiful es tr | $9.95 | 8 -12 yr | 888-800-7893 |
Learning Resources | Famous USA Landmarks es tr | $9.95 | 8 -12 yr | 888-800-7893 |
Lee Middleton Dolls | Baby Carrier / Car Seat / Cuddle Pack eq | 28 / 28 /16 | 3-5 yr | 800-242-3285 |
Lee Middleton Dolls | Cuddle Me-Girl My Own Baby do | $124.00 | 3-5 yr | 800-242-3285 |
Lee Middleton Dolls | Small Wonder Play Baby do | $49.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-242-3285 |
Lego | Dino Research Compound co cp es ho no | $79.99 | 8-12 yr | 860-763-6758 |
Lego Media | Legoland PC CD-ROM sw | $24.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-453-4652 |
Lego Mindstorm | Droid Developer Kit co | $99.00 | 9-12 yr | 800-363-2140 |
Let's Learn | Hopscotch Play Mat es ts tr | $24.95 | 3-8 yr | 800-675-0090 |
Ludico Toys | Truck No. 1 co ts | $89.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-583-4267 |
Milton Bradley/Hasbro | Risk 'n Roll 2000 bg | $14.99 | 6-12 yr | 888-836-7025 |
Monterey Soundworks | Adventures of Tom Sawyer at | $16.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-424-2593 |
Monterey Soundworks | Alice's Adventures at | $16.95 | 6-12 yr | 800-424-2593 |
Monterey Soundworks | Cinderella at | $16.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-424-2593 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | Mozart for Toddlers at | $12.98 | 15 mo-3 yr / 1- 3 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | Mozart Magic Cube es | $34.95 | 2-4 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | Mozart Magic Flute es | $7.95 | 1-4 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | My First Flash Cube es | $19.95 | 1-5 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | Video Soup Nature Babies vt | $12.98 | 15 mo-3 yr / 1- 3 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Munchkin/Embryonics | Wombsong Serenades at | $12.98 | 15 mo-3 yr / 1- 3 yr | 800-344-2229 |
Neurosmith | Music Blocks cp eq es ts | $19.99 | 2-7 yr | 800-220-3669 |
New Englander Crafts | Keepsake Holder Kits ac cp | $15.00 | 8-10 yr | 805-987-8085 |
North American Bear | Muffy Stuff Plus Backpack eq tr | $22.00 | 3-8 yr | 800-682-3427 |
Omnicor | Wikki Stix Take-Along tr | $12.95 | 3-12 yr | 800-869-4554 |
Out of the Box Publishing | Apples to Apples Junior ge | $15.95 | 7-12 yr | 608-244-3575 |
OWI | Amphibious Solar Vehicle es tr cr | $39.95 | 10-12 yr | 800-638-1694 |
Pixel Park | Bears cd sw | $22.00 | 3-8 yr | 0064-359-1577 |
Playmore | Whales bg | $23.95 | 7-12 yr | 877-426-3757 |
PTI Sports | Tonka Diesel Bike Horn ty | $9.99 | 3-5 yr | 800-515-0074 |
Ravensburger USA | Buggo bg es | $14.95 | 5-7 yr | 800-886-1236 |
Ravensburger USA | Number Detective bg es | $19.95 | 4-8 yr | 800-886-1236 |
Rock 'N Learn | Phonics Double Video Set vt | $24.99 | 6-9 yr | 800-348-8445 |
Rose Art | Craftastic-Bean Bag Bears ac es | $14.99 | 6-8 yr | 800-447-2151 |
Rose Art | Curious George Board Game bg es | $12.99 | 4-9 yr | 800-447-2151 |
Rose Art | Lego Creater Game bg co es | $15.99 | 7-12 yr | 800-447-2151 |
Roylco | Bug Rubbings Art Kit ac cp es | $9.99 | 5-10 yr | 800-362-8656 |
Rumpus | Bag of Noise pl | $15.00 | 2-3 yr | 888-786-7871 |
Rumpus | Big Fish Little Fish pl | $19.99 | 2-3 yr | 888-786-7871 |
Rumpus | Freddy Fetch pl | $24.99 | 3-5 yr | 888-786-7871 |
Sassy | Itsy Bitsy Insect Inn ty | $12.99 | 6 mo-3 yr | 800-323-6336 |
Scholastic Entertainment | Emily Elizabeth Dress-Up Doll do es ts | $24.99 | 3-5 yr | 800-724-6527 |
Selu Spirit | Neonates do | $89.95 | 3-5 yr | 877-877-3671 |
Simply Storytelling | Tell It Again and Again at es tr | $10.00 | 3-5 yr | 877-417-8679 |
Smart Picks | Food Pyramid Bingo bg | $24.95 | 8-12 yr | 888-712-3144 |
Smartees | Vicky the Veterinarian bk do | $19.99 | 6-12 yr | 800-484-2626 |
Stak-Its Toy Co. | Stak-Its Collector co cp es pz | $1.99 | 3-12 yr | 877-782-5487 |
Stoffle Enterprises | Lift the Lid Together bk cp es pu | $34.95 | 3-5 yr | 800-638-7568 |
Story Teller | Can Do Book bo cp es tr | $19.95 | 2-5 yr | 800-801-6860 |
Swingset Press | My People Stuff Directory ac bk es no | $14.95 | 8-12 yr | 888-543-9366 |
T.J. Whitneys Toys | Wooden Marbles and Blocks co es | $49.95 | 4-9 yr | 250-995-0055 |
Taurus Toy | Block-N-Roll co es | $29.95 | 6-12 yr | 877-262-2565 |
Team Concepts | ComQuest Junior eq es tr | $24.99 | 3-5 yr | 800-486-0898 |
Think of It! | Go-Go Hoop tr | $9.99 | 5-8 yr | 888-844-6566 |
Tiny Love/Maya Group | On the Go Musical Mobile es | $19.95 | birth-5 mo | 800-846-9568 |
Tiny Love/Maya Group | Stroller Playset es | $17.95 | 6-18 mo | 800-846-9568 |
Tiny Love/Maya Group | Take Along Arch es | $17.95 | birth-10 mo | 800-846-9568 |
Tutti Bambini | Snuggle Pets ac cp pl ty | $14.99 | 5-12 yr | 800-937-7578 |
Twooth Timer Company | Twooth Timer es | $9.99 | 3-12 yr | 214-522-8596 |
U.S. Game Systems | Pez Card Game ge | $10.00 | 6-12 yr | 800-544-2637 |
Uniset/International Playthings | USA Map Activity Set cp es tr | $8.00 | 3-8 yr | 800-445-8347 |
Vtech | Little Smart Hugs 'n Twinkles pl tr ts | $9.99 | 3 mo-3 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Little Smart Muttzarts es pl ts | $14.99 | birth-3 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Master Pad XL eq es sw tr | $79.99 | 8-12 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Mouse Play Deluxe es | $29.99 | 4-6 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Mr. Squawky Talky cp eq es pl | $34.99 | 3-6 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Non-Stop Girl eq es sw tr | $39.99 | 6-9 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Phusion cp eq es sw pz | $119.99 | 9-12 yr | 800-521-2010 |
Vtech | Smart Wave PC eq es sw tr | $19.99 | 4-8 yr | 800-521-2010 |
World Class Learning Materials | Little Architect Master Builder Intermediate Set co cp | $49.50 | 6-12 yr | 800-638-6470 |
Wrebbit | Color 'n Roll Coloring Desk cp tr | $9.95 | 4-10 yr | 800-973-2248 |
ac=Arts & Crafts | ae=Active | at=Audio Tape | bg=Board Game |
bo=Book | cd=CD-ROM | co=Construction Toy | cp=Creative Product |
cr=Computer-related | dh=Dollhouse | do=Doll | eq=Equipment |
es=Educational Skills Product | fp=Fantasy Play | ho=Hobby | ml=Musical |
mm=Multimedia | no=Novelty | op=Outdoor Play | pl=Plush Toy |
pu=Puppet | pz=Puzzle | sr=Social Responsibility | sw=Software |
tr=Travel | ts=Transportation | ty=Toy | vt=Video Tape |
|
||
Main | ||
|
||