All these factors and many more go into our decision process in finding the best toys. And sometimes we learned that a toy required intense supervision or that a parent had to expend a significant amount of time or effort to assemble it. Sometimes we discovered that a toy isn’t very durable and may not hold up to repeated use. Sometimes, through assembly and use, we found out that toys (like science kits with certain dyes and craft sets that use colored dough) can stain the floor or kids’ clothing and skin. What this list delivers are toys that are safe, well-designed and well–constructed that inspire a child’s imagination and creativity that foster problem-solving skills that encourage social play that build skills (fine-motor, gross-motor, math, science, artistic and more) and that are just plain fun.Įven after this thorough evaluation, there are reasons a top-tested toy may not make it onto our list even if kids find it completely enjoyable. How well constructed was each toy? Did they pass all the necessary safety checks? We verified compliance with ASTM testing standards, and also performed our own in Lab and at-home assessments.Īfter that came the true test: Kids played with the toys! We sent submissions to more than 450 kids of all ages, all across the country, to help us assess them and find the best of the best.

After that, our experts checked for quality. Then it was on to assembly, and notes were made on how simple or complex that task was too. And the evaluation started before the toys were even played with, by physically unboxing each entrant and seeing how easy or difficult it was. Our team of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute got hands-on with every product submission. The Lab then takes the top toys and calls them in for testing, where experts, parents and - most importantly - kids get to weigh in and choose the winners.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting and Pets Lab combs the marketplace for the entire year, keeping track of new toy releases and staying on top of trends. Our long-standing Toy Awards program - this is our fifteenth year! - was created to help ease this often overwhelming process.

It’s a tall order, but that's why the Good Housekeeping Institute team comes in. And if it offers some kind of educational and developmental strengthening, even better. But more than that, you want something that's safe, that’s not a pain to unbox, that's relatively easy to assemble (if necessary) and that's going to keep a child’s attention for more than a few minutes. Of course, you want it to be something they'll be excited to open and play with. If you're a caregiver, you know how challenging finding the perfect gift for that special child in your life can be.

Shiny blue flamingo string toy