Independent Toy Retailers Announce the BEST TOYS FOR KIDS LIST

CHICAGO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today the 2009 BEST TOYS FOR KIDS LIST.

"We are thrilled that so many retailers across the country will be participating in the launch of this highly anticipated list," says Kathleen McHugh, President of ASTRA, the largest trade association of independent toy retailers and children's products.

The ASTRA list is created by a community of people who care deeply about quality toys. Most of the toys are made by small manufacturers and are only available at independent toy stores. The award-winning list will be available in participating stores and Online, with the toys clearly identified by an ASTRA winner's seal.

"ASTRA's top picks are made by local toy store owners across the country who understand how kids play. They've spent hours talking with parents and encouraging kids to explore the selection in their stores," says McHugh. "The 2009 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child's imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens."

The Best Toys for Kids list is designed to guide gift-givers in choosing the most unique, engaging, open-ended, fun and safe toys they may not otherwise spot in a sea of one-size-fits-all gizmos and fads. Shoppers are urged to consider products that are about what the child can do with the toy, rather than what the toy does.

"Quality play facilitates learning and growth--helping kids practice social skills, build logic and spatial skills, create new understandings, and explore imaginative thinking," says McHugh. "We look for toys that motivate kids to unplug and get moving, build and design, investigate and discover, toys that fuel fantasy and creativity, that let kids make up the play themselves. Those are the toys kids will play with over and over again. We believe that parents on a quest for toy value this holiday season want to choose quality over novelty, selecting classic and innovative toys that stretch their gift budget, provide endless opportunities for creative fun, and last for years, even generations, of playtime."

Shoppers can easily find a specialty toy store near them by visiting www.astrabesttoysforkids.com.

Toys selected for the 2009 Best Toys for Kids list are:

    INFANT PLAY
    Natural Skwish by Manhattan Toy
    Sophie Giraffe by Calisson Inc.

    TODDLER PLAY
    Wee WEDGiTS 30 piece set by Imagability
    Twilight Ladybug by Cloud B

    PRETEND - ROLE PLAY
    Tea Set by Green Toy
    Shopping Cart by Melissa & Doug

    PRETEND - FANTASY
    Egyptian Pyramid by Playmobil
    Dragon/Knight Reversible Cape & Hood by Creative Education of Canada

    CONSTRUCTIVE PLAY
    Automoblox by Manhattan Toy
    Magformers multicolored 30 pc. building by Rainbow Products

    CREATIVE PLAY
    Sticky Mosaics Twinkle Tiaras by Orb Factory
    Create Your Own Pop-up Books by Creativity for Kids

    SCIENTIFIC PLAY
    Snap Circuits Green by Elenco
    Power House Green by Thames & Kosmos

    ACTIVE PLAY
    Original Djubi by Moonracer/djubi
    EzyRoller by EzyRoller Ltd.

    GAMES
    Games - 3-7 yrs:  Chicky Boom by Blue Orange
    Games - 8 yrs+:  Bananagrams by Bananagrams, LLC

    JUST FOR FUN
    Collectible Erasers by BC Office

    CLASSIC PLAY
    Classic Play - Young:  Magnatiles by Valtech! Co.
    Classic Play - Older:  Doinkit Darts by Marky Sparky