‘Tis the season for giving, but finding the perfect holiday gifts can feel like a daunting task. To make the gift-giving season a little easier, here are some of this season’s fantastic finds, all of which were recognized by the National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA).
For the past 27 years, NAPPA Gift Guide has been the go-to place for finding the best products for families. NAPPA’s team of expert judges and parent and kid testers play with and evaluate hundreds of products each year. They choose only the best of the best to receive the NAPPA seal.
From books and music to toys, games, and tech, these products are parent- and kid-approved for quality, durability, and, most of all, fun.
Tunes for Your Family
Life on a Trampoline by Randy & Dave
Randy & Dave are back and flying high with their second release, jam packed with clever, cheeky songs that are laugh-out-loud funny. Randy is a little bit country, Dave is a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and together they add some jazz and blues for a style and sound all their own.
For ages five to eight | $15
songwizard.com
Lemonade by Justin Roberts
Twice Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts calls this new album “the musical equivalent of an impromptu lemonade stand popping up in the summer heat.” The album is diversely dotted with ukulele, piano, cello, fiddle, marimba, and harpsichord, along with lovely harmonies.
For ages four to nine | $13
justinrobertsmusic.com
Born in the Deep Woods by Red Yarn
Red Yarn is a Texas-born, Oregon-based family performer who weaves folksongs and puppetry into engaging shows for all ages. With his energetic performances and lush folk-rock recordings, Red Yarn reinvigorates American folklore for younger generations.
For ages three to eight | $13
redyarn.bandcamp.com
Funny Faces by Michael & the Rockness Monsters
This is a perfect balance of silly and serious. While there are both goofy and thoughtful songs on this record, across all of them there is an overarching message: be yourself, feel free, respect others, and enjoy life.
For ages three to 10 | $15
michaelandtherocknessmonsters.com
Keep On by Little Miss Ann and Amy D
This album of hopeful and happy tunes includes varied musical styles including the ‘50s doo-wop “L.O.V.E.,” Johnny Cash-like “Where is Thumbkin?,” and the Calypso tune, “Hill and Gully Rider.” Both artists have experience as teachers, and their common Filipino backgrounds inspired two of their original songs.
For ages two and up
$16 CD, $10 download
littlemissann.com
Make Play and Learning Fun
In & Out Activity Table
A unique design features three ways to play. Twin tables open to reveal deep wells for sand, water, blocks, craft supplies, sensory water beads, and more. A doubled sided tabletop with molded-in cup holders is great for crafting or snacking. For space saving storage, the tables nest and stack. No assembly required.
For ages 18 months and up | $70
simplay3.com
My Audio Pet
These Bluetooth speakers are cute, tiny, and super powerful. They offer Parable Wireless Stereo Technology, so you can use them individually or pair two together for an amazing stereo sound. They feature easy wireless connection to most smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices, built-in mic for hands-free options, rechargeable battery for portable tunes wherever you go, and remote selfie function.
For ages five and up | $30
myaudiopet.com
Teacher’s Pet
An innovative classroom product that makes a great gift for your favorite teacher. Made from a proprietary microfiber blend, Teacher’s Pet is a fun and useful whiteboard eraser designed by a teacher.
For teachers and kids ages five to 12
$17
teacherspet4u.com
Books
PBS KIDS Turn the Key: Around the World
Turn the key, open the door, and see how and where kids live and play in faraway places. Readers will peek inside a nomadic home in Mongolia, a houseboat in the Netherlands, a bamboo house on stilts in Bangladesh, and other homes in South Africa, Siberia, and El Salvador. This colorful book introduces kids to other cultures, shares new vocabulary, and enhances fine motor coordination.
For ages one to four | $13
dtbwpub.com
Jilly’s Terrible Temper Tantrums: And How She Outgrew Them
Jilly, a happy little kangaroo, has a series of terrible temper tantrums. Her parents firmly yet lovingly help her through them until she is able to seek them out for comfort when things don’t go as she wishes.
For ages preschool to eight | $13
jillysterribletempertantrums.com
IlluStory – Create Your Own Book!
Fuel a child’s love for books, drawing, and storytelling with this complete kit for writing, illustrating, and publishing their very own hardcover book. Bring your child’s imagination to life through the fun and educational process of making their own book.
For ages four and up | $30
lulujr.com
A Monster Mess!
New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio has penned this personalized children’s book called A Monster Mess! A Read Your Story exclusive, this is a tale of adventure and bravery starring the greatest hero of all time—your child. The book features your child’s name and face throughout. In addition, you can add a personal dedication, add two family photos, and choose from five book colors.
For ages three to seven | $30
readyourstory.com
If My Dog Could Talk Storybook
Ever wonder what your pet dog is thinking when he gives you that look? Hilariously narrated from the dog’s perspective, this rhyming storybook celebrates the special, loving bond between dogs and their families. Customized especially for your child and his or her best buddy.
For all ages | $30
iseeme.com
Toys, Games, and Puzzles
Teach My Yoga Mat Set – Hop and Learn
Designed to encourage active learning through hopscotch and yoga. Your child can master the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors, while playing hopscotch and doing yoga. Using a yoga mat, spinner, bean bags, and play tokens, your child won’t even realize they are learning.
For ages three and up | $25
teachmy.com
Eggsplorer Transformable Drone
A unique egg-shaped quadcopter that can open its wings to fly once activated by the touch of a button. When not flying, it can go back to its egg form. This is an easy-to-fly quadcopter drone with flexible flying options via the headless flying mode, speed selection, and auto hovering.
For ages eight and up | $30
tdrworld.com
TOMO 2 in 1 STEM Robotic Kit
An educational robot kit that teaches beginners about graphical programming, electronics, and robotics through building and the use of smart devices. It can be assembled into two different robots: a tricycle or a self-balancing dicycle. Control, program, and share via smartphones or tablets to explore the endless possibilities of robotics.
For ages eight and up | $100
tenergy.com
GEO Salt Water / Solar Powered Robot
A STEM educational DIY robot kit that teaches young kids about the value of alternative energy sources and the science behind them. Kids can learn how to use alternative green energy sources to power up Geo and see the robot zip away. Educational fun facts are also included in the instruction manual.
For ages eight and up | $20
tenergy.com
The Learning Journey Match It! Spelling
A colorful set of three-letter and four-letter puzzle cards which provides children with an introduction to spelling. They can learn to spell by associating the object with the word and correctly assembling the puzzle pieces. The puzzles are self-correcting—only cards with the correct sequence will fit together.
For ages two to four | $12
tlji.com
Stuck On You Personalized Name Puzzles
These wooden name puzzles are a great way to enjoy learning. A fun and educational tactile toy that will improve kids alphabet recognition skills and help them learn to recognize their name.
For ages two to four | $20-$35
stuckonyou.us
Marvel Spider-Man Homecoming: Official Movie Edition Spider Drone
Now you can help your favorite superhero watch over the city with your own Official Spider-Man: Homecoming Movie Edition Spider-Drone, Powered by Sky Viper. With eight legs and a Spidey-suit-inspired style, this drone is an authentic replica of Spider-Man’s new gadget in the blockbuster film.
For ages 12 and up | $80
sky-viper.com
Thomas & Friends Super Station
A fun multi-system track set with three levels of play. Children play with engines from Thomas & Friends Adventures, TrackMaster, MINIS, and Wooden Railway. It includes Thomas, Percy, James, and Harold and holds over 100 engines with 35 feet of track.
For ages three and up | $100
toysrus.com
Marvel Swing & Sling Spider-Man
Swing, sling, flip, and tumble with the new plush toy. Spidey has some amazing moves, he can swing in the air, hang upside down, tumble forward and backwards, and even do a 360 backflip then get back up. Press his foot, then pick him up by his webs. He even says fun phrases and plays the Spider-Man theme song.
For ages three and up | $40
justplayproducts.com
My Very Own Ice Cream Cart
Order up! Kids can role-play as an ice cream server when they get behind the counter of this colorful ice cream cart. Included are scoops of ice cream, cones, bowls, scoopers, serving spoons, coins, and a credit card to ring up the orders.
For ages two and up | $20
americanplastictoys.com
COOP Sports Battle Bounce
This outdoor game is played with two to four players divided into two teams. Smack the ball across to your opponent while they try to keep it from hitting the ground, just like in volleyball. However, with Battle Bounce, you have to bounce the ball off the net first so it ricochets toward an opposing player.
For ages eight and up | $30
coop-sports.com
ThinkFun: Roller Coaster Challenge Engineering Game
This thrilling engineering challenge helps players understand physics and logic concepts. Choose one of the 40 challenge cards, then set up the board as directed. Using the remaining pieces, players must build a working roller coaster that meets the build conditions specified on the challenge card.
For ages six and up | $30
thinkfun.com
Monkeys Up Board Game
This is a fast-paced game that will have you going bananas. Players compete to get the best score by flipping, switching, and stealing monkeys. You will find yourself laughing head over heels until all of your monkeys are up.
For ages six and up | $22
roosterfin.com
Marvel Spider-Man Mega City Play Set
Imagine swinging into action and saving the city with Spider-Man. At a towering 46 inches tall—nearly 4 feet—the set includes more than 20 features and five levels of play, from the subway to the bank vault and Peter Parker’s secret lab. Hook Spider-Man up to the web zip line and watch as he swings into action to stop villains from using the exploding door to steal money bags from the bank.
For ages four and up | $100
hasbrotoyshop.com
Make Your Own Bath Bombs
These bath bombs transform your bath with fizzy bubbles, fun color, and a fantastic fragrance. Learn the science behind creating the perfect fizz and make up to 12 colorful bath bombs in five different shapes.
For ages six and up | $22
scholastic.com
Doc McStuffins Baby All-in-One Nursery
Preschoolers can nurture and care for their baby dolls alongside Doc McStuffins with the All-in-One Nursery—an adorable role-play center full of exciting doctor features and accessories to explore. Use Doc’s portable electronic patient laptop to diagnose, featuring a light-up screen, sounds, and lullaby music.
For ages three and up | $80
justplayproducts.com
Groovy Blocks: 170 Piece Set
Put a new twist on conventional building blocks. The brightly colored grooved blocks and links slide together in multiple ways for open-ended creativity, while the color-coded links simplify the construction process.
For ages four and up | $35
mindware.orientaltrading.com
Kidizoom Action Cam 180
The 180 degree rotatable camera lets kids take photos and selfies from all angles, plus shoot videos with fun features like slow and fast-motion. Use the included accessories to mount the camera to a bike, skateboard, and more while taking great action shots anytime, anywhere. Add the all-weather, waterproof case for use up to six feet underwater.
For ages four and up | $50
vtechkids.com
Tad’s Get Ready for School Book
Contains 12 pages of interactive learning and introduces ABCs, numbers, colors, animals, shapes, emotions, music, and more. Touch the pictures on each page and the book will come to life with learning phrases and sounds. Press the music button to hear six learning songs and watch the light flash along. Then, practice telling time by turning the hour hand on the clock.
For ages two and up | $22
leapfrog.com
The Urban Playset by Readysetz
3D foldable playset powered by imagination. Super easy to fold and store.
For ages five to eight | $60
readysetz.com
UNBORED: Time Capsule
The kit is full of everything you’ll need to capture the important details of today, including a clipboard and 50 questionnaires, adjustable date stamp and ink pad, storage tubes, card protectors, coin bags, boxes with cotton batting, envelopes, a scrapbook and sheet of photo corners, assorted labels, tags, and more.
For ages eight and up | $30
mindware.orientaltrading.com
KaBlocks
Stack the soft, foam building blocks in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors on the special platform to create crazy architectural feats—the higher the better. Then, simply jump onto the stomp pad to blast the structure apart.
For ages three and up | $40
mindware.orientaltrading.com
KidKraft’s Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen with Lights & Sounds
The play kitchen has realistic interactive features that bring the imaginative environment to life with burners that light up and an ice maker with realistic sounds and flashing lights. The speckled granite style countertop, knobs that turn and click, convenient storage space below sink, and sink with faucet and taps that turn make kitchen play more fun.
For ages three and up | $230
kidkraft.com
IDO3D 3D Print Shop
A battery-operated tech device that provides a simple-function 3D printing experience. Kids can create their own 3D object or clone something they already own.
For ages eight and up | $60
redwood-ventures.com
Ben 10 Rustbucket Vehicle and Playset
The main vehicle seen in Cartoon Network’s new Ben 10 animated series, the Rustbucket is a 2-in-1 vehicle that transforms into a giant three-level playset standing over 2 feet tall. Kids can create their own adventures with all of the Ben 10 Basic Figures, using all of the action features in the Rustbucket, including an alien transformation chamber, plasma blaster, “alien-vator”, grabbing claw, alien lab, and more.
For ages four and up | $50
playmatestoys.com
Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
This delightful bulldozer encourages movement and motor skills in little builders when the colorful balls are counted as they pop up through the chimney, into the scoop bucket and back again. Start pushing the chunky handle and watch the bulldozer come to life with poppin’ balls and fun tunes.
For ages 12-36 months | $25
vtechkids.com
Q-BA-MAZE 2.0: Rails Extreme
A unique system of colorful cubes that interlock to form a marble run. Configurations are unlimited allowing for unpredictable action when the steel marbles travel different routes. Developed by an architect, Q-BA-MAZE inspires creative play as you experiment with motion, stability, physics, and art.
For ages six and up | $100
mindware.orientaltrading.com
Zoo Jamz Stompin’ Fun Drums
Children will enjoy this fresh way to practice counting and develop coordination as they follow along with the melodies and sing-along songs or create their own rockin’ beats. Mini musicians will love stepping on the elephant bass pedal to see the elephant trunk move up and down and create a fun bass sound effect.
For ages 18 months to four years | $40
vtechkids.com
Cozmo
Say hello to Cozmo, a gifted little guy with a mind of his own. He’s a real-life robot like you’ve only seen in movies, with a one-of-a-kind personality that evolves the more you hang out. He’ll nudge you to play and keep you constantly surprised.
For ages eight and up | $180
anki.com
For Baby
VTech Baby Beats Monkey Drum
Two sensors reward tapping with a variety of drum sounds and tunes. Light-up shape buttons to learn about animals, animal sounds, and colors, and hear playful sing-along songs. Two learning modes encourage little ones to interact with the drum by asking them to find animals or colors, or to press the flashing light.
For ages three-24 months | $13
vtechkids.com
go-shins
Lightweight and soft rubber sock shoes for babies and toddlers. Non-slip, comfortable, and cute designs. Machine washable.
For ages birth-36 months | $33
goshins.com
Pull & Discover Activity Elephant
Twist the dial and little jungle explorers will learn about the jungle friends, what sounds they make, fun phrases, and music. When they’re feeling tame they can press light-up buttons that encourage motor skills or match the blocks with the shape sorter to discover colors, animals, and shapes.
For ages 12-36 months | $30
vtechkids.com
Yoee Baby
An adorable toy that helps babies develop all five senses while playfully connecting with parents and other caregivers. Featuring a teether, rattle, plush toy, and signature synthetic feather tail.
For ages birth-24 months | $25
yoeebaby.com
GearZooz Roll & Roar Animal Train
Children can create their own unique train by mixing and matching the 15 included gears while strengthening their fine motor skills and problem solving techniques. Put the Smart Gear animals on the pegs to learn about animals. Press the buttons to listen to different instruments or answer kid-friendly questions and move the slider to explore different locations.
For ages 18 months to four years | $30
vtechkids.com
For more gift ideas, visit nappaawards.com.
