ASTRA 2012 Best Toys for Kids

As a member of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Grandrabbit’s is dedicated to providing toys and games that are educational, unique, fun and engaging. This year we are proud to carry thirteen of the 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids. The 2012 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that support early childhood development, pretend play, constructive play, game play, creativity, science discovery, active play and lateral thinking! 

Here’s the best part! Our staff is knowledgeable about developmental milestones, how children play and the playability of all the products in our store. Come into a Grandrabbit’s store today and allow our outstanding staff show you the 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids and guide you in finding the perfect gift! 

ASTRA Best Toys for Kids available in our stores:


Roll & Play- ThinkFun

This game designed for toddlers age 18 months and up and has been winning awards left and right. The colors on the cube correspond to colored cards each with a simple activity. It's designed to support your toddler's development and introduce play patterns and rules.



Puppet on a Stick- Educational Insights

For kids 4+ Puppet on a stick is an exciting addition to any play box. They are perfect for puppet shows, circle time, or story time, but the possibilities are endless. Inspire dramatic play and see where your imagination takes you.

E-Rangers Headquarters- Playmobil

Futuristic, Fantasy, Fun! The Playmobil E-Rangers' Headquarters is packed with pretend play potential and tons of special effect features including a real working solar cell, changing computer display and LED spotlight.



 The Zoob Challenge- Infinitoy

Zoob is an excellent building set with dynamic results. Unlike many other building sets, ZOOB peices move after you put them together! ZOOB Challenge comes with 175 pieces, string, wheels, a ball, rubber bands, a foam play pad and 25 challenges that are based on essential STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) skills. (Ages 8+)



 Look Look- MindWare
Look Look is a fast-paced matching race comprised of eight interchangeable frames packed with visual cues. Players compete to find identical creatures or solve a math challenge. Game cards reveal the challenge and the winner keeps the card. Be the first to collect enough cards to spell "Look Look" and you take the game! (Ages 6+)


TENZI- Carma Games

(Description from ilovetenzi.com)  

OBJECT:

Be the first player to get all ten of your dice to show the same number.

HOW TO PLAY:
(2-4 players.) Each player chooses a set of dice. Players hold all ten dice in their hands. Someone says “Go” and everyone rolls at the same time. Quickly look at your roll and decide which number you are going to go for. (For example, if you have more 3’s than any other number, that’s what you want to go for.) Put all your dice with that number aside, collect the remaining dice and quickly roll again. (You do not have to wait for others to roll again. Everyone rolls together only on the first roll.) Keep rolling until all ten of your dice show the same number.

WINNING:
The first player to get all ten of their dice to match (ten 3’s, for example) shouts out “TENZI” and wins the game!
 
Additionally, there's lots of other ways to play. To get a preview download the free Tenzi app for iPhone and iPad.

My First Super Science Kit- Be Amazing! Toys

Perfect for the little scientist eager to learn about their world. This Super Science kit comes with all the materials needed to conduct 75 experiments including a magnifying glass and Energy Stick to teach them about electricity and conductivity. (Ages 4-8)





Snap Circuits LIGHT- Elenco

This Snap Circuits kit makes it easy and fun to learn about electronics. There are over 175 projects you can create! Connect your ipod or any MP3 player to watch the lights change to the beat.   (Ages 8+)



Kickin' Putt- Begin Again

Begin Again toys is a local Colorado imaginative toy company. They focus on thoughtful toy design that inspires children and incorporate materials that can be or have been reduced or recycled. Kickin' Putt combines the fun of soccer, kickball, flying discs and golf! Players throw the flying disc to set the hole and then compete to kick their ball into the goal first. Sets can be combined to create a tournament setting and you can create your own version of the game! (Kids of all ages)
 
Ogo Sport RAQ- Ogo Sport

 A hand trampoline for balls: throw, catch, bounce! There's so many ways to play!

(Ages 3+)



Rush Hour- ThinkFun

The single-player traffic jam logic game! Help your little red car get out of the gridlock by shifting the rest of the traffic on the game board. The game comes with 40 challenge cards sorted by four levels of difficulty allowing players to progress at their own pace. (Ages 8+)




Rubik's The Void Puzzle- Winning Moves

A "hole" new take on the classic Rubik's cube with the added challenge of missing center "cubes". Grandrabbit's customers have reported that it moves super smoothly too! Are you ready to take on the challenge of the void?






Perplexus Twist- PlaSmart

This new 4D challenge game from PlaSmart puts a new twist on the classic Perplexus. The player must twist and realign the tracks to avoid traps, decoys and cliffhangers. A great toy for cognitive development that encourages creative problem solving, hand-eye coordination, motor skills and patience! (Ages 6+)