By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards
Hop, Waddle, Stomp!
Toss the soft, colorful ball, choose a matching puzzle piece and waddle across the room to unite the baby animals with their families. Variant rules allow you to adapt the complexity of play. $19.99, ages 2+, amazon.com
Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic Podcast
A weekly 5-minute podcast featuring real questions from kids about making and keeping friends answered by a psychologist. Each episode includes a transcript as well as “Think About It” questions to deepen children’s understanding. Free, ages 5-13, available wherever you get your podcasts and at drfriendtastic.com/podcast
The Star Jar
An interactive, multi-sensory reward jar. Create a fun and effective way to affirm positive behavior or reinforce habits such as chores, nighttime routines and potty training. Also includes 30 easy reward ideas that cultivate family connection. $35.99, ages 3-12, hellolittlehoney.com
Fingerlings
Brings a heart-to-heart connection to interactive toy play. These adorable baby monkeys know when they’re on your finger. Each of the four new characters have a unique personality and 70+ sounds and reactions that bring them to life. $14.99, ages 5+, shopwowwee.com
Charlie the Honey Bear
Lovingly handcrafted in Peru, this new friend provides 10 meals to children in need. It’s safety-certified for newborns and handcrafted with OEKO-TEX certified cotton yarn. Charlie comes with his own unique personality, birthday and favorite quote to foster self-love, confidence and empathy. $89, ages birth+, cuddleandkind.com
Eat2explore
A cooking kit designed to bring cultural education to life through the exploration of world cuisines. Each kit comes with spice/sauce mixes and cooking and educational materials. Currently, there are 23 countries available, and more will be added. Starting at $21.95/12 month subscription, ages 6+, eat2explore.com
Surprise Powerz Talking STEM Doll – Astro The Astronaut
This talking doll is full of knowledge about planets, moons and stars. With 75+ phrases, sound effects and singalongs, Astro helps build STEM vocabulary and ignites imaginative play for budding young astronauts. $49.99, ages 2-5, surprisepowerz.com
ABC Affirmation Baby Book
An adorable board book with a positive message. Teaches the ABCs while helping build your baby and toddler’s confidence with positive words and 26 affirmations. $12.99, ages birth+, kidsforculture.com
SuperMouth Systems ages 6 to 12
Dentist-invented complete system for whole-mouth health. Set includes Hydroxamin mouthpaste in four flavors, mouthbrush, expanding mouthfloss, prebiotic mouthspray, double scoop ice cream mouthcleaner, mouthwash, augmented reality sticker and more. Starting at $46.49, ages 6-12, supermouth.com
Disney Doorables Academy Campus Crew Figure Pack
Open the composition book -inspired blind box to reveal a guaranteed five, but perhaps six or even seven surprise Doorables figures. Find characters from across the Doorables Academy faculty, student clubs, athletics, pep rally and student body. $12.99, ages 5+, justplayproducts.com
* NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 33 years. For more product reviews and gift ideas visit nappaawards.com.
