—by Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards. For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com.
Game Night in a Can: Fifth Anniversary Edition
This new mix of mini games focuses on creativity and physical skill. Activities include competitively flying paper airplanes, creating ghost stories about the room you’re in, coming up with the “World’s Worst Book Cover,” banking balls of paper off another person’s face and more. $19.99, ages 8+, barryandjason.com
All-Pro Passer
Go short! Go long! No matter where you go, it’s always the perfect throw. Programmed with the skill, timing and accuracy of a pro quarterback and nine different passing zones, this item launches the ball over 25 yards. $49.99,
ages 8+, allpropasser.com
Goodtimer
This educational toy encourages kids to form healthy habits using positivity, tangible incentives and family participation. Kids can earn tokens to exchange for incentives decided by the family. $79.95, ages 3-10, gogoodtimer.com
Alpha Jetkart
Upgrade from a traditional hoverboard to an exciting go-kart. Enjoy all-terrain manuverability, LED light-up wheels, lava full-color spectrum lighting on the seat, a built-in Bluetooth speaker and 500-watt motor. $349.99, ages 12 years+, ridejetson.com
Makena Williams Doll, Book and Accessories
Makena Williams has a passion for fashion and uses this passion to express her views. This item also includes “Makena: See Me, Hear Me, Know Me” by Denise Lewis Patrick. Makena’s accessories include a black moto jacket, a purple patterned purse and a sketching notebook. $145, ages 8+, americangirl.com/shop/c/world-by-us
Zoology by Mama B & Uncle T
Music is composed of message-driven lyrics, interactive movement, delightful melodies and organic contemporary production. The duo’s lush harmonies deliver the sweet and engaging animal-themed songs meant for little ones.
$7, birth-4 years, mamabunclet.com
Train Your Mind Like a Ninja
Kids will love this card deck with “30 Secret Skills for Fun, Focus and Resilience.” Using ninja training and martial arts as a fun framework, these 30 cards help kids increase focus, compassion and emotional balance. $18.95, ages 5-9, shambhala.com/train-your-mind-like-a-ninja.html
OuiSi Games
OuiSi (pronounced “wee-see”) is a set of 210 visually connecting photo cards, with games and activities that foster creativity and ignite curiosity. Each photo card connects visually with other photo cards in the deck, based on similar patterns, shapes or colors. $35, ages 4+, shop.ouisi.co
