ASTRA 2021 Best Toys For Kids | Source: ASTRA/The Toy Book

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is looking ahead to the holiday selling season with its 2021 Best Toys for Kids list.

This year’s winners were selected from a field of 52 nominees across 10 categories that were submitted by and voted on by ASTRA members. The winners were revealed in a virtual presentation ahead of ASTRA’s annual Marketplace & Academy that will take place Aug. 5-8, 2021, in Minneapolis.

“ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids award program reflects the collective expertise of hundreds of toy retailers who know toys inside out,” says ASTRA President Sue Warfield. “The list of winners represents the best of the fun, top-quality, high play value products consumers can find in locally-owned neighborhood toy stores around the country.”

2021 Best Toys for Kids Winners:

Build & Play

  • Zig & Go Music | Djeco

Craft

  • Soapstone Carving Kit – Bear | Studiostone Creative

Games

  • Story Time Chess | Story Time Chess

Impulse/Fidget

  • Hide Inside Putty – Flower Finds | Crazy Aaron’s

Infant/Toddler

  • Dimpl Stack | Fat Brain

Outdoor/Active

  • Rainbow Wobble Board – Regular Size | Bunny Hopkins

Preschool

  • Toniebox Starter Set | Tonies

Pretend

  • Galaxy Cape | Great Pretenders

Puzzle

  • SmartGames IQ Circuit | Smart Toys and Games

Science

  • Gravity Bugs | Thames & Kosmos

“The Best Toys for Kids awards program is one more way to differentiate the outstanding value of specialty toys and to differentiate ASTRA stores,” Warfield adds. “We encourage specialty retailers to use this program to educate their customers and sell more toys.”

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