ASTRA Celebrates 2024 Play Awards Winners

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) and its members are gathered in St. Louis this week for Marketplace & Academy, and during its first-ever gala, ASTRA unveiled the winners of its 2024 Play Awards.

More than 600 products were submitted across 18 categories and evaluated by Certified Play Experts (CPEs) based on newness, uniqueness, availability, and significance. Originally known as the Best Toys for Kids awards, the ASTRA Play Awards rebranded to cover play for all ages, rather than focusing on defining “what is a toy” or which products are for kids.

And the winners are…

Arts & Crafts

Tiny Easel Painter Box from Tiny Easel

Baby/Toddler

R/C Baby Plane from iPlay iLearn

Books

Baby’s First Book of 44 Sounds from SmartNoggin Toys

Brainteasers

IQ Gears from Smart Toys and Games

Building

Gecko Run: Marble Run Starter Set from Thames & Kosmos

Eco

Wave Stacker from PlanToys

Family Games

800 Pound Gorilla from Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Family Strategy Games

Deduckto from Gamewright

Geek Games

Inside Job from Thames & Kosmos

Kidult

LEGO Hogwarts Castle Grounds from LEGO

Outdoor Play

NASA Collection from Stomp Rocket — D&L Company

Plush

Baby Cuddle Hug Fox from Douglas

Preschool Games

Little Memo from DJECO

Pretend Play

Pretendables School Set from Fat Brain Toy Co.

Puzzles

Mayhem on the Moon 3D Puzzle from Ravensburger

Retro

Big Wheel Big Spin from Schylling

Science

Air Toobz from Fat Brain Toy Co.

Sensory

Tangle Furry Fidget Friends from Tangle Creations

ASTRA Marketplace & Academy attendees can pick up a copy of The Toy Book’s 2024 Specialty Toys & Gifts Issue at ASTRA Center or near the registration desk.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.