Monthly Archives: October 2012

Today Show: Behind the Scenes

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This morning we kicked off our 2012 toyportfolio.com Award List on the Today Show.  To read about the products featured today, visit toyportfolio.com. Because the segment was geared to older kids, the green room (recently spiffed up) was quieter than our usual segment with babies and toddlers. Above Gabriella uses some of the eeBoo art supplies featured in the segment.

Three school friends also hanging out in the green room.

Sophie, Dehlina and Kena – can you say “girl power”!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before our segment, the girls went to the studio. They got to see all the people involved in making the show happen.  It really takes a village!

Quietly watching as Savannah, Natalie and Al talk before our segment.

Here’s a glimpse of what happens right before we go on.

All the kids are getting ready to play on air.

Talking with Al. Always fun!

After the segment with Al and the girls.

To watch the segment visit, Toys that Teach.

toyportfolio.com announces 2012 Best Toys on Today Show

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I’ll be on the Today Show tomorrow morning, October 2nd, in the 9 o’clock hour to launch the toyportfolio.com’s 2012 list of best toys. Tomorrow’s focus will be on educational toys…but the entire list will appear on toyportfolio.com.

Always exciting to share another year’s results!   We will announce not only our Platinum Awards, but our Gold Seal, Blue Chip and SNAP (Special Needs Adaptable Product) Awards as well.

Surprises of the year:

1. Pink Bricks. We never thought we’d recommend anything as gender specific as pink bricks…but our testers made us really consider our position. If the only way to get certain girls to build is with pink bricks, then do it. The benefits of building (fine motor skills, spatial and visual skills, math skills, following directions)  outweigh any gender stereotypes.

2. Apps in toyland – Most apps toys did not capture the attention of our testers. With some notable exceptions, our testers really just like their apps. Our parent testers also did not see the need to bring an ipad into the realm of boardgames. We agree. This may change with time, but our families liked that board game time was separate and apart from screen time.

3. Pirates and Princesses. Two traditional themes for pretend play are in full force this holiday season.

4. Move Over Elmo.  Grover 2.0 is poised to take over as the novelty doll of the year. Furby, you remember him, is also lurking and looking for a come back.