An Independent Guide to the "Bestest" Kid-Tested Toys

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Best New Games and Puzzles in 2018:

Temperatures are dropping, and some of the fun is moving indoors. So here are our favourite new games and puzzles to cuddle up with after a busy day playing in the snow. ...

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Holidays 2017 Toy Guide:

Snow is in the air and holiday shopping is in full swing. If you’ve a tot on your shopping list, check out these 2017 testing family favourites for a quick and easy shopping guide through the toy aisles. ...

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FEATURED TOY

Draw 4: Dig for Dinos!

"Our hands down favorite at home now. The kids (M6 and F9) love trying to gather all their dino pieces so they can then put together their puzzles. Our oldest also enjoys counting everyone's points at the end of the game to determine who won. Great little game!" Sylvie Schnubb

OTHER GREAT TOYS

Klutz Dress Your Own Paper Pups

Dress Your Own Paper Pups earns GOLD ~ "They are SO cute!! I love changing their outfits every day before I go to school." Mia (F7)

BOP IT! Game

BOP IT! Micro Series earns Gold ~ "I have the bigger game, but the small one is better because I take it every where, like school. It is a great recess toy. We all love doing it and seeing who can continue the bop it pattern the longest. Sometimes this game is funner than a computer game because I get to feel my pattern instead of just touching the computer screen." Andrew (M8)

Hot Wheels® Ultimate Garage

Hot Wheels® Ultimate Garage earns a Platinum rating ~ "We have played with lots of garages at lots of kids houses, so I think it is the best of all the garages. It has lots of levels and separate spots - not just lines, there are barriers, so the cars stay in their spot and don't just drive out by themselves if you bump it a bit. It is really cool where the car goes down the ramp and it might get eaten by the shark but not always, that really makes it more fun." Gram (M9

Klutz Design and Dye With No Heat Batik

"The Design and Die kit is fun but it took to long to do. The book comes with nice designs and nice colors but only a small square, I would..."

-Emma (F9 years)

Quick Knit Loom

"It is easier to do this loom than it is to knit for real. I'm sad that the hat we did didn't fit anyone, but I liked working on our projects."

-Mia (F8 years)

TONKA XT RICOCHET TRICKSTER R/C

"It goes too fast to control it. When it's upside down, it looks like it's facing the right way, but it's going backwards. It's fun to..."

-Chaim (M10 years)

Solitaire Chess

"I like that even if you don't know how to play chess you can play it.  They show you what pieces can do which moves.  My whole..."

-aleeza (F9 years)

Sumo Ham Slam™

"Pretty cool game. Definitely different than anything that we have played before. Physical aspect is cool and yet everyone has an equal..."

-Marc

NERF VORTEX MEGA HOWLER Football

"Awesome size for kids wanting to learn how to throw a football. Even my 3 year old can throw it pretty well. They love the whistling..."

-Rebecca

Musical Eggs

"This toy was actually a disappointment for you. It says the age is for over 2 but it is actually for little babies. Even the sound they..."

-deniz

Disney/Pixar CARS Lightning McQueen Hawk Interactive "Flying" Buddy

"My son, Sean (5 yrs.) enjoys playing with this toy and transforming the car into the 'flying McQueen'. He does encounter some difficulty..."

-Liz

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Best New Games and Puzzles in 2018

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ARTICLES

Best New Games and Puzzles in 2018

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THE NOISE ON TOYS

The Noise on Toys play testing program is unique, both in giving voice to the kids' perspective on the toys as well as offering readers easy access to the original feedback posted by each family - parent and child comments. TNOT is privately funded to ensure complete editorial independence: manufacturers pay neither an administration fee to participate, nor licensing fees to use earned award logos.