Toy Testing Council Unveils 2010 Top Picks

Kate Yule
Monday, November 16, 2009

The best toys for 2010 manage to sneak in a little learning along with play.

The Canadian Toy Testing Council says parents want to make sure toys educate and engage kids. Children just want to play and have fun. The toys with the highest marks managed to cover both requirements.

The battery-operated toy of the year is for six-to-18-month old babies. The Songs ‘N Smiles Sillytown uses stacking blocks, a tumble-down slide and more than 16 songs and goofy sounds.

The council’s best bet for older kids: ‘How to Draw Funny,’ a book that shows kids how to make comics.

Environmentally-friendly toys were also tested this year. The standard sand play set – made of recycled plastic - took that award.