Step2

Here at Step2, we pride ourselves in manufacturing quality toys that will receive recognition based on their durability, creative play value, and fun designs. Over the years, many of our great products have received numerous awards. When choosing a toy for your little one, it is important to find out which toys have won different awards.

Some of the awards that you will find when searching through the quality products are:

• iParenting Media Awards: Recognizes the top products for kids and parents. The products are reviewed by childcare facilities and parents. The products are judged upon quality, durability, and play value. The Creative Projects Table, Fun Flow Sink, and Fresh Market Kitchen have received this award.
• Top Pick, Today’s Parent Magazine: Today’s Parent Magazine comes out with a list of top picks for toddler toys during the holidays to make shopping easier for parents! The Creative Projects Table and Easy Steer Sportster received this award.
• 3-Star (highest) Rating, Canadian Toy Testing Council: Each year, hundreds of toys are selected and tested by Canadian children in an everyday setting. The children assess the design, function, durability and play value of the toys. There are three different types of ratings: Three Stars, Two Starts, One Star, Novelty, or Not Recommended. The Creative Projects Table, Neat & Tidy Cottage, Par 3 Mini Golf Course, Puppet Theater, Naturally Playful Lookout Treehouse, Push Around Buggy, All Star Sports Climber, 50’s Diner, LifeStyle Grand Walk-In Kitchen, and LifeStyle Dream Kitchen have received the 3-Star Rating.
• Seal of Approval, The National Parenting Center: Toys are selected through an eight week process where parents, children, and educators examine the nominees. The judges fill out questionnaires based on the desirability, sturdiness, stimulation, and other essential characteristics about the quality of the product. The Creative Projects Table, Puppet Theater, Sand & Water Transportation Station have received this award.
• Platinum Award and Gold Award Oppenheim Toy Portfolio: This review of children’s products is conducted by child development experts, Joanne Oppenheim and her daughter, Stephanie Oppenheim. Toys from infants through later school years are judged. Toys with the Platinum Award are the most innovative and engaging products of the year.  The Pin Pals Bowling Set, Push Around Taxi, Twist & Fold Gym, Neighborhood Fun Center, and Grill & Play Patio Café have received the Platinum Award. The Gold Award is given to outstanding new products that enhance the lives of children.  The Gourmet Café Kitchen, Whisper Ride Buggy, Grill & Play Patio Café, and All-Star Sports Climber have received the Gold Award.
• Reviewers’ Choice Award, Buzzillions: A survey is sent out to people who have purchased the nominated products.  Products in each category are then ranked by star ratings and number of reviews. The Playmats 24 x 24 inch, Naturally Playful Adventure Lodge Play Center, Par 3 Mini Golf Course, Lift & Hide Bookcase Storage Chest, Deluxe Canyon Road Train & Track Table, Art Master Activity Desk, Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center, Naturally Playful Welcome Home Playhouse, Outdoor Storage Bench, and Up & Down Roller Coaster have received this award.
• Best Toys of the Year, Parents Magazine: This is a list of amazing toys presented toward the end of the year to help gift givers shop stress free during the holiday and become familiar with the hottest toys of the year. The Par 3 Mini Golf Course, 50’s Diner, and All Around Easel for Two have received this award.
• AblePlay Award: AblePlay is a website that provides information about toys for children with special needs.  The website was created so that consumers can make the best decisions about toys to purchase for children with special needs. The way toys are chosen to be on the website is through a toy rating system. The rating system that AblePlay goes by focuses on cognitive, sensory, communications, and physical abilities of children.   Products are rated on a scale from 1-5 based on these categories.  The Deluxe Canyon Road Train & Track Table, Fun Flow Play Sink, Sand & Water Transportation Station, and WaterWheel Play Table have received this award.
• 10 Best Active Products and 100 Best Children’s Products, Dr. Toy:  Dr. Toy, Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, is an expert on children’s toys.  She gives a unique and original review of each child’s product she assesses.  Many parents, teachers, and toy consumers refer to Dr. Toy’s advice and guidance when it comes to making a selection for a toy. The Puppet Theater has won both of these this award.
• Best New Outdoor Toy, 2009, UK Toy Fair: This fair is the only event dedicated to toy, game, and hobby exhibitions in the UK. The Skyward Summit has won this award.
• T.O.Y. (Toy of the Year) Award, Family Fun Magazine: FamilyFun recruits dozens of families to test more than 250 play toys. Based on their feedback of the products, there are ten winners chosen each year along with twenty other toys that deserve honorable mention! The Real Projects Workshop, 50’s Diner, and Extreme Coaster have received this award.
• All-Star Holiday Toys, Toy Wishes Magazine:  This award is presented in December and the products are chosen through online voting. This program honors the favorite toys of the year. The 50’s Diner has won this award.
• Recommended Toys, Parents Choice Foundation: This organization is the one of the oldest nonprofit authorities that reviews the quality of children’s toys and media. Parents Choice Foundation reviews toys that help children to grow. The 50’s Diner and LifeStyle Grand Walk-In Kitchen have received this award.

Have you purchased any of the award winning toys from this list?

Playing sports from a young age will can children to increase their physical activity and also develop physical and social skills. Here at Step2, we encourage active play and offer a variety in toddler sports toys.  Many of our products incorporate different sports into one product. We will soon have a toy that is dedicated solely to basketball.  Towards the end of summer, we will be rolling out three new basketball items, including a new basketball hoop.  In the meantime, check out these other great sports items from Step2.

Sports-Tastic Activity Center: For children 12 months and up, this activity center includes a variety of sports activities in one play structure. Your little one can drop the ball in the mini basketball hoop or hit the baseball with the bat. In addition, he or she can use the slide when they are not playing with the different sports accessories.

Kickback Soccer Goal & Pitch Back:  This sports toy encourages children to play together. Kids can play hockey or soccer with the included accessories or use the back of the goal for pitching practice.

Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf Set: Score a hole in one with the Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf set. This sports set allows little ones to play putt-putt or tee ball, which can help with hand-eye coordination and batting skills.

Do you think it is important for children to dabble in sports at an early age?

Step2 is not the only one..

Thank you to all the Test Drive Kids that took the Easy Turn Coupe for a spin:

Baby Dickey
Blessed by Brenna
Carrie With Children
Energizer Bunnies Mommy Reports
Freckleberry Finds
Go Graham Go
Little Inspiration
Mom Dot
Mom Endeavors  
Mommy of Two Little Monkeys
A Moms Take
Mommy Testers
Newly Crunchy Mama of 3
Noah’s Dad
Rave and Review
The Denver Housewife
The Link Fairy
The Rock Father
Thrifty and Chic Mom
Thrifty Nifty Mommy
WAHM Connect Reviews

As a reminder, make sure to visit Step2’s Facebook page and comment on your favorite feature of the Easy Turn Coupe. For every comment received, Step2 will donate $1 to the Saving tiny Hearts Society.

The winter season is in full effect. During snow days and weekends, kids may be looking for something fun to do. Making snowmen and snow angels can be a blast but why not try some new creative ways to play in the snow? If you and your children are feeling adventurous, use your Step2 toys outside during winter.*

Turn water play into winter play

Use a sand and water table while the snow is on the ground for a different way to play with a table that may only be used for the spring and summer time. Instead of filling up the play table with sand and water, fill up both parts of the table with snow. For added fun, pat down and smooth the snow on the table to create an ice rink for dolls and action figures. What if it does not snow where you live? Do not worry, we have an idea! You can fill up the sand and water table with ice cubes and still pretend it is a roller rink!

Winter Wonderland Playhouse:

Are some of your kids’ playhouses too big to be brought inside for the winter? Take the fun outside and play in them! Dust the snow off of them and suggest that the children pretend that they live in an arctic region. Have the children create snow decorations (like snowmen) around their little house and afterwards, go into their house and pretend to warm up with some hot chocolate. For those living in an area with no snow, cut out snowflakes from paper and tape them to the playhouse. Also, tear up more paper and throw it over and around the playhouse to act like it is snowing.Ask your child it imitate an Eskimo while in their playhouse. It is always fun to pretend!

Skyward Summit turns into Snowward Summit:

Do you have a Skyward Summit that lingers outside during the winter months because it is too big to bring inside? Step2 was inspired by Mama Loves Her Bargains’ review on the Skyward Summit. As you can see below, it is tons of fun to climb and hang out on the Skyward Summit during the winter.  Also, it can help children to stay active during the cold weather. Make sure to watch carefully over the kids during this activity because their boots may be being slippery while climbing on these products.

How are your children playing with Step2 toys during the winter?

*Disclaimer: The Step2 Company LLC does not promote or condone the use of our products in ways other than the original intent. This blog was solely written for the purpose to encourage creativity during the winter months. Please refer to the instruction sheets for all Step2 products for the appropriate age, weight, and height limitations.

Playing outside during the winter can be just as fun as playing outside during any other season (except in some places, it may be a lot colder with snow!). Keep children active during the winter months with these awesome safety tips from Findababysitter.org:

• Use Sunscreen – It is not just the summer months that can damage children’s skin. The reflection of the sun off of the snow can be just as damaging as being out in the sun during the brightest summer day.
• Waterproof Clothing is Key – Bundling children up to play in the snow is very important. Once the clothes are wet from the snow, it can make children cold even if they have many layers on. If their clothes are waterproof, they will not get as cold as fast and better yet, they will stay dry!
• Know the Signs of Frostbite – Pay attention for signs of Frostbite! The skin may become white, flushed, yellow or blue and appear frozen, and will be cold to the touch.
• Insist on Warm-Up Breaks –Kids may lose track of the time while they are building snowmen and rolling around making snow angels. Encourage warm-up breaks every so often, so that one can check for signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
• Keep Ice Skating Safe – Ice skating is beautiful and very fun, however it can be very dangerous! Ice skating at public rinks is safer than ice skating at the neighborhood pond. No matter what, make sure that any ice your children are going to skate on is frozen solid, and they are wearing the appropriate attire.
• Smart Sledding –Sledding can be an exhilarating experience for children. As fun as sledding can be, making sure that the places where kids are sledding, is not near a road or any types of rocks, or bumps is the safest way to sled.
• Don’t Forget About Dehydration – Plenty of fluids is not only needed during the warmer months. Children can easily get dehydrated by running around in the colder temperatures. During their warm-up breaks make sure they rehydrate!
• Scarf Safety –Opt for cowl-style scarves so that children do not get caught on branches, doors, or anything else that runs of the risk of a long scarf getting caught on.
• Double-Check Equipment – Winter only comes once a year. During that year, equipment may become damaged or broken. Before the children begin to play outside, make sure the toys or equipment they want to use is not damaged or broken. This will help prevent injuries!

Playing during the winter can be safe fun that creates fond childhood memories! What tips or rules do you have when your children play in the snow?