HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-02, Page 26Plastic food assortment named
toy of the year by toy council
BY LOU -ANN DE BRUYN
A collection of plastic food has been
named the toy of the year by the Cana-
dian Toy Testing Council.
The announcement, made November 23
in Ottawa, says the Fun With Food play
food assortment by Fisher-Price won the
council's top honors for its realistic
design, simplicity, price and play value.
This is the first year the collection of
food, condiments,serving pieces and
storage containers was tested by the in-
dependent non-profit council. This year,
the council tested about 1,500 toys for its
annual report, The Toy Report, which
has been on newstands since mid-
October.
At a cost of $5 to $10 per set, the Fun
With Food Play food assortment proves
that toys don't need to be expensive to be
fun.
in The Toy Report, the council gave the
food assortment, suitable 'for ages 2 to 8,
three stars (top mark) because, "With
this realistic -looking food, young cooks
can serve you breakfast in bed or whip
up a dinner to suit your elegant
tastebuds. The child -sized portions of
food are familiar favorites with
youngsters – hotdogs, hamburgers, and
drumsticks to name a few – and look
good enough to eat (in fact, they withs-
tand the inevitable chewing very well).
Each meal selection is sold as a set that
provides enough for one or two to play
and includes accessories such as serving
pieces, condiments, and storage con-
tainers. Having several sets increases
the play value. Hours of fun for children
in a wide age range. Equally popular
with boys and girls."
Although the food assortment was judg-
ed the over-all "best bet" by the council,
it also named 11 other groups of toys as
best bets in specific categories:
Back to the basics award: Super Soft
Foam Balls by Hedstrom, retail cost $5 to
$20, suitable for all ages.
Design award: Playskool Duracell
Flashlight, $15, for ages three to six.
First friends award: Jammie Pies by
Playskool, $25, for ages six months to
three years.
Junior game award: Pizza Party by
Parker, $15, for ages four to eight.
Adventure toy award: Starcom by Col-
eco, $5 to $30, for ages five and up.
Pocket toy award: Several woodland
collectibles m Silvanian Families by
Tomy, $5 to $20, for ages four to 10;
Maple Town by Tonka, $5 to $20, for ages
four to 10; and Best Friends by The Bay,
$5 to $20, for ages four to 10.
Construction toy award: ZAKS by Ir-
win, $10 to $40, for ages five and up.
Cuddle award: Roosevelt's Teddy by
Heritage Puppets, $25, for ages three and
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Good value award: Felt Art by Amav,
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Arts and crafts award: Woodlike Carv-
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Strategy game award: Cathedral by
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Although the best bet announcements
are usually made when the Toy Report is
released, council chairman Julie
Creighton said the council delayed the
announcements so that the toy shelves
wouldn't be depleted before Christmas
shopping began.
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