The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), has officially announced the winners of its coveted ASTRA Play Awards at their annual Marketplace & Academy event in Columbus, OH. The renowned program is the only one of its kind where independent and neighborhood specialty toy retailers vote to select the products that promote happy and healthy play in childhood and beyond! This year, 14 winners were chosen across a wide range of categories.
“The ASTRA Play Awards spotlight thought-provoking playthings that are both meaningful in the industry and foster child development through quality play,” said Sue Warfield, President of ASTRA. “This year’s winning list features fun, unique and premium products children will love and that can be found at neighborhood toy stores across the country.”
ASTRA members nominate specialty toys for consideration, where an internal committee gathers a list of finalists. This year’s criteria for the winning toys included uniqueness, availability, significance and newness.
Congratulations to the 2023 ASTRA Play Awards winners:
Active Play: Anywhere Sports – Trampoline Pong, Thin Air Brands
Arts & Crafts: Inspirational Nature Plant Press, DJECO
Baby/Toddler: Spill Again, Fat Brain Toy Co
Brainteasers: Safari Park Jr., Smart Toys and Games, Inc.
Building: Dino World XL, Magna-Tiles®
Eco: Cheese and Charcuterie Board, PlanToys
Educational: 100 Pics, Countries, Asmodee
Family Games: Sleeping Queens 2 – The Rescue!, Gamewright
Games for Tweens+: Big Potato – Herd Mentality, Gamewright/Big Potato
Plush: Vinnie Banana Slug Macaroon, DOUGLAS CO., INC.
Preschool Games: Indoor Scavenger Hunt, eeBoo
Pretend Play: SmartMax – My First Pirates, Smart Toys and Games, Inc.
Role Play: Great Pretenders – Green Dragon Set, Creative Education of Canada
Science/STEM: Hydraulic Boxing Bots, Thames & Kosmos
For more information on ASTRA’s Play Awards, please visit https://www.astratoy.org/play-awards.
Founded in 1992, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is an international not-for-profit trade organization that develops and supports a membership of independent retailers, manufacturers and sales representatives in the toy industry. As the guiding star of the specialty Play industry, ASTRA is a community of dedicated professionals committed to providing children with healthy, quality play materials that have a high play value and are designed with a focus on what the child can do, rather than what the toy can do. Through certification programs, educational resources and networking opportunities, ASTRA engages, elevates, and promotes members to make a positive impact on the economy and culture of the communities they serve. For more information, visit http://www.astratoy.org.