Oct 23, 2012

Charismatic Kidstuff PR Clientele the “Choice” in Industry Fall Contests

Remember when mom said not to judge a book by its cover? She meant to clarify that. If you see a toy covered with contest accolades, you should buy it! Such is the case with four diverse KidStuff Public Relations clients — Funnybone Toys, HABA, Peaceable Kingdom and The Young Scientists Club — who have achieved status as the best of the best in Toyland having just won 8 industry honors from Parents’ Choice Foundation and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.

Glowing reviews from seen-it-all toy judges are rare indeed and should be celebrated. The Young Scientists Club, winner of many honors over the years, was overjoyed when they read one Parents’ Choice reviewer gush:

“when she lifted the top off the beautifully designed [Slime & Polymer Lab] Magic School Bus shaped box, everyone around her table shared in a loud “WOW!” As she pulled out the trays of cool looking science tools (measuring cup, test tubes, mixing spoon) and the assorted lab “ingredients” (colorfully placed in small vials), her and her children knew the experiments would be fun.”

That Slime and Polymer Lab by The Young Scientists Club was awarded the Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award, the highest honor, for having “a unique, individual quality that pushes the product a notch above others.”

That’s the magic behind every award-winning and marvelous card games, science kits, building blocks and board games. Sometimes a toy is so special that it deserves a double honor. Such is the case with HABA’s Effects Building Blocks Zoolino. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio awarded the blocks its Gold Best Toy Award but made a stronger statement when it also awarded them its SNAP Award for Special Needs Adaptive Product. Because all children learn through play, in their own special way!

Many of the toys and games are ideal for Family Night as grownups enjoy playing too. The joy of the twists and turns while playing Funnybone Toy’s CUBU card game is evident in this observant review by Parents’ Choice:

“CUBU requires a sharp eye. There are a lot of combinations and options to weigh at every turn. Action cards keep the game interesting, too. There are Miss a Turn, Swap, and Pickup cards. The best, though, are Interrupts. If you’re holding an Interrupt card and you see a gleam in an opponent’s eye as he starts to lay down a streak, you can quickly ruin his day.”

KidStuff PR President Lisa Orman (bursting with pride) happily announces the following Fall 2012 client honors:

FUNNYBONE TOYS
Array • Ages 8 + • $14.99
Parents’ Choice Foundation Approved Award • Fall 2012 Games Category

Spectrix • Ages 8+ • $14.99
Parents’ Choice Foundation Recommended Award • Fall 2012 Games Category

CUBU • Ages 8+ • $14.99
Parents’ Choice Foundation Recommended Award • Fall 2012 Games Category

HABA
Effects Building Blocks Zoolino • Ages 1+ • $74.99 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio • Best Toy Award • Gold Oppenheim Toy Portfolio • Snap Award • Special

Needs Adaptive Product
Monster Bake • Ages 5+ • $14.50
Parents’ Choice Foundation Recommended Award • Fall 2012 Games Category 

PEACEABLE KINGDOM
Willy’s Wiggly Web • Ages 3+ • $20.00
Parents’ Choice Foundation Approved Award • Fall 2012 Games Category

THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB
Slime and Polymer Lab • Ages 5+ • $39.99
Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award • Fall 2012 Toys Category

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice Foundation is the nation’s oldest nonprofit consumer guide to quality children’s media. Fewer than 20% of the products submitted to the Parents’ Choice Awards program receive any level of commendation. It’s an honor that doesn’t come easily! To win, they follow a few simple principles: children deserve material to sharpen young minds, not blunt them; children learn most easily when they enjoy it and learning is fun!

Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award is given to outstanding new products that enhance the lives of children. Likewise, an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio SNAP Award is for Special Needs Adaptable Product and happily given to products that can be used by or easily adapted for children with special needs.

ABOUT KIDSTUFF PUBLIC RELATIONS
KidStuff Public Relations believes in taking a light-hearted approach to writing about clients and their products and services, but takes seriously the job of publicists to serve reporters. The company only takes on clients for whom Orman and her staff have a true passion for their products and services. It helps them do a better job, it’s easier for them to try harder and it makes work more rewarding… literally. For more information or to contact KidStuff Public Relations, visit their website at www.kidstuffpr.com or call them at 608-767-1102.