Perplexus Rookie 3D Puzzle Challenge

Hyper Games Speed Slider
(Wild Planet Toys $24.99 Score:)

Think of a blend of Hot Potato and Bop-it...but here all the game play is done with your feet! What we really liked about the Speed Slider is that you can play the four games at different levels. Our favorite is the speed pass where you kick the speed slider according the numbers or colors it calls out. The game requires players to listen and react.  Unlike a lot of other electronic games, it's a kind machine.  It encourages you - that's a plus.  You can play by yourself to work on your speed and agility or play it in a group.  The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements.  We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Jakks Pacific Ultimotion Swing Zone Sports Motion Controlled Video Game
(Jakks Pacific $74.99 Score:) There's really no other way to say this--but Ultimotion Swing Zone Sports is really a watered down but MUCH less expensive version of the wii. Comes with many of the same active sport games that you play with a sports adapted wireless controller. Cleverly, you plug the controller into either a golf club, bat, football, tennis racket, or bowling ball. Much like the wii, kids have to stand up and play (a good thing). The graphics aren't the same quality-but they're not bad either. With budgets tighter this year, the Ultimotion may fill the bill with kids who are not as brand aware. To their credit, the players are multi-cultural (one has an interesting mohawk).

Age: Early School Years,Later School Years. Award Year: 2008.