Paint Ice Jewelry
(3M $13.99 Score:) Make a whole wardrobe of rings and bracelets with the five funky rings and four bracelets. Jewelry is made of clear plastic that you paint on the underside. Kids can use decals as well as paints to make stripes, spots and other designs. A fine brush and bright paint do the task with ease. But kids do need to wait between colors so the colors dry one at a time. Also a good choice for a play date with enough pieces to go around. 8 & up. (800) 666-2539.

Age: Later School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Zolo Stacrobats
(Kushies $45 Score:) Five colorful fabric acrobats and three colorful balls can be balanced (sort of) and arranged in multiple ways on their colorful magnetic fabric balancing three-ring circus style pad. Magnets inside make for interesting experiments that will be going ka-boom on a regular basis. A fun toy for interacting with young toddlers. Play figures store in the magnetic base, so toss the plastic bag they come in. This is a pricey toy, but attractive. 1 & up. (800) 841 5330.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2005.

Jumbo Farm Animals
(Learning Resources $22.95 Score:) Seven farm animals beautifully molded and colored and ready for years of pretend play action. They are in size proportion to each other and will fit into block settings. Set includes a horse, cow, pig, goat, sheep, goose and rooster. 3 & up. (800) 222-3909.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2005.

Make a Story Writng JOurnals
(Learning Resources $14.95 Score:) Designed for the classroom, in sets of ten, this is a resource package of blank booklets that kids who like to write and draw would enjoy at home,too. Sturdy paper covers hold the 32 page booklet together with three lines of text space and blank space for illustrations on every page. At the back end there are pages for notes about the author and story. Yes, kids can make their own books with any paper, but this is one way to get them started and the finished product is going to be a family heirloom. 6 & up. (800) 800-7893.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Make Your Own Twinkly Tiaras
(Klutz $12.95 Score:) There are three pre-cut foil-on-cardboard tiaras ready to be decorated with glue on gemstones and sequins. The book also includes some tiaras for dolls. A good choice for a playdate, teaparty or quiet time. Finished tiaras are ready for pretend play. Theys ay 4, we’d saw more like a task for 5’s & up.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Magnetic A to Z
(Klutz $12.95 Score:) Good Parent child side-by -ide book with magnetic letters and steel pages that ask kids to find objects that begin with several different letters. Kids put magnetic letters on the objects.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Lauri T-Rex and Farm Puzzle
(Lauri $7.99 Score:) Lauri’s puzzles come with rubber pieces and a pattern printed in the container/tray for beginners to follow. For building confidence, these are the perfect place to start. New for ‘06 , a 13-piece T-Rex and a 16 piece Farm Scene. Past favorites include Triceratops, Car, Cement Truck, Birthday Cake, and Airplane. 3–7. (800) 451-0520.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.

Seven Pets to Lace and Trace
(Lauri $6.99 Score:) New for ’06, Seven Pets to Lace and Trace (Lauri $6.99 ) are made of sturdy chipboard punched with holes that kids “sew” with colorful laces. These activities develop eye hand skills and develop small muscles in hand needed for writing. Also recommended, Lace & Link Numbers ($14.99 ), crepe 4" rubber numerals that reinforce shapes in a tactile way. 4 & up. (800) 451-0520.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2006.

Long Distance Hand Powered Glider
(Discovery Kids $24.95 Score:) This has an impressive 50" wing span. Ideal to use on a field or at the beach where you have lots of room. It has a graphite frame and big rubber tip—which makes it less likely to fall apart when it crashes! With this non-motorized flying machine you don't need to worry about fingers getting caught on propellers! Kids just need some arm strength to send it flying...and then be prepared to go after it! 10 & up.

Age: . Award Year: 2005.

9 x 12 Jump n Slide
(Little Tikes $200 Score:) The neighborhood of kids that tested this for us gave this jumping toy high marks. The 3-5 year old crowd found the toy sufficiently bouncy! Note: Our older testers (7 and up) felt the toy did not give them enough bounce. We liked the protective walls on the sides and the kids loved the wide slide. Great fun for a birthday party and everyday play but does require parental supervision. We also recommend placing the toy a soft surface. Parents liked the fact that it inflated easily and quickly with the included pump. Grass stakes help keep the playset from moving around.

Age: Preschool,Early School Years. Award Year: 2005.