With plastic mask bases, full face and smaller eye shape, kids can create 4-5 different masks with special plaster wrap. The kit comes with a variety of items for decorating the masks with feathers, tissue paper, paint ribbons, glitter and glue. This is apt to be a bit of a messy craft, so protect the surface with the plastic sheet, gloves and other items that come with the kit. You may want to add some newspaper as well. There will be a waiting time for the plaster strips to dry before the decorating can begin. Adult supervision is strongly recommended. That said, working with the plaster makes for an interesting craft experience. 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Players compete to be the first to spot matching attributes on the shrimp cards. The attributes are color, size, origin, and quantity. When you see a match you grab and squeeze the squeaking starfish and take you catch. This is a fast moving game that calls for thinking on your feet to become the King of the Prawns. For 7 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This little racing set comes with two micro charger vehicles and two handheld chargers. Rev them up and put them on the track and watch them go. The little track set has a gap that the little racers can jump--except when they don't. Check out some of the other sets from the same company.  They  are compatable and allow you to combine elements to make larger race tracks. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012.

A story-telling game that can be played as teams or one on one. Players draw cards from the deck and make up a story as they add cards. Can be played solo or up to 8 players. Try this for a sleep over party or a family day. This is one of those games that can be fun for mixed age groups that include everyone from preschoolers to parents and grandparents, too.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A giant 2 X 3 foot floor puzzle features a cow and calf on one side and a farm scene with tractor and farm critters on the other side. There are 24 big pieces that are ideal for beginners. Unlike adult puzzlers, kids like to do their puzzles many times in order to gain mastery over the challenge. The two sided idea is an added value that will give the purchase extra play value. You'll need to introduce the concept that there are two sides and perhaps sit with your child to help turn the puzzle pieces right side up to start. Giving beginners strategies for putting together the outside frame is also helpful to build their confidence as well as their competence. Marked for 3 & up. This may make better sense for your 4 & up.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This painting project comes with water soluble paint that is washable and spreads with ease. That makes this a good project for young painters. Choose a ceramic dinosaur or one of several vehicles. Out Tester liked the stegosaurus with all those fins on its back. Perfect for collecting pennies or bigger change for a rainy day. Unlike old-fashioned ceramic banks, this one can be opened and is reusable. Kit comes with paintbrush, six non-toxic paints and a white ceramic bank ready to decorate. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Unlike a lot of math equation card games, this one has a little story built in that involves the Whozits and the danger of being destroyed by the Green Goo. Players do their best to stop the advance of the Green Goo by making equations—but watch out. Your opponent can snap a negative card on your card and change everything! There are steal cards, too! There are lots of rules, opportunities to use all four operations, as in addition, subtractions, multiplication and division. Once players have the hang of it, strategy can step in and save the Whozits in Wherezit. 8 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2012.

A magnetic board with a race track graphic and lots of colorful cars to move around the track. A 16-piece set that invites imaginative play, story telling, and quiet time. Take it along on your next trip to a waiting room or for making time fly as you travel.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Assemble the strips to create an endless cast of zany faces. Created by artist Saxton Freeman uses his photos of found objects to create images that can represent eyes, noses, mouths and other features from leaves, ribbons, coins and such. There is no right or wrong. Good fun. 4 & up.

SNAP: A good talking game with objects to know and name and extend vocabulary. Use this game for solo play or taking turns adding the top, middle and bottom of faces.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2012.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.