We’re excited to announce our Top 10 PAL Picks for 2017! These toys, games and media products have displayed the fun factor with kids and families and/or gotten kudos from elementary school teachers or therapists, and displayed the intrinsic design to build language skills.

Many grandparents and parents have told me they take this list along when doing their holiday shopping. These are the toys that I believe have lasting play value and are fabulously fun to play with, whether constructing a pet place, making a Time Capsule or pushing a ball popping bull dozer! Take a look:

Here are 2017’s Top 10 PAL Picks – See each of their reviews at https://playonwords.com

Top 10 Toys: Infant

  • Baby Beats Monkey Drum by VTech
  • Janod Baby Forest Train
  • Janod Stacking Pyramid-City Friends
  • Janod Zigolos Forest Stacker
  • Janod Zigolos Pull Along Rabbits
  • Kaloo Kaloodoo
  • Kaloo Plume Rabbit Doudou Raspberry
  • Lil’ Critters Huggable Hippo Teether by VTech
  • Pull & Discover Activity Elephant by VTech
  • Sleepy Glow Bear by VTech

Top 10 Toys: Toddler

  • Bigjigs Toys’ Kelly Doll
  • Brio: Light and Sound Fire Truck
  • Farmers Market Playtime by Seedling
  • Grippies Stackers by Guidecraft
  • Janod Mini Story Safari
  • Magicube Polar Animals by Geomagworld
  • Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer by VTech
  • SmartMax My First Safari Animals by Smart Toys and Games
  • Step & Learn Scout by LeapFrog
  • Under the Sea Puppet Playtime by Seedling

Top 10 Toys: Preschool

  • Alex Discover Ready Set Money
  • Dog Stage Puppet by Folkmanis
  • Doll Family Mansion by Hape
  • Go! Go! Smart Friends Shimmering Seashell Castle by VTech
  • Luvabella by Spin Master
  • Magicube Polar Animals by Geomagworld
  • PAW Patrol My Size Lookout Tower by Spin Master
  • Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart by LeapFrog
  • Tree House by Plan Toys
  • Zoo Jamz Stompin’ Fun Drums by VTech

Top 10 Games: Preschool

  • Alex Discover Play All Day
  • Alex Toys Future Coders Bunny Trails
  • Alex World Map in the Tub
  • Disney Jr. Mickey and the Roadster Racers Bump ‘N Race Action Game by Wonder Forge
  • E-I-E-I-GO! by Mindware
  • Janod Penguin Skittles Game
  • Monkey Around by Peaceable Kingdom
  • Soggy Doggy By Spin Master
  • The Rainbow Fish Share and Sparkle Game by Mindware
  • Where’s Bear? by Peaceable Kingdom

Top 10 Toys: School Age

  • Dig it Up! Discovery Kit by Mindware
  • Gym1 Deluxe Indoor Playground
  • Hen Puppet by Folkmanis
  • Interchangeable Farm Stand, Furniture For 18″ Girl Dolls by The Queen’s Treasures
  • K’Nex Education STEM Explorations Roller Coaster Building Set
  • Lilabell by Living Puppets
  • Meccano Micronoid by Spin Master
  • Pet Place by Wonderhood
  • UNBORED: Time Capsule by Mindware
  • World’s Greatest Magic Show by Thames & Kosmos

Top 10 Games: School Age

  • Eye ‘N Seek by Blue Orange Games
  • Gumball Words by SimplyFun
  • Ideal 4 Way Spelldown
  • Krazy Wordz by Ravensburger
  • LeapStart by LeapFrog
  • Tall Tales by SCS Direct
  • Telestrations 8 Player: The Original by USAopoly
  • Top Trumps by Top Trumps USA Inc.
  • UNBORED: Carnival by Mindware
  • WordSpiel by Set Enterprises, Inc.

Top 10 Books and Media

  • 2-in-1 LeapTop Touch by LeapFrog
  • Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
  • Bluebee Pal Parker by Kayle Concepts
  • Double Take! A New Look at Opposites by Susan Hood
  • I’m Going to Give You a Bear Hug! by Caroline B. Cooney
  • LeapFrog Academy by LeapFrog
  • Parker, Your Augmented Reality Bear by Seedling
  • Tad’s Get Ready For School Book by LeapFrog
  • Q Wunder TV Show by EQtainment
  • Q Wunder App by EQtainment