Gift-shoppers searching for quality and value this holiday season will not have to look far--they can find the best toys for kids right around the corner at their neighborhood toy store. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is excited to share our 2013 Best Toys for Kids Award Winners.

Over 550 of America's top independent and neighborhood toy retailers have selected the Best Toys for Kids. Drawing upon our expertise, experience, and commitment to fulfilling play, ASTRA members hand-picked the most engaging, unique, open-ended, fun, and safe toys for your children. The 2013 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child's imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens.

With their understanding of how kids play, specialty toy retailers can guide shoppers in their quest for the perfect gift. Visit your local toy store to purchase the Best Toys for Kids Award Winners and get expert advice on the best gifts for the children in your life.

Active Play

RingStix LiteBy RingStix - System Enterprises LLC

RingStix is a simple and innovative variation of the most common game in everyones childhood, catch. It uses two Stix shaped like inverted swords to propel a ring at ones partner, who catches the ring and throws it back using his Stix. The game is easy to learn and can be played from 30 yards away. Hours of fun awaits you with this awesome game. Each game contains a full set for two players: 4 Stix, each different color 1 Red Ring Simplified instructions are on the back of the packaging for a closer look check out the How to Video. RingStix is played with the slightly curved 21 inch sticks and a 5 inch ring. With a stick in each hand - crossed, and the ring over both sticks, players simply flare out their arms to propel the ring spinning forward toward the other player. That player then uses the point of one or both of the sticks to catch the flying ring and sends it back again in the same manner. The faster and harder a player flares the sticks the farther the ring will fly, sometimes up to 30 yards or more. This unique sport offers an entertaining new form of exercise improves agility and hand-eye coordination, gets kids and adults off the couch and away from sedentary technologies like computers, TV and video games. RingStix can be used in yards, parks, at the beach and more. The patent-pending RingStix product line is made of light yet durable material that meets all CPSC standards. Both the Stix and the Rings float, and one ring even glows in the dark adding a fun twist for night time play.

#RX-1003

Y'all BallBy Joint Merchant

Incredibly bouncy, super, soft. Safe fun for kids 3+!

#F3S080SBB

Constructive Play

Q-BA-MAZE 2.0 Mega Stunt Set
By MindWare

Not your ordinary addition to the marble run family! These ingenious pieces interlock in endless configurations, while double-exit cubes keep you guessing on which way the marbles will go. Includes 108 cubes, 2 cascade stilts, 2 coaster tubes, 1 marble vortex, 1 pivot trampoline, 2 universal connectors, 30 steel marbles and instructions.