1. Medieval Quest Wins 2017's the Golden Rocking Horse Prize in Germany
On 20th July, in Nuremberg, Germany, the 2017 The Golden Rocking Horse officially unveiled its prize winners, with Hape’s Medieval Quest (part of the Quadrilla marble run series) wining in the category of “Art and Architecture”
Hape’s Quadrilla series is a simple collection of family building games made of wooden materials.
Simplicity: To be more suitable for younger children, Hape has developed various starter sets with fewer parts that are easier to build but no less fun, providing architectural fun for early developers.
Building: The Wall Street Journal took one full page to introduce the product, saying: "Building with the Quadrilla Marble Runs system is a lot like coding: You need to create structures or 'programs' that work." Each step you take in building will influence the marbles’ running route, which makes it an open-ended game.
Family Play: This is a game suitable for family get-togethers. Whether racing to build the structure first or simply watching the marbles roll, Quadrilla is the perfect companion to your parent-child time.
Wooden Toy: Quadrilla is made of high-quality wood. All its parts - the straight/curved rails, blocks, accelerators and rings - are made from sturdy wood that is light weight, refined and durable.
Building Medieval Quest is a fulfilling project and each choice from the player can change the layout of the runs and switch the direction of the marbles. The unique accessories such as the watermill, rotary tower, carriage and drawbridge adds yet more fun to the runs. Its educational qualities stem from children’s desire to play, their precious thinking abilities and from the concentration needed during construction. All these factors together may help explain why Medieval Quest is highly appreciated by both judges and customers, and ultimately why it picked up a Golden Rocking Horse.
"The Golden Rocking Horse" was co-presented by Spielwarenmesse®, the host of the Nuremberg Exhibition, and the German magazine familie & co. The categorys were ‘Newborns’, ‘Logic & Technology’, ‘Most Popular Toy Among Children’, ‘Art & Architecture’ and ‘Family Game’. For each category, ten toys were shortlisted with only one emerging as the winner.
2. Seven Hape Products Win Oppenheim Golden Seal Awards
(15th June, Hollywood) Hape’s Swimmer Teddy Wind-Up Toy, Happy Buckets Set, Pop-Up Teddy Shower Buddy, Trail Rider, High & Low Railway Set, Classical Bus T1 Walker (Red), and Classical Bus T1 Walker (Blue) won approval from experts, children and parents at the Oppenheim Golden Seal Awards, acquiring Golden Seal Awards to boot.
Swimmer Teddy Wind-Up Toy: This toy is a good playmate for bathing babies. Wind up the teddy bear on its swimming ring and watch it swim in the water. The product is made from durable and environmental-friendly ABS, which is safe for babies, and will make every bathtime a fun and stimulating experience for babies.
Happy Buckets Set: This set includes three differently coloured sprinkling buckets with different functions; the orange bucket has a sprinkler with five holes that creates a “rain” effect; the green bucket has a water-wheel that turns as the water pours out; and the red bucket has a built-in ball that will block the water unless it’s pushed up by hand. The three different buckets give babies varied and stimulating water experiences.
Pop-Up Teddy Shower Buddy: Babies can play hide and seek with this lovely teddy bear. Sink the cloud into the water, and as it’s being filled, the bear will float up. Alternatively, take the cloud out and watch the water sprinkle from the bottom. The teddy will sink steadily until hidden by the cloud completely.
Trail Rider: This product combines gilded metal and curved wooden strips, which makes it stable and very durable. Together with its ergonomic design, Trail Rider is a good companion for your baby while they are learning to walk and move around.
High & Low Railway Set: This Railway set is specially designed for children over three years old, and includes three speedy bullet trains, tracks and in total 85 accessories. It’s a fun, creative and cost efficient product that will strengthen toddler’s spatial thinking abilities, motor skills, and cognition & expression abilities. The set’s parts fit into other major wooden railway systems , so it is possible to make bigger sets as your child grows.
Classical Bus T1 Walker (Red &Blue): With a classic Volkswagen Type 2 (T1) look, these two vintage walkers are designed for children who are learning to walk. An adjustable handrail is included that will help your child learn to walk when placed in a vertical position, and act as a toy carrier with storage function when put in the horizontal position.
An independent pioneer in Children’s Media, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio was co-founded by Joanne Oppenheim, expert in children’s development & toys, and her daughter, Stephanie Oppenheim in 1989. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio does not accept entry fees. All the submitted products will be reviewed firstly by the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and then taken to registered families nationwide for children testing. The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio’s Gold Seal Award is a sure sign of novelty and quality.
For more information go to: www.toyportfolio.com.
3. Four–Stage Rocket Ship Enjoys Double Harvest at 2017's Best Baby & Toddler Gear Awards
(1st Sep, Boston, UK) Hosted by the website Mumii, the Best Baby & Toddler Gear Awards 2017 (UK) officially unveiled its winners in September, among which was Hape’s Four–Stage Rocket Ship, which won the approval of both customers and experts, acquiring GOLD and CONSUMER CHOICE awards.
Four–Stage Rocket Ship is designed for children aged three years and up, and includes a four layer spaceship with astronauts, aliens and futuristic devices such as a landing rover. The lavish accessories and exquisite design, which includes a removable top layer for independent play, will help children to explore unknown worlds, enriching their imaginations and promoting creativity as they play.
The Four–Stage Rocket Ship has been highly spoken of by parents. Jane, a mother from Lincolnshire, had this to say of the product: “My children were so excited to put the rocket together. It is very well-made and sturdy, which is good as it needs to stand the test of time as it is quite pricey. The design of the rocket is very inviting and the pieces that go with it, such as the space cars, are very well made and encourage further play. The children liked to play with it for a good amount of time, it would then encourage them to use their imagination. For example, they pretended they were astronauts going to space.”
Further reading: https://www.mumii.co.uk/BBTG/viewProduct/2017/Hape_Four-Stage_Rocket_Ship
4. Pop-Up Teddy Shower Buddy and Classical Bus T1 Walker (Red) Win At "Good Toy Guide", UK
(18th July, Hertford, UK) Judged from three aspects - Fun, Skills Development and Ease of Use - Hape’s Pop-up Teddy Shower Buddy and Classical Bus T1 Walker (Red) won praise from the UK's “Good Toy Guide”.
The testing experts spoke highly of Classical Bus T1 Walker (Red) in their review:：“The walker really gave people a new sense of freedom; it even appealed to elder children because it didn’t just feel like an ‘infant toy’. The walker is great for supporting children who are learning to walk, developing muscles and coordination, and encouraging exercise. It is sturdy and has some good safety features to ensure maximum enjoyment.”
The Good Toy Guide review is hosted by Fundamentally Children, an organisation dedicated to helping children develop skills through play and providing independent expert advice on a range of topics including play, toys, apps, children’s tech, e-safety, child development, special needs and other parenting issues.
Further reading: http://www.fundamentallychildren.com/about-us/
