STREETSBORO, Ohio · November 8, 2007 — The Step 2 Company, the largest toddler toy manufacturer in the United States, knows that if you're like most people, you haven't given much thought to toddler toy awards — if you even knew they existed.

But when you're searching online or stuck in a toy store faced with shelves full of choices and perhaps fewer dollars in your wallet this holiday shopping season, enlisting the help of some independent "expert testers" may just be what you need to make your job easier.

Toddler toy awards, based on competitions judged in real-world settings such as kindergartens and child care centers, are earned by allowing kids to play and adults to monitor and judge the toys on criteria such as role-playing experience, imaginative play, durability and value. Therefore, with awards as a guideline, you can improve the odds that the toys you buy this holiday shopping season are those your kids want and those that will last.

A total of 17 different Step 2 toddler toys have won a stocking full of distinctions this year with many appearing on several different lists as best picks for the 2007 Holiday Shopping Season. Step 2 play kitchens, art easel & desks, blocks, ride on toys and pretend play toddler toy items are among the items receiving awards, endorsements and accolades from industry experts and national media such as the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, National Association of Parenting Publications, Parents' Choice Foundation, Canadian Toy Testing Council, Dr. Toy, and parenthood magazines including American Baby, Parents, Family Fun, Baby Talk and Toy Wishes.

Take the Step 2 LifeStyle Grand Walk-in Kitchen™, a Parents' Choice Recommended Award Winner. With a full menu of electronic features this unique kitchen playhouse, complete with "hardwood floor" and granite-look counter tops, includes a burner that makes frying pan and boiling water sounds. The Step 2 LifeStyle Grand Walk-in Kitchen also garnered a Canadian Toy Testing Council "3-Star" Award – their highest rating!

For parents in search of outdoor toys like climbers and riding toys, Step 2 offers a wonderland of options that keeps kids physically active while developing their motor skills. The Step 2 Naturally Playful Look-out Treehouse, winner of the prestigious Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, challenges toddlers ages 18 months and older to climb, slide and explore in an elevated treehouse. If your child is a thrill seeker, there's no greater treat than to offer them amusement park fun right in their own backyard. Step 2's Extreme Coaster, was named a Toy of the Year Award Winner by Disney's Family Fun Magazine, placing in the top 10 for toddlers ages 3-5 years. Your children can easily climb the 9 foot ramp on its built-in steps to experience an extreme ride for hours of active fun.

The gift of imaginative play is priceless indeed this holiday shopping season. Step 2 always uses just the right mix of electronics to enhance the playtime experience without leading or directing the child's imagination. New toddler toy products such as the Doorway Playhouse, the Magical Shoe Fairy Cottage and the Main Street Village Community Helpers Collection are perfect examples of this well- thought-out blend and have all earned top marks from leading magazines such as Parents, American Baby, and Baby Talk.

You can learn more about these and other hot holiday toddler toys made by the Step 2 Company at www.step2.com. In the meantime, remember: the best toddler toy values still combine playtime fun with long-lasting durability. And that's a point kids of all ages can agree on.

Contact Info:
Dotti Foltz
Vice President, Marketing Communications
330-656-0440

Andy

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7 Comments:

At 11/08/2007 11:33:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I wanted to buy the workbench, but see that it is partly made in China. I am not comfortable with that. Thank you for being open and honest enough to have this blog! We own the sand and water table and it is great!
Please bring more production to this country. Your company can make a difference.
At 11/23/2007 01:07:00 AM, srp323 said...: With all the products from China being recalled, I didn't want to buy anything made in China this Christmas. I immediately thought of Step 2 and planned on buying all of my gifts for the children in my life from your company. Imagine my disappointment when I clicked on the product description for your fantasy playsets and saw Made in China listed. Needless to say, I will only be buying one item (made in USA) from you this year and will continue on with my search. I would gladly pay the extra money that it would cost to have items made in America to have the piece of mind that what my kids are playing with is safe. Please consider having ALL of your products Made in the USA!!!
At 11/23/2007 09:29:00 AM, Andy said...: Thank you for your comments, we certainly appreciate your concern. We always regard safety as of the utmost importance, and the MainStreet Village and Woodland Adventures lines of toys have been developed in conjunction with a European toy company that has had a great track record with this manufacturer in China. You may rest assured that this items are of high quality and we are doing all we can to ensure their adherence to applicable safety standards.
At 11/23/2007 08:16:00 PM, Jonette said...: I was having a hard time finding tous for my 2 year old son this christmas until I found your product in Wal-Mart. I came home and went on-line and was pleased to see a variety of toys- American Made Toys!!!!! on your site. I have passed this site on to more families. I wish you would advertise more so others knew about you. I was disappointed to see that the train set in the molded train table with cover were made in china. Please, make everything in the USA. I miss those made in the USA commercials and labels. I love your products and am willing to spend extra to have my money stay in the USA.
At 1/19/2008 03:34:00 PM, Anonymous said...: The other day my mailbox flag was ripped off of my Step2 mailbox. I called Step2 thinking I'd have to purchase a new one. To my surprise, they issued a new one without charging me. Wow! What a company! Thanks Step2. In the future when I need a new mailbox guess where I'll going?
At 8/10/2009 03:59:00 AM, Anonymous said...: My 20 month old really loves your Main Street Village toys. I've been able to buy two pieces--the protect and serve & village vet on-line through Amazon. Where else can I buy the rest of the collection? I can't find them in any stores, like Toys R Us! I'm disappointed that I can't find them any where else--especially, because Amazon does not have some pieces either. So, why is Main Street Village so hard to find in stores?????
At 8/21/2009 03:58:00 PM, Andy said...: The MainStreet Village line of toys has ceased production, which is why you are having difficulty finding some of the sets. If you intend to expand your collection, it may be wise to do so while inventory levels still exist.

-Andy