Skyward Summit Wins Best New Outdoor Toy Award

STREETSBORO, OHIO — February 10, 2009 — The Step2 Company®, the nation's largest preschool and toddler toy manufacturer, famous for its signature play kitchens, houses, ride on toys and outdoor toys, has earned yet another prestigious award — this time from outside the United States. At last month's UK Toy Fair, the British Toy & Hobby Association recognized Step2's Skyward Summit as the Best New Toy of 2009 in the Outdoor/Sports category.

The British Toy & Hobby Association considers its most important duty to promote the highest possible standards of safety in design and manufacture of toys. The Association also runs the only dedicated toy trade event in the UK — its Toy Fair — which takes place each year in January. The 33rd annual toy fair showcased Step2 as well as other top toy brands such as Hasbro and Lego.

Step2's Skyward Summit allows little adventurers to explore and discover from the peak of the summit. Its authentic design reaches 80 inches in height, creating the appearance of a real rock climbing wall and giving children over 100 square feet of outer climbing area.

"We value the feedback of our industry peers and truly appreciate the recognition that comes with this award," said The Step2 Company CEO Scott Levin. "The British Toy & Hobby Association Award represents the standards of innovation, safety and quality that we uphold at Step2, so receiving this acknowledgement from them confirms that we are doing our job well."

Step2 makes durable, well-made, stylish children's toys that promote role-modeling, motor skills, creative play development and, most importantly, fun for children. Step2 puts all of their toys through rigorous safety testing and produces the highest quality products for families.

With around 200 exhibitors launching thousands of new toys at the UK Toy Fair this year, the Best New Toy Awards were introduced by organizers of the British Toy & Hobby Association to pinpoint those considered most likely to top children's wish lists in the forthcoming year.

For more information, visit step2.com or btha.co.uk.