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Dear Marianne:

How can you tell if these holiday "hot toy" lists are credible or just advertising?

Shelley, New York, NY, Mom of Luke (4) and Max (18 months)

The best way to approach a "hot" toy list is to read it for information and not as a shopping list. Most of these lists have little or no research behind them. To determine if a list is credible or not, look for these red flags.

1. The list is based purely on opinion. Anyone can have an opinion.
There are more scientific ways to evaluate toys.

2. Kids are billed as toy experts. Children are toy consumers, not toy
experts.

3. The list contains nothing but descriptions of the toys. That's a
hint there was never really any testing or evaluation.
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Toy Tips® is the independent voice for child development. Since its inception in 1991, Toy Tips’ provides researched information on toys that build skills and enhance a child’s personal development.

Based upon quantitative research that surpasses industry standards, all testing is unbiased and conducted by The Toy Research Institute. As a consumer-focused international research organization, we actively conduct ongoing academic studies with children of all ages and demographics all year long.

The company has grown to include Kid Tips(R) reviews of juvenile gear, family videos, software and products for parents to make family life comfortable.

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Results of our annual studies benefit parents, grandparents, educators, caregivers and consumers. 17 million copies of Kid Tips© Magazine have been distributed free to consumers in over 5000 retail stores, daycare centers and hospitals in the U.S. and abroad. To view a free online issue of Toy Tips & Parenting Hints Magazine, click here www.toytips.com/kid tips.

Thank you for your interest in the development of our children.


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