The Creative Play Awards are sponsored and organised by Creative Steps magazine, which promotes creative play as vital in a child’s development.

After months of testing, the prestigious 2018 Creative Play Awards results have now been announced and will be published within the winter issue of Creative Steps magazine, as well as on www.creativesteps.co.uk and across all its social media platforms.

The results of these awards recognise the best products available to enhance creative development in young children and are beneficial to the consumer when making purchasing decisions.

John Hopley, editor of Creative Steps, commented: “Now in its 11th year, the quality of entries in the 2018 Awards has been exceptional and shows just how esteemed our awards scheme has become, recognising the best creative play toys, games and resources. We feel it is vital to have the products tested by end-users and have sent out more than 100 products to independent testers in homes, schools and childcare settings around the country. The competition was very strong, showing the importance of learning through creative play for children and the products that allow them to do so.”

The Winners and Highly Commended results are as follows:

Toys and Games – Indoor (0-3 years)
Winner – VTech – Toot-Toot Drivers Police Patrol Tower

Toys and Games – Indoor (4-7 years)
Winner – Ravensburger – Break Free
Highly Commended – Orchard Toys – Giraffes in Scarves

Toys and Games – Indoor (8-11 years)
Winner – Ravensburger – Make ‘n Break
Highly Commended – Asmodee (Esdevium) – Rory’s Story Cubes

Toys and Games – Outdoor (4-7 years)
Winner – Learning Resources – GeoSafari Jr. Explorer Scope
Highly Commended – Little Tikes – Fun Zone Splash Face

Electronic and Multimedia (4-7 years)
Winner – Vtech – Kidizoom Smart Watch DX2
Highly Commended – Spin Master – Boxer

Painting/Colouring/Modelling Materials (4-7 years)
Winner – Bandai (Evolution) – Crayola Playsets
Highly Commended – John Adams – Play Stuff Dough Scrummy Shop

Boys Craft Kits (8-11 years)
Winner – Ascent Hue – Hue Animation Studio
Highly Commended – Trends UK – Haynes V8 Engine

Girls Craft Kits (4-7 years)
Winner – Interplay – Fairy Light Garden
Highly Commended – Spin Master – Kumi Kreator

Girls Craft Kits (8-11 years)
Winner – Ascent Hue – Hue Animation Studio

Imaginative Role Play (0-3 years)
Winner – Imagine That Publishing – Tiny Town: Busy Day Play Felt
Highly Commended – LeapFrog (VTech) Water & Count Vegetable Garden

Imaginative Role Play (4-7 years)
Winner – Orchard Toys Money Match Café
Highly Commended – Little Tikes – Shop ‘n Learn Smart Checkout

Teaching Resources (0-3 years)
Winner – Bloomsbury – Ideas for Tuff Trays

Teaching Resources (4-7 years)
Winner – Learning Resources – Giant Magnetic Water Cycle

Teaching Resources (8-11 years)
Winner – Trends UK – Science Mad Chemistry Set

Special Educational Needs Toys/Resources (4-7 years)
Winner – Wendy Woo – My Mood Stars
Highly Commended – Golden Bear Toys – Mr Tumble Domino Train

Books (Children)
Winner – DK – Unlock Your Imagination
Highly Commended – Ryland Peters & Small – Origami Ocean Friends