Junior Design Awards 2022 / 26 September 2022

Best Toy Design (3-5 Years) | Junior Design Awards 2022

Finding the perfect toys for toddlers and pre-schoolers can be tricky - so let the judges from the Junior Design Awards guide the way....

Who:Orange Tree Toys

What:My First Allotment Wooden Toy Set

Why:

This beautiful wooden tabletop allotment complete with potted sunflowers, strawberries and tomatoes is the Good Life dream in miniature!

Our judges loved the clever arrangement of magnetic fruit and tiered potting shelves as well as a cute little drawer that turns into the perfect veggie patch. Continuing the theme of celebrating mother nature, this toy is made from FSC® – certified wood & comes in beautifully designed, fully recyclable packaging. Wonderful.

Absolutely adorable! So cleverly designed, so engaging and so uplifting to simply look at.

Bonita Turner, Editor of JUNIOR

Now little ones can live the allotment dream without even having to put their name down on the waiting list! An absolutely gorgeous toy that will provide hours of mess free gardening fun.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, JUNIOR

I loved the design of this product - a great way to encourage children to learn how to garden.

Mooi Ginsburg, co-founder @shopmaisson_m

Who:ThreadBear Toys & Gifts

What:Tender Leaf Secret Meadow Shepherds Hut

Why:

Oh wow! Everyone fell in love with this gorgeous family of mice who live in the most beautiful, fully furnished wooden shepherd’s hut.

The creativity that has gone into the design of this toy is really wonderful, with human sized trinkets like sardine tins and cotton reels adapted into mouse furniture and a lift up roof so you can arrange the hut to your hearts content without having to take the albeit generous front doors.

One of my favourite toys from this years entries. Any children who love miniature toys and arranging and roleplaying will love this set which is perfect for creating a whole world of imagination and fun.

Bonita Turner, Editor JUNIOR

Just the most magical cosy set up that kids will love playing with! The teacup that turns into a shower and the miniature wood burner have almost tipped me over the edge.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, JUNIOR

Who:Toddleroad

What:Toddleroad Metropolis Road Track

Why:

These easy to connect, flexible strips of road track that can build up to 6 metres of glorious highway are brilliant. The JDA panel thought this was a great way for younger children to enhance their play with any vehicles and loved the way these strips could be laid down quickly and easily to create something really impressive, covering a large floor area in moments.

The roads are waterproof, durable and dishwasher safe and the box is a part of the toy (carpark printed inside).

I can see these road tracks being pulled out time and time again over a period of years! A really clever design that kids will love and parents will appreciate for their easy to store, easy to clean properties.

Bonita Turner, Editor of JUNIOR

These tracks will form the backbone of hours of play and I love the fact that they have been designed for little hands so that children can play independently and feel proud of their track designs.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, JUNIOR

Who:Le Toy Van

What:London Train Set

Why:

Impressive is the word for this spectacular 120-piece wooden train set that features detailed artwork and a myriad of exciting shops and accessories to make that train journey fly by. The magnetic connectable train carriages, train tracks, train platforms, variety of buildings and lifting bridge make this train set feel like treasure as it comes out of its box and a real joy to lay out in a whole range of configurations.

Our judges loved all the imaginative touches and commented on the well-crafted smooth pieces that are handmade in Indonesia using responsibly sourced rubber wood. A wonderful, high impact toy that will provide hours of fun, stimulating imaginations and encouraging open ended play.

The thought and level of craftmanship that has gone into this fabulous trainset is wonderful to see. A joy to play with and easy for little hands to assemble.

Bonita Turner, Editor of JUNIOR

Oh gosh this is the dream. To have a train-set like this set up at home would be so exciting for little ones. This has an heirloom feel and I can see it being added to over the years and then passed down to another lucky family.

Eleonore Crompton, Deputy Editor, JUNIOR