The NETS annual Gold Star Award products are toys that are tested by kids and parents, not for an hour or a day, but year-round, day in and 
day out, 24/7.
These are the toys and games parents rave about as ‘a great find’ and ‘the perfect fit’.
It is this consumer feedback that the members of Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS) retailers take into account each year when voting on the top ten toy products they would recommend to parents and award these a ‘Gold Star. ’
These are the toys and games that earn recognition based on their ‘exceptional’ play value, durability and safety. They are the toys and games that kids continue to play with long after they are ‘new’.
Here’s are this year’s ‘top ten’ 2012 Gold Star Award winning toys and games as voted on by NETS retailers, based on customer feedback –
PERPLEXUS TWIST | PlaSmart
Perplexus Twist is the newest member of the Perplexus family of 3D maze puzzles. Twist requires players to twist, turn, and realign the 
tracks to escape traps, dead ends, and cliffhangers. Helps develop motor and dexterity and problem-solving skills as well as hand-eye coordination.
Ages: 6+
Difficulty Level: 7 (out of 10)
Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
MAGFORMERS 30-PIECE RAINBOW SET | Playwell Enterprises
Explore and experiment with these two geometric shapes to create simple and complex 3D models! Feel the magnetic power and have 
countless hours of fun exploring the Magformers connection possibilities. The 30-piece Rainbow set includes 18 square (size: 2.5” x 2.5”) and 12 triangle (size: 2”H) Magformers. Also includes an idea booklet!
Ages: 5+
Suggested Retail Price: $49.99*
SPEED STACKS STACKPACK | Playwell Enterprises
Sport Stacking is a phenomenon that has participation in over 29 countries and 35,000 schools! Think of it as a track-meet for your 
hands! The StackPack includes 12 Speed Stacks Cups in one of four assorted colours, the StackIt Timer (which also doubles as the cup-carrier), StackMat, Training DVD & Instruction Booklet.
Ages: 8+
Suggested Retail Price: $39.99*
PRINCESS FANTASY CASTLE | Playmobil
Create your own dazzling and regal fantasy world with the Princess Fantasy 
Castle. With turrets, gilded entrance gate, grand staircase, and lots of rooms,
this castle is the perfect home for her royal highness. Store all the royal
jewels in the tower’s secret hiding place before taking a spin around the
ballroom using the revolving dance floor. Set also includes two figures, throne,
chairs, chaise, chandelier, jewellery box, tea set, goblets, flower bushes, and a
life-size tiara, bracelet, and ring. Dimensions: 29.5x28x26 inches (L x W x H).
Recommended for ages four to ten.
Warning: Choking Hazard. Contains a small ball and small parts. Not for
children under 3 years.
Ages: 4+
Suggested Retail Price: $179.99*
BABY STELLA SWEET SOUNDS™ | Manhattan Toy
Manhattan Toy’s Baby Stella Sweet Sounds™ doll captivates the imaginations of boys and girls around the world. Baby Stella can talk! 
Sweet Sounds Baby Stella features three realistic sounds: pacifier sucking noise when pacifier is attached, giggling when foot is squeezed and she calls for “mama” when her hand is squeezed. Her adorable outfit includes a magnetic pacifier and a pink ruffled onsie with Velcro-like closures in back. Doll comes with two replaceable AA batteries.
Age:12m+
Suggested Retail Price: $44.99*
ALL SEASON HOUSE (furnished) | HaPe
There are as many ways to play with this house as there are families in the world. Six rooms, moveable stairs, and a reversible 
winter/summer-themed, solar-paneled roof inspire year-round activities. Includes four rooms sets: Master Bedroom, Family Bathroom, Media Room and Kitchen.
Main Materials: Wood, Water based paint.
Key Features: Imagination & Creativity: Encourages imitative and imaginary play; promotes fantasy storytelling, role playing, and creativity.
Social Skills: The basics of communication, cooperation, and collaboration; encourages trust, friendship, and language development.
Ages: 3+
Suggested Retail Price: $199*
PRETEND & PLAY® TEACHING CASH REGISTER WITH CANADIAN CURRENCY | Learning Resources
Talking cash register brings money math to life! Students can practice coin identification, addition, subtraction and place value as they 
play 4 featured games that increase in difficulty as players advance. Also great for pretend play and learning basic calculator skills. Automatic shut-off saves batteries and reminds students to ‘come and play again!’ Includes play money, coupon and pretend credit card. Requires 3 C batteries, not included.
Ages: 3+
Suggested Retail Price: $59.99*
SNAP CIRCUITS LIGHT | Elenco
Snap Circuits LIGHT has 175 exciting projects and 55 parts along with a colorful picture manual. Make exciting projects that feature a 
strobe light, colored changing LED, glow-in-the dark fans. Watch your iPod or other MP3 player play music with Snap Circuits LIGHT.
Ages: 8+
Suggested Retail Price: $79.99*
SLAP SHOTZ | Stortz & Associates
Knee hockey is now ‘Made in Canada’! Set of two hand held blades and a soft foam ball keeps kids of all ages active, outdoors or inside. 
Improves eye-hand coordination, slapshot and backhand, while providing a great workout. Eco-friendly organic dyes and 50% recycled plastics made from milk sampling bottles, manufactured by an Ontario company.
Ages: 3+
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99*
SPOT IT! | Everest
Truly Amazing! There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any 2 cards. Spot it and you win! 
A sharp eye and quick reflexes is all it takes to play the 5 quick party games included in the grab-n-go tin. Its fast action and brilliant game mechanics will have you hooked!
Ages: 7+
Players: 2 – 8
Play Time: 15 mins.
Suggested Retail Price: $14.99*
* Actual retail price may vary by store location.
