SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Bucket Blast, a 15 games in one package that just hit the market in late July, has been named "Toy of the Year" by Dr. Toy in two categories -- "Top 10 Outdoor Action Toy" and "Top 100 New Toy." San Diego based LoLo Company, maker of the game, also earned Dr. Toy's "2003 Outstanding Toy Manufacturer Recognition of Excellence Award" for its ongoing commitment to produce high quality children's toys and products.
LoLo Company, whose motto is "live life to the funnest," earned the industry-acclaimed award for its ability to "provide groups of people endless hours of active play."
To select the year's best toys, Dr. Toy reviews many catalogs and products, visits stores and interviews children, parents, teachers, grandparents and industry experts.
"We search for wonderful products that will offer all children durability, value and many extra qualities that mean so much," said Dr. Toy. The more than 32 qualities include the toys' appropriateness to the age groups and genders, creativity, design, cultural sensitivity, ease of use, educational value, innovation, learning skills, price and value, quality and fun.
According to Charlie Paul, LoLo president and co-founder, "Bucket Blast is a one-of-a-kind game that features five outdoor, five indoor and five water games. Kids and adults can toss, run, balance, chase, strategize and team-up for points and laughs in such activities as hysterical relay races, beanbag basketball, and limbo lines that provide a memorable frenzy of physical fun for the entire family."
Bucket Blast, which retails for $29.95, is designed for people ages six and up. Many of the games can be played with from four to 30 participants. The package features 24 vibrantly colored beanbags and six colorful game buckets, bucket straps, boundary markers and blindfolds, and a tote bag for easy storage and mobility.
The Dr. Toy honors are the latest in a series of top industry awards presented to LoLo, which produces such popular products as Don't Make Me Laugh, a hysterical imagination game; Roh Szam Bo, an outer space game that teaches earthlings different ways to think; Bandito, a dice bluffing game, and Strange But True, a "guess the headline" game.
Paul said Bucket Blast received favorable reviews at the spring New York Toy Show. The game is the invention of Julie Stone, whose dramatic childhood taught her the importance of laughter. As early as age 12, Stone began dreaming up some of the games included in Bucket Blast.
LoLo is headquartered at 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste. 123, PMB #410 in San Diego, California, 92121. Phone: (800) 760-9930. Web: www.lolofun.com.