FamilyFun's 2012 Toy of the Year Awards

Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle

This fortress features every medieval must-have: clanking gates, catapults that really shoot, and a secret treasure stash. At the turn of a switch, shutters slam shut, a disk-spitting eagle cranks into position, and a Scottish voice cries out, "Protect the castle!" Fisher-Price, $59.99, Ages 3 To 8

Magician's Kitchen

In this bewitching balancing act, sorcerer's apprentices carry marbles across a game board and toss them into color-coded cauldrons. Hidden magnetic stumbling spots make it easier said than done—you may really start to lose your marbles. Playroom Entertainment, $30, Ages 5 And Up

Monster High Create-a-Monster Design Lab

Testers loved the whole Frankenstein-ish process of this lab. Lower the lid of the coffinlike device onto the doll and ink her with washable tattoos, one detachable body part at a time. With 100-plus tattoos, kids can play mad scientist over and over. Mattel, $39.99, Ages 6 And Up

Master Kitz

Based on works by van Gogh, Monet, and other artists, these stencil projects give kids the tools to make art that's too good for the refrigerator. Beautifully presented, clearly explained, and, according to one enthusiastic mom, "less challenging than paint by numbers," the kit may have you measuring that space over the sofa. Kidzaw, $29.99, Ages 5 And Up

Play-Doh Diggin' Rigs Buster the Power Crane

This tough truck boasts tools for building objects from play-doh ... and a bruising wrecking-ball to pulverize finished projects. Hasbro, $19.99, Ages 3 To 8

Stone Age Cave With Mammoth (5100)

Playmobil always rocks the details, and its prehistoric playset is no exception. Tester favorite features include a spear that can be used to catch fish from the pond and stick-on cave paintings. Playmobil, $69.99, Ages 4 To 10

Super Heroine Role Play Set

A 4-year-old we know donned this silky shirt, cape, and mask and proceeded to rescue everything in sight: dolls, stuffed animals, younger siblings, even her mom. Phone booth not required. Melissa & Doug, $29.99, Ages 3 To 6

Undersea Friends Building Set

This 48-piece set made a big splash with our young judges. They found it a snap to create a slew of colorful corals and crustaceans. K'nex, $20.99, Ages 3 To 6

Whittle World Plane and Luggage Carrier Set

Imagination takes wing with these sturdy, simple airport vehicles. Testers loved coupling and uncoupling the caravan, loading luggage, boarding passengers, and clearing the plane for takeoff. The best part? No bag-checking fees. Melissa & Doug, $24.99, Ages 3 To 7

Word Snag

A fast-paced word association game, Word Snag has players flip a card to reveal a category, such as "On the Farm," then roll a set of lettered dice. To score, kids shout out objects whose first letters match the category and the dice: Barn! Broccoli! Baby goat! Pressman Toy, $12, Ages 8 And Up

Originally published in the November 2012 issue of FamilyFun magazine