Kids Compete for Best Toy Design in Fairfield County

Children in Fairfield County submitted their best designs to the Toy Makers II Design Competition hosted by the Westport Arts Center during WACky Family Day on March 10.

On March 10, more than 150 children and their family members visited the Westport Arts Center for WACky Family Day, where they created various art projects and cheered on the winners of the center’s 2013 Toy Makers II Design Competition. Eight children were selected as winners from more than 135 toy design submissions.

The Toy Makers II Design Competition called for kids ages 6 to 12 to create a toy that was unique and original, fun to come back to again and again, and able to be reproduced in real life. Melissa Bernstein, founder of the Melissa & Doug toy company, presented the awards.

“The true highlight of today, for me, was when Melissa Bernstein presented the awards to the young winners,” said Deidre Price, the center’s board and education committee member. “It was clear that she thoughtfully considered each submission, articulated to each winner why their work was selected, and most importantly, communicated to the rest of the children who submitted to keep creating and never let one person’s opinion deter you from pursuing your dreams.”

Winners received a private tour of the Melissa & Doug toy factory and headquarters in Wilton, gift certificates to Max’s Art Supply in Westport, and various gift baskets from Melissa & Doug.

The competition included two age categories, and four winners were selected from each category:

Winners in the 6-8 age group
First: Nina Driscoll, 8 (Westport), for “Your Decorate & Design Dream House”
Second: Leilani Fleming, 6 (Westport), for “My Spy Box”
Third: Christian McLaughlin, 7 (Wilton), for “Inflatable Snow Castle Kit”
Fourth: Jojo Treisman, 6 (Westport), for “Catch Twins”

Winners in the 9-12 age group
First: Raini McCarthy, 11 (West Haven), for “Tug ‘N Feel Bracelet”
Second: Grace Cooper, 11 (Westport), for “The Big Helper”
Third: Sarah Maybruck, 12, and Zaran Ahmad, 11 (both of Westport), for “Beat the Time”
Fourth: Gia Alvero, 12 (Westport), for “Make Your Own Cake”