Scottsdale, AZ -- (SBWire) -- 09/29/2011 --SqwishLand Adds A Pair of National Parenting Center 2011 Fall Seals of Approval To Its Awards Birdcage

For years we’ve heard “Polly want a cracker, Polly want a cracker.” But as any unpainted parrot kit owner can tell you, these fine-feathered friends are now squawking, “Polly want a painter!” And according to The National Parenting Center, because kids can have tons of creative fun turning a plain, toy parrot into a winged rainbow, the D.I.Y. SqwishLand Polly is getting painted, a cracker and a National Parenting Center 2011 Fall Seal of Approval Award.

Here’s what the bird-loving judges at the National Parenting Center had to say about the D.I.Y. SqwishLand Parrot (after they’d cleaned up their mess, of course):

SqwishLand, LLC - D.I.Y SqwishLand Parrot
Award Category: Kits & Crafts
Recommended Ages: 5 and Up
Price: $9.99

“Chances are somewhere in your town there is a ceramics painting center where you can go and paint ceramic or clay pieces. They are popular for groups, families, parties and the like. The problem with these places, according to our testers, is that they are cost prohibitive. Sqwishland is bringing the party home and at a much more affordable price. Just take out the parrot and let your child have at it. Depending on the level of intricacy and detail, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to complete but for just under $10, the price can't be beat. Finally, kids can take digital pictures of their painted masterpiece and upload it to the SqwishLand site, then other kids vote on it to determine each month’s design winner. Ultimately a grand prize winner will have their design made into an actual SqwishLand toy.”
SqwishLand also received an award for its SqwishLand Soft ‘n Squishy® Bracelets. The National Parenting Center judges loved that these bracelets were jewelry with a purpose. And the purpose went well beyond just looking good!

SqwishLand, LLC - SqwishLand Soft 'n Squishy® Bracelets
Award Category: Kids Clothing and Accessories
Recommended Ages: 3 and Up
Price: $2.99

It’s official, bracelets are the new hot toy/accessory and Sqwishland is right on the leading edge of the craze. Start with a soft bracelet and attach your SqwishLand toys to it, then keep adding or trading or rearranging them so that it’s never the same bracelet twice. There is an additional component here which is the associated online world that each SqwishLander can be a part of. This extra level of fun and interactivity really had parents sold on the value. The social experience of kids sharing, trading and communicating about their creations was a marvel for parents to witness.”

About The National Parenting Center
The National Parenting Center was founded in July of 1989, with the intention of providing the most comprehensive and responsible parenting advice to parents everywhere. The advice provided is furnished by some of the world's most respected authorities in the field of child rearing and development.

The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval program, created in 1990 as an adjunct to TNPC's support services, identifies the finest products and services being marketed to the parent/child audience. From educational and entertainment products and equipment to travel destinations, the consumer oriented testing process solicits evaluations from parents and their children. This award signifies to other parents that their peers have acknowledged a product's quality and desirability based on a wide variety of determining factors.

By any yardstick there is no denying that 2010 was a tumultuous year throughout the world and here at home. As it releases the final Seal of Approval report of 2010, and awards the first 2011 Seals of Approval, The National Parenting Center wants to recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to persevere in a climate and times such as these. The companies and the people behind them have created products and services that really connected with its testers and are deserving of this award as well as the benefits that come with Seal.

It is the sole intention of The National Parenting Center to advise, support and guide parents with sound, responsible advice.

About SqwishLand
SqwishLand LLC, the developer of SqwishLand toys and the online game, SqwishLand.com. Distributes over 500 soft 'n squishy collectibles and other toys based on the virtual world.