The Mom-Owned and Run Toy Business Has Also Earned Recognition from the NAPPA Awards, Mom’s Choice Awards, Women in Toys, and more!
Austin, TX (October 7, 2026) – When an up-and-coming toy company is turning this many heads, it must be something special! Playcor – the incredible baby toy company with an equal focus on play value and living room cohesion – has earned yet another prestigious win, this time from Parents.com! Their Chain Link Teether was named a winner in the Parents 2026 Best Toys Awards, earning recognition from the consumer media giant and its more than eight million monthly readers.
An independent toy company founded by interior designer and mother of three Courtney Smithee, Playcor designs baby toys that mesh with a sensibly designed living space, rather than clash. When Courtney’s highly refined design sensibilities conflicted with the contemporary baby and toddler toy design of the modern age, she set out to create thoughtfully engineered toys for her little ones that would seamlessly blend in with a sophisticated living room palette. From a glance, Playcor products barely register as kids toys; they fit right into sophisticated interior design spaces. The jury is in – kids love them! Featuring more subtle design elements, muted, neutral colors and tons of play value for little ones, Playcor is on a mission to show fellow parents that there *are* baby toy alternatives that do mesh with their decor!
The Playcor Chain Link Teether ($22.00 | Ages 3 months+) looks like a sculptural accent you might find resting on a coffee table. In reality, it’s crafted from 100% food-grade silicone, designed for babies to grasp, explore, and soothe sore gums. Five softly finished links invite tactile exploration and sensory play while remaining durable and safe for everyday play. It’s a teether that functions as both a comforting play object for babies and a beautiful object within the home. The Chain Link Teether is available in White Marble, Warm White and Soft Black color varieties to ensure that it can blend in with any home décor. A teether designed to be enjoyed, displayed, and loved!
As if a seal of approval from Parents.com wasn’t enough, Playcor has received accolades from all over the toy space in its first year! The National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) recognized Playcor’s entire collection of toys, particularly the Large Play and Display Book ($42.00 | Ages 3+) and Flashcard Faux Coffee Table Book ($32.00 | Ages 12 months+). While closed, these innocuous books appear like canvas-textured coffee table decorations but inside are imaginative and educational play activities for little ones to enjoy.
In addition, Playcor’s Scalloped Rattle Bowl and Sensory Wooden Ball Set ($48.00 | Ages 3 months+) received a Gold Award from the Mom’s Choice Awards. Courtney remarked in her interview with the Mom’s Choice Awards, “I think a lot of parents today are trying to find more balance — especially between creating a home that feels safe and functional for children, while still holding onto the little pieces of themselves that existed before parenthood. For me, that looked like realizing our home had slowly become filled with brightly colored plastic toys, while so much of the warmth, design, and personality that once made it feel like us started disappearing. I know so many parents quietly feel that tension.”
It’s clear that Playcor is a huge hit with parents, but Courtney’s clarity of vision and ingenuity have also allowed her to be recognized by industry insiders in the toy space as well. Playcor’s Large Play and Display Book caught the attention of respected industry outlet The Toy Insider, with the outlet naming it a Top Holiday Toy for ages 3-4 in their 2026 Holiday Gift Guide! The Toy Insider’s holiday gift guides are historically well-followed and read by toy and game professionals annually, making it highly coveted recognition, especially for such a young toy company. Courtney’s incredible talent and skill also led to her becoming a 2026 Wonder Woman Award Finalist for the Designer category with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment. To be recognized by such an established organization in her first year in business is a rare and incredible honor!
Surely, with such unanimous praise from consumer media and industry insiders alike, Playcor products must cost a premium? Not so! Playcor’s toys, despite being boutique store quality, are also budget-friendly. Despite incredibly thoughtful engineering and craftsmanship, Courtney has ensured that Playcor products are reasonably priced and accessible to as many families as possible. Why not see what all the buzz is about for yourself? To learn even more about their full, award-winning collection, visit Playcor.com.
About Playcor
At Playcor, every piece is carefully crafted with durable materials, minimal yet charming color palettes, and thoughtful details, perfect for little hands to explore. We believe that when children engage with toys that encourage both curiosity and imagination, they learn to see the world in new ways. And when parents see these toys thoughtfully arranged on shelves or coffee tables, they feel a renewed sense of peace and pride in their home décor.