Babies can talk with their hands - before they can even speak! This educational video artfully engages both infants and their parents so they can learn to communicate with each other through sign language. Research indicates that babies who use sign language will become better adjusted, speak sooner with larger vocabularies and boast higher IQ scores than their peers. It has already won awards from Parents’ Choice Foundation, the National Parenting Center, iParenting Media Awards and Kids First! Babies across the country have learned to talk with their hands instead of crying, reducing caregiver frustration and enhancing family bonding time. It is meant for babies 10 months and older. “Parents are looking for ways to give their children an educational and emotional head start and these parents look for our products in the specialty marketplace,” Baby Hands Productions Inc. Creative Director Kathleen Waidhofer told TDmonthly.

These soft tools provide a safe alternative for the youngest of builders. The set includes a hammer, screwdriver, pliers and wrench packaged in a caddy to keep them all together. THIS COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS 12-16-06.

What a fun and exciting way to musically celebrate any child’s birthday! In this innovative recording, a child’s name will be sung 35 times in the entire album of five songs. Each album has a list of up to 2000 names. Song titles include, “Your Special Day,” “Make a Wish,” “Birthdays Around the World,” and other unique birthday songs This special album is available on cassette or CD,with a list of over 200 names. 

Toddlers can learn how to dress with their pal, Cody. This friendly cowboy doll gives little ones as young as 18 months the chance to practice their tying, snapping, zippering and buckling skills. This doll makes learning fun and dressing becomes less of a chore. Betsy, the dress up cowgirl doll, is also available. Each measures eight inches in length by twelve inches tall. - Aire Norell

The 14" soft play and learn doll has seven learning activities: Zip, Button, Snap, Buckle, Tie, Fasten and Read. These activities help teach young children basic dressing abilities, letter and word recognition, large and small motor skills, eye hand coordination and the senses of sight, hearing and touch.

According to Susan Tice, product manager and public relations director for International Playthings, “What is very special about this drum is that it plays music as it is rolled on the floor. Pre-walkers can be rewarded for pushing the toy by hearing the music and seeing the lights flash.”
— "International Plaything's little drum — the Flash Beat Drum" is one of the top musical toys at Perfect Toy in Avon, Conn., Owner Peter Scott told TDmonthly in summer 2007.
— Two of 45 retailers said drums from International Playthings are tops in their music sections.
— Both said they sell about a dozen of these drums in any given month.

Written by Elizabeth Verdick and illustrated by Marieka Heinlen, feet are sweet —when they’re walking, standing, leaping and landing. And when they’re kicking balls or leaves. But not when they’re kicking people! In simple words and charming full-color illustrations, this 7" x 7",book helps little ones learn to use their feet for fun, not in anger or frustration. It also includes tips for parents and caregivers on how to help toddlers be sweet with their feet. Feet Are Not for Kicking Board Book was selected because, according to Dr. Toy, it allows children to extend their imagination, resourcefulness, social interaction, problem-solving skills, and resilience.

The Gazillion Bubble Machine’s motorized rotating bubble wands put children in the midst of a bubble blizzard, blowing over 4,000 bubbles per minute. The easy-carry handle lets users take the “bubblebration” wherever they go. Each Bubble Machine comes with an 8 oz. bottle of top secret Gazillion Bubble solution that attaches right to the Bubble Machine to continuously feed the wands. Batteries are required. This product received a 2007 Best Product iParenting Media Award.

This rubbery, tri-colored ball is a staple for any child learning cognitive and social skills and developing fine- and gross-motor skills. Ideal for children with a special need, the ball is durable and has a skeletal structure that allows for easy catching. "Kids and teachers agree that Oballs are the easiest balls to catch and hold. The cool design already has won five awards for excellence and innovation, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award and a Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products Award,” said Suzanne Silverglate, owner of Rhino Toys.
— “Everybody buys it,” Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in 2007. “Right now it is head and shoulders above others [in the infant/toddler category]. It's probably been that way for two years.” Retailers reported average monthly sales of five to 25 a month.
— In summer 2008, four of 66 specialty retailers named the Oball as one of their top-selling gifts for babies. “We sell more of them because our store does gift wrapping and it makes a good topper,” said Jill Jernigan, owner of J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark.
― Ask retailers about top-selling balls and the Oball is an answer that’s sure to come up, winning the graspable toy a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award. Six of 64 retailers named the Oball as a best-selling baby toy in March 2009, and two of 39 said the same a year later. “[It] is definitely the best-selling gift for babies,” stated John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Del Mar, Calif., in June 2009.

Make a keepsake statue of Mom or Dad holding baby´s hand. A great gift for baptisms, communions, birthdays, Mother´s Day, Father´s Day or other holidays. Grandparents will love to receive their own special statue, too. - Aire Norell

Young viewers will laugh at silly faces, “things that go,” matching games, music and much more, while learning critical skills such as problem solving, listening skills, classifying skills and concept awareness. The 45-minute DVD includes special features, including Scene Selections, Storybook, Baby Bloopers, Sneak Peeks, Behind the Scenes and Fun Learning Activities.

This 3 volume set is perfect for the child getting ready to enter kindergarten.

The only soft tool set around! Each set comes complete with hammer, screwdriver, wrench and pliers in a handy red flocked caddy to make clean up a snap. Furniture and fingers will love the softness of this set. 2003 Parents’ Choice Approved Award Winner and the Creative Child Top Creative Toy Awards 2004 Preferred Choice Award.

Imagine the fun kids can have with construction blocks that are flexible enough to squeeze, bend, twist - even chew. These toys are made of a special non-toxic polyethylene for hours of worry-free fun. Poly-M toys won a prestigious Dr. Toy Smart Play Smart Toy Award for 2005.

Super mega fun! This set stimulates children to develop new ideas and engage in exciting activities. 188 pieces including figures, animals and a building instruction leaflet.

Babies can experience the classic story of “The Three Little Pigs” again and again with these three nesting houses with self-stick fabric closures, a “fall-through” chimney, three squeaking pigs and a wolf. The easy-grasp play figures wipe clean. A story sheet is included.  The set measures 16.5” x 7” x 12.25” boxed. This is formerly a LIzzybee product.