February 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

The Inflatable Play Cube for iPad safely brings tablet technology to small children while entertaining them with the playful faces of popular Nickelodeon characters. The cube is easily inflated with the included foot pump and features a protective case on a recessed and padded side to hold and secure the iPad. Once inflated it can safely be bounced and tumbled over to use in either an upright tabletop position for playing Apps or flipped on its side for enjoying videos. Launch date: September 2012.

These kid-powered bouncies feature animals like Moo Moo and Trotter. Launch date: 2012.

Features 4 modes, Smartphone control mode, maze navigation mode with infrared obstacle detection and demo mode and battle mode. Recharged from USB port by integrated USB flip out USB connector. Fast and furious control using a Smartphone for drift and power slide maneuvers. Shoot at an other Carbots and hear the machine gun sound as your phone vibrates and your opponent. Carbot does spins and swerves from side to side. Shipped with dual transmitter iDesk Pet Universal Remote Control Smartphone adapter (Android and iOS) for increased control distance. Each Carbot three different user selectable frequencies (A,B,C) allowing for up to three Carbots to race and battle. Launch date: August 2012.
— "This little guy not only runs rings around their TankBot from earlier, but continues to give you the choice of autonomous control or letting your smartphone (iPhone/Android) take the lead as to where it can go and how it’s going to get there...the little guy moves so fast (good set of wheels working) that I started to run after it at one point...the CarBot is an affordable cool little RC vehicle that you can control or let go off on its own. The battery lasts for plenty of time before a quick USB recharge is needed too." - Review and 4.5 star rating from Marshal Rosenthal at GadgetReview.com.

The Groovy Girls Sparkeltastic Jewelry Set lets kids create their own personalized jewelry, show off their creative side and get shimmerin'. Kit includes 3 plastic bracelets, 3 plastic pendants, 6 tubes of sparkly glitter, 3 colored cords, 8 different glamtastic gem styles in plastic spin wheel dispenser, felt work mat and an instruction sheet. Each pendant and bracelet has a sticky texture once the protective sheathe is pulled off making it easy to adhere glitter and jewels. Launch date: January 2012.

MagnaMobiles are designed for kids to exercise their creativity. Put the pieces together and take them apart to create new and inventive vehicles. Magnamobilles roll, carry, lift, dig, drop and spin much like the real life machines they are modeled after. With multiple connectors on every piece, kids will have fun creating their own custom vehicles. All MagnaMobiles are made from high quality beech wood with a non-toxic finish. Launch date: January 2012. 

Soar & Spin kites feature 2 ways to fly - throw it or spin it around. Flyer set includes 1 flyer and 1 holding stick. Flyer features nylon body on a hard plastic frame with a 3D plastic head. To clean: wash with a damp cloth and wipe softly. Launch date: January 2012.

iBuKu Pets are fun, lovable characters that turn any smartphone into a cuddly pet. iBuKu Pets are not just a protective holder for mom or dad’s new iPhone (although they work well in this scenario too), but iBuKu Pets are intended to breathe life back into older used smartphones that have been placed aside in a drawer somewhere. Why not give that used smartphone to a child as a learning tool? One major issue with older phones is that their batteries often don’t hold the charge they once did. iBuKu Pets will have versions with not only a secondary battery inside, but also with the ability to wirelessly charge the batteries by simply setting the iBuKu Pet on a charge pad. Image a child never having to remove the phone from his iBuKu Pet, but rather setting him on his bedside table to charge at night. While charging, the iBuKu Pet will turn itself on as a nightlight when it hears the child wake up, or it will be an alarm clock for school-aged children.  And when they wake in the morning, the iBuKu Pet is charged and ready for a new day of learning activities. Launch date: April 2012.

With this kit, kids can personalize their own skateboard. One of the only sports craft kits available on the market. With the DYO Real Skateboard Kit, children can decorate their own one-of-a-kind real skateboard. Personalizing their own skateboard will inspire a child's originality, and foster spirit and commitment. Launch date: 2012.

Kids will share thoughtful, personal responses, and really listen to each other in this family-friendly game that includes game board, 7 character pieces, 7 token holders, 7 sets of tokens, 12 Wild Ernie tokens, and 1 pair of “Ear-Resistible” Jumper Rabbit ears. For 3–7 players. Launch date: April 2012.

This kit is for kids as they begin to explore, experiment and discover their world. Over 70 fun exciting experiments to stimulate young minds. Launch date: 2012.

Harness the power of Mentos candies and soda into a racing car that travels 200 feet or more. Launch date: 2012.

Kids will explore the magic of crystal chemistry as they design and grow their own crystal ring. They will discover the secrets of crystal chemistry, learn to make sugar jewels and find out which household salts make the best crystals using the included magnifying glass to study them. Launch date: 2012.

Resting in the ancient fortress ruins of Weathertop, Aragorn, Frodo and Merry are suddenly attacked by the Ringwraiths. Will they take The One Ring from Frodo or can Aragorn stop them in time? Includes 5 minifigures: Aragorn, Frodo, Merry and 2 Ringwraiths. 430 pieces. Available June 2012.

Plotting to reclaim The One Ring, Gollum lures Frodo into the lair of the ancient giant spider, Shelob. Will Shelob cast her web and capture Frodo or can Samwise Gamgee rescue him in time? Includes 3 minifigures: Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum. 227 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

Under attack by the evil Uruk-hai Army, the ancient fortress of helm's Deep is the last refund for the people of Rohan. As the Uruk-hai draw near, they fire hooks from the armored hook shooter and try to scale the fortress walls. Can Éomer and the Rohan soldier hold back the Uruk-hai and save the day? Includes 6 minifigures: Éomer, Rohan soldier and 4 Uruk-hai.  257 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

The walled fortress of Helm's Deep is under attack by the mighty Uruk-hai army and the forces of men, elves, and a dwarf must do everything they can to stop them from breaching the fortress walls. Includes 8 minifigures: Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Théoden, Berserker Uruk-hai and 3 Uruk-hai.1368 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

On their epic journey across the lands of Middle-earth, the heroic Fellowship of the Ring travels through the abandoned Mines of Moria. Pursued by the evil Moria orcs and a giant Cave Troll, Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas make a stand in Balin's Tomb. Includes 6 minifigures: Pippin, Boromir, Gimli, Legolas, and 2 Moria orcs along with a giant cave troll and 2 skeletons. 776 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

Collectible myth and monster cards can be played with on their own, but also added to an app for gameplay with 3-D figures. Each card has information about its subject, including unicorns, sea serpents and Cyclops based on the Ology book series. Tap the card to the screen of an iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone, and that monster appears in the game. Launch date: March 2012.

Angry Birds fans will be able to build obstacles from the app and knock them down with these construction toys. Sets will include the most popular Angry Birds characters, launchers and other recognizable elements from the game. Launch date: Fall 2012.

The world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus has partnered with Bachmann Trains to let kids experience all the excitement of The Greatest Show On Earth® as it travels by rail with this vintage Large Scale ready-to-run electric train set (Item No. 90083) that comes complete with a 4-6-0 steam locomotive (with operating headlight, smoke, and speed-synchronized sound), coal tender, advertising car with lighted interior, elephant stock car, flat car with lion in cage wagon and tiger in cage wagon, 8' 2" x 4' 3" oval of track, and DVD-format video instructions. Launch date: February 2012.

The set contains a ghost train with three ghosts, and a red plane with four flick-fire missiles for the two Monster Fighters. When the train moves, the ghost train wings move too. All the ghosts glow in the dark. 422 Pieces. Launch date: 2012.

Relive the opening scene of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in LEGO form. As Gandalf the Grey makes his way through the Shire on his horse and cart, he meets an excited young hobbit, Frodo Baggins. Includes 2 minifigures: Gandalf the Grey and Frodo Baggins. 83 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

The newest Perplexus model requires a player to twist, turn, and realign the tracks within to escape traps, dead ends, and cliffhangers. A captivating new dimension for the Perplexus family of toys. Thirty transition points.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids – Gameplay/Brainteasers

Pillow Pets Gives Back line was inspired by pediatric cancer patient Jacob McConahay. He received a plush Pillow Pet as a gift, and decided that he wanted to provide his friends undergoing cancer treatment at the center with him a pillow pet, too. This comforting and cozy St. Bernard preserves his memory, and comes along with a heartwarming story book. Launch date: 2012.