February 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

Brightly colored wooden sail boats. Assorted numbered boats, from one to six.
— In a February 2012 survey, two of 14 retailers said that Toysmith is their bestselling brand for wooden toys.

Detailed, brightly colored pictures encourage 1 1/2 - 3 years old to complete these 9-piece wooden puzzles, each with a different theme. Our level 2 puzzles help children learn to group like items and expand their vocabulary. Constructed with smaller knobs than Level 1 puzzles, each piece is easy to hold and promotes the development of fine motor skills.
—  Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in a 2012 survey that puzzles from Small World Toys are their bestselling wooden toys.

Clear hardwood Flip Tops will flip right over onto their stem if they are spinned fast enough. These tops are not recommended for kids under six as they haven't yet developed the proper dexterity to get the tops to work. Flip Tops measure approximately 1-1/4" diameter by 1-3/4" tall.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that these tops were their bestseller. They sell 15-20 units each month.

These cubes are a fun variation of a familiar form that are similar to other stacking blocks but have more graphics and characters. These blocks are very colorful. There is one animal for each box so it can be used for matching. The boxes nest for easy storage. The coated heavy cardboard is very durable and very brightly printed. The adorable animals and characters are made of soft PVC and are washable. In addition, each piece uses all sides for different motifs, so the sets are open-ended. For 18 months and up.
— In a February 2012 survey about bestselling wooden toys, Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly they sell 12 units of this item each month.

With this set, kids can practice counting, numbers and stacking. Includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1–5). Bowls nest to store—largest measures 21/4”H x 43/4” in diameter. Launch date: February 2012.

Measuring madness is coming to the kitchen. Enticing, chunky tools are contoured for little hands. Scale, bowl, 3 self-standing spoons and 6 unique cup designs help children visualize quantities as they make mystery goo, puffy paint, slime and more. Activity Cards included. Launch date: February 2012.

The Tribute Kendama is a Japanese wooden skill toy that challenges hand-eye coordination, focus, balance, and creativity. Enjoyed by millions in Japan, its only recently been introduced into the USA thanks to KendamaUSA. " It is the only Kendama designed so that the cups can never fall off the handle, which is the #1 customer complaint with copy-cat brands," Jeremy Stephenson, president of Kendama USA, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Toy of the Year Award Nominee
— David Castillo, vice president of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Kendamas, especially ones from Kendama USA, are one of their store's best-selling toys.

X-Wing is a tactical ship-to-ship combat game in which players take control of powerful Rebel X-wings and nimble Imperial TIE fighters, facing them against each other in fast-paced space combat. Featuring detailed hand painted miniatures, X-Wing recreates exciting Star Wars space combat throughout its several included scenarios. The X-Wing starter set includes everything players need to begin their battles, such as scenarios, cards, and fully assembled and painted ships. Launch date: Q2 2012.

Hey, That’s My Fish! is an engaging, award-winning board game of strategic fish hunting, in which 2-4 players control determined penguins hungry for their next meal on a bustling Antarctic ice floe. Since Hey, That’s My Fish! was originally published in 2003, it has become widely popular as an engrossing and strategic board game for casual family and tactical play. Hey, That’s My Fish! includes 60 hexagons to create an ice floe with new artwork renditions of fish, 1 rules sheet, and 16 newly sculpted colorful and animated penguin miniatures.

This two-toed BABY SLOTH PUPPET is taking it easy and wants to be carried everywhere. This fascinating creature comes from the rain forest. BABY SLOTH PUPPET measures 15-inches tall. Launch date: 2012.

This adorable NIBBLING MOUSE PUPPET sits coveting his wee wedge of cheese. His rotating head is always on the lookout for cheese thieves. NIBBLING MOUSE PUPPET measures 6-inches tall. Launch date: 2012.

This big cuddly AMERICAN ALLIGATOR PUPPET will swamp kids with affection. This realistically rendered puppet, with soft plastic teeth, is a life-size 31-inches long. Launch date: 2012.

Our Eco Green Acrylic Paints come in 54 vibrant colors and are "NO-VOC", or "LO-VOC" products that do not bring toxic fumes and chemicals into the studio, school room or play area. Launch date: January 2012.

The Eco Crayon is a completely natural crayon that is made with all natural ingredients, and does NOT contain any petroleum wax, oil or other toxic ingredient.  The Eco Crayons are currently available in two sizes, a 4-pack (MSRP $.79) and a 24-pack (MRSP $2.99). Launch date: January 2012.

This cushion, embroidered with pirate monkey, unzips and turns inside out to become a plush monkey pirate. Launch date: January 2012.

This pink glittering plush turtle comes inside of a decorated plush cupcake tote purse. Launch date: January 2012.

Introducing the Gummylamp; an homage to the most iconic candy the world has ever known. It looks and feels like an actual Gummy Bear, just 100 times bigger and infinitely more useful. Squeeze its belly and, instead of getting fingers sticky, a high-powered LED light switches on, illuminating the immediate space around the user. Gummylamps are powered via either two AA batteries (not included) or by electricity (DC to USB cord included). Gummylamps come in five colors: red, green, clear, yellow and orange. Features one hour and infinite timers.

In the game White Water each player directs the actions of four courageous rafters. Each raft in the race contains four crew, with two crew from one player and two from another player. Players control the crew within a raft, but also may use Energy cards to additionally help one raft or the other. Dice represent the effects of hazards they encounter, and even the best-laid plans can be spoiled by another raft pushing players in a direction they don't want to go. Launch date: May 2012.

The Joker is up to his usual tricks, and he must be stopped. Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and The Flash team up, calling on their special powers – X-ray vision, the Batarang, force fields and lightning speed – to dodge The Joker’s gags and stop him in his tracks before he reaches the getaway car. The Fun House game board is packed with preschool play power: a wacky rolling ball, secret messages, and a launching Batarang will draw young super heroes into the action. Launch date: 2012.

Kids must work together to make as many cupcakes as they can before it’s time for the party. Follow the recipe cards to pick the perfect fancy liner, frosting, and topper. Each cupcake creation is fit for a princess in this sweet game of matching and sharing. Launch date: 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, 25% of retailers told TDmonthly that Disney Princess was their best selling licensed brand.

This helmet cover features an edgy skull design. Stretchy fabric can fit over most helmets. Launch date: 2012.

Lay-n-Go Lite (patent pending) is an 18 inch travel/mini activity mat that converts into an easily transportable satchel allowing for a quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces in seconds. Toy collections used on the Lay-n-Go surface are easily spread out for hours of fun at restaurants, on airplanes, in cars, at Grandma's house, etc.  Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is instantly converted back into a soft storage bag.  Lay-n-Go Lite is small, but like its big brother/sister, it is a smart and easy personal activity mat, cleanup, storage and handy little carryall solution in one.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

Lay-n-Go (patent pending) is a 5 foot diameter activity mat that converts into an easily transportable shoulder satchel allowing for quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces.  Toy collections used on the Lay-n-Go surface are easily spread out (no dumping needed) for hours of fun. Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is converted back into a completely sealed soft storage bag.  Lay-n-Go is a smart and easy activity mat, cleanup, storage and carry-all solution in one.

Like Ferrari’s new Formula 1 race car, the Ferrari 150° Italia pedal go-kart has new design elements and sponsor stickers. Made for the young Ferrari enthusiast this kart uses our unique drive system. The BFR hub allows the driver to pedal forward, coast with pedals remaining static, pedal backward to engage a coaster brake and once stopped, pedal in reverse. Launch date: March 2012.