November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Beginning reading and math builds the foundation for success with this content-packed interactive program. Includes 11 sing-a-long songs and 15 two-level activities to teach children letter names, numbers, phonics, basic addition and more. The Super Star System gives students an incentive to repeat an activity until a gold star is awarded. Winner of a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

Features hundreds of color photographs of art and artifacts found at the Smithsonian museums. Study the items on your assignment card, then guess which one doesn’t fit. Use the decoder/magnifier to see if you’re right as you try to be the first expert to reach finish. For 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up.

Race to gather the food your panda needs. When you land on a bamboo space, activate the mother panda to come down the tree. She may help you win. Learn interesting panda facts as you play the game. For 2 to 4 players, ages 5 and up.

Based on the hit NBC-TV show starring Steve Carell, players race around the office visiting cubicles and answering questions about the adventures and misadventures of its unique characters. Includes a “Support the Rabid” rubber bracelet—as seen on the show—that players get when they win the “5K” race. For 2 to 6 adult players.

Join the cast of NBC’s hit show “The Office” in a DVD game that features some of your favorite scenes. Answer questions about the clips to earn Schrute bucks as you move along a game board that Dwight himself created. There’s seven different kinds of questions for lots of variety.  For 2 to 6 adult players.

This two sided musical cape will liven up any adventure. One side is pirate theme, the reverse side is knight theme. Fun for both boys and girls. Ages three and up. Batteries included.

Hannah Montana fans can choose from one of two singing boxes to store their jewels and accessories. One box plays "Rock Star," while the other plays "True Friend." Launch date: Fall 2008

Developed under collaboration by Large Animal Games and Lifetime Games, Fashion Solitaire allows players to design clothing collections, assemble outfits, and email fashion show photos to friends. Launch date: June 2008.

Students, friends and their fellow employees can have fun and get to know one another by responding to this ball's suggestions to share experiences from work and personal life. The 32 panels include questions and statements such as "Smartest Career Decision" and "Two Office Tools You Can't Live Without." Launch date: September 2008.

Ideal for counseling, character-building activities and socialization among employees, the Virtues & Values Thumball includes three positive characteristics for each letter of the alphabet, inviting comments on qualities that the speaker or other players have. Launch date: September 2008.

Children can learn everyday hand skills while playing with this dressing doll that includes buttons, Velcro, bows and and more. The clasps of clothing and bags are a big challenge for kids’ hands, and the funny Krawuzi with a bib and colorful frilly hair is just right to help them learn these skills. Her friendly face radiates encouragement to little friends and invites them to try. Her shoes, trouser, T-shirt and socks can all be used to practice dressing and undressing. Kids can also tie a bow and braid her hair. Launch date: January 10, 2008.

Protected by a worldwide patent, this aluminum-construction scooter features 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a bicycle-style hand brake, and a height-adjustable, folding-handle pole. Maximum rider height and weight are 6'5" and 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

This scooter features steel construction, no-foot-down propulsion, a bicycle-style handbrake, 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a paddle-actuated gear drive mechanism, and a folding handle pole. It is height adjustable and is protected by a worldwide patent. Maximum height: 6'5". Maximum weight: 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

Combining physical play with educational activity, this pony connects to the television via a wireless IR device so that toddlers can interact with scenes and lessons on-screen while they ride. Once in the saddle, a child can select from three play levels and bounce and spin while also rolling the ball on the handle bars. More interaction results in increased on-screen activity, which includes animation, sounds, songs, and lessons about shapes, letters and more. The pony can also play music and sounds when not connected to the television. Launch date: 2008.

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills. Mega Zillio is the larger version of the Mini Zillio. It handles numbers up to 60, and measures 27" x 27" x 12". It does everything the Mini does but can have up to 6 players at a time and the same games included require more challenging play and problem solving to come out on top.

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills.  Mini Zillio handles numbers up to 36, and measures 18" x 18" x 8", compared to Mega Zillio's 27" x 27" x 12.5". For up to 4 players at a time.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Brain Child

This bright set features 30 multi-colored balloons plus a pump.
— Randy Austin reported that Rocket Balloons were popular sellers during the summer of 2008 at her store, The Gifted Child, in Lenox, Mass.
— “Rocket Balloons were fabulous [last year] and we have people waiting for them now,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppettos Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling outdoor item during a March 2010 survey of best sellers.
— Two of 37 retailers named Rocket Balloons are a best-selling outdoor toy in spring 2010.

This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is one in a collection of four prints from the canvases of landscapes and home portraits created by folk artist Art Poulin. Launch date: January 2009.

These tiny critters — Brown Bear Brother, Polar Bear Sister and two others from Cloverleaf Corners — are decked out in costumes for Halloween. The critters are poseable and wear removable clothing. The two bears retail together for $19.99. Launch date: October 2008.

A simple introduction to the complex and fascinating world of magnetism, Dowling Magnets’ Assorted Magnet Box contains a variety of basic magnets in different shapes and colors, a shoelace, and a handbook with magnet information and fun facts. 
— “We have a huge homeschooling community, and kids are fascinated by magnets,” observed Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacques Inc. in Bryan, Texas, when discussing best-selling science products in August 2008.
— Of 64 retailers polled in Summer 2008, 4 percent listed magnets as their top-selling science item.

This Sea Monkeys kit comes with everything one needs to get started raising these living, swimming ”micro-crustaceans.” After treatment with the included water purifier, sprinkle the pouch of dormant Sea Monkey eggs into the tank, and watch the new pets appear and grow. It comes with a “growth guarantee.”
— “Another thing that sells really well is the Sea Monkeys. We sell a lot of those, and we had one of those on display,” Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys Livermore, Calif., told TDmonthly in August 2008 when discussing popular science and nature toys.
— “Kids still get so excited about those little kits,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. “A lot of adults seem to be drawn to them, too, because of the nostalgia factor.”
― As of 9.23.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 10 in best-selling science and nature toys. PROS: Entertaining, educational, interactive and easy to use.

This animal is part of a "magnetically mixable" line of plush pets that allow children to create hundreds of combinations by interchangeing the creatures' heads and tails. The 4" plush come in 12 designs. Launch date: September 2008.

Republican VP contender  Sarah Palin is immortalized in this superhero action figure, which sports a 45-caliber sidearm. An excutive version is available for $27.95. Launch date: September 8, 2008

Recommended for outdoor use only, this lightweight glider comes with a launcher and is available in different styles. It is easy to assemble and fly, and can soar up to 50’. The safe, soft flyer has a wingspan of 9” and comes with instructions.