November 2008 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Crazy Forts is a construction toy that uses 25 solid plastic balls and 44 reinforced sticks and allows children to create whatever their imagination allows. Then, they simply add their own bed sheets to complete their creation. A house, an igloo, an princess castle or pirate ship are all possible with Crazy Forts. "Crazy Forts has proven to sell itself. Our first test involved a small chain of nine stores. They sold out of 350 units in three and a half weeks," President Geoff Thomas of Crazy Forts told TDmonthly.

The Giant Construction Block Set comes with 24 blocks (16 timber blocks and 8 cinder blocks). Large and easy to handle, children can build objects from skyscrapers to cabins to forts.  The timber blocks are 12" x 16" x 3" and the cinder blocks are 12" x 16" x 6". Assembly of the blocks is required. For ages 18mo. and up.

The BRIK-A-BLOK™ toy system provides an easy means for any child to recreate the world that surrounds them, at their scale. Easy to assemble panels come together to give kids the power to build their own world. Creative freedom coupled with our toy system liberates kids to custom build the perfect fort, playhouse, or any other structure they care to imagine. (Product Image depicts two BRIK-A-BLOK-46 sets)

The Fancy Dancy Skirt (41413) is absolutely gorgeous with layers and layers of soft pink tricot. It is gathered at the waist with a wide satin band and finished with 3 hot pink satin roses. The Fairy Top (28015) is made of ruched light pink satin and finished with a large hot pink rose.  Pink Poppy necklace and Ballerina Handbag accessories are sold separately.

This enchanting Medieval Gown (32425) makes little princesses’ fantasies come alive. The gown is made of rose and peony crepe satin, rose panne and silver mesh. The skirt has a stiff crinoline underskirt which gives it fullness and a soft lining to prevent scratching.
— Four of 52 retailers told TDmonthly in fall 2008 that costumes from Creative Education of Canada sell well in their stores, in terms of any merchandise related to Halloween.

Sir Gallahad Gold/Red (61575) and Sir Gallahad Silver/Blue (61505) tops are made of soft panne knit with a slight stretch to the fabric with attached hood and sleeves which are covered with a metallic mesh in gold or in silver. The foam swords are available in 3 assorted colors and are soft and safe to play with.

The Knight Set (60063) is made of a laminated silver spangle in a tunic style with elastics attaching the sides for flexibility. The Knight Set comes with a reversible hood, the Knight Glitter Cape and the Crown are sold separately. The Fairy Dress with Wings (34633) is made of a lilac crepe satin ruched top and the skirt is made of layers of tulle and soft lilac tricot.  The attached wings are covered with silver sparkle tulle.

This bright blue vacuum with red accents requires 3 C batteries (not included) to make realistic sounds of cleaning up dust. It functions in upright and handheld modes.

Little Reader Blocks are 3” cubes constructed of sturdy corrugated cardboard. The blocks are imprinted with over 100 preK-2 sight words that combine learning with play. Words are color-coded by type (adjective, noun, verb, etc.) to make sentence forming fun and easy. The set includes 18 pieces: 3 yellow adjective blocks, 3 green noun blocks, 5 blue verb blocks, 5 red pronon blocks, and 2 white preposition blocks. Kids can roll blocks like dice to form sentences, look for familiar letters or words, stack blocks to make sentences, and much more. Guided play activities are included. Adult assembly required.

This set consists of 16 large red blocks (12” x 6” x 3”). ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks are an enduring classic that offers endless play possibilities because they are versatile and safe. The blocks are printed with non-toxic inks and with their water-resistant coating are strong and durable for years of creative play.
— ImagiBRICKS are a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly at the beginning of 2009.

This 40pc Basic Set includes 8 large red blocks (12” x 6” x 3”), 6 medium yellow blocks (6” x 6” x 3”), and 24 small blue blocks (6” x 3” x 3). ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks are an enduring classic that offers endless play possibilities because they are versatile and safe. The blocks are printed with non-toxic inks and with their water-resistant coating are strong and durable for years of creative play.

The Hannah Montana On Tour Outfit collection will make any young pop star feel like a hit. Girls can choose the Hannah On Tour Outfit that suits them best — the sparkly black and silver-striped sequined number with dazzling capri pants trimmed in silver, or the hot pink sequined dress with asymmetrical detail and leggings. The Hannah Montana On Tour Outfit collection comes in sizes 5 to 7 and 8 to 10. "These Hannah Montana dress-up outfits are replicas of the real outfits Miley wore on stage during her sold-out concert tour," Carol Selva told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

The Stylin’ Hannah Makeover Set allows young fans to have the best of both worlds as they rotate the doll’s hair to transform her from Hannah to Miley. A simple twist turns her hair from Miley’s brown locks to Hannah’s golden hair. Girls can practice pop-star hair fashions and use shimmer and gloss to create stylish looks — on Hannah, or themselves. Girls can wear and share the accessories including a brush, colorful hair extensions, nail polish, makeup and Hannah’s necklace, which doubles as a bracelet for a stylin’ girl. When the button on the base of the Stylin’ Hannah Makeover Set is pressed, Hannah belts out her pop hit “Rock Star.” Launch date: October 2008.

This holiday dress-up Sassy Pet Sak is a tote style and comes with a black lab puppy that is removeable. The bag measures 7" wide. "The design and unique choice of fashionable materials" set this item apart, Erika Radich, marketing manager for Douglas Company, told TDmonthly. "It is a toy and an accessory all in one!" Launch date: September 20, 2008.

Let your little soldier get behind the wheel of their very own HumVee. This cute play tent is patterned after the ultimate 4x4 military vehicle, the Hummer. Woodland Camo blends in to almost any terrain and 2 doors let them get into “Action” fast. Multiple vents and windows for scanning for “Targets” and airflow, fiberglass poles set up easily and quickly. This play tent is perfect for indoors or outdoors and makes a perfect place for your little one to get away from the bugs as well. The HumVee is made from Fire Retardant coated polyester for years of “Patrolling”. The Giga Kid HumVee comes complete and ready for service with a carry bag, pole bag, stakes and instructions.

Let your little soldier get behind the wheel of their very own HumVee. This cute play tent is patterned after the ultimate 4x4 military vehicle, the Hummer. Woodland Camo blends in to almost any terrain and 2 doors let them get into “Action” fast. Multiple vents and windows for scanning for “Targets” and airflow, fiberglass poles set up easily and quickly. This play tent is perfect for indoors or outdoors and makes a perfect place for your little one to get away from the bugs as well. The HumVee is made from Fire Retardant coated polyester for years of “Patrolling”. The Giga Kid HumVee comes complete and ready for service with a carry bag, pole bag, stakes and instructions.

The Gigatent Hide and Seek Tunnel is designed to look like a cute and playful Caterpillar. By attaching the head using the loops and toggles you can close off one end to provide a hiding place while leaving one end open for ventilation and “escape”. The tunnel measures 6’ long and 20” in diameter which will allow larger children to play as well.

Let children’s imaginations run wild when they play with this tent. With the look of 2 castle towers and a connecting passage there is plenty of space for them to play with friends or alone. Closeable doors and windows help to keep the castle private, but don’t prevent airflow. The castle also provides a place to store toys and stuffed animals.

This soft, 3' whip features whip-cracking sound effects and theme music from the Indiana Jones movies. It includes a belt-loop attachment so that kids can easily carry the whip with them. Sounds can be silenced with the flip of a switch, and the product comes with three AA batteries.

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.

This distraction device rolls into a room, stands itself upright, and explodes into pieces. Part of the Spy Gear line, it offers a stealthy surprise when a child rolls it into any space. Launch date: September 2008.

Available in Horse, Pink Poodle and Monkey designs, these 14" puppets have wooden feet that make a clip-clop sound while they dance, and they are easy for small hands to control. The no-tangle marionettes have removable strings that can be lifted from the handle and replaced after untangling. New styles will be available in 2009. Launch date: 2008.
Display Ideas: The company offers a mechanical, plug-in display (see video) that accommodates three puppets and can be placed in a window to attract shoppers.

Refreshingly original, Grinning Streak includes some songs that are just plain goofy, a rap song about brushing your teeth, a beautiful lullaby, and songs about spaghetti, toes, connection, snorkeling, super-powers, and skin ... all in one package! “Linda Severt is the Beatles of Children's music. What she can do in a studio is mind blowing. Yowza!” -Chameleon Performance. This CD won a 2008 "Seal of Excellence" from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 04/01/2008.

This exquisite costume reveals an intricate dragon crest on the shield, armor and crown. The adjustable armor allows for kids of all shapes and ages to fit into snugly and comfortably. This highly detailed armor fits kids from 3’ to 5’ high. The sword, armor, shield and crown are all made of soft foam to ensure safety.