The Pencil Grip, Inc., a family-owned business known for its innovative educational toys and supplies, has launched the new Make Your Own Rubber Band Jump Rope and the Make Your Own Rubber Band Ball Kit. Also launched is the Aqua Page Up, a brand new style of the popular Page Up! paper holders. It contains a liquid filled mini aquarium with six types of tropical fish, sharks and whales available.

The Pencil Grip is a revolutionary applied technology that works with the body’s natural physiology to gently place fingers in the proper position for gripping. Allowing over a 90% surface contact with its soft comfortable gripping surface, The Pencil Grip sets the industry standard in ergonomics.

Never be without a point. These pyramid-shaped crayons are the first that let little kids put their hands in the "dynamic tripod position" for easier drawing and scribbling. Five colors come in a package.

The make it yourself rubber band ball kit includes a Super Ball and an ultra bright assortment of the highest quality American made rubber bands available. Children love the highflying rubber band ball that they can create for themselves. Stimulates both eye-hand coordination and visual sequencing in Children. Fun to throw and catch, it can bounce over 40 feet in the air.

This rubbery yo-yo is sure to bounce back as kids practice their eye-hand coordination.

These six linking beanbags weigh 8 oz. each and provide endless game possibilities. Throwing and catching are made easy with two Snap Bags linked together. They create a calming presence when all six are attached and used as a shoulder or lap weight, and open a new world of gross-motor, fine-motor and social skill game opportunities. Ideal for children with autism or other sensory or learning disabilities, they introduce colors, numbers and shapes, and are great for sorting and matching. Snap Bags are durable and spot washable, come in a drawstring bag for storage, and are accompanied by a booklet that introduces several play options. Launch date: Mid March 2007.
— “Pencil Grip is the first company I’ve seen that is doing toys 'engaging children' with autism,” David Hesel, owner of Concord Toy Shop in Concord, Ma., told TDmonthly. He purchased products in the DbD line at Toy Fair 2007.

These textured blocks are a weighted foam alternative to classic blocks. The extra weight and unique texture provide increased motor control, and the non-standard, interlocking shapes help avoid self-stimulatory behavior and encourage creativity in building. The blocks come in an eight-piece starter set that includes a booklet featuring easy, medium and challenging play options.

DbD Play Packs offer great skill-based game ideas that individuals can do at home or school. The games use readily available supplies and can be easily adjusted for a range of abilities. Play Packs are perfect for parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals. The Social Interaction pack for large groups includes 15 skill-based cards and six information cards.

The Crossover Grip uses a revolutionary applied technology that works with the body’s natural physiology to gently place fingers in the proper position for gripping. It uses the same great design as The Pencil Grip, but has added wings to prevent fingers from crossing over each other. Launch date: November 2005.
— Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys & Books in Scottsdale, Ariz., told TDmonthly that Pencil Grip items are among the hottest selling school supplies in her store.
— Tanner said she sells dozens of Pencil Grips per week during the short back-to-school selling season.
— "The Crossover Pencil Grip improves upon the original design, making the one proper position for pencil holding even more stable than ever," said Alex Provda, vice president of The Pencil Grip Inc.

Extremely fun and easy, this unique make-it-yourself jump rope kit includes two handles, a bright assortment of the highest quality American-made rubber bands available and a special jump rope weaving tool. The bands can be woven in any pattern and can be adjusted for children of any height. Instructions are provided on the back of every package. Launch date: January 2001.

The Explorer Ring works on a range of skills while encouraging tactile, auditory and visual exploration. Kids will learn everyday skills such as turning a key, twisting a doorknob, pinching, pulling a knob, and turning a crank. A game book is included.

The ball features a great texture that makes catching easy and fun. Additionally, the ball comes with five special modes of music that suggest over 50 creative movements. The ball’s sound track is specially timed for slower auditory processing. Get caught with the ball when the music stops and one will need to perform a special move or task. A game book is included.

The JUMBO Grip features the same shape as The Pencil Grip to place fingers in the correct stance for gripping, for both right- and left-handed writers. It’s about 40-percent bigger than The Pencil Grip, designed to offer comfort and support up to the second knuckle.
— Joan Machlis, owner of Wind Up Here in Olympia, Wash., told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that the store sells about 50 items per month by the Pencil Grip.
— ''We sell maybe 75 per month,'' Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre, Inc., in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly.