Two to four players race to pick up “food” with special kid-friendly “chopsticks,” as the wacky Wok shakes and rolls.  As children pick out the “food,” they place it in special, colorful bowls. “The Wok n' Roll is brightly colored and is a challenge in dexterity,” International Playthings Inc. Representative Nicole Tiedemann told TDmonthly. “Individual or team play is encouraged, and the whole family can get involved.” Launch date: February 2008.

The Calico Critters Pony Stable includes Sweetbriar, a pony figurine with his own stable, saddle, bridle, brush and comb, bucket, shovel, rake, broom, pitchfork, gaet lock and horse jump.

Suitable for ages 9 months and up, this three-story home features nine rooms and measures 17" x 17.5" x 17". It includes a spiral staircase, bay windows, French doors, a balcony, and front-porch steps and lanterns. It comes assembled except for some accessories.
— “Calico Critters has a townhouse that was given to us … [and] sits on a play table,” Jennifer Vanderish, co-owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in early summer 2008. “Kids just love it; it's amazing.”
— “Calico Critters — they've moved away from wood,” said Margy Pein, owner of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md., when asked about best-selling furniture and playhouses. “We also have Plan, and Calico Critters outsells it six to one.”
— Four of 62 retailers named Calico Critters when asked about best-selling furniture and playhouses in June 2008.

An amazing soft discovery cube turns inside out to reveal six different sides — 12 sides in all. The toy features engaging images and patterns, multiple textures and beautifully embroidered details. It encourages exploration and teaches lessons in object performance. This product is designed to entice, entertain and nurture the developing minds of children from birth to 3 years.

Based on the best-selling Great States game, this junior version is a fun way of introducing youth to the U.S. map. Kids will have a blast searching the game board as they travel along the colored game path. Even pre-readers can play by matching cards to the pictures on the board. "This game teaches children at a very young age about geography, history and state facts. Since even children who cannot read yet are able to play, this game presents a fun way for social studies facts to reach developing minds," Nicole Tiedemann, PR coordinator for R&J Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

Kids can figure out how things work as they play. Based on David Macaulay's best-selling book, this game is chock full of materials for curious kids. Multiple levels of play allow for a quick game for beginners or more involved competitions — including mechanical experiments — for more advanced players. "The Way Things Work uniquely combines childhood play with real scientific learning. From fact building, to experiences, kids will learn firsthand 'the way things work' while having fun!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR coordinator for R&J Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This high-quality plush animal is designed to reflect the unique characteristics of its species with accuracy and respect. This Amazing Animal includes a collectible fun fact card featuring gorgeous National Geographic photography and amazing facts about the polar bear, "[helping] children learn about their plush new friend in a way that is historically and scientifically accurate," Nicole Tiedemann, PR coordinator for R&J Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

These baby piglets are designed to sit or stand, and are outfitted with denim overalls and brightly colored neckerchiefs. Calico Critters are adorable little families designed with play themes in mind. Accessories build on imaginary play opportunities and include a townhome, village house, play park and more.
— In a summer 2008 poll, Calico Critters products were the clear leader in sales when it comes to gifts for girls, with 10 of 66 retailers mentioning the critters and accessories as their top seller.
— “Calico Critters is our top girl line,” Angel Stahl, owner of Angel’s Toy Barn in Greensburg, Pa., told TDmonthly.
— “Calico Critters sells lots more than the LEGO,” noted Kara Fichtner, manager of Out of the Blue Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M.
— Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., also noted Calico Critters as a best-selling line in her store.

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.

These twin doggies, William and Fiona, join the cute cast of characters that make up the Calico Critters world. They love to play in the sandbox together, and wear pastel blue and pink outfits.
— Calico Critters are strong sellers at Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., according to Owner Michelle Smith, who spoke with TDmonthly in December 2008.

This adorable first counting-card game is really 5 games in one: Penguin Pick-Up, Penguin Race, Countin' Penguins, No more Penguins and Penguin Memory. "This unique card games uses cute penguins to help children learn to count, while playing one of five fun games," explained  Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Up to four children can play together." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

Bluff your way to victory by having two to four players take turns laying matching animal cards face down. Since you can't see them, are you sure they match? Can you trick your opponents into believing you? If you can, you can get rid of your cards quickly. Don't get caught, or you'll be skunked.  "This fun card game challenges kids with an extra element of 'dramatics.' It will be hard to win without having that extra element of slyness," warned Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Whoever has the most, will be sure to win. It's a fun game for slightly older kids." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

With five games for play with cards featuring favorite horse breeds, this is a perfect choice for horse lovers of all ages. "There are many horse lovers who would appreciate their own card game with photos of each type of horse on each card," Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. Launch date: 2/1/2008.

Mrs. Claus awaits Santa's return for Christmas in an overcoat, mittens and beret. This limited-edition set comes in window packaging, ideal for gift-giving. Launch date: October 2008.

This family of cute, flocked cat figurines, all with names and characters in the storyline of Cloverleaf Corners — the neighborhood where International Playthings’ Calico Critters live — comes with a mother, a father and two babies, all just the right size for the wide variety of accessories and friends included in the series.
—  “[They’re] nice imagination toys,” said Jackie Englehart, assistant manager of Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company in Bozeman, Mont. “[They] also have a variety of price points and little kits, so you can go all or small.”
—  Of 64 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in August 2008, 8 percent named Calico Critters as their best-selling collectible toy.
— “Calico Critters continue to develop new characters and play sets, and … provide what I feel is much-needed imaginative play,” said Joe Berardoni, Sr. of Pun’s Toy Store in Bryn Mawr, Penn. in October 2008.

Two to four players defend their goal area using fast-action flippers from one of four adorable Jungle Animals — all while a mixed-up monkey “referee” wobbles around and gets in the way. The five colorful balls bounce around the game and off of the monkey, adding to the challenge and wackiness of this fast-paced game. Each score is rewarded with a special scoring banana. "iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball resembles the age-old classic eat-up pinball games, but includes a new twist. Instead of gathering pinballs, players are required to keep the pinballs out!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Bob them as they pop! Using the space rocket boppers, two players try to capture the Crazy Mixed-up Manic Martians as they peep out from craters in the “planet” game base. "iPlay Crazy Mixed-Up Manic Martians is a fun, two-player, scaled-down alternative to the popular game Whack-A-Mole. Kids will love bopping the surprise pop-up martians!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Grand Corral allows players to learn about the wonderful world of horses, while answering challenging and interesting multiple choice or true/false trivia questions. Each time a player correctly answers a question, he claims one of 25 horse play figures from the beautifully-illustrated corral, and proudly display it in his own paddock. A player must collect the most horses to win. Kids and adults will enjoy learning about the various horse breeds, where they live, how they develop, how they’re cared for and how they are ridden. "Grand Corral is one of the only board games in existence that focuses entirely on horse lovers," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

This set comes with two cars and colorful, click-lock track that children can use to build and rebuild their own roads for play.
— Three of 32 retailers predicted in October 2008 that this product will be a hot seller for the holiday season. "Got 12 in yesterday; sold through half," James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly.
—    “People keep asking for it,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., in November 2008. “We’ve gone through 36 and have 18 left.”

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this snail is outfitted with a shell that spins as it rolls. It comes with a five-piece stacker shell and one with colorful beads that move all around.
— “They're very easy to communicate with [and] their billing is straightforward,” Pat Cooley of Cooleykatz Toys in Livermore, Calif., said of this preferred vendor. Seventeen percent of 52 retailers named International Playthings as a favorite supplier in fall 2008.
— Two of 64 retailers named this product as a best-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.
— “It grows with the child and lasts,” pointed out Theresa Oppenheimer, owner of Toy World in Wayzata, Minn. Janet Hoo of Hoomade Toys in Phoenix, Ariz., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 her store sells about 40 of this item each month.

This sleepover kit comes with friends Flora (baby panda) and Berry (baby squirrel), a bathtub and accessories, a high chair and utensils for snack time, and more.

Suitable for ages 9 months and up, this automatic spout affixes to the bathtub and draws up an ongoing stream of water that causes a shower when it goes through the tumblers, turns a propeller, and brings a floating friend to the surface. The tumblers can be used alone or stacked for bathtime play.
— Three of 39 retailers told TDmonthly in March 2010 that products from the Yookidoo line sell best in the bath category.
— 17 percent of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in Spring 2011 named the Yookidoo Flow "N" Fill as a best-seller in the bath category.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Playthings Toy Shoppe.

This six-piece playset is full of activity. Each food features a different texture and crinkles, jingles or chimes. It is ideal for fill-and-spill and take-along fun. "Often times, play fruit and veggie items are made of rubber or plastic; however the Lil' Shopper playset features soft, squeezable fabrics with stimulating textures and sounds," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. The bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. "The feeding bowl is dishwasher safe. Also, a large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making it great for self-feeding," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.