Toy Fair 2009 Products of the Day: Day 4

Including six different snap-together models, this kit provides children with examples of many uses for solar panel technology. A car, robot dog, hover boat, and other models spring to life when their solar panels are hit by direct sunlight, or the illumination of a 50 watt halogen bulb. Models are compact and light weight, making them easy to take outside and watch as the sun's rays are converted into clean electrical energy.
— Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys, informed TDmonthly that this was one of her favorite products at Toy Fair 2010.
— Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., told TDmonthly that this solar kit is a bestselling science toy. It's "not expensive. We just got it and it's selling well. It's a good product — you shine a flashlight on it and it goes," she said.

Made from recycled plastic milk containers, this sturdy flying disc weighs approximately 130 grams. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Microwave and dishwasher safe, this bright orange plate comes with divided sections to keep food organized, but also special built-in features specially designed to work with all three Constructive Eating utensils. A ramp and loading bay waits for the pusher to bulldoze peas up into the spoon, and a slotted incline creates the illusion that the fork is picking up the food just like a real pallet jack might.

This durable, practical table for children has modern appeal with clean lines and a bold color. It comes with two chairs and features a sizeable workspace.

KizMoto is a line of originally designed toy vehicles that connect kids to the KizPlanet Virtual World. Here they can explore the vast digital landscape through their toy’s avatar while customizing and maintaining their Moto’s appearance and performance. From behind the wheel of their personalized Moto, kids can race in exciting 3D gaming environments, interact with other kids and earn KizCash to “purchase” items in the virtual world. KizMoto features fully developed Kiz Toys characters and storylines, fun, user-friendly gameplay and safe interaction for kids of all ages. Launch Date: March 2009

No one will be able to resist these cute, itty-bitty babies. Perfect impulse item as a souvenir for baby showers. Mini babies are available in two variations, pink and blue. Offered loose in sturdy acetate bins with 192 pieces per bin. Minis average .75” to 1” in length. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 5+. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.

As a follow-up to the bestselling Power House kit comes Power House Green Essentials Edition, targeted towards a younger audience of ages 10 and up. This kit teaches children about the timely issues of alternative energy and sustainable living, by conducting 30 experiments and building ten energy-related models: the power house itself, a greenhouse, a solar cell array, a passive solar collector, a solar oven, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a hydrometer, a lemon battery, and a wind power generator. They can even sow seeds in the greenhouse! The kit comes with a 64-page, full-color experiment manual and retails for $89.95. Available now.
— “Most anything from Thames & Kosmos, like the Power House, Wind Power [and] Creative Cosmetics,” sells well for education, according to Patti Tepper Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, Okla.
— Three of 40 retailers mentioned science kits by Thames & Kosmos when discussing best-selling educational items in fall 2009.

This cuddly bear is made of eco-friendly materials, including hypoallergenic stuffing and sustainable toy bean fiber, and includes a heart-shaped vibration unit that offers gentle vibration at two modes: heartbeat, a soothing pulse; and continuous, a constant motion. It comes with the Polar Cuddle Cub Storybook that tells the bear's story while educating kids on endangered animals. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Award.

Bling by Number Wall Art sets feature pre-printed designs on stretched canvas and come with glitter glue and sparkly "bling" to complete the artwork. Launch date: March 2009.

From the sustainably-minded Plan Toys company comes a dollhouse built with many of the latest advances in green engineering in mind. The house itself is made out of recycled rubberwood accented with safe vegetable dyes for color. It includes a retractable canopy wall made from organic cotton, a wind turbine, solar panels and recycling bins. The house is available furnished and unfurnished. Launch date: 2009.
— Plan products were named as best sellers at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., in March 2009. “They’re eco-friendly and beautifully designed and made,” Owner Patricia Fiedler told TDmonthly.