November 2007 New Toys — Creative Activities

Good Citizenship Flash Cards by eeBoo corp.

Through fun photos of animals and accompanying text, these 48 cards encourage children to be responsible members of the community. Two parent cards are included. 10/31/2007 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dado Squares™ by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

The colorful, 3”-flat plastic squares can be arranged to construct almost any 3-D design. The squares can be put together by even very young children, and can help them develop advanced visual-spatial development and problem-solving skills. The 35 squares can be used to build a design up to three feet high. ( Watch Video) 10/26/2007 (Price: $22.00)

Ball of Whacks by CREATIVE WHACK COMPANY

A marvel of engineering, the Ball of Whacks is made up of 30 magnetic, rhombic pyramids that can be taken apart and rearranged in endless creative ways. More versatile than a puzzle and lots more fun than a brainteaser, there’s no right or wrong way to use it. Just pick it up and play with it! Designed to be a creativity workshop in a box, Ball of Whacks comes with a 96-page illustrated guidebook providing exercises for creative brainstorming, strategies for problem solving, insights into the creative process, and challenges to construct shapes and mosaics and invent new ones. The game is also a good stress reliever for active individuals working under pressure, the manufacturer informed TDmonthly. "This item is immediately engaging and challenging for all ages up to adult, with endless ways to play," said Creative Whack Company Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Operations Kathryn Cooperman. This product received a Spring 2007 Parents' Choice Recommended Award. Launch date: 2006.
— Although this ball comes with an illustrated guidebook, it virtually has no limitations for imaginative combinations. It’s largely the open-ended appeal, in fact, that earned this product a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award. Fascinating for kids and adults, the magnetic structure takes on various forms with creativity, forming aesthetically pleasing configurations that lend themselves to further exploration.

Where to Buy: Escapade Direct

( Watch Video) 10/23/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Enchanted Fairy Garden by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

With a little creative magic, a child can grow his or her own enchanted fairy world. The garden set includes a flower house, tiny gemstone treasures, flowers, butterflies, paint, soil and seeds that grow like magic. It also comes with a friendly fairy, a sparkling garden path and teeny, tiny toadstools. 10/22/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Enchanted Garden by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Kids can cultivate a tiny garden wonderland in this "terra cotta" plastic planter. It comes with potting soil, seeds, paints, rocks, gravel, miniature woodland creatures and a fairy tale bark home for all the elves and gnomes who inhabit the enchanted garden. “This classic item has been in our line for many years,” Lisa Ritchie, public relations manager for Faber-Castell, told TDmonthly. 10/22/2007 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sand-Goh!™ by SANDGOH LLC

The revolutionary, patent-pending sand toy has children put their imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills to use in constructing up to 64 different sandcastles. The 12-block building system of interchangeable "mold blocks" creates 8"-high columns of sand by adding wet sand to the interior compartments of the blocks and then removing them to reveal sand sculptures. The toy combines elements of art, a three-dimensional puzzle and construction. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 10/19/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Trick-or-Treat Halloween Nursery Rhyme Storybook & Matching Tee Set by TIME OUT SPOTS INC.

These Halloween tees use glow in the dark ink and are a fun addition to any wardrobe. 10/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Halloween Hounted House by FASHION FUN STORE

The stylish and fitted shirts are made of 100% baby rib cotton, combed for softness and comfort. Create designs easily with the appliqués and rhinestones included. Simply design, iron and wear. 10/11/2007 (Price: $19.99)

365 Activities You and Your Child Will Love by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This book of activities – one for each day of the year — is full of creative play ideas that will help children develop math and reading skills, improve logical thinking and concentration, open up to science and nature, and much more. It is written by award-winning author Nancy Wilson Hall, in consultation with two developmental psychologists, Drs. Roni Cohen Leiderman and Wendy Masi, specialists in early education. Launch date: November 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A to Z Activities for Kids by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This set of 26 extra-thick activity cards — perfect for trips, for use at home and for decorating kids’ rooms — features bright letters paired with everyday objects and fun-filled play ideas. It is designed to help children increase coordination, explore language, practice cooperation, make music, create art and more. “When consumers see the name ‘Gymboree,’ they feel comfortable and know they’re selecting a book or toy that’s been created by child-development experts who understand what children need to grow and have fun,” Deborah Sloan of Deborah Sloan and Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creativity Express by MADCAP LOGIC LLC

Creativity Express is interactive educational software for children ages 7 to 12. The program is a blend of animated storytelling and interactive activities that teach the principles of art and provide the tools for creative self expression. It contains 16 modules that explore the elements of art and creativity, plus projects that allow children to put these concepts to use in artwork that they can create on the computer with the digital paint software included or with their own traditional art supplies. “Created by former Disney animators, the feature-film-quality 3-D animation and storytelling guides kids to develop advanced creativity and visualization skills,” Inside Sales Manager Lera Haines of Madcap Logic told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Build-It Space Explorer Kit by The Little Experience

This kit includes everything required to build a space rocket and more. It comes in an eco-friendly box with printing on the inside so that children can create a project out of the box itself, and is designed to encourage manual dexterity, parental interaction, creativity and recycling. It includes seven language translations. ( Watch Video) 10/4/2007 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stencil Art by KLUTZ

This kit includes an eight-color pigment ink pad and eight foam-tip dabbers as well as three bound-in plastic pages of stencils in kid-selected designs. It also comes with a bonus stencil page of abstract shapes one can put together to make anything. Easy-to-understand instructions and hints help artists with techniques such as masking, layering colors, reverse stenciling and more. The book includes inspirational artwork and space for stenciling.
— Stencil Art and other titles from Klutz are best sellers at Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., Owners Michele and Ken Gietz told TDmonthly in fall 2008. “It doesn’t matter how many outlets carry this line,” they said. “Most do not do the best job in display and variety. It is absolutely the fastest-turning line in arts and crafts.” 9/28/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Think-ets by THINK-A-LOT TOYS

The educational and fun-filled game uses adorable miniature objects from around the world that inspire imagination and test memory. All packaged in a little drawstring bag, it’s an at-home game, a travel game, a party game, a storytelling game and a camping game that’s perfect for children and families. Think-ets has received the following awards: 2008 iParenting Media Award (Classic and Hot), 2008 The Toy Man Product Guide (Award of Excellence & Editor's Choice), AblePlay, and 2007 Creative Child Seal of Excellence. Launch date: September 2007.
— Teresa Derry, owner of Annie’s Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in March 2009 that her stores sells about 12 Think-ets per week, keeping them located near the register. “I can’t keep it in the store,” she said.
— “Think-ets are good ones for traveling,” seconded Lisa McMartin, co-owner of Wonderment Inc. in Minneapolis, Minn.

Past videos: Product Demonstration ( Watch Video) 9/27/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DIY Cross by OUR NAME IS MUD INC.

Create a beautiful keepsake to commemorate a new birth, baptism or christening. Both girl and boy angels are available, and the back of the cross has a special place where gift givers can inscribe the cross with the date and their name. Launch date: Spring 2008. 9/27/2007 (Price: $22.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DIY Thanksgiving Platter by OUR NAME IS MUD INC.

Kids can write names and draw pictures on the 13” hand-painted platter. Place the plate in the oven for 35 minutes to seal in the words and images and make the plate food and dishwasher safe. Launch date: Fall 2007. 9/27/2007 (Price: $41.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Me by Me by ALEX BRANDS

Beautiful gift box packed with keepsake projects. 15 page album includes 10 printed activity pages and 5 more pages for custom layouts. Growth chart with printed frames keeps track of child's height and age. Make a handprint with air hardening clay. Includes album and activity pages, growth chart, punch outs, stickers, clay (1 lb./454 g), 12 markers, glue stick and instructions. 9/27/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Happily Ever Crafter by ALEX BRANDS

Learn the essentials of crocheting, embroidering, and sewing in one awesome kit! Comes with everything you need to make 9 separate projects plus materials to use your skills on your own. Includes materials and instructions to make a stuffed dog, coin purse, felt brooch, embroidered bandana, wall hanging, sewing pouch, hair ribbon, bracelets and a scarf. 9/27/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FOZEX Dig it Up! Excavation Kit Tyrannosaurus Rex by NEAR NATURE CORPORATION

This kit includes a paleontological buried fossil and a full set of excavation tools including a mallet, a flat chisel, a point chisel, a brush and a sponge. “Dit It Up! excavation game is the only digging play-type dinosaur game that uses stone powder. Our dinosaur fossil is three times stronger than competitor's products. This makes Dig It Up! the only digging excavation game that could make layers simulating real paleontologist's action. The powdered gypsum that we use is toxic proof. We also use no lead material,” President Tony Sangvacharakul of Near Nature Corporation told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 24, 2007. 9/25/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Bling Bling Bracelet & Ring Kit by FASHION ANGELS

This kit comes with everything needed to make up to 12 stunning rings and 24 gorgeous bracelets. Everything is included — instructions, glass beads and metal beads — for out-of-the box designing. This kit won a 2003 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. 9/25/2007 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Funky Felt Jewelry Kit by ALEX BRANDS

This exciting kit lets budding fashion designers create cool jewelry from scraps of felt. Instructions and materials are included to make brooches, necklaces and bracelets. Felt squares, cloth leaves, fuzzy balls, felt strips, embroidery floss, felt circles, brooch pins and a needle are included so that exciting creations can be made right out of the box. Bright colors and plenty of materials mean hours of fun and creative designs that can transform any outfit. 9/25/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buki Activity Book - 1 to 10 Dot to Dot by POOF-SLINKY INC.

This book teaches children the concepts of counting and numerical order as they join the dots in large, clear, numerical sequence from 1 to 10 to reveal the picture. There are 24 pictures in the book, which encourages creativity and imagination through coloring. 9/19/2007 (Price: $2.30) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buki Activity Book - Monster Mazes by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Kids are challenged to find their way out of these totally fun and crazy monster mazes. The book includes 20 mazes and teaches older children the concepts of problem solving and decision making. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $4.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Playful Chef International Holiday Recipe Pack by PLAYFUL LIFE

This set features five educational recipes in beautiful holiday colors and comes wrapped in a festive red raffia bow. It includes recipes for Chinese New Year’s Fortune Cookies, Mexican Christmas Punch, Passover Matzo Brei Breakfast, Kwanza Creole Bread Pudding and Indian Diwali Delights, as well as a Playful Helper towel and a Chinese good luck red envelope. “The focus is on holidays and traditions from cultures around the world, hopefully inspiring an appreciation for your own family's traditions as well as an understanding of the fun activities that other families do,” President Lisa Ligon of Playful Life told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 1, 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/17/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Follow Your Nose by SENTOSPHERE USA

Its remarkable aromas provide both adults and children six years or older with an extraordinary opportunity to explore and discover the world via an amazing new dimension. Here is a simple game which fascinates children and adults in the discovery of our least used, yet most acute, sense; the sense of smell. It includes 30 distinct aroma diffusers enclosed in child resistant scent flasks which need to be matched with the corresponding image found on five brightly illustrated game boards. The fragrance 9/10/2007 (Price: $39.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]