April 2012 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

What should we buy today? Transport whatever fits in this pint-size carrier. Shopping Cart is from the Playfully Delicious range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 16.85”L x 11.81“W x 19.84”H, Shopping Cart is age graded for children 3 Years +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

Now youngsters can take pegging to a whole new level of excitement when playing with this versatile building set that combines popular Tall-Stacker Pegs with Mighty Monkey Pegs. Kids can stack colorful pegs and create different configurations for their monkeys to play. Use the included monkey figurines to swing from a vine, zoom down the slide or ride the elevator basket — with the Tall-Stacker Mighty Monkey Playset, the thrills are endless. "The Tall-Stacker Mighty Monkey Playset encourages free-form building and role-play, while fostering creativity and imagination," Mary Dolan, public relations coordinator for Patch Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The fun of matching and the challenge of puzzles. There are puzzles and there are memory games...but only Puzzle Match™ combines these two timeless play patterns in one unique, patent-pending game designed for kids ages 3 to 6. Puzzle Match offers a unique challenge unlike any traditional memory game: Rather than searching for two identical images, kids have to find two halves of a whole image, such as the bottom and top of a seahorse. Once the interlocking pieces are found, they can be assembled into a giant, beautifully illustrated scene. Launch date: May 2012.

These big shovels are perfect for large scale sand projects at the beach. Shovels are made in the USA. Includes 40 Big Shovels.

This fun sand mold features two towers connected by a castle wall. Castles are made in the USA. Includes 80 Double Castles and 80 Shovels.

This big, soft and cuddly owl makes a great snuggle buddy at home, in the car, or to take along to Grandma's house. The calico patchwork print of fine-wale corduroy, soft cotton and flannel in bright colors, and whimsical eyes appeal to the child in us all. Made by Kathe Kruse of Germany. Some fabrics may vary.

This playful melody maker develops an early interest in music while teaching shape & color recognition. As individual pieces, these colorful blocks allow children to arrange and rearrange to create their very own melodies. When the music is done, nest the blocks together for a quick and easy clean up or stack for a beautiful display.

Made easy for driving trips with adjustable straps for vehicle headrest attachment – this playful ocean-themed mirror features dancing lights, charming characters and classical melodies.  Four play modes: Discovery mode introduces baby to colors and shapes in 3 languages; Lights and melodies; Melodies; Lights only. Adjustable straps for use over most headrests.

An innovative new magnetic, crescent shaped building block. A magnet rolls through each Arx piece, giving any builder the option of building in ways that defy common thought. When the magnetic force between two Arx pieces meets, kids’ll feel the slight click as the magnets adhere. 24 Versatile magnetic pieces. Building base included (optional for building). Launch date: August 2012.

Everything tastes better when you've got the right accessories. These safe and simple toys revolve around food and cooking, to promote realistic role play, and encourage healthy eating. The Apron Set includes an elasticized chef's hat, quilted oven mitt and bright orange-trimmed apron. The mitt and apron fabric is exclusive to Hape.

Have a bedroom fit for a Princess with this whimsical Mirror. Match shapes and colors to create this sparkling piece of room decor. This kit uses bright oversized tiles perfect for the youngest crafters. Launch date: March 2012.

Have a bedroom fit for a Princess with this whimsical Jewelry Box. Match shapes and colors to create this sparkling piece of room decor. This kit uses bright oversized tiles perfect for the youngest crafters. "Each kit contains 4 unique projects to hang and display," Stephanie Carver, marketing manager at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Sticky Mosaics were their best selling hobby item.

No kitchen is complete without these basic utensils.  The 13-piece set includes a pot with lid, fry pan, two plates, knives, forks, soup ladle and spatula and salt and pepper shakers that make sounds when shook.

For kids with built up energy. Simply download the Hop-Along with RompyRoo video to an iPad, attach the device to our kid-tuff, universal tablet mount, and watch kids entertain themselves, learn and exercise all at the same time. (Can also be played on DVD player). Both DVD and iPad versions come with the iBounce.

Max loves trucks, mud, candy, and his big sister, Ruby. Ruby loves shopping, tea parties, and helping her little brother, Max. This is an official product from Ty. Look for the familiar heart-shaped tag.
— As of 3/30/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 118 reviews on Amazon.com.

Noah’s Ark Balance Game comes with pairs of brightly painted wooden animals and can be played either cooperatively or competitively by the entire family. Kids learn about weight distribution and how the shape of an object affects where it is able to be balanced. Played against an opponent, kids learn to place animals just so their opponent has difficulty finding a spot for their piece. Pieces are the perfect size for ages 3+. Kids can also work together to see how quickly they can stack all the animals on the rocking ark. Sevi is Europe’s oldest wooden toy company.

The possibilities are endless with the 147-piece Quadrilla Twist and Rail Set. A combination of straight and curved rails and even funnels plus color-coordinated blocks offers a new level of fascination to a build and play toy. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; 2007 TDmonthly Top Seller Award; 2007 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award.

This board book helps kids learn how to count. Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count, so they don't lose track.

Music is a wonderful opportunity for little ones to expand their sensory and imaginative personality. Music helps them to understand rhythm and harmony, and also to express themselves and their moods. This set of percussion instruments from Sevi is an easy way to get kids started. It comes with 8 pieces, including a tambourine, castanets, a triangle, maracas and a noise maker. Produced by Sevi, Europe’s oldest wooden toy company, this product contains parts and components that are recommended for children ages 2 and up.

MightyMind develops creativity & helps children understand visual/spatial relationships. A great confidence builder in a fun, purposeful format. Children learn to solve puzzles entirely on their own. Starting with the simple concept of manipulating shapes, kids follow a logically programmed sequence of patterns, learning how to manipulate different geometric shapes to build pictures of increasing complexity. This set features a zoo theme and puzzles that include animal shapes.
Watch Video from WTHRA 2012

With 9 interactive functions, Kidoo Pets show kids how to nurture, play, and love while having fun. These 18 inch plush toys are designed in France. Kids show signs of caring and nurturing in the earliest years of their lives. As they play, sleep, pet, snuggle, and feed their Kidoo Pet, children develop a strong bond. Teaches kids how to take care of their pet; teaches kids what pets don't like; teaches kids to be patient and loving.

Soup set includes 3 potatoes, cooking pan, lid & cooking spoon.

Boys and girls alike will spend hours creating their own fairytales and stories with this nine piece set of shadow puppets. Complete with forest, castle, king, queen, knight and others, these puppets can be used to cast shadows against the wall with a flashlight or behind a curtain (sold separately). Creativity will soar for children as they add on to their collection with the Circus theme and also prehistoric dinosaurs.  Each shadow puppet is die-cut and made of heavy duty card stock attached to a wooden dowel. Moulin Roty from France, celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2012! All wood comes from managed forests.

Pop up tent that can easily be folded down into a circle and slipped into its convenient carrying case. Perfect for Grandma's house. 18 mos+
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval