April 2012 New Specialty Toys — Arts & Crafts

For Young Fashion Designers! Choose a border from transparency pages. Then place the trace paper over any of the hairstyles, shirts, skirts, shoes and accessories. Use the colored pencils (included) to create unique fashion styles. The possibilities are endless. Each spiral bound book includes 8 colored pencils in a re-sealable pouch, 16 pieces of trace paper with colorful borders and 10 pages of traceable clothes, shoes and accessories.

Kids will spend hours of creative fun decorating their pets with their own bright colors and patterns with this Design a Pet Kit. The Design a Pet Kit from Toysmith 4M contains a sand filled lizard, fish and frog for kids to paint and decorate. Each pet has their own adoption certificate and habitat. Kit includes: 3 sand filled pets, water soluable paints, paintbrush, adoption certificates, and habitats.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell a dozen of this toy each month. In fact, they sell so quickly that they "Can't keep them in stock!"

A complete Shrinky Dinks fun factory with oodles of supplies. Includes 10 sheets of pre-printed Shrink film, charm bracelets, beads, greeting cards, gift tags, jewelry cord, hair clips and key chains. Plus 8 color pencils, pencil sharpener and hole punch.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly that Shrinky Dinks Deluxe was a best selling item.

Kids can custom design this jewelry box with shimmering faux jewels and colorful foam tiles. Includes more than 750 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, ten of 13 retailers said Sticky Mosaics from the Orb Factory were among their top two best sellers in the category. Retailers reported selling anywhere from 10 to 150 each month.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Sticky Mosaics from The Orb Factory were their best selling product. Elmer Caranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell about 2 dozen items from the Sticky Mosaics line each month, and that it's been a best seller for almost a year now.

Adapted from the CLEAR program, this colorfully illustrated book emphasizes the art production skills of cutting and folding paper, sculpting, weaving, printmaking, and more and introduces masterworks created by artists from different backgrounds and cultures. This encourages students to learn about art history and to develop aesthetic perception and the ability to evaluate and discriminate between different art forms. Each activity covers materials, the procedures step-by-step, and related vocabulary. 8-1/2 x 11 in. Over 300 color illus. Grades K-8. 112 pages, paperback.