January 2013 New Specialty Toys — Creative Activities

All the world's a stage with eeBoo's first Play Masks. Each package of eeBoo Play Masks comes with 7 heavy cardboard masks that represesent 7 uniquely illustrated characters. The sturdy masks have cut outs for eyes and handles for little hands, making them perfect for make-believe, drama, storytelling and other forms of imaginative play. Our Mystery in the Forest Play Masks are illustrated by Melissa Sweet and include an array of enchanted characters and forest friends. Our Animal Village Play Masks are illustrated by Stephanie Graegin and feature an adorable assortment of animal characters.

Once Upon a Time is the award-winning storytelling card game that encourages creativity and collaborative play. One player is the Storyteller, and begins telling a story using the fairytale elements on her Story cards, guiding the plot toward her Ending Card. The other players use their own cards to interrupt her and become the new Storyteller. The winner is the first player to use all her Story Cards and play her Ending Card. The object of the game, though, isn't just to win, but to have fun telling a story together. Launch date: October 2012.

Children express their individuality by designing charm bracelets that best fit their personalities and interests. By finding a cool design or picture in a magazine or on the Internet, Tweens can punch out using our studio tool. Then attaching to the Bubble Cap they can put it into the Crafty Snap Setting and place the charm onto the Crafty Band. Starter Kit is priced at $29.95, and includes the Shape Studio Tool, four Crafty Bands, 20 Crafty Snaps, 20 Bubble Caps and adhesive. Refill Kits, including four Crafty Bands and 20 Crafty Snaps, are priced at $6.99. Launch date: November 2012.

Families are sure to embrace this new holiday activity, and kids will savor the lasting excitement they'll get from completing this festive playscape. Kids color in over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, and then pop them in the oven to watch them transform. Includes over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, colored pencils, and 3-D pop up living room.

Each glitter glue pack contains four different tubes. Each tube has two glittering colors swirled together.

This handcrafted wood set includes seven pieces: A bucket drum with a natural skin head, a pair of drum sticks, a single jingle stick, a handled castanet and a pair of mini maracas. Fun for the whole family or class! Includes a parent/teacher friendly activity guide for ideas on using the items to encourage child development.
— As of 10/30/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The drum makes a nice noise; fun for kids on their own or in groups.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

Package includes: Rainbow Loom(TM), Mini Rainbow Loom(TM), hook, a bag of c-clips, instruction manual and 600+ mix rubber bands (colors may vary). Makes up to 24 rubber band bracelets.
— Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Rainbow Loom is their best-selling activity kit. They sell about 50 each month, and if they could keep it in stock, would likely sell more. "I got 24 the other day and they were gone instantly," she told TDmonthly.
— In a July 2013 survey, four out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that the Rainbow Loom was their overall best-selling product.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Rainbow Loom was their best-selling novelty toy.

Bible Origami kit is a new boxed set from well-known papercrafter Andrew Dewar. It contains everything kids need to fold the figures from famous Biblical stories. A full-color, 64-page booklet provides detailed, step-by-step folding instructions for each figure. Custom-designed papers are provided for each person, animal and object that comprise the 72 models. Each project is introduced by a simple retelling of the biblical story that inspires it, followed by an explanation of the significance of each accompanying origami figure.

This kit contains 8 types of origami toys and 16 karakuri models. The origami toys and games include models such as the determined Robot Wrestlers, which you can pit against one another in a battle to the death. The karakuri models are constructed using pop-out paper that are easily assembled and include performing toys that tumble, balance and jump, as well as pieces like the comical Waddling Penguin and 6 additional models that walk down a gentle incline.

The Color & Collage Origami Art Kit is a unique new product that allows children to fold, assemble, compose, color and display large collages. Author Andrew Dewar provides all the custom-designed folding paper and backgrounds needed to complete these origami collages. Kids will have fun folding the individual models for stand-alone play as well as arranging the pieces on the six included backgrounds—conveniently printed in color on one side, with the reverse featuring just the outlines for coloring fun. Double-sided origami paper with folding lines incorporated right into the playful designs will have everyone—regardless of skill level—folding like a pro right out of the gate.

Players must try to make as many connections between tiles as they can before the timer runs out. Players can be as creative as they like, but their fellow players will decide if their play counts or not. Fast-paced and perfect for a crowd. Launch date: June 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these rocking Robots. Slap these stickers on bike helmets, skateboards and more. These futuristic fighters shoot fire and electricity to squash the bad guys. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: October 2012.

Let the magnetic stylus be your pen and the bead board be your paper. Use your imagination to draw shapes, letters and pictures, popping individual beads to the surface. Erase with the tip of a finger.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. told TDmonthly in a July 2014 survey that the Free Play Magnatab was their store's best-selling toy.