February 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

Encouraging kids to reuse, recycle and be creative, makedo kits include connectors that help fashion masterpieces out of cardboard and other objects. The Kit for One houses 69 pieces, including 30 pins, 30 clips, eight hinges, a construction tool and an inspiration poster. Watch makedo: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., thought the makedo line "clever" at Toy Fair 2010.
— Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook, called Makedo “beautifully thought out.” Although she found the cutting tool less effective than scissors, she loved the value and limitless possibilities of a set that uses what would otherwise be junk.
— Makedo was a Readers’ Choice Winner for TreeHugger’s Best of Green Awards.

This flying toy flings soft foam rings hundreds of feet accurately. The rings are soft enough that even if you hit someone with them, it won't hurt.
— "I first saw this toy while watching David Letterman's holiday toy segment this past December. After Dave literally and figuratively destroyed several toys, he really seemed to like the Zyclone. We tried it at Toy Fair and suspect it will be a breakout springtime toy this year," Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe's Toys & Fun, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Discover the Stirling engine, a simple, clean and efficient energy technology that is quickly becoming a viable source of electricity as the availability of fossil fuels declines. The Stirling engine in this kit uses renewable energy from the sun to drive a generator, which charges a rechargeable battery to power an electric car. Named after its inventor, Robert Stirling, the original Stirling engine dates back almost 200 years. Today, high-tech Stirling engines are being used in arrays of giant mirrored solar collectors and common applications like compact generators.
— "This set will be shipping in the fall and, like all of Thames & Kosmos products, is a wonderful scientific learning tool," Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe's Toys & Fun, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Fisher Price classic toy re-creations by Basic Fun are high quality preschool toys from days past that are every bit as appealing as toys for toddlers and preschool children today. From the classic toy look to their classic toy operation, these toys mirror the Fisher Price toy classics.
— "Basic Fun is recreating some of the toys that I grew up with, including the Chatter Telephone, the Teaching Clock and the Change A Record Music Box. We've found our customers love buying toys for their kids (or grand kids) that they had when they were little. These are moderately priced (all under $40 retail) and look identical to the old Fisher Price toys," Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe's Toys & Fun, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

This red and blue sphere is equipped with a timer and when twisted and thrown will explode with 12 marshmallows. Currently in prototype stage. Launch date: 4Q 2010.

This realistically casted dinosaur figurine has a well-disguised, hinged jaw that allows the bottom of his mouth to move up and down. The figure is 13" tall.

These soft wristlets have a zip-top and latch to hook onto purses or backpacks. They're designed to hold cell phones, electronic accessories, makeup and other small items girls may wish to tote around. They come in several colorful varieties, including owl, dog, cat and horse. Watch Wristlets: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

This set comes with five blocks and a rolling car that are made of natural rubber with nylon flocking. Watch Weebabu WEDGiTS: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

Each set consists of soft, flexible pieces in various colors that slide together and lock to create an endless number of different shapes or random creations. Watch Space Chips: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: The pieces are small, flat and flexible, so they won't break if Mom or Dad accidentally steps on them. Kids can play with the toys they make with the Space Chips— balls are both throwable and kickable. And though they were designed to create traditional building structures, kids have used their imaginations and turned the flat clips into suits of armor and costumes.

This small clutching toy for babies features bright, wooden balls that are closely connected by a slightly elastic string and can be moved around for play and manipulation.

This set combines a fun construction toy with active play. It includes colorful interchangeable pieces to create sculptures that can then be tossed around and thrown on the ground both indoors and out. Watch OgoBild: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

The Snipe hunt game can be played with two people, two teams or special * single seeker play, and incorporates both indoor/outdoor activity and good old fashion fun. The object of Snipe is Be the first team/person to find the other team/persons snipe and return it to its nest. After the players have hidden their snipe the other player will try to find it. After a period of time, if the Snipes have not been discovered, they will chirp and then their eyes will light up. Each game comes with two snipes, (named Biela and Smartin) and a Snipe nest. The packaging tells the story behind the legendary campfire animals.

This game for two to six players pairs the concept of four suits with the letters of the alphabet, challenging each player to create one or more words using all of his cards. A hand can require from 1 to 10 minutes.

The Chopper Balance Bike from Smart Gear Toys is for children ages 2 to 5 years. This beautifully eco-friendly balance bike promotes balance, grossmotor coordination and overall gross motor skills. A great therapy tool to employ with children who have weakness in these areas. The bike comes with a comfy cushioned adjustable seat, inflatable rubber tires and a convenient built-in handle for easy carrying or hanging (if you choose to store it that way). The Chopper also features motorcycle decals to give it the appearance of an actual chopper.
— "My own daughter, who just turned four, still has some issues with pedal coordination and this bike could really help her keep up with her big brothers when we all take a ride," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

With the EQUALS game, kids can practice their basic math facts while they play a challenging game with their friends. Every child can be a winner. It does not matter if they are fast or slow with their facts, every child will have a chance to win. Kids can play addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. The game adjusts to fit each child. As they play EQUALS, kids will practice over 280 basic facts.
— "Great game for promoting logical thinking and spacial relations," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Store all Bailey's beach items inside in this mesh beach bag. Made in the USA.

Simple red bucket to take to the beach to carry sand in. Made in the USA.

Easily scoop sand into a container with this shovel. Made in the USA.

Stuff sand into this castle mould to create nice sand castle shapes. Made in the USA.

Spike the Hedgehog plush doll is stuffed with Viscose from organic bamboo, comes with a companion board book exploring the real story of this particular oomfy, and is available in large 21-inch or medium 14-inch sized versions.

This small, soft teddy bear zips open in the back and holds a black tote bag. Kids can have their teddy along for a trip, and mom or dad will have an easy way to tote things around. Watch Teddy Tote: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

Hamsters in this new line wear battle armor and battle each other in an arena and in vehicles. They make different noises than the original Zhu Zhu hamsters.

In this game, players take turns tiles with leaf designs on the playing field so as to benefit their plays and thwart their opponents.' In turn, after laying down three drawn tiles, each player strategically turns over two. The goal is to make sure there are not three tiles in a row with the same color leaves; the number of leaves indicates potential point values.

This wooden car has a sleek design and measures 20 cm long.