March 2009 New Specialty Toys — General Toys

The VikingToys Cute Cars Mom & Baby Assortment feature cute big "Mom" and small "Baby" car sets in four different themes: Frog, Pig, Cat and Bear. Featuring new colors, VikingToys are sized just right for little hands, and their smooth, soft edges are safe for teething toddlers. "VikingToys Cute Cars are designed to be safe for young children to mouth. They are sanitary, allowing for top dishwasher rack cleaning. Additionally, they are made of soft, pliable plastic with smooth, round forms," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Baby's first camera encourages "digital" exploration. Press the button on the top of TAGGIES Smile! Camera and hear a shutter noise, while if you spin the mirrored lens, you'll hear a "click." There is room for a photo in the back, and it comes with a locking link. "TAGGIES' vibrant colors, materials and ribbons make this TAGGIES Smile! Camera a visually and tactilely stimulating toy for baby. Given the importance of pretend play in baby's life, the TAGGIES Smile! Camera is a great first toy for all of the future photo-lovers," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. The bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. "The feeding bowl is dishwasher safe. Also, a large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making it great for self-feeding," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This six-piece playset is full of activity. Each food features a different texture and crinkles, jingles or chimes. It is ideal for fill-and-spill and take-along fun. "Often times, play fruit and veggie items are made of rubber or plastic; however the Lil' Shopper playset features soft, squeezable fabrics with stimulating textures and sounds," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This tent features four large, closeable windows and door for ventilation and easy viewing by parents, a 58”x45” floor size that easily accommodates several children and their toys, an attached porch that shades the door and gives a little one somewhere to kick back and relax after a hard day, and fiberglass poles that go together easily to make set-up quick. It is designed to be used inside or outside and can keep children busy for hours. The floorless design makes clean up easy, and the home comes with carry bags for the poles and tent and stakes. It is made from durable and fire-retardant coated polyester to last for years. "We design each tent, tunnel and play house to be large enough for more than one child to play in. All of our products are evaluated and tested by seasoned professionals before hitting the open market," CEO Joe Robey of Gigatent told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This softball-sized plush is soft and cuddly, featuring a simply, playful ball design. It is part of collection featuring various animals, including a lion, elephant, penguin, polar bear and more. It can be packaged in a "top secret" gift box. Launch date: February 2009.

The splat mat measures 42 x 36 inches when fully opened, and folds down to 14 x 12 inches when closed. Features a padded mat and a large zipper pocket to hold snacks, toys, and essentials.

Kids need a lot of stuff and parents need an extra set of hands. This placemat has a unique pocket that makes on-the-go adventures more fun for kids and easier for parents. The pocket is secured using velcro, holding small toys until it is time for play. The placemat also serves as a sanitary spot for kids to play and eat. Water-resistant and wipes clean easily.

Kids need a lot of stuff and parents need an extra set of hands. This placemat has a unique pocket that makes on-the-go adventures more fun for kids and easier for parents. The pocket is secured using velcro, holding small toys until it is time for play. The placemat also serves as a sanitary spot for kids to play and eat. Water-resistant and wipes clean easily.

With pirate ships, buried treasure, and secret islands and coves, this bib is both clean and entertaining on the go. The bib features a zipper pocket that holds utensils or snacks. When the pocket is opened, it can serve as a crumb catcher. Water-resistant and wipes clean easily.

Perfect for princesses who want to take their treasures with them when roaming from the castle!  The fanny pack features a front zipper pocket for small toys and an elastic waistband with sheaths on either side for royal essentials.

These eco-friendly construction toys were inspired by children's board books and come with landscape and character pieces. Each set includes flat panels printed with colorful, water-based ink and slotted building blocks made from earth-friendly Sprigwood. The Palace and Barnyard are large sets. There are also medium sets: Construction Site, Ladybug Adventure and Safari Adventure (MSRP: $19.99). Large sets are 90 pieces; the medium are 60. Launch date: Fall 2009.

When thrown onto the ground, these squishy pigs splat into a flat, liquid-looking mess, then morph back into their original shape. The pigs come in four colors, and various designs are available. Launch date: February 2009.

The first completely electronic, solvable Rubik's Cube has six touch-sensitive sides. A player just moves his finger, sliding the row of colored squares where he wants. This version also comes equipped with a teaching tool that shows how to solve the puzzle, and a rechargeable battery with charging display stand. Launch date: Fall 2009.

The best toys are ones children dream up themselves. Eric Levin, president of TechnoSource, told TDmonthly that Printies “allow kids to experience a whole new level of customization and self-expression by creating their own stuffed toys.” Kids can design, print and stuff their own Printies toys, print them out with fabric paper, and stuff them at home — all with the items in this kit. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Smiley Central Studio™ toys allow kids to show the world who they are, how they feel and who they want to be. The plush come in 7” and 3” doll assortments, with a removable key clip for attachment to bags, clothes and backpacks. Kids can create a virtual version of their character or mix and match parts to create an original smiley. Every purchase earns points toward unlocking more creative features online. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Blow The World’s Biggest Bubbles! This is the famous Bubble Thing that started the giant bubble sport. It blows gorgeous high-flying rainbow-colored bubbles the size of baby whales. Easy! A thrill for all ages. Great for outdoor parties. Graceful operation without compare. Keep dipping and opening and closing the flexible fabric loop to create a fantastic menagerie of bubble shapes and sizes. Package includes BIG Bubble Mix powder that makes 2.7 gallons of world class bubble solution. Just add water and dish soap.

Blow IMPOSSIBLY Big Bubbles! The Bubble Thing Deluxe set the first-ever Guinness soap bubble record in 1988. Length: 50 feet. Volume: 240 cubic feet. And it can blow much bigger. The Deluxe does all the fascinating tricks the smaller Bubble Thing does but more spectacular. The Deluxe is the one you should demonstrate outside your store to attract astonished happy crowds and free media attention. A sporting challenge for big kids and adults, it also adjusts easily in size so six-year-olds can play. (It uses the great BIG Bubble Mix which you can buy separately.)

Stir 2 tablespoons of this world class bubble powder into 16 cups of tap water, add a cup of dish soap, and you’ll blow gigantic soaring bubbles up to 8 feet in diameter! Even 50 feet long! It’s fun to mix. Nontoxic. Designed for the giant Bubble Thing wands (and other wands) and out-bubbles the competition at 1/4 the cost per gallon. The BIG Bubble Mix refill bottle seen here makes 5.4 gallons of solution.

X-Ball®, the newest creativity toy from the makers of the award-winning Ball of Whacks®, presents a whole new playful way to stimulate creativity. The set of 30 X-shaped magnetic design pieces click together to form a geometric orb. The uniquely angled X-shaped pieces allow imaginative users to invent their own shapes and designs. The X-Ball comes with an illustrated, 96-page creativity guidebook that offers lots of ideas for other fun shapes and creative applications. "X-Ball was created as a companion toy to the award-winning Ball of Whacks, and its unique X-shaped pieces can be combined the magnetic pyramids for creative play," Lynn Araujo, communications director for Creative Whack Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009

Calculated chances and strategic choices will place the odds in favor of players as they let the five dice roll them to a win with Yamslam. After each roll, a player chooses the dice that will get the best combination. Each combination is worth a different value and has only four chips, so it's important to take the best ones before they run out. Players race to get special bonuses before their friends do, keeping the suspense rolling until the end. The game has appeal for all ages and is convenient for travel, as it is "self contained in a beautiful tin box," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager for Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This dice-rolling game from Blue Orange is fun for both kids and adults. With each roll of the dice players must strategize how they can win the chip with the highest point value. Without even realizing it, kids are learning basic math skills like addition and probability. The game is self-contained in a red tin, making it easy to play on the road or tote along to a party.  
— Yamslam is on the best-seller list at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in summer 2009.     
— "Right now, a game called Yamslam is our best-selling game," said Sue Banducci of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., in late 2009. She was anticipating sales of about 250 units during December.    
— Three of 38 retailers cited Yamslam as a best-selling game in Feb. 2010.

Every little girl wants a pony!  Now she can choose from three ponies that teach lessons that last a lifetime!  Praise Ponies are named for positive traits from the Bible and the packaging feature a message from each pony as well as memory verses.  Individually packaged with 10 fun accessories.  Available in Faith, Hope, and Love.

3" tin music box in assorted prints & songs, and beautiful tones. 13"x10" display box.

4" pocket binoculars. Compact for easy carrying. Lens extends with a push of a button. Assorted colors. 5" x 7" card.