June 2011 New Specialty Toys — Arts & Crafts

The new SmArt Studio 3D Shrinky Dinks Pirates kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets and tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and kids will be making their own 3D armada in no time. Smart Studios Shrinky Dinks are 100% Made in America. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that teach kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development at BSW Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2011.

Create locomotives, trains stations, train tracks and more. The new SmArt Studio 3D Shrinky Dinks Trains & Tracks kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets and tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and kids will be making their own 3D train station in no time. Smart Studios Shrinky Dinks are 100% Made in America. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that teach kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development at BSW Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2011.

Bubber, the award-winning and lightest modeling compound on earth! This easy-to-use product feels great in your hands, and since it is so lightweight, you can mold just about anything. Bubber is a super-soft compound that leaves clean, sharp lines and takes amazing imprints. Bubber is non-toxic, leaves no stain or residue and never dries out, so you can play with it over and over. It is great for developing fine motor skills! Bubber is available in six beautiful colors.
Awards: ASTRA’s Best Toys For Kids - Creative Play; Creative Child Magazine Toy of the Year; Dr. Toy 100 Best Children’s Products

These three-dimensional Sticker Town boxes are just right for that special childhood occasion. Each one of the five different Sticker Town boxes contains 4 strips of coordinating stickers. 2” x 2” x 3”. Point of Purchase display box with 20 Sticker Town boxes – 11” x 9” x 11”.

Three captivating, colorful activity sets insure hours of fun and imaginative play for kids. Each one of the different 3-D, thick stickers can be used over and over again. The activity set folds out into a reusable play board with a ‘match and learn’ interior storage area. Great for travel. 10 ¼” x 9 ¼”.

4ct. Washable finger paint set in primary colors. Bold colors formulated to wash esily from skin and clothing. Red, blue yellow and green.
— As of 06/08/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Washes off very easily, even after dry; squeeze top bottle is good for use with younger children; No reviews below 3 stars. Cons: Smells bad; washes off hard surfaces easily but may stain some clothing.

Players will be challenged to put their memory to the test in just five short seconds as they attempt to memorize a specific shade of color and then match it to the correct color wheel. Just the slightest difference between shade, tint or hue can completely change the game. The first player to fill their artist’s palette with six color chips and win the game. Fast-paced play combines with memory building, visual thinking and art.  Color guide provides extra learning material.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012; 2011 Finalist for ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids
— Why it won: Unlike most matching games, which require players to remember and pair off images, this game challenges players to remember the exact shade of a certain color. They then must match the color they saw to a color wheel. An entertaining, challenging twist on the classic memory game.

Each pack of Twisty Stix Scented Erasers comes with four fragrant Twistys. There are six different scents to choose from, each with bright colors and a design on both ends. Scents include grape, watermelon, apple, banana, peach and strawberry. These unique erasers will last longer than other erasers- they are 6.5"" long, almost the same length as a standard pencil.

This set includes 60 Crayons, 24 color pencils, 24 oil paint tubes, 24 watercolor cakes, 3 mixing pallets, 2 sketch pencils, 2 paint brushes, 1 pencil sharpener, 1 eraser, and 1 wood carrying case with drawer. This set includes everything needed to satisfy any budding artist. This item is notable for "The quantity and quality of the products used for the price. This set also includes a drawer for greater aesthetics and functionality," Alisha Kennedy, sales coordinator at Art 101, told TDmonthly.

This pine bird feeder kit includes four paint pots, 5" brush and a chain for hanging. Birdseed not included. When kids have completed their creation, they can fill it with seed and set it outside for bird-watching fun.
— Michelle Bears, owner of The Toy Store in Highlands, N.C., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that she sells 30 of these bird feeders each month.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product had 2 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com. Pros: Fun to paint. Cons: The opening at the bottom of the feeder is too large, so too much seed spills out of the tray.

52 count bucket of sidewalk chalk in assorted colors. Sidewalk chalk features new crayon shape, embossed with Crayola logo and serpentine design. Clear storage bucket with purple handle for take along fun. To reduce breakage & dust, sticks will be shrink wrapped in 4 sets of 9 and 2 sets of 8.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com from 12 reviews. Cons: Breaks easily; the blue chalk can stain concrete. Pros: Great value; the chalk lasts a really long time as long as it doesn't get wet.

This magnetic board allows kids to draw designs using a plastic stylus that is attached to the board, making it an ideal travel toy. There is no paper or art supplies to clean up, and the attached stylus stays with the board at all times. This mini scribbler comes with thick and thin chunky pen, two pattern stamps and a "magic" wiper.

Kids can draw on this magnetic board with no big messes. The magnetic stylus reveals bright colors when used to draw on the magnet board. Board comes with stylus and two shaped stamps. Frame is 12 x 9 inches and features a 7.5 x 5.25 inch drawing surface.

Filled with premium artist quality Faber-Castell materials, this portable art studio is the perfect gift for young artists on the go. This 34 piece set includes Faber-Castell pastels, markers, chalk, a white board marker, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a sponge and a drawing pad. Multi-functional surfaces include: a chalkboard, white board and a drawing easel. Designed with storage in mind, all of the materials fit neatly inside when not in use.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Product Winner; National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2009

This edible fingerpaint was created in 2007 with babies in mind, adhering to baby safe ingredients which are organic. The paint is also vegan, wheat-free, sugar-free, and contains no preservatives. Babies and toddlers can start expressing themselves artistically earlier, without parents having to worry about them ingesting harmful chemicals and dyes. Fantastic Finger Paints come in 5 colors. Purple/Blue with REAL blueberries, Red/Pink with REAL beets, Orange & Yellow with REAL pumpkin and green with REAL spinach. CPSIA Compliant. Made from Organic Fruit & Vegetable powders, rice cereal and rice flour. Paints come in 6 oz. convenient tottle bottles which have powder in them. Just add the water, shake and create. Makes over 12 oz. of paint per bottle (refill bottle with water and get more paint). Must be refrigerated after water is added.
Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011; TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: This paint is extremely eco-friendly, and encourages parents to introduce their children to art and painting as soon as possible, without having to worry about their child being harmed by ingesting the chemicals in non-organic, non-plant based paints. This means kids can start learning forms of creative expression from a younger age.

With a little help from some crayons or colored pencils, and the included red and blue (cyan) 3-D glasses, the children (and adults) will discover a whole new world right before their eyes. While any child can appreciate the cool 3-D effect, the art books are very beneficial for children diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD and Down Syndrome. Once the child sees the depth of these images, it almost ensures they will complete the task. Wholesale is sold in packages of 15. Launch date: March 2010.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: 3-D is no longer passive! This set of coloring books allows kids to feel their pictures have really come to life. Once they wear the special, included set of glasses, their work seems to pop off the page. It's a great toy for traveling or Dr.'s offices, and will be sure to keep kids and their spectators engaged for some time.

The inside play area of this Princess Carriage easily accommodates 2-3 children. Carriage comes complete with 2 authentic lanterns, swinging carriage doors and a sunroof. Carriage has detailed pre-printed line work and includes colored markers.

The sleek contemporary design of this galactic cruiser will accommodate 1-2 children inside. Child uses flip up booster door in back of shuttle for easy entry. Front windshield flips up for additional peak-a-boo play. This Space Shuttle can also be easily positioned on its tail for “Take-off” position play.

This classic design is large enough to accommodate 2-3 children. Includes pre-printed line work and color markers for tons of coloring fun. Features a pointed tower and a door that folds down, just like a castle gate over a moat.

This high styled Pirate Ship will accommodate 2-3 small children and includes a flap door in back for easy access, a real spinning steering wheel and 2 Pirate swords. Safety tested designs with markers included- they're easy to assemble and built for serious play.

The newest addition to the Shrinky Dinks line. This 6 sheet pack of Shrinky Dinks Sunshine Yellow allows you to brighten up your Shrinky Dinks projects without using a bright marker or paint. This sunny yellow can be used as a background with our other plastics or can be used to accent anything...or use it alone to make your own bright shining piece. Use Sunshine Yellow with Permanent Marker, Paint Pens or Alcohol based rubber stamping inks. Creative fun for more "BRIGHT" ideas.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite sea life in 3D! Classic Shrinky Dinks® with a new 3D twist! Make your favorite sea creatures: octopuses, dolphins, sharks and more. The new 3D Shrinky Dinks® Sea Life kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Sea Life tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and you’ll be making your own 3D ocean in no time! "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," a rep from BSW Toys told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite zoo animals in 3-D. Make your favorite safari animals: Pandas, tigers, elephants and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Zoo Safari kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Zoo Safari tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

Trace, bake, shrink and build your Fairy Princesses in 3-D. Make your own fairy princesses, wings, flowers, jewles and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Fairy Princess kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Fairy Princess tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.