July 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

In Loop It, players connect their tiles to any of the twisting lines on the board and score points based on the point value of the tile they played, the place they played it and other neighboring tiles. "This international sensation is new to the U.S. but a great new twist on an old favorite," David Norman, president of Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. "[The] game combines logic, spacial reasoning, math and fun in a great game that is really easy to learn." Launch date: July 2009.

NobleWorks is a company that produces outrageous greeting cards. "Always pushing the envelope, these cards redefine the edge of sophisticated, sassy and downright silly fun," Morgan Gertler, in administration at NobleWorks, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1999.

This collection of hand-crafted Nutcracker ornaments is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined wooden keepsake box. Launch date: 2006.

Elegantly-shaped keepsakes are ornamented in a wintry palette with gold accents. The hand-painted childhood scene captures the character of the G.DeBrekht style. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

This mask Christmas ornament is hand-cast from wood and freehand painted. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

Each delicately hand-crafted figurine tells the story of the Nativity through sophisticated illustrations. The set is meticulously hand-painted in refined hues of violet, indigo, crimson, amber and jade. It is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. and includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2009.

Part of the Wrapped Wishes series, these secret swivel boxes open to reveal a heartfelt sentiment inside, “Christmas brings out the child in all of us." The product is hand painted and includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box. Launch date: 2006.

Santa is on his way by train to deliver gifts and merriment to the nearby village. The Christmas tree rotates while Santa’s train rocks up and down. This hand-painted piece displays the G.DeBrekht signature style. Owners can wind the key at the bottom and it plays the tune “Winter Wonderland." It is limited to 1,500 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

This Snowman’s face is designed to be filled with an unforgettable expression of love, happiness and celebration. He holds two birds as symbol of care and friendship. All artwork painting is done freehand in museum quality, and the decorative strokes may be noted under a magnifying glass. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box and is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2009.

This smiling Nutcracker sculpture is hand-painted and abundantly adorned with warm winter villages on his cap, sparkling snowflakes and twinkling stars. He cradles a bird friend in one hand and a bugle in the other. It includes a G.DeBrekht-branded, satin-lined presentation box and is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2009.

This Santa in an airplane figurine is also a secret box. Owners just turn the propeller to unlock the box in the tail section of the plane. It features decorative hand-painting with detailed ornaments, a jovial expression on Santa’s face, and distinctive carving. The product is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

This Santa in a car figurine is also a distinctive secret box. Owners just lift the front hood of the car to unlock the secret box and hide their treasures. It features rich, decorative painting with detailed ornaments, a jovial expression on Santa’s face, and distinctive carving. The hand-painted product is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide. Launch date: 2008.

This two-story house comes with attic windows that tilt, an extendable marquee, a garden and a grill, plus four figures. The house has a functioning door bell and two AAA batteries are required. Dimensions are 26" L x 16.9" W x 18.8" H inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages 4 and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. "Playmobil develops toys that help foster the child’s imagination," Michelle Winfrey, marketing and PR manager for Playmobil, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009.

Designed for LaQ beginners to enjoy snapping together flat models, this kit includes all 10 LaQ colors, four types of blocks and four colorful pages of instruction sheets to make 39 interchangeable models. "Children enjoy the snap! and click! sound when piecing the parts together. LaQ is a highly educational block toy with an infinite possibility of creating three-dimensional and spherical models. The Mini Kit Plane is an introductory kit," Mo Saeki, in the overseas division of Yoshiritsu Co., Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Morsel Munk® Word Stump® is designed to fuse fun, imagination and exercise for the mind. It's where word association, synonyms and antonyms meet crosswords and word searches. "The goal of these puzzles is to challenge and expand the creativity of which everyone is capable. They are not strictly a test of knowledge/book smarts," Brigitte Rouleau, vice president of Morsel Munk LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

The Bling by Number Dry Erase Calendar has a choice of two different images and includes glitter glue, sequins and gems, as well as three dry erase markers. Girls just add the “bling” according to the numbered instructions. It's designed as a "glam" way to keep track of important events on a dry erase, perpetual calendar, so it can be used and re-used for years. Launch date: 2009.

Girls can create airbrush artwork to customize T-shirts, tote bags, sneakers, hoodies and more with the Project Runway Airbrush Design Studio Set. The airbrush tool is designed to be easy to use and works with the specially designed fabric markers. The style guide has ideas to get the creativity started, then girls can design their own one-of-a-kind looks for themselves and friends. The kit also includes stencils, making it simple to create runway worthy-clothing and accessories. "The airbrush tool is so easy to use (plus the stencils has 100+ cool, modern designs to choose from) — you can decorate any surface — so girls can really think outside the box," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Girls can customize T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies and more with this silk screen set that makes it safe and easy to create their own one-of-a-kind designer looks for themselves and friends. The style guide offers inspiration and instructions on how to use the machine, stencils and paints to create runway-worthy clothing and accessories. "Silk screening is such an easy process — you can just purchase plain clothes and make one-of-a-kind creations that no one else will have," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

With delightful illustrations, Tell-Me Tarot is a charming deck designed for beginners, teens and tweens. The meanings are written right on the cards, so there's nothing to memorize. Kids can just ask a question, choose a card, and receive an answer. "This deck is simple to use and easy to understand so it's perfect for young people interested in tarot," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

Kids can recycle a soda can into a silly, walking, wobbling robot. The kit includes all the parts needed, right down to the googly eyes, except for the two AAA batteries that are required. Launch date: 2008.
— “The Tin Can Robot is a huge hit. It’s from their Green Science series, which has been doing great,” Jennifer Schneeweis, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, told TDmonthly in late August 2009. Two of 40 retailers mentioned the brand when discussing best-selling educational items in fall 2009.
― “Right now we have the Tin Can Robot for 8- to 10-year-olds and that's doing well,” said Marlene, manager of Kits & Kaboodle in Carmel, Ind., when asked about her best-selling item for tween boys. Seven of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 said science kits are their top sellers for tween boys.
― “It's a good price point and an excellent product.  It sells all the time,” Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub's Party, Toys and More  in Yellow Springs, Ohio, said of the Tin Can Robot and other 4M science kits in spring 2010.
— In August 2010, seven of 43 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith is a best-selling science and nature brand. Two retailers named Tin Can Robot as a top product.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

Kids can learn about renewable energy by building this functioning wind generator. When the blades turn, they create electricity that powers an LED light, demonstrating renewable energy from the wind. Users just add a recycled plastic bottle and the kit provides everything else they need. No batteries required. Launch date: 2008.

These kits are designed to offer everything kids need to learn about the basics of robotic science while constructing fun machines. There are four styles: Robotic Bird, Robotic Ball Collector, Robotic Bubble Blower and Robotic Beeper. All parts snap together with easy to follow instructions. Each kit requires 2 AA batteries, not included. Launch date: 2009.

The horses have been running wild on the range, and the players' job to round up as many as they can and bring them back to the Ranch Corral. Some may be in the box canyons, or grazing along the trail. As players ride out, they'll have to get some lassos and binoculars and watch out for falling rocks that could block up a trail and leave a beautiful horse trapped. Players have to work together as a team, sharing equipment and talking over ideas. Because of the random setup, each game is a new adventure. It includes a 12" x 12" board, rocks, lassos, wild horses and binoculars. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Kids can choose an adventure and set off to a land near or far, playing with polar bears and seals in the freezing floating ice lands, or discovering tigers in the dense jungle. Four backgrounds set the arena for 26 animals to play and jump around. Launch date: 2009.