August 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

Kids will amaze their audience by rehearsing and performing 25 awesome chemistry experiments in their own science show. Whether they’re moving particles with their magic wand, creating self-destructing bottles, sparking fireworks from an orange, or watching mystical black snakes grow from a pile of power, this kit is sure to educate and entertain friends and family of all ages. Includes lab equipment, materials, chemicals, cue cards with stage directions, and a 64-page, full-color, comic-book style manual. The kit "Provides young scientists with the tools and instruction to create their own science show instead of watching one," Kim Hammann, sales & marketing manager at Thames & Kosmos, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.
— In a November 2011 survey about hobby toys, Mary Porter-Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly, "We sell lots of science kits — the best selling ones are chemistry sets from Thames & Kosmos."

Produced since 1917, the gyroscope has been a classic educational toy for generations that continues to fascinate young and old alike with its mysterious force that seems to defy gravity. Gyroscope technology is used in numerous applications such as guidance and navigation systems in ships, planes and spacecraft. Instructions with several amazing enjoyable tricks available with each gyroscope. YouTube video link available to assist with selling. Manufactured in Indiana (USA Made). "Still a popular selling product after many years in the market. Our #1 selling toy out of over 450 products offered," Bob Sherman, sales associate at TEDCO Toys, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Seal of Approval from Homeschool.com; Dr Toy's Classic Toy Award

Earth-friendly wooden play ball puzzle that exercises skills that prepare children for reading, math, problem solving and more. This 16-piece puzzle features four scenes of a boy playing sports. It's made of wood harvested from sustainable forests, and comes packaged in a handy carrying case to help keep track of the pieces.Launch date: July 2011.

Maple Landmark Woodcraft has had animal and vehicle dominoes for years, and now they have developed a colorful set of standard dominoes. This 28-piece, double six set is made from locally harvested hardwood maple. Each domino measures about 1 1/4" wide X 2 1/2" long and about 3/8" thick. The colorful dots are done in a very durable non-toxic ink. Each number is in a different color. The set comes with a drawstring cloth bag and a playing instructions and suggestions. "The dominoes are made in the USA," Barbara Rainville, marketing manager at Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

This award-winning patented cloth pocket diaper is made with sturdy snap closures, which are made to last and require no maintenance. FuzziBunz diapers have no Velcro®, so they won't fray, collect lint or snag your baby's clothes. FuzziBunz come in a variety of sweet and fun colors and they fit snugly on your baby without the added bulk that  comes with most one-size diapers. They offer "Lots of adjustability with 30+ adjustable buttons and snap settings to adjust waist, leg casings and rise. It is the most adjustable one-size diaper," Ashley Boudreaux, marketing director at FuzziBinz, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2007 Iparenting Media; 2008 PTPA Media; 2009 Best of Business Awards; 2010 Stevie Awards: Best New Product of the Year; 2010 Stevie Awards: Most Innovative Company

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.

"While there are several stacking toys on the market, none of them are circular and included the added element of balance.  Tobbles is a stacking toy which encourages children to explore and discover," Erik Quam, Director of Product Development at Fat Brain Toy, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2011 Finalist for ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids
— Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey about best selling infant & toddler products that they sell 2-3 dozen Tobbles each month.

This 22 piece rattling building block set was designed specially for Little Builders. Shake, rattle, and build with these colorful blocks sized for little hands. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: Dr. Toy 10 Best Toys of 2011

Dado Bricks are interlocking cardboard bricks, measuring 12 inches long x 6 inches deep x 3 inches high. Kids can use these stacking bricks to create kid-scale structures...walls, castles, forts, secret hide-outs, or even attractive room decor. Unlike other simple cardboard blocks on the market, the Dado Cardboard Bricks contain a protruding pair of square nubs along with a matching set of recessed square indentations. The result is a cardboard brick that when stacked, will not easily tumble and can retain a rigid structure. "The ONLY interlocking cardboard block on the market," Erik Quam, Director of Product Development at Fat Brain Toy, told TDmonthly.

Players race against each other or work together against the clock to find the patterns hidden in the grid. Each time a tile is turned over, the pattern on that tile may be created by combining two or four of the tiles in the playing grid. Features 70 durable and vibrantly mind-bending pattern tiles, Acuity reinforces the importance of visual spatial skills and pattern recognition.
Awards: Parents' Choice Gold Award, 2010

Combination of game play, brainteaser, optical illusion.

The multi-functional Play With Me Gym provides an ideal stage for growth as it keeps little minds fully occupied and alert. Built in concert with Bkids proprietary and innovative Loop ‘n Link system, the overhead bars are a perfect place to attach the collect ‘n connect plush animals from the Bebee and Friends collection. The soft, cushy frame provides a safe place for babies to rest making the Play With Me Gym an ideal nap time companion. Launch date: February 2011.

Kids can design a structure, then throw the big blue veil over top. The heavy duty straws are strong enough to support the veil, yet flexible enough to bend and curve. Set includes illustrated guide. "This set allows children to build a structure large enough to actually crawl into. The included fabric veil adds dimension to the structure," Sandra Smith, sales assistant at Roylco Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.

The Pod is the newest product in the OgoBild line. The set offers a combination of active and constructive play. Kids can build their own sculpture, or build their own space. Kids can experiment with the flexibility of the Pod for hours of dynamic, inventive play. The set includes 12 of the OgoBild rubber balls and 30 ball to ball 24" connectors. This product offers play for multiple children. "The Pod does not easily come apart - it can be thrown around and manipulated without the connector pieces popping out of the OgoBild rubber balls," Mary Kate Cowell, sales manager at OgoSport LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

The Classic Princess Dress is made of velvet stretch material, has a lace up ribbon corset with flowers and comes with a matching head wrap. This dress is available in either Pink & Fuchsia (PA105F) or Pink & blue (PA105B) in sizes (S) small, (M) medium & (L) large. It's an "Affordable, High-Quality dress," Rachel Scharfman, brand marketing manager at Almar Sales, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.

Experience Perfect Stride, the exciting horse-themed card game for 2-4 players ages 8 and up using our Junior/Basic rules. Players are riders who partner up with a horse of their choosing for a high-speed race across the countryside over a hidden course of jumps. Riders collect ribbons with each successful jump as they race toward the finish line. The rider with the most ribbon points wins the game. Launch date: September 2010.

GALLOP! The Game includes a game board with a magical Scanimation door, two dice (colors and numbers, depending on the age and ability level of the players), five animal movers (horse, cat, turtle, butterfly, and rooster), and four guess tokens. Players take turns opening the Scanimation door to see which animal will move around the track on each round. The first player or players to strut, gallop or flutter their way around the track wins. It is the "Only board game to feature the magic of Scanimation from Rufus Butler Seder’s popular book, GALLOP!," Natalie Dent, director of PR at Discovery Bay Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.

Goggle Eyes is the hilarious family game that challenges players' vision and balance. To win, players must be the first to get to the finish point by winning challenges such as writing their name backwards, drawing, or performing actions - while wearing wacky glasses provided by the game that alters players' vision. "The glasses that the game comes with alter your perception and has three settings that makes the actions performed harder than they would normally be, and also adds a funny twist to the game," Jennifer Robinson, manager of public relations for Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.

This is the next generation Bozagga Ball. Striped, 12-lobed high-bouncing balls. Kids can challenge their friends to see who can bounce these colorful balls the highest. Launch date: May 2011.

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.

Earth-friendly wood rainbow fairies puzzle that exercises skills that prepare children for reading, math, problem solving and more. The 12-piece puzzle is made of wood from sustainable forests, and comes in a handy carrying case so kids can easily keep track of all the parts. Launch date: July 2011.

Soft foam books with bold photographs of sweet and funny kittens that pop off each page and stick to sides of the tub. Launch date: August 2011.

Soft Shapes Puppies are soft foam books with bold photographs of puppies that pop off each page and stick to sides of the tub. Launch date: August 2011.

Kids can put on a play with this fun, two sided foam stage set that floats in water or stands up on a table. Kids can use puppets, dolls, stuffed animals, or their own hands to create performances and indulge in creative play. It's "Portable Puppet Play Anywhere, Anytime," Rich Hill, director of marketing at innovativekids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2011.