November 2008 New Specialty Toys — All

Kids can use this kit to build a working wind turbine to harness power out of thin air. Wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today. During the experiments, kids will learn the physics of force and motion as it applies to wind power technology. The kit includes a full-color, 32-page experiment manual that offers illustrated instructions for 20 experiments and scientific information. Kids will build a working wind turbine, harnes mechanical energy to lift weights and more.
— “I’m featuring science kits that teach kids about the environment or renewable energy, such as the Thames and Kosmos Wind Power and the Fuel Cell X7,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., of this good seller in her store.

Learning multiplication facts and related lessons is now a truly exciting game. Students begin at the appropriate level: beginning, intermediate or advanced. There is a practice section to work on specific multiplication problems. Then the student builds skills while playing challenging games such as; baseball, long jump, basketball or bowling. Each of these games has 11 levels of play.

Designed for students of all ages who need to develop or review basic Language Arts and Reading Comprehension skills. The course features Sports-inspired “Coach” led tutorials, Learn the Words sessions, and adrenaline-charged, fun-filled games to make learning a true journey. Students will master syllables, spelling, word families, and the entire range of topics. Winner of Computers for Youth Family Learning Software Award 2008.

Beginning reading and math builds the foundation for success with this content-packed interactive program. Includes 11 sing-a-long songs and 15 two-level activities to teach children letter names, numbers, phonics, basic addition and more. The Super Star System gives students an incentive to repeat an activity until a gold star is awarded. Winner of a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval

Features hundreds of color photographs of art and artifacts found at the Smithsonian museums. Study the items on your assignment card, then guess which one doesn’t fit. Use the decoder/magnifier to see if you’re right as you try to be the first expert to reach finish. For 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up.

Race to gather the food your panda needs. When you land on a bamboo space, activate the mother panda to come down the tree. She may help you win. Learn interesting panda facts as you play the game. For 2 to 4 players, ages 5 and up.

This two sided musical cape will liven up any adventure. One side is pirate theme, the reverse side is knight theme. Fun for both boys and girls. Ages three and up. Batteries included.

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills. Mega Zillio is the larger version of the Mini Zillio. It handles numbers up to 60, and measures 27" x 27" x 12". It does everything the Mini does but can have up to 6 players at a time and the same games included require more challenging play and problem solving to come out on top.

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills.  Mini Zillio handles numbers up to 36, and measures 18" x 18" x 8", compared to Mega Zillio's 27" x 27" x 12.5". For up to 4 players at a time.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Brain Child

These tiny critters — Brown Bear Brother, Polar Bear Sister and two others from Cloverleaf Corners — are decked out in costumes for Halloween. The critters are poseable and wear removable clothing. The two bears retail together for $19.99. Launch date: October 2008.

A simple introduction to the complex and fascinating world of magnetism, Dowling Magnets’ Assorted Magnet Box contains a variety of basic magnets in different shapes and colors, a shoelace, and a handbook with magnet information and fun facts. 
— “We have a huge homeschooling community, and kids are fascinated by magnets,” observed Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacques Inc. in Bryan, Texas, when discussing best-selling science products in August 2008.
— Of 64 retailers polled in Summer 2008, 4 percent listed magnets as their top-selling science item.

This Sea Monkeys kit comes with everything one needs to get started raising these living, swimming ”micro-crustaceans.” After treatment with the included water purifier, sprinkle the pouch of dormant Sea Monkey eggs into the tank, and watch the new pets appear and grow. It comes with a “growth guarantee.”
— “Another thing that sells really well is the Sea Monkeys. We sell a lot of those, and we had one of those on display,” Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys Livermore, Calif., told TDmonthly in August 2008 when discussing popular science and nature toys.
— “Kids still get so excited about those little kits,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. “A lot of adults seem to be drawn to them, too, because of the nostalgia factor.”
― As of 9.23.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 10 in best-selling science and nature toys. PROS: Entertaining, educational, interactive and easy to use.

Recommended for outdoor use only, this lightweight glider comes with a launcher and is available in different styles. It is easy to assemble and fly, and can soar up to 50’. The safe, soft flyer has a wingspan of 9” and comes with instructions.

This striped character comes with an Internet access code that gives kids the freedom to explore Webkinz World online with the virtual equivalent of the plush pet. The tiger’s special item in the virtual world is a rock ledge bed.
— “Webkinz are still selling,” Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2008.
— “We move probably 100 to 150 per month,” William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in August 2008.
— Twenty percent of 64 retailers named Webkinz as their top-selling collectible toy in summer 2008.
Six of 63 retailers named Webkinz as their overall best seller in September 2008.

For the dog lover! Mr. Chris the Pug stuffed animal from Fiesta’s High Society dog series. Plush fabrics and very soft. Posh satin-like fabrics and beaded dog bone decoration. Even a curly pug tail. Not a toy. Decoration purposes only.

This plush donkey is covered in a Mexican serape blanket. The soft and cuddly plush donkey also has a sweet burro face. A touch of the Southwest.

Soft and cuddly plush penguin puppet is great for imaginative play and puppet storytelling. Just add imagination. Great play value as a stuffed toy too.

Plush 21” giraffe rocker. For extra fun giraffe features a “giggle” sound chip. Sturdy. Great for going on safari, reading a book, or watching TV. Adds a special fun jungle touch to any room décor.

Some stretch, some length and so many ways to wear it. These versatile pants allow the waistband to be worn to cover the belly, to cover the waist for extra support, or around the hips for style. The basic black pant goes well with other clothes and is made of relaxing and versatile fabric, to allow for everyday wear.

The BellaBand is designed with pregnant women's bodies in mind. The top hem is wide and flat to minimize visible lines under women's tops. The main body of the BellaBand is seamless-knit so there are no side seams to show if the band is folded over. The fabric is designed to stretch and recover to fit throughout pregnancy and beyond. The bottom hem is double-sewn to better grip pants, skirts, and shorts to prevent the BellaBand from riding up.

Lounge in it. Work in it. Live in it. The Everyday Cami is a lush, seamless-knit camisole with a crêpe finish that's perfect for wearing with everything. It's super-soft and cut extra-long to keep one's belly covered throughout her entire pregnancy.

The Belly Leggings from Ingrid & Isabel are made of a luxurious, ultra-soft knit that stretches to gently hug the hips, legs and belly. The high seamless waistband gives the belly full coverage and room to grow while the legs are cut long for year-round wear. Made with a changing body in mind, the waistband can be worn folded at the waistline in early pregnancy, up high and over the belly for full coverage as it grows and under the belly for support in the final weeks of pregnancy. Layer with tunics, dresses, skirts or a comfy long t-shirt.

The Ruched Tank is a seamless tank with substantial ruching at the sides to create body-friendly pleating around the torso throughout all stages of pregnancy. The tank will give subtle pleating around the body in early pregnancy, a smooth, supportive silhouette on a blossomed belly, and heavy pleating after baby to disguise a soft, recovering belly. Provides for figure-flattering effects of a ruched tank while keeping all the comfort, support, stretch and recovery of a seamless knit layer that will last throughout and after pregnancy.

KooKeys offers a line of plush animals with online, interactive digital counterparts known as the Virtual Koo. Each plush KooKey comes with a special key that unlocks the online world for children to explore, interact, play, and learn.