November 2009 New Specialty Toys — Construction

Hutz Building Panels™ - Army Hutz by INVENTIVE IDEAS INC.

These 5.5" x 3.3" camouflage panels have patent-pending, collapsible magnetized hinges so that structures can be knocked down and built again and again. Deluxe and Super Size sets are included, with miniature soldiers. 11/13/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SnapTite® Star Wars® Anakin's Jedi Starfighter™ by REVELL

This replica of the short, lightweight Delta-7B starfighter has four has four partially hidden laser canons. Parts snap together, and it does not require painting or gluing. Skill level for this project is 1.
— Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., sells about 20 to 25 Revell kits of cars, airplanes and Star Wars items each month. “We’ve carried them for a few years now. People know we carry it,” he told TDmonthly in October 2009. 11/9/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Zoo by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

25 piece wooden set of animal blocks made in Germany! 11/5/2009 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jungle Buddy Blocks by IMAGIPLAY

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this set of four, 1.25" blocks features colorful jungle animals to help with matching and serve as a precursor to regular puzzles. It includes a storage tray that measures 3.5" x 3.5" x 2.5". 11/4/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CitiBlocs 300-Piece Wooden Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

The 300-piece Citiblocs set is a hefty way to get the enthusiastic builder started building simple, medium-sized and complex structures. The Citiblocs 300-piece set is designed to keep the enthusiastic builder flexing his or her imagination while developing fine motor skills. Expansion is possible via the other available Citiblocs sets. All Citiblocs Wooden Building Sets are compatible and interchangeable with each other. Citiblocs has received multiple awards, including Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products for Children, a NAPPA award, and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal award. 11/3/2009 (Price: $80.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars Darth Vader's TIE Fighter by LEGO

Darth Vader pilots this vehicle that first appeared in Episode IV: A New Hope. The original LEGO model debuted a decade ago, and this mold incorporates a new style, coloration and firing action. Includes Darth Vader and 250 other pieces. 10/29/2009 (Price: $29.99)

Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic ™ Dolphin by CAN YOU IMAGINE

The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic Dolphin is a work of art that combines lights, sound and movement. The visual experience is hypnotic, creating a relaxing tranquil environment for any room in your home or office. You can choose from three modes: 1) Watch it move in a well-lit room with the Sound & Movement Mode; 2) Bring it into the bedroom shut the light off and watch the Movement, Sound and Light Mode take over - completely relaxing you; 3) Simply use it in the Movement Only Mode (with no sound or light) and be mesmerized by the slow graceful movement of the Dolphin. The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic™ Dolphin has a built-in Sleep Timer Mode; with the push of a button it can be set to turn off in a 30 minutes to one hour. ( Watch Video) 10/28/2009 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FridgiGears™ Puzzle by CAN YOU IMAGINE

The Amazing Magnetic FridgiGears Deluxe Light Show Puzzle Gear Edition lets kids make creations light up & glow in the dark. Each gear is a puzzle that a child puts together to create a moving work of art. A rotating magnetic black light is included. The motorized picture frame gear powers all 20 gears with an easy "tap on/tap off" function. Included are over 103 black-light responsive magnetic fridgi puzzle pieces. ( Watch Video) 10/28/2009 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ubersailboat by UBERSTIX

Using the pieces included in this kit, plus recycled water bottles provided by the user, kids can build a working sailboat that not only floats, but realistically uses the wind to sail. The design can be modified into several different kinds of boats. Plus, Uberstix are designed to be compatible with many other popular construction systems, allowing for virtually endless possibilities. This kit comes with with a three- to four-hour lab lesson planning sheet that teaches the basics of sailing and the function of keel and rudder.
― “Uberstix. We love that,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., when asked about her top-selling item for tween boys in October 2009. 
― “Uberstix is up and coming,” said Tom Levin, owner of Tom's Toys in Great Barrington, Mass., about his best sellers for tween-aged boys.
― Two out of 39 retailers said Uberstix are a best selling item for tween boys in fall 2009. 10/27/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars™ Echo Base™ by LEGO

Modeled after the rebel-controlled, icy planet Hoth from the Star Wars movie series, the Echo Base set from Lego features a rebel fortification with two gunner figurines, a missile-firing defense turret, two Imperial snow troopers, and a Hans Solo character figurine complete with Tauntaun. Children can reenact their favorite scene from the movies or invent new adventures by combining this with other Lego Star Wars sets.
― “Lego star wars is still very popular,” said Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., when asked about his best-selling items for tween boys in fall 2009.
― Nine out of 39 retailers that participated in an October 2009 survey said Legos are their top-selling item for boys in the tween age category. 10/27/2009 (Price: $24.99)

Mini EduAnimals by EDUSHAPE LTD.

These soft flexible mini edulocks include 6 soft animals that attach to the blocks, too. This toy can enhance shape and color recognition plus help develop fine-motor skills. There are 28 pieces in a set. ( Watch Video) 10/20/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magformers XL Cruisers by RAINBOW PRODUCTS

Explore and experiment combining the hexagons with the triangles and squares to create your own favorite XL Cruiser. There are hundreds of possible 3-D combinations using these three geometric shapes. Feel the magnetic force and have countless hours building and designing different XL Cruisers. 10/6/2009 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Laser Pegs by CAPRIOLA CORPORATION

Laser Pegs are a construction set in which each piece feeds the next piece low-voltage current. Users can build or create anything they want with the Laser Pegs and use them lit up or turned off. All parts of the Laser Pegs are ASTM tested and federally approved. Once one Laser Peg is connected to the power source, it then illuminates any other peg it is connected with. "The Laser Pegs are the world's only illuminated construction set that allows kids or adults to piece together light one peg at a time," Jon Capriola, CEO of Capriola Corporation, told TDmonthly. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: June 9, 2009. 10/5/2009 (Price: $37.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Erector Build & Play Small Convertible by NIKKO AMERICA INC.

Kids can build two different models, or their own creations, with this set that includes colorful, flexible parts.
— Erector sets made the best seller list at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., in August 2009, according to Storeowner John MacDougall. 9/9/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LaQ Free Style 100 by YOSHIRITSU CO. LTD.

These supplemental kits allow for expanding LaQ kits. The kits come in single colors with a combination of all 7 types of LaQ parts. 9/4/2009 (Price: $7.60) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sankore Mosque Timbuktu by PAPERLANDMARKS

Sankore Mosque is one of three ancient mud mosques composing the famous University of Timbuktu in West Africa. This 1/150 scale model measures 10" x 8.7" x 4" when assembled. Launch date: August 2007. 8/28/2009 (Price: $17) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Torii of Itsukushima by PAPERLANDMARKS

The painted wooden Torii Gateway, built in the traditional Shinto style, is a classic and beloved icon of Japanese architecture. This model is 1/100 scale and measures 9.4" x 5.1" x 6.7" when assembled. Launch date: July 15, 2003. 8/28/2009 (Price: $15) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Universal Construction Kit by PHUNZONE

Description: This large-scale construction set is designed so that kids and parents can work together to design and build a structure on which children can climb, crawl, slide and play. Additional components or accessories like slides or wheels may be used to create larger, more complex creations. It’s designed for easy assembly and disassembly when building something new. Launch date: 1979. 8/27/2009 (Price: $549.88) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Junior Construction Kit by PHUNZONE

With this large-scale modular construction kit, children and parents can collaborate to design and construct play structures on which children can actually climb, crawl, slide and play. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed for easy assembly and disassembly when building something new. The Junior kit is the second largest set in the line. "Our kits are the only product on the market where you can design your own play equipment on a computer and then actually build rugged play structures to actively play on," George Maday, owner of Phunzone, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1979. 8/27/2009 (Price: $459.88) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Basic Construction Kit by PHUNZONE

With this large-scale modular construction kit, parents and children can work together to design and build play structures on which children can actually climb, crawl, slide and play. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed to be easy to take apart so users can build something new and different as often as desired. This Basic kit includes wheels to make rolling vehicles. Launch date: 1979. 8/27/2009 (Price: $379.88) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Starter Construction Kit by PHUNZONE

This is a large-scale modular construction kit on which children can climb, crawl, slide and play. Parents and children can work together to design and build play structures. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed to be easy to take apart so users can build something new and different as often as desired. "Our kits are the only product on the market where you can design your own play equipment on a computer and then actually build rugged play structures to actively play on," George Maday, owner of Phunzone, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1979. 8/27/2009 (Price: $279.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Uberbird by UBERSTIX

Founded on the idea of a modular construction set that integrates with many other popular systems such as K'Nex and Lego, Uberstix is also intended for use with whatever recycled materials one might have lying around. Mixing Uberstix pieces such as the 60 contained in this set with found materials yields numerous possibilities. This model set is designed to yield a bird that can really flap its wings. The kit also includes a 40-page book of Uberstix basics. ( Watch Video) 8/26/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CitiBlocs 200-Piece Wooden Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

This 200-piece set is ideal for aspiring architects and engineers, as it allows individuals to build a whole city, or the highest tower. Citiblocs are made of woode in Vietnam and use a non-toxic, water-based stain. They come with a colorful building design guide. This product received a 2009 Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: June 15, 2009. ( Watch Video) 8/19/2009 (Price: $50.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CitiBlocs 100-Piece Wooden Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

This introductory set of 100 high-quality blocks made from New Zealand pine features precision-cut pieces that can be transformed into a tower, an animal, a widget or any masterpiece. It comes with a colorful building design guide. The blocks are made in Vietnam. Launch date: June 15, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CitiBlocs 54-Piece Color Wooden Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

An add-on to CitiBlocs' larger natural colored blocks, these 27 red and 27 blue blocks are precision cut and use a safe and non-toxic water-based stain. The set comes with a colorful building design guide. CitiBlocs are made in Vietnam. Launch date: June 15, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]