December 2008 New Specialty Toys — General Toys

This fun camouflage pen hooks onto a belt loop or backpack. It comes in assorted colors.

Never has early learning been so much fun! These portable, hand-held talking animals are cute and colorful and as much fun as they look. Kids can learn ABC, 123, colors & shapes, animal sounds and favorite nursery rhyme melodies. Each Early Learning Animal Pal teaches something different! The animal pals feature an auto shut-off feature and requires two “AA” batteries (included). With light up buttons and fun, friendly voices and activities, these Early Learning Animal Pals will soon become your child’s favorite toy. Recommended for ages 18+ months and up.

This undercover fingerprint kit comes with file cards, an ink pad, a fingerprint speciman card, fingerprint lifting tape and powder, a magnifying glass and a paint brush so that little kids can record and identify fingerprints.
— “Deliveries are very quick,” Tim Hayes, owner of Learning Express in Sudbury, Mass., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in fall 2008. “The pricing is fair. They're easy to do business with and the product sells extremely well.” Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named Alex as a favorite supplier.

Celebrate the couple’s recent marriage under the Party Tent.  Includes three figures, two-layer wedding cake, white tent, table for presents, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— Playmobil means “cute, exciting and detailed figure play,” said Patricia Fiedler, owner of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., where the toys were named best sellers in spring 2009.

Help the Police monitor the Police Headquarters. Prison cell comes with working door lock and breakout window and wall. The Police Headquarters is equipped with surveillance cameras and has a reception area, interrogation room, and a wall for equipment. Also includes three figures and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., likes Playmobil because its products are "not made in China, customers come back for more [and it offers] good play value," he told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Thirteen percent of 52 retailers named the company as a favorite.

Listen to the pianist as he performs a song for all to hear.  Includes a figure, white grand piano, sheet music, and stool.  Press the keys of the piano to play two wedding melodies. 2 AAA batteries required.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Help the pirates row their treasures to shore.  Includes two figures, parrot, rowboat that floats, hammock, rocks with hiding place for treasure filled chest, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Assist the Vet with surgeries in the Operating Room.  Includes two figures, two puppies, kitten, turtle, X-Ray equipment with changeable slides, CT scanner, and many other accessories.  Also comes with removable casts that can be placed on animals.  Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Play and do a puzzle at the same time with the Wild Animal Puzzle. Includes a figure, monkey, giraffe, zebra, lion, cloud, and a colorfully decorated puzzle board.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up. 

Watch the newlyweds drive off in their yellow convertible.  Includes groom, bride with veil and bouquet, convertible with trunk space for luggage, and detachable flower decorations.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Check out the new Playmobil Family Home!  The two-story house comes with attic windows that tilt, extendable marquee, garden, and grill.  Also includes four figures.  The house has a functioning door bell.  Two AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 26 x 16.9 x 18.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Spend the day outside playing at the Playground.  Includes three figures, bench, red slide, and a yellow dinosaur that rocks back and forth.  A figure can also sit on top of the dinosaur.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Help the veterinarian treat the animals at the Animal Clinic.  Includes three figures, pony, peacock, birds, puppies, and rabbits. Also comes with ultrasound device, removable cast, bandages, bird cage, and many other accessories. Compatible with Animal Nursery (#4344) and Vet Operating Room (#4346). Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the roads safe with the Road Maintenance Truck.  The truck comes with blinking lights, removable snow plow, and 190º rotating arm. The loading bin tilts and the cabin roof is removable.  The dispenser also functions to release contents onto the ground.  Comes with a figure and many other accessories. 2 coin batteries included. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Sail along the Nile River in the Royal Ship of Egypt.  Includes three figures, functioning crossbow catapult, and many other accessories.  The battering ram hinges.  The ship rolls on wheels or floats on water, and it can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).  Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 13 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the Pyramid from being invaded by releasing various traps with your very own amulet.  Intruders will have to overcome the collapsible staircase, chute, and scorpion trap.  There is also a secret treasure chamber, trapdoor with slide, and rotary secret chamber. The pyramid walls are removable. Set includes 4 figures, tomb, and many other accessories. Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 14 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages 5 and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

— "We sold out and are taking orders for it," Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly of this high-ticket item in late November 2009. He cited unit sales of about 25 per week.

— Eight of 44 retailers surveyed in late fall 2009 named the Playmobil Pyramid as one of their top sellers. Seven others cited the Playmobil line in general as a popular purchase.

Board the Expedition Ship to explore the waters.  Expedition Ship floats on water, comes with a functional anchor winch, and can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).   With the cable winch, the Playmobil Shark Diver (#4500) or Deep Sea Diving Bell (#4478) can be hoisted into the water. Set includes three figures, binoculars, treasure filled chest, and many other accessories.  Dimensions: 18 x 6 x 10 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Cheer on the newlyweds as they make their way out the Church.  Press the windows of the church tower and hear the bells and organ music.  Also comes with three figures, many accessories, and a pink jewel case with rings for the child. 2 AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 22 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

The Wave Stealth® Board, a newly designed in-line casterboard, blends the motions of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding to the fast-growing and popular sport of Street Surfing. With a camouflaged design of Army green and brown colors, the Wave Stealth provides a fresh, fun ride for tweens or teens. It consists of two platforms with a sure grip-tape deckplate design, joined by an anodized torsion bar. The two “Street Tech” wheels have Abec 7 bearings and casters that spin 360 degrees while the swiveling base allows riders to self propel by going forward, downhill and even uphill by just bending their knees and twisting their hips and shoulders. This product was named a Greatest Product of 2008 for sporting goods by iParenting Media. Launch date: November 2008.

Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a How-To Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" — of feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. "Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Associate Susan Schroeder of Plushy Feely Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
— Amy of Coffee with the Mrs. reported that her son “loves his Kimochi Cloud doll and is already starting to use more words about feelings since he got the doll.” He has even improved his reading by identifying the words printed on the emotions.
—    Take It From Me’s Kristin used the emotions of her daughter’s Kimochi to help her deal with the complex emotions she was feeling about a recent move. The Kimochis were so successful, Kristin said, that: “Now every time my daughter starts to get upset, I refer to the Kimochis and looking for what she feels helps her to calm down and relax.”
Awards:   Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Following the success of the initial introduction of the Clackers in 2008, Play Visions has added a new twist to the item ... with a maraca shape on the ends, filled with small beads. This combination produces a pleasant “swishing” sound while participants play with one of the most tactile, elastic items on the market. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

These sturdy plastic bins fit right into the P'kolino Children's Desk, Multi-Use Easel, and Klick. They can be easily removed and replaced with another for a simple way to change the activity and to organize a child’s toys. The lid is made of the same quality wood and is durable enough to be used as a work surface. The bin's colors can serve to brighten up a home and help organize through color-coding. Available in Orange, Purple, Red and Yellow.

Colorful water jugs with playful designs.

The Giant Construction Block Set comes with 24 blocks (16 timber blocks and 8 cinder blocks). Large and easy to handle, children can build objects from skyscrapers to cabins to forts.  The timber blocks are 12" x 16" x 3" and the cinder blocks are 12" x 16" x 6". Assembly of the blocks is required. For ages 18mo. and up.