April 2011 Notable Toys — All

Trace, bake, shrink and build your favorite Space Shuttles in 3-D! Classic Shrinky Dinks with a new 3-D twist. Make your own space program with the Astronauts, Space Shuttles, planets and more. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Space kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Space tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that show kids how to make real 3-D figures," Andrew Tober, director of creative development for BSW Toy, told TDmonthly.

Each set of Air Hedz comes with a piece of huge inflatable headgear and an inflatable accessory. Boys can choose from a cowboy hat and gun, alien head and hands, robot head and blaster, fireman hat and extinguisher and a pirate hat and cutlass. Our range for girls features a princess wig and wand, nurse hat and nurse kit and a pop star wig with a mic. Launch date: February 2011.

Create beautiful mosaic designs over and over again - kids follow the templates for perfect results every time, or create their own designs. These no-mess, no-fuss kits are great for travel. Chroma is an immersive experience of color and shape. Using colorful magnetic hexagons, kids can create limitless polygonal optical illusions and structures. This kit includes 37 colorful tile pieces, educational booklet, Hexagonal Travel tin and suggested patterns. "This kit flexes the mind and spurs creativity.  Perfect for travel, this kit comes in its own carrying case and is perfect for children of any age,"  Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.

These Sticky Mosaics Singles are the party-sized answer for a rainy afternoon or long car ride. With no mess, these small, portable kits are simple and fun for both boys and girls. Each includes 1 project, 1 wall hanger and over 400 sparkling tiles and jewels. Follow a simple numbered legend and create a beautiful mosaic with Sticky Mosaics singles. "Perfect for travel, stocking stuffers and party favors, Sticky Mosaics Singles are the perfect size for a quick craft on a rainy day or surprise gift for a special little girl or boy," Stephanie Carver from The Orb Factory told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

These Sticky Mosaics Singles are the party-sized answer for a rainy afternoon or long car ride. With no mess, these small, portable kits are simple and fun for both boys and girls. Each includes 1 project, 1 wall hanger and over 400 sparkling tiles and jewels. Follow a simple numbered legend and create a beautiful mosaic with Sticky Mosaics singles. "Perfect for travel, stocking stuffers and party favors, Sticky Mosaics Singles are the perfect size for a quick craft on a rainy day or surprise gift for a special little girl or boy," Stephanie Carver from The Orb Factory told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

These Sticky Mosaics Singles are the party-sized answer for a rainy afternoon or long car ride. With no mess, these small, portable kits are simple and fun for both boys and girls. Each includes 1 project, 1 wall hanger and over 400 sparkling tiles and jewels. Follow a simple numbered legend and create a beautiful mosaic with Sticky Mosaics singles. "Perfect for travel, stocking stuffers and party favors, Sticky Mosaics Singles are the perfect size for a quick craft on a rainy day or surprise gift for a special little girl or boy," Stephanie Carver from The Orb Factory told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

These Sticky Mosaics Singles are the party-sized answer for a rainy afternoon or long car ride. With no mess, these small, portable kits are simple and fun for both boys and girls. Each includes 1 project, 1 wall hanger and over 400 sparkling tiles and jewels. Follow a simple numbered legend and create a beautiful mosaic with Sticky Mosaics singles. "Perfect for travel, stocking stuffers and party favors, Sticky Mosaics Singles are the perfect size for a quick craft on a rainy day or surprise gift for a special little girl or boy," Stephanie Carver from The Orb Factory told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Sticky Mosaics Tropical Friends comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2300 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels to create a stunning masterpiece every time. This no mess, no fuss kit features colorful chameleons, hopping tree frogs and curious geckos. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.

Sticky Mosaics Owl Pals comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2500 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels to create a stunning masterpiece every time. This no mess, no fuss kit features little owls peeking out of trees, snuggling under the moonlight and reading a book. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.
— Retailers surveyed by TDmonthly have been naming The Orb Factory's Sticky Mosaics kits as a best-selling line since 2009.
— In late Spring 2011, 25% of retailers surveyed said Sticky Mosaics were their best-selling line of activity kits.

Sticky Mosaics Ocean Princess comes with 4 sparkling projects, 4 plastic wall hangers and over 2100 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Follow a simple numbered legend and stick on the colorful tiles and jewels. This no mess, no fuss kit features our underwater Princess with her fishy friends and submerged palace. "Sticky Mosaics are not just crafts; they are works of art!  Just because a craft is completed doesn't mean the fun is done; display these mosaic masterpieces for years to come with the special wall hangers included in each kit," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Kelly Boone, manager of The Elephant's Trunk in Greenville, S.C., told TDmonthly that "Orb Factory's Sticky Mosaics, specifically Ocean Princess," are best selling arts and crafts items. They sell 10-12 each month.

This kit comes with four tiaras waiting to be decorated. Girls follow a simple numbered legend and stick over 900 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces to create a beautiful set of jeweled tiaras. Each of these tiara's come with its own special colored over-sized jewel. "Not just a craft, this kit results in four tiara's to be used for open-ended and imaginative play.  Every girl loves being a little princess, and with four different tiara's to choose from, this craft goes from art project to dress-up fun," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

With Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings boys decorate 6 different kingly crowns, all based on actual historical crowns. By following a simple numbered legend, boys stick more than  1300 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces onto the different crowns to recreate monarchies past. This kit also comes with an educational booklet featuring historical information on each individual crown. "Looking for a craft for a boys birthday party?  Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings comes with 6 different crowns and is perfect for all your little royals!  This quality craft kit is sure to entertain a group of boys as they make the crowns and then play with the finished products," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, or even their little brother! Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Cupcakes come with 8 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 650 colorful sparkling jewels. Decorate and stick sweet cupcakes, candies, strawberries and cherries. "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, or even their little brother! Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Butterflies come with 7 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 600 colorful sparkling jewels. "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids can create a jewel-by-number sticker to decorate their school supplies, locker, bathroom mirror, and more. Stick these works of art on anything, and turn ordinary into the extraordinary. These SparkleUps Unicorns come with 7 reusable stickers one two sticker sheets with over 750 colorful sparkling jewels. Decorate and stick adorable unicorns, rainbows and hearts.  "These reusable stickers are perfect for kids from 4 to 14!  They can be stuck and re stuck anywhere with no residue," Stephanie Carver, Communications Specialist at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

The Steps4Kids multiplication DVD provides engaging graphics and animation to help children memorize their math facts. Practice tests, memorization strategies, and parent/teacher section included. "The Steps4Kids multiplication DVD teaches math concepts, properties, single digit by double digit math and self help strategies to help children memorize their math facts of numbers 0 through 12," Nancy Holt from Steps4Kids told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Build-A-Robot features four interchangeable, geometric-shaped heads featuring the emotions of happiness, sadness, anger and surprise as well as a range of textures to address sensory issues. To strengthen fine motor skills, the heads are attached with snap connectors. The legs are attached with screw connectors allowing the robot to sit or stand. Designed specifically to address the needs of children with ASD, the robot appeals to children of all ages. Launch date: February 2011.

Kids spin the spinner, squeeze the matching colored acorn with their Squirrel Squeezers, and place it in their log. The first to fill their log with delicious acorns wins. But players need to look out - they could spin "steal an acorn" or "lose an acorn."

Trace, bake, shrink and build dinosaurs in 3-D. Make standing figurines of dinosaurs: the T.rex, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurs. The new 3-D Shrinky Dinks Dinosaur kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets (5” x 8”) and Dinosaur tracing sheets. Kids just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions. This is "The first kids craft kit to make 3-D Shrinky Dinks," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development at BSW Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Funky Shape Sorter with Five Chunky Blocks. Kids learn about shapes and colors with the funky shape sorter. Rotate the gears, line up the shapes then slide the blocks through. Blocks drop inside the jet pack back with a funny clunky sound then slide out the side to keep the play going. Helps to improve fine motor skills and develop shape and color recognition. Launch date: April 2011.

The path is filled with excitement and danger: will players master the four constructs that they need to defeat Parallax? Once players have the constructs- and the Green Lantern ring- go to the lantern and see if the ring comes up lit. If it does, players light up their ring and win. "Based on the upcoming Warner Brothers feature film, Green Lantern, this game includes an exclusive Green Lantern light-up ring," Jim Pressman, President of Pressman Toy Corp, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

This not-so-creepy crawler features 360 degree steering, an LED forward eye, and two-channel, user selectable infrared remote control. The two-channel remote control enables users to operate multiple bugs independently or at the same time. As the largest member of the HEXBUG family, the complexity of its internal mechanisms and six-legged crawling motion is truly hypnotizing.

Sandtastik PlasterMix is easy-to-use and loads of fun. Just add water. Choose from 8 quick-setting colors to capture your favorite keepsake creations. WHITE, YELLOW, BLUE, PURPLE, RED, BROWN, ORANGE, & GREEN. Recommended for use with Sandtastik Molds. Conforms to ASTM D 4236 ACMI cert. AP non-toxic.

The HEXBUG Nano Bridge Battle Habitat Set allows kids to create the ultimate battleground for the HEXBUG Nano. HEXBUG Nano owners place their bugs on either side of the elevated arena where they must scurry over an orange bridge, through one-way gates and meet in the center battle platform. HEXBUG Nanos nudge and knock their competitor out of the battle arena until only one bug is left standing and reigned champion. Bridge Battle comes with 29 easy connect pieces and two rare HEXBUG Nanos.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 25% of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that HEXBUGs were their best-selling electronic or battery-operated product.