April 2011 Notable Toys — All

HEXBUG Nano collectors can unleash their creativity as they build and construct the expansive Elevation Habitat Set. Elevation features a multi-level spiral and bridges that can accommodate an entire HEXBUG Nano collection, and enable each Nano bug to stretch its rubber legs as it traverses through the sizable mini-community. The customized track includes one spiral ramp that rises two levels up, offering explorative HEXBUG Nano bugs the best view in town.

The Glow in the Dark HEXBUG Nano Starter Set is perfect for any first time HEXBUG Nano owner. Each Glow in the Dark HEXBUG Nano Starter Set is expandable. Kids can build onto their habitat sets using additional track pieces until they’ve constructed their own little micro robotic community.

Say Anything Family has 350 family oriented questions that allows families to enjoy the laughter and fun of the original party game. Ask a fun opinion question, everyone else comes up with an answer, secretly pick which one you like the most, everyone bets on what they think you just picked. Reveal the answer and score. "This game is fun for both parents and kids, while helping kids develop social interaction skills," Luke Warren, a rep for North Star Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line's NEW Racin' Rody Horse is a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hoping on their Racin' Rody or to do Racin' Rody Races! Also used for therapy with special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of heavy duty, latex-free vinyl. Inflates according to size and weight of the child (inflation by adult). Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Racin' Rody. Launch date: February 2011.

A delightful combination of wooden and felt pieces that have been graphically-enhanced to help youngsters pull of a pretend healthy lunch. Educo does it again with silk-screen graphics on the veggie and fruit pieces that fit with lettuce and cheese in felt to tuck in a whole wheat pita pocket. Just what the new food pyramid suggests. Launch date: February 2011.

Children will have a blast building and racing on this fast and fun Techno Gears Marble Mania Twin Turbo Trax. After completing the build kids can compete against each other as they race their marbles through this exciting turbo marble speedway. Fun sound effects add to the excitement and the winning time shown on an LED display. Colors may vary. Requires two "AA" batteries and two button cell batteries. "We manufacture the longest running marble run on the market, " Sherri Borrelli, Sales Administrator for The Learning Journey International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2011.

The Laser Game Khet 2.0 has arrived. The completely redesigned game for 2011 combines lasers with classic strategy for an experience enjoyed by players ages 9-99. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian themed mirrored pieces, after which they fire their real, eye-safe laser with the goal of illuminating their opponents' pieces and winning the game.

The Make It! series are fun construction games that will challenge problem solving and memorization, and will develop fine motor skills of young children as they build their favorite creatures. Featuring Dinosaurs, Zoo Animals, Farm Animals and Animal Babies. Make It! is a multi-player game that teaches cooperation skills and animal recognition. Simply take turns selecting game cards and try to collect the pieces necessary to complete your animal.

Four new licensed Light Up Marble Racers now available in new packaging, unique body styles and vibrant colors. Mustang, Camaro, Corvette Stingray, and Ford GT body styles are cast in translucent blue, red, orange, and yellow plastic. "No other 1/64 scale car lights up in multiple colors utilizing a motion sensored LED light," Peter Koehl, vice president of Skullduggery, told TDmonthly. Available in 12 pack assortments, 12 pack PDQs, and 36 & 40 piece power wings. Launch date: May 2011.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Top Toy of the Year, 2010 Oppenheim Top Toy, 2010 Top Toy Under $10

Tegu's patent-pending blocks cleverly incorporate magnets inside sustainably harvested wood, offering gravity-defying blocks that show no visible point of connectivity and enable multi-dimensional building experiences. Available in the following honduran hardwood finishes: natural, mahogany, tints and jungle. "We utilize eco-friendly hardwoods, making them both durable and friendly to the forest," a rep for Tegu Inc told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Parent’s Choice Award, 2010 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys and Children’s Products, 2010 Oppenheim Gold
— David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in a March 2015 survey that Tegu blocks were one of his store's best-selling eco-friendly toys.

My STUFFIE is the mom/teacher created, multi-use sensible solution to stuffed animal clutter. It's storage, soft seating plus a large plush puppy. My STUFFIE measures 22 inches high, holds 50+ stuffed animals, has three (3) mesh windows for viewing contents, rear Velcro opening/closure. Transforms into soft bean-bag like seating when full. Can also be used for a hamper. "Independence and responsibility can be taught and can be fun using My STUFFIE because it is fun and easy to use. Innovative design makes cleaning up fun with added benefit of built-in reward when soft toys have been placed inside: soft seating plus a huge plush puppy. Children experience self-confidence, increased self-esteem using My Stuffie," Patricia Klotz, President of Lemonade Innovations Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Reverse Charades is a fun twist on a classic stand-by (where one person acts out words for the team to guess). With Reverse Charades, the entire team has 60 seconds to act out as many words as one person can guess. It's a fast-paced, fiercely fun team competition that's great for groups such as families, work teams, school groups, party-goers or among a few close friends. The things that sets it apart is the "overall inclusive nature of the game to entertain large groups across all ages," Bryce Porter, Chief Party Officer of RETROPlay LLC. told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards- 2011 Major Fun Award, voted 2010 Best New Family Game by KSL Studio 5

CandyRific introduces new candy novelties that combine the iconic M&M'S Characters, delicious M&M'S Chocolate Candies and world-famous Star Wars movie characters. New items include M&M’ Brand Star Wars Fans, M&M’S Brand Star Wars Coin Banks, M&M’S Brand Star Wars 9”& 12” Dispensers and an M&M’S Brand Star Wars Lightsaber. Launch date: February 2011.

Exercise your mind and outwit your opponents with Mosaic 4, the new fast paced 4 in a row abstract strategy game! Mosaic 4 is set up on a board of movable squares. Two to four players compete to be the first to get 4 tokens in a row. On their turn, each player can either place a token on the board, or shift an entire row or column of movable squares over by one space. The rules are simple but the game gets increasingly challenging. Mosaic 4 comes with instructions in English, Spanish, German and French. "The movable board squares add an extra challenge," Mary Lin from Gridly Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2011.

The SB1 is a portable amplified speaker system that works with any audio device. The SB1 allows people to enjoy their tunes on the go in a stylish, modern package.

New Yamodo! Monsters & Aliens, Yamodo! Magic & Mayhem and Yamodo! Gizmos & Gadgets are the new theme versions of Yamodo that can be played anytime anywhere. The twist this time is that the drawings and definitions should be related to the category of the game theme. Creations can be uploaded on Yamodo’s website, allowing for "creative collaboration anywhere anytime," Gred Walsh, pr for Idea Storm Products, told TDmonthly. Awards: 2010 - Dr. Toy Best Vacation, 2010 - Dr. Toy Top 10 Educational Products

Zike's new freestyle scooters are a combination of both a scooter and a bicycle. Zike is the "World's first hybrid scooter marketed directly to children that can fight childhood obesity and is fun to ride," Nathan Scolari, owner of Zike, told TDmonthly. A unique foot pumping action propels the bike forward, while relying on the balance properties of a traditional bicycle. Launch date: February 2011

What is the favorite food of the cat, dog, and sheep? Little explorers will soon find this out as only the right food will fit through the corresponding holes of the sorting box. The big wooden pieces stimulate the curiosity of little ones, fosters their senses and train motor skills. Material: Naturally colored birch wood, 6 colored pieces of beech wood and 2 birch plywood templates printed on both sides. Launch date: 2011.

This boat really floats, has lots of storage, and can be upgraded to have a motor. Comes with family, snorkeling accessories, a cooler with snacks, and two beach towels.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that items from Playmobil were their best sellers. Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 10-12 sets from Playmobil each month, and that Playmobil has "Been a best seller for a long time."

The Family Motorhome, with its removable roof and side, makes it easy to play. The Motorhome comes with a bathroom and kitchen. The Motorhome also comes with a bike rack and a cargo box for storage. Set includes four figures and many other accessories. Dimensions: 35 x 14 x 15 cm

The new Playmobil Swimming Pool comes with a working water slide and shower. Fill the pool with water and let the figures dive in. Includes six figures.

Snuggle Paws are a super-soft blanket rolled up in a blue puppy or a pink cat, with a handle for toting around.

Kids writing their first letters will get helpful up, down and sideways instructions via easy-to-follow arrows. A magnetic stylus pulls beads up to create solid lines. Erases with the tip of a finger. Comes in lower case, upper case, and numbers.
— Mike McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 survey that their best selling educational product is the Magnatab. "Parents like the way children have fun pulling the magnet around," he said.
Watch Video from Toy Fair 2011

Henna is an exotic, non-permanent body art of the Far East. Traditional Mehndi is drawn on the hands and feet, but it can be applied anywhere. All the tools and supplies needed to begin are included in this kit: Henna powder, Mordant liquid, Eucalyptus oil, Straight pin, Wooden mixing stick, Cotton balls to apply the citrus/sugars solution, Cotton swabs for wiping away small mistakes, and a Toothpick for editing the design and thinning lines.