April 2011 Notable Toys — All

Children can pretend to be Santa in his board game for 2 to 4 players. Players choose a sleigh and start at the North Pole. They race around Santa's Workshop trying to load their sleighs with 5 toys. Once a Santa has 5 toys, he flies off to the town to deliver the toys. Along the way, Santas encounter fun activities, such as belting out their best "HO HO HO" or Singing their favorite Christmas carols. The first Santa to deliver all of his toys wins the game. The game comes with board, four sleighs, four tokens, 20 toy cards, rule and die. Game play is approximately 30 minutes.
— This product won a Mom's Best Award in January 2011. mom's Best Award winning product evaluators are moms, dads, grandparents, childcare givers and teachers who use these products in real life situations and then offer valuable feedback on how these products performed in everyday living for families. 

Road Racers commemorates the non-sponsored, driver owned cars that are racing in professional and amateur events. The spirit that pushes these drivers and teams links back to the zenith of road racing found in pony-car showdowns, which are celebrated by the two cars in this diorama; Bill Maier #22 1968 Ford Mustang and Sam Posey #77 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed. Both vehicles are 1:64 scale.

Mustang AV’s displays two aviation inspired automobiles. The AV8R and AV-X10 were both one of kind offerings from Ford Motor Company to commemorate their support of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Both rare machines feature a glass roof, special front and rear fascias, custom wheels and V8 engine. The AV8R debuted at the 2009 Oshkosh, Wisconsin Air Show and the AV-X10 was inspired from the P-51 Mustang Fighter planes from WWll. Both cars were sold at the EAA Gathering Eagles Charity Auction. Both Mustang AV's are 1:64 scale.

Apollo 13 tells the story of the lunar flight operation by the same name and the astronauts involved. There are two other stars in the film, a 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 and a 1970 Chevy Corvette Stingray. These two vehicles share the big screen for a racing scene. As the real Apollo 13 mission took place in 1970 both of these cars were designed to embody the feel of an era as well as the personality, status and adrenaline seeking manner of those individuals that explore the final frontier. This diorama comes with a 1:64 scale1965 Shelby GT-500 and 1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed.

Animal House was the first film produced by National Lampoon; a pop culture magazine in the 70’s. Many of the magazine’s writers were recent college graduates who combined their fraternity experiences into a cult classic movie of cliché college personalities and hilarious antics. This Diorama spotlights smooth talking Delta frat boy Otter’s sports car. The candy apple 1959 Chevrolet Corvette could be seen many nights parked at the Rainbow Motel on Old Mill Road. This diorama comes with a 1:64 scale 1959 Corvette and three characters from the movie. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed. Launch date: February 2011

The KWID Learning Watch teaches kids to read digital and analog time by displaying them together so kids can connect the two. The KWID also teaches time management skills, thanks to a digital hourglass timer that is great for tracking privileges, chores, tooth brushing time and more. When the digital hourglass empties, a song plays and a cute animation pops up. In addition, kids can control the playing of five different entertaining animations when they push the “kid” button that is just for them. Launch date: September 2012.

The Kid’Sleep My First Alarm Clock teaches young children how to tell time and gives them the independence of their own alarm clock. My First Alarm Clock shows the time in both digital and analog. The hour and minute hand colors match the hour and minute numbers. The alarm arm is inverted so that children can see how long it is until they have to wake up. There are three possible alarm sounds; chirping birds, a cuckoo or a train sound. The alarm sounds progressively louder until the child turns the alarm off or pushes the top button to snooze for another two minutes. Pushing the top button also provides a short glowing light so that the child can see the time during the night. There is also a small Kid’Sleep feature – when the sleeping child is lit, kids know to stay in bed and sleep a while longer. When the awake child is lit, kids know it is time to wake up. The mini night light emits a reassuring glow. My First Alarm Clock comes in blue or pink. Launch date: September 2011.

This product acts as a travel alarm clock, wake-up indicator, and night light for kids on the go. The display features a slumbering sheep when the child sleeps, and an illuminated sheep on a sunny day when it is time to wake up.

The Kid’Sleep Classic has many benefits, as a night light and sleep teacher for young children and an alarm clock for older children. It helps young children have an understanding of when it is time to get out of bed and when it is not. It is a great tool for nighttime self regulation, and the result is that both parents and children get more sleep. The Kid’Sleep Classic helps kids stay in bed until it is time to get up. If the sleeping animal is lit, kids know to stay in bed. When the awake animal is illuminated, it is okay to get out of bed and start the day. Kids naturally relate to the sleeping or awake animal. Color recognition is not required. The Kid’Sleep Classic has dual nighttime/naptime settings and an optional alarm (which is a very sweet bird chirping sound followed by a rooster crowing), in addition to three levels of brightness. The Kid’Sleep Classic comes in blue (bunny) or pink (cow). Launch date: September 2009.
Awards: 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved

This popular internet meme is written in white on a one inch wide, black silicone bracelet.

This light blue bracelet has the popular Coexist design worked into its surface in a bright white design. One inch wide; made of silicone.

This black, one inch wide, silcone bracelet is covered in a design of pink roses, green foliage, and white skulls. 

The Little Pim Spanish Intro Gift Set includes Spanish DVD eating and drinking (Disc 1), Spanish Bop music CD, Little Pim trilingual board book- Colors or Feelings, and an adorable 9” plush panda, packaged in a handy, reusable Little Pim tote. The DVD introduces 60 Spanish words and phrases for mealtime, and the music CD features songs by Milkshake and Dan Zanes & Friends, stars of the children's music circuit. "Little Pim is the first language immersion product that specializes in introducing foreign languages to babies, toddlers and preschoolers," Ashely Hernandez, Little Pim sales associate, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
Awards: 2012 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys for 2012; Dr. Toy 10 Best Audio-Visual Toys for 2012; 2012 Tillywig Brain Child Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Audio Visual Award; 2007 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award; 2010 Creative Child Media of the Year Award; 2009 AEP Award.

"The Magical Tale of Santa Dust - A Christmas Tradition" is the Christmas book of 2011. It is the magical tale of two small children who, on Christmas Eve, sit by their window eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa, only to be bypassed on his yearly journey. Save for the antics of a giggling, bungling Elf and some magical dust, their Christmas dreams come true. "There has never been a book written about the lure of magical Santa Dust. Each book will be packaged with one pouch of Santa Dust," Patricia Cardello, owner of Magic Dusts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.
Awards: Santa Dust - 2008 National Stationery Show in New York City "Best New Product of the Year" Nominee; 2009 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.

These plush animals sit atop a child's wrist and hold a writing implement along with the child while they write or draw. "It is functional plush that educates and excites," PenPalz Entertainment told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011

This 19 x 13" 100 pieces Sharks jigsaw puzzle features over 20 shark species. Made of strong, easy-fit puzzle pieces, grained paper for a glare-free picture, recycled board, recycled paper, and vegetable based ink. "Beautiful illustrations make your child aware of the diversity in shark species. Your child will learn important characteristics of individual shark family members," Erich Fellinger, Eurographics sales manager, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

100 pieces Penguins jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle features over 15 species of the penguins. Features: 100 pieces, Dimension: 13 x 19 inches, Superior-quality piece by piece, easy-fit puzzle pieces, Strong puzzle pieces, Made from recycled board, Image printed on recycled paper, Ink is vegetable based. This 100 piece puzzle will challenge and educate. "Beautiful illustrations educate your child about species diversity and important characteristics of individual penguin family members," Eric Fellinger, sales manager at EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

The first release in a planned series, Groove Kid Nation: The Wheels on the Bus features favorite songs and rhymes including the title track, “Froggy Went a Courting” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” with a few original pieces thrown into the mix. Each tune features an animal character performing a solo on their instrument. An enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends created by Nica Brooke. "The recording spotlights the sounds of instruments with funky music and top musicians performing," PR Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011

Alex Marshall Studios is adding a giraffe coin bank to their line of handmade, personalized baby and kids' ceramics. Available in character or silhouette design, each bank is handmade in their northern California studio and can be personalized with the name and date of birth. Each piece is made from a white earthenware clay, is CPSIA compliant and measures 7.5 x 2.5 x 12" h.

Cycle Flyr is a home playground ride that combines the fun of riding a bicycle with the "flying sensation" of a carousel. Kids pedal on the bicycle-style seat and are lifted into the air, rotating for as long as they keep pedaling. "There are no similar products on the market and this is a first one-of-a-kind playground/backyard ride," Michael Bishop, partner at Cycle Flyr, told TDmonthly. (Prototype Only.)

A straw that naturally transforms white milk into bold and delicious flavors. When kids drink milk through the Got Milk? Magic Straws, the milk becomes flavored and colored. "Parents and kids from 2 to 99 buy them year-round and it's completely new to toy stores with no competition," Paul Henson, CMO of Food Market Merchandising, Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2010.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that these were one of their top-2 bestselling candy items.

Cargo Noir is a game of illicit trading in which players run "families" who traffic in smuggled goods. The game takes place in the setting of 1950's film noir. Game play in Cargo Noir revolves around a changing set of notorious smuggling ports – Hong Kong, Bombay, Rotterdam, Panama, Tangier, Rio, Cape Town, New York and Macao – that are filled with various types and quantities of contraband. Players dispatch cargo ships loaded with gold to the ports that hold cargo they desire – hoping that it will be enough to snatch the goods away from any opponents. The acquired goods are then stored in the player’s warehouses until enough is accumulated to create valuable combinations to trade away for Victory Spoils. "Game development focused on three areas: fine-tuning the balance so there were always multiple paths to victory; making sure the game shines with two players as well as with five; and finding a theme that would be evocative with a feel that is very different from most other auction or trading games," Serge Laget, game designer, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Can players name a movie with 2 sequels? How about a music group with 3 members? Players test their numbers know-all in this fast-playing “name it to claim it” party game. Draw a category card and then fill in the blank with the number rolled. The first person to name something that fits is smarter than the average Joe. Contents include 200 cards, Custom die, and Rules of play. Requires 2 or more players. Estimated game time is 15 minutes.

Who would win a pie eating contest: Marilyn Monroe or Albert Einstein? Players can settle this and other timeless debates in this hilarious party game of improbable celebrity matchups. Players draw cards and then convince the judge why thier character would win a randomly chosen event. The person who gets the most votes wins the game. Contents include 200 cards, Sand timer, and Rules of play. For three or more players; playing time is approximately 15 minutes.