April 2012 Notable Toys — All

5166 Sun Star Platinum - 1959 Mercury Park Lane Closed Convertible. 1:18 scale diecast collectible model car. This Mercury Parklane is about 12" long die-cast metal car with openable hood, doors & trunk. The 1959 Mercury Parklane is manufactured by SunStar. Item 5166 is in CHARCOAL METTALLIC color with Black bonnet. Individually packed in a box. Box size: 15"L x 6.75"W x 6"H. Launch date: February 9, 2012.

Kids can launch Megatech's Firefly® to incredible heights with the included launcher. It spirals back to earth thanks to its uniquely designed fins. The high intensity LED allows kids launch it day or night. With this feature they'll never lose sight of it during flight.
— In a March 2012 survey, John Taylor, owner of O.P Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly that he sold more than 2,000 Fireflies last year. He keeps them by the register as an impulse item, and on nights with a lot of foot traffic, he'll give one to a kid and ask them to play with it in front of the store a while.
 

Two kid-sized racquets featuring shell designs and a boing-y surface, team up with two brightly colored balls to make a great racquet set that will entice players of all ages to "come out of their shells." Improves hand-eye coordination and encourages physical activity.
— In a March 2012 survey, Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that this is one of her best selling outdoor toys for younger kids.

This set includes Two 5 1/2" Water Rockets; One 8 1/2" Water Rocket; 2 Fuel Funnels and Launcher; Rocketry Booklet.
— In a March 2012 survey about best selling outdoor toys, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that she sells about a dozen of this water rocket set each month.
— As of 03/08/2012 this product had 2.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com. Pros: Fun when pump is working properly. Cons: Many reviewers said the pump was not strong enough to jettison the rocket high into the air.

This is the official Wiffle Ball brand 32 inch bat in classic yellow with a 12 inch softball. This is the same ball, made by the same family that started the whole thing way back in 1952.
— In a March 2012 survey, Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that her best selling outdoor toy is the original Wiffle Ball and Bat. “It's all retro, and it's under $10. It's made in the USA, and it's a good outdoor family toy,” she said. They sell "A dozen a month, easily, not including extra balls people buy."

The original Hula Hoop. Promotes physical activity. Contains ball inside for the Shoop-Shoop Hula Hoop sound effect. Assortment of three sizes.
— In a March 2012 survey about outdoor toys, Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly that they sell 65 of the Original Hula Hoop each month.

Now kids can create a pretty plushy photo pillow. Use the stylus to punch purple fabric and make this fun and easy fabric-by-number craft. Add funky foam and sparkling jewels and choose the perfect photo to display.  This no mess craft teaches number and pattern recognition and creates a finished product to show off their fave photos. In the great craft traditions of Sticky Mosaics® and Rug Hooking, PlushCraft™ allows a rewarding craft experience for young crafters. Match fabric colors to numbers and decorate beautiful pillows, room decor, journals, and other soft & colorful items. Launch date: March 2012.

There are nine different creatures in the initial release of Monstaz. Each one comes in three sizes. The large version is 8 inches tall, the regular version is 5.25 inches tall and the key-clip version is 2.75 inches tall. Sizes vary slightly. The swing tag for each Monstaz shows its birthday and information about the creature. The swing tag on the initial release of Monstaz is a new design. The Ty heart/logo swing tag has been replaced by a custom Monstaz swing tag.

Jumbo Bananagrams features 144 waterproof, three-inch square tiles packaged in a funky giant yellow banana-shaped tote bag. Requiring no pencil, paper or board, Jumbo Bananagrams is addictive fun and educational play for kids age five to 105. Players race against each other to build giant crossword grids and use all their letter tiles. Launch date: Summer 2012.

For 2012, play catch with this new, delightful Golden Retriever Puppy from Safari Ltd®. Its shaggy golden coat and eager expression capture this adoring animal’s most treasured features at a darling young age. Size is 2.75”L x 2.25”H. Suitable for ages 3+. All products are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.
— William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell about 30 replica animals from Safari each month (more during the holidays, as stocking stuffers), making them one of their overall best selling toys.

For 2012, discover the thrills of leading a wolf pack with the new Safari Ltd® Wolf. Listen for the echoes of its piercing howl as it communicates with its fellow pack members. Standing 5.25”L x 3”H this figure is appropriate for ages 3+. All figures are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.

In the clouds above lives a mystical and translucent Cloud Dragon. Safari Ltd® welcomes this magical creature to its 2012 collection. Beware, as its icy cold breath gives a cool breeze to the world below. Measuring 8.5”L x 4”H, this model is appropriate for ages 4+. All products are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Study the chip-chip sounds that give name to the new 2012 life size Eastern Chipmunk from Safari Ltd®. Learn from this intelligent creature as its perked ears listen closely for the softest of sounds. Model is 7”L x 3.5”H and is appropriate for ages 3+. All products are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.

This garage-themed playhouse is made of soft, durable 100% Cotton Canvas. A carry bag is included. Flame retardant, meets CPAI-84 & ASTM F963 safety standards. Dimensions: 52.5” x 42” x 64.5”. Launch date: August 2012.

Toy Boarders are made just like the toy soldiers that have been around for decades, but why promote war to kids when you now can promote a positive image of fun and exercise with these authentic skateboarders? They are hand designed and molded with remarkable attention to detail and style. Launch date: 2012.

34277 Maisto - 1999 Shelby Series One Convertible. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model. This Shelby is a 7"L x 3"W x 1.75"H die cast metal car with openable doors & hood. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors. This 1999 Shelby is manufactured by Maisto. Launch date: January 12, 2011.

34213/937 Maisto - Ford Mighty F-350 Super Duty Pickup (1:31 scale) & 1999 Ford F350 Super Duty Pick-up trucks (1:27 scale). These Ford pickup trucks are approximately 8"L x 3"Wx 2.75"H die cast metal car with free wheeling, and openable doors. These Ford pickup trucks are manufactured by Maisto. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors and styles. Launch date: January 12, 2011.

34210 Showcasts - Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is a 7.75"L x 3.25"Wx 1.75"H die cast metal car with free wheeling, openable doors & trunk. This Lamborghini Aventador LP-700-4 is manufactured by Maisto. 4 pcs per display box. 34210 is in assorted color. Launch date: January 12, 2011.

34207 Maisto - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Chevrolet Camaro is an 8"L x 3"W x 2.25"H die cast car with openable doors & hood. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors. The Chevy Camaro is manufactured by Maisto. GM is a trademark of the General Motors Corporation. Launch date: January 12, 2011.

24210 Yatming - Gaz Volga (M-21) Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Gaz Volga (M-21) is an 8"L x 3"W x 2.5"H diecast metal car with free wheeling, and openable doors. Individually packed in a window box WB. Box measures 10.25"L x 4.75"W x 4.25"H. This 1957 Gaz Volga (M-21)is manufactured by Yat Ming. Item 24210 is in GREEN color. Launch date: January 12, 2011.

43202 Yatming Road Signature - 1967 Shelby GT500 Hard Top. 1:43 scale diecast collectible model car. This Shelby GT-500 is a 4.25"Lx 1.5"Wx 1.25"H die cast metal car. Sits on a display plaque. Road Signature collection. The 1967 Shelby GT500 is manufactured by Yat Ming. 43202 is in ORANGE color with Black Stripes. Individually packed in a hard plastic case. Case size: 6"Lx 2.75"Wx 3"H. Launch date: January 12, 2011.