April 2012 Notable Toys — All

It’s the ultimate set for water battles – a colorful Splash Sword, bright Splash Shield and of course, a Splash Bomb.

Kits include two Shains matching bracelets packaged with 100 multi-colored elements comprised of 75 letters, ten numbers and 15 icons. Matching bracelet colors can be specified, or can be mixed using any two of Shains’ 25 colors.

Brass wind instruments have played an important role in the music of New Orleans since the Spanish-American War, and were vital tools for the development of jazz during the first half of the 20th century. Putumayo's New Orleans Brass collection taps the contemporary scene for a characteristically pleasurable range of rhythms and moods. The lineup includes the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins, James and Troy Andrews, the Yockamo All-Stars, Leroy Jones, and John Boutté. Artists performing in perhaps slightly more old-fashioned styles are Glen Andrews & the Lazy Six, the Preservation Hall Hot 4, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Bob French's Original Tuxedo Band with Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown, and the Dukes of Dixieland, a much hipper-sounding ensemble than the mainstream Dixie pop group of the same name that made million-selling LPs during the 1950s and '60s. Once again, Putumayo offers substantial, accessible music to groove and move to, this time in the form of a good healthy shot of soulful sounds right up off of the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana.
— Jen Fairclough, assistant manager of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly in a January 2012 survey that they sell six of this CD, which plays in the store, each month.

This award-winning set includes a mini rainbow shaker, baby maraca, baby rattle and cage bell. Includes a vinyl carrying case.
Awards: 2007 Creative Child Magazine Top Toy of the Year Award
— As of 01/09/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 24 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a January 2012 survey, Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that their best selling musical item was, "Baby Band from Hohner — we had them for just a few months, and sold 15/month. It's a popular item."

This keyboard encourages interactive play with lots of buttons to press and plenty of musical choices for singing, playing, and recording. The Meowsic Keyboard comes with a book of lyrics and a small book of favorite kid quotes posted on the B Quote Gallery. Has a record button with instant play back, five instrument sounds and five beat choices, as well as a 20-song playlist that includes seven cat-themed songs.
— As of 1/6/2012 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 60 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of songs to choose from; Includes black keys as well as white keys. Cons: Some parents very strongly believed that the pre-recorded songs sounded terrible, and that the songs sung with "meow" instead of regular lyrics were intolerably annoying; a few reported that certain keys wouldn't work simultaneously.
— In a 2012 survey about musical products, two of 13 retailers told TDmonthly that the Meowsic Keyboard from Battat was their top seller in the category.

Pounding sends the balls tinkling over the xylophone. Pull out the keyboard and the xylophone can be played solo. All Hape products comply with EN71 and ASTM quality standards - wood used comes from FSC managed forests.
Awards: May 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This item was named a Top-10 Musical toy in February and a Top-10 Wooden toy in March by specialty retailers interviewed by TDmonthly. Its innovative design combines the elements of the popular shape sorting/tapping toy and the xylophone, giving it great play value.
— As of 1/6/2012 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; lots of ways to play. Cons: The keyboard is not properly tuned.
— In a 2012 survey about Musical Products, three out of 13 retailers said this item was their best seller. Kelly Boone, manager of The Elephant's Trunk in Greenville, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold at least 36 during the holidays.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that this was their bestseller in the category. Kristin Dolle, manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. told TDmonthly that they sell between 8 and 12 units of this item each month.

The latest Pentago utilizes the sleek design style of the Multi-Player version in the compact ready to go, two-player version. Pentago is a two-player game in which the object is to create a row of five markers, in any direction, before your opponent does, but with a twist. Each move consists of placing a marker and then twisting one of the four game blocks; simple yet ingenious.

Kids will spend hours of creative fun decorating their pets with their own bright colors and patterns with this Design a Pet Kit. The Design a Pet Kit from Toysmith 4M contains a sand filled lizard, fish and frog for kids to paint and decorate. Each pet has their own adoption certificate and habitat. Kit includes: 3 sand filled pets, water soluable paints, paintbrush, adoption certificates, and habitats.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell a dozen of this toy each month. In fact, they sell so quickly that they "Can't keep them in stock!"

A complete Shrinky Dinks fun factory with oodles of supplies. Includes 10 sheets of pre-printed Shrink film, charm bracelets, beads, greeting cards, gift tags, jewelry cord, hair clips and key chains. Plus 8 color pencils, pencil sharpener and hole punch.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly that Shrinky Dinks Deluxe was a best selling item.

Kids can custom design this jewelry box with shimmering faux jewels and colorful foam tiles. Includes more than 750 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, ten of 13 retailers said Sticky Mosaics from the Orb Factory were among their top two best sellers in the category. Retailers reported selling anywhere from 10 to 150 each month.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Sticky Mosaics from The Orb Factory were their best selling product. Elmer Caranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell about 2 dozen items from the Sticky Mosaics line each month, and that it's been a best seller for almost a year now.

This extravagant three-story doll house is made of natural wood with two grand staircases to each floor. The hip and modern design showcases six different rooms: Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen, Patio, Study and Living room. Fits most Groovy Girls furniture and 13" standing dolls. The open floor plan allows girls to play with her dolls from many different angles and is large enough for multiple children to play together. Adult assembly required. Size: 28.5" L x 19" W x 48"H

Add a recycled magazine and two plastic bottles to this kit and blast a paper rocket up to 80 feet high. Exclusive to Toysmith in the U.S.
— In a January 2015 survey, 2 out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that 4M, distributed in the US by Toysmith, was their best-selling brand of STEM toys.

Pick a theme, find the materials, and let the creativity flow. Each kit includes Makedo’s reusable re-clips, lock-hinges, safe-saw, an inspirational poster and stickers to complete the creation. Through playful creativity take recyclable materials commonly found in the home and transform them into creations. Exclusive to Toysmith in the U.S.

There’s no dice to roll in Patch’s new version of Farkle. In Farkle Flip™ The Quick-Grabbing, Risk-Taking Card Game™, Patch puts a new spin on the popular family game by turning it into a card game. Players flip cards over, hoping to make combinations to help them win using their own cards or another player’s cards. If a player draws a Farkle, they lose their points for that round. But they can score those Farkle cards later – definitely a new twist on Farkle. Launch date: 2012.

The brightly colored big eyed patriarchs, Mr 'n' Mrs Owl, are large and soft. Their five lively children come as keychains and can be carried around or used as cute, small decorations. Launch date: January 2012.

It’s layer after layer of fun frilly ruffles filled with floral prints and loads of polka dots beneath a pretty embroidered yoke. Each 8” wide bag is the perfect size for little divas to carry all those must-have items. The bag has two wide coordinating print handles embellished with grosgrain ribbon. There are seven new Ruffle Totes to choose from.

Sillos are trendy, fashion-forward purses in the shape of an animal. There are many new styles: bird, elephant, owl, chihuahua, butterflies, and horses! They are sturdy working purses approximately 10" wide with shoulder straps and plastic zippers.  Lots of coordinating patterns and colors with that Douglas touch for "Everygirl!"

This 5½-inch clutch toy features soft pastel colors, and has two petal rings that can be moved up, down and away. Listen for the rustling sound and watch baby’s eyes light up. The plush feel comes from a mix of velour and cotton/polyester. Also available in blue "Kai" style.

This colorful pull toy always makes a happy face and will follow baby wherever s/he wanders. Caterpillar wiggles her whole body when pulled. Made from beech wood, the body of this toy measures 12 inches long.

This red-roofed barn has dual purposes, as a handy farmhouse setting for adventures and later as a carry-all for stored farm toys. The large playset includes Farmer Tim, a tractor, 8 animals including a cat and dog, straw bales, shrubs and fencing. Launch date: 2012.

Meet Mama and her Baby Zoobling. Mama is bigger than most other Zoobles and can hold her baby right inside her belly. Their shared Happitat comes with a hot spot for mom and a bassinet for baby to rest and play when not safely in her Mama’s belly Together they’re always having adventures and looking out for one another. With a Mama and Baby Zoobling the whole family springs to life.

It’s almost time for the Heartlake Dog Show and Mia is getting her puppy groomed and ready. Use the soap, spray bottle and tub to help Mia give her puppy a bath. Brush its hair on the grooming table and dress it up with a pretty bow. Head out to the puppy parade and win a first prize ribbon to hang on the puppy’s house. All of the Lego Friends will be so proud to watch her compete. Includes Mia mini-doll figure and puppy, plate, bone, bows, prizes, spray bottle, soap and brushes. Set features grooming table, tub, puppy house and apple tree.

Emma is dreaming up her next fancy fashion design. Help her to make new stylish designs for all of the Lego Friends. Use her laptop for inspiration and design table with color samples to create fun fashions. She can take photos of her work with the camera. Crank up the tunes with her mp3 player while she creates. Emma has everything she needs to create trendy new dresses and the coolest clothes for all of her friends to wear. Includes Emma mini-doll figure. Accessories include sandwich, cup, ruler, inspiration board and flowers. Features chest of drawers, design table with ruler, desk, laptop, camera, and mp3 player.

Take the Lego Friends fun to the tree tops with Olivia’s Tree House. All of the friends love meeting in this treetop retreat to play games and camp out under the stars. Climb the folding ladders to watch the ladybirds, catch butterflies and feed the cat. Watch the ocean waves or wish on stars through the telescope. Stash secret treasures in the hidden compartment and decorate the whole fort with wildflowers. Includes Olivia mini-doll figure, and features the tree house pet cat Maxie, 4 ladybirds, a bird Goldie with birdhouse, 4 butterflies, hidden compartment and folding ladders.
— As of 02/28/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews on Amazon.com.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys