April 2012 Notable Toys — All

There are six Sweet Puppies in the kennel including PJ the Black Lab, Tootsie the Beagle, Patsy the Golden Retriever, Gi-Gi the Yellow Lab, Button the Bernese Mountain Dog and Abby the German Shepherd. Each adorable pup is created of the softest mohair fur and obediently sits at 10-inches. Each wears a cute red webbed collar.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— In a May 2012 survey about best selling plush and puppets, Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., told TDmonthly that they "sell about 175-200 pieces" of Douglas plush each month.

Douglas, known for their classic breeds, recently introduced five new 12" Standing Cats. These kittens have cattitude as they strike a pose with their classic cat gestures. They have that take-me-home-look about them and are irresistibly endearing and uber soft. Each one stands straight and alert seeking love and attention. Even their tails are perky in a happy-go-lucky way. Zipper the Grey Tabby, Tiffy the Orange Tabby, Midnight the Black Cat and Scooter the Black and White Cat are all new for 2012.

The Salt Water Fuel Cell Giant Arachnoid Kit gives children a chance to learn about new forms of clean energy, while building and powering their very own toy: Feed it saltwater and watch it scurry away...After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the magnesium metal sheet (3 sheets included) can operate the Spider for about 5-7 hours continuously. Because of these life-like similarities, the user may want to stop this insectoid. It is easy, simply take out the fuel cell module and rinse with tap water and dry.

The Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck Kit is equipped with four-wheel drive mechanical construction. It easily handles different types of terrain by its twisted car body design. It has two transformable engine blocks: V engine or flat engine. The transparent case design allows children to see the rhythm of the piston in vertical or horizontal position. Each monster wheel can change its angle individually and the truck can change its height and shape. Forward and reverse...no problem; simply switch the "positive and negative" connectors. The Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck gives children a chance to learn about new forms of clean energy, while building and powering their very own kit: Just add saltwater. After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the magnesium metal sheet (3 sheets included) can operate the car for about 5-7 hours continuously. To park the vehicle, simply take out the fuel cell module and rinse with tap water and dry.

FirstBIKE is a developmental training bike which enhances motor skills, builds confidence, and teaches proper two wheel balance and cornering. FirstBIKE Balance Bikes feature Safety Stop handbrake system, steering limiter, ergonomic balance bike-specific saddle, and all made from an unbreakable composite with a lifetime warranty. Launch date: November 2011.

Patterned challenge cards invite curiosity, logic & determination. Created by famed puzzle creator Ivan Moscovich. A tricky and baffling brainteaser to wrap one's mind around. Fold, loop, turn, open and close the perpetual hinge to recreate and match the 56 pattern challenges. Includes 56 Challenges, 1 Hinge. Launch date: April 2012.

One of five unique hexagon-based pieces make up a single block piece providing versatility, variety, and extended thought. The five hexagon-based pieces include: a single hexagon; 2, 3, and 4 hexagons - joined in linear arrangement; 3 hexagons joined in a non-linear arrangement. Includes 24 Congruently cool & colorful hexagonal building blocks; 5 unique hexagon-based pieces - a single hexagon; 2, 3, and 4 hexagons - joined in linear arrangement; 3 hexagons joined a non-linear arrangement; Full-color illustrated Building Guide with 20 engaging design challenges; facts of hexagons in nature & mechanics.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

Famed puzzle inventor Ivan Moscovich has an eye for the unusual and a mind for enigmas. His latest magnetic collection of brainteasers, Craniatics is a visual cocktail of new configurations. Includes ten magnetic challenges with solutions. Includes three Craniatics games suitable for 1 or more players.

An innovative new magnetic, crescent shaped building block. A magnet rolls through each Arx piece, giving any builder the option of building in ways that defy common thought. When the magnetic force between two Arx pieces meets, kids’ll feel the slight click as the magnets adhere. 24 Versatile magnetic pieces. Building base included (optional for building). Launch date: August 2012.

Drop the shiny metal marble sphere into the Paradox Box. Guide it through the blind maze.  Can players find the opposite exit without losing THEIR marbles? It’s a mental workout players can’t see coming - so deceiving they’ll wonder where in the heck that marble’s going.  Just maybe they’ll learn the secret...The one and only Paradox Box. Includes 1 metal sphere, 1 Paradox Box. Launch date: August 2012.

Flingin’ Frogs is for one or more players, and play involves catapulting 12 miniature frogs onto five tiers of lily pads, worth varying levels of points. Children can play by themselves or challenge their friends. The lily pad play piece conveniently turns into a storage and travel case too. Big Little Games are available in three titles: Flingin’ Frogs™, Spurtle Turtle™ and Super Shooter Basketball™. The games’ small size makes them perfect for birthday gifts, Easter basket stuffers and small rewards. Launch date: May 2012.

Monster High Skull Shores Black and White Frankie Stein Doll Its spring break, and all the ghoul kids are heading to an island adventure for some roaring good times. Frankie Stein is decked out in a spooktacular swimsuit with cover-up and has a cool treat to help spring into break.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cool black and white design; different hairstyle than previous Frankie Stein dolls. Cons: Outfit is a little risque.

From the Hunger Games movies and NECA comes the Highly Detailed "Katniss" 7 Inch Action Figure. Figures are sculpted in the movie likeness , and painted in great detail.

A complete art kit for families on the go. This natural cotton carry case with built in crayon holster, pencil holders and pockets is fully equipped with a 6"x9" recycled paper notepad, 10 soy crayons, 5 drawing stencils including a 6" ruler (metric and inches), 2 wood pencils, and plenty of storage! Perfect  for restaurants when waiting for your food, airports, and road trips. This 8"x10"carry case fits in a baby bag and has built in handles for the little ones to carry proudly. Made from Plants - primarily natural cotton, soy, paper.

Complete with secret hiding place for storing buried treasure, the Super Set Pirates Cove is the perfect set for young swashbucklers looking for the next adventure. Set includes two figures, a fortress with secret compartment, a working cannon, dinghy and oars, and additional accessories.
— In an April 2012 survey, Ming Yang co-owner of Richard's Variety Store in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly that Playmobil is "always a stable item" in the construction category.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that Playmobil was an overall bestselling brand at her store.

The Plui bath toy is a vinyl sphere with one nozzle at the top and several at the bottom; dunk Plui underwater to fill it, and then watch the “rain” come out. Kids control the flow of water by covering or uncovering the top nozzle.

Nine Squares + Three Rules = One Solution. This collection of 48 puzzles will enhance critical thinking, logic and deductive reasoning skills while sharpening math and sequencing. Each EquiLogic puzzle provides number, symbol, color or shape hints. Using these clues, players put their deductive reasoning skills to the test and must find the magic number by identifying the correct combination of tiles and numbers. With only three rules to follow, kids will quickly be scratching their brain to arrive at the solution.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Contents: coin battery (rechargeable via micro usb cable) bargraph pressure sensor. Snap and play: magnets prevent kids from putting things the wrong way. Play with light, sound, sensing and buttons without wiring, soldering or programming. Kids can make their own interactive objects, or combine with other construction toys.

Build a burger higher and higher with toppings without making it fall. The wobbly plate is placed on the table and a bun is put on it. Players take turns rolling the die to see how many ingredients to add to the super sandwich. With every turn the burger towers higher. Enhance logic and reasoning skills as well as fine motor skills. Can be played as a cooperative game or a competitive game. Contains 14 burger parts, game die, and plate.

The book is divided into six themed chapters—transportation, buildings, space, kingdoms, adventure, and useful makes—each with basic templates of key models and spreads to inspire kids to create their own. Hints and tips from Master Builders can help kids turn their classic car into a race car or add a bridge to their castle. Featuring all-new LEGO® building projects, tips to supplement and enhance LEGO creations, inspirational builds, and expert advice from LEGO Master Builders, The LEGO Ideas Book will keep kids of all ages creating for hours. Launch date: September 19, 2012.

Hunt down the Rebels in the iconic TIE Fighter. Equipped with dual flick missiles and opening cockpit, this instantly recognizable and hugely popular starship of the Imperial fleet returns to battle the rebel alliance once again. Includes 4 minifigures: TIE fighter pilot, Imperial officer, Death Star trooper and R5-J2 droid.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Stonger than previous sets; more representative of the Tie Fighters seen in the movies than previous sets.
— In a May 2013 survey, 50% of retailers surveyed told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best-selling line of licensed products.
— Helen Santosuosso, owner of Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that LEGO Star Wars is one of their store's best-selling toy lines.

C-3PO and R2-D2 have the secret plans to escape the Death Star, and must avoid capture by heading to the desert planet Tatooine in their escape pod. Will they land safely and avoid being captured by the Imperial sandtroopers on their swoop bike? Includes 4 minifigures: C-3PO, R2-D2 and 2 sandtroopers.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Design has improved from previous sets; escape pod is larger and more detailed; good assortment of useful LEGO bricks.
— In a May 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best selling licensed product.

Introducing the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. This masterpiece of expressionist architecture is the vision of young Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, whose unique interlocking vaulted ‘shell' design beat 933 competitors from 28 countries to win an international design competition held by the New South Wales Government in 1959. Combined with the beautiful setting of Sydney Harbour, the opera house has become a true symbol of late modern architecture and one of the most iconic buildings of the 20th century. This LEGO Architecture series interpretation of the Sydney Opera House was designed by US architect Adam Reed Tucker in collaboration with the LEGO design team.

The Power Rangers iconic Megazord comes in a sleek Samurai look. Three ways to play: 1) Morph as Megazord mode; 2) Morph as Zord mode; 3) Morph with items in the ZordBuilder collection. The ZordBuilder collection takes Deluxe Megazords to an ultimate level. Collect and combine with: Cycles or Zord Vehicles (#31550 or #31565, each sold separately). Collect all the Megazords and Zord Vehicles to create the Samurai GigaZord.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; has three modes of play. Cons: Difficult for kids to maneuver and connect.