April 2012 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Andrea works at the City Park Cafe and loves dishing out tasty treats — when she is not singing into her broom and daydreaming of her big performance. It's the perfect place in Heartlake City for all of the Lego Friends to meet for milkshakes and burgers or to chill and have fun. Kids can bake goodies for the girls in the cafe kitchen, complete with everything needed to serve up cafe cuisine in style. Then hang in the outdoor dining area and have a milkshake in the sun. Order up a sweet snack, serve the customers and pay with Lego money bricks. Includes 2 mini-doll figures: Andrea and Marie.
— As of 4/18/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; fun to play with; very detailed. Cons: Too easy to put together; not as much educational or developmental value as other LEGO sets.

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.

Everything tastes better when you've got the right accessories. These safe and simple toys revolve around food and cooking, to promote realistic role play, and encourage healthy eating. The Apron Set includes an elasticized chef's hat, quilted oven mitt and bright orange-trimmed apron. The mitt and apron fabric is exclusive to Hape.

No kitchen is complete without these basic utensils.  The 13-piece set includes a pot with lid, fry pan, two plates, knives, forks, soup ladle and spatula and salt and pepper shakers that make sounds when shook.

Captain Charlie sets sails and heads off on his big journey. Equipped with the jacket, belt, hat and beard children quickly transform into brave pirates. An enemy ship ahoy! Captain Charlie whips his sword out and prepares the fetters for his prisoners. Together with his parrot he has many exciting adventures on the high seas.

A rolling pin, cookie cutters, and felt "dough" make baking seem real. Flip the shapes over and they're already decorated. Made of Wood, Water based paint, Felt, Aluminium alloy.

The Campfire Kids Campfire brings the great outdoors...indoors. Gather 'round the campfire and enjoy the night by the woodsy firelight. This simulated fire features a fan-powered flickering flame that is safe and cool to the touch. Glowing "embers" and realistic log design make this the natural "hotspot" for indoor campers. The no-heat firelight looks real, but feels cool. Includes 4 AA batteries.

Soup set includes 3 potatoes, cooking pan, lid & cooking spoon.

Boys and girls alike will spend hours creating their own fairytales and stories with this nine piece set of shadow puppets. Complete with forest, castle, king, queen, knight and others, these puppets can be used to cast shadows against the wall with a flashlight or behind a curtain (sold separately). Creativity will soar for children as they add on to their collection with the Circus theme and also prehistoric dinosaurs.  Each shadow puppet is die-cut and made of heavy duty card stock attached to a wooden dowel. Moulin Roty from France, celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2012! All wood comes from managed forests.

Ahoy Mates! Walk the plank! Arggggg! are just a few of the play sounds children will be uttering as The Sevi Buccaneer play set occupies their imagination. This 23 piece set comes complete with Captain, mates, grain, anchor, crow’s nest and of course, a treasure chest with map. Designed to be played with on the floor, this ship really rocks to provide realistic learning and fun for the child. Did we mention that Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker? Since 1831 Arrr… well, shiver me timbers!

Small knights can easily put this armor on thanks to the hook and loop fasteners. The armor comes with an extra chest protector showing a fiery dragon and an adjustable belt. Material: cotton/polyester. Dimensions: for children age 3 to 6.

The HABA doll family keeps growing and growing. We now have 15 dolls in our family in all sizes for all ages. Uncomparable to anything else on the market these dolls are value priced. Washable dolls with Chenille hair, soft bodies and beautiful fashion accessories. Yui is one of new dolls that is wearing a Japanese Kimono and carrying a fan. Launch date: February 2012.

These cute pretend fruits are made of polar fleece, and come in a sturdy pine box. Includes a tomato, banana, grapes, strawberry, orange, and a lemon. Anatina paint is NON TOXIC, the wood is FSC CERTIFIED, and the fabric is RECYCLED.

Creatures is a creative, strategic card game that blends friendly competition with a good laugh. Gameplay occurs as players mix and match 'FRONT', 'MIDDLE', and 'BACK' cards in their hand to create entirely new creatures, and stage attacks against the creatures in other players' hands. The illustrated portions of each card align to create an image of the new creature with a zany new fun fact. A creature which conquers all other players in a single turn becomes a 'Champion'. "With over 22,000 possible creature combinations, no two games are alike," Tyler Panian, owner of Creatures Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2011.

What could be better than a stack of pancakes for breakfast? Sliced strawberries and maple syrup add the finishing touches. "Combination of felt and wood with silk screen printed details on the strawberries. Nutrition facts on the back of the pancake box suggest playing with this Hape toy boosts the imagination," Robin Lehnert, Marketing Manager for Hape North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 Finalist for ASTRA Best Toys for Kids

Little builders with big ideas can work right at this professional-looking station. Shelves and storage keep all the tools and supplies in the 38 piece set within easy reach. Includes an "adjustable height counter that grows with a child," Robin Lehnert, Marketing Manager for Hape North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

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.

Includes a teapot and 4 cups. Dishwasher safe. Packed in a net bag. Ages 3 years +.

Adjustable microphone stand with light effects, 10 demo songs, 2 sound effects and volume control. Requires 4 AA batteries, not included. Retail box packed.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that microphones were their bestselling musical toys.

With this set, kids can practice counting, numbers and stacking. Includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1–5). Bowls nest to store—largest measures 21/4”H x 43/4” in diameter. Launch date: February 2012.

Measuring madness is coming to the kitchen. Enticing, chunky tools are contoured for little hands. Scale, bowl, 3 self-standing spoons and 6 unique cup designs help children visualize quantities as they make mystery goo, puffy paint, slime and more. Activity Cards included. Launch date: February 2012.

IVI three dimensional carpets encourage imaginative and creative play. These carpets are an alternative to today's fast-paced, technology-based toys. These unique carpets are designed by a Turkish architect and mother of two and were developed to promote independent thinking and a traditional process of discovery through play. Carpets are 100% polypropylene, hypo-allergenic, anti-static, stain resistant and made from non-flammable material. 3x5 feet.

IVI three dimensional carpets encourage imaginative and creative play. These carpets are an alternative to today's fast-paced, technology-based toys. These unique carpets are designed by a Turkish architect and mother of two and were developed to promote independent thinking and a traditional process of discovery through play. Carpets are 100% polypropylene, hypo-allergenic, anti-static, stain resistant and made from non-flammable material. 3x5 feet.

This enormous almost 5 foot tall by almost 4- foot square Tee Pee is large enough for the entire tribe. Made of durable 100% Cotton Canvas, the easy to set-up TeePee can be used indoors. The bright walls feature interesting designs and there is an easy access opening as well as a mesh window for ventilation purposes. The “Authentic TeePee” playhouse features a Cotton Canvas floor for extra comfort and wooden poles. The Tee Pee comes in its very own carry bag for easy storage.