April 2013 Notable Toys — General Toys

Pretty in Pink Blocks! Bright and colorful pink pattern blocks to create your own dream house- No Boys Allowed! 100 and 200 pc sets available Summer 2013.

This play sand is made up of regular sand and a special non-toxic compound that makes it sticky - but only to itself. This means that kids can use it just like wet sand, while grownups don't have to worry about it making a big mess. The sand is also waterproof, so kids can make water features in their sand castle without having to worry about the castle washing away.
— In a August 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Kinetic Sand was their best-selling toy.
— In a November 2014 survey, two retailers told TDmonthly that Kinetic Sand is one of their store's best-selling educational toys.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

Float like a Butterfly with these beautiful Skydog creations. Easy to fly and made of durable ripstop nylon and fiberglass, these Butterflies and Bugs will be fun flying favorites for many years.

Made with weather resistant rip stop polyester fabric and fiberglass rods. 30-inch long by 30-inch wide - with (3) 12-feet tails. Bold bright colors - easy assembly. Kite bag, kite line and handle included. Easy to fly in winds ranging from 6~20 mph.

Looking for the best game for a large group? Hop aboard the 20 Express! Each player has a train of 20 cars to fill with numbers. The goal is to create the longest ascending series possible. Twenty numbered tiles are randomly drawn. With every draw, the number must board a car and stay there. Break a series and you miss out on points. Like in Bingo, you need luck on your side, but strategic thinking and sharp guesswork pays off. With clear-cut game play and lots of suspense, it’s full steam ahead for an unlimited number of players!

There is always a match until...Nada! Scoop up the dice and let ‘em roll. Quick—scan the array for matching symbols between the orange and white dice. The first to call a match collects all the dice showing that symbol. No matches? No problem! It’s another chance to win. Shout “Nada!” to snatch up all the dice. But speak too soon and you’ll pay the price. This dice game has 3 play variations. Think sharp and act fast to match, snatch, and win!

Watch the sparks fly in this lightning-fast dice dash! Players race to complete eight challenges and try to rack up the most points. With three play variations, Flash is the go-to dice game for electrifying fun. Straightforward and quick, you can go at it again and again. Every one of all ages gets bit by the competition bug and has a fair shot to victory.

Stomp it, launch it, catch it! This Rocket Zoomer comes with 2 soft, safe foam rockets to send flying through the air. Load a rocket onto the base and stomp on the pump to shoot the rocket straight up with the force of air. Includes a sturdy, easy to assemble base and one 5" and one 6.5" rocket.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Rocket Zoomers are their best selling outdoor toy.

Get the ultimate archery experience with the foam Z-Curve Bow. Hook in the Zartz Arrow or BlazeX Long-Range Arrow, position the shot, and watch it safely glide through the air for an incredible 125 feet. Includes one Z-Curve Bow, two BlazeX Long-Range Arrows and 1 Suction-Cup Zartz Arrow.
— "The Z-Curve Bow is the best selling outdoor toy that we have right now," Kim Emigh, manger of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey.

This Spanish sphere puzzle challenges users in several ways to solve the sphere, by matching the colors or making certain patterns. There are five different levels of difficulty, and the sphere can be twisted in nine different ways.

Children will build confidence in the water with their new swimming buddy. These sweet, huggable plush toys have buoyant flotation, and quick-dry outer fabric and stuffing, making them the perfect companion for kids in and out of the water. Take Pooligans in the water for floating fun and out of the water for poolside comfort. Created with anti-microbial materials for long-lasting enjoyment. Four characters available: Dolphin, Shark, Penguin, and Polar Bear. Each character sold separately. Launch date: February 2013.

There’s more to this cute little tugboat than meets the eye. Introducing the SwimWays Flip Float, a new toy for preschool water play. Water babies will love transforming the tug boat into a happy, smiling whale with a few big playful splashes of water. When submerged, the whale spouts bubbles as he journeys down under the water. The bright, bold colors encourage practicing of early letter sounds and counting. For ages 18 months +. Prices range from $7.95-$9.95. Launch date: February 2013.

Measuring 7", our new Bumble Bee Stick Toy is a great teether for little ones. Small enough for little hands and colorful enough to keep their attention. Made with the finest 100% GOTS certified organic Egyptian cotton. Launch date: March 2013.

Any little host will be proud to present these three layers of "delicious" yumminess. This fabulous cake can be topped with a bride and groom for a formal pretend wedding or with a flower bouquet to celebrate any special event. Serving and assembling this confection is easy with all the wooden layers, a selection of toppings, a server and decorative cake plate included in the "bakery" box.
— As of 1/17/2013 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 36 reviews on Amazon.com.

Perfect for role-play, school projects, and more. Wiz Dice are top-of-the-line dice in a variety of colors and styles. With clear, easy to read numbers, these dice will transform game play into something magical.

Amelia is made from high quality, durable vinyl and is 16 inches tall with articulated elbows and knees. This deluxe doll comes dressed in a historically inspired Victorian school dress of blue cotton, with striped collar and cuffs, ruffled pantalets and undershirt. Sturdy school boots and a straw boater hat complete the outfit. Please note that the hair is styled up for this image. The doll comes with loose hair that can be styled any way kids like.

Matilda is made from high quality, durable vinyl and is 16-inches tall with articulated elbows and knees. As Matilda and Katherine twirl about the room in their new dresses, Matilda feels as if she in a dream. Her new dress is the most beautiful she has ever seen...This deluxe doll comes dressed in an historically inspired costume of luxurious grey velvet with a plum kirtle, period underwear and petticoat. Court shoes, key necklace and headdress included.

Aurora’s award-winning Miyoni™ line features adorable animals from popular domestic, woodland, farm and jungle categories that are incredibly realistic and made with exceptional attention to detail. The collection boasts over 200 styles with new introductions throughout the year. Ages 3+ MSRP: $15.50

A six-sided block puzzle that encourages kids to re-create familiar animals, landmarks and map of USA. Turn the blocks to make 6 different puzzles...mix and match for more creative fun. Great educational toy that challenges the cognitive skills in assembling the matching blocks. Large 2” Blocks are easy to hold and play with. Includes a slide-out tray and mini images of completed puzzles. Launch date: February 2013.

Hero, Vampire, Rocker and Pirate styles available.  Mix and match; the more kids collect, the more possibilities they have. Recycled wood, made in the USA.

Playing with new foods encourages kids to try them. Watch a real sushi chef (Itamae) in action. Roll sandwiches or filled lettuce leaves into sushi shapes.

Emma's dojo is a piece of the Far East, right here in Heartlake City. Practice Emma's favorite martial arts and help her to prepare for another fantastic performance. Train hard to win the trophy by chopping the practice block in half. After a great practice, wind down in the tranquil environment with the cute bonsai tree and drink some water. Then use the mask and sword to start mastering kendo. Includes Emma mini-doll figure.

The ultimate swamp battle is on. Leonidas and Lonnex are making a jet-bike escape with the Croc tribe’s CHI, but it takes more than that to outsmart croc prince Cragger. Fire up Cragger's Command Ship and go after them. Activate the huge snapping mouth, swipe the croc tail and fire the CHI-powered missiles. Call in their Raven ally Rawzom to track them from the air or to swoop down from above and catch those CHI-nabbing cats. Then, deploy the stealthy mini boats and high-flying croc helicopter to stop them from ever leaving the swamp. Includes 6 minifigures with assorted weapons.

Soar high above the mystical world of Chima in Razcal’s Glider to help Razcal guard the CHI. Fend off other tribes with the Raven Glider’s beak and grabbing claws, or capture them with the chain. Protect the Raven tribe’s CHI. Includes Razcal minifigure and a buildable weapon. Launch date: 2013.
— Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-sea, Mass, told TDmonthly that LEGO's new Chima line is their overall best seller.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Legends of Chima was their best-selling construction toy line.