January 2009 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

This animals-themed Kids Color Tissue Box® kit features illustrations of popular animals such as a tiger and a panda for a child to color in. Each animal occupies a different face of the tissue box. Each Kids Color Tissue Box® kit includes 2 Coloring boxes, 4 Crayola® Crayons, and 2 packs of Hankeez Brand facial tissues, each with 80 SuperSoft 2-ply tissues in each pack. The tissue box size measues 4 3/8" x 4 3/8" at the base, and 4 3/4" tall.

Hours of creative entertainment for the young jeweler are packed into this boxed learning-activity-turned-craft. Kids can use the bright laces, various shapes and alphabet beads to create keepsake jewelry for themselves or parents, or use the kit as a reusable lacing set to practice spelling and patterning. 
— “The Melissa & Doug bead stringing kits” are the best-selling craft item at Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., Owner Shirley Reilly told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Reilly said she sells around 20 kits per month.
— Fifteen percent of 44 retailers said Melissa & Doug supply their best-selling craft kits.
— Kim Emigh, VP of E-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Penn., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that this was a top-2 best selling jewelry item at their store.

The LaQ basic 3 includes all 7 types of blocks with a balanced number of pieces in the 6 basic colors of red, blue, yellow, green, white, black. This 650 piece kit includes a Starter Instruction Book and Collection 1 Instruction Book so that beginners can create a variety of LaQ models.

The Kidzsack is a high quality, multifunctional, and durable bag with a screenprint that kids can color in using the 8 provided color markers. The Castle Kidzsack has received the 2008 Preferred Choice Award in the Creative Activities category.

This set includes supplies to make six handcrafted ornaments to give as gifts or to adorn the Christmas tree. It comes with hanging ribbon and gift envelopes.
— Creativity for Kids “offers kids 2 to 12 years old a craft they can do alone or along with other friends, [and the] prices are just right, too. Also, they have never given me a problem with returns,” Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in late 2008. More than 7 percent of 52 retailers named the company as a favorite supplier.

The CALAFANT Castle is part of the CALAFANT cardboard kit line and is extra sturdy and easy to build. Children can decorate it any way they like and get really creative. Not only is it fun to decorate the castle, it's also a wonderful toy and a cool home for knights, kings, princesses and dragons. The toy is fully recyclable and won't take up space in a landfill. Launch date: January 4, 2008.

With a treehouse kit made from high-quality, extra durable cardboard, all pieces come precut and easy to assemble. The child can decorate this treehouse with paint, crafting materials and get very creative. After decorating and building it, the kids can play with it and incorporate it in their every day play. Ideal size for play with 3" dolls or animal figurines. The material is 100% recyclable. Approximate size is 15" x 16" x 22". Launch date: June 1, 2008.

Kids can color these 24-piece, two-sided jigsaw puzzles with the five jumbo wipe-off crayons that are included in the sturdy sliding drawer box. Or, they can flip over the pieces over and assemble the pre-colored pieces to see the same scene. Launch date: August 2008.

The 16" x 16" polymer panels are designed so that kids can safely build three-dimensional structures kids. Launch date: March 2009.
— Dave Taylor of The Attachment Parenting Blog said Brik-A-Blok was a huge hit with his kids (ages 6 and 9). He noted that his kids’ constructions took up a great deal of space, with Brik-A-Blok tunnels stretching throughout their home. Taylor called the building system “fabulously cool,” though he lamented the high price tag.
— Brik-A-blok was the "most funnest review ever!" for She Scribes’ Kimberley and her son. Her kids enjoyed creating new structures with the versatile panels. However, Kimberley also pointed out the large amount of space needed for the toy as well as the panels’ inability to support much weight.

Style Paige LLC introduces Shailie™: going beyond “dress-ups.” With Shailie™, girls design, create, and wear their own fashions. Shailie™ includes a life-size designer dress form and stand. Shailie™ dresses come in pieces. Sleeves, skirts, tops, and accessories come in various styles, colors, and lengths. All pieces easily attach and detach; girls can mix and match creating endless looks to wear. Launch date: February 13, 2009.

This tutu features a two-tone organza petal topskirt over a tulle tutu with flower trim. It is child-sized and comes in turquoise, lavender and pink. Launch date: March 2009.

This dress features a panné velvet leotard and a glitter topskirt over the tulle and organza skirt. It is available in light blue and pink, and comes in four sizes: XSC, SC, MC and LC. Launch date: February 2009.
— Two of 52 retailers mentioned costumes and accessories from A Wish Come True when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling Halloween items in fall 2008.

This pre-colored, walk-in cardboard castle is designed for children to climb in, crawl in, play in, and decorate inside and out. It is beautiful, sturdy and offers lots of room for play and even storage, with secret compartments in the towers. The slot-and-groove system makes it easy to build, and it's made in Germany from extra-durable, lightweight white cardboard. The castle measures approximately 41" x 41" x 49". "[It's] better than any regular playhouse because children can color it and play with it," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. "You can build this castle in three different configurations depending on what space you have available." Launch date: 2008.

This creative and fun fashion accessory comes with a Web address and decoder card. It introduces online banking for kids to save for free prizes, and is a great impulse item. It received a 2008 Creative Child Award of Excellence. Launch date: February 14, 2008.

The Let’s Learn series of Puzzle Doubles! combines a puzzle with additional activities into a highly educational, interactive learning experience for your child. The Let’s Learn puzzles introduce numbers, letters, animals, transportation, foods, and colors & shapes in a bright and colorful way. After assembling the colorful “talk about” puzzle, turn the puzzle over for an entertaining learning activity! Color in the illustrations using the enclosed write- on/wipe-off crayons, and practice those hand writing skills by tracing and writing the letters and words as shown. Each 50 piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up.

The Create A Scene series combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for children. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reusable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity. The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up.

This kit includes everything a young author needs to write and illustrate an inspirational book. It comes with two cover pages, 18 book pages, 10 washable markers, Internet Production drawing tools, and a story planner that references Christian topics and stories from the Bible. Production of the 7" x 9" hardcover book takes three to four weeks.

Celebrate the couple’s recent marriage under the Party Tent.  Includes three figures, two-layer wedding cake, white tent, table for presents, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— Playmobil means “cute, exciting and detailed figure play,” said Patricia Fiedler, owner of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., where the toys were named best sellers in spring 2009.

Help the Police monitor the Police Headquarters. Prison cell comes with working door lock and breakout window and wall. The Police Headquarters is equipped with surveillance cameras and has a reception area, interrogation room, and a wall for equipment. Also includes three figures and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., likes Playmobil because its products are "not made in China, customers come back for more [and it offers] good play value," he told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Thirteen percent of 52 retailers named the company as a favorite.

Listen to the pianist as he performs a song for all to hear.  Includes a figure, white grand piano, sheet music, and stool.  Press the keys of the piano to play two wedding melodies. 2 AAA batteries required.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Help the pirates row their treasures to shore.  Includes two figures, parrot, rowboat that floats, hammock, rocks with hiding place for treasure filled chest, and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Assist the Vet with surgeries in the Operating Room.  Includes two figures, two puppies, kitten, turtle, X-Ray equipment with changeable slides, CT scanner, and many other accessories.  Also comes with removable casts that can be placed on animals.  Recommended for ages four and up.  Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Play and do a puzzle at the same time with the Wild Animal Puzzle. Includes a figure, monkey, giraffe, zebra, lion, cloud, and a colorfully decorated puzzle board.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up. 

Watch the newlyweds drive off in their yellow convertible.  Includes groom, bride with veil and bouquet, convertible with trunk space for luggage, and detachable flower decorations.  Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.