January 2009 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

Spend the day outside playing at the Playground.  Includes three figures, bench, red slide, and a yellow dinosaur that rocks back and forth.  A figure can also sit on top of the dinosaur.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up.

Help the veterinarian treat the animals at the Animal Clinic.  Includes three figures, pony, peacock, birds, puppies, and rabbits. Also comes with ultrasound device, removable cast, bandages, bird cage, and many other accessories. Compatible with Animal Nursery (#4344) and Vet Operating Room (#4346). Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the roads safe with the Road Maintenance Truck.  The truck comes with blinking lights, removable snow plow, and 190º rotating arm. The loading bin tilts and the cabin roof is removable.  The dispenser also functions to release contents onto the ground.  Comes with a figure and many other accessories. 2 coin batteries included. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Sail along the Nile River in the Royal Ship of Egypt.  Includes three figures, functioning crossbow catapult, and many other accessories.  The battering ram hinges.  The ship rolls on wheels or floats on water, and it can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).  Dimensions: 22 x 13 x 13 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Keep the Pyramid from being invaded by releasing various traps with your very own amulet.  Intruders will have to overcome the collapsible staircase, chute, and scorpion trap.  There is also a secret treasure chamber, trapdoor with slide, and rotary secret chamber. The pyramid walls are removable. Set includes 4 figures, tomb, and many other accessories. Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 14 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages 5 and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

— "We sold out and are taking orders for it," Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly of this high-ticket item in late November 2009. He cited unit sales of about 25 per week.

— Eight of 44 retailers surveyed in late fall 2009 named the Playmobil Pyramid as one of their top sellers. Seven others cited the Playmobil line in general as a popular purchase.

Board the Expedition Ship to explore the waters.  Expedition Ship floats on water, comes with a functional anchor winch, and can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350).   With the cable winch, the Playmobil Shark Diver (#4500) or Deep Sea Diving Bell (#4478) can be hoisted into the water. Set includes three figures, binoculars, treasure filled chest, and many other accessories.  Dimensions: 18 x 6 x 10 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Cheer on the newlyweds as they make their way out the Church.  Press the windows of the church tower and hear the bells and organ music.  Also comes with three figures, many accessories, and a pink jewel case with rings for the child. 2 AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 22 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

This mega gift basket includes the following: a Kids Rule! ruler, Bumblebee Scissors, a Turtle Flashlight, an Easy Writer, a Dragonfly Whistle, Glow in the Dark Spiders, Waikiki Sunglasses, a wind-up caterpillar, wind-up bugs and a magnifying glass. Launch date: 2008.

A colorful, comfortable, high-performance yoga mat that is also eco and health friendly. Perfect for children!
 

Crazy Forts is a construction toy that uses 25 solid plastic balls and 44 reinforced sticks and allows children to create whatever their imagination allows. Then, they simply add their own bed sheets to complete their creation. A house, an igloo, an princess castle or pirate ship are all possible with Crazy Forts. "Crazy Forts has proven to sell itself. Our first test involved a small chain of nine stores. They sold out of 350 units in three and a half weeks," President Geoff Thomas of Crazy Forts told TDmonthly.

Tandy Leather Factory has developed a line of kits especially made to be used with iron-on products. The Pixie Pouch is just one of over 20 age appropriate kits that include items like a video game guitar strap, IPOD holders, and a even a complete belt buckle kit which are all iron on products and will be featured in three different colors. The kits have a modern appeal as well as the appeal of being an actual craft item that children can assemble easily. Launch date: February 2009.

This versatile building set combines both art and science with pieces that build 3-D structures that serve not only as décor or architectural models, but also as marble runs in which the activity of the balls is unpredictable.

This safari includes over 20 pre-cut favorite and exotic animals. All are illustrated and moveable felt pieces allowing for a creative adventure among children.

Help Grandpa feed the animals and plow the fields, since there is always work to be done and fun to had on the farm. "A Trip to the Farm" includes over 30 pre-cut felt pieces, providing children with lots of variety to be creative.

FingerPrints is a complete art kit for children. It contains everything needed for a child to create a finger painting that is framed and treasured for a lifetime: a quality 11" x 14" frame, acid-free artist paper, a child's apron, six bright, washable, non-toxic finger paints and a Certificate of Authenticity. "Anyone with a child will appreciate the convenience of an all-inclusive, one-stop-shop package that turns family time into a keepsake that will last a lifetime," Jennifer Ridley, account rep for ColorGoRound, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 18, 2008.

Shailie goes beyond “dress-ups,” allowing girls to design, create, and wear their own fashions. It includes a life-sized designer dress form and stand (girls' size medium). Shailie dresses come in pieces, and sleeves, skirts, tops and accessories come in various styles, colors and lengths. Using Velcro®, all pieces mix and match to create endless looks. The design easily comes off to wear and model with friends. "Shailie promotes interactive play among a variety of ages, and the possibilities for creativity and fashion fun are endless," President Kari Kawa of Style Paige LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This set features 230 bricks in a wooden box, plus a building plan and packing model. Anchor (Anker) Stones are made with 100-percent-natural ingredients: quartz sand, color pigments, linseed oil and chalk. Each stone is individually tested and hand measured to ensure it meets the company's standards.

This starter set comes with two simple construction plans and 42 bricks, offering an introduction to the word of Anchor (Anker) Stones by allowing children to create cars, trains and simple buildings.

This set of 35, 3" squares made of heavy-duty plastic can be used to build creations more than 3' tall. Launch date: 2008.

The Stamper, designed to create word or symbol impressions in everything from bananas to pancakes to pizza dough, comes with four word message pads (HAPPY, B-DAY, YUMMY and TASTY) and two image message pads (SMILEY and HEART).