February 2010 Notable Toys — All

Pangaea Mountain comes with a fascinating book about Dr. Geostone and his two students Rocky and Crystal. The students fall asleep in class and wake up on a mysterious mountain in search of the "Living Dinosaur." As the three explore, Dr. Geostone teaches the children about the many fossils and Gems discovered within. In the end they learn a bit about everyday life, geology, geography, biology and earth science. Finally they are amazed that the mountain really does contain living organisms (Triops) they bring back to life by just adding water. This kit keeps you learning and having fun for months. "Most "I dig" kits simply let a kid dig something out and go wow. Activities are lacking and education is not the objective...TOYOPS stands behind its image of Tops in Toys That Teach. The illustrated book which accompanies this kit along with all the tools of a field scientist are fun, and teach while enjoying the excavation. The book is written to permit simple activities to make science hands on and fun. You will learn...My favorite is the story behind the buried hematite and how it defined the auto industry sprouting up in Michigan. It isn't just a mineral - it is part of history," Eugene Hull, Ph.D., President of ToyOps told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2013.

Crazy Cheese is both a puzzle and a brain-teaser, all in the same slice of cheese. With two levels of difficulty, the Crazy Cheese puzzle is designed to provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. "Beware, as simple as it appears, completing this puzzle without the solution key is a phenomenal feat of perseverance and brain power!" Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Crazy Cheese is one of their top-selling puzzles.
— Jeanette Lauture of Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats in Montclair, N.J. Sells about two to four Blue Orange games per month, she said in the fall of 2010.

In turn, players flip their top card. As soon as two cards match, both players with matching cards race to stack up the requested number of piggies with the right color on top. The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all his cards to win the game. "How quick and precise are your fingers? Find out as you build piggy piles in this lively stacking game. Stay on your hooves! There is more than one silly way to stack up your piggies," Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.
— "Loved this game," Kate Tanner of Kidstop Toys told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Players use their three dice hidden in their see-through cup and three community dice to make their combinations. The winner will be the one who can combine enough luck and strategy to walk off with all the chips! "Peek Poker is a fast-paced, fun and relaxed dice version of its cousin, Texas Hold’em Poker. Think you have got a good hand? Challenge your opponents ... And beware of bluffers, they’ll fill you with doubt!" Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.
— "We always love new things from Blue Orange Games," shared John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., at Toy Fair 2010. "Peek Poker Holdem will be another hit for us!"

Sumoku is a unique crossword-style game with numbers that can be played five different ways. Players add up the tiles to multiples of a number shown on the die. Once all the tiles are connected together, it's a sumoku. "Whether you look for fast action with friends, a challenging pastime, or an addictive game that brings family together, sumoku has it all! Packed with endless challenges, sumoku is pure adding fun!" Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

Cards are played in sequence, progressing up or down. A player sets down cards in number order. A yellow card means to take a chip out of the Golden Gate. But then, there's some skill involved: Can a player place them at the right times to get the best chips? Or will the opportunity pass? Getting stuck with red cards means a loss of chips. "Golden Gate is an exciting card game in which you combine a little bit of luck with the right plays to start piling up your points. It’s a fast, friendly showdown for the gold with the fine craftsmanship and colorful designs you’ve come to expect from Blue Orange Games," Bert Devort, Sales Department, Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

This set includes an apron (size 4-8), an adjustable cotton chef's hat, and a silicone flower trivet. It is machine washable. "The included child-size hat and silicone trivet make this kit one-of-a-kind. Kids can really dress to play the part, and use the trivet to help in the kitchen or use for pretend play," Lisa Grass, Graphic Designer, Sassafras Enterprises Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2010.

Kids can decorate this inner tube at parties or just a day at the pool. The tube measures 38" in diameter and is made of heavy-guage vinyl. It includes four permanent, water-proof markers. "This inner tube is a blank canvas — the design possibilities are endless! Makes a great gift!" Lisa Grass, Graphic Designer, Sassafras Enterprises Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 10, 2010.

Peace & Love Cookie Kit includes magic pink cookie mix, sanding sugar, peace sign and heart cookie cutters, wooden spoon and rhyming recipe. It's packaged in a colorful tray. Not intended for children under age 5. "'Magic' color changing cookie mix and rhyming recipe add a unique twist to the kid's baking market," Lisa Grass, Graphic Designer, Sassafras Enterprises Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 10, 2010.

In bed at night, Amy peers from under her covers at the dark shadows on the wall. But what is that flicker of light from the window? As she discovers the source of the mysterious light in her own backyard, she also learns something important about herself. The light, like many things in life, is something to be treasured but not contained, appreciated but always free. Inspiration for the book came to Robert Nutt, author and illustrator, one summer evening when he and his wife were walking and came upon a house with a yard full of dancing, flickering firefly lights. At that moment, he knew he would write about it. The photo illustrations are his own daughter, Amy. Launch date: March 2010.

TDmonthly Review:

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These Water Cannons can soak a target over 60' away or fill water/air balloons with one push of the handle. The user simply submerges the end of the water cannon, pulls back on the handle, and is ready to fire. The Water Cannon features a non-slip grip and comes apart for cleaning out sand and debris. It is made in the USA. Launch date: December 2010.

With this playhouse and paper doll set in one, kids can open the box and unlock hours of imaginative play. It includes four stand-up mermaids, 80 reusable stickers, a castle topper, peek-a-boo flaps, and a tea table. "Reusable stickers add a special element to this item. The stickers provide for multiple use and encourage imaginative and inventive play since they can be moved around and mixed and matched," Donna Modrell, Marketing & Operations Manager, Peaceable Kingdom Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Kids can marvel at the fastest-growing fish in the world, growing from egg to adult in just six weeks. The adult can reach up to 2" (7 cm) in length. The Killifish eggs used in the kit are from the same family of Killifish eggs that were flown and studied by NASA on the space station. These eggs are homegrown in the USA and raised in Toyops labs to preserve their native habitats. Owners just add bottled water and a light source to watch them spring to life. Launch date: March 2010.

This patent-pending toy is comprised of a ball and a rope. The ball is attached to one end of the rope. The challenge and fun is to, by holding the rope at one end and with a one-hand motion, cause a knot in the rope. Launch date: June 30, 2010.

This activity book has 96 pages packed with word find, crossword puzzles, color by numbers, word scramble and connect the dots, along with fascinating facts about life under the sea. It has a lenticular 3D/zoom front cover. Launch date: February 2, 2010.

This game has many possibilities, including determining the starting player, deciding who is going to pay for snacks, or more. Each Le Boomb! is presented in a small clamshell that may be placed on a shelf, or peg hooked. The rules are tiny and fit on the back of the information header card inside each clamshell. The bomb opens like an Easter Egg and the die can be stored within. Le Boomb! is packed in a display box of 12 pieces featuring seven different colors. Each display contains six black Le Boomb! and one each of six other colors: Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, White and Purple. Launch date: December 2009.

Thirty magnetic double Y-pieces click together to form a fun soccer-ball shape, appealing to sports fan as well as creative individuals. The distinctively angled pieces can be put together to create inventive shapes, and the creativity guidebook offers ideas and inspiration for the imagination. "This creativity tool appeals to all ages and can be used at home, at work, and in school to spark the imagination," Lynn Araujo, Communications Director, Creative Whack Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2010.

This set features a powerful diesel locomotive and three streamlined passenger cars, a 40" x 60" oval of snap-fit roadbed track, and a powerful 80 Watt AC transformer. "This set includes everything needed to get started in O gauge model railroading at an affordable price," Jack Lynch, Communications Manager, Bachmann Industries, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

This 100-page activity book includes six fun games in one book, including Tic-Tac-Toe, Pictionary, Doodle It, Hangman and Categories. It has a lenticular flip-front cover that changes from one colorful image to another. Launch date: January 11, 2010.

This set features Thomas the Tank Engine with moving eyes, Annie and Clarabel coaches, a 5'4" x 4'3" oval of track, wall pack and controller, instruction manual and DVD format video instructions. It's the "largest version of Thomas & Friends™ available in an electric train set," Jack Lynch, Communications Manager, Bachmann Industries, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

This construction toy designed for little hands allows children to explore their imagination with freeform creations and unlimited possibilities. The three shapes (rectangle, square and octagon) have several slots that lock together to build three-dimensional structures in multiple ways that are simple, challenging and fun. "Locktagons is an excellent introduction into building and is a great way to develop imagination, stimulate logic, develop spatial reasoning skills, and encourage creativity. The magic of these toys is unlocked with a child’s imagination. An activity guide is also included that will give parents suggestions on educational ways to build and interact with their child," Jessica Wineke, Public Relations Coordinator, Patch Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

Chibi is defined in the Urban Dictionary as a Japanese anime word describing endearingly cute little characters with oversized heads and big engaging eyes. Our anime-influenced Chibi Zoo babies are made from soft, 100-percent polyester velour, embellished with embroidery, and filled with fluffy polyester fibers. They have big black eyes, are approximately 10” tall, and each baby has his or her animal name in Japanese embroidered on the bottom of one foot. Launch date: December 15, 2009.

Sneaky Puzzles are full of surprise. Kids put together a colorful under-the-sea scene with funny fish and their silly friends. Then, they can see all the letters of the alphabet and numbers 0–9 hidden in the picture, and wear the included 3D glasses to see the fish and their friends in a whole different way. "Children will be astonished as they watch the sea creatures swim towards them and parents will love the educational value," Jessica Wineke, Public Relations Coordinator, Patch Products Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Users can light up the day and night with BLINGKEEZ, a fun, multi-use light with 10 LED bulbs. The 2.5" sphere features three light settings (disco strobe, party flash, all on), an 18" lanyard with a breakaway safety clasp, and automatic shut-off. Launch date: February 14, 2010.