February 2011 Notable Toys — Licensed Products

The race is on to see who will make it to the Fountain of Youth first. Will Jack Sparrow be outsmarted by Blackbeard or wooed by Angelica, or will he beat his rivals to the coveted pools of eternal youth? Set includes Jack Sparrow, Barbossa with peg leg and Blackbead minifigs, plastic waterfall detail and two chalices. Launch date: May 2011.

Includes Jack Sparrow and two Zombie minifigs, buildable shelf and two ships in a bottle. Launch date: May 2011.

At White Cap Bay, Jack Sparrow and the other pirates must capture a mermaid. Spot them using the searchlight and shoot the net from the boathouse cannon. But beware- if the whale oil tips over, the whole lighthouse is sure to go up in flames. Includes Jack Sparrow, three mermaids and three other pirate minifigs, mini-boat with pirates’ victims, crewmates and a collapsing lighthouse. Launch date: May 2011.

One player draws a construction card and builds the structure shown. Next, an opponent loads an Angry Bird onto the launcher and catapults the bird to knock down structures and pigs. The player with the most points and knockdowns wins. Features three Angry Birds, four green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and multiple mission cards. For one or more players. Launch date: May 2011.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from 252 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Great alternative to the app for parents who want to reduce kids' screen time; fun for the family to play together; helps kids develop dexterity and patience. Cons: Certain structures are too elaborate to build and don't seem to be grouped in the correct level of difficulty; kids with short attention spans may lose interest in building the structures; structures are easy to knock down, which can be frustrating for younger players.

Authentic cloth sails, a retractable crow’s nest, canon with working projectile and launching deck complete Blackbeard's ship. Once you capture your rival, use the retractable plank walk and send him to his doom. Midsection opens for inside play; detachable longboat also included. Launch date: March 2011.

The 2-in-1 Kre-o Transformers Bumblebee set allows fans to create and recreate their favorite Autobot character in ‘robot’ mode or in ‘vehicle’ mode. In ‘robot’ mode, builders can convert the wings on Bumblebee into a glider for Kreonmini figures to balance on. In ‘vehicle’ mode, open up the driver’s door and take up to two Kreonmini figures for a spin. Set includes two Kreon mini figures and more than 300 pieces.  Launch date: Fall 2011.

In anticipation of Columbia Pictures’/Sony Pictures Animation’s 3D release “The Smurfs,” in theaters August 3, 2011, Pressman Toy Corporation announces a licensing deal to create games and puzzles based on the movie. Pressman Toy’s games and puzzles will be available for purchase at mass and specialty retailers nationwide in July 2011. Race to Smurfs Village is a board game where players choose their favorite Smurfs character and try to be the first to get to their village. Special spaces help players get closer to the village, while others will set them back. Launch date: Summer 2011.

This game of skill features Erik balancing atop of blocks of ice that must be carefully pushed out one by one. Pressman Toy has partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to produce a line of board games and puzzles based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ highly anticipated computer-animated family film Happy Feet 2. A follow up to director George Miller’s 2006 Academy Award-winning Best Animated Feature Film, Happy Feet, Miller’s Happy Feet 2 will be presented in 3D and 2D and IMAX, and will make its theatrical debut on November 18, 2011. Launch date for game: Fall 2011.

The LEGO DUPLO ZipBin Legoville Toy Box and Playmat has a colorful city theme and can be used as a fun storage container for DUPLO blocks as well as an easy to clean playmat. Sturdy, strong, stackable, portable. DUPLO Blocks not included.

The LEGO DUPLO ZipBin Toy Box and Playmat has a colorful animal theme and can be used as a fun storage container for DUPLO blocks as well as an easy to clean playmat. Sturdy, strong, stackable, portable. DUPLO Blocks not included.

Among the sand and glitter in the I Spy Wonder Tubes are I Spy pictures. Find the floating pictures in the tube to answer the I Spy riddle/rhymes. There are three different sets of riddles and five different colors to collect. "The I Spy Wonder Tubes are unique because they feature the I Spy images AND I Spy riddles," Carol Comes, senior product manager at Briarpatch Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Let's get ready to read with I Spy! Players read the riddle on their gameboard, find the objects the riddle refers to, and punch them out. The game can be played in reverse by reading the riddles, naming the objects, and placing them back into your board. The game develops necessary pre-reading, verbal, and visual skills. "I Spy Ready To Read uses unique I Spy imagery and riddles to encourage kids into learning to read," Carol Comes, senior product manager at Briarpatch Inc., told TDmonthly.

With the help of WordGirl and Captain Huggy Face, kids twist the rings to learn how to use consonants and vowels to build new words. Line up a letter on the left, and twist the next ring to find letters that make words from two to six letters long. Rings can be removed and rearranged. In addition, letters have numerical values, so kids can work on their math skills as they find words with bigger scores.

This matching game features a 3-level spinner as well as a riddle challenge at the end of each round. I Spy Spectacular includes 36 double-sided cards featuring different levels of play for younger and older players. "Our 3-level spinner is truly a unique aspect in the world of matching games," Carol Comes, senior product manager at Briarpatch Inc., told TDmonthly.

With the help of Clifford and his Friends, kids can twist the rings and match everyday items with their proper category. For example, line up the word "winter," and twist the rings to line up earmuffs, warm hat, scarf, gloves and snow boots. Helps develop logical thinking as well as motor skills.

This plush Good Night Moon Bunny Storytime Pal features a stuffed animal with a child sized blanket folded inside. When the blanket is removed children can snuggle up and use the stuffed animal as a pillow. The blanket zips on and off and is machine washable; the Zoobie stuffed animal is held in shape by two velcro tabs.
— In late Spring 2011, Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids in in Columbia Ill., said of the Storytime pals from Zoobies: "They did a real good job transporting the character to a Zoobie,” and they're only $1-2 more than the non-licensed characters. She told TDmonthly that these were among her best-selling licensed products.

Kids can talk to Dora and her friends when they use the colorful Dora the Explorer Talk And Explore Cell Phone. The phone contains pre-recorded, bi-lingual messages, and includes a blue butterfly phone charm. As of 1.06.2011 this product was listed as a bestseller in the Pretend Play & Dress Up category on Toysrus.com. Pros: Colorful; comes with phone charm; bilingual.

Based on the popular TV series, kids can play out battles between their Beyblade tops in this colorful arena. Set includes SUPER VORTEX Beystadium arena, 2 exclusive Beyblade Metal Fusion tops, 2 ripcord launchers, 24 tournament grids, official rule book and 2 collector cards. As of 1.06.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 58 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 27 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. Pros: Engaging; encourages critical/creative thinking. Cons: Plastic arena may not hold up to aggressive play.

15252 RC2 ERTL John Deere - 400D Articulated Dump Truck. 1:50 scale diecast collectible model. This 400D Articulated farm tractor is a 7.75"L x 3"W x 3.25"H die-cast metal with openable hood & dumpable bed. Individually packed in a window box. Box size: 9.5"L x 4.75"W x 5"H. Manufactured by RC2 Brands. Item 15252 is in ORANGE color.
— Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that John Deere branded die-cast toys are their best sellers in the category.

A classic scene of enjoying Coca-Cola during the holiday season. Completed puzzle measures 28.75" x 36". © The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola, Coke and the Contour Bottle Design, the Dynamic Ribbon device, the Red Disk Icon and the Coca-Cola Santa are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company and in Canada, Coca-Cola, Ltd.  All rights reserved.  Allied Products Corporation is an official licensee of The Coca-Cola Company.

Put together this 2000-piece jigsaw puzzle to reveal a collage of women's shoes. © Hallmark Licensing

One for the avid Coke collector — a collage of Coca-Cola vintage signs. © The Coca-Cola Company, Coca-Cola, Coke and the Contour Bottle Design, the Dynamic Ribbon device, the Red Disk Icon and the Coca-Cola Santa are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company and in Canada, Coca-Cola, Ltd.  All rights reserved.  Allied Products Corporation is an official licensee of The Coca-Cola Company.

Fan Stamp's Disney Face Art takes dress-up and playtime invites for increased imaginative options. For parties or everyday fun, Fan Stamp allows children to enhance their role-play experience with Disney characters they love. Designs are 100% mineral make-up, hypo allergenic and sweat and water resistant. Designs are reusable, include glitter, apply in seconds and wipe off easily.
Awards: National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2010

This second series of figures features two alternate versions of your favorite nuclear family and 15 new characters including extended family members and loveable barflies, including Mariachi Homer, Mariachi Marge, Zombie Homer, Zombie Bart, Sideshow Mel, Carl Carlson, Selma Bouvier and many more. Each vinyl figure stands 3-inches tall, includes a character sticker, and comes blind boxed to preserve its identity.
— Tom Levin from Tom's Toys Inc in Great Barrington, Mass., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that minifigures from Kid Robot are a popular choice for tween customers.