February 2013 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

Illustration adapted from old wood cut. Glow in the dark cover. 60 pages; Spiral bound.

Includes Black and White Corriedale wool, two new felting needles, beads for eyes, a skewer and detailed photo instructions. Kit makes at least two puppies approximately 2in. to 4in. tall.

Paint By Numbers appeal to kids who are interested in art and want to create a "masterpiece". These guided art activities with whimsical graphics and premium quality components create an exceptional experience. Set includes 8 Faber-Castell Color Grip Watercolor EcoPencils, real artist canvas (9" square), Numbered Color Guide, paintbrush, foam mounting board, and mounting tape.

Rip, wrap and wear trendy duct tape bangles. It's easy to make funky stripes with 5 skinny rolls of duct tape in bright colors and prints. Includes 5 rolls of duct tape, 6 plastic bangles in 3 widths and easy instructions.

With this kit, kids can design their own bag out of duct tape. Take the pre-sewn bag from plain to fab. It's so easy. Includes pre-sewn tote bag, 6 rolls of duct tape, non-stick paper, stencil and easy instructions.
— In a January 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Duct Tape Totes were a best-selling arts & crafts toy.

The Duct Tape Party craft kit from Alex Toys includes 108 feet of brightly colored duct tape and all the supplies and instructions needed to make jewelry, bags, headbands and more.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling toys, four out of 12 retailers said that Duct tape kits from Alex were their bestselling Arts & Crafts toy. Kathy Mabry, owner of The Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly that they sell more than 36 units of Duct Tape Party each month.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Alex Duct Tape products were their best-selling activity kits.

Creature Bots combines the timeless popularity of monsters and robots into a clever craft. Build and customize the three movable Creature Bots that chomp, flap and grab. They’re named GrabBot, FlapBot and ChompBot and utilize TechCard Technology™ – simple push-fit components – for building. Technology, engineering and physics add an educational element to the kit.
— In a May 2013 survey, 3 out of 10 retailers surveyed said Creativity For Kids was their best-selling brand of activity kit.

The Black Light Message Board is a double-sided, dry-erase message board with a lighted station. The kit includes more than 50 glow-in-the-dark stickers for decorating the message board, 70+traceable designs and two neon markers for enhancing messages and drawings. After creating a message, place the board on the station, flip the light switch and watch the message glow. The Black Light Message Board operates on three AA batteries.

Fashion Macramé includes cord, belt rings, carabineers, a key ring, hair elastic, scissors, glue, pony beads and project instructions.

Duct Tape Doggie Fashions is the newest addition to the duct tape trend. This kit includes a stuffed dog and puppy, five rolls of duct tape, duct tape stickers, scissors, patterns and printed paper. Six-year and older crafters can transform rolls of colorful and printed duct tape and printed paper patterns to create pet fashion and accessories.
— Mark Rosenblum, owner of Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Duct Tape Fashion is one of their best-selling activity kits.

Sparkling Hair Accessories provides your child with all the items needed to create fashionable hair accessories with trendy ribbons, feathers, rhinestones, bows, gemstones and sparkle accents and make an endless array of interchangeable designs with six glittery headbands and four spring hair clips. Complete set includes glue and all the crafting essentials needed.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that products from CREATIVITY FOR KIDS were their best-selling toys overall.

Super sparkly manicures are right at your little girl’s fingertips. Glitter Nail Art craft kit includes glitter application station to minimize mess and maximize fun! Complete set also includes six pots of glitter, confetti and rhinestones, sparkling nail file, three bottles of glitter nail polish, tweezers and manicure storage bag.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

Tapeffiti Tape Art Tote Set is a fashion craft kit. Decorate the tote bag with 6 mini tape dispensers with different colors and patterns. Also has 6 replacement rolls and a style design guide with more than 2 dozen other project ideas, including tape bracelets, picture frames, pens or pencils, and pen/pencil containers. (Comes in Barbie licensed version, too). Also sold separately are 4 or 6 roll collection of Tapeffiti tapes in various designs, patterns, and colors. Color and pattern tapes for decorating is one of the hottest personal style trends for teens and tweens. Included are a full size tote bag, 6 mini tape dispensers with assorted colors and patterns.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20
— Karen Laroche, manager of Kid's Ketch in Lews, Del., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that Tapefetti is one of their best-selling tween products.
— Molly McMullin from Twirl in Ranchos de Taos, N.M., told TDmonthly in a January 2014 survey that Fashion Angels Tapeffiti was a best-selling arts & crafts toy.

Colorforms, an iconic play product, once again brings classic Colorforms® to life with the Tinga Tinga Tales™ Create-A-Creature Game. Using African artwork from the loveable Disney Junior TV Show, Tinga Tinga Tales™, players use their imagination to tell stories about the unique creatures they create. So 2 to 4 players can take turns spinning the wheel to see which body part to select from the 32 pieces. When all players have collected a pair of legs, a tail, a head, and two ears and arranged them on a scene card, players take turns telling imaginative stories about how their creatures were created. Every generation will enjoy playing with the reusable pieces as they bring to life never before seen animals. Once the hilarious creatures are formed, the Create-A-Creature Game promotes imagination and creativity through the story each player tells about the new animal. The stories of how each animal came to be change every time as numerous animal combinations are created.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Use the custom-designed, innovative Low-Mess Glitterizer to create glimmery, shimmery art projects including ornaments, portraits, flowers, and snowflakes.

Captivating is understating the charm of the Folkmanis Enchanted TREE Puppet. Made for storytelling and all things fantasy, this magical tree has movable eyes, limbs and mouth - perfect for spellbinding fun. Launch date: July 2012.

The Crayola Color Explosion Glow Board lets kids create cool designs with glowing marker inks. Using it couldn't be easier - simply draw, flip the switch and watch the creations glow. The board comes with 2 transparent drawing surfaces that slide inside the board, one on top of the other. With the 2 boards, kids can create awesome background images and simple animated scenes. Press the 2 switches to easily light up the front or back image. A 4-position slide switch allows kids to activate the lights in different configurations for lots of display options.

What’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Well, a MONKEY IN BARREL puppet of course. When you pull the monkey down into the soft microfiber barrel, the barrel lid closes. Guess what kind of monkey business is going on in there or pop the monkey out for a playful surprise. Launch date: January 2013.
— In an April 2013 survey Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that Folkmanis puppets are a best-selling toy for infants/toddlers.
— In a June 2013 survey, six out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Folkmanis was their best-selling brand of plush or puppets.

Take a trip with Rory's Story Cubes. Contained within this set are 9 cubes that aim to inspire stories of epic adventure. Cast away on a deserted island. Spin tales of a faraway land. With 54 images and millions of combinations, your journeys are bound to be endless.

Crayola DigiTools Effects Pack lets children create awesome art effects on their iPad. Draw sparkly designs with the Digital Crayon or create swatches of shimmering color with the Digital Color Changer and instant, animated images with the Digital Stamper.

Use the 4 inkpads, marker, and dual-tipped colored pencil to make thumbprint versions of your favorite Star Wars characters. Simple step-by-steps include — Clones and Battle Droids, Ewoks and Wookies, Jedi and Jabba the Hutt. Star Wars fans will love re-creating key moments from the movies and creating scenes of their own.

This book comes with all the plastic pieces, paper parts, and special pages you need to experience 25 impossible things. These objects work like magic, but there are no tricks. All this weirdness has a solid scientific basis and we tell you why — from the mathematically amazing Möbius strip (a band of paper with only one side), to cardstock acrobats with amazing balance, to a color changing spinning top.

Dot Jewelry comes with over 1,600 pre-cut paper pieces in a rainbow of luscious colors and coordinating patterns. Follow the step-by-step instructions for making everything from simple one-strand bracelets to stunning statement necklaces. Our custom dot tool lets you pick up dots with ease, while the ruler and clip measure your cord exactly and keep it taut for professional-looking designs every time.

Make Clay Charms features simple step-by-steps for more than 30 different designs — cute fruit, adorable animals, sweet treats, and tons more. Make your charms with the nine bright colors of clay, bake them, add shine (with our specially formulated glaze), and then attach your creations to the included bracelet.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Make Clay Charms from Klutz is the store's best-selling activity kit.