February 2015 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

Stacking & Nesting Animal Blocks
From: MELISSA & DOUG

Other products from MELISSA & DOUG

Age Range: 2 and up
Specialty: Yes (as of 2015)
Gender: Boys And Girls

Category:

Wooden Toys
Developmental Toys
Infant & Toddler

Brightly colored animals and familiar objects illustrate the letters of the alphabet on these cardboard blocks. Nested, the ten vibrant blocks fit into the included carrying case. Stacked, they form a tower nearly three feet high!
— In a February 2015 survey, six out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Melissa & Doug makes their best-selling wooden toys. Bebe Feimster , manager of Big Smile Toys/Hardware Center in Paoli, Pa., said these blocks do particularly well.

Get ready for a day at the races! Little ones can move the chunky bead pieces shaped like a car, plane, bus and trucks around the colorful maze. The beautiful sustainable table top design provides a sturdy surface for little learning hands to explore, move and discover. The beads even go through and under the tabletop! A great early learning toy for developing visual stimulation, hand eye coordination and cause and effect. For ages 10 mos+
— Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly in a February 2015 survey that Alex's Busy Bead Maze is one of their store's best-selling wooden toys.

Ambi's Key Ring is a rattle and teether in one. Brightly colored keys are secured on a sturdy ring. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

Ambi is relaunching their classic line of toys. Vintage-looking, with bright primary colors, the twin rattle is an iconic baby product. Its sleek design is perfect for little hands. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

Now all volumes of the award winning Baby's First Impressions DVD series are available in Spanish! Same great content as the traditional Brainy Baby, but in Spanish. 10 volumes available.

The Bilingual Baby Collection includes a 45 minute DVD that teaches more than 60 words and phrases and also includes a set of flashcards for extended learning. 12 language volumes available. See website for complete titles listings.

Bilingual Baby is a 45 minute DVD that teaches more than 60 words and phrases. 12 language volumes available. See website for complete titles listings.

Soothing music for both babies and parents from popular artists. 10 volumes available: Billy Joel, Elton John, John Mayer, Madonna, The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Michael Jackson and more!

Hours of fun all in one! Great for early walkers and toting toddlers. Features spinning gears, peek-a-boo mirror, turning tiles, curvy maze, slider track maze, xylophone, washboard and wooden mallet. Adult assembly required. Includes hex key. Phillips screwdriver required. Cart measures 12.75"W x 15.5"H x 19" assembled.
Launch date: Spring 2015

This sweet and soft musical pull toy from our new Petite Rose Collection plays a lilting and familiar phrase from "Sleeping Beauty." Babies quickly associate their action (pulling on the bunny) with a response (delightful music). For Ages 0+ months.

Multiple toys in 1! Learn to walk with this sturdy trolley which also doubles as a workbench. Features 24 accessories, including 3 magnetic tools and truck driver. For ages 1+ years.

This innovative construction toy features 9 wooden pieces that connect magnetically to build a colorful yellow taxi. For ages 2+ years.

This super soft and colorful playmat features a variety of activities to stimulate early development. Rattles, mirrors, squeakers, and textures engage and stimulates an infant’s senses. Colors Activity toys are also extremely fluffy and soft, always remaining in the Kaloo spirit.

Five colorful cardboard Circus structures can be stacked and nested. Each structure comes with a corresponding wooden Circus character for role play. This fun stacking toy promotes the development of dexterity, number recognition, and social development through role play.

New from Douglas, Pudgies are understuffed animals that are 16 inches of cuddly cuteness, and they are oh so irresistibly squishy soft. Available in six animal styles—Wolf, Frog, Raccoon, Moose, Fox and a Black Bear are ready for snuggling!

Super soft Plumpies™ for Baby are under-stuffed for just the right amount of huggable fun — 16" long in seven animal styles.

A colorful activity center with 6 activities for little hands to explore. Press the button and it squeaks, pull back the blue bird to chime the bell, slide the mirror to see who’s hiding underneath. Encourages manual dexterity and the learning of cause and effect. Ages 6 months+. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

Babies and toddlers are not interested in passing trends, fashion colors or the latest gadget. They need well designed and reliable toys which don't disappoint during play and encourage their gradual discovery of themselves, others and the surrounding world. The Ambi® Toys range satisfies these needs and are a continuing source of learning and fun. The Baby Gift Set is the ideal Ambi starter kit. A collection of five of the most popular Ambi toys in a gift pack, it includes Lock A Block, Humpty Dumpty, Twin Rattle, Trumpet and First Keys. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

A soft multi-sensory environment in a fun bright dinosaur, the award-winning Playnest is fresh this year with the Playnest® Dino! A fabric covered inflatable ring that supports baby during play, the additional textures and sounds help both hand/eye coordination and manipulative skills. The Playnest Dino will play an important role in baby's physical and play development. Covers are machine washable. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

The Lifenest® Breathable and padded Mesh Crib Bumper was developed by a Medical Doctor in response to the concerns with baby suffocation raised by the research, but also with the aim of preventing injuries that bumper pads protect against. Made of Breathable Hypoallergenic Polyester Mesh material, the Lifenest Bumper simultaneously helps prevent suffocation and injury while at the same time, with its soft padding, promoting baby’s comfort. The Lifenest Crib Bumper collapses to prevent climbing and tucks below the mattress for additional protection. The bumper attaches easily with convenient ties complying with the ASTM standard to prevent entanglement. The Greenguard Gold Certification ensures that a product has met some of the world's most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds into indoor air. The packaging is BPA free and phthalate free. The durable Lifenest Breathable Crib Bumper is machine washable and fast drying. It fits most of the US rectangular cribs.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Innovations Award