March 2009 Notable Toys — All

These interchangeable bottlecap necklaces were designed by a tween girl, Maddie Bradshaw, who continues to provide the artwork for the bottlecaps as the line grows. The bottlecaps have a magnet on the back so they can be easily switched out on the stretchy choker necklaces that are available. Snap Caps® have received the following awards: 2009 Best Toy Award - Most Innovative New Toy - Learning Express Toys; 2009 Best Toy Award - Best Toy Girls 5+ - Learning Express Toys; Creative Child 2009 Seal Of Excellence Award; and 2009 PTPA Winner.

These small flashlights provide light without the use of batteries. They are powered by pressing the handle that pops out from one side, and come in four designs: chicken, pig, dog and cow.

Animal character plush from All New Materials, the Super Zeroes are bright colored super-soft friends with a unique, simple personality trait. These caped characters each have a super power – Zebu's is his talent for hiding – but they also have a challenge, in Zebu's case that he always gets lost. The Super Zeroes and their stories encourage the exploration of those things that really shine, but also not to be ashamed of something that might seem a little scary or difficult. Launch Date: March 2009

Made from sustainable, domestically grown hard maple and manufactured by a company-owned facility in St. Paul, Minn., these shape sorters come in two styles. One has two same-sized posts that slide through a large unit block; the other features the base unit with two sunken wells to fit differently-sized posts for matching. Both are natural wood with no surface finishes or coatings and smooth-sanded edges that are safe and comfortable for baby. Both sets can be integrated into a larger set of Beka unit blocks later for added play value.

Complete with capital letter tiles featuring various designs (dots, lines, blank and solid), this game comes packaged in a zip-open, pear-shaped pouch with a hanging rope (stem) at the top. It is designed to help kids work on cognitive skills and memory, as well as the order of the alphabet, vocabulary and rhyming as they practice forming words. Launch date: February 2009.

Complete with capital letter tiles featuring various designs (dots, lines, blank and solid), this game comes packaged in a zip-open, pear-shaped pouch with a hanging rope (stem) at the top. It is designed to help kids work on cognitive skills and memory, as well as the order of the alphabet, vocabulary and rhyming as they practice forming words. Launch date: February 2009.

These small, sparkling fairies can be guided around via a magic wand and seem to magically flutter and float in the air. There are three characters: Daria, Eva and Alexa. A demo DVD is also available. Launch date: February 2009.

An ant farm and an art project!  An elegant acrylic case shipped with a multi-colored filling made with finely ground glass, the ant farm starts like a sand sculpture.  Children can design their ant habitat by carefully pouring the colors into layers and hills.  Detailed instructions are included on how to infuse the sand with sugar water while sending away from the ants.  After the ants are added, the ant farm becomes self-sustaining, requiring no further feeding.  Then, as the ants tunnel and build their home inside the ant farm, they alter the sand sculpture, piling the colored sand on top where they have been digging.  Comes with habitat, special building sand in five colors, facts and instructions booklet, zoom lens, and mail-in coupon for ants. Launch Date: 2009

Uniting environmentally conscious manufacturing with environmentally conscious characters, Global Green Pals has created a line of dolls for boys and girls that make environmental issues accessible to children.  Made from organic cotton with detailed clothing and stitched faces, the 12" dolls each have a theme that they are passionate about.  Pink Coral Laurel is concerned with the health of the beautiful marine ecosystems of her home in Australia.  She comes with a pink swimsuit, flippers, and snorkel along with her story and green living tips tailored for children. Available for delivery:  August 2009 Launch Date: May 2009

The Sun Moon Star drum from Jamtown is a percussion instrument with three lightweight drum heads along a dowel, each playing a different tone and painted with a corresponding symbol.  More than a simple pounding instrument, the Sun Moon Star drum is a tool for various kinds of musical exploration as one or two players can invent complex, interacting rhythms.  The included DVD guide brings these lessons and games to classrooms and families with play along tracks, activity ideas, and information about traditional African rhythms.  Comes with drum, DVD, and two mallets. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch Date: 2009 (available)

A child can slip through the opening of this plane and run around holding the sides of it, pretending to fly. It can also be decorated and personalized with paints, markers and accessories. It measures 29" x 18" x 18".

This activity map of the United States includes a checklist with the state names and abbreviations and can be written on with any type of crayon or marker -- even permanent -- and then simply wiped away. It is available in 24" x 18" and 36" x 24" (MSRP: $24.99).

This activity book is designed to hold children’s interest and they build fine motor skills, and features more than 200 age-appropriate learning activities and 284 stickers.

This activity book is designed to hold children’s interest and they build fine motor skills, and features more than 200 age-appropriate learning activities and 284 stickers.

Players travel around town on a journey to collect the most passengers in a game that teaches math skills and helps players sharpen strategic thinking skills. Available in English, Spanish and French.

By encouraging children to build a weather scene, the game teaches strategic thinking and understanding of weather from season to season. Available in English, Spanish and French.

Featuring an all-metal F7 Freight Locomotive, 3 all metal cars, 6 hand-painted figures, 45-inch x 36 inch oval roadbed track, and Deluxe UL Power Track. Magnetic and standard couplers included.

Made of heavy die cast, this model comes with rubber tires and accurate wheels.

Kids can pretend to be their favorite neighborhood Super Hero with the Spider-Man Deluxe Web Blaster with Silly String & mask. Pull on the Spider-Man mask and strap on the wrist-mounted blaster with silly string and let the crime fighting begin! Play set includes mask, blaster and 1 can of silly string.

When Spider-Man isn’t swinging around town on webs, he’s saving the day riding on one of his awesome electronic vehicles! Flip the switch on the Spider-Man Zoom N Go Racers and watch the amazing web-slinger zip across the floor. Launch date: Spring 2009

Spider-Man fans are sure to enjoy Hasbro’s line of Amazing Spider-Man Action Figures inspired by the iconic comics. Launch date: Spring 2009

Aspiring fashion designers can achieve “Runway Ready” status, with Harumika – the new dress-form fashion doll from Bandai America Inc. Already a huge phenomenon in Japan, Harumika lets girls “style their imagination” and easily design attire with colorful fabrics and fashion accessories – all with no sewing required.

Inspired by the television series’ vehicle adventures in ”Power Rangers RPM,” the lineup features products with increased play value – from the Auxiliary Trax System to limited edition chase figures and retro Megazords – all certain to drive excitement among fans and collectors of all ages.

With its over sized 5" lens, the green-handled BigEye magnifying glass zooms kids in on the world at 2.5x magnification. Manufacturers of professional optical equipment, Carson makes their light-weight acrylic lenses durable enough kids' outdoor adventures but still with clear, consistent surfaces to yield a crisp view of the observed world rather than blurry or distorted images.