March 2009 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

Created to be fun, supportive and safe for baby's first steps and toddler play, this entertainment and developmental system provides an area where baby can crawl and later aids the child in learning to stand and walk. It was named 2009 Toy of the Year in the Toddler Educational System category by Creative Child Magazine.
Awards:  2010 NAPPA Honors Award Winner, "Best Bang For The Buck."

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009

The anti-Barney, the Wiggles' worst nightmare ... the last great hope for real rock n' roll for kids. This debut album by the Boogers was conceived by a punk rocker with a Ph.D in developmental psychology. The Boogers bring chord-driven rock and catchy melodies to kids with age-appropriate lyrics and subject matter. The cover art is by legendary underground comix artist and children's book author Jay Lynch. "Critics have hailed the Boogers as the first true Ramones-inspired band for kids," Paul Crowe, president of Spire Records, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This book and CD collection features rich and diverse musical entertainment for young children and grown-ups. Led through "A World of Happiness" by engaging characters such as “Knowa’ the Cat” and “Lady Leo-Lani,” the ladybug, children will discover inspiring stories and toe-tapping, thoughtful songs. lyrics and sheet music are included, and each age-appropriate chapter focuses on a positive, universal character trait and contains a  “Happiness Activity." For teachers, there are accompanying music lesson plans designed and developed by Music Educators National Conference (MENC). "Each of the wonderful performers on the recording truly believes that the world can be a better place and that it all begins with the children," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

This fun and engaging coloring book will help children recognize, identify, and talk about their feelings. "The whimsical verse is combined with a creative representation of feelings," Lisa-Marie Arneson, owner and creator of Bright Spots, told TDmonthly. The book was a 2008 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Winner. Launch date: 2005.

Suitable for ages 3 months and up, this activity toy features bright colors and pictures of expressive baby faces by renowned photographer Penny Gentieu. It features various textures along with a bell, a rattle and teething accents.

The MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set includes one MagnaKase and one magnetic wooden activity, such as the Alphabet Picture Puzzle or the Number Match Up. Children can use the top of the MagnaKase as a dry-erase magnetic activity board while they're on the go. The MagnaKase also comes with two magnetic strips that secure coloring pages to the activity surface. Launch date: November 2008.

Produced in the same contemporary style as our best selling Boikido blocks, these 10 Rainbow Cubes are adorned with colorful numbers and letters as well as whimsical animals. Exposing your child to counting and the alphabet, these cubes can be stacked up high, used to build, or inserted one into another while developing spatial and motor skills, too. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

The “Writing Made Simple” Kids are part of a larger curriculum that will include a child’s and teacher’s workbooks. This tin product is the fun, manipulative part of the program. The object is to teach the correct letter and numeral formations through play (utilizing a strong emphasis on a multisensory approach) using magnetic caricature puzzle pieces. Through initially forming the letters and numbers with manipulatives, the child will have ingrained the steps that will properly translate when using crayons/pencil and paper. Our four caricatures are performing an action (strong visual) as to how to form the shapes. Launch date: 2009.

BuckleyBoo plush dolls come in two sizes: the original 17” with five buckles ($29.99)  and the 12” ($19.99) with three buckles — perfect for the toddler on the go. With an internal, motion-activated chime and a variety of pattered ribbons, each BuckleyBoo will provide hours of challenging and engaging playtime. Created by a child psychologist and grandma, Buckleyboo teaches essential developmental skills. Launch date: February 2009.

BuckleyBoo plush dolls come in two sizes: the original 17” with five buckles ($29.99) and the 12” with three buckles — perfect for the toddler on the go. With an internal, motion-activated chime and a variety of pattered ribbons, each BuckleyBoo provides hours of challenging and engaging playtime. Created by a child psychologist and grandma, Buckleyboo teaches essential developmental skills. Launch date: February 2009.

Picture Pockets are inexpensive hanging photo/artwork display galleries that have proved incredibly popular with children and adults alike, for many years, all over the world. Kids love seeing themselves in photos on the wall and seeing their artwork, placed by their teachers. Picture Pockets can be hung in nurseries, kitchens, bedrooms, offices and schools, and used to record happy events, such as births, weddings, holidays, anniversaries or retirements. "Picture Pocket photos are kept clean and undamaged, continually on display, and are easily interchangeable. As soon as you fancy a change, just turn the Picture Pocket over to reveal up to 80 more photos," Director Jon Goldsmith of Clever Little Ideas Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.