March 2009 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

Park, wash and repair your cars. Rush your cars up and down the slope for hours of fun and imaginary play. Develops motor skills. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Kids can scoop up these colorful critters as they glide across the water. The set includes three floating bugs and a mesh net in modern styles and colors. Launch date: November 30, 2008.

Every parent deserves R.E.S.T (Relaxation, Entertainment & Sensory Stimulation for your Tot), and they can soothe and relax baby with delightful animations, adorable puppet scenes and calming visuals. This must-have for anyone trying to quiet a fussy child was created by parenting expert and author of "Baby Prodigy: A Guide to Raising a Smarter, Happier Baby." Baby Prodigy products have won more than 19 national awards. "It is the only product on the market that provides REST to both mom and baby while simultaneously entertaining and stimulating their tot," Barbara Candiano-Marcus, president of Baby Prodigy Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 5, 2009.

This quirky little penguin twitters when shaken and rustles. It is easy to clean.

Who is that ringing and squeaking on track 7? Why it's Terry Train! Terry and his two cars will be right into the depot! This beechwood pulling toy is perfect for any toddler to push and crawl with. Will last a lifetime!

It's Springtime at Haba with this triangular clutching toys for little girls. Wooden shapes on an elastic string are sure to stimulate any youngster's senses! Made in Germany of beechwood and non toxic waterbased stain.

Let the race begin! Nicely colored clutching toy for the young car enthusiast. Made in G ermany of beechwood, this clutching toy has non toxic waterbased stain finish and is totally safefor all young drivers!

Brightly colored, simple and elegant clutching toy for infants six months and up. Made with German Beech and colored with non-toxic water based stain!

Little carpenter pixies like to push themselves up on their feet, start walking and helping dad. This walker wagon not only helps them to take their first steps but offers many toddler tools to be played with or to help mom or dad do home repairs! Includes an adaptable brake to allow for individual needs of various stages of walking.

Three cheeky chaps offer a variety of choices for stacking combinations for children 10 months and up. Hook and Eye tape allows any child to make the friendly creature of their dreams.

This fabric hen twitters and rustles when shaken. Will delight any infant six months and up!

Haba's little mouse enjoys cuddling up to a child's cheek to help keep them secure. Each muslin contains a teething helper, a snap to attach the enclosed teether or a favorite pacifier. With an opening in the mouse head this fabric muslin can also double as a puppet!

Brightly colored clutching toy for infants six months and up. Made with German Beech and colored with non-toxic water based stain!

This set of eco-friendly, peel-and-stick, removeable wall art pieces features 47 decals, including a 16" deer, an 8" fox, six trees, 29 landscaping pieces, and more. The decals are made of polypropylene and can easily be repositioned without harming walls.

This bright, chic bracelet for moms also serves as a teether and toy for babies. "Oh Plah" means "Here you go" in French. The flexible bracelet is free from phthalates, lead, paints, latex, PVC and BPAs. Simplicity (shown), Energy (green) and Harmony (navy) styles are available. Launch date: March 2009.

This certified, 100-percent organic cotton yoyo doll is handmade by fair trade artisans in India. This is the classic yoyo doll made for decades by grandmas, updated for the green community. "It's so difficult and time consuming to make this doll that it can only be made by hand. Yoyo dolls have been childhood favorites for generations," Jenny Krauss, president of Kinderware, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Jingle Blocks were created with baby's love for discovery and touch in mind. Soft and visually interesting prints are appliqued with felt stars, and a gently chiming bell is securely placed in the center of each block. Other applique options include letters and numbers. Other fabrics are also available. The product is made in Vermont. "The Jingle Blocks combine old-world quality with design that appeals to modern parents. There is a special magic about toys such as these blocks, that are handmade in small batches by artisans who love thier work. They are intended to be lasting heirlooms, cherished by many generations," Cecilia Leibovitz, president and creative director of Craftsbury Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

This two-pair collection features a cowboy boot design as well as a classic saddle shoe baby bootie. They come in a gift box fashioned after a boy's dresser.

The Crazy Car comes wobbling and tinkling around the corner. The unique wobbly wheels make the back “dragon” end move slightly askew from the “driver” car up in front. Made in Germany out of native, reforested beechwood and stained with a non-toxic, water-based, lead-free stain, the color will remain vibrant for many years to come. Launch date: 2009.

Made in Germany out of native, reforested beechwood and stained with a non-toxic, water-based, lead-free stain, the product is designed to remain vibrant for many years to come. The back wheels are a bit smaller than the front wheels so when pulled a crazy up and down motion appears. The back wheels have small round wheels atop with red circles that provide an interesting optical effect. The interior blue wooden axis with wheels is able to be removed so children can imagine they are towing something around with Mr. Rollino. Launch date: 2009.
— Haba wooden infant toys are good sellers at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., Owner Patricia Fiedler told TDmonthly in March 2009. “They’re lovely and affordable.”

The 12”-long, three-piece body has lopsided wheels that happily waggle the caterpillar across the floor.  With a smiling, friendly caterpillar face, the product features sturdy beechwood construction with non-toxic, water-based, lead-free stains. Launch date: 2009.

This duck has a 7”-long, three-piece body with oversized floppy duck wings, along with a cute orange nose. It features sturdy beechwood construction with non-toxic, water-based, lead-free stains. Launch date: 2009.

This 4"-diameter ball features not only the colorful, clutchable design of the original Oball, but is also outfitted with beads that add a rattling dimension to the product when shaken.
— These spherical rattles have been consistent best sellers for over a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., as reported by Co-owner Susan Blanton in September 2009.

Combining a mesh porthole and quick-drying neoprene, this organizer protects kids' bath toys from mildew by allowing them to dry, and keeps them in an easy-to-reach, stylish location. It is available in orange and sky blue. Four suction cups on the back allow the bag to stay put on a tile or glass surface. The two hangers at the top may be used for placing scrubs or washcloths. The product is free of BPA and phthalates.