March 2010 Notable Toys — All

This Dr. Seuss by Trend Lab ABC print bucket hat is great for the beach or any sunny day. It's available in infant and toddler sizes. Trend Lab's Marchelle Lyons told TDmonthly the "Dr. Seuss ABC scatter print design makes it fun and playful for your little one!" Launch date: December 2009.

The hobby kits by WALACHIA vary in size and theme. They contain up to 300 parts of precisely cut wooden prisms of 9 x 9 mm, gables, roofs and bases made of plywood, doors and windows, even foil to substitute for glass. Paper prints can be applied on roof areas, or children can glue shingles made of beech veneer. The set also contains dusting material to represent grass, as well as sandpaper to use for small adjustments. Individual parts are glued with wood and paper glue according to step-by-step diagram instructions. Instructions available in eight languages. Launch date: 1992.

It is possible to build multiple variants of different buildings with the Dismantlable Vario Building Set from WALACHIA. The set contains beech parts of 15 mm in diameter, of various lengths, with which by means of locks at the ends, creative and unique constructions may be assembled and dismantled. Awards: 1995/Prague Toy Fair. Launch date: January 1992.

These mitten clips are designed to keep mittens attached to jackets so they don't get lost. Julie Dennis of BearHands told TDmonthly the clips are "mitten insurance!" Launch date: August 2009.

USA-made and eco-friendly, Rock-a-Thigh Baby thigh-highs (a tights and legwarmer hybrid) are fashionable and functional socks designed to stay up and stay on. These stylish socks are for girls and boys, infants and children, starting at size 0-6 months. Rock-a-Thigh Baby President Jennifer Dutcher told TDmonthly, "Cuff design and ribbed panels make RTBs the Kiddie socks that rock and stay up on top!" Launch date: 2010.

Kids can pick up a pen and get started laughing with this wacky book of activities. The tote includes two write-and-wipe pens, a clean-up cloth and 17 pages of fun activities to play alone or with friends. Launch date: 2010.

This fully insulated preschool lunch box has an easy to wipe clean interior. Kids can enjoy wearing it as a backpack or it can be carried with the padded carrying handle. Launch date: 2010.

For urban parents with babies on the go, RoSK provides attachable stroller gear that protect against the elements. The Sun Cover is made of 100-percent organic cotton and offers SPF 30 sun protection that lasts all day and doesn't need to be reapplied. Designed with lightweight cotton to not add warmth on hot days, the Sun Cover comes with RoSK signature ribbon ties for attaching to strollers, carriers, infant car seats, and more. It provides an alternative to chemical sunblocks on babies and children with sensitive skin. "The combination of the Sun Cover being made of organic cotton and SPF 30 makes this cover an original," Heather Correa, owner of Rain or Shine Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 28, 2010.

This Three-Channel Remote Control Helicopter is designed with built-in Metal Gyro for extreme stability and metal frame construction for extreme durability. Launch date: March 2010.

The Car Seat Monitor is a safety system designed to let the driver know a child is in the car with them by playing a song when the car stops and beeping if the child gets out of their car seat. Bob Steffen of Car Seat Monitor LLC told TDmonthly, "It is the only one like it." Launch date: Sept. 10, 2008.

"101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math!" uses an accessible question-and-answer approach to explore key concepts in math while making connections to everyday life: sports, hobbies, food, music, travel, etc. It is the second book in its series, following the NSTA recommended "101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science."  "'101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math' is a fun and entertaining way to link mathematics to everyday life. Kids learn that math really does help solve real-world problems," Dia Michels, Owner of Science, Naturally! told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.

The Snuza & Respisense ranges of Baby Movement Monitors are designed to safely and accurately detect baby's belly movements. If movement isn't sensed for 20 seconds, an audible alarm is activated, allowing parents to check their baby. This system allows for "portable movement monitoring — monitor anywhere, anytime," Charlotte Wenham, Sales VP, Pneo LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

"One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math!" is authored by the same father-daughter team that introduced the award-winning, NSTA recommended, "One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science!" Co-authored by a high-school girl, this title is a great way to encourage girls to excel in math. Readers will learn much and have fun as they use their logic and their mathematical know-how to solve the various "mysteries" presented in this book. "'One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math!' skillfully meshes humor and excitement with challenging real world problems and allows young mathematicians to hone their sleuthing skills," Dia Michels, Owner of Science, Naturally! told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Girls can ring their favorite fairy tales to life with MGA’s My Favorite Princess doll. She comes with her own tiara, dazzling dress and shoes, plus a display stand. She also comes with a "life-size tiara for princess role play," Susan Hale, PR Director of MGA Entertainment, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Jan. 6, 2010.
— Terri Maccarrone, GM of Specialty Toys at MGA Entertainment, told TDmonthly in June 2010 that this product is not being developed.

Kids can make mud pies with this Little Tikes outdoor kitchen set. They use the hand-crank mud mixer to get the right consistency. The real working sink uses the water reservoir that releases when the pump button is pushed. No batteries are needed. The outdoor fun table includes a sink strainer, a shaker and lid, a pie mold, a large mixing bowl, a mixing spoon, a measuring cup and a cutting board. Makin' Mudpies is "one-of-a-kind," Susan Hale, PR Director of MGA Entertainment, told TDmonthly. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

In this educational video, Peggy Flores explains the use of natural fibers in history and then introduces a variety of yarns that can be used to make weavings, as well as the fabrication of looms for the process. She also demonstrates the weaving process and coiling rope wrapped with yarn to shape and create baskets, after which students will be able to enjoy creating colorful yarn weavings at home on a cardboard or coat hanger loom. "An art teacher demonstrates the weaving process and finished examples are shown," Amy Woodworth, President of Crystal Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Feb. 26, 2010.

Elonka Nichole Designs presents a diaper bag that offers chic moms boutique style at an affordable price. This messenger style bag is made of 100-percent designer cotton prints. It includes two outside pockets for bottles and a cell phone, three inside pockets for all sorts of baby products, and a large strap that fits around strollers. "These products are made by hand in the USA of the highest quality material without being overpriced," Elonka Perez, Owner/Designer of Elonka Nichole Designs Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

Clyde is a high-quality plush Orangutan by Hansa - known for their lifelike, large-scale reproductions of animals.

This APS-core foam sled comes complete with adjustable lap belt/buckle, knee pads, and a contoured design with bold graphics.

Achieve the ultimate WWE battle in the WWE Money in the Bank Ladder Match Ring. The nearly 2-foot vertical ring playset allows for WWE action figures to jump off the top of the rafters, battle with 3 action ladders and a scaffolding which flip, blast and tilt, and grab the briefcase to win a championship match destiny.

Mattel has launched the first foldable, credit car size, R/C cars - The Hot Wheels Stealth Rides. The line features five models, including Batman's Tumbler and 2 tanks. Stealth Rides are compact and fit perfectly into a child's pocket. At a push of a button, the cars transform into a remote-control vehicle.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum.

Meet Norman PhartEphant's friend Ben Kachoo, a Hippo with a bit of sneezing problem. Ben is a plush pink hippopotamus that makes sneezing sounds when squeezed.

Meet Norman PhartEphant's friend Harry Hiccers, a Koala with a case of the hiccups. Harry is a plush Koala bear that hiccups when squeezed.

These musical neckties are made of corrugated sheet metal and can be played as a musical instrument when strumming metal-capped fingers along it.