March 2010 Notable Toys — All

Transform a little girl into a magical fairy with this Sugarplum Fairy Dress. Featuring 18 individual organza petals, each is finished with rolled over, metallic edge. The petals are attached to a satin underskirt that has scalloped finish. The Sugarplum Fairy dress has a flexible size and good for twirling.

12" porcelain doll clutching a plush white lamb. Hayley is wearing a long, pink dress trimmed with white lace and a headdress adorned with flowers.

This 6" poseable fairy with mesh fairy wings debuts the Precious Pudgy Doll Collection by The Doll Maker & Friends.

Scope out a target, and squeeze the trigger for a spread of mini marshmallow furry. The NEW futuristic Marshmallow Rapid Fire blasts multiple mini marshmallows up to 30 feet in one shot. Regulate the use of marshmallow ammo by varying the amount of pumps that create air pressure. The more pumps to the rear handle, the more marshmallows will exit the barrel. When pumped to full capacity, The Marshmallow Rapid Fire sprays out the entire magazine of 25 mini marshmallows with one squeeze of the trigger.

This stylin' Boston Terrier is a limited-edition handbag. Elvis is decked out in a fringed boots and a single-breasted blazer. He has a removable leatherette strap, a zippered pouch on his back for storing a cell phone, money and perhaps a bit of makeup, and comes in a sturdy gift box with a paw-shaped "breathing hole."

This multi-sensory activity toy for babies has six stretchy legs with numbers on the feet, features jingling sounds, and has a loop for attachment to bags or strollers.
— Does Mommy Love It? called Fuzzi Nubbinz “a lifesaver” for its ability to sustain the interest of a fussy newborn.
— The many play options provided by Fuzzi Nubbinz were attractive to Jennifer Leigh of J. Leigh Designz.  She felt that the toy’s ability to be stretched, jingled, pushed and pulled provided great tactile and visual stimulation.

With “Lullaby Renditions of Journey,” Rockabye Baby! tells parents “Don’t stop believing in peace and quiet!” Screaming guitars are replaced by pinging xylophones and croaking frogs to transform the power ballads of Journey into peaceful lullabies. It’s designed so that tots and parents alike will enjoy rocking out and dozing off to the sweet sounds of these rock classics.

— Kristen of Goodie Goodie Gumdrops found it “almost impossible not to hum along” while listening to the CD with her little ones. She found the transformation of the Journey songs to lullabies to be “spot on” and recommended the CD as an attention-grabbing baby shower gift.
— Even without kids, music blogger Nick Spacek of The Pitch enjoyed the CD, though he claims he “had difficulty making it through to the end without feeling the need to curl up.”

In Dinotrux, writer and illustrator Chris Gall tells the story of ancient times when ferocious half-dinosaur, half-truck creatures known as Dinotrux roamed the earth. Pushing and crushing, mixing and roaring, the Dinotrux are illustrated in monstrous detail through 32 pages.

— Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes found the book irresistible, explaining, “The premise that hybrid dinosaur/trucks used to rule the earth ignites curiosity, while the brief, expressive text all but demands repeat reading.”
— Elizabeth Bird from the School Library Journal absolutely loved the book. She found it to reflect a cheekiness and creativity that appeals to both kids and parents.
— Common Sense Media’s Patricia Tauzer said Dinotrux “will thrill any kid who loves trucks and dinosaurs.” She described the book as being “jam-packed with action” but cautioned that it is not educational; in fact, the Flintstones-style anachronisms may leave kids confused.

The Ball Claw Storage System utilizes an innovative design to secure and organize balls of all shapes and sizes. Basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls are kept in place by the easy-mount plastic claws. When it’s time to play just pull the ball out and snap it back in when the game is over. The Ball Claw Storage System can also be used to display autographed balls. Launch date: January 2005.
Awards: 2012 - The Next Best Zing Award - Kids Category
— Kidzworld said a major advantage of Ball Claw is that it does not require the floor space of typical storage bins and boxes. Kidzworld noted that since each Ball Claw accommodates only one ball, however, the system may be impractical for large collections.
— Cheryl of Tidy Mom said Ball Claw would make a great Father’s Day gift. She recommended mounting a Ball Claw to the pole of a basketball hoop so the ball is always there when needed.

This layered wooden puzzle teaches kids the stages of a frog's life, from egg to tadpole to juvenile and adult.

Reducing fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions is part of the recipe for aspiring gourmets who use the Green Toys Chef Set. This classic collection of kitchen essentials is made in the U.S.A. from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. Safe, non-toxic, BPA-free, and even meets FDA food contact standards. Dishwasher safe. The set includes a stock-pot with lid, skillet, ladle and spatula.
 

This natural wood car transporter can tote two chunky vehicles and load and unload them for endless imaginary adventures with its driver Woody Click.  A water based paint adds bright colors to playtime that begins with building the vehicles first and then play. It won the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award in 2006.

Suitable for ages 3 months and up, this rainbow collection of wooden beads is held together by an elastic cord and can be manipulated into a variety of configurations. The beads are coated with non-toxic, water-based finishes.
— "If we were able to keep [Baby Beads] in stock, we would sell lots," Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Pennington, N.J., told TDmonthly in March 2010. "Based on how many we've sold, we would sell 30 a month."

The Keester is a cushion specifically invented, designed, and engineered for the comfort of child. The Keester is a practical solution for the discomfort and lack of back support experienced by children on most automobile booster seats. The Keester is more than 2 inches of polyurethane foam for added comfort. The rear of The Keester is a semi-circular cut out that suspends the tail bone and reduces pressure on child's sensitive nerves, preventing numbness.

The Diggity Kids™ Neck Pillow slips on child’s neck and provides the support needed for comfortable rest or sleep. Props their head in the perfect position to prevent sore necks. Soft and comfortable, can be used in the car, on the plane, or in the stroller. Colors coordinate with The Keester® and the Diggity Kids Seat Belt Cover. Can be purchased separately or with the Diggity Kids Comfort Travel System. Machine sewn and hand stuffed with memory foam.

The Diggity Kids™ Seat Belt Cover for your child’s shoulder and/or lap belt is a comfortable, durable and lightweight seat belt pad. The Diggity Kids Seat Belt Cover prevents chafing and keep kids happy to be secured in their seat belt. Coordinate color with The Keester and The Diggity Kids Neck Pillow. Can be purchased separately or with The Diggity Kids Comfort Travel System. Made of soft micro-suede, and 100% polyester covering, it is machine washable.

The Diggity Kids™ Comfort Travel System is The Keester, The Diggity Kids Neck Pillow and The Diggity Kids Seat Belt Cover together in one set. The Diggity Kids Comfort Travel System is the comfort travel system marketed to children ages 4-10. Made in the USA, it comes in different design themes.

An animal menagerie, made from organic cotton and soy inks. These petite pillows or playthings are based on Victorian designs, and feature such animals as giraffes, pigs, gorillas, bunnies, owls, ostriches, zebras, and dogs.

This set includes a pair of 17" red, white and blue stars to place on either side of the car, plus a 6" top hot with wiring to attach to the grille.

This classic rubber ducky is given a designer's twist in green with white polka dots. It measures 8".

Created for family game night, this bowling set features six hand-cut and sanded maple wood kitty pins with carved facial features and coated in non-toxic paints. It includes a 2"-diameter bowling ball, a game play sheet, four score sheets, and a handmade cotton canvas bag for storage. "We love that they function to help develop hand-eye coordination for a younger child but will last for years as the child grows older," Sara, co-owner of Kitty Baby Love, told TDmonthly. Launch date:

There are four different Teach & Play Tiles set for the beginning learner. Set 1 has shapes and colors, set 2 includes animals and vegetables, set 3 makes story telling fun with buildings and vehicles, and set 4 reinforces counting skills with numbers and fractions. Each set comes with 12 tiles, printed on both sides with non-toxic inks. The tiles measure 2.25" wide, 3.5" tall and a slight 1/8" thick. Sets come with a cloth storage pouch and suggestions for play. Each set can be used for rudimentary learning at first and then grow with the child in expanding activities. The tiles may be used for matching and sorting skills, comparing and contrasting, categorization, story telling and math practice. Launch date: Summer 2010.

The Summer Infant 3-Stage Super Seat from Summer Infant offers 360 degrees of floor time activity fun and a booster combined. Growing infants can experience play while also sitting up. All stages have a 3-point crotch restraint for baby's safety and there are 2 sets of chair straps for added security in Booster Seat Mode.
STAGE 1: Infant Support Seat- Support Seat aids baby when learning to sit up
STAGE 2: Floortime Activity Seat- 360 degree rotating tray, removable snack tray, includes 5 playful toys
STAGE 3: Booster Seat- includes removable soft foam insert for growing child

E-Flite Blade SR is a single rotor collective pitch remote-controlled helicopter with LiPo battery and a Spektrum 2.4ghz radio. It is 100% factory-assembled, test-flown and ready-to-fly. Launch date: 2010.