March 2010 Notable Toys — Licensed Products

The GummiBear character that has become an internet sensation is now licensed as a karaoke for children. With 50 built-in songs for kids, the microphone recognizes pitch and sync as they sing to the music, grading the child's performance along the way. Launch date: 2010.

Trend Lab's velour chair with ottoman is styled and sized for toddlers. The chair has an embroidered Cat in the Hat and raised all-over star pattern. It's available in three colors: Olive, Red,and Blue. Chair dimensions are 18" H x 24" W x 17" D. Ottoman dimensions are 6.5” H x 12.5” W. Marketing Coordinator Marchelle Lyons of Trend Lab told TDmonthly, "Our new licensed Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat chairs have a unique star-embossed velour fabric that is stylish and super soft!" Launch date: September 2009.

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.

Moose's Beados are magic beads that are used to create colourful and fun designs. Just layout your design in the special Beados Tray, then spray them with water and your artwork will magically set in place. The clever design of the Beados™ Super Studio means everything you need is at your finger tips. Includes 800 Beados, two trays, template designs, Beados Sprayer, Beados Pen, bead remover, display stands, and a fan to help creations dry in half the time. Launch date: 2010.

This Thomas and Friends train playset has been designed so that it can be used with or without the normal Thomas Wooden Railway gauged track, but has oversized engines for little hands can easily grasp and manouvre. The set includes two destinations for Thomas to visit on Sodor Island: Maithwaite Station and Crossing Gate. Launch date: February 2010.

Harry Potter fans and LEGOmaniacs alike will enjoy this recreation of Harry's alma mater, Hogwarts School. The 682-piece castle is intricate and has a number of special features, but comes with a clear set of instructions for kids to follow. The castle's portraits revolve, owls dwell in the spires, and flames rise up from torches. The set includes number of characters from the Harry Potter series: Harry himself, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Professor Snape, Hagrid, and Professor Dumbledore.
— In late Spring 2011, 5 of 12 retailers surveyed said that LEGO was their best-selling brand of licensed products. Joe Berardoni Jr., Owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., said that "We try to avoid licensed products...that said, however, we still do carry LEGO, and their licensed kits sell well, such as Star Wars and Harry Potter."
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 57 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Reviewers really liked the mini-figures included in the set; very detailed. Cons: Recommended age seemed too young to several reviewers.

LEGO's construction play sets and figures feature classic and new characters from Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3. In this play set, builders help Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear drive around the day care center in his toy dump truck.

LEGO's construction play sets and figures feature classic and new characters from Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3. The Toy Story 3 Western Train serves up many adventures as builders help Woody, Buzz and Jessie fight their way into the train and get everyone off safely.

Grateful Dead-Opoly was created by music industry veteran and longtime Grateful Dead associate Debbie Gold, and includes artwork by comic book illustrator Timothy Truman. Each game comes with a VIP Pass and tokens that include a guitar, drum, amp, a tour bus and even Bob Weir’s dog, Otis. Players circle the board, attempting to acquire album-themed properties. Along the way, they might catch a show at Winterland, hang in the Parking Lot or even get thrown Off the Bus. Grateful Dead fans will surely appreciate the game's attention to detail. For 2 to 6 players.

Discovery Bay Games partnered with Broadway Video Enterprises to produce this “Saturday Night Live” board game. The SNL game allows players to choose content from their favorite SNL era (70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s) in order to compete in interactive challenges and answer trivia questions.

These 1:87 scale truck, trailer, and machine combos from Norscot are ideal for both die-cast collectors and HO gauge model railroaders. The combos feature Peterbilt Model 389 trucks and Trail King lowboy trailers carrying Caterpillar machines. The red truck carries a Cat® D5M Track-Type Tractor, the white truck a Cat 163H Motor Grader, the yellow truck Cat 950G Series II Wheel Loader, and the black truck a Cat 315C L Hydraulic Excavator. "Norscot is unique in our ability to bring together world-leading brands of construction and transportation equipment to create these combinations," JoAnne Jarecki, Vice President Scale Models & Toys, Norscot Group, Inc., told TDmonthly. These models are part of the entry level series, priced for the beginning collector or model railroader. Each model measures 10-1/2" x 2" x 1-3/4" (26.7 x 5.1 x 4.4 cm). Packed 12 per carton. Launch date: March 11, 2010.

Panini stickers and albums are household brands in 110 countries worldwide. "With over 700 licenses, Panini is making its first official foray into the U.S. market," Isaac Wolman, CEO, The Aquastone Group, North American distributor for Panini SPA, told TDmonthly. "When children buy the sticker album, repeat same-store purchases of an average of 23 sticker packs follow. With a firm retail price of $1.00 on both the sticker packs and albums (regardless of the size of the retail outlet), the Panini model is designed to ensure maximum sales and repeat traffice for the retailer." Launch date: April 30, 2010.
— David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toy Shop in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Panini Sticker Books are one of the store's best-selling collectible items.

Have you ever wondered how Santa Claus came to be Santa? A long time ago, a young boy named Nikolas took on a mysterious mission and created a legend that would be carried on from generation to generation. "Christmas Story" is a magical and heartwarming tale of how the gift-giving tradition was created. Awards: 2009 Dove Family-Approved Seal. Launch date: November 3, 2009.

One of the most beloved family tales of all time comes to life in an enchanting combination of live-action drama and animated adventure. It's the story of a young boy named Toby who is sent by his busy father to spend the holiday season in the home of his stern grandmother. Toby's world instantly changes when he discovers the house's 'magic attic' where three forgotten toys, including a special stuffed rabbit, unlock a world of imagination that will change all their lives forever. The film is directed by Michael Landon, Jr., features the voices of Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt and Ellen Burstyn, and was produced based on the best-selling book by Margery Williams. Awards: 2009 Dove Family-Approved Seal. "Total sell-through for Christmas 2009 was over 64 percent!" Jennifer Barger, Assistant Brand Manager, Anchor Bay Entertainment, told TDmonthly in spring 2010.

Girls use the light box with the fashion films and sketch sheets to start drawing some of the 100+ clothing and accessory combinations. They can use the design guide for inspiration to find theiir inner diva and start sketching their own designer wardrobe. "This light box sketch kit is a huge draw for any girl. They can start their sketches out on the right path by tracing the outlines of the clothing. Plus, the design guide in this kit is amazing — it has easy to follow instructions, ideas, and tips on how to make their designs look like a professional drew them," Sarah Koth, PR Manager, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2010.

Andy's friends are out of the toy box. Woody and Buzz are ready to round them up for another adventure! Each tin includes a colorful play scene printed on the inside of the tin, 1 additional colorful play scene (2 cards) and 3 sheets of magnets.

This family game allows three to four players to join in the fun and suspense of the top-rated TV game show “Let’s Make a Deal” for “what’s inside the box” or “behind the curtains” in their own homes.

The sequel edition of The Office Trivia Game features trivia questions based on seasons 4, 5, and 6 of the hit NBC sitcom “The Office.” There are two levels of difficulty in this game for three to six players.

Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” series by L. J. Smith can join their favorite characters from Mystic Falls in this board game featuring game pieces that transform them (the show’s characters) into vampires. Players move around the game board trying to avoid being bitten to be the last person left who’s not a vampire. It includes four human-to-vampire transformation photo-frames, a replica of Katherine’s ring, and a vampire fangs rubber stamp. For two to four players.

Kids use the self-contained, pop-up game die to race their character game pieces around the Looney Tunes-themed game board. Players must get all their pieces home to win. For two to four players.

In this “Who Is It?” game featuring Looney Tunes characters, players ask a series of yes or no questions using deductive reasoning as they try to figure out whom their opponent has selected. The first player to guess correctly wins. For two players.

Kids practice their skillfulness as they help Scooby-Doo try to keep his balance atop a column of “Shaggys.” On each roll of the die, players see if they have to add or take away another Shaggy. The player who doesn’t make Scooby come crashing down wins. For one to four players.

In this game of skill, players must take turns carefully pushing out bricks one by one without letting Scooby-Doo and Shaggy fall from atop the wall. For two or more players.

Kids play along with their favorite characters from Jeff Kinney’s bestselling “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” book series in this socially-interactive board game. Players move their game pieces — including Greg, Rowley, Fregley and Manny — around the game board and complete different challenges to see how well they know each other. The player who advances to the finish by answering the most questions correctly wins. For three to four players.
— Lynda Blankenship, owner of Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that this game was her store's best-selling licensed product.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Entertaining for the whole family. Cons: Needs to be played by at least 4 people to be fun, according to one reviewer; rules are complicated for younger players.