March 2011 Notable Toys — All

Similar to a Rubik’s Cube, this multicolored cube has seven rows and columns users have to align.

Phone Frenzy is a board game that uses everyone’s mobile phone as the primary game component for calling, texting, and sending photos.  Every turn, players are given a challenge or activity that can only be completed with the help of one or more of their phone contacts.  A challenge might be a race to receive a correct response to “Finish this lyric by Journey:  ‘Just a small town girl’…”  Players pick who they think are the right contacts from their phone and send them a text message with the question.  The first player to receive the correct text message wins the round. Launch date: Summer 2011.

This small salt water fuel cell car lets children lean about new forms of clean energy and engineering. After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the magnesium metal sheet (3 sheets included) can operate the car for about 5-7 hours continuously. If you want to park the vehicle, simply take out the fuel cell module and rinse with tap water and dry.

The race is on to see who will make it to the Fountain of Youth first. Will Jack Sparrow be outsmarted by Blackbeard or wooed by Angelica, or will he beat his rivals to the coveted pools of eternal youth? Set includes Jack Sparrow, Barbossa with peg leg and Blackbead minifigs, plastic waterfall detail and two chalices. Launch date: May 2011.

Includes Jack Sparrow and two Zombie minifigs, buildable shelf and two ships in a bottle. Launch date: May 2011.

This microphone was developed in conjunction with the eponymous hip-hop artist, notorious for his auto-tuned jams. The hand-held wireless microphone plays three different beats to sing over, and records your voice. It features pitch-correction. Launch date: Fall 2011.

At White Cap Bay, Jack Sparrow and the other pirates must capture a mermaid. Spot them using the searchlight and shoot the net from the boathouse cannon. But beware- if the whale oil tips over, the whole lighthouse is sure to go up in flames. Includes Jack Sparrow, three mermaids and three other pirate minifigs, mini-boat with pirates’ victims, crewmates and a collapsing lighthouse. Launch date: May 2011.

This intense play gun for older children shoots water soaked paper pellets that stick to their targets. Includes 102 pellet refills, two 8-round clips for easy loading, eyewear, and accuracy up to 60 feet.  Launch date: Fall 2011.

This battery-powered dart gun shoots a succession of 20 foam darts in rapid-fire. Launch date: Spring 2011.

These sticky pellets are made of cornstarch and are completely non-toxic and edible. Just add a little bit of water to get them to stick together, then construct models from the pellets. Comes with 1000 multicolor pieces.

This watercolor paintbrush allows kids to assign a musical scale to their drawings and control the sounds as they slide their fingers over the strokes of the brush. Can be used with water colors or even plain water.

This environmentally focused toy teaches kids how to test water for impurities, with the option of uploading their results online and comparing with other kids’ finds. Includes information on global water quality and encourages kids to think of ways to use science and chemistry to assist countries with unsuitable drinking water.

Activision is back with Spyro. This time, characters in the video game are available as action figures that can be plugged into the game. Put the toy on the "power portal," and all of the power and skills that kids build up can be saved to the toy itself, so every time they play the game, no matter on what console, all of their statistics are in tact. Each character has its own unique powers, and two characters can be placed on the portal at once to play as a team or face of in one-on-one battle. Starter pack includes 1 copy of the game, 1 Portal of Power, and 3 Characters. Launch date: Fall 2011.

One player draws a construction card and builds the structure shown. Next, an opponent loads an Angry Bird onto the launcher and catapults the bird to knock down structures and pigs. The player with the most points and knockdowns wins. Features three Angry Birds, four green pigs, one slingshot-style launcher, structure pieces and multiple mission cards. For one or more players. Launch date: May 2011.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from 252 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Great alternative to the app for parents who want to reduce kids' screen time; fun for the family to play together; helps kids develop dexterity and patience. Cons: Certain structures are too elaborate to build and don't seem to be grouped in the correct level of difficulty; kids with short attention spans may lose interest in building the structures; structures are easy to knock down, which can be frustrating for younger players.

The Baby iCanPlay is an iPhone protector. Babies and toddler's can explore apps and games on their parent's iPhone without damaging it. The protector features large handles for gripping and chewing, a rubberized screen protector, mirrors on the back for added entertainment, and a special cover over the "home" button so baby can't exit out of the app. Launch date: July 2011.

Mickey is decked-out in rock star gear. Kids can listen to him play a concert, or they can learn to play along with him. He sings, dances, and performs three classic rock songs. Launch date: September 13, 2011.

Everything you need to build your own Hexbug Nano Habitat that glows in the dark. Batteries included.

The regular Hexbugs and the HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set won the Specialty Toy of the Year Award at the 2012 American International Toy Fair. This glow in the dark version features the same motion sensors and scuttling capabilities that made the original version so popular. Glow in the dark habitats are also available. Batteries included.
— Jamie Merlavage of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that they sell about a dozen HEXBUG Nanos each month.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone  in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey about best-selling toys that she sells a dozen HEXBUGS each month.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Hexbugs were their best selling product. Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., said that they sell dozens of different styles of Hexbugs each month, and that the line has been a best seller for more than a year now.

This multi-function tablet is like a starter laptop for kids. It offers interactive reading, gaming, and creative activities. It features a 5inch color touchscreen, a tilt sensor for game control, microphone, interfaces for USB, SD card and a headphone jack, and plays MP3's. VTech will offer more than 100 software titles for InnoPad including Dora the Explorer and Toy Story programs.

Modeled after Blackbeard's ship in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides, this 1097 piece set features seven mini-figures from the movie including Jack Sparrow, Angelica and Blackbeard figures. The ship is designed to look like it's made out of bones and skulls, along with wood. This is the only LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean set that features the mini-fig of Angelica. She features a new style of brown female hair and hat that is exclusive in the LEGO universe to her character. Launch Date: Summer 2011.
— Barb Stein, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that she sells more than 30 LEGO products each month.

Authentic cloth sails, a retractable crow’s nest, canon with working projectile and launching deck complete Blackbeard's ship. Once you capture your rival, use the retractable plank walk and send him to his doom. Midsection opens for inside play; detachable longboat also included. Launch date: March 2011.

Kids place their characters on the spinner, arm them with 14 different weapons and use the battle cards to spin their way to victory. Watch out for the deadly flick and ball shooters. Set includes 2 minifigures with special accessories, 2 spinners, 14 weapons, 2 character cards and 8 battle cards.

Kids build the Spinjitzu Arena, pick their character and play the cards to influence the outcome between Jay, the Master of Lightning, and Frakjaw, the toughest warrior in the Skeleton Army. Set includes 2 minifigures, 2 spinners, 6 weapons, 2 character cards, 8 battle cards, and enough LEGO® bricks to make the Spinjitzu Arena.
— In late Spring 2011, 5 of 12 retailers surveyed said that LEGO was their best-selling brand of licensed products. Brooke Andrews, Owner of Miller's Toys in Mamaroneck, N.Y., said that LEGO Ninjago was their best-selling licensed product. "We sold out our whole LEGO order, and there are also books, games, and accessories," she told TDmonthly.

Kids can feed cookies to this plush Cookie Monster and watch as he counts out loud and happily gobbles them up. Retrieve the cookies from his backpack to start the fun all over again. Count N' Crunch Cookie Monster also likes to be tickled - press his foot repeatedly to make him giggle and squirm. Includes 3 cookies; requires four 'AA' batteries, included.