March 2012 Notable Toys — Preschool

Play with your food! Join the chefs in the crazy kitchen and collect everything they need to make a meal. Then grab your plate and wait for your dish to cook! Will  you be the first to serve up a tasty treat? For 2-5 players ages 3-7.

Race to fill your trolley! Be the first to fill your trolley with all of the items on your shopping list, in our best-selling memory game. For 2-4 players, ages 3-7.

This classic manipulative wooden toy is designed with geometric blocks, large gears, washers and rings, all in bright colors. Geo Blocks & Gears will boost hand/eye coordination and problem solving skills in a fun hands on way. Skills include stacking, matching and making gears fit to turn. Constructed of hardwood and is packaged in a full retail colored box

Our classic Pop Up Toys have a rich tradition of history. Each Pop Up Toy features 4 figures with spring loaded action, and are ideal for developing hand/eye coordination and fine motor skills. Toy styles offer additional wheel movement. All Pop up Toys are constructed of hardwood and are in retail packaging. Pop Up Farm is 6 1/2"L x 2"W x 5 1/2"H.

This is the first line of construction toys designed for preschool girls ages 1 and up. Features sparkly translucent blocks,  princesses with sparkling tiaras, ponies, and more. This tub includes sparkly and regular blocks, two princesses, and a little pony. Launch date: Fall 2012.

The Inflatable Play Cube for iPad safely brings tablet technology to small children while entertaining them with the playful faces of popular Nickelodeon characters. The cube is easily inflated with the included foot pump and features a protective case on a recessed and padded side to hold and secure the iPad. Once inflated it can safely be bounced and tumbled over to use in either an upright tabletop position for playing Apps or flipped on its side for enjoying videos. Launch date: September 2012.

These kid-powered bouncies feature animals like Moo Moo and Trotter. Launch date: 2012.

Soar & Spin kites feature 2 ways to fly - throw it or spin it around. Flyer set includes 1 flyer and 1 holding stick. Flyer features nylon body on a hard plastic frame with a 3D plastic head. To clean: wash with a damp cloth and wipe softly. Launch date: January 2012.

iBuKu Pets are fun, lovable characters that turn any smartphone into a cuddly pet. iBuKu Pets are not just a protective holder for mom or dad’s new iPhone (although they work well in this scenario too), but iBuKu Pets are intended to breathe life back into older used smartphones that have been placed aside in a drawer somewhere. Why not give that used smartphone to a child as a learning tool? One major issue with older phones is that their batteries often don’t hold the charge they once did. iBuKu Pets will have versions with not only a secondary battery inside, but also with the ability to wirelessly charge the batteries by simply setting the iBuKu Pet on a charge pad. Image a child never having to remove the phone from his iBuKu Pet, but rather setting him on his bedside table to charge at night. While charging, the iBuKu Pet will turn itself on as a nightlight when it hears the child wake up, or it will be an alarm clock for school-aged children.  And when they wake in the morning, the iBuKu Pet is charged and ready for a new day of learning activities. Launch date: April 2012.

To play, simply toss the big plush cube and identify which colored side faces up. Choose a matching color card and perform the simple activity shown. “Make a happy face,” “Moo like a cow,” etc. The activities supported by Roll & Play are designed to help kids shine, supporting healthy development and celebrating success. Roll & Play gently introduces play patterns and rules through a loving, joyful play experience. Launch date: 2012.

A stuffed animal, riding toy and pillow in one. The dinosaur Pillow Racer is great for scooting around indoors, and is a perfect companion for looking at a book or watching TV. Kids can sit on it, lay on it, ride on it. The wheels and bottom half detach, leaving a soft plush dino behind. Launch date: 2012.

The Laugh & Learn™ Apptivity™ Monkey is an interactive plush learning toy for babies that also lets them enjoy their very own apps on mom or dad’s iPhone® or iPod® touch device. Toddlers can squeeze monkey's hands and feet to interact with the app, which teaches baby about colors, numbers, animals and much more. Launch date: May 2012.

Brightly colored wooden sail boats. Assorted numbered boats, from one to six.
— In a February 2012 survey, two of 14 retailers said that Toysmith is their bestselling brand for wooden toys.

These cubes are a fun variation of a familiar form that are similar to other stacking blocks but have more graphics and characters. These blocks are very colorful. There is one animal for each box so it can be used for matching. The boxes nest for easy storage. The coated heavy cardboard is very durable and very brightly printed. The adorable animals and characters are made of soft PVC and are washable. In addition, each piece uses all sides for different motifs, so the sets are open-ended. For 18 months and up.
— In a February 2012 survey about bestselling wooden toys, Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly they sell 12 units of this item each month.

With this set, kids can practice counting, numbers and stacking. Includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1–5). Bowls nest to store—largest measures 21/4”H x 43/4” in diameter. Launch date: February 2012.

Measuring madness is coming to the kitchen. Enticing, chunky tools are contoured for little hands. Scale, bowl, 3 self-standing spoons and 6 unique cup designs help children visualize quantities as they make mystery goo, puffy paint, slime and more. Activity Cards included. Launch date: February 2012.

This pink glittering plush turtle comes inside of a decorated plush cupcake tote purse. Launch date: January 2012.

Kids must work together to make as many cupcakes as they can before it’s time for the party. Follow the recipe cards to pick the perfect fancy liner, frosting, and topper. Each cupcake creation is fit for a princess in this sweet game of matching and sharing. Launch date: 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, 25% of retailers told TDmonthly that Disney Princess was their best selling licensed brand.

Tilt and see images flip magically to teach the alphabet and numbers. Special 3D lenticular printing makes these magnets interactive and captivating for young children. Large magnets (2.25” square) are easy to hold and play with. Each set includes a colorful teaching guide in English, French and Spanish. "The first magnet toy for children that uses 3D lenticular printing," Ilango Sankaralingam, president of Smart Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Tilt and see images flip magically to teach the alphabet, numbers, opposites or animal babies. Special lenticular printing makes these cards interactive and captivating for young children. Colorful illustrations make learning fun in English, Spanish and French.   High-quality, durable flashcards are easy to clean and maintain. Reclosable ring keeps cards together. "Our flash cards utilize an unique lenticular printing process and provides the ability to learn in 3 languages," Ilango Sankaralingam, president of Smart Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.

Images on these 3-D flashcards will take on a new dimension to view the world in a whole new way. Realistic 3-D images make these cards captivating and fun to play with. Learn animal or fruit/vegetable names in English, French and Spanish. Includes 20 durable & easy to clean cards. Perfect for on-the-go learning as the Reclosable ring keeps cards together. Comes in 3 fun styles – Zoo animals, Marine animals and Fruits/Vegetables. Launch date: March 2012.

Helps teach kids about healthy eating habits. This redesigned set includes a cutting board, knife, and 5 sliceable veggies – tomato, mushroom, shallot, bell pepper, and cucumber. Tactile details offer more realistic play.

This three-story house comes with furniture and two dolls for various imaginative play. The two-sided play mat serves as a wall and roof, or can be laid down to become a garden. Tools and screws not required. Made of PlanWood and solid rubber wood.

This award-winning set includes a mini rainbow shaker, baby maraca, baby rattle and cage bell. Includes a vinyl carrying case.
Awards: 2007 Creative Child Magazine Top Toy of the Year Award
— As of 01/09/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 24 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a January 2012 survey, Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that their best selling musical item was, "Baby Band from Hohner — we had them for just a few months, and sold 15/month. It's a popular item."