June 2009 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

This set features a detailed Santa with his toy sack and best friend Rudolph the Reindeer for pretend play. The figures may be used with other WOW toys sets. Launch date: July 9, 2009.

This friction-powered cement truck has an automatic revolving mixer. Mike’s motor rotates his inner cement drum, tossing and turning all the mix of cement ingredients with real cement-making sounds. He is operated by a friendly removable construction driver figure who can either drive him to his next job or watch the mixing process from the top of his truck. A detachable bollard can be fixed to the back for easy storage. "Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike, as with all other vehicles from WOW’s toy range, has been designed to help children make sense of the world around them through imaginative play. Every WOW toy is compatible with others from the range, [and] they are extremely resilient, don’t require batteries, and exceed all toy safety regulations," Tanya Laperouse, PR manager for WOW Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 9, 2009.

With this puzzle, toddlers can match the shape of one of the four knob puzzle pieces or discover what is underneath. The Pond Knob Puzzle is designed to promote fine motor and concentration skills. "Delightful graphics encourage children to uncover and learn more about animals in their environment," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Little Autos are child-sized vehicles made of maple with natural wood wheels painted with a vibrant burst of color and sweet graphics. They are available in four colors: lime green, blue, red and yellow, and accented with one of two whimsical patterns: checkers or blossoms. Little Autos are an "exceptional value for a modern, wood vehicle. This is available in a display with 8 autos in 4 colors," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Pink line includes organic rattles, teethers, and developmental toys designed with purpose. The House Sorter comes packed with four shape blocks ready to be shaken, squeezed and sorted. It's designed to stimulate and develop babies' sensory, motor and social skills vital to their personal growth and most importantly, have fun doing it. “From the organic cotton grown without pesticides and chemicals, coloring process, and right down to the plant-based fibers used in filling the plush toys, we’re all about delivering toys that babies will enjoy learning from and that don’t harm the environment,” Re-Think It Co-founder Amy Shumway told TDmonthly. A portion of the proceeds from the PINK line will support Breast Cancer Research. Launch date: September 16, 2009.

This tower features 10 sturdy blocks to nest, stack and tumble down. Kevin Hawkes provided the realistic animal depictions for eeBoo's latest set of award-winning nesting blocks. Launch date: June 25, 2009.

This game comes with 10 three-piece spelling puzzles using three letter animals illustrations — pig, fox, hen, etc. The eco-friendly product uses 90-percent recycled grey board and non-toxic inks. Its old-fashioned look is designed to be appealing to every generation of toy buyers. In this pre-reading game, the puzzle also spells its name. Launch date: June 30, 2009.

Nelly Dragon is a 10" plush educational pal. She includes 1/2 life-size dentition with four flossible locations, bendable extremities to hold toothbrushes. The product includes two children's toothbrushes and one plush toothbrush, designed to serve as a great way to teach the proper way to bruch and floss. Launch date: 2009.

Kids can splash into undersea adventures with friendly creatures that engage them in early learning games. It includes a treasure hunt and plays eight children’s songs. They press the gem notes to create original tunes. The mat is designed to keep kids on the move with floor play, or for play on a table. It features high-quality audio, automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and Activity Guide. It wipes clean and is for one to three players. The mat measures 34” L x 30” H and requires 4 AA batteries, not included. Launch date: May 20, 2009.

Color Caterpillars are designed as a captivating way to introduce children to colors, patterns and sizes. The big, bright, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build cute, colorful, caterpillar friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early exploration at the same time. Color Caterpillars encourages creativity with 15 mix-and-match pieces and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Number Bugs are designed to introduce children to numbers, counting 0 to 5, addition and color matching. The chunky, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build adorable bug friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early learning at the same time. The 18-piece set makes six bugs and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— “[We] do a lot with Learning Resources in math,” Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 about best-selling educational supplies.
— Two of 40 retailers named Learning Resources as a top-selling brand for school supplies and educational products.

Players flip the tokens as they play to make a constantly changing game. They flip the score card to keep track of games they've won, and the first to five is the grand winner. It is made in the USA of recycled materials and received a 2009 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This Take-along-Friend is crafted out of renewable rubberwood. It's designed to inspire creativity and fun for kids to run around trying to have the shark catch the fish. Launch date: July 2009.

Designed for tiny hands to handle, this vibrant bunch makes clickey-clop sounds when jumbled together. It is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009.

This whirly, twirly activity toy has brightly colored loops and wooden discs that spin up and down in a dizzying array of activity. It is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009.

This rattle is made from renewable rubberwood and features a clickety-clack sound with bright colorful pieces. Launch date: July 2009.

It takes a keen eye and a quick hand to keep up in this fast-paced matching game. Players search the colorful picture cards to find the one that matches the silhouette card in hand. The player with the most matches wins. No reading is required and there are four levels of play. The game is created to help develop visual interpretation, critical thinking and social skills. It received a 2009 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This junior version of I Spy Eagle Eye is scaled to suit the youngest I Spy fans. No reading is required and there are four levels of play. The game is designed to help develop language skills, word association, matching like and similar objects, and social skills. It is made in the USA. "This game makes learning fun with its unique I Spy imagery and bell-ringing activity," Carol Comes, product manager for Briarpatch, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This 18" x 35" puzzle consists of 35 sturdy, wipe-off pieces. As an extra feature, the entire classic Goodnight Moon story is printed around the border. It is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

These counting and matching games offer seven versions of play for children at different levels of skill and experience. There's a different game for every night of the week. It encourages listening, matching, and beginning number and reading skills. The product features the endearing artwork from the classic book "Goodnight Moon" and is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

In this game of skill and chance for two to four players, the goal is to be the first to top off a treat with a cherry to win the game. It is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This 48-piece, 7" x 7' floor puzzle features the colorful animals of Simms Taback award-winning books. The puzzles can be done individually and then hooked together or placed in a very long line. This Oppenheim Gold Award winner is made in the USA. It's "just made for the specialty market," Product Manager Carol Comes of Briarpatch told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

To play, a child selects one of five colorful, two-sided match cards and place it in the tray. Then, he places the magic monkey in the center on the left side of the card and points his banana to the picture, letter, shape, or color he wants to try and match. Then, he selects the image on the right side of the card that best matches his selection. To see if he's correct, he'll place the monkey in the center on the right side of the card and let go. He will mysteriously spin and point to the correct match. "This little monkey's actions will even amaze adults and he does it all without batteries," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. Launch date: 2009.

Four individual puzzles help children learn shapes by putting the puzzles together. The shapes are cleverly shown in the puzzle pictures. The sturdy puzzles come in a self-closing carrier box designed for years of puzzle fun. "The unique Briarpatch Carrier design makes it a one-of-a-kind item, perfect for holiday and birthday party gift-giving. The award-winning SAMi artwork is also made for the specialty store shopper," Carol Comes, product manager for Briarpatch, told TDmonthly. This product is an Oppenheim Gold Award winner. Launch date: March 31, 2009.