June 2009 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

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.

Like all Scribble Mats!, this durable vinyl place mat is designed to provide hours of fun and creativity. Kids can learn as they color. Each mat comes with a box of four crayons. Scribble Mats! may be used at school, home, restaurants, or during travel. "Color on Wipe off Scribble Mats! are made with our signature surface that allows any waxed based crayon to wipe clean and easy with a dry paper towel or cloth. Kids can color again and again," Andi Thea of Scribble Mats! told TDmonthly. This product received a 2003 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy award. Launch date: July 2003.

The Funny Phone Early Listening Game is created to get players of all ages giggling. Players dial a number and listen as Funny Phone tells what the next game is. With more than 300 challenges — tongue twisters, singing, drawing, acting and more — Funny Phone is full of surprises. Winners can dial a secret phone number to hear a victory message. It features automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and a break-away safety cord. It requires 3 AA batteries, not included. An AC adapter is available separately. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

"Boarding Basics" is designed as the perfect companion DVD for the award-winning Yo Baby Kick Flipper. The easy to follow DVD offers instruction on tricks such as the 180 and 360 Spin, Ollie, Peanut Flip, Caveman and lots more. It takes kids through each move, step by step, so they can follow along and learn. "It is the only step-by-step DVD that teaches kids how to do all the cool boarding tricks on a Yo Baby Kick Flipper (think 'skateboard without wheels') in the safety of their home," Bob Ellis, president of GarageCo Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 21, 2009.

Block Mates build upon the foundation of unit blocks by providing children with a themed exploration set. All Block Mates are designed to fit standard unit blocks and can be built in their natural form or mixed and matched with others in the set to create new, imaginative creatures. The patented gasket design is created for a snug fit. There are five characters per set. The Safari set includes Gorilla, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Alligator and Lion. Blocks not included. There is not a toy in any market like Block Mates™. "They bring new life to a store's unit block sales and they are not marketed in big-box stores. They can be sold as an educational toy or a creative toy," Dave Ruddock, digital imaging and design for Guidecraft, told TDmonthly. This product received a Best of 2008 Instructor Teacher's Pick award and a 2008 and 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: October 20, 2008.

This Learning Center can connect to TV or unplug for portable fun. It includes a start-up learning book, a game cartridge, and a double-side learning card. It features a large drawing area and creations can be saved or printed out, as it supports SD cards. It's designed to help kids learn vocabulary, letter and number formation, math, translation, music, drawing and trivia. "The built-in, non-touch technology allows detection of your location and movement even you are not touching the drawing area with the stylus," Jackie Tam, senior sales manager for Hanzawa, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

Jacquard Products’ popular Medium Point Tee Juice Fabric Marking Pens are now offered in a boxed set which includes: Yellow, Blue, Red, Green and Black pens. Tee Juice Fabric Art Marking Pens are also available in Fineliner and Broad Tip Pens; all are available in eight vivid colors: Golden Yellow, Red, Blue, Black, Chocolate Brown, Orange, Purple and Emerald Green. The pens can be used on a wide variety of natural and synthetic fibers. Any piece of fabric, from t-shirts to lampshades can be transformed into a unique piece of art. Launch date: June 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.

Girls can make their own bracelets, hair ornaments and flower bouquets with fun snapping blocks in pretty pastel colors. The 260-piece Hobby Kit Flower comes with an instruction guide to make 12 interchangeable models from seven types of blocks. "LaQ is an innovative construction toy block with a patent for the cleverly angled block pieces which allow a child to create flat, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and spherical objects from just seven types of blocks! The infinite possibilities of creating geometrical shapes through play is highly educational and enjoyable for children and adults," Mo Saeki, manager, overseas division, Yoshiritsu Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

These four lightweight, easy to use rollers offer a way to get creative. Children can roll out borders for note paper, party decorations, designs on wrapping paper and anything else that their imagination will allow. Using the circular paint pads or washable tempera paint will yield the best results, along with a shallow pan for the paint and a lesson in holding the handles properly. Each roller is 8.5" long. The themes for this set include teddy bears, butterflies, gingerbread men and frogs. Each design is a different color. Launch date: June 2009.

Created for the budding fashion designer, this activity comes with a dry-erase board and wipe-off markers to allow the young designer to come up with several combinations of wild and wacky outfits. On one wheel, the designer will spin to choose the type of bottom (i.e. pants, skirt, etc.) and top (i.e. sweater, tank-top, etc.). On the other wheel, the designer will spin to choose the footwear and an accessory. Then, the designer goes to work with the different colors to create an outfit on the pre-modeled body. "SQUIGGLE Style is not about only creating a hip and fashionable outfit; it’s about being creative and engaging children’s imagination," John Kiely, president of RandomLine, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

This potty chair has a hand painted Noah's Ark theme and has a toilet paper holder and magazine holder! With this model, you can turn it into a rocker.

Note: Picture shows chair development from Potty Chair to Rocker. This item can be used as a potty chair without the rocker support then it is time to turn into a rocker it can be easily added with the supplied base rocker pieces.

Note: Some Assembly May Be Required.

The dimensions are:
21 x 21.25 x 25.50 Inches

With 20+ felt pieces, this story board includes a sturdy handle and back pocket for storage of the pieces. This particular theme highlights sea life and various other characters for play. Launch date: 2009.

This colorful, themed set includes a carry handle and a storage pouch on the back for toting the various pieces included. It features felt fairies, flowers, insects and more. Launch date: 2009.

Outfitted with 19+ pieces, this felt storyboard set measures 12" x 15" and has a sturdy, attached handle. Pieces include pirates, weapons, treasure and other accessories. Launch date: 2009.

This CALAFANT Dollhouse comes complete with balcony and two big rooms on the backside. All doors open. Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable. Decorate inside and outside, create wallpaper and pictures. Ideal in size for play with 3" dolls and animals. Assembled product is approx. 15" x 7" x 16"

High quality cardboard fort with 2 teepees. Can be colored as shown or with one's own creative design. Once colored in, the fort and teepees become a pretend play environment. The fort's size is ideal for play with 3" dolls and animals. Approximate size: 14" x 14" x 9"(fort) and 5" x 4" x 8"(tepee). Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable.

Beautiful castle for every princess, fairy, king and queen. Color with the included 12 markers (non-toxic, washable) or decorate it with many other materials or paints. Approximate size: 9" x 9" x 11".

Ahoy! This pirate ship is ready for new adventures in no time. Decorate it in your very own colors. 12 washable, non-toxic markers included. Built with eco-friendly materials. Approximate size: 10" x 8" x 5".

Cozy little farm house with stable. Easy to fold and color, and can be used to play with existing farm animal figurine toys. 12 non-toxic, washable markers included. Approximate size: 14" x 11" x 5"

BathKiddy is for both bath and pool time. Assorted small bath toys, bath stickers and even a magic washcloth are all packaged in a mesh bag that allows water to drain off the toys.  It packs easily in a suitcase and there is enough room in the mesh bag to pack shampoo and soap.

The PocketKiddy is a smaller version of the TravelKiddy for the purse, diaper bag or pocket.  It contains crayons, mini activity book, stickers and more. Minor mishaps are no problem as wipes, tissues and bandages are included.

Similar to the TravelKiddy for ages 6 plus but with activities selected for the younger user.  Designed to keep the young kids occupied during the long car rides and plane trips. Wipes, tissues and bandages are included in every TravelKiddy to take care of minor mishaps along the way.  Included also is a foam core board so there is a hard surface on which to color or do crafts.

Contains age appropriate crafts, stickers, activity books, 3-d puzzles, small toys, crayons in a durable container, doodle pad, pencil, tape measure, pre-stamped design-your-own post cards and more.  Each easy to carry, durable bag is designed to provide over 7 hours of entertainment. The return kit is separately packaged so the TravelKiddy can be refilled with new toys, crafts and activities for the trip home.