June 2011 Notable Toys — All

This new Hot Wheels Tin Storage Case is designed with a retro but fiery look.  Any kid that has a love for Hot Wheels never has only one hot rod; now, they can store them in this case. There are 18 divided spaces inside the case for storing the cars. Cars not included. – Keep It Together™!   Hot Wheels™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. ©2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved   

This storage and carry-case for Hot Wheels cars is covered in graphics of the mini-vehucles.  Unzip the case to find an interior designed with the speed demon in mind.  With curves to test even the best tires and drivers, what better track to bring the best of the best together than Hot Wheels Toolbox.  When play time is done, kids can store their cars inside the case. Hot Wheels™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. ©2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This racing themed case displays speeding Hot Wheels cars all over the exterior and a roadway ramp folds out from the interior. Weighing only one pound, this case unzips to lay flat. Discover crisscrossing roads, bridges, tunnels, and jumps. Fold the jumps so that cars go veering off course, into each other, and through the winding map. The included Hot Wheels car fits inside perfectly along with hundreds more. Hot Wheels™ and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel, Inc. ©2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product has 5 out 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com. Pros: Makes playing with small cars a lot more portable.

Kids can keep their room neat with the LEGO Star Wars ZipBin Storage Case. When unzipped, it becomes a Star Wars-themed playmat for testing out new LEGO creations. When play is done, everything can be placed inside. Sturdy, strong, stackable and portable. LEGO Blocks not included. ZipBin® Keep it Together™. © 2010 The LEGO Group.  © 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.

Kids can use this easy to fold up, double-sided LEGO playmat for imaginative play any time, and place. When one side just isn’t enough, kids can use both LEGO city -capes to play and build on.  LEGO Blocks not included. LEGO, The LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2010 LEGO

What’s the perfect size for travel, durable, and can hold anything from sandwiches to building blocks? This ZipBin® Mini Dinosaur Playset's dramatic exterior identifies the contents and is the perfect size for travel. When the bin is unzipped, it becomes a dinosaur island play mat. Fantasy play is encouraged by a prehistoric world featuring a volcano, a river, a tar pit and a mysterious cave. When play is done, the play mat becomes a toy bin in a zip, capturing the toys inside for easy clean up. This mini Playset includes three dinosaurs.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product has 3.5 out 5 stars from 2 review on Amazon.com. Pros: Convenient storage. Cons: The sides are very weak; when lifted by the handles, the basket bends.

Whether they’re fighting the Separatist droid army or simply packing their defeated enemies away for another day of galactic battle, the LEGO® Star Wars™ ZipBin® Battle Bridge Storage Case makes the perfect storage bin for kids to keep their clone troopers, Sith Lords and Jedi Knights in. Use the suspended battle bridge to gain the advantage over the enemy or sneak under them on the space station floor. No matter the battle, once over, all sides fit neatly inside this tool-box shaped case.  LEGO Blocks not included. ZipBin Products - Keep it Together™.  © 2010 The LEGO Group.  © 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. Launch date: February 28, 2011.

This product is for children ages six months and up. With a barnyard of friends to cheer baby on, little ones will love learning to walk with the Sit-to-Stand Walker. Start out with the easy-to-remove play panel for floor play or fun on the run. Then step it up with the fun-to-maneuver walker. There are three spinning flowers, five piano keys, colorful rollers, three light-up shape sorters and a telephone handset. The Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker keeps baby on track by teaching shapes, colors, animals, music and more. Requires 3 "AA" batteries, included. Measures 5.8"L x 20.9"W x 15"D.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.3 out of stars from 472 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Wheels don't have enough traction; too "loud and obnoxious;" too expensive.

Designed using sensory stimulating principles, this activity mat is packed with activities and features that encourage baby's development during the first year of life. The large plat mat features high-contrast colors, textured fabrics for tactile development, and adorable ladybug characters. Features include water-filled teether, soft corduroy fabric on mat for added tactile development, and 4 loops to attach more of baby's favorite toys. The Bright Starts Start Your Senses Activity Mat is a machine washable play mat.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product has 4.4 out 5 stars from 14 review on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of elements can be detached; many reviewers like the light-up mobile. Cons: One parent expressed concern over the toxicity of the flame-retarded fabric; one reviewer was disappointed that all of the "familiar faces" included in the artwork were blond/blue-eyed caucasian babies.

This soft activity gym features an electronic aquarium with classical melodies and dancing lights. A whale-shaped prop-up pillow accompanies baby on this aquatic adventure, which comes to life with the crisp and colorful real-life scenery of the sea on the play mat. A soft textured border encourages tactile development. Remove the arch and the play gym becomes the perfect play mat for tummy time. Tummy time is enhanced by the animal peek-a-boo flaps with real-life imagery, as well as the ability to reposition and attach toys to loops on the mat or loops on the whale pillow. The play gym comes with several developmental and colorful plush and plastic toys, including a large fish-shaped baby-safe mirror, a set of Ocean Discovery cards featuring real-life images of 6 underwater animals, a Baby Neptune rattle, and a star-shaped teether. The play gym also has 8 links for repositioning the toys. The plush Octopus with various textures and dangling rattles and teethers offers baby an on-the-go toy. The play gym features a 2-in-1 musical aquarium toy that can be used both with the gym and in the crib. his underwater-themed gym folds up for easy transportation and storage.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product has 4.2 out 5 stars from 63 review on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of elements can be detached; many reviewers like the light-up mobile. Cons: Not interactive enough; noises are annoying/ not melodical enough; not enough toys/toys not interesting enough.

Sassy Ring O Links offers youngsters a variety of textures to enhance tactile experiences. A bright, bold spectrum of colors keeps kids interested- no link is quite the same. The bold black and white pattern on the ring itself offers high-contrast imagery that is ideal for developing eyes.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com from 65 reviews. Pros: Durable; Multi-use (toy, teething rings); very colorful. Cons: Cheaper to just get the "bag o links;" the large black and white link detaches too easily from other links.

In this quick-draw classic, the sketches draw loads of laughs- but the guesses can be even more hilarious. Roll the six-sided challenge die for extra-silly scenarios; no two games will ever be alike. Play in teams, large or small. Game includes game board, one-minute timer, 4 pencil pawns, 4 pencils, 4 pads of paper, card box, card deck, standard die and challenge die, and instructions.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com from 9 reviews. Pros: Helps improve vocabulary; fun for the whole family. Cons: Some players didn't like the new updates to the game; One person said it was too hard.

52 count bucket of sidewalk chalk in assorted colors. Sidewalk chalk features new crayon shape, embossed with Crayola logo and serpentine design. Clear storage bucket with purple handle for take along fun. To reduce breakage & dust, sticks will be shrink wrapped in 4 sets of 9 and 2 sets of 8.
— As of 05/20/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com from 12 reviews. Cons: Breaks easily; the blue chalk can stain concrete. Pros: Great value; the chalk lasts a really long time as long as it doesn't get wet.

Tickle him once and he'll giggle. Tickle him twice and he'll laugh. Tickle him three times and watch him convulse with laughter! This classic toy started a phenomenon when it was first released and still brings smiles to little ones today. When Elmo's tummy is squeezed, he'll let kids know, "That tickles!" as he breaks out in laughter.

The Odyssey Wagon is a roomy luxury vehicle with several different seating configurations, a bonus cooler pack, safety belts, and easy to fold handle for transportation, just to name a few of its features. It also comes with a UV sun protection canopy, as well as an abundance of cup holders (two for the kids; two for the adults). Flip-up seats make for a comfortable ride for kids, but can also be folded flat to haul stuff around.

LEGO DUPLO bricks are sturdy and safe for a toddler’s hands and imagination. Features 80 basic bricks in different sizes. Includes bricks in red, green, yellow, blue, orange, light green, white and black. The blocks are a great introduction to the world of construction play for toddlers, to whom smaller bricks present a choking hazard.

This magnetic board allows kids to draw designs using a plastic stylus that is attached to the board, making it an ideal travel toy. There is no paper or art supplies to clean up, and the attached stylus stays with the board at all times. This mini scribbler comes with thick and thin chunky pen, two pattern stamps and a "magic" wiper.

Kids can draw on this magnetic board with no big messes. The magnetic stylus reveals bright colors when used to draw on the magnet board. Board comes with stylus and two shaped stamps. Frame is 12 x 9 inches and features a 7.5 x 5.25 inch drawing surface.

All the information kids need to solve the mystery is in the puzzle story; everything they need to deduce, reason and organize their thoughts is in the handy grid below. Grid Perplexors: Level A teaches kids a step-by-step process that keeps their thinking linear and focused. Great practice for standardized tests that reward logic skills. Paperback; 50 puzzles on 56 pages.

It's the compact version of the classic naval combat game for plenty of fun on the run. Players keep track of hits and misses, and sink all of their enemy's ships to win the game. All of the pieces fit inside the case, making it easy to travel with.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey about travel toys that their best seller is Fun on the Run Battleship. They sold "18 this month," he said.

Filled with premium artist quality Faber-Castell materials, this portable art studio is the perfect gift for young artists on the go. This 34 piece set includes Faber-Castell pastels, markers, chalk, a white board marker, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a sponge and a drawing pad. Multi-functional surfaces include: a chalkboard, white board and a drawing easel. Designed with storage in mind, all of the materials fit neatly inside when not in use.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Product Winner; National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2009

Kids can play games, create art, or just keep gear within easy reach with a portable, adjustable, mobile play center and organizer. Attaches to the rear of the car's front seat and folds down for easy access to supplies. Fold and zip up when finished. The perfect bag for travel. Measures 14'W x 12'H x 3'D.

This sippy cup is suitable for ages 9 months and up. Colorful John Deere artwork on both inner and outer cups creates eye-catching 3-D graphics. Double-wall insulation keeps drinks cooler longer, and the "sweat-proof" surface makes it easy to grip. The spill-proof valve is built right into the lid...no parts to lose. BPA-free. Dishwasher and microwave-safe. Colors and decorations may vary slightly.

Strike up the band with this toddler-safe set of wooden rhythm instruments for kids 18 months and older. Four friendly, easy-to-grasp instruments jingle, shake and clack. The instruments promote fine motor, auditory and creative expression skills while instilling appreciation of music and movement.
— In a January 2012 survey, Jen Fairclough, assistant manager of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly that they sell six of this item each month, making it one of their top-two best selling musical products.