July 2009 Notable Toys — General Toys

What if you could have four of America’s favorite classic toys packaged conveniently in one box? Well, you can! Look no further than the new Hall of Fame Toy Pack from POOF-Slinky®, Inc. This one-of-a-kind product contains the world's original metal walking spring toy the Slinky®, the world's #1 Yo-Yo the Duncan® Butterfly®, everyone’s favorite bouncy, stretchy, rubbery Silly Putty®, and a classic gold and green metal tin of Crayola® crayons. Each toy in this Hall of Fame Pack was picked for inspiring creativity and imagination in children and for being loved throughout generations. This, “USA Made”, pack of classic toys is great for kids, or the kid in you! All of these famous toys are inductees in the National Toy Hall Of Fame. For ages 5 and up.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large blue wheels, silver top  and other high performance styling cues, this Silver S9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large red wheels, silver top and side accents plus other high performance styling cues, this White C9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

Design is in the details and the C9-S will add a strong dose of sophistication to your existing Automoblox collection.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. Each bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. The insert bowl is removable, can be placed in the microwave, and is dishwasher top-rack safe. A large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making the bowl useful for self-feeding. Animal Snackers come in two varieties, Dog and Cow. "[It] allows children to be in control of activating the lights and sounds of the animal snackers while they eat," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This collection brings back some old favorites, as well as a number of new faces, in a whole new way. These 3.75" scale plastic action figures include accessories and fun details, such as articulated wrists and removable helmets. Launch date: July 2009.

This soft, huggable and sweet-smelling redhead just might become a “berry” best friends. A case includes eight individually packaged dolls. "She might be tiny, but Strawberry Shortcake has a huge heart! Her friends love to gather at her Berry Café, where they can always count on Strawberry Shortcake for a helping hand and some berry delicious treats — no wonder she’s everyone’s best friend in Berry Bitty City!" Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

When these four soft farm friends are bopped on their heads, they make music and animal sounds. Each animal has its own song, so when baby hits one and then another, the music changes. The hook-and-loop straps can be wrapped around a stroller bar or carrier handle, or attached to a car's headrest or a crib rail. The Fun Farm Activity Bar is for children ages 3 months and up. Launch date: 2009.

The Spintacular Play Center attaches to smooth surfaces with strong suction cups, making it usable on highchairs and stroller trays. Featuring five spinning balls and three spinning bug-beads, the Play Center also includes a top piece that clicks as it spins, and a center wheel that climbs up and down the center pole as it turns. The Spin-tacular Play Center is 100-percent kid-powered, with no batteries required. "The kid-powered characteristic of this table-top-friendly toy allows for children to explore their own ability to create fun," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This colorful stack and play puzzle combines together to form Noah's Ark. The Ark breaks up into 13 layers, 12 of the layers acting as different levels of storage for the different plastic animal figures residing within them. Each layer of the ark have special spaces to hold each individual animal figure in place. 21 pairs of animals as well as two human figurines are included. Animals include giraffes, pigs, birds, horses, rhinos, and dogs. This product received a 2009 Tillywig Brain Child Award and Sterling Fun Award, as well as a 2009 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center.

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Product Demonstration

This stack and play puzzle set includes 5 levels of storage and 51 detailed barn yard animal figures and accessories. Plus bonus download of the story of old McDonald's Farm and interactive games.

This stack and play puzzle set includes 5 levels of storage and 41 detailed vehicles and accessories. You can use the multi-purpose monster truck as a play environment, shape sorter, puzzle and storage case. Plus bonus download of the story of Tommy the Truck and interactive games.

Submerge an Aqua Cannon just beneath the surface of a pool or lake. Then, grasping the two cutout handles, give it a quick pull backwards and out shoots a 1”-diameter geyser of water as far as 30 feet! You can splash unsuspecting sunbathers with a torrent of water, or try to hit other swimmers in mock battles. Or create contests to see who can shoot water the furthest, highest or most accurately. And never worry about breaking it; it’s practically indestructible and has no moving parts. Winner of a prestigious Dr. Toy Award. Comes in assorted colors.

— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010 that his store sells about 12 Pump Rockets a month.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 retailers named the Pump Rocket a top-selling gift for boys.

The Pop 'n Catch™ is excellent for improving eye-hand coordination. Place the ping pong like ball into the basket, pull the trigger, and watch as the ball catapults out like a cannonball. One person can fire it straight up and then try to scoop it up with the basket. Two people can aim the launchers toward each other and play catch. Made of long-lasting, non-marking polymers. Includes one ball and two launchers.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, the Fishing for TAGGIES play set includes three rattling fish, a soft pond with a large mirrored bottom, and a soft fishing pole with a jumbo hook-n-loop hook for easy fish-catching fun. The base mirror encourages self-recognition and makes a game of fill-and-spill play extra engaging. Featuring the TAGGIES vibrant colored materials and ribbons, this distinctively textured game is designed to stimulate baby’s senses. Launch date: 2009.

Parents can keep babies entertained and protected from the sun as they ride in the car with the Monkey Tunes Window Shade. A funny monkey spins around as the music plays and lights blink. Even when driving, Mom or Dad can control the monkey’s actions with a remote control that attaches to the car's visor. The shade attaches with strong suction cups and plays a variety of different songs. It is suitable for ages 3 months and up. "[The] detachable mobile allows parents to control the level of stimulation. When in the car, mom or dad can use the visor remote to control lights and sounds if baby begins to be fussy," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Baby Activity Birdhouse includes five sides of fun. Each side features a new activity, including find the owl, peek-a-boo birdie, slide-along bugs, put-and-take pocket bird, and a mirror on the bottom. The birdhouse chimes as it swings from the included link. "This easy to take-along toy is truly packed with baby-exploration, including seven activities total," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Healthy eating can be child’s play...even for picky eaters! Once engaged in an entertaining meal, children won't notice that they are actually eating healthy food. Kids spin the spinner and eat food from the designated section of the plate where the spinner lands. The matching mug completes this gift set that will have children Playing with their Food (and eating it, too). Dining set includes: Plate, Mug, Spinner. Plate and mug are made of melamine. Not for use in the microwave. Dishwasher safe.  Available themes include Fairy Princess, Dinosaur, Transportation and Farm Animals.

Chuckle Buddies are motion-activated rolling and laughing plush friends. Once activated, the Chuckle Buddy will roll around from side to side three or four times, filling the room with an hysterical, contagious laughter. Once he stops moving, an individual simply waves a hand in front of the sensor located directly above the eyes to reactivate. There's an on/off switch located on battery compartment. The product required 3 AA batteries (not included). A Dog, Monkey and Cat are currently available, and other styles are in development. Launch date: February 2009.

Everyone takes turns to roll the die to see how many chomps the pig will take. Players push down the pig's head to chomp the burger. With every pump, the pig's stomach gets bigger, bigger and bigger. When he pops on a player's turn, that person loses the game. Launch date: July 2009.

Players take turns placing their tiles in the correct sequence, racing to get rid of them in this fast-moving game. The game can have unexpected turns as special tiles let players change direction, give tiles to opponents, skip opponents, or play wild cards. The game includes 106 high-quality tiles and four holding racks. Launch date: 2008.

Tayu is named after the legendary Chinese hero who saved his country from flooding by creating a series of waterways. In the game, each player trys to create as many water channels from one side of the board to the other, while at the same time blocking his competitor. Twists and turns are the norm in this fast-packed strategy game. "Choosy, quality toy-store owners agree that this game is of the highest quality and provides the most fun for the money," Jodi Swindle, operations manager for Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.