July 2010 Notable Toys — Vehicles - Small Toy

This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights and requires two AA batteries. The controller takes an additional two AAA batteries (not included).
— Grafton Stine from Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that R/C vehicles from Kid Galaxy were their best-selling electronic toy.
— In a November 2011 survey, Elmer Carranza, assistant manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that "The Morphibians are great. They can run through dirt, grass, puddle of water and look like sharks and frogs. We sell about 6-8 in a month."
—  As of August 2010, this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 40 reviews on Amazon.com. Parents liked that it is versatile and easy to use, but some complained that it required two types of batteries.

This ramp features performance-packed play with toddler-appropriate activities. The set is over 2' tall, anchored by two rolling ramps with places to play on both sides. Included are two Little People mini-vehicles - a sports car and a Formula One racer. The cars can also be loaded onto the clicking elevator to bring it to the top all over again.

Equipped with gyroscope technology, this helicopter can fly up, down, left, right, forward and backward. It measures 7.5" x 3.8" x 7.5," and can be charged by transmitter or USB cable.
— As of 7.26.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 44 reviews on Amazon.com, and was listed No. 15 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Moves in multiple directions and is durable and stable. Comes with LED lights and a USB charger. CONS: Moves somewhat slowly. USB charger can mean a longer recharge time.

These sporty wooden toy cars feature streamlined shapes and realistic brightly colored "windows" and "tires."

This sporty wooden toy car features a streamlined shape and realistic green "windows" and "tires."

This sporty wooden toy car features a streamlined shape and realistic bubblegum-pink "windows" and "tires."

At the pool, on the pond, or on the shores of a small lake, Kid Galaxy's Barracuda is a fun, refreshing water toy. Durable, fast and easy to steer, the boat is designed with a distinctive hull for stability on the water's surface and a steerable prop for responsive handling. The boat comes in two colors: bold red and white, and bright yellow. The two designs are 49MHz and 27MHz respectively, allowing for two boats to race and play together without crossing the signals from the controllers. The vehicle requires one 9V and 6 AA batteries, which do not come with the set.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers said that R/C vehicles from Kid Galaxy were their best-selling electronic or battery-operated product.
― Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said in June 2010 she sells three Kid Galaxy Barracudas per month, and listed this item as her best-selling electronic toy.
― “They're really good and sturdy. [Kid Galaxy] is a great company to work with,” said Sarah Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., after telling TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is her top-selling electronics line during a summer 2010 survey.
— Though Pun’s Toys is not a hobby store, “we sell dozens [of Kid Galaxy products] in total each month,'' said Owner Joe Beradoni, whose store is located in Bryn Mawr, Penn.

The ferocious Morphibian Killer Whale packs a lot of features into one durable, adventure-seeking package. This full-function, radio-controlled vehicle performs on land and in the water. Whether pond-side, pool-side, in the house or in the yard, the Morphibian tackles all kinds of terrain. The Killer Whale works on a 27MHz frequency, allowing it to coexist with another of Kid Galaxy's 49MHz vehicles without controller confusion, and requires two AAA and three AA batteries (not included).
― “Kid Galaxy's Morphibian does great,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, in June 2010.
― “[The] Morphibians are popular items,” said Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas. In Summer 2010, Challinor reported sales of 30 to 40 Morphibians per month.
― Sixteen of 40 retailers surveyed in June 2010 told TDmonthly Kid Galaxy is their best-selling electronic line.

The ZBall is a special marble very easy to control and that can stop in inclines. Players have to flick their way through the obstacles as fast as possible to win the race, and they can jump over their opponent’s car to pass them. No batteries are required, and hundreds of tracks can be designed for over 13' of fun. Kids can also use the track and cars separately to play by themselves. "This is the only race track on the market that can be played on with the whole family and doesn't need electricity!" Cedric Arnould, vice president of CEPIA Games, told TDmonthly.

This licensed 1:18 scale special edition die cast replica features a detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics and custom license plate.

Garret Garbage Truck features blinking lights and clicking wheels. He also has a retractable tail pipe. Durable, soft construction and materials make this truck suited for indoor play.
Awards: Canadian Toy Testing Council 2-Star Award

Adam Ambulance features lights that blink and plastic wheels that click when moved. Durable, soft-sided construction and materials make this truck suited for indoor play.
Awards: Canadian Toy Testing Council 2-Star Award; Toy Wishes Top Pick

This interactive dump truck speaks over 100 phrases, talking and interacting with kids and even telling jokes. Rocky can also "sleep" and "snore."
Awards: TOTY Toy of the Year Award finalist

Children can "feed" Stinky cars and watch him gobble them up and spit them out. He also talks, and can even break into a singing-and-dancing routine when prompted.
 —  As of 10.25.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Target.com and was listed in the top 30 best-selling toys and games.

This truck measures 16.7" x 6.9" x 9.5" and includes a telescopic and height-adjustable crane unit swivels 360 degrees and features a locking mechanism for the hook. Other features include rubber-like wheels and a toolbox that opens and closes.
— Bruder trucks were on the top-10 best-seller list at Totally Thomas Toy Depot in San Diego in July 2010. “Customers really love the working parts and the German quality that so sets this toy apart,” President Cynthia Wyatt told TDmonthly. “As a Flagship dealer, we have access to Bruder’s replacement parts service, and are able to support this product end-to-end. Bruder’s service that they back us with is awesome. Not to mention we usually get next-day service when we do order from them. They are a great company to work with.”
— Kelly Ratoff, manager, says the Kennebunk Toy Co., in Kennebunk, Me., sells approximately 25 Bruder toys per month.

These 2"-high trains can be customized with a child's name and are compatible with Maple Landmark trains and other wooden track systems, including Thomas the Tank Engine and Brio wooden trains. Name Trains letter cars connect with simple and safe magnets and are made from New England rock maple.
— Tye Steinbach from Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Name Trains from Maple Landmark are one of their store's best-selling toys. They sell a few dozen each month.

This 2009 Chevy Suburban SUV Presidential Escort Vehicle, fully licensed by GM and the U.S. government, is carefully re-created in highly collectible die-cast. The model measures 5.5" x 1.75" x 1.75". Features include front articulated doors revealing an authentic detailed interior, rolling wheels, and Presidential seals and flags. The model is detailed with Presidential license plate #44 on the rear and USA1 on the front.

Designed to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Green Toys Fire Truck is solidly constructed from 100-percent recycled plastic milk containers and has no metal axles. It includes a sturdy extendable ladder that rotates 360 degrees and two removable side ladders. The truck contains no BPA, PVC or phthalates, and is packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials.  Made in California.
—  Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe’s Toys & Fun in Wilmington, Del., called the Green Toys Fire Truck a “slam dunk” at ASTRA 2010.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

These cars, based on film character favorites Lightning McQueen, Mater and Ramone, change color when dipped in water. For more organized car customization, the CARS Color Changers auto body shop playset allows boys to easily change the paint job of their CARS Color Changers vehicles.
— Michelle Bears, owner of The Toy Store in Highlands, N.C., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that she sells about 20 Disney Cars licensed products each month.

These detailed replica vehicles light up when a TRON action figure is placed inside the the light cycle. Each Core Vehicle comes with an action figure.

This pink convertible has a scented steering wheel and comes with a Strawberry Shortcake figure, dress, hat, map and suitcase accessories.

This aquatic playset works in the tub and on land. The floating island with a clear bottom features several water play activities including a spiral car launching ramp, a water squirter and a trap door.

This battery-powered 25-piece set lets kids build an take apart a miniature airplane. 21 vehicle parts and a power screwdriver with three different bits are included.

Children can build a realistic miniature army Jeep with this 100-block set.