July 2010 Notable Toys — General Toys

Small World Toys' USA Map is a bright, durable wooden puzzle featuring all 50 states. Each piece is shaped like its corresponding state and fits into the carefully shaped outline. In addition to the geography of the nation, pieces feature a state's major cities and industries on the front, with the capital listed underneath the piece.
― James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said in June 2010 that his store sells 35 USA Map Puzzles per month.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2010 that their best-selling puzzle is the USA Map Puzzle.

A limited edition released for the Rubik's Cube's 2010 30th anniversary, this cube is an original-sized, fully functional Rubik's Cube made of wood. Five of the six sides are painted in different colors, while one is left natural. 
― “Rubik's Cubes. The wooden ones that just came out … were gone in a week,” said Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., when TDmonthly asked about her best-selling puzzles in summer 2010.
― Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said in June 2010 that she sells 68 Rubik's Cubes per month. Of 40 retailers, two said Rubik's Cubes are their top-selling puzzle.

Assembled to a finished size of 18” x 12”, this 100-piece puzzle is home to a host of silly, grinning monsters. The puzzle is printed with non-toxic, soy-based ink on 90-percent recycled board, and comes in a reusable storage tin illustrated with the featured image.
― “Mudpuppy is a strong brand for us,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly during a summer 2010 survey on best-selling puzzles.
― During a June 2010 survey of 40 retailers, two retailers said Mudpuppy is their top-selling puzzle brand.

A great beginner's puzzle in a 9” x 12” frame, Melissa & Doug's Safari Chunky Puzzle presents kids with eight whimsical African animals. Each thick wood piece fits neatly into its corresponding place on the panel and sticks up far enough for small fingers to easily grip and pull out. Each animal has its picture in full color underneath to keep matching easy, and the pieces are thick enough to stand up on their own for pretend play outside of the puzzle frame. 
― “Melissa & Doug [puzzles] sell two to three a day,” said Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas, in summer 2010.
― “[Melissa & Doug] is an excellent quality product,” said Diane Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2010.
― Ten percent of 40 retailers told TDmonthly during a summer 2010 survey that chunky puzzles from Melissa & Doug are their top-selling puzzles.

Measuring 48” x 18” when assembled, this expansive, 100-piece floor puzzle from Melissa & Doug features an illustrated cross-section of ocean life from the sea floor to the water's sunny surface. Fish, vegetation and bottom-dwelling creatures mingle in vivid colors. The extra-thick pieces are designed to be durable and easy to handle.
― “The Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles. You can't go wrong with those,” said Genevieve Collonge, manager of The Wooden Horse in Los Gatos, Calif., of her top-selling puzzles in June 2010.
― “[Our top seller] has been the floor puzzles from Melissa & Doug. [It's] always done really well, and we keep a nice big selection,” said Jason Curtis, owner of Funtopia in Middletown, Calif., in summer 2010.
― Nine of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2010 that Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles are some of their best-selling puzzles.

Teenagers, adults and families can assemble this challenging 2,000-piece puzzle to a finished size of 38.5” x 29.5”. The picture is a richly colored montage of the world's great wonders, from ancient Stonehenge to the majestic Statue of Liberty. The photos are clustered around an image of the globe.
― “Ravensburger is my top brand,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, during a summer 2010 survey.
― “For the most part, our business is under 12, but we sell a surprising amount of the adult [Ravensburger] puzzles,” remarked John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Solana Beach, Calif., in June 2010.
― Nine of 40 retailers listed Ravensburger 1,000-piece puzzles as top-selling puzzles in summer 2010.

This durable, 35-piece puzzle measures 11.5” x 8.25” when complete. Assembled, it features a softly watercolored illustration of two happy little ones roleplaying a sword-fighting princess and a mighty dragon in a room full of toys and dress-up accessories.
― “We always do well with Ravensburger because of the quality,” said Diane Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2010.
― Sandy Jones, owner of The Learning Faire in Napa, Calif., said in summer 2010 that “anything less than 65 pieces” from Ravensburger makes up her best-selling puzzles.
― Fifteen of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Ravensburger is their best-selling puzzle brand.

This placemat with reversible chalk mat is durable, waterproof and easy to clean. The mat turns any table into a creative play space or clean eating area, then easily folds into the included travel pouch to hold creative essentials or eating utensils.

This multifunctional yo-yo combines fixed axle, auto return and free spin technologies. It can easily switch from beginner to professional-level functionality.

8080D Sonic Controlled Giggle Ball with Lights. 4.25" Giggle Ball features shaking, laughing with flashing lights. Requires 3 "AA" batteries. Box size: 5"L x 4.5"W x 4.75"H.

800/31M Alphabel Shaded Fun Bands (A-Z).  Each package includes 26 pcs from A to Z shaded rubber bands in rainbow color. 60 packages per display box. Box size is 12.5"L x 8"W x 3.25"H.

8087 Wheel Runner Hamster. 4" furry hamster runs on an exercise wheel. Looks real! Assorted colors. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries. Box size: 6.25"W x 6.25"H x 2.75"D.

8086 Hamster Scooter Ball. 4" furry hamster runs in a 5" transparent exercise ball. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries. Box size: 5"L x 3.5"H x 5"H.

Aquatic Universe soft toys include a starfish, whale, tortoise and octopus. They are handmade from organic cotton under Fair Trade standards by a small women's association in Lima, Peru.

An exquisite game of spatial logic where players attempt to reconstruct 3D models based on 2D images. Logical analysis is brought into play as players progress trying to resolve the more advanced challenges. This ingenious game is for players, 8 years and over, who enjoy sophisticated puzzles.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council

Using the Architect precision blocks, players attempt to replicate the Tangram models illustrated in the challenges book. Initially, the puzzles are illustrated on a scale of 1:1 allowing players to experiment on the puzzle surface itself. As players advance, the illustrated models are reduced, thereby introducing the concept of scale. In addition, players are required to use the pieces horizontally and vertically, exposing them intuitively to more advanced concepts in geometry. Tangramino offers creative play for players 6 years and over.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council

In this puzzle, players slide the cars and twist the sphere in an effort to park each car beside its matching color spot.

With high performance features and a cool, classic design, the Radio Flyer Smooth Rider scooter is designed for cruising around town with friends. Experienced riders can appreciate the ultra-smooth, ultra-comfortable ride delivered by the extra-large 170mm wheels and precision ball bearings. This product also features a wider, longer deck for easy foot placement and hand and foot brakes for added control. The real wood deck provides a classic look, and the handlebar adjusts so kids can enjoy the scooter for years to come.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Award; 2010 iParenting Award; 2010 Parent Tested, Parent Approved; 2010 Seal of Approval Award

This kit includes a 7" pump and 20 balloons. Kids and teens can use the pump to fill the balloons, then let them go and watch them zoom high into the air.

Made of heavy-duty plastic with snap-together tubes and chutes, this kit includes plenty of marbles for hours of building and rolling.

These three cute birds can be stacked and nested like Russian dolls.  This set is designed to help children develop spacial, counting and fine motor skills.

This 8" Hello Kitty plush looks chic in a soft lavender dress and matching hair bow adorned with sweet strawberries.

This Hello Kitty plush comes dressed in a pink baby chick suit. The fluffy suit includes a hood, polka dot paws and a ribbon.

This 8" Hello Kitty plush wears a sweet party dress with a matching hair ribbon in strawberry sundae colors.