July 2010 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

The Creative Caddie has an easy-to-clean Write-n-Wipe adjustable tabletop that can also be easily covered with paper (not included) for art projects. Kids can store supplies in the tray below or in optional bins that can be attached to the sides. The caddie accommodates a 24" paper roll and is available in 21" and 25" sizes.
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

This mobile island provides double-sided storage and an easy-to-clean laminate worktop all in one. One side features three roomy shelves while the other side features two shelves and 12 cubbies. The unit is 48" x 29" x 29.5" and is made with KYDZStrong construction, KYDZSafe edges and KYDZTuff finish. The island is available with colored trays, clear trays or without trays.
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

This easel is designed for smaller spaces or paper. It comes with a standard hardboard panel, and has optional acrylic, chalkboard and Write-n-Wipe panels. The maple frame is 46" high while the adjustable work panel measures 24" x 24".
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

This mobile paper rack has 14 shelves to store reams of paper up to 19" x 24". It also can double as a drying rack for individual art projects. The unit is made of rich maple and measures 29" x 28" x 49".
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

The Rainbow Accents 2 Station Easel is designed to foster children's creativity. Write-n-Wipe easel panels come standard with this 25.5" x 20" x 46" easel unit; acrylic and chalkboard panels are optional. Clips and paint trays are included.
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle features more than two dozen instruments used in the classical symphony orchestra, including the saxophone, the tuba and the clarinette. All description are in English, French, Spanish and German. The puzzle measures 26.5" x 19.25", is made from recycled board, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink.

GLOB's do-it-yourself Paint Kit includes everything a child needs to be eco-creative. The paints are made from fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and organic extracts. This kit contains six scented color packets that make paint when mixed with water. The packets include Lemon Verbena, Tangerine, Pomegranate, Plum Purple, Berry Blue and Basil Green. The kit also comes with six compostable jars with lids and two bamboo vegan brushes, all packaged in a rice paper pouch. "GLOB Natural Blends minimize manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact," GLOB LLC Founder Ashley Phelps told TDmonthly.

When unzipped, ZipBin Ice Cream Shoppe becomes an activity center and messy mat perfect for building Ice Cream creations. When play is done, all the toys can be captured inside. This play set includes four colors of modeling dough and five utensils. It "creates a fun and educational area to play and makes clean up a breeze!" Neat-Oh! International Sales & Marketing Specialist Noah Winterer told TDmonthly.

Sticky Pixies Wall Art Kit comes with 8" x 10" hardboard-framed fairy wall art and a ribbon to attach it to a wall. The fairy wears a Velcro-attached dress that can be mixed and matched with other Sticky Pixies dresses, one of which is included in a tri-fold hardboard armoire. This armoire holds up to three dresses, as well as fairy crowns and hats that are sold separately. "Sticky Pixies is unique in design and is always interactive," Founder Tyanne Hitchcock of Morgan Evan-Thorne told TDmonthly.

Build your own robot from the pre-cut parts and decorate it how you imagine your pefect robot to be. The robot comes with a back-pack, little leg pockets and moving arms.

This cardboard kit includes everything you need to build three little houses, play with the three piggies and the big bad wolf (included, plus a playmat to set up the houses and figurines, as well as 12 washable, non-toxic markers).

A wonderful craft kit to build and decorate an "underwater" cove with two little mermaids to play. The kit comes in pre-cut, pre-punched pieces that are easy to put together without glue, scissors or any other tools (some parental help is required). 12 non-toxic, washable markers of excellent quality are included, so that you can start decorating right away. Calafant toys are made from 75% recycled material, and they can easily be recycled again once the child outgrows them.

CfaftLace is flexible, durable plastic making it easy to work with. It can be used for making lanyards, jewelry and other children's crafts. The smooth texture allows it to stay in place with little effort, making it easier for children's hands to maneuver. The cool colors brighten up each design.
— This product is a best seller at Neely's in South L.A.

Hispanic is a term that refers to people living in the U. S. who have roots in many Spanish speaking countries. These beautiful collection of patterns each have their own distinctive characteristics. 8½ x 11" (22 x 28 cm). 8 patterns, 32 sheets
— This product is a best seller at Neely's in South L.A.

A classic heirloom project, the woven potholder, gets an overhaul in this informational, whimsical book from Klutz. The loom is provided, as well as a generous quantity of cotton-blend loops made specifically for the kit. Projects include potholders, a purse, a picture frame, a chicken and more. Detailed instructions and illustrations are provided.
― “I have a huge Klutz assortment. I really love it because the quality is so good,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., in April 2010.
― “Klutz always sticks out for me, as far as activity kits go,” said Janet Gessner, owner of Deep River Toy Company in Deep River, Conn., of her top-selling activity kits in spring 2010.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Klutz is a top-selling activity line in their stores.

Measuring 4” x 5” each, the three blank books are packed with markers and sticker accents. Kids create their own stories, photo albums, journals or anything else they can think of. The books are unlined to accommodate any style of contents imaginable.
― Three out of 43 retailers in an April 2010 survey listed Creativity for Kids as their top-selling provider of activity kits and playsets.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

The Preschool Activity Pack for uses different textures to create activities.

The Preschool Activity Pack uses different textures to create activities.

These wooden stamps are available in two sizes. The large sized stamp measures 2 3/4 x 2 3/4. The medium sized stamp measures 1 1/2 x 2 3/4. Each size comes with 6 assorted designs.

Eco Stars are 100-percent recycled, star-shaped crayons collected from children across the country by the National Crayon Recycle Program. This set of 10 Eco Stars comes in environmentally friendly packaging made from renewable resources.

This 74-minute DVD, featuring six artists with diverse talents and backgrounds, aims to inspire young viewers to make art. Activities use simple materials and techniques for projects including Found Object and 3D Sculptures, Self-Portrait Relief Prints, Abstract Art and Folk Art Paintings, Murals and Stained Glass.

This 18-piece Thanksgiving set includes eight Adorable Kinders Paper Dolls (four boys and four girls) and eight outfits (two Pilgrim Boy, two Pilgrim Girl, two Indian Boy and two Indian Girl), a glue stick and blunt-tip scissors. The dolls are made of durable, UV-coated card stock and come with a foot stand. They are perforated for easy removal and assembly.

Developed by an occupational therapist to improve hand strength and coordination, these stenciling activities are designed to teach the young learner to find the proper shape among similar shapes to develop visual discrimination and visual form constancy. Children will also learn to place the shapes in the correct orientation in order to strengthen visual spatial relationship and closure skills. Working with the stencil encourages good hand strength and bilateral coordination.

Snip It! is designed to help young children learn proper scissor skills. Snipping and cutting activities can help develop a child’s eye-hand coordination, adherence to visual boundaries and paper stabilization skills. Awards: 2010 NAPPA Gold.