July 2011 Notable Toys — Interactive

Vehicles Sound Puzzle
From: MELISSA & DOUG

Other products from MELISSA & DOUG

Age Range: 2 to 4
Gender: Boys And Girls

Category:

Puzzles & Skill
Interactive
General Toys

Featuring detailed images of 8 favorite noisy vehicles, this wooden peg puzzle makes the vehicle sound when a piece is placed correctly in the puzzle board. Eight sounds in all. Full-color, matching picture under each piece. Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.5" x 11.7" Assembled. AAA batteries not included.
— Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells 10 Melissa & Doug sound puzzles each month.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Affordable; engaging. Cons: Many reviewers said the sounds were poor quality.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, three out of 14 retailers said that puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best sellers in the category. “Melissa and Doug has been a core of the store for years and years," Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly.

Laffy Laffalot is an innovative, interactive toy designed to bring laughter back into the lives of sick children. With its bright orange body and big engaging eyes, Laffy Laffalot is heart-warming and fun, but can take the tough love kids have for their favorite toys – withstanding a drop of up to 6 feet. Laffy Laffalot also can stand upright on a bedside table or desk - always a smiling companion, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When kids touch one of the 20 pre-programmed blue buttons, they can hear a hearty belly laugh, the giggle of an infant or a silly snort. The contagious laughs will instantly put a smile on kids' faces and help distract them from the pain and challenges of medical treatment. Laffy Laffalot was created to lift the spirits of anyone who may be feeling blue or just needs a good laugh. Laffy Laffalot's unique features include: Four buttons to record and play custom, comforting messages from mom, dad, friends or loved ones; a hilarious helium effect dial that alters any laugh or custom message for endless hours of fun. Laffy Laffalot also comes with a built-in speaker, MP3 quality sound, headphones that won't hurt small ears and two AA batteries.

These Aqua Pets are updated versions of eight fan favorites from the original line. They feature redesigned aqua pods, offering new games and increased interactivity. Each Aquapet has its own look, sounds and songs. The creatures come alive when kids, or other Aquapets, interact with them. A microchip, microphone and speaker housed in the toy's base enable Aquapets to register and respond to sound. Each character replies with movement and melody. The more kids play with their Aquapets, the more songs they will perform and the livelier they'll become. Aqua Pets can also play three new interactive games: - Memory Moov (a memory-building sequence game) - Aqua Speed (a fast-paced reflex challenge) - Bubble Boogie (a fun and silly way to make your mini marionette dance) Place two or more Aquapets together for an AquaParty and the buoyant buddies will dance, chirp and converse with each other. Each energetic character has a sleep function, because even the most interactive friends need to rest.