July 2012 Notable Toys — Educational

This soft and cuddly hippo is loaded with discovery for the young mind. Features attached legs (pull one the other retracts), a teether hand, a baby safe mirrored hand, a peek-a boo silky bellybutton (just got to poke it!) and an ergonomically designed teether tail which encourages gripping. When pulled, it makes Soft Hippo vibrate with excitement. Launch date: July 2012.

It’s a busy day in Crazy Cake Café. Baker Bernie needs kids' help getting cakes stacked as quickly as possible so they can be delivered. The first player to finish stacking one of Baker Bernie’s famous twelve layer cakes wins a recipe card. Collect ten recipe cards and winning the game will be the icing on the cake. This fast-moving game is a delectable visual-spatial, brain-teasing treat. 2 to 4 players. Launch date: August 2012.

Commemorate with pride the patriotism of the seven men through whose courage and vision gave birth to the nation we love. George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay. Seven magnificently sculpted coins, lavishly coated in 24 karat gold reflect the image of each Founding Father on the front and an inspirational quote from them on the back. The collection comes with a personalizable hardback book of the US Constitution, a magnifying glass and deluxe gloves for studying the coins and a deluxe hardwood display box, also with a personalizable nameplate to preserve and protect the collection for years to come. Also included are a set of history cards that describe the contributions of each of the celebrated patriots and a Certificate of Authenticity. Launch date: August 2012.

Each mini figure in Safari Ltd®’s Toob® ranges from 1” to 3” and is carefully sculpted and finely hand painted. Packaged in a reusable acetate Toob®, the figures guarantee years of learning fun. Safari Ltd® introduces for 2012 small, highly detailed musical instruments that play together in symphony. This Toob® includes a violin, guitar, clarinet, flute, French horn, saxophone, trombone and horn. All figures are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Suggested ages 3+. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Each mini figure in Safari Ltd®’s Toob® ranges from 1” to 3” and is carefully sculpted and finely hand painted. Packaged in a reusable acetate Toob®, the figures guarantee years of learning fun. Safari Ltd® introduces for 2012 highly detailed butterflies from around the world that flaunt their vibrantly colored wings. This Toob® includes a Red Glider, Green Swallowtail, Orange Barred Sulphur, White Angled Sulphur, Evenus regalis, Anaea clytemnestra and a Papilio garleppi. All figures are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Suggested ages 3+. Launch date: January 2012.

Our Name Train Peace Train Car Set contains a flower power engine, a dove & love car and a peace sign car on one 9" straight piece of track. Individual cars measure about 3" long by 2" high each and have a non-toxic finish. Each car is printed on both sides. Track is sanded smooth with laser-engraved stripes and is unfinished. All pieces are crafted from locally sourced, sustainably harvested hard maple and are compatible with our and other wooden railway systems. Cars sold individually. Launch date: June 2012.

Robbin’ Eggs is the eggciting game of math, memory, and luck. Each egg has a number on the bottom - some positive, some negative. Players turn over eggs trying to get the sum as close to the rolled number on the die, all while following sometimes silly rules on the cards. Meanwhile, opponents might have a “rob” card and can steal the egg other players need.  Players try to remember the location of numbers as the game progresses…that is, until another player scrambles the locations with a drawn card. The player with the lowest score at the end wins the game. "This game is much more than just an educational math game or a memory game.  Because it adds these components together along with the uniqueness of the nest and eggs, and the randomness of the action cards, this game becomes an entertaining family game that happens to help players hone their math skills," Tami Murphy, marketing manager at The Haywire Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2012.

Bowl, Spell and Score is a wacky word bowling game in which bowlers roll a unique wooden character ball to determine the amount and location of bowling pin letter tiles to flip over in an attempt to spell words for points each frame. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: December 2011 Toyman Award

Roll-a-chore is a dry erase chore, rewards, message chart game. In the bag: 10"x13" themed game board, dry erase marker, dice, spinner, draw string bag, suction cup and adhesive magnets. This game takes the "chore" out of assigning chores in a fast, fair, fun way. There are countless benefits when using this product: math, writing, reasoning, teaching responsibility. Themes available include: Basketball game board, Baseball game board, Policeman game board, Jake (one of roll-a-chore's characters) surfing game board, Molly (one of roll-a-chore's characters) surfing game board, Flowerpower game board, Blue Hearts game board, Molly Soccer game board, color-a-chore (for the little tikes learning their colors) themed game board, and Handy Helpers 2 & 3 (a general family theme look) game board, with more themes to be available later in the year. Launch date: February 2005.

Say Hello to Twitch, the adorable curly horned Monster of Frustration.Twitch tries hard to do everything right, but when something doesn't go his way he stomps, yells and quickly gives up. If only Twitch could see that giving up is not the answer. Maybe kids can offer Twitch some positive ways to deal with his frustration. Launch date: October 2012.

This homespun PATCHWORK RABBIT is as scrappy as they come. With lots of personality and differently textured and patterned fabrics like a vintage quilt, this rabbit is great for snuggling, storytelling or bringing homey comfort on a long trip.

Familiar to any garden, these tiny marvels of nature's engineering have their own protective armor. This PILL BUG PUPPET has segments that overlap and can roll up into a ball. A movable head and buggy legs are ready for crawling and exploring. Launch date: July 2012.

With its sweet smiling face and curlicue tail, this PIGLET PUPPET features Realistic movement and attention to detail. Launch date: June 2012.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" Kids will let out a crow when they work this ROOSTER PUPPET. They can strut and peck with the best of them when they animate his head and beak. Launch date: July 2012.

Make free standing snowmen with DuneCraft’s brand new Mini Snowman Kit. The Make Your Own Snowman Kit is perfect for creating a winter wonderland in the house at any time of the year. This set comes with everything needed to make life-like snow, snowmen, a snow fort or igloo, and many little snowballs. All of the materials are completely reusable and are sure to provide hours of delightful holiday fun. Make Your Own Snowman World is safe for ages 3 and up and retails for $4.99. Launch date: February 2011.

With tools that come in a wonderful fuchsia color, little ones will be proud to have their own kitchen tools to help mom or dad cook fantastic meals. Kids will be learning valuable life skills while having a fun-filled time full of smiles. This kit includes a Pink/Green Apron, Whisk, Large Spatula, 6PC Measuring Spoon Set, Large Poly Spoon, Flower Cookie Cutter, Shopping List and Sticker Set. Launch date: February 2012.

A turtle is unhappy about being stuck inside his shell and constantly imagines himself doing what his friends do. When he falls asleep, he dreams that he’s out of his shell, but things don’t turn out as he expects. (Note: The turtle runs around in his underwear).
Awards: Creative Child Magazine 2012 Book of the Year Award; Reader's Favorite Five Star Rating

An abandoned egg shows up in a barnyard and Rooty Rooster forces Kora Hen to hatch it. Although Kora accepts the odd chick as her own, he has to struggle to be accepted by Rooty.
Awards: Reader's Favorite Five Star Rating Award

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards.

This marvelous manners game encourages empathy, develops social skills and nurtures a kindness of spirit that will help each player lead a more enjoyable and thoughtful life.
— As of 10/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com.

Kids can build models that move with classic K'NEX pieces. Includes 300+ pieces and ideas to build 30 models like a truck, helicopter and dune buggy. Made in U.S.A.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys
— Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that K'Nex was one of her best-selling construction toy brands.

The Pharaoh's Egypt puzzle captures a significant event of historical relevance in ancient Egypt. Details that define the location or time are vividly portrayed throughout this 300-piece puzzle.  Icons depicting the historical theme border the finished puzzle and are hidden within the artwork.  A day in the life of the Egyptians along the Nile of Pharaoh’s time becomes a second game once the pieces are in place. Look around the border and deep inside the scene to “find it” – a list of 40 Egyptian items from sandals, sword, necklace, wine jar and pottery, to animals like a cobra, crocodile, leopard, jackals and monkey. Instead of putting the pieces back in the box for another day, consider framing the handsome historic scene. The included key explains the significance of each found object. Puzzle features vibrant artwork from painter Rachel Land and are suitable for framing. Finished puzzle measures 20.75" x 15".
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20