August 2010 Notable Toys — Travel

The original Mimi is a 30" x36" blanket made from high-quality chenille. It is designed to be just the right size for comfort and convenience. The blanket is easy to clean and is machine-washable.

This fairy-themed Think-ets collection includes an assortment of 15 miniature trinkets that can be used to tell stories, and play memory and strategy games. Think-ets is designed to be an ideal travel game for use in restaurants, waiting rooms, poolsides or anywhere on the go.

Bedrock Buddies are Pillow Pets straight from the pre-historic ages. Children can revisit the land of dinosaurs with these super-soft plush creatures that are snuggly companions for imaginative play and comfy pillows for bed, television or travel time. Bedrock Buddies include Pterodactyl, Triceratops and T-Rex pets. "The My Pillow Pets products have been safety tested and use high quality chenille to make a snuggly soft toy and pillow," Heidi Niehart, Director of Sales and Marketing for CJ Projects told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Product; 2009 iParenting Media Excellent Product Award; 2009 Mr. Dad Seal of Approval

This lightweight stroller has a high-performance aluminum frame that weighs 14 lbs. It also includes a patent device on the main joints that helps avoid possible finger amputation hazards while folded or unfolded.

These nine Puzzle Blocks feature fresh contemporary graphics incorporated into a classic play pattern. The blocks are designed to be the perfect size for travel and small hands.

In this game, players shuffle the five discs and place them on the table, then everyone at once tries to find the common object that’s on all five discs. Whoever finds it first gets to mark that object with his or her colored coin and flip over any one of the discs. There will always be only one common object that appears on all five discs, no matter which disc is turned over during the game. This game is for two to four players ages 5 and up.

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 classic toy is easily portable and appeals to "kids" of every age. Just use the magnetic wand to move the metal filings around Fuzzy's face to give him (or her) unusual hairstyles.

Think-ets is a little game in a pouch containing tiny treasures from all over the world. The game includes an assortment of 15 miniature trinkets that can be used to tell stories and play memory and strategy games. These Think-ets come in a purple pouch, replacing the previous yellow pouch design.
Awards: 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2008 AblePlay Rating; 2007 The Toy Man Editor's Choice Award; 2007 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award

Train Time includes two fold-out scenes and more than 50 reusable stickers. Packaged in a self-contained carry tote, it is available in 40 Sticker Tote designs. "The reusable stickers offer hours of play over and over again. Parents often comment that it's easy to take their kids on planes and to restaurants because they know their child will be entertained," Peaceable Kingdom Marketing and Operations Manager Donna Modrell told TDmonthly.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that other than Sticky Mosaics from the Orb Factory, her best seller in the category was stickers from Peaceable Kingdom. They sell between 15 and 20 each month.

This set of eight interlocking foam pieces is designed to make hopscotch more fun. The pieces are easy to clean and come in a carrying case with two markers and instructions.
— The Sunny Patch line was included in the top-10 best-seller list for Dancing Bear Toys in Asheville and Hendersonville, N.C., in June 2010, as reported by Sarah and Erika Evers, owners and sisters. “I love the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch line of garden/beach items ... especially Bella Butterfly Hopscotch!” Sarah told TDmonthly. “They are very cute and sturdy gardening tools and outdoor toys, all with bug themes. They encourage boys and girls to get into the garden!”

The Sidekick is a puzzle and game companion designed for people on the go, whether traveling by car, hiking, or camping. Everything needed to play 15 games and solve 10 puzzles fits neatly into a compact case with a different puzzle and game board printed on each side. It features a nylon strap to attach it to the top of one's leg if a flat surface is unavailable. Product dimensions: 5.375" H x 4.25" W x 1.125" D

Designed to be comfortable and cozy for pet portability, this is a handy case in which you can put your pet. William Xie of China Toybiz told TDmonthly, "With our gadget, travel with your pet will be quite easier."