August 2010 Notable Toys — Construction

This LEGO Architecture replica of the White House can be assembled from the 560 pieces that come with the set. This set is part of the Signature Series from BrickStructures. For ages 12 and up.

Can Obi-Wan Kenobi deal with Hondo Ohnaka and his ruthless band of Weequay pirates, or will this powerful pirate tank from the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” TV series take the Jedi prisoner? Measuring 9.5” L x 6” W, the tank features a pop-up driver’s seat, a rotating blaster, firing flick-missiles and hidden wheels for “hovering” movement. It includes Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hondo Ohnaka and Turk Falso minifigures. The set includes 372 pieces.

Kids will be over the moon for this new space-themed version of Techno Gears Marble Mania. An automatic marble launcher sends marbles flying into the tracks’ twists and turns. Glow-in-the-dark components, blinking lights, and fun, space-like sound effects add to the fun children can have when assembling this marble run, which includes more than 425 pieces. Colors may vary. Requires 3 “AA” batteries. Ages 8+ years. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and marbles. Not for children under 3 years.

Full-color photos combine with clearly labeled instructions, trivia and a compelling story to make this 48-page Brickmaster kit ideal for LEGO fans. Young builders can build fantastic models of undersea craft from LEGO's Atlantis line or come up with distinctive Atlantis creations of their own. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group.

This collection is designed for Magformers to transform into hundreds of creative emergency vehicles.

This collection is designed for Magformers to transform into hundreds of creative fashion items.

Goodwood is a system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite imaginative and creative play. The precisely crafted blocks allow for building in every dimension, creating structures that are architecturally interesting and visually pleasing. The system includes seven intercompatible sets, each intended to be fun and interesting on its own, and to combine in fascinating ways with the others. These colored blocks are made from forest-friendly wood and are CPSIA tested. "The abstract, innovative shapes of the Goodwood blocks, which fit together in surprising and interesting ways, cultivate truly open-ended explorative play," Around Square President Matthew Hiebert told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Products Award

Mini No Ends is a table-top version of No Ends that contains more diversified beam parts and wheels in every kit. The pieces snap into place and can be easily pulled apart to later become new easy-to-build creations. Kids are encouraged to build structures while having hours of fun. "There is no end to what the child can design," Taurus Toy President Dawn Baird told TDmonthly.

Race N Roll comes complete with a starting gate and a light-up finish line. All of the pieces are red or black. Kids may have hours of fun racing the marbles against each other or competing with a friend. Race N Roll can be used with any Block N Roll set and is compatible with age-appropriate  Lego, Duplo or Mega Blocks. Two AAA batteries are required.

Snap together pink and white block parts to create a butterfly that can be attached to the LaQ Headband. The Kit includes one headband part and 35 LaQ parts. The Headband Part can also be used with block parts from other LaQ kits to create bunny ears, dog ears, a tiara, silly head pieces, or whatever you can imagine. "LaQ is a snap together construction toy completely unique in how the joint parts connect in various angles so that a child can create geometrical and spherical shapes from toy blocks," Mo Saeki, Overseas Division Manager for YOSHIRITSU CO., LTD, tells TDmonthly.

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

This battery-powered 25-piece set lets kids build an take apart a miniature airplane. 21 vehicle parts and a power screwdriver with three different bits are included.

Children can build a realistic miniature army Jeep with this 100-block set.

This award-winning, snap-together block allows individuals to make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Basic 650 is a 650-piece kit consisting of all seven types of LaQ blocks in red, blue, yellow, green, white, and black parts to make 16 interchangeable models. Easy to follow instructions show steps to make an Airplane, Boy, Butterfly, Bulldozer, Christmas Tree, Crawfish, Dog, Ferris Wheel, Formula Car, Helicopter, House, Sailing Ship, Snake, Traffic Light and Tree.

This award-winning, snap-together block allows individuals to make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Hobby Kits are 260-piece kits designed to make various interchangeable models. The Hobby Kit Beetle has instructions to make a Beetle, Wood Louse, Spider, Bee, Ant, Butterfly and Ladybug.

With LaQ, kids can make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Mini Kits are 175-piece kits designed to make various interchangeable models. The Mini Kit Chameleon has instructions to make a Chameleon, Giant Tortoise, Crocodile, Frog and Japanese Bush Warbler.

LaQ Mini Kits are 175-piece block sets that can make various interchangeable spherical models. The Mini Kit Shark comes with instructions for building a shark, rhinoceros, elephant, kingfisher and shoebill.

The Mark VI Techbot showcases "Iron Man 2"'s most advanced suit. This 55-piece set is assembled with easy-to-snap-on ball joints, and features a spring loaded missile blaster that slots into the suit's forearm. The plastic box top doubles as a stand.

This kit lets kids build three amazing creatures from one model. Users can create a ferocious crocodile, prehistoric dinosaur or dangerous sea fish. The croc’s powerful jaws open and close, and his tail that whips from side-to-side.

This elegantly detailed LEGO model really spins and plays music while the horses and swing boats move up and down. Built with intricate, lifelike ornaments and features, the Grand Carousel includes nine minifigures and a LEGO Power Functions motor and sound brick.  It measures 15.1" x 15.1" x 13.8" and requires 6 AA batteries, which are not included. ^{This particular item may not be available in specialty stores.}
—  Nine percent of 43 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in May 2010 that LEGO products are best sellers.

This glow-in-the-dark set of Techno Gears Marble Mania has over 375 pieces, including an automatic marble launcher, 3-D connectors and a variety of channels. Colors may vary. Requires 2 “AA” batteries. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and marbles. Not for children under 3 years.

Towering over four feet high and featuring motorized lift and three exciting ball runs, the Motorized Madness is a builders dream. This set includes 2,004 colorful K'NEX pieces, new track system and five multi-colored balls. Users follow the color-coded instructions to build this exciting ball machine step-by-step, then switch the motor on to bring the model to life. The motorized ball lift continuously carries balls to the top of the tower, where they alternate down one of three different ball runs. The downward spiral sends balls down a dizzying ride to the bottom, whereas the hammer drop transports the balls off the track and onto 2 swiveling elevators, and the funnel drop sends balls on an express ride straight to the bottom. Requires two AA batteries.

Features:

• Includes 2,004 pieces
• Builds over 4 feet high
• Motorized ball lift
• 5 balls & 3 ball runs

Solar Power Plus is a gigantic photovoltaic science lab that navigates the fundamentals of solar energy, the conversion of light into electricity, and circuits. This kit includes two of the special solar panels from the Solar Power kit that when connected generate up to 3 volts of electricity to power 22 different models. 265 building pieces are included.

This solar panel consists of three solar cells and generates 1.5 volts of electricity. The combination solar panel and battery holder allows users to switch out the solar panel for a AA battery, and is positionable in order to maximize exposure to the sun. 177 building pieces and a model-building manual are included.