August 2010 Notable Toys — Construction

Called by Be Good Company “The Buildable Art System,” Jaw Bones is construction and sculpture in one. The brightly colored pieces in distinctive shapes ratchet, swivel and snap together in an endless array of combinations, allowing children a lot of freedom when deciding what they want to build and how.  An instruction booklet with more than 17 individual projects is included with the kit to offer children ideas.
― Two of 49 retailers said Jaw Bones is a top-selling construction line during an April 2010 survey.

With 125 pieces, the Explorer Pack from Wedgits opens up great dimensions in building play. More than simply stacking or snapping pieces together, Wedgits employ unique shapes that brace or “wedge” together in order to form firm structures.  The geometric interplay between pieces becomes increasingly complex as children begin experimenting with designs other than stacking and patterning activities also offered by the set.  Some of the pieces even glow in the dark. Tips, techniques and designs can be found in the included booklet.
― “We do great with Wedgits. They don't break, or get vacuumed up. They don't get returned,” said Lori Hershman, owner of Evan's Toy Shoppe in Camden, Conn., during an April 2010 survey on best-selling construction toys.
― Three of 43 retailers named Wedgits a top-selling construction toy in spring 2010.

Designed to be compatible with other popular brands of building toys, Cobi's snap-together building bricks are a familiar classic. Kids can build sturdy structures from simple walls to complex designs that will hold together through play and manipulation. The 1,200-piece set contains plenty of material to stimulate children's imaginations and motor skills.
― “The theme with [Cobi] is availability,” said Sue Banducci, owner of Games Unlimited  in Danville, Calif., when asked about her best-selling construction toys in spring 2010. Banducci added, “It's really appealing for the kids.”
― “It was a huge hit over the [2009] holidays,” said Nathan McKelvey, manager of Toy Castle in Jonesboro, Ark.
― Three of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Cobi is a top-selling construction line.

Zoob's sturdy snap-together pieces are joined with colorful, flexible foam pieces that allow children to customize and accessorize their creations in new ways. The 80 Zoob pieces come with more than 100 pre-cut foam shapes and 10 sheets of foam from which kids can cut their own pieces. Instructions are included for projects ranging from robots to rocking horses, but the kit is totally open ended, allowing young creators to design straight from their imaginations. Cons: Foam pieces tear too easily.
― “Zoob seems to appeal to a broader age range,” Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 of what makes Zoob her top-selling construction toy.
― Of 43 retailers surveyed in April 2010, three listed Zoob as their best seller in construction.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va. told in late Spring 2011 TDmonthly she sells a dozen Zoob kits each month.
— Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at The Curiosity Zone

With more than 600 pieces, the 50 Model Set from Erector offers kid builders a multitude of creative options. The kit is packed with detailed instructions for 50 complete models, 38 of which are taken from favorites in the 10 to 40 model kits, plus 12 new designs. From that springboard of projects, children can leap into inventing their own creations with the tools and parts provided in the box. This kit also includes a small, hand-held power tool to make assembly easy and fast.
— Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc. in Columbia, Ill. said Erector sets were one of her best-selling construction toys in late Spring 2011.
― “Erector sets do really well for us,” Chris Cahalane, owner of Cape Cod Toys  in Mashpee, Mass., told TDmonthly when asked about top-selling construction toys in spring 2010.
― “Erector sets have made a comeback,” said Lance Ghulam, manager of Handlebar Toys in Lafayette, Calif., during an April 2010 survey.
— Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at Creative Kids Inc.

This Lego tractor pulls along the included log loader. The intricate set includes a fully articulated mechanical arm that children control with a mechanism that resembles the pneumatic valves on a real loader. Free-rolling wheels on both vehicles add to realistic play after the fun of constructing these machines in the first place.
― “The collectibles, the quality and the price make it so popular,” said Shanna Frieling, owner of Giggles Toys & More in Bozeman, Mont., of Lego during an April 2010 survey.
― “It's one of the few male products that goes beyond the young ages. Eight- to 10-year-olds still play with them, even though they're into the electronics,” Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly of Lego in spring 2010.
― Of 43 retailers, 20 told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Lego is a top-selling line in their stores.