August 2010 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

Sandtastik Modeling Clay is a premium quality, natural self-hardening clay. This easy-to-use non-toxic colored modeling clay is available in gold, black, white, green, and terracotta colors. Its exceptional plasticity and ultra fine grade allow for fine detail and versatility. Sandtastik Modeling Clay can be used to create a variety of clay projects, including vases, cups, plates and many other types of clay art.

Girls can create custom interchangeable fabric-covered snaps that mix and match into a closet full of accessories, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, belts, ponytail bands, barrettes, headbands and more. Skills to create printed fabric, such as photo transfers and embroidering, are broken down into easy, step-by-step directions.

Scopey the Dog is a unique character whose adventures are designed to bring environmental awareness to readers. The product line includes a plush toy, microscope toy and multiple activity books. Scopey the Dog has "Scopey Sense" built-in to magnify micro-images in the books, or magnify any object to 50x the original size on a TV or computer screen.

Kids can explore one of the most destructive forces on earth with this kit. Children can paint and display seven different types of volcanoes and a geyse, and create eruptions up to 6' high. The kit also includes a 32-page fact booklet.

The Handstand Kids Cookbooks are fully-illustrated, international children's cookbooks that introduce children to the language, culture and cuisine of three different countries (Italy, Mexico and China) while encouraging healthy eating, community involvement and helping out in the kitchen. Each kit comes uniquely packaged with a cooking accessory. The Italian Cookbook is packaged in a pizza box with a chef's hat, the Mexican Cookbook comes in a tortilla bag with a child-sized oven mitt and Chinese Cookbook is packaged in a take-out box with a set of chopsticks.

Part of the My Friendship Bracelet Maker line, this clip board is designed to be a smaller, portable, gender- and age- neutral version of the My Friendship Bracelet Maker. The clip board allows users to easily create even the most complicated friendship bracelet patters with the patented designed "peace" sign clip and string holder. The kit comes with 10 pre-cut threads so users can get started right away. The "MY Friendship Bracelet Maker Clip Board allows users to create an unlimited variety of friendship bracelets with ease," David Crorey, Owner and CEO of Crorey Creations told TDmonthly.

Explore a beautiful medieval day with colorful illustrations of enchanting scenery, princes, and princesses. The felt play board can be used to place the various illustrations into the setting for a fun and educational activity.

It's a grand evening at the ball. With this set, choose from different outfits to dress the two main couples on center stage; from elegant pink and blue dresses to a pair of formal attire.

Relive the story of Cinderella with this felt activity set. The set features all the well-known characters of the story, including Cinderella, the prince, the Fairy Godmother, and the three step sisters. Also featured is the stagecoach, the glass slipper, and more.

This advanced-formula, air-drying natural stone clay possesses a fine body, allowing for greater detail, exceptional strength, ultra lightweight pieces and a bright white finish. It can be blended with LaDoll Clay to increase LaDoll’s strength. Premier clay accepts acrylic-, oil- and water-based paints or dry finishing powders, and can be carved, sanded or drilled when dry.

Blackjack Clay is a blend of several natural clays found in Texas. A process of blending, wet screening (slurry mixing), filter pressing and final pug milling results in a plastic and silky smooth-textured clay. This clay can be used for modeling, hand building, wheel throwing and sculpturing, and is designed to be a tool for both beginners and professionals.

This lightweight general purpose dollmaking clay contains highly refined pumice, talc, small amounts of paper pulp and additional binders. It is extremely pliant, allowing for exceptional detail, and has an ultra smooth finish. LaDoll accepts acrylic-, oil- and water-based paints or dry finishing powders, and can be carved, sanded or drilled when dry. LaDoll has the unique ability to be dissolved in water and used as a finish coat or soaked with paper or cloth to be formed into shapes.

Girls can create their own princess hairstyles with this Disney-themed set.
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 44 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Interactive, promotes imaginative play.

Children can turn either the horizontal or vertical knobs to watch lines begin to form on this "magic" screen. When finished, they can simply shake it to watch the picture magically disappear so they can start all over again!
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 38 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Long-lasting; comfortable grip.

This 42-page book lets kids build robots for several activities. Children can explore volcanoes, space and the human body, using the included guide to learn about each scene.

This kit allows children to customize a plush animal through painting, stitching and embellishing. The kits are designed to be interchangeable and come ready-to-assemble with simple instructions. Embroidery floss, stuffing, a safety needle and a complete outfit are included.

This magnetic dry-erase boardand chalkboard provides a large work area. Each board includes a clip to hold paper. The set includes four detachable storage bins for holding art accessories and a folding easel for easy storage, and comes with an eraser and 77 magnetic letters and numbers.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 130 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 6 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Educational, long-lasting, engaging. CONS: Messy; some parents questioned its quality.

This set includes ten plastic bottles of washable paint designed for children.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 8 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to use and store; long-lasting. CONS: Some parents questioned its quality.

Science Putty can be molded into a multitude of shapes, then it melts and forms a pool over a long period of time. With its range of unique properties, this product is designed for stress relief and educational play.

This set is designed to entertain children while they learn about the endangered species of the world. The set and its packaging are made from 100-percent eco-friendly materials. Included are five bath crayons, six bath coloring scenes and an animal sponge eraser.

This mat is designed to entertain children while they learn about the endangered species of the world. The set and its packaging are made from 100-percent eco-friendly materials. Included are an activity placemat, four crayons and a 3-D animal eraser.

This complete manicure, pedicure and fashion kit includes slippers, two felt bracelets, two brooch pins, 60 precut felt shapes, two to separators, four bottles of kid-friendly nail polish, 120 nail stickers, an emery board and instructions.

This pre-printed umbrella is designed to let children exercise their creativity and stay dry in style. The measures 24" and comes with six bright weatherproof markers.

Eco Collage Kits contain a variety of eco-friendly, recycled, and recyclable collage items. Each item has been carefully sourced to make sure that they are earth friendly. Each Eco Collage Kit includes recycled Kraft cardstock and paper bags, multi-colored recycled tissue paper “shred,” "Green Glue" made from plants and natural ingredients, biodegradeable natural wood shreds, grosgrain ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles, fiber ribbon-made from 65-percent reclaimed cotton and 35-percent recycled plastic bottles, four Eco-Tree colored pencils, green craft felt and recycled designer tissue paper.