August 2010 Notable Toys — Interactive

With this kit, kids can explore the science behind weather using this interactive station to track wind, rain and temperature. Five experiments take children from challenging the local weatherman to predicting the weather using crickets. "A full-on forecasting station," SmartLab Toys Director of Sales and Marketing Darcy Morris told TDmonthly.

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.

This realistic interactive lawnmower features mower, gas and oil sounds, as well as voice prompts to check oil and gas. It includes rotating grass clippings and a fold-down handle for storage, and requires two AA batteries.
— As of August 25, 2010, this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com. PROS: Interactive and appeals to toddlers. CONS: Not very portable, and some parents complained the handle does not stay up.

This detailed, movie-size figure measures 14" tall. Woody comes with an interactive cowboy hat — he knows if it’s on or off — and speaks over 25 phrases. He comes styled with a cowboy hat, boots, a vest with badge and a belt with buckle
— As of 8.24.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Target.com and was listed in the top 30 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Interactive.

With the LeapFrog Chat & Count Phone, children can sing along to songs about counting and phone routines, explore more than 15 phone activities and call on Scout for learning fun as they trade calls and voicemails. Parents can connect to the online LeapFrog Learning Path for customized learning insights and ideas to expand the learning.
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 33 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Interactive, educational, engaging. CONS: Some parents felt the product features too few activities.

Zhu Zhu Baby hamsters have a roller ball under their tummy to rock and roll around when nudged. Butter Cheeks is a yellow hamster with a pink diaper, and comes with three "baby" accessories.   
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 26 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Durable, easy to control, realistic movements.

With eight original characters split into two battling groups called Special Forces and Ninja Warriors, Kung Zhu Pet owners will have the thrill of training each character to transform fighting, battling warriors. While these Kung Zhu hamsters may start of as "cute" and "mild-mannered" once they are sent into their main training grounds, smart chip technology will actually allow for a distinct personality transformation of fighting ninja and warriors.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from seven reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 14 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to use and entertaining. CONS: Not very durable.

This set includes a teapot, two pretty cups, three tasty treats and plenty of songs, sounds and fun phrases. It is designed to introduce children to pretend play while they learn about counting, shapes, opposites, manners and more. Open the lid for magical interaction and a peek-a-boo pal inside, or press the teabag to hear a song. Two AA batteries are required.
— As of 8.03.2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 72 reviews on Amazon.com and was #47 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Cute, clean, educational and durable. CONS: Electronic component can include defects.

Cleverly loaded with a stealth audio device, this pen can record, save and play back "evidence." The pen includes a USB connection so kids can connect and upload files to a PC. The Spy Pen also links to SpyNetHQ.com to unlock a lie detector so "agents" can upload and analyze their evidence.

For missions requiring advanced stealth, this flexible snake-like camera attachment gets into the most hard to reach places. Kids can connect it to the Spy Net Video Watch to see around, below and above objects, like corners, fences and more.

This watch is packed with high-tech features including a working hidden video camera and audio system with onboard memory so young "agents" can record and save 20 minutes of crisp and clear video, or up to three hours of audio "evidence" or even still photos. Kids can play back all of their "evidence" on a built-in, ful-color 1.4 inch TFT video screen, then upload their files to a PC via the included USB connection.
— As of 1.06.2011 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 73 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 30 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. Pros: Multiple Functions keep kids entertained. Cons: Reports of watches not taking a charge or losing the charge.

This activity gym is designed to stimulate babies with music, lights, nature sounds, games and textures. It features 20 minutes of parent-activated continuous music, and a baby mode with eight to 12 seconds of lights and music. Included are a floor quilt with silky borders and colorful arches, a spinner with rattling beads, spinning butterflies, a shiny mirror, a crinkly leaf and movable and stationary activity toys. The gym measures 20" x 32.5" x 32.5."

The Strobotop™ LightPhase Animator is a combination of a hand-powered spinning top and cutting-edge LED electronics to make pictures and drawings magically spring to life before your eyes. Just spin the Strobotop™, aim your LightPhaser at it, and capture the motion.
Awards: Mom's Best Award 2010, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2010

This booster pack for the Strobotop LightPhase Animator contains 18 Strobodisks to add to the existing disks found in the Strobotop LightPhase Animator set. The booster pack's disks contain 12 picture disks and six draw-your-own disks.

Webkinz Zumbuddies Plush have big smiles and fun personalities. Kids can unlock a virtual Zum to play with, then receive a Zum room for each five Zumbuddies collected. All Zumbuddies receive "Zummie" tokens to use in the online Z Shop.

Webkinz Zumbuddies Plush have big smiles and fun personalities. Kids can unlock a virtual Zum to play with, then receive a Zum room for each five Zumbuddies collected. All Zumbuddies receive "Zummie" tokens to use in the online Z Shop.

This lavender plush hamster comes with a feature code that unlocks a world in which children and their hamsters can build 3-D mazes, play or share with friends. Multiple hamsters unlock new pieces for the maze and help build it faster.

This bright blue plush hamster comes with a feature code that unlocks a world in which children and their hamsters can build 3-D mazes, play or share with friends. Multiple hamsters unlock new pieces for the maze and help build it faster.

Dave the Monkey toy is an 8" electronic monkey plush toy made to sit one's shoulder and interact with friends and passers-by. Designed to look realistic, he has the look of a small squirrel monkey, with a black body and a white face, hands and feet. Dave clips to the owners jacket and is controlled using a small wireless remote. He can also act automonously, and is equipped with a wide range of emotions - he even gets "scared" when shouted at.

Girls can style this 10" iCarly doll with funky fashions and hairstyles, and press Carly's necklace to hear her chat.

These 5" bean-filled plush toys are available in four styles. When squeezed they sing three Christmas songs, including “Jingle Bells,” “Santa Clause is Coming toTown” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

These 8" plush toys come complete with candy cane color schemes. Each makes a sound, and the
candy cane embroidered on the tummy lights up when squeezed.

These 5" bean-filled plush toys feature orange or dark purple color themes, and make sounds when squeezed.

This 5" bean-filled plush toy comes dressed as a pumpkin and makes spooky witch or laugh sounds when squeezed.