August 2010 Notable Toys — Play Sets

Thomas and Mavis pick up cargo, then and ascend and descend step climbs in this play set. The trains follow the rails through the gates, up over the bridge and to the tug boat that just came for a visit.
— In a February 2012 survey about bestselling wooden toys, Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine toys were among their bestsellers.
— In a May 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine was their best selling licensed brand.

With this play set, kids can pressa button for takeoff sounds and blinking lights, turn a figure to open doors, open the solar panels, activate the stairs or rotate the crane. The set includes a tower with elevator, a shuttle with crane, a moon vehicle, two figures, two helmets, a console and three AA alkaline batteries.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from two reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 17 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to assemble and use; well-made.

A combination of quality wood and durable molded parts, this barn has a removable roof for easy access, two large sliding stall doors with stalls to keep farm and horse animals in.

This play set includes a king figure, a scepter, a carriage with space for five seahorses, and one seahorse capable of pulling the carriage on its own.
— In July 2010, eight percent of 38 specialty retailers named Playmobil products overall best sellers.
— “Playmobil still is a really good seller for us,” Gary Green of Toy Box of Asheville Inc. in Asheville, N.C., told TDmonthly in summer 2010.

Salsa comes in a fully packed set that highlights her Singing Sensation personality. The box set comes with pet Salsa, purse, blanket, guitar and sparkling dress, trading card, and an 8.5" x 11" Pet Poster. The entire packaging also doubles as a playstage to further increase the play value and collectibility of these Little Pets Living Big Lives.

Cooper comes in a fully packed set that highlights his Surfer Dude personality. The box set comes with pet Cooper, purse, blanket, surfboard and board shorts, trading card, and an 8.5" x 11" Pet Poster. The entire packaging also doubles as a playstage to further increase the play value and collectibility of these Little Pets Living Big Lives.

Karma comes in a fully packed set that highlights her Yoga Master personality. The box set comes with pet Karma, purse, blanket, yoga mat, toga top and pants, trading card, and an 8.5" x 11" Pet Poster. The entire packaging also doubles as a playstage to further increase the play value and collectibility of these Little Pets Living Big Lives.

Woofgang comes in a fully packed set that highlights his Celebrity Chef personality. The box set comes with pet Woofgang, purse, blanket, chef hat and scarf, frying pan, cleaver, trading card, and an 8.5" x 11" Pet Poster. The entire packaging also doubles as a playstage to further increase the play value and collectibility of these Little Pets Living Big Lives.

This set allows girls to take their critter babies for a fun tea cup ride again and again. The base rotates and each individual cup spins when the handle is turned. The tea pot also spins and lifts its lid. Puppy babies Chubby and Spottie are included.
— In late Spring 2011, 4 out of 12 retailers said toys from Calico Critters were their best-selling play sets. Barb Stein, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., said she sells between 30-40 Calico Critter products each month.
— “Calico Critters is one of our best sellers as a brand,” Kristen Dolle, owner of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010.
— In a June 2010 survey, five percent of 40 retailers named Calico Critters as a best-selling toy for girls.

This set for critter families includes more than 40 furniture pieces and accessories, including a light-up fire place complete with tools and fire logs, a comfortable couch, arm chairs, a coffee maker, a telephone, a clock, newspapers and more. Cons: Lots of little pieces that are hard to assemble.
— In late Spring 2011, 4 out of 12 retailers said toys from Calico Critters were their best-selling play sets.
— Calico Critters made the top-10 best-seller list at Totally Thomas Toy Depot in San Diego in July 2010. “We sell a ton of critters and accessories of all sorts, but the Deluxe Living Room Set seems to be on everybody’s list,” President Cynthia Wyatt told TDmonthly. “These precious critters are absolutely irresistible as are the homes and accessories.”
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller (entire Calico Critters line)

This play set transforms into a rock concert with a stage. It comes with buildable dancing figurines of the characters Muno and Plex. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.

This 23-piece set comes with built-in music and sounds. Included are dancing figures of the characters Brobee and Foofa. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.

The dark and mysterious Professor Snape is replicated in this action figure. The figure comes dressed in Snape's outfit from the "Harry Potter" films and comes with a background featuring images from the movies.

This boxed set features a 7" Harry figure in battle with Lord Voldemort.

These sporty wooden toy cars feature streamlined shapes and realistic brightly colored "windows" and "tires."

This doll set features two Moxie Girlz with stylish outfits and accessories and neon-streaked hair. Included are "Best Friends" necklaces for the dolls, and "Best Friends" bracelets for girls to share with a friend.

This minifigure features a magic wand, a book of spells on a tilting pedestal, a desk, two beakers to hold magic potions and a little green dragon mascot.
— In late summer 2010, four of 43 specialty retailers surveyed told TDmonthly that LEGO products are an overall top seller.
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that  LEGO minifigures are a best-seller: "LEGO minifigures have been one of our top sellers this month. We've sold about 2 a day, or about 65 in a month." Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., agreed, saying that they sell "about 8 a day" at her store.

This Court Jester minifigure comes with three juggling balls, a stage and a flag. The stage measures over 2" high.

This set is based on the Jim Henson PBS show Dinosaur Train. Included are a plastic Tiny figure and a decorated train car to match.

This playset appears to "transport" figures to and from remote areas. Kids can beam their action figures in and out and watch them actually disappear and reappear. This highly detailed replica of the transporter features authentic transporting lights, sounds and effects.

Return to the days of Captain Kirk and the first U.S.S. Enterprise with this retro-inspired recreation of the Enterprise Bridge playset. The set feature the classic fold-up design of the original release.

This six-piece soft plush set is designed to stimulate baby’s developing senses. Each play piece features different activities. The teapot plays "I'm a Little Teapot," the cups rattle or jingle and have a crinkly tea bag tag, the croissant crinkles, and the rattling cupcake has a mirror inside.
— Three of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in early summer 2010 that International Playthings items are best-selling infant and toddler toys.

Inspired by turn-of-the-century parlor games, this classic game brings charming bunnies to life. The bunnies fall and tumble about when bowled over with the soft green cabbage ball. The set features one soft king pin and five soft 9" bunny pins, plus two soft, safe "cabbage" bowling balls.

Made from recycled Sprigwood, this eco-friendly playset features an adventure truck, a mother and baby dinosaur, an adventure guide, and hat and backpack accessories.