August 2010 Notable Toys — Puzzles & Skill

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates a modern map of the world. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates the Atlantis space shuttle taking off at Cape Canaveral. The Space Shuttle became the first vehicle to not only take off for space, but also to return from space to be reused. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates detailed views of the major systems of the human body. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" puzzle illustrates more than 35 antique fire engines and fire trucks. The 1,000 durable, easy-fit pieces are made from recycled board, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 1,000-piece World War II Aircrafts jigsaw puzzle features many of the greatest warbirds such as the Hurricane, the Supermarine Spitfire, the Messerschmitt BF-109 and the Boeing B-29 SuperFortress. Aircrafts of seven different countries from both Allied and Axis forces are featured with detailed information on each plane. The puzzle measures 26.5" x 19.25" and is made from recycled cardboard and paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This jigsaw puzzle features a beautifully rendered image with scientific charts of the solar system's planets, complete with full data on spin, distance from the sun, gravity and much more. Made from recycled board and paper and printed with vegetable-based ink, it includes 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces and measures 26.5" x 19.25." Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle illustrates over 15 species of beloved penguins. It measures 13" x 19," and features durable easy-fit puzzle pieces made from recycled board and vegetable-based ink. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion," Erich Fellinger, EuroGraphics sales manager, told TDmonthly.

This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle illustrates the various life forms that make up the complex tropical rain forest ecosystem. It measures 19.25" x 26.5," and features durable easy-fit puzzle pieces made from recycled board and vegetable-based ink. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion," Erich Fellinger, EuroGraphics sales manager, told TDmonthly.

These nine Puzzle Blocks feature fresh contemporary graphics incorporated into a classic play pattern. The blocks are designed to be the perfect size for travel and small hands.

Utilizing images from Rachel Arbuckle, one of Ireland’s most recognized image artists, Purrfect Puzzles are made in Europe with durable, smooth-edged pieces. The Celtic Collection uses an environmental compact box, which means that the amount of oil consumed in shipping is saved by more than half, compared to larger packages. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

Packed in a gift box, the model is approximately 3" and consist of 25 pieces. Museum quality, finely detailed sculpturing and hand painted.

Small World Toys' USA Map is a bright, durable wooden puzzle featuring all 50 states. Each piece is shaped like its corresponding state and fits into the carefully shaped outline. In addition to the geography of the nation, pieces feature a state's major cities and industries on the front, with the capital listed underneath the piece.
― James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said in June 2010 that his store sells 35 USA Map Puzzles per month.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2010 that their best-selling puzzle is the USA Map Puzzle.

A limited edition released for the Rubik's Cube's 2010 30th anniversary, this cube is an original-sized, fully functional Rubik's Cube made of wood. Five of the six sides are painted in different colors, while one is left natural. 
― “Rubik's Cubes. The wooden ones that just came out … were gone in a week,” said Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., when TDmonthly asked about her best-selling puzzles in summer 2010.
― Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said in June 2010 that she sells 68 Rubik's Cubes per month. Of 40 retailers, two said Rubik's Cubes are their top-selling puzzle.

Assembled to a finished size of 18” x 12”, this 100-piece puzzle is home to a host of silly, grinning monsters. The puzzle is printed with non-toxic, soy-based ink on 90-percent recycled board, and comes in a reusable storage tin illustrated with the featured image.
― “Mudpuppy is a strong brand for us,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly during a summer 2010 survey on best-selling puzzles.
― During a June 2010 survey of 40 retailers, two retailers said Mudpuppy is their top-selling puzzle brand.

A great beginner's puzzle in a 9” x 12” frame, Melissa & Doug's Safari Chunky Puzzle presents kids with eight whimsical African animals. Each thick wood piece fits neatly into its corresponding place on the panel and sticks up far enough for small fingers to easily grip and pull out. Each animal has its picture in full color underneath to keep matching easy, and the pieces are thick enough to stand up on their own for pretend play outside of the puzzle frame. 
― “Melissa & Doug [puzzles] sell two to three a day,” said Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas, in summer 2010.
― “[Melissa & Doug] is an excellent quality product,” said Diane Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2010.
― Ten percent of 40 retailers told TDmonthly during a summer 2010 survey that chunky puzzles from Melissa & Doug are their top-selling puzzles.

Measuring 48” x 18” when assembled, this expansive, 100-piece floor puzzle from Melissa & Doug features an illustrated cross-section of ocean life from the sea floor to the water's sunny surface. Fish, vegetation and bottom-dwelling creatures mingle in vivid colors. The extra-thick pieces are designed to be durable and easy to handle.
― “The Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles. You can't go wrong with those,” said Genevieve Collonge, manager of The Wooden Horse in Los Gatos, Calif., of her top-selling puzzles in June 2010.
― “[Our top seller] has been the floor puzzles from Melissa & Doug. [It's] always done really well, and we keep a nice big selection,” said Jason Curtis, owner of Funtopia in Middletown, Calif., in summer 2010.
― Nine of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2010 that Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles are some of their best-selling puzzles.

Teenagers, adults and families can assemble this challenging 2,000-piece puzzle to a finished size of 38.5” x 29.5”. The picture is a richly colored montage of the world's great wonders, from ancient Stonehenge to the majestic Statue of Liberty. The photos are clustered around an image of the globe.
― “Ravensburger is my top brand,” said Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, during a summer 2010 survey.
― “For the most part, our business is under 12, but we sell a surprising amount of the adult [Ravensburger] puzzles,” remarked John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Solana Beach, Calif., in June 2010.
― Nine of 40 retailers listed Ravensburger 1,000-piece puzzles as top-selling puzzles in summer 2010.

This durable, 35-piece puzzle measures 11.5” x 8.25” when complete. Assembled, it features a softly watercolored illustration of two happy little ones roleplaying a sword-fighting princess and a mighty dragon in a room full of toys and dress-up accessories.
― “We always do well with Ravensburger because of the quality,” said Diane Sartain, owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, in June 2010.
― Sandy Jones, owner of The Learning Faire in Napa, Calif., said in summer 2010 that “anything less than 65 pieces” from Ravensburger makes up her best-selling puzzles.
― Fifteen of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Ravensburger is their best-selling puzzle brand.

Packaged in a reusable tote box, these 35 oversized pieces are easy for little fingers to assemble. When all the pieces are put together, a dazzling underwater scene is uncovered.

These four mini-jigsaws are each divided into four colorful pieces. This set features young princesses accessorized with crowns and wands.

These four mini-jigsaws are each divided into four colorful pieces. This set features a train, plane, truck and boat.

Icosoku is a puzzle designed to make simple addition a challenge. Users explore every angle of this puzzle as they make all of the dots touching a yellow peg add up to that number. The puzzle can be solved regardless of how the yellow pegs are arranged, so there are thousands of games to play. It offers "the ability to play a new puzzle every time the number pegs are rearranged," Brandi Field, general manager of Recent Toys, told TDmonthly.
—  Two of 12 retailers named games from Recent Toys among their favorite products at ASTRA 2010, during a June 2010 TDmonthly survey.

This construction skill game includes dozens of multicolored play pieces.

This fishbowl features three happy residents for puzzle play. The extra-thick, three-piece wooden puzzle includes a fish, a turtle and a crab, each with jumbo wooden knobs for easy grasping. Full-color, matching pictures appear underneath each piece.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 5 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that wooden peg puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best-sellers in the category.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 32 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; age-appropriate; puzzle pieces fit well. Cons: One reviewer said the veneer on the puzzle pieces began peeling a month after purchasing it.
— In a June 2010 survey of 40 specialty retailers, 15 percent named Melissa & Doug as an overall top-selling brand. Two retailers told TDmonthly that the brand’s puzzles sell especially well.