September 2009 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

Girls can make a special place to store their jewelry with the Mosaic Jewelry Box, using more than 300 colorful acrylic tiles and glitter grout to decorate a plain white jewelry box and transform it into a sparkling masterpiece. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award. Launch date: December 3, 2008.

Kids can create 10 paper airplanes with the Sky Diver Paper Airplanes set, following simple folding techniques to turn sheets of paper with awesome patterns into slick airplanes. Kids can add sticker accents, then try to land their planes on punch-out runways. A bonus sky diver with parachute is included. "The thoughtfulness that goes into our product development process — selecting appropriate and engaging materials and providing detailed instructions for a quality creative experience" sets these kits apart," Lisa Brody, PR manager for Creativity for Kids, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award and a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: January 13, 2009.

These reusable building sticks are made from colored string coated with a special wax. Flexible Bendaroos building sticks are designed to adhere to virtually every household surface, and are easily removed to be used again and again. "Bendaroos' durability sets it apart from competitors. Bendaroos reusable materials allow kids to play for hours. Also, since Bendaroos do not break or wear, parents need not worry about buying replacement sets," Lindsay Durr, account coordinator at 360 Public Relations, told TDmonthly on behalf of Bendaroos. Launch date: August 2009. This product received a 2009 Outstanding Product iParenting Media Award.

The Recyclable "Over 100 Projects" kit contains materials that can be used to make more than 100 projects. The Show Box contains 120 Feet of Plastic Lacing, Craft Foam, EZ Gimper TM, 50 Poms (Assorted sizes and colors), 20 Craft Straws, 120 Plastic Beads and many other items. It also comes with an instruction/idea booklet plus a bonus Wacky Whirly. The box measures 13.5" Long x 6.5" Wide x 5.5". It's made in the USA.

Designed to encourage open-ended, creative play, colorful Smooshies plush feature mix-and-match parts — arms, legs, facial features, horns and more — that can be connected using the product's hook-n-loop tabs. Smooshies have received the following awards: 2009 Top Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine and 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Award.

This deluxe set includes a colorful Paperoni cutter that allows kids to create their own lengths for designs, 600, 0.5" Paperoni pieces, 32, 9.5" Paperoni pieces, one 2-D template, one 3-D template, one 2-D self-adhesive template, one tweezer, eight gems and assorted embellishments.

 Kids can learn to knit and design a wardrobe for 12" (30cm) tall Molly Dolly. Everything is included to knit a coat, skirt, dress, scarf, leg warmers and more. There is enough yarn to make 12 fashions. The kit includes colored yarns, ribbons, buttons, floss, wooden knitting needles, sewing needles and full color instruction book. Launch date: 2009.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers referenced art products by Alex when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009.

The Art Table includes two paper cutters to hold and then tear art paper off; a handy storage tray in natural wood; and a paper roll holder (paper roll sold separately). The Art Table features a 24" x 24" white markerboard art surface. Assembled tables are 22"H. Some assembly is required using a Phillips screwdriver. Weights is 14 lbs.  Adult assembly is required. 

The top-mounted paper holder included with this easel positions a roll of art paper above the art surfaces, where it is very accessible. This feature allows paper to stay in place even when the easel is folded for storage. The easel measures 47-1/2" high and weighs 20 lbs. The paper roll is sold separately. Adult assembly is required. 

The paintdots collection of totes and pen cases allows individuals to decorate their product with the included markers based on dot-color instructions generated from an image uploaded to the paintdots Simulator program. The tote has three pockets on the exterior and there are two sizes of pen cases available.

Starting with the base of three different couture style dresses in shiny satin, young designers can decorate, accessorize, and embellish to their heart's content. Included rhinestones, ribbon, flowers, lace, glitter and trims offer plenty of possibilities for kids to get creative and bring their fashion designs to life. The gowns are sized to fit most 9” to 12” dolls.
―  “We sell a lot of craft kits for girls, especially the fashion kits from Creativity for Kids,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska, in June 2009. “Those are usually a sure-fire sell when people come in shopping for little girls.”

With the supplies included in the Sticky Mosaics Mermaids set from Orb Factory, kids can create four magical underwater scenes exploring the adventures of mermaids. Creative and accessible with more than 2,600 adhesive foam and glittering jewel pieces, four sparkling designs will come to life as children make their own tile-like mosaics.
― “Orb's Sticky Mosaics continue to sell well, even in slow months,” Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly during a June 2009 survey of best-selling gifts for girls.
―  Three of 47 retailers said Sticky Mosaics are a best-selling item for girls, reporting sales of between 50 and 100 pieces per month.

Encouraging equal portions of creativity and pampering, Alex's Spiffy Spa kit contains ingredients for an opulent afternoon pedicure. Including three bottles of kid-friendly nail polish in assorted colors, two toe separators, a nail file and more than 100 nail stickers, young girls have plenty of options to match their toes to any summer fashion they might fancy. Also in the kit, a pair of super-soft slippers awaits accessorizing with 30 pre-cut felt shapes that slip over already-applied buttons. Spiffy Spa is available with two different sizes of slippers. The small is suitable for ages 6 to 8; the large is suitable for ages 8 to 10.  
― “Right now, it's one called the Spiffy Spa, from Alex,” Steve Banducci, owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., told TDmonthly of his best-selling gift for girls in June 2009.
― “Spa kits by Alex do well,” said Donna Schwedler, manager of Treasured Child in La Grange, Ky., said in summer 2009.
― In June 2009, six of 47 retailers named Alex craft kits as a best seller for girls.

Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book contains an array of puzzles, mazes, Q&A's, and activities specifically designed to entertain and educate children on the merits of being environmentally green. The book can be carried anywhere and contains quizzes and challenges created to keep kids occupied for hours. The Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book is part of a larger selection of Eco Snoopers stationery and backpack products. Launch date: May 2009.

This great little kit is not only simple to assemble, but practical too. Every kid needs a pouch to keep his or her “treasures!” Corps of Re-Discovery Coin Pouch Kits include soft pre-punched leather with snap, plastic lace and illustrated instructions. The finished coin pouch is 4" x 3", perfect for holding your child's "loot!" Assorted earth tone colors.

Because pioneers and colonists had limited materials, they were happy to find ways for their children to play. Iroquois Indians taught early American children to make cornhusk dolls. These Cornhusk Doll kits from Corps of Re-Discovery include everything you need to make and dress your own cornhusk doll. This is a great craft activity for children of all ages. The dolls also make unique and lively decorations. While the Cornhusk Girl Doll Kits are most popular, the Cornhusk Boy Doll Kits encourage multiple purchases. Fabric selections vary.

Writing with a quill pen holds a special authenticity and uniqueness for historical re-enactors and romantics! Many children are excited to write like the early Americans and artists prefer the variations they can achieve with the flexible tip! Your customers will have fun making and using Corps of Re-Discovery’s Quill Pen. This kit includes two sanitized goose flight feathers, non-toxic ink powder, an ink jar, plus two recipes to make ink at home.

Designed to make it easier and convenient to create colorful friendship bracelets, the Friendship Bracelet Maker features an adjustable butterfly clip to hold the top of the bracelet during construction, as well as a holder to keep all the strings in place. It's travel-ready, with a pull-out drawer for string storage and instructions, and comes with 56 threads in 14 colors. Launch date: Fall 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products 2010

Past videos: Product Demonstration

Sew beautiful paper together with decorative beads and thread to make handmade books to fill with memories, poems, stories and artwork. With easy to follow tips and lots of examples for inspiration, craft 4 fabulous books, plus cards, bookmarks and even origami ornaments! Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up.

Fun friends to design, dress and treasure forever. With simple tips and lots of examples for inspiration, cut, sew and glue four unique dolls and turn them into bookmarks, room decorations, gift tags or even pins to wear. Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up.

Copper wire is fun & flexible! Twist into all kinds of shapes and adorn with beads and marbles. With easy to follow tips and lots of examples for inspiration, make amazing creatures, fancy jewelry, flowers, mobiles or even fashion a royal crown! Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up

With a generous amount of wool roving and step-by-step color photographs, this kit is designed to help one learn the art of sculptural needle felting. Also included are two new felting needles and a wooden skewer packaged in a take-out container. All one needs is a foam pad and a sense of adventure. Launch date: 2007.

Individuals can learn the art of sculptural needle felting with this intermediate kit by Woolpets. This kit is designed for those with some experience needle felting, but adventuresome craft folks won't have difficulty. A generous amount of wool roving and step-by-step color photographs are provided to make it simple to create an adorable sheep. Also included are two new felting needles and a wooden skewer packaged in an attractive take-out container. All one needs is a foam pad and a sense of adventure. Launch date: 2007.

Individuals can learn the art of sculptural needle felting with this kit by Woolpets. A generous amount of wool roving and instructional photos are provided to make it simple to create a family of penguins. Also included are two new felting needles and a wooden skewer packaged in an attractive take out container. All one needs is a foam pad and a sense of adventure. "Lots of step-by-step photographs and very clear instructions ensure success for beginners," Kevin Sharp, owner of Woolpets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.