October 2009 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

These smart characters are comprised of three soft pieces that when “puzzled” together make a playful friend. Sturdy enough for a wobbly toddler to balance on and lightweight enough to move around, these silly seats are a fabulously fun gross motor tool. Kids can climb on it, sit on it or drool on it; the snugly, durable fabric is removable and washable, and there are four playful characters. Silly Soft was a 2010 Gold Award Winner for Netherlands' Best Baby and Infant Product. Launch date: September 25, 2007.

The weePOD® toilet trainer provides an adjustable, cushiony seat for toddlers, with a secure and easy to use design for parents. It is available in green, blue and pink. Launch date: October 2009.

Designed as an economical, easy and environmentally friendly starter kit that removes the guesswork from choosing a cloth diaper system, this box of cloth diapering essentials features organic cotton diapers and accessories. It includes flushable liners and a step-by-step guide to no-fuss diapering. It does not involve rinsing, pins, or stuffing. This product is a 2009 winner of both the iParenting Media Award and the PTPA Media Green Award. Launch date: June 16, 2009.

When baby gums or bites the largest soft disk on this teething ring, it vibrates, offering comfort and a lesson in cause and effect. A disk with bold, red and white stripes catches baby’s eye. Raised stripes and smooth sections encourage teething. Completing the ring are six chewy, textured disks filled with orange, purple and red beads. Some are water-filled and, when refrigerated, provide a cool diversion from sore gums. Varied textures cultivate tactile sensitivity, helping to develop communication skills. Launch date: October 2009.

Caregivers can refrigerate this colorful, water-filled rattle to bring cool relief to teething babies. On one end, a red, squishy, water-filled, oval ring with nubby bumps invites baby to soothe his gums. In the middle, a curved, white handle features raised, black stripes and three colored rings click-clacking around it. The handle is thin enough for even young babies to grasp. There is a black ball with white polka-dots on the other end of the handle to help baby focus. Launch date: October 2009.

These sleek, boldly colored ladybugs can be refrigerated so that their water-filled sections provide cool comfort for sore gums. Bendable, squishable textures and raised polka-dots encourage exploration by mouth. A smooth, black head provides bold contrast in color and texture to the rest of the little bug. Nubby antennae offer additional teething fun. They are available in two-packs with either a red and a purple ladybug or a red and an orange ladybug. Launch date: October 2009.

This soft, padded playmat features a high contrast, smiling ladybug. Overhead, white polka-dots on a black arch are designed to catch baby’s gaze, allowing him to focus. Three brightly colored toys with geometric patterns and high contrast designs dangle overhead to provide added visual stimulation. A soft, curved cushion securely cradles baby. It doubles as a tummy time bolster. A self-standing, True Reflection™ mirror offers tummy time entertainment. Many textures encourage baby’s tactile sense while sounds stimulate baby’s hearing. "The playmat is so versatile, with activities for back-lying babies and tummy time too. The high contrast, geometric patterns help baby develop visually, sounds and textures stimulate the other senses," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

These lightweight oval rattles are made for little hands to grasp and little mouths and fingers to explore. The set comes with a yellow rattle with raised, textured, orange stripes and a red handled rattle with raised, purple stripes. A smooth, clear plastic ball perches at one end of the rattle, spinning and sending colorful beads popping along. Inside is a spinning disk with a mirror on one side and a symmetrical, smiling face on the other. It comes in a two-pack and received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. Launch date: October 2009.

High contrast geometric stripes, polka dots and a surprising light up feature grab baby’s focus. The lime green rattle has two textured handles with teal stripes, perfect for two-handed play. There are two spheres on the rattle. One lights up as it spins. The other is clear with a bug character smiling on a rotating disk inside. It is available with either blue or pink accents and has received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and SNAP Award. Launch date: October 2009.

This retro, little phone receiver has chewy textures, soft rattling noises and clear, bright colors to engage and stimulate baby’s senses. A bold, black and white bull’s eye on one end fosters visual acuity. Two beads — one black and the other white — circle around a mirrored funnel on the other end for additional visual stimulation. The lightweight rattle has a thin handle to fit even the tiniest grasp. This product received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award and an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio SNAP Award.

Little hands will snap and unsnap 20 large beads in bold, bright colors with many textures. The beads have a vanilla bean scent to stimulate the sense of smell, too. At first, baby will dump the beads and pull strings of them apart. As muscles coordination improves, baby will learn to snap the beads together and even sort them by color and shape. The beads pack up in a clear reusable plastic storage bucket with a convenient carry handle. "Vanilla scent helps stimulate another sense. The set has two large pieces with three attachment points to allow more building variety and fun," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

My First Hand and Foot Print offers a way to commemorate baby's first little impressions. The kit contains two silver decorative plates on which to make baby's hand and foot prints. Also included is a non-toxic, no-mess ink pad. The product should be used under the supervision of an adult and is not intended to be a toy. It's a "great way to personalize an item with no mess and create a wonderful keepsake for a new baby," Danielle Signorelli, media and communications director for Rashti & Rashti, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

The stinky bum clutch is a new design from Momma Couture. It is part of Momma Couture's everyday collection, which uses smooth nylon and faux leather for the exterior while maintaining the insulation within the bags for its function. The clutch specifically is fully insulated and allows for one diaper, wipes and non-kid essentials. The bag also includes the Momma Couture tushy pad and is ideal for quick trips out with your little ones. The bags are CPSIA compliant. Launch date: August 4, 2009.

Ophélie hides in her chubby belly a large, cuddly egg in which her four chicks, all with different colors and featuring different sounds, are snuggled up warmly. Each chick gets into the egg through an opening of the corresponding color. Mother Ophélie is a hand puppet and the little chicks are finger puppets. A game encouraging mother-child role playing, recognition, matching colors, and awakening of the senses, Ophélie offers baby various discoveries. "Ophélie and her chicks is a toy that evolves in a way that accompanies the baby throughout his or her passage into early infancy. As the child grows, new play elements are revealed, making new activities possible," Alicia Célérier, assistant sales manager export for Lilliputiens, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. Watch Ophélie and Her Chicks: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

This 6" square bag challenges its owner to find each of the fun objects in the bead-filled bag through the front window. The bag includes a snap tag that lists the different products, and kids can also form their own games and try to "find something blue," for example. Other colors/themes are available.
— Christine Lee of Treehouse Toys in Canton, Ohio, told TDmonthly in late October 2009 that she expects the Peek-A-Boo Bags to do really well for the holiday season, since there's nothing like them for toddlers.

Available in blue, pink and yellow, baby paper is a soft fabric that makes a paper sound when babies touch it. Baby Paper is machine washable.

Designed to pop up in a single motion, this play gym includes four toys and a bolster pillow to be used for tummy time. It is available in two color options.
— Real Moms Real Views  “was wowed by the [Gym’s] COLORS! They are so bright and fun.” The reviewer said, “Set up is a breeze,” and the Activity Gym “would make a wonderful Baby Shower Gift too!”
— “Infantino knows babies and knows what Mom's want and need in quality infant products,” declared Deborah Sloan at Baba’s Farm Life.  Deborah loved how well thought out the Twist & Fold Activity Gym is with its emphasis on stimulation, style and safety for baby.
— As of 05/24/2011 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 62 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: one reviewer said that hers would not stand up straight; One person said the colors in real life were different than those depicted online.

Wearing a soft, two-piece pastel outfit, Baby Stella has embroidered facial features, a belly button and a round tummy. She comes with a pacifier that magnetically attaches to her mouth.
― “I sell a lot of Baby Stella. She's so darn cute,” said Jean McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, when asked about best-selling dolls during a May 2010 survey.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in late spring 2010 that Baby Stella is one of their best-selling dolls.
― Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly in a May 2012 survey that Baby Stella is their best selling doll. "This is a good first doll for kids. They come in different skin tones, and they're not awfully expensive," she said.

Mr. Toutou is a two-tone brown mixed-breed doggy for newborns. He is 9" in length and weighs about 1.5 grams. Each Pacimal comes with a natural shaped newborn nipple that snaps on and off for easy cleaning. Pacimals are designed to help position your baby’s pacifier, help build gross motor skills, and to provide a great transitional toy as you wean your baby from the pacifier.

Little ones can sit or bounce on this bright pink cow that comes in classy packaging.

Each see-through pail contains 12 rubber ducks, ready for bath time or display. Black, white, gold metallic and silver metallic are available.

Curtain Critters are cute, plush curtain tiebacks that hold your curtains while decorating the home. Available in different animal designs such as bear, monkey, giraffe, elephant and others. All Critters conform to toy safety regulations, come with an elastic safety loop for easy attachment and child friendly velcro pads to keep the hands firmly in place. Arms are standard curtain tieback length to fit almost any curtain. Curtain Critters come in sets of 2 for $24.95.

On The Fly Starter Kit includes a large bottle sock to be utilized with wide bottles from 8 to 11 oz. and five large individually wrapped disposable bottle warmers. Each warmer provides up to eight hours continuous heat. The bottle sock is made with all natural ingredients: 95% cotton and 5% spandex. It's washable in cold water. The warmer packs are made of iron powder, water, activated carbon, wood, powder and salt. The heat is air activated when the warmer is removed from its packaging. Bottle is not included. Extra packs are available separately. Launch date: 2009.

Babies and their folks on the go can all have smooth, supple skin thanks to this travel pack of Mayron's Good Baby goods. Developed by Melanie Mayron of thirtysomething and her chemist Dad, the included 2-oz. sizes of Cheek Balm, Barrier and Diaper Creme, Body Oil, Body Mik and Body Wash are all full of natural ingredients such as essential oils and vitamins. These products are never tested on animals; they're tested on actress's babies! A portion of the profits go toward women's health research.