October 2009 Notable Toys — Play Sets

Battle Strikers combines hand skill and strategy to a game of defeating other players' tops. The eight-piece starter pack includes a Turbo Launcher, a magnetic Controller, and a Striker (top). Batteries are included. There are 16 different Strikers in the set. Extension packs with additional pieces are $4.99.

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.

This City set includes a 7" x 3" bus and bus stop, five minifigures, a two-story pizzeria and a bike/skate shop.

This pinked-out Barbie palace includes light and sound effects (such as a doorbell and flushing toilet), an elevator, a fireplace, a flat screen TV and an outdoor whirlpool tub.

Bright green, friendly-faced, flocked frogs make up the Bullrush Frog siblings who live in International Playthings’ fanciful world called Cloverleaf Corners. Brother Algernon and sister Lily live in the swamp and have many friends in Cloverleaf Corners. The Bullrush Frogs integrate with an extensive line of houses, accessories and other character figures.
— Out of 49 retailers interviewed in July 2009, two told TDmonthly Calico Critters are a favorite collectible in their stores.

This stack and play puzzle set includes 9 levels of storage and 75 detailed figures and accessories stored inside. Plus bonus download of the story of Princess Olivia and interactive games.

Kids can play the real heroes while coordinating a rescue effort with this playset from Playmobil. The detailed face of the burning building has a balcony on it for one of the included firemen to climb his tall ladder to while another hooks up the hose to the fire hydrant. Four figures are included with lots of pieces to inspire the imagination.
― “As far as toy figures go, our Playmobil products sell well,” Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in July 2009.
― “It all sells so well,” remarked Sarah Green, manager of Kids at Heart in Portland, Ore., of Playmobil during a summer 2009 survey of best-selling action figures.

Kids simply remove the top and unzip this storage bin to reveal a mat designed for play and themed for LEGO City sets. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Complete with 20 interchangeable parts, this Bike Shop set features two frames, two sets of wheels, various other parts needed to successfully assemble a bicycle, a storage case for the pieces, and a set of stickers to deck out the bikes.

Complete with a royal array of magnetic outfits, the Princess Elise Dress-Up Set offers a variety of activities and an even greater variety of ways to combine them. Girls can mix and match the colors and styles of the painted magnetic clothes that come with the princess figure, pretend to design fashions, tell stories about Princess Elise's adventures, and more. The set includes the dress-up doll figure, a wooden stand, and magnetic outfits and accessories. 
―  Sandy Haynes, owner of Lollipop Toys in Dawsonville, Ga., sells 10 to 12 units per month of Melissa and Doug's Magnetic Dress-Up dolls. In June 2009, she told TDmonthly, “They remind grandparents of cloth dolls.”

Fairies and elves can take a ride in this delicate-looking petal boat edged with floral decoration and a robust sail. Launch date: September 2009.

Illuminated with detailed Egyptian images, the gate of this mysterious temple opens a whole world of creative play in ancient Egypt. The set comes with a rune-inscribed obelisk, ceremonial scepters and headdresses, a sedan chair, three figures and a stately panther.  It may be used as a stand-alone set or combined with other pieces from Playmobil's Egypt line for exploration of the ancient world.  Launch date: August 2009.
— “Playmobil. It blows me away how popular it is right now. We have a whole room of Playmobil and it's outstanding,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer's Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in June 2009.
— “We brought it in new last year and it's always selling,” said Phillip Anderson, manager of The Down Town Toy Store in Kenosha, Wis., when asked about his top-selling gift for boys in summer 2009.

The Parking Garage has three floors of parking space, a working elevator tower, attendant's booth and helipad. The set also includes a figure, car, gas station and car wash. It measures 19.3" x 13.8" x 13".

This 6" plush castle with a front door that opens from the top includes prince and princess finger puppets as well as a dragon and a white unicorn with sound effects.