October 2012 Notable Toys — All

What do a brother and sister do when their sort-of-mad scientist dad takes them along the San Andreas Fault, to new Madrid Missouri and other earthquake prone places? What child can resist learning about the power of mother-nature and the tools to stay safe as these interested kids confront nature head-on. Launch date: 2007.
Awards: 2007 iParenting Media Award

Mimi, Papa, and their grandchildren- Christina and Grant- fly to Paris aboard Papa's red and white airplane, The Mystery Girl. As soon as they land at Charles de Gaulle Airport and meet their pen pals, Jean-Luc and Marie, the mystery begins. A famous statue is missing from the world-famous Louvre Museum. A mysterious woman in black is following them. So is a pigeon, dropping clues and more along the way. Launch date: 2006.

Discover with Dr. Cool turned this classic science experiment into the ultimate hands-on volcano experience. First you'll decorate the 7" ceramic volcano with the brush and paints included in the kit. Then kids'll make the volcano erupt over and over with the eruption powder and red lava coloring also included. Plus they'll get to examine 3 genuine volcanic specimens including: a real geode, an obsidian arrowhead, and a floating piece of volcanic rock called pumice. The information guide will teach kids all about their specimens as well as how volcanoes form and why they erupt. Also included is an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. Because everything is included in the kit, kids won't need to run to the store for additional supplies. If they're doing this project for the science fair, they'll love how nice the ceramic volcano looks-it's way better than the paper mache volcanoes. This is the perfect science kit for anyone interested in geology, earth science, or volcanoes. Launch date: August 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval, 2012 Kids Product of the Year,  Creative Child Magazine; 2012 Gold Award, Family Review Center;2012 Seal of Approval, Family Review Center.

Excavate 3 genuine fossil specimens just like a real paleontologist. Buried inside the ammonite-shaped digging brick young paleontologists will uncover a real sliced and polished ammonite, a clam fossil and a gastropod specimen. This hands-on kit includes an excavation tool, brush, magnifying glass, full-color information guide, and an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. These 3 genuine specimens are each millions of years old. The info guide was written by teachers so that kids will improve their knowledge of science. Plus, there's an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. Launch date: September 2012.
Awards: 2012 Seal of Excellence - Creative Child Magazine; 2012 Preferred Choice Award - Creative Child Magazine

Ready to strike it rich? This hands-on science kit will teach kids how to pan for gold just like a real gold miner. This exciting treasure hunter's kit includes a 10" prospector's pan, 2 bags of pay dirt with pyrite (also known as fool's gold) nuggets inside, mining tools, and much more. Kids will learn all of the secrets to panning in the full-color adventure guide. Plus there's an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to solve. Launch date: September 2012.
Awards: Dr. Toy 2012 Best Picks Winner, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Everything that a budding inventor needs to build 12 basic machines is provided, including 25 machine pieces, 10 plastic nuts and bolts, and a detachable peg board—all color-coded for easy identification. Using the simple and direct instructions, kids can build each machine in minutes. The projects include: incline planes, levers, wheels and axles, gears (spur, compound, rack and pinion, and planetary), cams, cranks, pulleys, ratchets, and springs. Includes timelines detailing the history of each machine.  Hands-on, interactive, and engaging, this kit will bring out the DIY and inventor spirit in every child. Launch date: October 2011.

Re-embark in the Map it! adventure with the Map it!-USA Edition. The same amusing, educative and exciting game as Map-It! World, but with less jet-lag. Launch date: 2012.

In this game, players take turns placing randomly drawn location cards in the correct position, around a given starting point. Is Bangkok north or south of Cancùn? What about Mount Everest? Is it east or west of St.-Petersburg? If a player isn't a geography wiz, they bluff. Their opponents might just believe them…Launch date: 2012.

I Go! is a fast-paced game that gets the entire family thinking on their feet. Players quickly draw cards in turns, trying to improve their hand. If a player things their card is the best, they declare “I Go!” Being alert and astute will help players win this game. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2012 6/6 Consumer Guide of Canada

This toy set has Veggie Tales characters depicting the Nativity scene. This fun and durable set is sure to become a favorite part of the family traditions in teaching children the story of Christ's birth.

Sonny the Seal moves and sounds like a real seal. Toss rings around Sonny’s bobbing head. When a ring lands around Sonny’s neck, he claps and barks to cheer. For every ring that lands around Sonny’s neck, the player gets a fish reward. The first player to get three fish is the winner.
— As of 10/15/2012 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

The epic struggle between Batman and The Joker continues with LEGO's Batwing Battle Over Gotham City set. Easy-to-follow instructions and 278 building elements help kids create models of 2 cool vehicles: The Jokers helicopter and the Batwing, armed 2 flick missiles and bomb release function. Comes with lots of great extras, plus a comic book.

Enjoy hours of fun with the Bop It Smash from Hasbro Toys. This toy features 3 game modes: solo, pass it and multiplayer. In solo mode, kids can play by themselves, smashing the lights as they appear slowly at first, then faster with every round. Pass it play allows friends to join in the fun as kids pass the toy between 2 to 6 players. In multiplayer mode, players will challenge others to pit their skills against their own.

Those who love to play Halo will adore a Mega Bloks Warthog Resistance set. The set includes figures, blocks and a vehicle. Characters will be able to easily move around the sets that they build. The plastic set helps children focus on motor skills and building, which can help them later in life. Suitable for older kids, this set has everything your child needs to challenge friends to a battle.

Kids can enjoy hours of spooky fashion fun with Draculara, Clawdeen, and Frankie Stein from Monster High. These stylish dolls are dressed like characters from famous spooky tales.

Little horse lovers will have a great time helping prepare for a horse show with a LEGO horse trailer set. Children can put mini doll Emma in her horse Robin's saddle to practice jumping. Or they can groom Robin for the big show with her brushes. Then, they'll transport the pair to the big competition in the realistic trailer. Kids will have a blast at playtime, helping Emma and Robin prepare for their big day.

LeapPad2 Explorer™ inspires kids to imagine and explore with front-and-back cameras, 4 GB of memory and a library of 325+ cartridges and apps for limitless learning and fun! This special KIDZ BOP Music Pack features: a LeapPad2 Explorer™ tablet, Target Exclusive KIDZ BOP Rockin' Playlist, KIDZ BOP Ultimate Hits Playlist, KIDZ BOP Music Video Collection, a pair of kid-friendly headphones, a protective Green Gel Skin and 5 included apps: Pet Pad writing app, LeapFrog Learning Songs, Art Studio, Cartoon Director and one app of your choice. (Some included apps require Internet connection to download.) Works with LeapFrog Explorer cartridges and apps (sold separately).

Enjoy countless hours of fun with a toy based on Tigger from the Winnie the Pooh series. The colorful black-and-orange tiger rests on his bouncy tail and plays the "Bounce Bounce" song for listeners. Tigger waves and bounces as the music plays. The doll is made of sturdy polyester and features a control unit, allowing you to set the appropriate volume for the toy's song.

Cruise the side streets in style with this Euro-style electric scooter from Razor. Featuring a high-performance, chain-driven electric motor and a vintage-inspired body, the Pocket Mod can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour-plenty fast enough for a quick trip to the corner store or a fun ride in the country. The scooter also teams a pair of 12-inch pneumatic tires with a rear suspension system to ensure a comfortable ride. Other features include a retractable kickstand, variable-speed acceleration, a padded seat, and a built-in battery that travels for up to 10 miles on a single charge.

It's time to take N-STRIKE battling to the next level with the HAIL-FIRE blaster. The HAIL-FIRE blaster's unique rotating ammo rack gives it the highest capacity of any NERF blaster. The HAIL-FIRE blaster comes with 4 Quick Reload clips and 24 Elite Darts, but it can hold up to 4 more Quick Reload ammo clips and up to 144 darts. The blaster's acceleration trigger powers up the motor for semi-auto blasting that lets users unleash a storm of revolutionary Elite Darts at targets. Fire at targets up to 75 feet away. The Quick Reload clips work with any Clip System blaster (sold separately) and the Elite Darts work with any Elite blaster and most original N-STRIKE blasters (sold separately). With 2 tactical rails that are compatible with most N-STRIKE accessories (sold separately) and an advance handle, this blaster gives users the ultimate in Elite customization and firepower.

Created just for kids, the Tabeo Tablet combines cutting-edge technology, advanced details and a sleek design with parental controls and kid-friendly safety features. Featuring a 7" capacitive multi-touch screen, 50 popular kid-friendly apps and Wi-Fi connectivity, this tablet is ready to deliver hours of learning, Web browsing and fun. The tablet uses the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system and with more than 7,000 free apps available for download. A built-in speaker, microphone, G-sensor and front camera provide the familiar functionality of Mom and Dad’s “grown-up” tablet. A soft, removable bumper case fits around the tablet to protect the device from accidental bumps and drops. A micro SD slot (SDHC compatible) accepts cards up to 32 GB, while the mini HDMI output allows viewing of content on a separate monitor or TV screen. The tablet offers parent-friendly features as well. The built-in browser offers a variety of parental controls, including an option to set different Internet safety controls for up to eight users or allow Internet access only on certain days or at certain times of the day, to help kids have a fun, safe online experience.

This scooter features a side-to-side riding stance for carving and drifting action and provides a completely different riding experience than traditional kick scooters. It also features industrial-designed casters for self-propelling fun, a built-in, quick-response hand brake for control and safety and a reinforced, lightweight steel frame that is easy for kids to handle and sturdy enough to last for years. The YFlicker's easy Twist & Stow folding system is great for the family on the go.

The ultimate playset for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans, the Secret Sewer Lair playset is BIG, and ready for Ninja battle action. This playset will have kids creating their own Lair of excitement as they become the leader of the pack, swinging into action, training the Turtles and defeating Shredder once and for all. Standing 42 inches tall and resembling the Sewer Lair that is home to the Turtles in the TV show, the Secret Sewer Lair includes more than 20 different exciting Ninja features.

Kids load their micro racers in the four lane charger...It's four times the action, four times the fun. Race around the corners, and over the cross bridge. Complete with a timer controlled finish, the Micro Chargers Time Track is the ultimate in racing. The Time Track comes with 2 x Exclusive Quick Charge Micro Car(colors vary), 1 x Time Race Track, 2 x Stats Card.