October 2012 Notable Toys — Play Sets

Kids will have fun when they are on the go with the Princess Carrying Case. This easy to take-along playset comes with a figure, unicorn, peacock, swan, vanity, and other accessories.
— Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Playmobil take-along sets, particularly princess and pirate, are some of their best-selling play sets.

Avast ye, matey; there's hidden treasure in this Playmobil Pirate Adventure Island. Find the 5 magic coins and use them to unlock a secret cave where the treasure lies hidden. Sound & light effects activate when the cave is opened. But beware of danger. The island also has hidden stairs and falling rocks. Set contains 210 pieces, including 3 figures, exotic creatures, rowboat, working cannon, and many other accessories. There's even a colorful poster for little buccaneers to put on their wall.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

This set comes complete with a wooden cook top. Content: apron, frying pan, wooden stove top, pot with lid, and salt & pepper shakers. Dishwasher safe - microwave safe - suitable for food contact - PVC free. 10 pieces.

What a cute idea: vegetables kids can cuddle with and listen to. The carrot and tomato rattle, and the lettuce leaf rustles. Later, this trio will make a great addition to any play food set.
— David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toys in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Haba rattles and toys are their store's best-selling infant & toddler toys.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rhapsody luxury indoor play systems, crafted by CedarWorks of Rockport Maine, are incredibly unique. Rhapsody features fine craftsmanship, exquisite design, natural materials; and the modular system is easily adapted to the specific space requirements of any residential or commercial project. Rhapsody is the solution for young children's active play year round. Launch date: March 2011.

Loads of fun in a small package! Open up the barn to play with the two adorable foals, and use the fencing to create a corral. The Pocket Barn has hinged loft doors and sliding front doors, and is easy to take along, making it a great item for travel and on-the-go play.

Great free wheeling scooter comes with a First Friend and a Puppy. Encourages interaction and imaginative play. Strong and durable.
— As of 10/01/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

These projects are for the youngest children and work best with a high level of parental support. Skills required include assembly, gluing, hammering and filing. Painting and decorating optional and the crafts to be built are toys that would appeal to younger children.

Push, pull and twist the chimneys to see the farm animals pop out. Push the mailbox to open the barn door. Four friendly farm animals: Chicken, Sheep, Cow, and Dog. Encourages an understanding of cause and effect.

Barbie and her three sisters can take a magical trip on the Barbie Sisters Cruise Ship. While on the "water," the boat features a steering wheel and space for two lounge chairs on the upper deck. When the boat docks, the side panel opens up to reveal another deck, a fun swing that fits all four sisters and a grand buffet table. The back of the boat pulls out to reveal a fabulous pool that features two slides for racing. When the day in the sun is done, flip up the deck to reveal two beds for the sisters to slumber in. Dolls not included. Launch date: 2012.

The Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace is a detailed, interactive play set that brings Disney Princesses to life in a special way. The palace features seven play areas. When kids place any Little People Disney Princess figure on a special location on the magical dance floor, it recognizes the specific princess and responds with her name, character phrases and a song from her movie. Includes Snow White and Cinderella pieces. Other princess figures sold separately. Launch date: 2012.

The howl-ways of Monster High are now alive with the Monster High High School Play Set that looks just like the infamous school. This fold-up set opens to reveal six play areas. Monster High dolls are not included. Launch date: 2012.

The expanding Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Play Set brings imagination to life with sound effects, activation discs and figures to help fight the attackers. Castle magically recognizes approaching dragons, ogres and battlements to warn of impending attacks. Castle expands from 20" to 42" and is reconfigurable in different ways. Play set includes: transforming castle, 3 figure turn discs, 2 catapults, 1 "Turn Tech" cannon with 2 projectiles, 3 figures with helmets, shields and swords, 8 firing discs for catapults and eagle head, 1 treasure chest, 2 ladders and 4 flags. Launch date: 2012.

This playful set includes a Princess with a detachable purple skirt, a white pegasus with wings that rotate to simulate flight, a mirrored vanity, and plenty of other accessories. In total there are 74 pieces.

This set is fit for royalty. 36 pieces include: a candle holder, pedestal stand, dressing table, mirrors, canister, stool with cushion, goblet, chest perfume bottle, trunk, dressmaker form, and more.

A horse and carriage Playmobil set. Inspires storytelling and creative play. Includes pegasus horse, carriage, princess doll figure. Princess figure height 7.5 cm tall. 25 plastic pieces. High quality Playmobil construction.

Lloyd ZX is the legendary green ninja, destined to win the great battle between good and evil and bring peace once again to the land of Ninjago. But before he can fulfil his destiny, his fellow ninjas must help him master the art of Spinjitzu and defeat the evil Serpentine snake tribes. Use the 4 battle cards included to influence the outcome. Set includes minifigure, gold spinner, green crown, LEGO bricks, golden weapon, 2 regular weapons, character card and 4 battle cards.

This ferocious dinosaur head is the perfect place to store and play with the Tyrannosaurus Rex that's included. Unzip the backpack to reveal a prehistoric jungle, tar pit, volcano and lava filled gorge. When it’s time to go, kids can pack-up the dinos, zip up the backpack and throw it over their shoulder. Includes 1 dinosaur. Colorful, Durable, wipe-clean surface.
Awards: 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it Won: This dinosaur shaped back pack unzips into a colorful, durable playmat. The playmat features prehistoric scenes like a tar pit and an erupting volcano. The backpack comes with one toy dinosaur, and kids can add their own collection as well. They can even have fun with the zipped-up backpack, which resembles the face of a fearsome green dino. The material is durable and easily wipes clean, and the zippers run smoothly, securely holding dinos and other toys until kids are ready to unzip and play again. 

Boxsets have all the fun without the mess. Boxsets are beautifully designed wooden playsets that fold open for creative, imaginative play. When play time is over, all the pieces store nicely into the compact box which is easy to store. Includes two dolls, chaise lounge, Two tables, bathtub, wash basin, piano, piano bench, bed, stairs, balcony, and swing.

Boxsets have all the fun without the mess. Boxsets are beautifully designed wooden playsets that fold open for creative, imaginative play. When play time is over, all the pieces store nicely into the compact box which is easy to store. Includes a castle playhouse, a catapult,  and four wooden knights.