November 2009 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

With this large-scale modular construction kit, children and parents can collaborate to design and construct play structures on which children can actually climb, crawl, slide and play. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed for easy assembly and disassembly when building something new. The Junior kit is the second largest set in the line. "Our kits are the only product on the market where you can design your own play equipment on a computer and then actually build rugged play structures to actively play on," George Maday, owner of Phunzone, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1979.

With this large-scale modular construction kit, parents and children can work together to design and build play structures on which children can actually climb, crawl, slide and play. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed to be easy to take apart so users can build something new and different as often as desired. This Basic kit includes wheels to make rolling vehicles. Launch date: 1979.

This is a large-scale modular construction kit on which children can climb, crawl, slide and play. Parents and children can work together to design and build play structures. Larger, more interesting and more complex designs can be created by adding more components or accessories such as slides or wheels. It’s designed to be easy to take apart so users can build something new and different as often as desired. "Our kits are the only product on the market where you can design your own play equipment on a computer and then actually build rugged play structures to actively play on," George Maday, owner of Phunzone, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1979.

Look & Learn baby dolls feature contrasting colors and patterns, and sound to encourage exploration and early development. Their designed is based on research showing that next to mom and dad, babies love to look at high-contrast images like black on white patterns, especially faces. Each doll also comes on a “hang and hold” ring for play on the go. Launch date: September 1, 2009.

This Rummikub set for preschoolers is designed with shapes that help children self-correct their moves. The game helps children develop number and color recognition skills, teaches players how to build sets of consecutive numbers, and fosters logical reasoning as they learn the basics of Rummikub. It features three levels of game play. Launch date: August 2009.

The Amazing Mushroom is a three-stage activity toy that allows achild to progress through the phases of crawling, sitting and standing. The Mushroom is equipped with fun features and learning activities, including light effects, music, a color rainbow and a ball-drop surprise. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

What's more fun than a barrel of monkeys? How about a house full of 'em? Kids poke the dots and hear them pop as they learn to count down from 10 in the favorite childhood rhyme "Ten Little Monkeys." "Fun, tactile books help kids learn to count — without losing count! Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count," Rich Hill, director of marketing for innovativeKids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 5, 2009.

Meebie is a toy developed for play, with therapeutic benefits. Designed as a globally appealing tool for expression and learning, it may be used in educational settings, play therapy, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, social work, counseling and at home. The soft, furry Meebie measures 21" from head to seat and is fully washable. It may be used to express emotion, using the interchangeable pieces; comfort a child with separation anxiety, or one who has been hurt; engage children who are reluctant to express or participate; or teach specific emotions and emotional understanding. "Meebie’s 37 beautifully embroidered pieces can be arranged and rearranged in any number of ways, conveying all emotions," Lisa Johnson, co-owner of Orkid Toys, told TDmonthly. It was named among Dr. Toy's Best Products from 2007 to 2009. Launch date: September 15, 2005.

This pack comes with 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: lavender, medium blue, lime green, yellow, peach and pink, and includes an instruction/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

This kit includes 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: purple, royal blue, kelly green, yellow, orange and purple, plus an instructional/informational insert and a reusable hanging plastic resealable storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

This kit includes 20, 27" square scarves in 10 colors — two of each of the following colors: purple, royal blue, gray, black, orange, red, kelly green, brown, pink and yellow. It also comes with an instructional insert, the "My Many Colored Days" book by Dr. Seuss, the IDEAS Music Colors CD, a reusable plastic hanging storage bag, and Velcro to hang the scarves nicely. Launch date: 2008.

This kit includes 24, 54" square scarves in 12 colors — two of each of the following shades: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and white, plus an IDEAS Music 111 CD, an instructional insert, a reusable plastic hanging storage bag, and Velcro to hang the scarves. "Our scarf kits contain high-quality, 100-percent washable nylon scarves in vibrant colors," Rosanne Jessen, marketing associate for arts education IDEAS, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1996.

This kit includes 24, 27" square scarves in 12 colors — two of each of the following: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and white, plus an IDEAS Primary Music CD, an instructional insert, a reusable plastic hanging storage bag and Velcro to hang the scarves. "Our scarf kits contain high-quality, 100-percent-washable nylon scarves in vibrant colors. ... they not only contain instruction/informational inserts which lead educators and caregivers on the path to endless uses for the scarves, but they also include music that has been created especially for IDEAS and for children," Rosanne Jessen, marketing associate for arts education IDEAS, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.