November 2010 Notable Toys — Vehicles - Small Toy

Hot Wheels ZipBin Tool Box is a tote shaped like a mechanic's tool box. This soft-sided case has a chrome exterior with an authentic Hot Wheels raised diamond plate finish. It unzips into a workshop garage for tuning the cars. Designed for portable play, the pack interfaces with Hot Wheels tracks and includes an authentic Hot Wheels car.

This limited-edition Hot Wheels Impavido ZipBin RaceCase backpack is a toy backpack that looks just like the included Hot Wheels car. It is designed to carry Hot Wheels vehicles, and is equipped for portable play. Unzipped, it becomes a racing center with drivable roadways.

Hot Wheels ZipBin Skull Track is a tote with an integrated two-lane race track on the outside. When unzipped, the racetrack doubles in length. The tote easily holds 100 cars and is designed for portable play. It interfaces with Hot Wheels Tracks and includes an authentic Hot Wheels car. "We make it fun to be neat!" Wilson Peters, Neat-Oh1 International sales and marketing specialist, told TDmonthly.

Thomas and Mavis pick up cargo, then and ascend and descend step climbs in this play set. The trains follow the rails through the gates, up over the bridge and to the tug boat that just came for a visit.
— In a February 2012 survey about bestselling wooden toys, Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine toys were among their bestsellers.
— In a May 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine was their best selling licensed brand.

This pushable, rollable, graspable vehicle is designed to get young drivers excited. The gracefully curving roof does double-duty as a handle and rubber coated wheels glide smoothly along any path. The Go Car comes in red, blue and green versions.

This miniature car makes realistic racing sounds when the doors are pressed and activates its headlights when the hood is pressed. the car measures 7.5."

This kit lets children build Jeff Gordon's 24 DuPont/Pepsi Car. Included are 106 K'NEX bricks, rods and connectors, as well as wheels for push play and a Jeff Gordon K'NEXman figure. Once built, the car measures 7" in length, and features custom parts, sponsor logos and a realistic color scheme.

Li’l Chugs is an ecologically friendly collection of trains that are constructed of highly renewable, natural rubberwood harvested from reforested forests. Each bright colorful piece meets ATSM, CPSIA and EN71 safety standards and features durable magnetic couplings so kids can create many different combinations. Awards: Dr. Toy Best Green Toy Award 2010

This 15" truck is designed for smaller hands. It features easy-to-use functional loaders and dump boxes, in addition to free-rolling wheels and child-friendly designs.

Light Up Marble Racers brighten the world of mini cars. Each Light Up Marble Racer contains a rolling and flashing LED marble. The exterior of the cars can be customized with the slick racing decals included with the cars.
— Bonggamom Finds declared, “Move over, Matchbox! Take a hike, Hot Wheels! There's a new kid in town.” She loved that the Racers offer girl-friendly varieties to “spark their imaginations” and are compatible with similar toy cars.
—“The Light Up Marble Racers are nothing like I have seen before” raved Shop with Me Mama Kim Delatorre. The stickers make the cars “super cool looking” and piqued the interest of both her son and daughter.
— In a summer 2011 survey, Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly that Marble Racers are her best-selling die-cast toys. She sold 3 dozen of their race tracks last Christmas season.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal.