November 2011 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

All purpose sketch paper is bright white with sturdy backing. Kraft paper covers to customize! 30 acid-free sheets. 50 lb paper weight (80g). Polybag with label. Size: 8¼ x 11¾”. Launch date: August 2011.

All purpose sketch paper is bright white with sturdy backing. Kraft paper covers to customize! 30 acid-free sheets. 50 lb paper weight (80g). Polybag with label. Size: 11¾ x 16½" (A3). Launch date: August 2011.

High quality tree-free pencils are entirely graphite for drawing and writing! Great for broad strokes and fine detail. 2B grade. Set of 8 in recycled hanging window gift box. Launch date: August 2011.

We've teamed up with Strathmore Artist Papers to create a unique place for budding artists to explore their creativity through art journaling. Learn fun doodling, drawing and collage techniques with inspiring materials! Five great colors to choose from, collect them all! Great for all ages.
— Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that diaries/journals are their best selling personalized or keepsake item.

Each blankZ toy is a plush animal that acts like a canvas for any child's imagination. Each set includes 1 blankZ toy, 5 blankZ markers, and 1 blankZdrop Card to be decorated and placed behind the finished creation. The blankZ can be colored, washed, then colored again, allowing for hours of fun. Series one features 7 animals including a pig, elephant, bear, rabbit, and seal. Launch date: February 2012.

Liberty Puzzles makes classic wooden jigsaw puzzles made with quarter-inch plywood and the finest archival paper and pigment inks for brilliant, lasting color. "Each puzzle features dozens of charming, intricate figural ("whimsy") pieces in the shapes of characters, animals, and fancy geometric shapes," Christopher Wirth, manager of Liberty Puzzles, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.

Kids can paint and decorate their dream house, and have their dolls, stuffed animals and friends move into their new cozy home! Just like all other CALAFANT models, this big playhouse can be easily assembled with the special CALAFANT slot-and-groove system – no need for any other tool or glue.   The playhouse is particularly sturdy because of the special roof construction, the double-sided walls and the 4 corner pillars. Easy to carry with the recessed grip in the roof. Made from recycled cardboard.  Size: abt. 36" x 31" x 38." Launch date: September 2011.

Add-on for the Calafant party set. This kit includes 1 playmat, 1 pirate ship and 2 pirate dolls. Made from recycled cardboard. Launch date: September 2011.

POP-Dies are wafer thin dies, for use in Cuttlebug and other die cutting machines, to cut pop-up greeting cards. Launch date: February 2011.

GEO-Dies are wafer thin dies, for use in Cuttlebug and other die cutting machines, to cut geometric designs that, when flaps are folded (using duplex papers), create interesting patterns. Launch date: November 2010.

Thisset of four paint & clay palm printers includes a variety of patterns, scribble design, concentric dots, star bursts, and a multi-sized dots array. Made of long-lasting hard rubber, each circular stamp has a 2” diameter surface area.  The handle easily slips onto a child's hand. Easy clean-up with soap and water.  For 3 years and older. Launch date: February 2011.

This is our newest in Wonder Dough. Gluten-Free. The same soft-pliability that small hands love, and all the same great benefits of Wonder Dough, minus the wheat. Comes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, brown, and pink. Launch date: September 2011.

This set of 8 finger printers stimulates a child's imagination. Children can use finger printers with paint or clay to create designs and activities in countless ways. The diameter of each hard, rubber stamp is 1 1/8” and slips easily onto one or two fingers, depending on the youngster's hand size. Easy clean-up with soap and water. The patterns are concentric circles, branches, waves, overlapping ovals, dots, parallel lines, stars, and diamond shapes. Launch date: February 2011.

This is our newest in Wonder Dough. Gluten-Free. The same soft-pliability that small hands love, and all the same great benefits of Wonder Dough, minus the wheat. Comes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, brown, and pink. Launch date: September 2011.

Creative play is lots of fun with these great tools, as children learn how to roll the various patterns using dough, clay, or paint to make fanciful designs. Each tool has an easy to use plastic handle that fits nicely into a child's palm. The three roller patterns are rows of circles, rows of squares, and a waffle pattern. If paint is used, these tools clean up easily with soap and warm water. Launch date: February 2011.
Awards: 2011 Kids Product of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine.

Add-on set for the Calafant Princess/Knight Party Set. This kit includes 1 castle, 1 princess doll and 1 knight doll. Launch date: September 2011.

This set allows guests to create their own pirate toys and also serves as decoration- and,  each kid gets to take his or her toy home. The sets come with 4 kits including 4 play mats, 4 pirate ships, 8 pirate dolls 1 treasure chest, and enough markers for 4 children to decorate. Additional sets of one kit are also available (no additional markers included). Made from recycled cardboard. Launch date: September 2011.

This new party set provides everything one would need for a cool princess or knight's party. This set includes 4 castles, 4 princess dolls, 4 knight dolls and 4 unicorns plus enough markers for 4 children to decorate. Made from recycled cardboard. "It's a creative activity for the party and it provides a toy for the little guests to take home," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

This pirate ship sails over the Seven Seas and the pirates are always looking for loot to fill their treasure chest. This amazing cardboard pirate ship is easy to build and so much fun to decorate. A project for all little pirates 3+. Sturdy construction and fun details like canon holes and a treasure chest. Made from recycled cardboard!  Item no.: D 2513X Assembled size: 18" x 8" x 18." "It's a craft activity AND a toy! This Pirate Ship provides hours and hours of fun - building, decorating and playing," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

Kids choose the DIY SqwishLand Parrot or Frog and paint their very own rare SqwishLander. Each box set includes a 5” unpainted Sqwishland character, six acrylic paints and one brush. Kids then use the included code to unlock the online gallery at www.SqwishLand.com/diy to register and post their one-of-a-kind soft ‘n squishy design for all to see. The online community at SqwishLand.com will vote on a favorite DIY design each month. Winning designs could become the next Rare Sqwishlander in the game and on store shelves. An Artist’s Guide and detailed instructions are included. Launch date: Summer 2011.
Awards: 2011 Fall Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center

Our original artwork is created by an artist and mother. Features inspirational statements.  Comes ready to hang with an attached shadow mount. Launch date: January 2011.

Kids can trace, bake, shrink and build their own Christmas ornaments in 3D. Classic Shrinky Dinks with a new 3D twist. Create trees, reindeer, presents and more. The new SmArt Studio 3D Shrinky Dinks® Christmas kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets and tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and kids’ll be making their own 3D Christmas in no time. Smart Studios Shrinky Dinks are 100% Made in America. Launch date: August 2011.

Draw Star Wars: The Clone Wars is packed with tips and techniques, practice space to draw right in the book, and translucent overlays to make kids a master of drawing. Start with stick figures, move onto basic shapes, and finish up with the details. Learn to draw 20 different Clone Wars characters. The book comes with everything needed, including a black marker, double-tipped metallic — colored pencils, and an always-sharp mechanical pencil. Of course, we also include perhaps the most essential tool for any artist… an eraser.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells "Klutz books of all sorts —  dozens —  especially Star Wars," each week.

Puzzle Doubles! Giant take the concept of a traditional puzzle to a whole new level!  Each product in this series includes a 30-piece, 3’ X 2’, beautifully illustrated “talk about” floor puzzle.  Once children have completed the puzzle, they can turn it over and color the giant illustration themselves using the four write-on/wipe-off crayons enclosed.  The crayons can be wiped off with a dry cloth.  Puzzle Doubles! provide children with multiple learning activities combined in one great product!  Ages 3+ years.