November 2012 Notable Toys — Play Sets

Take the battle to the skies with the buildable Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants Arkeyan Copter Attack (95418). The Frigid Chompies are no match for Spyro when he attacks from above using the Arkeyan Copter's working missile launchers. Once his foes have been defeated, Spyro can swoop in to collect the treasure. Help Spyro and his friends save the Skylands.

Build a battle of epic proportions with the Troll Mech Ambush by Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants. The buildable, troll-piloted Gun Snout mech can fire off missiles with its working launcher. This towering menace can cause big trouble for Tree Rex, but his colossal strength allows him to counter-attack with the included boulder.

The ghouls of Monster High each have their beautifying routines to ensure they always look fierce. Without a good night's sleep, Abbey Bominable can really become a beast. This cool bed ensures she gets her beauty rest. With an igloo headboard and icy accessories, it reminds her of home, a pillow, blanket, ice slush drink and pet bed for Shiver add even more creature comforts. If she has trouble sleeping, she can write in her diary or count snowflakes. Accessories include a snowflake lamp, ice clock and ice TV.

The Fortune Cookie Maker lets children write, create and decorate fortune cookies right at home. Children just write down their fortune, combine the included mix with water, heat in the microwave for a few seconds, knead and roll out their dough and then place it in the Fortune Cookie Machine. With the push of a button, their fortune is deliciously sealed and is ready to decorate and eat within 10 minutes. The Fortune Cookie Machine makes up to 12 cookies, and is fun for the entire family.

With the Spin Master Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker, kids ages six and up can make and decorate vanilla-flavored cake pops. The kit's cake-pop maker helps kids fill the included molds to make perfect, no-bake pops, which set up in the refrigerator and are ready to decorate in just 15 minutes. Kids can personalize their pops with white or brown icing and pink, blue, and rainbow sprinkles. Sprinkle stencils and brightly colored paper tags add extra flair.

The ghouls of Monster High each have their beautifying routines to ensure they always look fierce. Frankie Stein loves to get ready to go out at her striking vanity. Seated in her chair before the opening mirror, she can style her hair with the hair dryer, apply makeup using the palette and wrench makeup brush, get energized with a charging cord and battery train case and add her signature scent from the beaker perfume. A drawer and shelves give her plenty of room to work, while photo stickers let girls decorate to suit their style.

No matter where the emergency is, the fire chief is ready to speed to the scene and save the day. Set includes fire chief's off-road fire rescue truck, trailer and lots of great firefighting equipment, plus an authentic fire chief mini-figure to take command of your rescue team. 131 pieces.

As children turn the pages of Care for Our World, they’ll encounter dozens of playful creatures, and will learn the importance of caring for all the plants, animals, and people that call planet Earth their home. The whimsical animals come to life with this punch-out-and-play set, which includes everything kids need to create and explore their own wildlife habitat. Simply punch out and assemble the pre-cut animals and plants, and use the habitat box as a backdrop for hours of imaginative play. Launch date: May 2012.
Awards: 2012 Mom's Choice Award; 2012 Silver Medal in Book with Merchandise (plush toy, etc.), Moonbeam Children's Book Award; 2012 Playset of the Year, Creative Child Awards; 2012 Top Toy of the Year, Creative Child Awards; 2012 Runner-up in the Children's Books Category, Green Book Festival

SmartMax Set - BASIC 25 allows children ages three and up to experience the wonders of magnetism and the fascinating world of construction in a safe way. Towers, bridges, and houses are just a few building options that take advantage of the large pieces to engage even the youngest builder.
— Diane Gervais from Amato's Toy & Hobby in Middletown, Conn., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Smartmax sets are one of their store's best-selling educational toys. "Smartmax is pretty popular right now in preschool," she told us.

Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Set sail on an adventure to defeat the evil minions of Kaos with the buildable Crusher’s Pirate Quest by Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants. The colossal Crusher swings his stone hammer in a clash with the deadly Axecutioner. Meanwhile, Cynder leaps into action to take down the remaining Chompy. Rebuild the set into a dock inspired by the Cutthroat Carnival in Skylanders Giants and discover all of the action features in this 2-in-1 play set.

Through the mist, Jack McHammer catches sight of the zombie graveyard. He's on a mission to recover the zombie moonstone, but as he reaches for it, the zombies rise from their coffins and attack. Can he make it back to his car and battle the zombies with the giant hammer? Includes 4 minifigures: Jack McHammer and 3 zombies.

With the Playmobil Soldiers Fort with Dungeon kids can help the soldiers defend their fort, which includes a prison drop door, dungeon, and vault. Located on the door to the vault is a magic coin that can be used on the Pirate Adventure Island. Set also includes three figures, working cannon, and other accessories. Dimensions: 20.1 x 18.9 x 9.3 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four to ten.
— Sue Hottel, manager of No Kidding (aka Sand Castle Toys Inc) in Mattapoisett, Mass., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Playmobil was one of the top-2 best-selling construction toys in the store.

Start a garden with this Flowers TOOB® from Safari Ltd®, featuring flowers from around the world. This collection of individually hand painted miniature replicas features vibrant colors, professional sculpting, and accurate detail. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains these lifelike flowers: rose, tulip, hibiscus, bird of paradise, daffodil, sunflower, lotus, and orchid. Hand painted figures measure 1.5” to 3” (4 to 7.5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety.

Ever wonder about that chirping in your backyard? With the Safari Ltd® Backyard Birds TOOB® bring the colorful birds of your backyard into your home. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains seven replicas, including a Woodpecker, Indigo Bunting, Robin, Oriole, Warbler, Cardinal and Blue Jay. Hand painted figures measure 1.5” to 3” (4 to 7.5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

Take a tour around the world exploring the inspiring and wondrous cites of the World Landmarks TOOB® from Safari Ltd®.Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains seven replicas, including the Great Wall of China, Mount Rushmore, Stonehenge, Buddha of Lantau, Easter Island, Neuschwanstein Castle and Colosseum. Hand painted figures measure 1.5” to 3” (4 to 7.5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

From a witch to the king, the Safari Ltd® Days of Old Designer TOOB® will take you on a magical fairytale adventure. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains six figures, including Magnus the Wizard, Medea the Witch, Queen Sofia, King Alfred, Princess Juliet and Prince Patrick. Hand painted figures measure 2” H (5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

Trick or treat all year round with the Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Designer TOOB® from Safari Ltd®. Eerie Halloween figures will help to celebrate All-Hallows’-Eve even when the holiday has come and gone. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains eight glow-in-the-dark figures, including a Cat, Bat, Skeleton, Ghost, Witch, Cauldron, Spider & Web and Pumpkin. Hand painted figures measure 2” H (5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

Keep the holiday spirit alive with the Christmas Designer TOOB® from Safari Ltd®. Everything from Santa to his sleigh and candy canes to ornaments is included in this holiday collection. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains eight figures, including a Christmas Tree, Candy Cane, Ornament, Snowman, Sleigh, Xmas Gift Boxes and Santa Claus. Hand painted figures measure 2” H (5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Launch date: 2013.

Set contains 124 pieces. How do you want to travel today? This set gives lots of choices. Catch a Hi- Speed Train at the station, if that is too fast, what about a slower ride on the local line. If you want to go by car to the airport to watch the planes and helicopters don't forget to fill up at the petrol station before you go. Also included brightly colored houses, buildings, people, tunnel, trees, and vehicles.

Set contains 130 pieces. This set has so much included it will keep children ( and parents ) busy for hours. Low rail tracks, high rail tracks up above the forest, bridges, a tunnel, a turntable and a triple engine shed. Two freight trains chug along carrying their cargo to the crane depot to be unloaded. The people are very busy here there is so much to do. Also included brightly colored houses, trees, and vehicles.

Set contains 101 pieces. The passengers must make sure they know which line the train is going on, or they could arrive at the orchard instead of the post office ! The train with two carriages and a guards van is traveling through the town over the bridge and out into the countryside, passing houses, trees, and a lovely church. Vehicles wait patiently at the level crossing for the train to pass arriving at the station right on time.

This awesome Spider-Man Stunt City playset is the perfect home for the amazing wall-crawling hero. Kids' Spider-Man figure will do his most heroic stunts when he takes on his enemies in the Spider-Man Stunt City playset. Will he climb down the wall or spin down the pole? He can swing on his web line, slide down the lizard tail ramp or cling upside down to escape his enemies, and he can dodge their lunges and drive right through the door on his speedy motorcycle. Press the button for lights and sounds and cool Spider-Man phrases. When playtime is over, kids can read the special value storybook "The Lizard’s Lost Treasure."
— As of 11/5/2012 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from Amazon.com. Pros: Spiderman can climb up the side;lots of different sections on the play set offer different types of play. Cons: A few users reported that the electronic functions in the toy stopped working shortly after purchase.

Kids will have fun even when they're on the go with the Carrying Case Vet Clinic. This easy to take-along case comes with a figure, kitten, puppy, guinea pigs, and accessories to help the vet treat the animals.
— In a July 2013 survey Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that toys by Playmbil are one of her store's overall best-sellers.
— In a May 2014 survey Suzi McMullen, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Playmobil was her store's best-selling play set.

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.