December 2009 Notable Toys — Construction

Children like to create and to construct. MOOV Education kit is entirely adapted for educational use for example on primary schools and childcare. MOOV is a unique full-size construction toy for children aged 5 to 12 years. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without use of any tools or help from a teacher, educator or pedagogue. This playing concept stands for learning by playing. With the special MOOV educational build and play activity set children are able to train and improve their technical, creative and physical skills. Above this they improve their social emotional skills. Activity Set includes A4 size ring binder, 10 activity sheets and overview, 4 dividers, and MOOV certificates (50 pcs).

Children like to create and to construct. MOOV Education kit, which contains more than 200 construction elements, is entirely adapted for educational use for example on primary schools and childcare. MOOV is a unique full-size construction toy for children aged 5 to 12 years. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without use of any tools or help from a teacher, educator or pedagogue. The wooden parts, rings, shafts and frames are multi-functional. The holes in the wooden parts are specially designed, so you can easily remove the rings from the shafts. Storage is simple with the durable roller box for the large pieces and the durable cotton bags for the smaller parts.

A classic, open ended building toy has a new twist via vibrantly colored, wood cylinders, cubes, and triangular prism blocks and little wood trays. Builders of all ages can create an infinite number of abstract and representational structures and play with the connections between color and form. The design was inspired by a survey conducted at the Bauhaus by the artist and teacher, Wassily Kandinsky, on the relationship between basic forms and primary colors. Designed by Karen Hewitt for the Museum of Modern Art [MoMA] Design Stores in conjunction with the Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity exhibition. Set includes 9 hardwood blocks in 3 primary colors, 9 small hardwood trays, 1 hardwood tray/container, and descriptive booklet. Winner of the Best Picks 2009 Dr. Toy Award.

This 72-piece expansion set allows kids to build even more with Superstructs. It includes 16 gears in four sizes, plus rods, connectors and instructions for making cranks and putting it all together. It comes in a 12.75" x 3" x 9.75" box.

Dinoworks is a fascinating, educational and fun-filled kit that will show you what it is like to be a paleontologist in the field. It goes from casting the bones of the Tyrannosaurus to the complete construction of it. An illustrated educational booklet is included with the kit along with glue and magnets to display one's creation.

Each Pit-Stop racer includes a plastic chassis, racing decals, paint, paint brush, wheels and axles. Pit-Stop racers are designed to run on 1:64 Hot Wheels tracks. 6 different Pit-Stop Racers to choose from.

Each Marble Racer includes a plastic chassis, racing decals, 1 inch marble, wheels and axles. Marble Racers are designed to run on 1:64 Hot Wheels tracks. 4 different Marble Racers to choose from.

This 32-piece set of transparent tiles in various shapes makes for a colorful building project. It comes with 14 small squares, two large squares, four isosceles triangles, four right triangles and eight equilateral triangles.
— Four of 44 retailers told TDmonthly in late fall 2009 that Magna-Tiles is one of their best-selling products. Isaac Judd, CEO of Magic Beans in Brookline, Mass., estimated his store sold about 100 Magna-Tiles sets in November 2009.
― “[An] item I do very well with is from Valtech, their Magna-Tiles,” said Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star  in Lexington, Mass., of best-selling construction toys in April 2010.
― Three of 43 retailers surveyed in spring 2010 told TDmonthly Magna-Tiles are a best-selling construction item in their stores.

When Marge Graziano met the "Lost Lady" of the Honeymoon Cottage, her life's course took an unexpected twist of fate. Committed to saving a piece of Jerome's remarkable history, Marge enlisted the help of her family and newfound friends to restore the home to its original grandeur. Little did she realize what treasures she'd find as she dug through the past to save a fading Arizona landmark. Her courage undaunted, Marge pressed forward through astounding odds to bring the "Lady" renewed hopes and dreams for the future. Today, the Honeymoon Cottage shines forth in unabashed splendor, the elegant "Jewel of Jerome." Launch date: June 15, 2009.

This set includes 216 powerful rare earth magnets that can be molded, shaped and snapped together in an endless variety of configurations. Each Buckyball has two poles — one repels, one attracts. Not intended for children. Watch video
— ''Pun's has sold about four dozen in the last month alone,'' Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., shared with TDmonthly in the fall of 2010.
—Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., sold nine of 24 units in two days after opening a box for display, she told TDmonthly. Two of 39 retailers named Buckyballs as a best-selling travel toy in March 2010.
— Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells "probably 50" sets of Buckyballs each month.
— May 27, 2010 RECALL of 175,000 sets (prior to March 2010) with 13+ labeling violating a federal standard that powerful magnets not be sold to children under 14.

These 5.5" x 3.3" camouflage panels have patent-pending, collapsible magnetized hinges so that structures can be knocked down and built again and again. Deluxe and Super Size sets are included, with miniature soldiers.

This replica of the short, lightweight Delta-7B starfighter has four has four partially hidden laser canons. Parts snap together, and it does not require painting or gluing. Skill level for this project is 1.
— Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., sells about 20 to 25 Revell kits of cars, airplanes and Star Wars items each month. “We’ve carried them for a few years now. People know we carry it,” he told TDmonthly in October 2009.

25 piece wooden set of animal blocks made in Germany!

Darth Vader pilots this vehicle that first appeared in Episode IV: A New Hope. The original LEGO model debuted a decade ago, and this mold incorporates a new style, coloration and firing action. Includes Darth Vader and 250 other pieces.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named LEGO when asked about overall best sellers leading up to Christmas 2009.
— Star Wars Legos are top sellers at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly in late 2009.

This City set includes a 7" x 3" bus and bus stop, five minifigures, a two-story pizzeria and a bike/skate shop.

The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic Dolphin is a work of art that combines lights, sound and movement. The visual experience is hypnotic, creating a relaxing tranquil environment for any room in your home or office. You can choose from three modes: 1) Watch it move in a well-lit room with the Sound & Movement Mode; 2) Bring it into the bedroom shut the light off and watch the Movement, Sound and Light Mode take over - completely relaxing you; 3) Simply use it in the Movement Only Mode (with no sound or light) and be mesmerized by the slow graceful movement of the Dolphin. The Amazing Wave of Light Animatronic™ Dolphin has a built-in Sleep Timer Mode; with the push of a button it can be set to turn off in a 30 minutes to one hour. Cons: One user reported that the dolphin's nose got stuck and wouldn't go back down.

The Amazing Magnetic FridgiGears Deluxe Light Show Puzzle Gear Edition lets kids make creations light up & glow in the dark. Each gear is a puzzle that a child puts together to create a moving work of art. A rotating magnetic black light is included. The motorized picture frame gear powers all 20 gears with an easy "tap on/tap off" function. Included are over 103 black-light responsive magnetic fridgi puzzle pieces.

Using the pieces included in this kit, plus recycled water bottles provided by the user, kids can build a working sailboat that not only floats, but realistically uses the wind to sail. The design can be modified into several different kinds of boats. Plus, Uberstix are designed to be compatible with many other popular construction systems, allowing for virtually endless possibilities. This kit comes with with a three- to four-hour lab lesson planning sheet that teaches the basics of sailing and the function of keel and rudder.
― “Uberstix. We love that,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., when asked about her top-selling item for tween boys in October 2009. 
― “Uberstix is up and coming,” said Tom Levin, owner of Tom's Toys in Great Barrington, Mass., about his best sellers for tween-aged boys.
― Two out of 39 retailers said Uberstix are a best selling item for tween boys in fall 2009.

Modeled after the rebel-controlled, icy planet Hoth from the Star Wars movie series, the Echo Base set from Lego features a rebel fortification with two gunner figurines, a missile-firing defense turret, two Imperial snow troopers, and a Hans Solo character figurine complete with Tauntaun. Children can reenact their favorite scene from the movies or invent new adventures by combining this with other Lego Star Wars sets.
― “Lego star wars is still very popular,” said Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., when asked about his best-selling items for tween boys in fall 2009.
― Nine out of 39 retailers that participated in an October 2009 survey said Legos are their top-selling item for boys in the tween age category.

These soft flexible mini edulocks include 6 soft animals that attach to the blocks, too. This toy can enhance shape and color recognition plus help develop fine-motor skills. There are 28 pieces in a set.

Explore and experiment combining the hexagons with the triangles and squares to create your own favorite XL Cruiser. There are hundreds of possible 3-D combinations using these three geometric shapes. Feel the magnetic force and have countless hours building and designing different XL Cruisers.
— Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., reported sales of 60 Magformer sets per week in late fall 2009, according to Manager Mike DiAndrea.
― Three of 43 retailers who participated in an April 2010 TDmonthly survey listed Magformers as a top-selling construction toy.
— As of 08/06/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps develop spatial awareness and problem solving skills; encourages creativity; durable.

These supplemental kits allow for expanding LaQ kits. The kits come in single colors with a combination of all 7 types of LaQ parts.