December 2011 Notable Toys — Licensed Products

This set comes with Strawberry Shortcake, Blueberry Muffin, Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom and Plum Pudding, each with her very own pair of shoes and leggings. With five dolls, five pairs of shoes, five dresses and five pairs of leggings, kids can mix and match outfits to suit their sense of style.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on ToysRUs.com.

Dark magic has been performed at Hogwarts! A fellow student has vanished from the famous School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is up to the players to solve the mysterious disappearance. Play as Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna or Neville and try to discover WHO did it, WHAT spell or item they used, and WHERE the student was attacked. Was it Draco Malfoy with a Sleeping Draught in the Owlery? Move around Hogwarts making suggestions- but watch out! Wheels on the board actually move to reveal secret passages, hidden staircases, and even the Dark Mark! When players think they've gathered all the facts they need, they go to Dumbledore's office to make their final accusation to win the game.
— As of 12/30/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: More in depth than original Clue; fun for Harry Potter fans. Cons: Instructions are a bit confusing.

Quad-style 4-wheel Barbie roller skates make learning to skate as easy as 1, 2 and 3. Wheels lock for Stage 1, so beginners can “skate-walk” on wheels that don’t roll. As confidence, ability and balance increase, advance to Stage 2, where a quick and easy adjustment allows the wheels to roll forward, but not back. Then it’s on to Stage 3 for “freewheeling” fun, forward and back. Size adjustable to fit child shoe sizes 6-12.
— As of 12/13/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com.

Spot It NHL edition is great for die-hard hockey fans. Hockey themed symbols give Spot It its cool edge. The logo of every NHL team appears on the cards.

What happens when America’s favorite pastime and the best-selling card game in the country collide? The official MLB™ edition of Spot It! Whether the logo of a favorite team, a bitter rival, or another baseball related image, spot it and players will be running the bases to victory.
— In a May 2012 survey about licensed products, Elmer  Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., named Spot It as their best seller. They sell 24 copies each month.

Harry, Ron and Hermione often visit Hagrid in his hut on the Hogwarts grounds. Sometimes their visits are uneventful – but other times, a visit to Hagrid can lead to adventure. Includes 6 characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Hagrid, Norbert and Aragog. Hagrid's Hut features light up fire place. Furnishings, such as chairs, a table, a stove, and pots and pans also included. 442 LEGO pieces.
— As of 12/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of great details inside the hut; a great selection of mini-figs; detailed instructions. Cons: Not very durable once it is built; a bit small.

Wearing a familiar cap and armed with his trusty snowplow, Thomas hauls two festively decorated cars to deliver BIG winter fun to one and all. Our new Large Scale Thomas’ Christmas Delivery ready-to-run electric train set includes Thomas the Tank Engine™ (with hat, snowplow and moving eyes), cargo car, coach, track, speed controller, power pack, and DVD video instructions. "This is the only Large Scale Thomas & Friends ready-to-run electric train set with a holiday theme," Debra Schiff, mommunications manager for Bachmann Trains, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.

"It's a Pillow, It's a Pet" is more than just a jingle, it has branded the name Pillow Pets™ in millions of households. With a strap that closes underneath to transform the pillow into a friendly pet, Pillow Pets plush are an ideal travel pal, naptime buddy and all-around cuddly friend. The iconic stuffed animal is just one part of the Pillow Pets family of products which also includes books, games and video games, hats, blankets, and slippers. Launch date: September 2011.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus GROW AMAZING POLYMERS group pack. This kit provides enough materials for 30 students and is great for the classroom, after-school programs, science enrichment, boys and girls scouts, camps, and a Magic School Bus birthday Party. Young Scientists grow super balls, snow, rainbow beads, crystal gels, and polymer flowers while learning about the importance and science of super-absorbent polymers. This kit comes with 30 colorful manuals that are based on the popular Magic School Bus tv and book series. "This is the first Magic School Bus themed group pack on the market, and has enough materials and manuals for 30 children," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus as they explore slime and polymers. Young Scientists take polymers out of milk, make slime, create goop, produce a snow eruption, melt snow, grow super-absorbent flowers, germinate seeds in polymers, perform a polymer trick, dehydrate polymers, and more. This gooey bus-shaped kit comes packed with science components, 20 colorful experiment cards, a data notebook to record observations, and 10 containers of polymers including super balls, rainbow beads, snow, and gel crystals. "The bus-shaped packaging is unique and comes packed with lots of polymers and activity cards," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Preschoolers can put on a rockin' performance with the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar. Packed with fun features, the Guitar includes three preschool tunes, three modes of play, light-up keys and a fun whammy bar. For even more rockin' fun, the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar also interacts with the Let's Rock Elmo character, which is sold separately, who magically knows when you have the Let's Rock Elmo Guitar and plays along with you to the Elmo's World song. The guitar comes with instructions. It includes 3 AA batteries.

Creating fun scenes with Disney characters is easy. Light Up surface makes tracing a snap. Comes with 20 tracing sheets, 10 scenes stickers and coloring pencils.

Bullseye is ready for Woody's next rootin' tootin' western adventure. But he's so excited he's ready to bolt at any second. Load him up with all the gear the gang needs but do it gently. Players will never know when he's going to jump up and take off.
— As of 11/14/2011 this product had 2 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Cons: The main piece of the game would not stay in place for many users; the game was not interesting.

The Olivia 2 in 1 Real World Playset Dollhouse magically transforms from Olivia's house to her pirate ship. Open the set and play with Olivia in her house - it's just like her real house on the show. 3 different play areas include her bedroom, kitchen and living room. When kids are ready to go on a pirate adventure, simply close the set and by opening it from the opposite side, they can transform her house into her pirate ship.
— As of 11/14/2011 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from 28 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy to assemble; smaller size is good for younger kids. Cons: not very durable;  the latch that keeps the house closed is flimsy.

These 3D images are of professional athletes from the National Basketball Association (NBA)and Major League Baseball (MLB), as well as cars from NASCAR. They come in 8" x 10" and 11.625" x 13.625" sizes and have an attached easel for standing. "They are 3 dimensional and are the only such product on the market that is licensed by the NBA, MLB, and NASCAR," David P. Bagliebter, CEO of Creative 3D, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2010.

Defend the LEGO Star Wars Hoth Echo Base (7879) from the evil Imperial forces. Imperial forces have discovered the Rebel base hidden on the ice planet of Hoth and are preparing to crush the Rebel Alliance. Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and protocol droid R—3PO get ready to fend off the attack as 2 snowtroopers approach. Luke Skywalker is in the bacta tank being treated by medical droid 2—1B. The LEGO Star Wars Hoth Echo Base (7879) includes: Tauntaun stable with locking gate, tauntaun, rotating radar dishes, falling icicle trap, working cargo crane, and medical bay with bacta tank; Han Solo, injured Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, 2—1B, protocol droid R—3PO, Chewbacca and 2 snowtroopers; flick missile gun turrets; repeating blaster and blaster rifle weapons; Measures over 21" wide and 5" tall; Imperial speeder bike measures over 5" long; Contains 773 pieces.

13" Soft, huggable plush. Push Chica's belly and she squeaks. Clean with a damp, soapy cloth and fluff dry. Launch date: November 2011.

Buzz Light Year's parts require some fixing. Fix Buzz's lazy laser or his busted ball joint. Operate carefully; if players hit the sides Buzz Light Year's laser sounds. Includes a storage drawer to store all of Buzz's parts.
— As of 10/25/2011 this product had 2.9 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Interactive; fun. Cons: Too difficult for specified age group; flimsy.

Get the ultimate prop replica with this Tron Deluxe Identity Disc. Watch the lights change and swing the Disc around to activate the motion sounds just like in the movie. The Tron Deluxe Identity Disc includes: 1 Deluxe Identity Disc and 1 Display Stand.
— As of 10/25/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: accurate replica; good for collector and child. Cons: Light and sound effects are only average; lights don't stay on long.

The Mattel WWE Colossal Crashdown Arena Play Set is the largest play set where Flexforce figures can fight it out for the ultimate title. The belt is up for grabs, hanging from the top of the ceiling to taunt all those who fight for it. Simply defeat opponents on the authentic Raw-themed skirt and ring, then climb to the top of the ceiling to grab it. But be careful, the entire superstructure is collapsible, so players will have to hurry to reach for the belt and make it their own before it all falls. Recreate  favorite matches between contenders, and decide for who deserves the title.

Get the real deal with The Real Lightning McQueen. His eyes and mouth come to life with impulse projection technology. Kids can interact with Lightning McQueen like never before as he teaches them how to maneuver him and rewards their driving skills. With bump detection technology, Lightning McQueen will react to collisions and even call in his pit crew for repairs. Lightning McQueen not only delivers his famous lines from the movie, but also speaks new, never-before-heard lines that can only be heard when driving The Real Lightning McQueen. Launch date: October 2011.

It's easy for kids to prepare meals for a birthday bash, picnic, backyard barbeque or to cook up just about anything with the Fisher-Price Dora Fiesta Favorites Kitchen Playset. The Fisher-Price Dora Fiesta Favorites Kitchen Playset includes: A double sided "fiesta recipe card" that kids can place in the kitchen window to cook delicious meals like tacos, huevos rancheros, hamburgers, and more; Dora talks kids through each recipe with fun phrases that correspond to the recipe; A refrigerator, oven, stovetop, grill, sink and a phone; More than 60 English and Spanish phrases, and 20 play pieces. Requires three AA batteries, included.

Based on Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Optimus Prime Figure is the premium movie-adapted Transformers toy on the market. Designed for ages five and older, and standing over 22 inches tall, this action figure features a sleek design, glowing weapon lights, and battle and conversation sounds.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 3.8 out of 5 stars from 40 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Large; unique; comes with trailer. Cons: Some of the limbs are not very sturdy; not enough points of articulation.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Very detailed. Cons: Bigger than "voyager class," yet smaller than "deluxe" class, making it awkward to display. 

Take home this LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean The Black Pearl (4184). After 13 years, Davy Jones has come to take Jack Sparrow back to the Flying Dutchman. As his tentacled adversary boards the Black Pearl with his brackish crew, Maccus and Bootstrap Bill, Jack and his friends Will and Joshamee are in no mood to surrender just yet. The LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean The Black Pearl (4184) includes: Jack Sparrow MiniFigure; Will Turner MiniFigure; Joshamee Gibbs MiniFigure; Davy Jones MiniFigure; Maccus and Bootstrap Bill MiniFigures. Contains 804 pieces. Launch date: October 2011.