December 2012 Notable Toys — All

HDXRF analyzers are the only instruments compliant with ASTM F2853-10, the CPSIA-approved method. HDXRF provides fast, accurate detection of lead and several other potentially toxic elements at levels well-below mandates.  As a result, HDXRF is also well-suited for ASTM F963, EN 71, Prop 65, and RoHS testing. HDXRF analyzers are designed with a 1-mm analysis area for small and irregular shapes, and the technology allows for separate and simultaneous analysis of coating and substrate. Available in portable (shown here) and bench top units, HDXRF analyzers provide the accuracy of “wet chemistry” analysis anywhere along the supply chain, without destroying samples and without long, costly turnaround times. 

HDXRF technology is used by CPSC and CPSC-certified testing labs. Don’t be the weak link in the supply chain. Use what the experts use for true CPSIA compliance, and peace of mind.

Tooby Loops™ Fashion & Fun allows kids to turn colorful mesh tubing into creative crafts. Use the kit to create headbands, bracelets and more with Tooby Loops, chenille stems, beads, rhinestones and more – all included.
— Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a January 2014 survey that Tooby Loops were a best-selling arts & crafts item.
— Joe Berardoni Jr., owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Creativity for Kids is one of his store's top activity toy brands

Creature Bots combines the timeless popularity of monsters and robots into a clever craft. Build and customize the three movable Creature Bots that chomp, flap and grab. They’re named GrabBot, FlapBot and ChompBot and utilize TechCard Technology™ – simple push-fit components – for building. Technology, engineering and physics add an educational element to the kit.
— In a May 2013 survey, 3 out of 10 retailers surveyed said Creativity For Kids was their best-selling brand of activity kit.

The Black Light Message Board is a double-sided, dry-erase message board with a lighted station. The kit includes more than 50 glow-in-the-dark stickers for decorating the message board, 70+traceable designs and two neon markers for enhancing messages and drawings. After creating a message, place the board on the station, flip the light switch and watch the message glow. The Black Light Message Board operates on three AA batteries.

Fashion Macramé includes cord, belt rings, carabineers, a key ring, hair elastic, scissors, glue, pony beads and project instructions.

Glitter Glam Watch Bands let kids decorate five interchangeable watch bands with rhinestones and sticker accents. With the pop-in watch dial kids can change the look to fit their personal style or mood. Kit also includes three boldly colored watch faces.
— Mark Rosenblum, owner of Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Glitter Glam Watch Bands is one of their best-selling activity kits.

Duct Tape Doggie Fashions is the newest addition to the duct tape trend. This kit includes a stuffed dog and puppy, five rolls of duct tape, duct tape stickers, scissors, patterns and printed paper. Six-year and older crafters can transform rolls of colorful and printed duct tape and printed paper patterns to create pet fashion and accessories.
— Mark Rosenblum, owner of Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Duct Tape Fashion is one of their best-selling activity kits.

These Sidekix Toys are just like the pets kids have at home — only they can take them anywhere and they're a lot easier to clean up after. When these little furry friends are zipped into a ball they are ready for action. They can be tossed, kicked, thrown or anything a ball can do. By pulling on the custom made Sidekix Toys zipper pull kids can transform their sidekix back and forth from the ball to their lovable and furry friends.

Makes real mechanical sounds. Includes10 Jeep-colored blocks. Storage under the seat. Ride along or use as push toy. Can also be used as a walker. Launch date: Fall 2013.

Sounds just like a real piano with transparent keys that light up. Moves and dances to the beat. Removable cap to store blocks. Launch date: Fall 2013.

The Mega Bloks® Hot Wheels® collection brings the world's most famous car brand to building toys, featuring speed, action and performance. Boys can build and collect their favorite Hot Wheels vehicles, and even customize their own creations. The product line also includes cool launchers and each set features a collectible Team Hot Wheels micro action figure to further enhance the play. Build, customize & play with Mega Bloks Hot Wheels. Launch date: Fall 2013.

Challenge kids' powers of deduction and their ability to think on their feet with this giant box of brainteasers. Made to be played at home, on the road, or on a family vacation, this set-up-free game is chock-full of cards that each contain 5 tantalizing clues that lead the player to just one correct answer. The opposing team or player draws a card and reads the 5 clues one at a time (starting at the fifth one), giving the guesser just 10 seconds to answer before reading the next fact. Clues progress in order of difficulty, where each factoid is easier to decipher than the previous one read. Sure to challenge your pint-sized competitor, this fast-paced game puts the pressure on the guesser since the number of points received for a correct answer decreases as he or she progresses through the clues. The player or team with the most points wins.

Kwizniac 2 is a trivia countdown game designed to test knowledge under pressure. The object of the game it for players to accumulate as many points as possible by correctly answering as many trivia questions as possible. To help players correctly identify the answer to each question, a set of 10 clues is provided in decreasing order of difficulty, where each clue is easier to decipher than the previous clue in sequence. The number of points a player receives for a correct answer decreases as he or she progresses through the sequence of clues. The player with the highest score wins the game.

The Heartlake City Pool is the hottest spot to spend a long summer day in the sun. Put on some swim shorts in the double-door changing room and rinse off in the shower before heading to the big blue pool to hang out with Andrea and her friend Isabella. Climb the ladder up to the spiral pink water slide or diving board to make a splash. Play basketball in the pool or go grab an ice cream cone at the snack bar with a cool umbrella table and chairs. Then wind down on the lounge chairs or soak in the bubbly hot tub. Lots of realistic accessories include: shady palm tree leaves, an ice cream cone, money, a cash register and drinks. End a perfect day at Heartlake City Pool by splashing around under the waterfall. Includes Andrea and Isabella mini-doll figures.

Fishface is out looking for trouble on his ooze-launching sewer skimmer. Chase him through the city sewers in Raphael's Stealth Shell. Outmaneuver his reverse flick missiles with the Stealth Shell's tri-wheel design and dual flame exhaust. Then fire the dual flick missiles at that menacing mutant before he launches ooze all over the city.

Dogpound is speeding through the city, making special deliveries of toxic ooze in his pizza delivery van. Hit the road with Leonardo and Michelangelo in the teched-out Shellraiser to stop that angry mutt. Turn the powerful LEGO® Technic shooting cannon 360 degrees and open fire. Unfold the Shellraiser’s side panels to reveal the computer workstation, weapons rack and skateboard. Take the pursuit off the streets and onto the railroad tracks by raising the rubber tires up to reveal track wheels. Once Dogpound has been stopped, battle on the rooftop against his minions: The Kraang and a Foot Soldier.

Kick up the turtle-powered action to take on Shredder. When Shredder speeds by on his Dragon Bike with dual flame exhausts and real rubber tires, Donatello spots a map to the Turtles' lair in his claws. Crank up Donatello's motorized skateboard to stop him before he finds the secret lair. Battle the Foot Soldier with Donatello's bo staff and chase the metal-faced menace through the city streets to get that map back.

Celebrate the grand opening of the Heartlake Pet Salon.! Everyone's excited to check it out. Help Emma to shampoo her friend Joanna's pretty white poodle in the bubble bath, then trim and clip her on the rotating grooming table. Use the blow dryer and brushes to make her perfect. While Joanna is waiting for her puppy to be groomed, help her to shop for new pet food and lots of accessories in the salon's shop. Then fill up the water dish at the tap for the poodle to drink. With all of these accessories and functions, kids can really pamper all of the pretty pets in Heartlake City. Includes Emma and Joanna mini-doll figures and a poodle.

High above Gotham City, Batman™ spots Bane in the armored Tumbler chasing Police Commissioner Gordon. Bust through the road barricades in the Bane Tumbler with hidden dual flick missiles and flame exhaust. Then swoop down from the skies in The Bat and winch the commissioner to safety with the rescue rope before Bane reaches him. Includes 3 minifigures: Batman, Bane and Police Commissioner Gordon with assorted weapons.
— In a May 2014 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Lego was their best-selling line of licensed toys.

Mr. Freeze has trapped Aquaman in a block of ice and only BatmanTM can release him! Speed to the rescue in the powerful Batboat with exhaust flames, deploy the missiles and release the bombs to bust that block of ice. It's time to turn the heat up on Mr. Freeze! Includes 3 minifigures: white Arctic BatmanTM, Mr. Freeze and Aquaman, all with assorted weapons.
— Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that LEGO Superheroes and LEGO Friends were the best-selling construction toys in her store.

The Republic troopers are under attack! Fire their blasters as you battle the red and black Sith troopers and their hover speeder with dual flick missiles. Recreate epic battle scenes from the Knights of the Old Republic video game in your own living room. Collect the never-before-featured Republic trooper helmet. Includes 4 minifigures with assorted weapons: 2 Republic troopers and 2 Sith troopers.
— In a May 2014 survey Andrea from Hardware Center Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars sets was the store's best-selling construction toys.

Build a famous scene from Star Wars™: Episode VI Return of the Jedi™ with this stackable set. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker is trapped in the Rancor™ Pit beneath Jabba the Hutt’s Palace and must escape. Look for a way out before the gate lifts and the mighty rancor makes an entrance. Battle the rancor with the bone before he eats the Gammorrean guard. Then, find the hidden compartment with a secret key or drop the gate on the space beast before it’s too late. Combine with LEGO® Star Wars 9516 Jabba’s Palace for a stackable scene with a trapdoor into the Rancor Pit! Includes rancor, skeleton and 3 minifigures: Luke Skywalker, Malakili and Gammorrean Guard.
— In a May 2014 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Lego was their best-selling line of licensed toys.

An armed and dangerous alien mosquitoid is speeding this way on a space flyer. Stop that creepy crawler with blue team leader Solomon Blaze and the split function Swarm Interceptor. When the action gets too hot for one Galaxy Squad ship, split the Swarm Interceptor into 2 fierce fighting machines: an agile flyer with detachable guns and a powerful turret with hidden flick missiles! That pest doesn't stand a chance against the split-function Swarm Interceptor with Solomon Blaze at the wheel. Includes 2 minifigures with assorted weapons: Solomon Blaze and alien mosquitoid.

The 501st Clone Trooper is on patrol with Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™ edition Yoda and the powerful AT-RT walker when he spots a Commando Droid captain and Sniper Droid. Use the AT-RT’s swiveling laser cannon to attack the Droid. Take the blasters out of the AT-RT’s weapon storage compartment and open fire. Recreate scenes from the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated TV series. Includes 3 minifigures with assorted weapons: Clone Wars edition Yoda, 501st Clone Trooper and Commando Droid captain.