December 2012 Notable Toys — All

Get the road trip started as you steer your little car around the B. town on the screen, which lights up for night driving. Shift through forward, neutral and reverse. Both the engine and the horn make actual sounds. The LED blinkers let everyone know where your little driver is headed. Your child can push the music button to hear 3 driving songs in 3 unique styles. The YouTurns also make the perfect car seat toy – flip it over and it doubles as a pillow.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

The Temple In Paradise Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzle for all ages celebrates The San Marga (“The Good Path”) Iraivan Temple being constructed at the foot of an extinct volcano on Kauai, the northernmost of the Hawaiian Islands. The temple is being constructed at Kauai's Hindu Monastery, 5 miles from the town of Kapaa, 4 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. The temple construction commenced in 1975 and is scheduled for completion in 2017. There are Hindu temples in virtually every nation on earth, over 1,000 in the United States and nearly a million in India, but this temple was destined to be unique—a white-granite edifice being brought stone by stone from south central India after being hand-carved by 75 sculptors working for 27 years with simple bamboo-handled mallets and tens of thousands of mild steel chisels. Their monumental efforts reflect the ultimate in artisan craftsmanship and design, surrounded by as beautiful a setting as the paradise island of Kauai could provide.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

Our adorable functional unit can be used as either pretend play washing machine or dryer. Turn the crank handle on the front and the tub actually turns! Watch the clothes rotate in either direction through the see through, shatter proof acrylic front door.

This special assortment of 8 fuzzy colorful durable, safe and fun toy vehicles includes plane, car, fire engine and bus. They are the perfect size for little ones to grab onto. With all the different colors and shapes they provide endless hours of pretend play and story telling. Rubbabu toys are made of soft, squishy rubber foam, which is organic, hypo-allergenic, and completely biodegradable. They are covered with the brightest, best-quality Swiss flock for a surface your child will enjoy playing with. This is a safe, durable and fun toy for preschoolers to enjoy at home and on travel. They are also available as a Little Vehicle Assortment B and the new Shape Sorter Bus.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Tapeffiti Tape Art Tote Set is a fashion craft kit. Decorate the tote bag with 6 mini tape dispensers with different colors and patterns. Also has 6 replacement rolls and a style design guide with more than 2 dozen other project ideas, including tape bracelets, picture frames, pens or pencils, and pen/pencil containers. (Comes in Barbie licensed version, too). Also sold separately are 4 or 6 roll collection of Tapeffiti tapes in various designs, patterns, and colors. Color and pattern tapes for decorating is one of the hottest personal style trends for teens and tweens. Included are a full size tote bag, 6 mini tape dispensers with assorted colors and patterns.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20
— Karen Laroche, manager of Kid's Ketch in Lews, Del., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that Tapefetti is one of their best-selling tween products.
— Molly McMullin from Twirl in Ranchos de Taos, N.M., told TDmonthly in a January 2014 survey that Fashion Angels Tapeffiti was a best-selling arts & crafts toy.

Students will love becoming math detectives. Players earn points for solving math mysteries in this entertaining and educational game. In each round, players read about a crime committed and each player receives a suspect’s alibi. Players must determine whether the math in their suspect’s alibi is correct or not. If the math is correct, the suspect is innocent; if the math is incorrect, the suspect is guilty of the crime. Each game requires players to use multiple grade-level math skills. Includes 40 math mysteries. The game can be played with 2-4 players and includes ideas for turning the game into a quick-and-easy math center. Set contains 200 cards and directions. Available in grades 2-6.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Colorforms, an iconic play product, once again brings classic Colorforms® to life with the Tinga Tinga Tales™ Create-A-Creature Game. Using African artwork from the loveable Disney Junior TV Show, Tinga Tinga Tales™, players use their imagination to tell stories about the unique creatures they create. So 2 to 4 players can take turns spinning the wheel to see which body part to select from the 32 pieces. When all players have collected a pair of legs, a tail, a head, and two ears and arranged them on a scene card, players take turns telling imaginative stories about how their creatures were created. Every generation will enjoy playing with the reusable pieces as they bring to life never before seen animals. Once the hilarious creatures are formed, the Create-A-Creature Game promotes imagination and creativity through the story each player tells about the new animal. The stories of how each animal came to be change every time as numerous animal combinations are created.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Use the custom-designed, innovative Low-Mess Glitterizer to create glimmery, shimmery art projects including ornaments, portraits, flowers, and snowflakes.

A peaceful slumber full of sweet dreams are on their way with the Baby Stella™ Dreamy Bedtime Set™. With a cuddly soft blanket, a plump pillow and snuggly little lamb friend, Baby Stella is sure to get a good night's sleep. The soft lamb is attached to an elastic strap that fits snuggly around baby Stella's wrist for easy attachment. Tuck Baby Stella in tonight with the Dreamy Bedtime Set and watch her slip into a simply serene slumber.

Based on Brad Meltzer’s bestselling books (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), the questions in this edition will spark great conversations about the accomplishments, wisdom and inspiration of more than 90 amazing individuals. Explore what made them a hero. Talk about what makes their actions heroic. And discover the potential hero within yourself. Here’s to the heroes – all the ordinary people that do extraordinary things.

Captivating is understating the charm of the Folkmanis Enchanted TREE Puppet. Made for storytelling and all things fantasy, this magical tree has movable eyes, limbs and mouth - perfect for spellbinding fun. Launch date: July 2012.

This wooden panda baby toy loves to play peekaboo. Hear the click and clack as its paws flap up to cover the cheerful face, then push them down again to say, "Hello!" Even babies can bring about a big visual change with just a simple motion, so they're encouraged to keep exploring as fine motor skills grow naturally. Made with select hardwood and child-safe dyes, First Play Peek-a-Boo Panda makes a heartwarming baby-shower gift.

The Crayola Color Explosion Glow Board lets kids create cool designs with glowing marker inks. Using it couldn't be easier - simply draw, flip the switch and watch the creations glow. The board comes with 2 transparent drawing surfaces that slide inside the board, one on top of the other. With the 2 boards, kids can create awesome background images and simple animated scenes. Press the 2 switches to easily light up the front or back image. A 4-position slide switch allows kids to activate the lights in different configurations for lots of display options.

HOOK IT! LAUNCH IT! CATCH IT! Djubi Classic is the coolest new twist on the game of catch. A unique combination of a slingshot and lacrosse stick, Djubi Classic consists of a specially designed racquet with a net and launch hook and a ball with an elastic band. Djubi balls can be launched up to 100 feet and they’re easy to catch with the Djubi racquets. Fathers and sons, college students, families and friends will find that Djubi Classic will take the old game of catch to an awesome new level of fun and excitement.

What’s more fun than a barrel of monkeys? Well, a MONKEY IN BARREL puppet of course. When you pull the monkey down into the soft microfiber barrel, the barrel lid closes. Guess what kind of monkey business is going on in there or pop the monkey out for a playful surprise. Launch date: January 2013.
— In an April 2013 survey Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that Folkmanis puppets are a best-selling toy for infants/toddlers.
— In a June 2013 survey, six out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Folkmanis was their best-selling brand of plush or puppets.

Nemo swims into the hearts of a new generation of children with a re-release in theaters and on Blu-Ray/ DVD. Retailers can “Find” Nemo Pillow Pets® Plush in Q1 2013. He’s sure to make a splash on store shelves. Launch date: February 2013.

"Workaholics" features the antics of three roommates and co-workers and is quickly becoming Comedy Central’s premiere program for the ever important 18-35 demo. Inspired by "Workaholics" co-star Blake Anderson’s very own, the officially licensed "Workaholics" Bear Coat gets its name for being just that – A coat modeled off a grizzly bear. Featuring latex teeth and claws, the "Workaholics" Bear Coat is made from 100% awesomeness. Launch date: 2013.

he officially licensed “The Goonies” Sloth Mask features everything you love about one of the most original movie characters ever. Featuring Lotney “Sloth” Fratelli’s iconic asymmetrical face and wispy blonde hair, this 100% latex mask is an incredibly detailed replica of the cult-movie hero. Wearing the “The Goonies” Sloth Mask will make you want to relive all the adventures of the Steven Spielberg classic. Launch date: 2011.

Arguably the most defining catchphrase of CBS's "The Big Bang Theory," 'Bazinga' is Sheldon Cooper's fresh take on the word 'zing' – meaning to fool someone. Ripple Junction’s family of officially licensed 'Bazinga' accessories includes key chains, magnets, lanyards, wallets, lunchboxes, patches, pins, stickers, bracelets, backpacks, backpack clips, belt buckles, hats, socks, slippers and more. Launch date: 2011.

"The Big Bang Theory" Soft Kitty Plush brings to life one of the most memorable recurrences from the Emmy Award winning sitcom. Adapted from the song of the same name, the original ditty has propelled Soft Kitty into pop-culture phenom status. "The Big Bang Theory" Soft Kitty Plush is officially licensed and features a built in speaker. Just squeeze the front right paw and Soft Kitty sings Sheldon’s favorite lullaby. Launch date: 2011.

Simplistic shape. Endless possibility. The only tools required are the children's imagination. Plus Plus bricks is made in Denmark of PE (polyethylene). Free of phthalates and PVC.

Farkle Around combines dice with cards for a new take on everyone’s favorite game of skill and luck. This whirlwind game of dice and cards may leave players' heads spinning, but not before the last dice fill the card. Roll the dice and match them to what’s shown on the card. If a player Farkles,they pass the dice cup to the next player and try again when either of the game’s two dice cups comes back their way. The only goal: be the one to fill up one side of the card in play to win those points. Includes: 55 cards, 6 burgundy dice, 6 ivory dice and two shaker cups. Farkle Around is for 3 or more players ages 8 and up.

Planet Sock Monkey is a limited edition, collectible soft doll line full of bold style and unconventional attitude, daring to go where no monkey has gone before. Each 10" knit sock monkey comes clothed in its signature, detailed fashion and features a unique accessory. These characters are only available for a limited time, so snatch them up before they hightail it outta here! But no worries, more characters will arrive to take their place...

My name is Ima Bananerd, and yes, I am proud to be a nerd. I am of above average intelligence and enjoy studying. I also love performing science experiments and testing theories; it is very much like a mystery! Plus, it is the only time I am not awkward and clumsy; I trip just walking down the hall, but I never spill chemicals or cause explosions! For fun, I write the advice column for our school paper (shhhhh). No one has a clue that I am "Dear Nan," and I am really good at it!