December 2012 Notable Toys — Drop Ship

Add sparkling jewels to these rocking Robots. Slap these stickers on bike helmets, skateboards and more. These futuristic fighters shoot fire and electricity to squash the bad guys. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: October 2012.

It’s time to catch some Butterflies. These beautiful creatures are spreading their stunning wings and flitting from flower to flower. Follow a simple legend and add sparkling jewels and foam tiles to decorate these special oversized mosaics. Hang these magical Butterflies on your walls for some whimsical décor. Launch date: October 2012.

It’s time for a visit to the candy shop. Decorate these Sweet Secrets Keepsake Boxes to store treasured trinkets. Follow a simple numbered legend and create three interlocking boxes featuring a magical candy dreamland.  Both a fun craft and whimsical piece of room décor, this is a project that is sure to be displayed for years to come. Launch date: October 2012.

Create a funky flower pillow. Use the stylus to punch pretty fabric and make this fun and easy fabric-by-number craft. Create the perfect pillow for travel, décor and sweet dreams. This no mess craft teaches number and pattern recognition and creates a finished product that is sure to brighten up any little girls’ bedroom. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Players slip a photo into the clear Photoholder and draw. Players must get their teammates to guess what they're drawing, right on top of the photo. The photos help give their scribbles context, but it's not as easy as one may think; some things players have got to draw might seem obvious, but only to them. They've got 90 seconds to draw as many items from the list as they can, and then collect a Phototoken for each correct guess by their team. A secret red-reveal panel keeps everybody honest, dry-erase markers allow them to play over and over, and play is fast and hilarious. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2012 Game of the YEAR (Party games category) from Creative Child Magazine

Space Adventure Mini includes over 45 block pieces to create one space vehicle and one Cube Figure. The same blocks can also be reused to transform the space vehicle into another robot or vehicle. Launch date: April 2012.

A high-energy educational Spanish & English class in DVD that will stimulate kid's musical & language development and captivate their imaginations. We believe that children's interest will peak after watching this special video. Children from 3 years old and up learn the name of many farm animals in the "Repeat After Me" segment. Includes "Numbers 1-30", "Sentences", "Opposites", "What Color It Is?", "Insects", "Puzzle Time" and "Time To Eat". The show ends in a fancy gelato shop learning the ice cream flavors. Songs, music, illustrations, and real farm animals are part of this wonderful video. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 Best of Show Dealer Favorites; A “must have” item from the 2012 NSSEA Organization Ed Expo recently held on March 23rd in Baltimore, MD

Box of 24 ct available in salt & vinegar, bacon cheddar and sour cream & onion flavors.   CRICK-ETTES® are genuine crickets baked and lightly coated with seasoning. (Think chips, popcorn or pork rinds.) CRICK-ETTES® appeal to a large demographic—children to grandmothers—and make a great gag gift.  HOTLIX® insects have been featured on the History channel, Discovery, National Geographic & in many newspapers and magazines.  HOTLIX® can be found in candy stores, airports, theme parks, nature centers, museums (Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, Universal Studios, Ripley’s Believe It or Not), etc. Launch date: 2005.

Box of 24 ct available in BBQ, Mexican Spice, Cheddar Cheese or Assorted flavors. Larvets® are genuine larva baked & lightly coated with seasoning. (Think chips, popcorn or pork rinds.) Larvets® appeal to a large demographic — children to grandmothers — & make a great gag gift. HOTLIX® insects have been featured on the History channel, Discovery, National Geographic & many newspapers & magazines. HOTLIX® can be found in candy stores, airports, theme parks, nature centers, museums (Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, Universal Studios, Ripley’s Believe It or Not), etc. Launch date: 1994.

Discover with Dr. Cool turned this classic science experiment into the ultimate hands-on volcano experience. First you'll decorate the 7" ceramic volcano with the brush and paints included in the kit. Then kids'll make the volcano erupt over and over with the eruption powder and red lava coloring also included. Plus they'll get to examine 3 genuine volcanic specimens including: a real geode, an obsidian arrowhead, and a floating piece of volcanic rock called pumice. The information guide will teach kids all about their specimens as well as how volcanoes form and why they erupt. Also included is an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. Because everything is included in the kit, kids won't need to run to the store for additional supplies. If they're doing this project for the science fair, they'll love how nice the ceramic volcano looks-it's way better than the paper mache volcanoes. This is the perfect science kit for anyone interested in geology, earth science, or volcanoes. Launch date: August 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval, 2012 Kids Product of the Year,  Creative Child Magazine; 2012 Gold Award, Family Review Center;2012 Seal of Approval, Family Review Center.

Excavate 3 genuine fossil specimens just like a real paleontologist. Buried inside the ammonite-shaped digging brick young paleontologists will uncover a real sliced and polished ammonite, a clam fossil and a gastropod specimen. This hands-on kit includes an excavation tool, brush, magnifying glass, full-color information guide, and an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. These 3 genuine specimens are each millions of years old. The info guide was written by teachers so that kids will improve their knowledge of science. Plus, there's an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. Launch date: September 2012.
Awards: 2012 Seal of Excellence - Creative Child Magazine; 2012 Preferred Choice Award - Creative Child Magazine

Ready to strike it rich? This hands-on science kit will teach kids how to pan for gold just like a real gold miner. This exciting treasure hunter's kit includes a 10" prospector's pan, 2 bags of pay dirt with pyrite (also known as fool's gold) nuggets inside, mining tools, and much more. Kids will learn all of the secrets to panning in the full-color adventure guide. Plus there's an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to solve. Launch date: September 2012.
Awards: Dr. Toy 2012 Best Picks Winner, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Re-embark in the Map it! adventure with the Map it!-USA Edition. The same amusing, educative and exciting game as Map-It! World, but with less jet-lag. Launch date: 2012.

In this game, players take turns placing randomly drawn location cards in the correct position, around a given starting point. Is Bangkok north or south of Cancùn? What about Mount Everest? Is it east or west of St.-Petersburg? If a player isn't a geography wiz, they bluff. Their opponents might just believe them…Launch date: 2012.

I Go! is a fast-paced game that gets the entire family thinking on their feet. Players quickly draw cards in turns, trying to improve their hand. If a player things their card is the best, they declare “I Go!” Being alert and astute will help players win this game. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2012 6/6 Consumer Guide of Canada

Girls can rock the runway with their own amazing fashion show. Simply scratch off the black coating to create their own trendy sticker designs in glittering foil or swirly colors. Then apply the stickers to the paper doll models included. Show off the designs by positioning models in front of the backdrop. Launch date: December 2012.

Young artists can create cute pictures of puppies, kittens, bunnies, and more. White outlines on black scratch-off boards create an easy way for younger children (ages 5 and up) to trace the illustrations, revealing magnificent colors beneath. Illustrated instruction sheet includes fun text about furry friends. Launch date: February 2012.

Big fix-it fun for the smallest fixer uppers. Encourage imaginative play with chunky tools made from durable, soft plastic. Includes saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill (with sound) and tool box measuring 9"L x 5½"H x 3¾"W. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Gold Seal Award

Ready to giggle and groove...Celebrate with Julie K as she delivers with a musical medley of happy times for the family. Her retro vibe shines and gives kids plenty to smile about. Launch date: April 2012.
Awards: 2012 CD of the year award by Creative Child Magazine

Motorized animatronic kitty bank. Watch this super cute kitty, peek out, make a sweet meow sound, and then snatch coins and keep them safe. The box lid pops up and kitty paw snatches the coin. Battery operated. Uses 2AA batteries (not included). For ages 3 and up. Launch date: January 2011.

Our bracelets are colorful "collars" embroidered with the single word: "Adopt". Launch date: September 2012.

A new children's picture book, written by a former Dark Horse comics editor and illustrated by a Star Wars: The Clone Wars animator. From their treehouse headquarters, come five teen titans and their wise teacher. Now they must save the "Zez," a mystical beast, from an encroaching civilization, the menacing General Moon, and his soldiers. Using all their varied powers, can the Treehouse Heroes protect their new friend and restore the balance of nature? This fresh blend of adventure and lyrical art will excite young readers. Launch date: October 2012.

Big Owl Toy makes the perfect addition to your baby's toy collection. Measuring 16” tall and available in two colors, the cuddly owl will be cherished for years to come. Makes for a great pillow as well. Launch date: September 2012.

Beary Happi comes to life as the next-generation teddy bear. He combines a classic plush toy, a free app, and the latest multimedia technology from iPhones or iPod touches to create a truly interactive and lovable companion. A mix of snuggly plush teddy bear and interactive fun, HappiTaps is changing the way little ones play. Start by purchasing the HappiTaps cover, then download the HappiTaps app from the App store. Put the cover on a iPhone or iPod touch and watch your a new pal come to life with interaction, games, and activities. Launch date: November 2011.
— As of 10/5/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Keeps electronics safe; App is entertaining and free. Cons: There is no plastic to protect the actual screen.