December 2012 Notable Toys — Play Sets

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.

This beautiful tented carousel is adorned with intricate royal details and opens up to two-feet wide, revealing a dream closet fit for a Princess Pony. The playset features display areas not only for her Change-It-Up Hair™, but for her Mix-It-Up Fashions™, too, making it easy for the Princess Pony to appraise her pony wardrobe and decide on just the right fashion for the royal occasion. The Styling Center, with three mirrors and storage for her hair brushes, jewelry, and Saddlettes™, lets girls add the finishing touches. The Dressing Carousel comes with two Princess Pony skirts, which also dress the windows as fanciful curtains.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

Be prepared for any medical emergency with the Fisher-Price Medical Kit - Pink. This case is just what the doctor ordered with a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, play syringe and bandage. The stethoscope really works so you can listen in amazement to your patient's real heartbeat. The blood-pressure cuff really pumps so you can fit the sleeve and watch as the spinning gauge goes around and around. The sick-to-well thermometer helps you keep track of your patient's health, and a fun, spring-loaded syringe is included for tough cases.

The Playground set is composed of three units with four different functions. There are 2 function-swing and slider in one unit, a seesaw, a sandbox, and a bucket. Children will enjoy reconstructing and creating their own imaginary playground.

This is the first book & construction toy in the GoldieBlox series. Meet Goldie, her beloved dog, Nacho, Benjamin Cranklin (the cat with an attitude), Katinka (the dolphin ballerina), Phil (the sloth) and Flavio (the bear from Brazil). Help Goldie figure out how to build a belt drive to spin everybody. Includes: (1) storybook, (1) pegboard, (5) wheels, (10) axles, (5) blocks, (1) crank, (1) ribbon, (5) washers. Launch date: April 2013.
— In a May 2014 survey Suzi McMullen, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Goldieblox was a best-selling construction toy in their store. "When we had it, we sold out all 24," she said.
— In a September 2014 survey, LyndaBlankenship from Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that Goldie Blox are one of the store's best-selling science & nature toys.

What's a day without adventure? Polly and her friends wouldn't know since every day is an adventure, particularly when play moves off the floor and onto the wall. This treehouse play set features safe for walls command strips from 3M to really elevate play, a suction cup piece count adds even more upside-down fun. With multiple levels for play, the treehouse has plenty of built-in adventure. Polly doll can travel between floors in the basket lift or use the slide for a quicker move. A trap door can hide Polly doll or her pet, while a satellite space features two hanging sleeping bags for when there's a break in the action. Set includes Polly doll, 2 sleeping bags, kitty and other piece count. Use the enclosed 3M Command Strips to create a variety of interchangeable destinations with just one complete set. Launch date: 2012.
— As of 12/05/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com.

It’s time for a hilarious Angry Birds squawk attack against the porkers of Tatooine. Gear up to bombard villainous hogs in the sandblasted terrain of Tatooine with this awesome Jenga Tatooine Battle Game. Take turns being the builder and the launcher. One player will set up the structure while the other uses the Millennium Falcon launcher to hurl the Luke Skywalker bird at the Jabba the Hutt and Rancor pigs on the blocks. Or, kids can play by themselves and see if they can knock all the pigs off with the fewest number of shots. Players can combine this game with the Jenga Death Star Battle Game (sold separately).

It’s time for a hilarious Angry Birds squawk attack against the pigs of the Empire. Gear up to bombard Imperial hogs in the frozen terrain of Hoth with this awesome Jenga Hoth Battle Game. Take turns being the builder and the launcher. One player will set up the ice blocks while the other uses the Snowspeeder launcher to hurl the Luke Skywalker bird at the Snowtrooper pigs on the blocks. Or, kids can play by themselves and see if they can knock all the pigs off with the fewest number of shots. Can be combined with the Jenga Death Star Battle Game (sold separately) for even more epic battles.

Samurai X is on board the mighty Samurai Mech when she locates the Constrictai fang blade and closes in to claim it. Can scout Snike and warrior Bytar stop it with a catapult ambush? Or will the Samurai Mech's massive blade, shoulder cannon shooter and bladed grabbers overcome the Constrictai snakes? Includes 3 minifigures: Samurai X, Snike and Bytar, Samurai Mech, catapult, Constrictai fang blade with orange anti-venom capsule and weapon.

Take the battle to the skies with the buildable Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants Arkeyan Copter Attack (95418). The Frigid Chompies are no match for Spyro when he attacks from above using the Arkeyan Copter's working missile launchers. Once his foes have been defeated, Spyro can swoop in to collect the treasure. Help Spyro and his friends save the Skylands.

Build a battle of epic proportions with the Troll Mech Ambush by Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants. The buildable, troll-piloted Gun Snout mech can fire off missiles with its working launcher. This towering menace can cause big trouble for Tree Rex, but his colossal strength allows him to counter-attack with the included boulder.

The ghouls of Monster High each have their beautifying routines to ensure they always look fierce. Without a good night's sleep, Abbey Bominable can really become a beast. This cool bed ensures she gets her beauty rest. With an igloo headboard and icy accessories, it reminds her of home, a pillow, blanket, ice slush drink and pet bed for Shiver add even more creature comforts. If she has trouble sleeping, she can write in her diary or count snowflakes. Accessories include a snowflake lamp, ice clock and ice TV.

The Fortune Cookie Maker lets children write, create and decorate fortune cookies right at home. Children just write down their fortune, combine the included mix with water, heat in the microwave for a few seconds, knead and roll out their dough and then place it in the Fortune Cookie Machine. With the push of a button, their fortune is deliciously sealed and is ready to decorate and eat within 10 minutes. The Fortune Cookie Machine makes up to 12 cookies, and is fun for the entire family.

With the Spin Master Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker, kids ages six and up can make and decorate vanilla-flavored cake pops. The kit's cake-pop maker helps kids fill the included molds to make perfect, no-bake pops, which set up in the refrigerator and are ready to decorate in just 15 minutes. Kids can personalize their pops with white or brown icing and pink, blue, and rainbow sprinkles. Sprinkle stencils and brightly colored paper tags add extra flair.

The ghouls of Monster High each have their beautifying routines to ensure they always look fierce. Frankie Stein loves to get ready to go out at her striking vanity. Seated in her chair before the opening mirror, she can style her hair with the hair dryer, apply makeup using the palette and wrench makeup brush, get energized with a charging cord and battery train case and add her signature scent from the beaker perfume. A drawer and shelves give her plenty of room to work, while photo stickers let girls decorate to suit their style.

No matter where the emergency is, the fire chief is ready to speed to the scene and save the day. Set includes fire chief's off-road fire rescue truck, trailer and lots of great firefighting equipment, plus an authentic fire chief mini-figure to take command of your rescue team. 131 pieces.