ToyDirectory
April 25, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

December 2011 | Vol. X - No. 12


December Staff Picks

By TDmonthly Staff
December 2011

See the TDmonthly Staff's favorites for the month of December below.

The Elf on the Shelf Plushee Pals™ by CCA and B LLC

Now available in both girl and boy, these Plushee Pals™ are toy versions of their REAL North Pole scout elf counterparts. Unbelievably soft to the touch and gentle to the cheek, these elves are meant to be held and squeezed at Christmas and all year. Each elf is made of the softest material Santa’s toy makers could find—perfect for a child’s loving arms. The elves are available in both light and dark skin tones, and each comes with a special gift tag attached. Each elf stands 19” tall. 9/21/2011 (MSRP: $12.95; Age: 3 to 12)


Road Trip by DADDY-O PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Road Trip by DADDY-O PRODUCTIONS, INC.Players must complete each word challenge and motor across the USA. "Rest Stop" cards add to the fun along the way, with lucky breaks and the occasional pothole. Road Trip game contains 120 Challenge Cards, 40 "Rest Stop" cards, 7.5" x 20" Vintage Road Map Board, 30-sided Alphabet die, and 4 retro Station Wagon movers.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award; 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award for Best Toys
— As of 10/21/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. 10/24/2011 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 8 and Up)


Squishable Polar Bear by SQUISHABLE.COM INC.

Squishable Polar Bear by SQUISHABLE.COM INC.Soft, white, and squishy, this 15" spherical polar bear is made of all new polyester fiber. 10/26/2011 (MSRP: $39.00; Age: 3 and Up)


Pawparazzi - Pet Personality Sets by NOODLE HEAD INC.

Pawparazzi - Pet Personality Sets by NOODLE HEAD INC.Pawparazzi Pet Personality Sets are the newest addition to the Pawparazzi line. 6 new 'mini' Personality Sets offer kids their Pawparazzi pet fix at a retail price of only $9.99. Each set includes a plush pet, clothing accessory, sticker, and trading card with fun facts about the famous pet. "Kids become engaged in the fantasy world built around Pawparazzi. Every pet has a personality that is enhanced through the product accessories and offerings and online at PlanetPawparazzi.com," Susan DeCoste, marketing coordinator at Noodle Head,Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011. 11/3/2011 (MSRP: $9.99; Age: 4 to 11)


Wagon of Blocks by CIRCATOYS LLC

Wagon of Blocks by CIRCATOYS LLCCircaToys is a family business that designs and manufactures heirloom quality wooden toys that are handmade in Franklin, N.C. USA.  The company was founded in 2009 by Gary Murphy whose inspiration for the first toy "Wagon of Blocks" came from the original toy itself which he received on his birthday in 1942.  The original toy still exists, although beginning to show its age, having been played with by 3 generations. It is a simple toy made from basic wood shapes and threaded nuts and pegs that can be taken apart easily. It is a mechanical learning toy that opens the door for imagination building and hand eye coordination. Safety tested and approved for children 6 months and up. Launch date: January 2009.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine TopToy of the Year; 2010 Brain Child Tillywig 11/8/2011 (MSRP: $59.00; Age: 2 and Up)


Discoveroo Bi-Plane by BUG IN A RUG / DISCOVEROO

Discoveroo Bi-Plane by BUG IN A RUG / DISCOVEROOA Bi-Plane in which parts turn. Ideal for little aviators. The propeller and steering wheel spin and the little pilot comes out. The size is 28cm x 20cm x 18cm (3y+). "Dicoveroos toys are 100% Plantation Wood and only use non-toxic paints," Jane Wood, president of Bug In A Rug, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011. 11/8/2011 (MSRP: $34.99; Age: 3 and Up)


International Traveling RV Die-cast Collectible Model Car by TOY WONDERS INC.

International Traveling RV Die-cast Collectible Model Car by TOY WONDERS INC.2178D International Traveling RV. This International Traveling RV is a 5.25"Lx 1.6"Wx 2.5"H die cast metal with pullback motor action. 12 pcs per display box and in assorted colors. 72 pcs per inner box. 10/10/2011 (MSRP: $7.99; Age: 8 and Up)


Fire Station Play Box by BOX-O-MANIA

Fire Station Play Box by BOX-O-MANIAThis box can be decorated with the custom stickers to look like a fire station. They can also be drawn on and erased using washable markers. The play box consists of six (6) pieces: a front panel, a back panel, two side panels, the roof and the floor, which locks everything into place. The play box weighs approximately 16 lbs. Once assembled, the play box's dimensions are 55.75" L x 36" W x 57.5" H. Once stored, the play box and carrying case's dimensions are 53.25" L x 20.5" W x 3.5" H. The play box is 100% corrugated plastic, made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). (Watch the Fire Station Play Box Video Watch Video) 10/5/2011 (MSRP: $99.99)


Rhinestone Silver Leaf Necklace by COOL JEWELS WHOLESALE FASHION JEWELRY

Rhinestone Silver Leaf Necklace by COOL JEWELS WHOLESALE FASHION JEWELRYThis silver leaf necklace is new to the Cool Jewels®. Each pendant is made from a real leaf! 10/4/2011 (MSRP: $10.99)


Celtic Christmas by PUTUMAYO KIDS

Celtic Christmas by PUTUMAYO KIDSCeltic Christmas follows previous successful Putumayo Christmas releases such as A Jazz & Blues Christmas, New Orleans Christmas and Christmas Around the World, which combined have sold over 1 million copies. Celtic Christmas offers Celtic interpretations of Christmas classics along with an original recording. The collection begins with the joyful singing of The Albion Christmas Band on “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” and moves into Charles T. Cozen’s instrumental version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Dougie MacLean closes out the collection with a soulful Scottish rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” Launch date: 2011. 9/26/2011 (MSRP: $14.98)


Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles™ Carnotaurus by SAFARI LTD.®

Carnegie Dinosaur Collectibles™ Carnotaurus by SAFARI LTD.®Named for its 2 horns similar to those of a bull, this carnivore had extremely short arms, even shorter than those of the T-Rex. This Carnotaurus is in scale and was developed with the collaboration of paleontologists of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This model is intricately hand-painted and is phthalate and lead free and thoroughly safety tested. The scale for this figure is 1:30 and measures approx. 1.75” tall. It includes educational information in 5 languages and is appropriate for ages 3+. 9/23/2011 (MSRP: $20.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Blocks by brinca dada LLC

Blocks by brinca dada LLCBlocks by brinca dada were designed to engage kids and adults. Unlike other blocks that fit together simply, these blocks are designed to conflict. We play with the simplicity of imperfection. They are a puzzle with infinite solutions. They are spontaneous, not pre-programmed--the opposite of video games. Handmade of teak hardwood. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2011 New York Gift Fair Blogger's Choice Award 9/21/2011 (MSRP: $59.00; Age: 3 and Up)


lapiluv by LAPILUV INC

lapiluv by LAPILUV INClapiluv is the only wearable attachable activity center for parents to play with their children, mixing technology and traditional toys. Launch date: September 2011.
Awards: 2012 PAL AWARD;  2012 Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award 9/16/2011 (MSRP: $69.99; Age: 1 to 3)


Special CARES by KIDS FLY SAFE, LLC

Special CARES by KIDS FLY SAFE, LLCThe new “Special CARES” has an additional 10 inches of webbing added to the straps so it can accommodate a flyer up to 6 ft. tall. The harness-type device works like the flight attendant and pilot restraints by safely securing and supporting the upper body, instead of relying solely on the lap belt. Special CARES is exactly like the original device, only with longer straps to accommodate taller travelers. The Special CARES aims to make flying a more viable travel option for those with special needs. Sometimes extra gear, braces, or special seats don’t fit onto an airplane seat. When that happens, passengers are forced to check those items until the end of the flight. Flying with a lap belt as the only restraint simply isn’t an option in most cases, so air travel isn’t an option, either. Special CARES provides much needed upper body support throughout the flight. 11/22/2011 (MSRP: $74.95)


Dinosaur Expedition by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Dinosaur Expedition by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.In this multiplayer game, players must unearth dinosaur bones by excavating the mountain. But watch out- If more than one boulder tumbles off, if Tim is hit, or the big dinosaur topples over the turn is over. 11/18/2011 (MSRP: $35.99; Age: 4 and Up)


Mix & Match 12 Piece Puzzle by P'KOLINO

Mix & Match 12 Piece Puzzle by PThese playfully smart, multi-feature puzzles offer more than a standard shape puzzle. With surprise pictures under the pieces and pieces that can be mixed and matched, these playful puzzles fine-tune motor skills, entertain children longer and challenge creativity. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 2 and Up)


Tridio Twist by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

Tridio Twist by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.A cleverly cunning cubical conundrum. Individual cubes attached by twisting, turning joints. Flexible tetris-shapes are satisfying to flip and spin. Attempt to recreate the cubical configurations of emerald, ivory & black shown in the Tridio Puzzle Book. Scan the two-dimensional designs pictured, and set kids' minds & hands in motion. Modify the three tetris-shapes. Consider the color placement. Stack the Tetris pieces. Bring images to life in three-dimensional structures. 48 visual challenge puzzles. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 8 and Up)


MagnaMobiles by MANHATTAN TOY

MagnaMobiles by MANHATTAN TOYMagnaMobiles are vehicles that feature an innovative, multi-faceted, connection feature called "rotating magnet technology." Put the pieces together and take them apart to create new and inventive vehicles. The blocks and pieces also make a clicking sound when joined together and rotated - adding another element of fun. These one-of-a kind vehicles are designed for kids to exercise their creativity. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Playstix 150 pieces by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

Playstix 150 pieces by POPULAR PLAYTHINGSThe 150 piece set of Playstix allows kids to build a wide variety of models right out of the box, without the need for any additional or specialized parts. An Idea Booklet illustrates fun things to build, from a simple table and chairs to a two-story cabin. Each Playstix piece has grooves that interlock when one Playstix piece is placed across another. The different length Playstix pieces are color-coded, so it’s easy to see how each model is built. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Mini Bobcat by FOLKMANIS INC.

Mini Bobcat by FOLKMANIS INC.Looking deceptively like a domestic cat, the bobcat remains wild at heart as it hunts through the night for prey. Bring the wonder of nature to kids' fingertips with this Bobcat Finger Puppet from Folkmanis. Launch date: July 2011. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $8.99)


e-copter by HAPE

e-copter by HAPEThe Hape e-copter is ready for take off. The e-copter takes to the skies in style with its bamboo body and vibrant graphics. 11/17/2011 (MSRP: $24.95; Age: 3 and Up)








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