TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Travel

Fireman Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The convenient, take-along case comes with 65 pieces, including a figure, a hose, a fire hydrant, cones, a walkie talkie, a flashlight, construction signs, a shovel and more. Launch date: January 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Farmer Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The convenient, take-along case comes with 40 pieces, including a figure, a wheel barrel, a hand cart, an assortment of vegetables, farming equipment and more. Launch date: January 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shopper Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The convenient, take-along case comes with 69 pieces, including a figure, a shopping cart, three cartons, detergent, canned goods, drinks and more. Launch date: January 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Knight Carrying Case by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The convenient, take-along case comes with 56 pieces, including a figure, a horse, shields, helmets, flags, armor and more. Launch date: January 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the World by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Part travel journal, part art book, Inuksuk Journey is a visually stunning chronicle of author Mary Wallace's summer journey to the Arctic. The book includes gorgeous paintings and dramatic tales of wildlife encounters, tales of hunting and living off the land and visits to relics of Inuit life dating back thousands of years. Launch date: October 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rainforest Open Top Take-Along™ Swing by FISHER-PRICE INC.

The deep cradle seat and head support nestles babies in comfort, accommodating babies weighing up to 25 lbs. It features a swing-away rainforest mobile, seven rainforest songs, volume control, five different swing speeds and a three-point restraint that holds baby securely in place. The swing comes with carrying handles and folds for convenient storage and transport.
— “Upscale equipment such as swings by ... Fisher-Price — [we sell] 10 a month,” Barbara Burn, owner of Children’s Orchard in Litchfield Park, Ariz., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Two of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 named Fisher-Price as the manufacturer whose travel products were best-sellers in their stores.
— A variety of other take-along swings are available in the Fisher-Price baby line. 4/30/2008 (Price: $60.00)

Glitter Jewelry Sticker Activity Book by DOVER PUBLICATIONS

The kit comes with a brown-eyed miss waiting to be adorned with 29 reusable sticker trinkets, bracelets, earrings, rings and more. All of the jewels are highlighted with a dash of glitter to make them extra dazzling.
 — “We sell the small sticker books by Dover and each customer buys at least two or three, so we sell 20 or 25 a month,” Beth Gandes, owner of The Toy Shop in Lexington, Ky., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Five percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 named sticker sets as one of their best-selling travel items.
— Many other sticker activity sets are available, including Little Advent Calendar, Egyptian Temple, Coral Reef, Jurassic Dinosaurs, Alice in Wonderland, Police Station and Camping Fun. 4/30/2008 (Price: $1.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nina Ballerina Magnetic Dress-Up by MELISSA & DOUG

This wooden, magnetic dress-up doll will encourage imaginative play. The 27-piece set comes with a stand and colorful, magnetic outfits and accessories.
— Over one-fifth of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 singled out Melissa & Doug as the hottest manufacturer of travel toys.
— “Melissa & Doug has a whole new line of travel games. We sell about one a week,” Steve Ricks, owner of My Storyhouse Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— “Melissa & Doug has a magnetic paper doll that is great for travel, and we sell about one a week,” Pam Horwitz, manager of Mr. Toad’s Toy Company in Naples, Fla., told TDmonthly in March 2008. 4/30/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Imaginetics - Bob the Builder – The Machine Shelter by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The 13-piece travel playset is based on the popular series “Bob the Builder.” Each piece is magnetized, so kids can create and recreate scenes endlessly.
— Three of 40 retailers agreed in March 2008 that Imaginetics are the best-selling travel games in their stores.
— Fifteen percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 said magnetic playsets are the best-selling travel products in their stores.
— "Any type of small travel games and magnetic stickers, such as Imaginetics," Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly in March 2008, when asked to name his best-selling travel toy. 4/30/2008 (Price: $4.99)

Everything Pirates! by ALEX BRANDS

This 40-page, pirate-themed, interactive activity book comes with an eye patch, a compass, a bandana, face paint crayons, play coins, temporary tattoos, a treasure map and more. The book measures 9” x 9”.
— “We have a whole section on travel. Alex is a big one for us,” Jane Beck, owner of B.J. Beck’s Toys in Cedarburg, Wis., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Five percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 named Alex as the maker of the most popular travel toys.
— Pirate themes appear to be in, with over 7 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 naming a pirate-themed item as a best-selling toy in their store. 4/30/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kid's Travel Journal - My Beach Vacation by TESSERA PUBLISHING

The travel journal helps children develop observations and writing skills. Additionally, it captures their perspective at a particular age. The journal comes with 18 pages that prompt children to write and draw what they see and how they feel. The journals are available in six vibrant colors and many different themes, such as . Launch date: 2007. 4/28/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kid's Travel Journal - My Ski Vacation by TESSERA PUBLISHING

The travel sticker journal helps children develop observations and writing skills. Additionally, it captures their perspective at a particular age. The journals are available in six vibrant colors and many different themes. Launch date: 2007. 4/28/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kid's Travel Journal - My Vacation by TESSERA PUBLISHING

The travel sticker journal helps children develop observations and writing skills. Additionally, it captures their perspective at a particular age. The journals are available in six vibrant colors and can be paired with a variety of sticker options. Launch date: 2007. 4/28/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pirate's Ship Magnetic Puzzle by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

The nine-piece puzzle features a durable magnetic board with a deep frame. The puzzle comes pre-assembled; when the pieces of the puzzle are removed, the treasures on the ship are revealed. “The quality and educational aspect of the playful drawings of the ‘outside’ and ‘inside’ of a ship can be taught,” Haba USA President Lea Culliton told TDmonthly. “The sturdy compressed boards will be sure to last when used and reused over and over again.” Launch date: February 2008. 4/28/2008 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Double Shutter Jr. by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

This junior version of the self-contained Double Shutter comes with wooden dice and plays like the original. A casino tin and travel version are also available. “The colorful casino like feel to the game ensures nobody will want to put the dice down,” Jeremy Smith at Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.
― “It's very family oriented,” observed Mike Shaw, manager of Little Blue Choo Choo in Scottsdale, Ariz., who reported Double Shutter as a best–selling game in January 2009. 4/17/2008 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Double Shutter Vintage by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

This vintage version of the self-contained Double Shutter comes with wooden dice. The entire game comes in a wooden box. A casino tin and junior version are also available. “Durable, easy to stow away and with minimal pieces this game is perfect to travel with,” Jeremy Smith at Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly.  Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Fundomino by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

This version of the Fundomino game holds all the fun of the original game, with all the convenience of a travel game. All pieces come in a convenient travel pouch. “Our easy to travel pouch, perfectly sized colorful pieces and unique play of Fundomino all contribute to a great travel game to play amongst friends and family,” Jeremy Smith at Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gobblet on the Go by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

This game is the travel version of the Gobblet board game. All pieces come in a little tote bag, making the game easy to store and transport. “The colorful nature of this wooden game makes the game durable to abuse and friendly in use,” Jeremy Smith at Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. “The bright colors make the pieces hard to lose but easy to play with.” Launch date: June 2004. 4/17/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

World Tour Medallions Set by COMPASS KIDZ

The compact set gives kids a glimpse into three diverse cultures from a child’s point of view. The set includes 24-page photographic passports for Egypt, Italy and Mexico, three golden medallions and FactZ cards featuring famous landmarks and cultural icons. “Compass KidZ World Tour Medallions Set offers kids the chance to get a glimpse into other cultures, in a kid-relevant way, Compass KidZ Co-Founder Jennifer Apy told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $22.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spinny Critter by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.

The Spinnys are three 1” cubes strung on a 5" dowel that is capped with bright blue enders. Kids can expand their imaginations by creating over three dozen, different animal combinations, including a horinocerlion or even a liodogous. The toy, intended for children over the age of 18 months, is made with non-toxic finishes and inks. Spinny Speller and Spinny People versions are also available. “Our Spinnys are compact and durable, [allowing them] to go everywhere the toddler goes. Always creative and interesting,” Maple Landmark Woodcraft Co. Marketing Manager Barbara Rainville told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 1, 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $9.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ReFraze Junior Edition by REFRAZE

In the fast-paced game, the names of kids’ songs, movies, and TV shows are “rephrased” and players race to figure out the actual names. For example, “underdog” is the correct answer to the movie ReFraze “lower pup.” Launch date: January 2008. 4/11/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Go Paint! Stampers by ELMER'S

The instant-drying colors paint only on Go Paint! paper and won’t stain walls, carpets, skin or clothes. The paint dries instantly and is safe, non-toxic and washable. The kit contains four Go Paint! Stationery Stampers and a 32-page pad of Go Paint! paper. Launch date: January 2008. 4/11/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Go Paint! Games/Puzzles Mini Travel Pad by ELMER'S

The markers feature instant-drying colors that paint only on Go Paint! paper and won’t stain walls, carpets, skin or clothes. The paint dries instantly and is safe, non-toxic and washable. The kit contains three paint markers and a 45-page pad of Go Paint! paper in a convenient travel case. Launch date: January 2008. 4/11/2008 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

University Games - The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fun Pockets (Colorforms) by UNIVERSITY GAMES

The playset comes with 22 Coloform pieces that stick to the included play scene. The pieces can be arranged and rearranged, letting the imagination of children run wild on the road. Launch date: November 2007. 4/11/2008 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

University Games - Smart Ass® Card Game by UNIVERSITY GAMES

The card game is based on the original board game, but is packed with new topics and new clues.  It’s perfect to play on the road, or can be used in place of the original Smart Ass mystery clues. Launch date: Spring 2008. 4/11/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]