TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Travel

Cincinnati-Opoly by LATE FOR THE SKY PRODUCTION

Late for the Sky's City games help preserve both the memory of home and the excitement of going somewhere new. Whether as a souvenir or a homesick cure, all the familiar places are there. "This is a newly released board game for people who love The Queen City — made right here in Cincinnati. We chose from some favorite landmarks, like Fountain Square, the Taft Theatre and Sawyer Point. We mixed in some chili cheese coneys, a few flying pigs, great traditions, riverboats and some BIG FUN," Carla Miller of Late for the Sky Production Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008. 1/30/2009 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Princess Bella Scratch & Sketch by PETER PAUPER PRESS

Kids can trace the illustrations of Princess Bella and her adventures and watch her colorful story unfold. Launch date: February 2005. 1/30/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flower Fairies Scratch & Sketch by PETER PAUPER PRESS

This activity features a scratch garden filled with bright flowers and lively fairies. Kids will see their artwork blossom on rainbow-swirled and gold, silver and purple glitter pages. They can use the sketch pages to draw their own designs. Scratch & Sketch "inspire[s] kids of all ages to become more creative and imaginative," Rasheen Hewlett, marketing assistant for Peter Pauper Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007. ( Watch Video) 1/30/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Batman Scratch & Sketch by PETER PAUPER PRESS

Kids can learn all about Batman's crime-fighting friends and fierce foes, from The Riddler to Robin, The Penguin to Poison Ivy, as they copy 20 simple sketches of these world-class heroes and villainous criminals. They use the handy wooden stylus to scratch away the black coating on the pages and see Gotham City's characters come to life in swirl patterns and glitter colors that appear in the artwork like magic. "Our Scratch & Sketch products are great because they inspire kids of all ages to become more creative and imaginative. Kids are never limited to any one design, the colors are beautiful, and the activity promotes hand-eye coordination," Rasheen Hewlett, in marketing at Peter Pauper Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 8, 2008. 1/30/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BANDthology Ultimate Canadian Edition by BANDthology Inc.

Love Canadian Music? This is "Your Music. Your Game." 100 card set with 600 musical challenges celebrating Canadian Music and Milestones in the Canadian Music Industry. Contains trivia with a twist with featuring open ended questions, fill in the blanks, unscrambles, true & false, or multiple choice questions. Can be played as a stand alone travel game or shuffle into your BANDthology board game as a booster set. 1/29/2009

BANDthology Touring Edition - V. 1 by BANDthology Inc.

Bandthology Touring Edition is a 75 card pack with 450 musical challenges. The Touring Edition has all of the fun of the larger board game, but is made to travel with you. Stay Tuned for future Bandthology™ Touring Editions. 1/29/2009

CAMP Travel Edition by EDUCATION OUTDOORS

The CAMP Travel edition is very compact and mobile, with a unique wood design. Up to 4 multi-level players, and has fun “setback” and “move forward” functions. All new outdoor trivia cards, with vibrant full color images, includes content highlighting all 50 states.
— "The board game Camp has sold well in our store. Happy to see the travel edition that kids and parents can play together," Marlene England of Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010. ( Watch Video) 1/27/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Denver-Opoly by LATE FOR THE SKY PRODUCTION

Late for the Sky's City games serve as great connections to preserving both the memory of home and the excitement of going somewhere new. Whether as a souvenir or homesickness cure, all the familiar places are there. And if players are living in the city the game is designed around, it’s fun playing with places they can see out their window. "We chose some favorite landmarks and traditions, mixed in some Rocky Mountains, professional sports, music, a great big amphitheater, and some BIG FUN ... and voilà [vwä lä] -behold; Denver-OPOLY!" Carla Miller of Late for the Sky Production Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008. 1/23/2009 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Under the Sea Scratch & Sketch by PETER PAUPER PRESS

Young artists can dive in for hours of fun and creativity as their artwork appears like magic while they learn about 20 of the ocean's most fascinating creatures. "Our Scratch & Sketch products are great because they inspire kids of all ages to become more creative and imaginative. Kids are never limited to any one design, the colors are beautiful, and the activity promotes hand-eye coordination," Rasheen Hewlett, marketing assistant for Peter Pauper Press, told TDmonthly. "Easy-to-handle wire-o binding makes each book user friendly." Launch date: June 2005. 1/23/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Name that Vanity by SLANGUAGE GAMEZ

Name that Vanity is the addictive and contagious license plate guessing game. Players play the game to their favorite song, and once the song ends, so does one round. It's designed for fun on the road or at home. Launch date: February 15, 2009. 1/23/2009 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

YAMSLAM, Roll to Win by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Calculated chances and strategic choices will place the odds in favor of players as they let the five dice roll them to a win with Yamslam. After each roll, a player chooses the dice that will get the best combination. Each combination is worth a different value and has only four chips, so it's important to take the best ones before they run out. Players race to get special bonuses before their friends do, keeping the suspense rolling until the end. The game has appeal for all ages and is convenient for travel, as it is "self contained in a beautiful tin box," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager for Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This dice-rolling game from Blue Orange is fun for both kids and adults. With each roll of the dice players must strategize how they can win the chip with the highest point value. Without even realizing it, kids are learning basic math skills like addition and probability. The game is self-contained in a red tin, making it easy to play on the road or tote along to a party.  
— Yamslam is on the best-seller list at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in summer 2009.     
— "Right now, a game called Yamslam is our best-selling game," said Sue Banducci of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., in late 2009. She was anticipating sales of about 250 units during December.    
— Three of 38 retailers cited Yamslam as a best-selling game in Feb. 2010.
( Watch Video) 1/23/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Camp Talk by AROUND THE TABLE®

Designed for kids heading off to camp or for family camping trips, this fun game was created for kids, by kids.  It’s also a good way for kids to get to know new friends at camp. The handy flashlight and compass allow you to navigate your way back to your campsites or cabin for some fun, late night conversations.  Great around the campfire too. It's "perfect for kids going away to summer camp. This product was requested by specialty retailers," Owner Beth Daniels of Around the Table told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009. ( Watch Video) 1/9/2009 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SportACTION Card Games by ChalkTalkSPORTS

ChalkTalkSPORTS SportACTION Card Games are fast playing and action packed for popular team sports. Varieties include Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Soccer and Hockey. These card games provide hours of intense fun as players race to be the first to assemble their winning team. Strategy, skill and fun make them entertaining for the entire family. "Our SportACTION card games play like the real sport. Its a race to pull together your team first as you watch out for penalty calls," President Julie Lynn of ChalkTalkSPORTS told TDmonthly. 1/9/2009 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MagnaPlay Magnetic Number Match Up Puzzle by MAGNAPLAY

The wooden Magnetic Number Match Up Puzzle is a great interactive activity that helps children develop math skills. It comes with 30 colorful wooden pieces that fit together to form three-piece number tiles. Children learn to count the number of objects illustrated on one piece of the tile and match it to the correct number and the right number word. Launch date: December 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Find It Sports Edition by FIND IT GAMES

Filled with tiny pellets that represent an outdoor sports field, this version of Find It contains more than 40 items that cover more than 35 sports. Things to find include a basketball hoop, football, boxing glove and jet ski. Launch date: Fall 2008.
— Mary Porter, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., sells “a dozen or so a month” of the Find It games, she told TDmonthly in spring 2009.
— Two of 64 retailers cited Find It Games when asked about best-selling travel toys in March 2009. 12/5/2008 (Price: $20) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jishaku by RSV PRODUCTIONS INC.

This portable strategy game is similar to chess or checkers, but with a twist — the magnetic stones with unmarked north and south poles can jump out of their position at any point during the game, giving players a whole new element of challenge. "Jishaku" is the Japanese term for "magnet." The game received a 2008 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, an iParenting Media Award, a Major Fun Award and a Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: June 3, 2008.
— Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City sells about 20 per month of this game, Buyer Casey Sartain told TDmonthly in fall 2009. ( Watch Video) 11/11/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sport Dice Games by ChalkTalkSPORTS

Kids can choose from Hockey, Lacrosse, Basketball, Soccer or Baseball dice games. Each includes four dice and a mini sport bag. The player's team that scores the most goals, baskets or points in a game wins. "ChalkTalkSPORTS dice games are based on the basic rules of the sport and are a fun and fast playing game that appeal to all ages," Julie Lynn, president of ChalkTalkSPORTS, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 20, 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tic Tac Chec 2008 by DREAM GREEN

This award-winning chess teaching tool is now in a zippered cloth bag and ready to take along at a moments notice. The board has been redesigned to hold the pieces not in play at either side. This game received a Dr. Toy Top 10 Games Award in 1997 and an EDUSOURCE Top 10 Games Award in 1999, and a National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) in 2003. Launch date: October 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Froggie Checkers by DOWLING MAGNETS

In this classic strategy game, players hop around the pond with their frog friends. It allows children to explore the boggy pond with their colorful and funny frogs. Players move their game pieces across the pond to win the game. "Our clever twist with magnets makes this game great for small hands; the magnets stack up high and the winner can clearly be seen. The magnetic pieces also help to make this game great for travel," Jessica McCulligh, in marketing at Dowling Magnets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Square Up! by MINDWARE

Square Up! offers a new twist on the slider puzzle – playing an opponent! The object of the game is to slide the squares to match the cube shaker before your opponent finishes. It’s a fast, two-player, visual thinking game. Each board measures about 8” square.
— This game was listed as a best seller by Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., in fall 2008. “It’s great for travel or restaurants,” they said. “It’s two-player, but each gets their own sliding squares board and special shaker. We’ve sold many for a small store in the last six months.”
— Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toy Store in Mamoroneck, N.J., told TDmonthly in late 2009 her store sells about 12 units per week of this game. Two of 44 retailers named it as one of their top-three best sellers. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2008 (Price: $19.95)

UNO FLASH™ by MATTEL INC.

UNO Flash is the fast and furious new way to play UNO. It features exciting new technology and game-play rules to keep everyone on their toes. Who's next? When your red light flashes, it's your turn. You have to discard quickly before your time runs out. Lights and sounds direct the action. Play is fast and unpredictable; everything can change in a flash. "The new speed element in UNO Flash brings an entirely new level of excitement to UNO, whether you're new to the game or a veteran player," explained Marlene Esqueda, Account Executive, GolinHarris Public Relations for Mattel, Inc. Launch date: June 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Treasures and Traps: The Adventure Card Game by STUDIO 9 INC.

Treasures and Traps™ is a complete card game that puts you in the role of the hero. Your quest is to collect three treasures before anyone else. Sounds simple enough, but throw in a two-headed troll, a maze of dangerous doors, and a few cunning thieves and you won't know what might happen next. With 100 different cards, each game is a unique journey of wild adventure never to be repeated again. Awards: 2007 Origins Award Best Card Game of the Year Silver Award. "Treasures and Traps is a game that the family plays. Kids, youth, and adults all enjoy it. This features makes it unique-we have heard countless stories of parents and kids, young and old, boys and girls, spending time together enjoying this one," C. Aaron Kreader, Designer, Studio 9 Inc. Launch date: 8/1/2006. 9/19/2008 (Price: $12.95)

Rage! by FUNDEX GAMES

RAGE™ starts with ten cards. Then hand by hand, the number of cards (and options) reduces until at last, you only have ONE card. Players record the number of tricks they plan to take each round; scoring points for their accurate bidding. Sound easy? The outRAGEous action cards will keep you guessing. Includes 108 cards and instructions. "Rage is a classic card game that originated in the 1980s that Fundex has brought back to market," explained Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd.  "Rage is a trick-taking game that is always changing.  This game will keep families entertained while enjoying a NEW card game." Launch date: 2/1/2007. 9/19/2008 (Price: $7.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Heist by FUNDEX GAMES

Crack the Code and Score the Gold: Only a true mastermind could pull off a caper like this. One vault door is the only thing standing between you and a much-deserved treasure. Will you play your cards right and be the first to open the vaunted vault? It’s a game of numbers as you use special Tool cards to beat your opponents and crack the code. So don’t play it safe. Get crackin’ and bust those codes. "This is a NEW card game that is fun for both parents and children alike," said Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd. "The action cards in the game give players a leg up on their crafty competition, including The Master Key, Double Cross, Thieves’ Curse. And the Bamboozled card will really toss a monkey wrench in their plans." Launch date: 2/2/2009. 9/19/2008 (Price: $7.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BaseballTalk Conversation Cards for the Entire Family by U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

This colorful and charming deck presents fascinating facts about America's favorite pastime. Each card poses an intriguing question designed to get conversations rolling at home, in school, at parties or on the road. There are no wrong or right answers. Participants just pick a card and start talking. "Unique questions get kids thinking and talking about their own ideas and experiences," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]