TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Family Games

Roll & Play by THINKFUN

To play, simply toss the big plush cube and identify which colored side faces up. Choose a matching color card and perform the simple activity shown. “Make a happy face,” “Moo like a cow,” etc. The activities supported by Roll & Play are designed to help kids shine, supporting healthy development and celebrating success. Roll & Play gently introduces play patterns and rules through a loving, joyful play experience. Launch date: 2012. 2/12/2012 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cover Your Assets by GRANDPA BECK'S GAMES

The new Game where the goal is to be the first millionaire! Stack pairs of assets, to cover your valuables before they are stolen by other players! Defend your assets with like cards in your hand or Gold or Silver Wild Cards! Easy to learn in just minutes, with layers of strategy for years of fun! This will be a your new Family Favorite! Loved by all ages. Kids, Parents, and Grandparents can all enjoy a great time together. Even dedicated, competitive, gamers get a kick out of the quick action, and the drama. Enjoy the emotional response as the value of your Assets increase each time they are stolen. Steal them back to gain even more value. Before they are stolen again, cover them with more Assets to protect them. Watch out though, if your new top set is stolen the one below it is in jeopardy again. Keep building up your assets till you become the first millionaire.

 2/10/2012 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Barbecue Party by ASMODEE EDITIONS

Barbecue Party an action-packed game for preschoolers. It’s all about action-reaction as players try to load up the grill with all kinds of funny food before it pops a gasket.  Kids have to be very careful not to jiggle the grill when they lay an ear of corn, a tomato, or any of the other food pieces on top because it can jump at any time. Includes 16 plastic food pieces, 18 cards, & 1 pair of tongs/pliers. Launch date: June 2012. 2/10/2012 (Price: $19.99)

Vampires of the Night by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

The wicked vampire hunter secretly flew above the old castle and emptied a whole sack of stink ygarlic over the ruins! It is Leo Longtooth's job to watch over the sleeping vampire children in the castle's basement, and he must protect them from the horrible stench in the air. Players must help Leo clear the smelly garlic out of the ruins. With the help of the little glowing bat, players can magically clear the garlic out of the castle without touching it. They must be careful, though -- if the garlic falls through the cracks in the floor, it will spread its nasty smell into the basement where the vampire children sleep. "It glows in the dark and uses reverse magnetic polarity," Russell Gershman, sales rep at Playroom  Entertainment, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2010 Kinderspiel Des Jahres Nominee
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM THIS COMPANY 2/3/2012 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Magic Labyrinth by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

In this unique memory game, players can help the little magicians navigate through the secret maze using their magical magnetic pawns to discover the right pathway, while remembering where the invisible walls are located. If players forget their way, their magician must start back at the beginning. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2009 Kinderspiel des Jahres Winner 2/3/2012 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magician's Kitchen by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

Kaboom! A colorful cloud of smoke billows out of the cauldron in the old Magician's Kitchen, where the magician's little apprentices are learning the art of cooking up magic potions. Each ingredient must be tossed carefully into the pot, but hidden areas in the board may trip yplayers, causing their ingredients to go flying. Once all the ingredients are in place, its time to light a fire under the cauldron for the final test to see who can make the potion the fastest. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 Kinderspiel Des Jahres Nominee 2/3/2012 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wits & Wagers Party by NORTH STAR GAMES

Wits & Wagers Party is the latest version of the award-winning party game.  It mixes the fun of Vegas-style betting with hilarious new trivia.  Do you know what percent of bank robberies are committed by women? Of course not, and you don't need to! That's the fun. No one knows the answer, but everyone can take a guess.  Wits & Wagers Party will instantly get large groups of people playing and laughing together. "Wits & Wagers Party is the simplest and most accessible version of the Wits & Wagers brand, the original trivia game where you do not need to know trivia to win," Luke Warren, PR Director for North Star Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2012. 2/3/2012 (Price: $29.99)

Beleduc Topsy Tower by HAPE

Topsy Tower is game of strategy where players determine which size pieces will build the highest tower and match the role of the dice. The player who stacks their tower first without it toppling over wins the game. For two to four players. Launch date: 2012. 1/19/2012 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beleduc Cloud Matchmaker by HAPE

Kids like watching clouds and finding the “match” to things. Enter Cloud Matchmaker, a game that encourages matching of geometric shapes using a cloud theme. Children use a chain to create a cloud formation displayed on the card drawn and the audience guesses the match. The player who collects the most cloud cards wins the game. For two to six players. Launch date: 2012. 1/19/2012 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Perplexus™ Epic by PATCH PRODUCTS INC.

The third Perplexus family member is a hot favorite with all ages, including teens and adults. Epic’s track is over 30 ft. long, and has 125 barriers. It is so challenging that it even has a mid-way restart point. Once kids pick it up, they won’t want to put Epic down.
— As of 01/12/2012 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 114 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In an April 2012 survey about best selling travel toys, Kai Rady, owner of Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly that her best seller is "Perplexus, especially the Epic version."
Awards: 2012 The National Parenting Centre - Seal of Approval, 2012 Learning Express Toys - Best Toy Award, Games Category, 2012 Canadian Toy Testing Council- Best Bet 2012, 2011 The National Parenting Centre - Gold Seal of Approval, 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved - Seal of Approval, 2011 Neighbourhood Educational Toy Stores - Gold Star, 2011 Fat Brain Toy ‘Award - Brainteasers, 2011 Family Fun - Toy of the Year, 2011 Disney Top 10 Family Fun - Toy of the Year, 2011 Creative Child Magazine - Game of the Year 1/12/2012 (Price: $29.99)

Rory's Story Cubes - Actions by GAMEWRIGHT

4 dynamic action images - "picto-verbs" get minds in motion. Roll the dice & the creative problem solving, language learning, and story telling begins. "Once upon a time, a giant LAUGHED..." Rory’s Story Cubes Actions features 9 cubes that illustrate 54 every day verbs. Players can play with them solo or combine them with other sets of Rory’s Story Cubes to kick-start their creativity and set their imagination in motion.
— As of 1/02/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. 1/3/2012 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rapid Reflex by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

Rapid reflex is a card game that challenges players to match images, colors, and left/right directions. Players take turns reading the action cards. The first player to slap the color that correctly matches the action card, with the correct hand, gets to keep the card. The first player to collect one card of each color wins. 1/3/2012 (Price: $8.95)

Tell Tale Fairy Tales by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Drawing inspirations from cards illustrated with whimsical characters and situations, players weave fanciful stories ranging from the romantic to the preposterous. Whether making up their own fairy tale or creating a story together, Tell Tale Fairy Tales revs up kids' imaginations. 12/16/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrimp Cocktail by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Search the seas for matching shrimp in this fun family game. The shrimp may share any of 4 characteristics—quantity, origin, size, and color. When players catch a matching shrimp trait between the 3 fishing zones, they squeeze the starfish to haul in their catch and collect their cards. The slickest shrimp spotter will be crowned King of the Prawns. 12/16/2011 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spot It! JR Animals by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Finally, a Spot It for little ones. With a scaled down card deck and 6 symbols instead of 8, Spot It Jr. Animals is accessible for kids under 6. Adorable animals appear on all the cards, with one big animal centered on each card for easier spotting.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award, 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval 12/16/2011 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spot It! On The Road by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Everyone’s favorite travel-size game has officially hit the open road. Each colorful symbol is something one would see on a typical road trip. This edition has a new way to play: One card is turned over, and all players scan the scenery for things that match the symbols from the card. Spot it to win.
— Karl Steinbach, owner of Rainbow Toys in Falmouth, Maine, told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that this version of Spot It! is a best-selling travel toy. 12/16/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Feed the Woozle Cooperative Preschool Skills-Builder Game by PEACEABLE KINGDOM

Feed the Woozle is a cooperative game that focuses on developmental skills of children ages 3-6 in an active, fun game. The object of the game is for all players together to "feed" the Woozle 12 silly snacks. Players roll a die and then place the indicated number of snacks on a spoon. Then they spin a spinner that directs them to walk to the Woozle performing a gross motor movement like Bunny Hop or Walk Backwards. It's not so easy to keep those snacks from sliding off the spoon while hopping across the room. If everyone together can feed the Woozle 12 snacks, then everyone wins. "This game is cooperative - either the game wins or the players win. It encourages group participation and habits of cooperation. The game is leveled - meaning it focuses on specific preschool developmental skills in a fun way that is age-appropriate and grows with the child," Donna Jaffe, president of Peaceable Kingdom Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012. 12/15/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ghost Blitz by LION RAMPANT IMPORTS

A lightning fast shape and color recognition game for kids, families and gamers alike. In Ghost Blitz, five wooden items sit on the table waiting to be caught: a white ghost, a green bottle, a cute grey mouse, a blue book, and a comfortable red chair. Each card in the deck shows pictures of two objects, with one or both objects colored the wrong way. With all players playing at the same time, someone reveals a card, then players grab for the "right" object - but which object is right? The first player to grab the correct object keeps the card, then reveals the next card from the deck. If a player grabs the wrong object, she must discard one card previously collected. Once the card deck runs out, the game ends and whoever has collected the most cards wins. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2011 Deutscher Lernspielpreis "6 years and up" Nominee; 2011 Golden Geek Best Children's Board Game Nominee; 2011 Spiel des Jahres Recommended. 12/12/2011 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FauxCabulary Expansion 1 by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

12 new cubes and new cards for the FauxCaublary Game. Launch date: February 2012. 12/12/2011 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word on the Street Expansion 1 by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

216 new categories and an extra timer to add to kids' Word on the Street fun. "Word on the Street is great for spelling practice, but is also a party game," Leah Sugar, VP of marketing at Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. 12/12/2011 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Make Me a Story by eeBoo corp.

Children can direct their own stories from one of four magnetic story backgrounds: Fairytales, Robot's Landing, Animal Cottage, and Forest Adventure. Theater directors-in-training can move their magnetic figures around the scene to help tell their own original story. Launch date: January 2012.  12/9/2011 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Gate by OOFDAH! GAMES INC

The Gate is a challenging strategy game for 2 to 5 players. It’s two games in one: beginner and advanced. The Gate combines the fun of a classic board game with the fantasy of a role-playing game. Fight dragons and other monsters, escape encounters, or buy weapons from the gnome. The stakes intensify as players advance through 3 exciting levels. Earn special fighting dice; battle friends for treasure. The first player to the Gate wins, but they mustn't forget their key. Launch date: November 2011. 12/9/2011 (Price: $59.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Children's Christmas/Nutcracker Scarf Activity Kit by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

This Christmas inspired kit includes: 6 washable, durable nylon 27" square IDEAScarves in Christmas colors. 2 of each of the following colors: Santa suit red, holly green and snow ball white. The Nutcracker (Peter IIyich Tchaikovsky) Music CD with 7 music selections instructional/informational insert. The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet - Paperback by Diane Goode. Nutcracker Activity Book - by Victoria Fremont, a fun candy cane pencil and a sturdy, self-closing, reusable carrying bag with handle. Made in the USA. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Donkey - It's a Kick! by CLEVELAND KIDS LLC

Donkey - It’s a Kick! is an all-play, action-packed, process of elimination card game (with plastic components) that will have up to 8 players (ages 8 to adult) engaging in simultaneous social interaction while at the same time sharpening their hand-eye coordination skills with every round of play. In addition to the playing cards, the "Kicker Cards" present group challenges for each round of play; this not only adds diversity to each round, it creates a platform on which players feel "safe" and "eager" to show off their unique creative talents. "Donkey It's a Kick! is the only game that makes “losing” FUN!... The losers get to stay in the game and wreak havoc on the remaining players!  Although the game will only produce one champion, everyone walks away feeling like a winner," Jayne Cleveland-Kolesar, secretary at Cleveland Kids, LLC., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.
Awards: 2011 The Toy Man™ Seal of Approval, 2011 The Toy Man™ Award of Excellence, 2011 The Toy Man™ Recommends Award, 2011 The Toy Man™ eChoice™ Award. 12/8/2011 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cosmic ConneXion by N.E.T. & COMPUTING

Cosmic ConneXion is an entertaining and educational word search card game created to familiarize players with the Greek alphabet and objects of the cosmos. The deck consists of 2 sets of cards, letter cards and celestial point value cards. The letter cards consist of all 24 letters of the Greek alphabet from Alpha to Omega. Each letter card displays the name, uppercase & lowercase Greek letter, along with English equivalents and variants. The letter cards are played in a diamond arrangement to create words. The celestial point value cards consist of 28 objects of the cosmos from our local solar system to the constellations of the zodiac along with wild cards of the cosmos. For each word formed, a player acquires a celestial point value card from the draw pile. The object of the game is to acquire as many celestial point value cards as possible. However, after all the letter cards have been played, the player who has acquired the sun card during regular play has a final opportunity to score additional points during the bonus round by forming a grammatically correct sentence from the words formed during regular play. The player with the highest point value wins. "The greatest benefit of playing games with these cards is to increase player's familiarity with the Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet is widely utilized in many fields of math & science, yet not widely recognized to the general public," Joseph Bongiorno, president of N.E.T. & Computing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]