TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Construction Product Category

LaQ Free Style Colors by LaQ USA, Inc.

The LaQ Free Style Series includes all seven types of snap-and-click-together blocks in various color themes. LaQ Free Style Colors is a 400-piece kit of blocks in red, blue, yellow and green. "The innovative construction toy block LaQ has been shown to aid the growth of a child's mind. A child's mind shows activity in both the right and left hemisphere of the brain," Mo Saeki, manager of the Overseas Division for YOSHIRITSU CO., LTD., told TDmonthly. "All LaQ blocks materials, assembly and packing are handled in Japan." Launch date: December 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LaQ Free Style Pastel by LaQ USA, Inc.

The LaQ Free Style Series includes all seven types of LaQ snap-and-click-together blocks in various color themes. The 400-piece Free Style Pastel kit features the blocks in pink, orange, sky blue and yellow green. "The intellectual construction toy block LaQ makes a fun snap! and click! noise when piecing the parts together. This encourages the child that the pieces are firmly connected. The basic square and triangle parts connect together with angled joint pieces. The joint parts make possible the creation of flat, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and spherical models," Mo Saeki, manager of the Overseas Division for YOSHIRITSU CO., LTD., told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BRIK-A-BLOK-46 by BRIK-A-BLOK TOYS INC.

The 16" x 16" polymer panels are designed so that kids can safely build three-dimensional structures kids. Launch date: March 2009.
— Dave Taylor of The Attachment Parenting Blog said Brik-A-Blok was a huge hit with his kids (ages 6 and 9). He noted that his kids’ constructions took up a great deal of space, with Brik-A-Blok tunnels stretching throughout their home. Taylor called the building system “fabulously cool,” though he lamented the high price tag.
— Brik-A-blok was the "most funnest review ever!" for She Scribes’ Kimberley and her son. Her kids enjoyed creating new structures with the versatile panels. However, Kimberley also pointed out the large amount of space needed for the toy as well as the panels’ inability to support much weight. 12/12/2008 (Price: $179.97)

Wooden Animal Nesting Blocks by MELISSA & DOUG

These colorful wooden blocks, featuring all sorts of creatures from both land and sea, stack up to almost 3'. Package size is 5.75" x 5.75" x 5.7".
— “Melissa & Doug are phenomenal. They have great margins for volumes and are supportive. I wish we had five more of them,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in late 2008 when naming the company one of his favorite vendors. Forty-eight percent of 52 retailers surveyed praised Melissa & Doug as a favorite supplier. 12/10/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Cube Puzzle Series by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

LiveCubes are to cube puzzles as genes are to living organisms. . Just as genes are combined to form unique individuals, LiveCube cubes can be used to make all manner of puzzles by simply  snapping the cubes together. The puzzles  come apart after assembly and, thus, are  reusable. A LiveCube package includes play manuals and a total of 120 cubes (1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm) comprising 24 white two-stud cubes; and six red, six blue, six green, six yellow and 72 white four-stud cubes. 12/1/2008

Animal Puzzle Series by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

It is a new concept of construction toy that can have endless possibilities. It is a teaching tool that will teach kids about colored shape matching, structure, and spatial skills. With livecube manual it is an intelligent toy that can guide kids to use their analytical, logical and motor skills through playing. It comes with four different packages – Lion, Rhino, Goat and Elephant version. Each package includes: 6 red, 6 blue, 6 green, 6 yellow and 24 blocks; a total of 48 blocks (2x2x2 cm) and play manuals. 12/1/2008

Pentominoes Classic Set by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

In livecube classic, we offer our puzzle lover a unique puzzle set. Each set of the livecube has a different color combination so your set of livecube is personalized and has a unique ID number to only your set. In addition, we introduce the cube 3X4X5 play cards, this shape can form about 4000 different combinations itself and with our play card system, it’s a never-ending puzzle game. Includes 1 unique puzzle color puzzle (12 pieces), 90 classic play cards, and carrying bag. 12/1/2008

Pentominoes Kids & Parents Set by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

Livecube for Kids & Parents is a proud winner of the Parents’ Choice Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and The Best Toy Winner from Dr. Toy. This is an exciting 3D adventure for the entire family developing visual, logical and problem solving skills. The package includes: 1 sets of 2 color mix puzzle(12 pieces); 30 Kids & Parents play cards (from 2D to 3D); 5 advance play cards; one carrying bag. 12/1/2008

CRAZY FORTS! Construction Toy by CRAZY FORTS INC.

Crazy Forts is a construction toy that uses 25 solid plastic balls and 44 reinforced sticks and allows children to create whatever their imagination allows. Then, they simply add their own bed sheets to complete their creation. A house, an igloo, an princess castle or pirate ship are all possible with Crazy Forts. "Crazy Forts has proven to sell itself. Our first test involved a small chain of nine stores. They sold out of 350 units in three and a half weeks," President Geoff Thomas of Crazy Forts told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 11/25/2008 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

1080 Beast Racetrack by INFINITRAX INC.

Don't let the name intimidate you. InfiniTrax's™ 1080 Beast can be tamed by the beginner. The Beast challenges you to a whole new level of imagination and building larger and bigger than anything else InfiniTrax™ has to offer! Your driving champ now has the most awesome amount of track-building power to be had at their finger tips. So many pieces and so many configurations, you'll never run out of new ways to race! It's time to step up to the ultimate fun, the ultimate challenge. It's time to tame the Beast! 11/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

720 Burn racetrack by INFINITRAX INC.

InfiniTrax™ challenges you to a whole new level of imagination and building challenge courtesy of our next level of racing fun! With the 720 Burn, your driving champ will have one of our most powerful and flexible racetrack kits. The 720 Burn will keep them busy for hours dreaming up so many track configurations they may never get to actually racing their cars! Forget just the simple oval and drag racing configurations; it's time to step up to some hairpin racing turns and serious straight-a-ways designed for speed and control. 11/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

540 Shred racetrack by INFINITRAX INC.

Are you ready to really have some fun? Then step up a notch and see if you can master the next level of InfiniTrax™ racing fun. The 540 Shred gives you some serious building power to see what your racer can do with an unlimited world of race track building and play. Your racing champ can build track in multiple configurations from a simple oval to hairpin turns and twists! 11/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

360 Sprint racetrack by INFINITRAX INC.

Enter the world of infinite possibilities, infinite potential and infinite racing! The 360 Sprint is your first step into the InfiniTrax™ unlimited world of race track building and play. Your racing champ can build this amazing track in both oval and drag racing configurations. 11/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe 68-Piece Block Set by BEKA INC.

From the company's traditional collection of wooden blocks made in the USA, this set features 68 blocks in 12 shapes: 10 units, 10 half units, 10 half pillars, eight pillars, six columns, 4 double pillars, four Roman arches, four half circles, four small triangles, four double flats, two roof boards and two double units.
— “They don’t require minimums,” said Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids in Madison, Wis., when naming BEKA as a preferred vendor in fall 2008. Two other retailers, out of 52, also listed the company as a favorite. ( Watch Video) 11/20/2008 (Price: $158.00)

Rainbow Timber by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This set of 55 blocks adds variety to the classic move-a-block-and-don't-let-the-tower-fall game with colored pieces and rules that involve rolling dice and moving a block of the same color shown. 11/20/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Q-BA-MAZE Hot Colors - 50 Pack by Q-BA-MAZE INC.

This versatile building set combines both art and science with pieces that build 3-D structures that serve not only as décor or architectural models, but also as marble runs in which the activity of the balls is unpredictable. 11/20/2008 (Price: $40.00)

ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Construction Block Set - 24pc Set by SMART MONKEY TOYS

The Giant Construction Block Set comes with 24 blocks (16 timber blocks and 8 cinder blocks). Large and easy to handle, children can build objects from skyscrapers to cabins to forts.  The timber blocks are 12" x 16" x 3" and the cinder blocks are 12" x 16" x 6". Assembly of the blocks is required. For ages 18mo. and up. 11/17/2008 (Price: $49.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Anchor Stones - Extension Box 20A by ANKER STEINBAUKASTEN GMBH

This set features 230 bricks in a wooden box, plus a building plan and packing model. Anchor (Anker) Stones are made with 100-percent-natural ingredients: quartz sand, color pigments, linseed oil and chalk. Each stone is individually tested and hand measured to ensure it meets the company's standards. 11/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Anchor Stones - Heinzelmännchen by ANKER STEINBAUKASTEN GMBH

This starter set comes with two simple construction plans and 42 bricks, offering an introduction to the word of Anchor (Anker) Stones by allowing children to create cars, trains and simple buildings. 11/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish Movie by LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT

Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew welcome two new members, Gripper and Grabber, as they hurry to finish a new sports stadium in time for the Sunflower Valley Games. Launch date: January 6, 2009. 11/13/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Techno Gears Marble Mania Genius by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

This high-tech version of the Techno Gears Marble Mania Genius has more than 520 pieces, so kids can build a bigger and better marble run. New dual power lifters, quad-track marble channels, a spiral channel and a marble loop channel are just a few features of the Genius set. It requires one AA battery. Launch date: June 2008. 11/13/2008 (Price: $79.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dado Squares - Blues by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

This modern construction set features 35 durable, plastics squares that measure 3" on each side and have notches on the sides that allow them to be connected. Children can build structures more than 3' high. 11/13/2008 (Price: $22.00)

Dado Squares - Ice by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

This set of 35, 3" squares made of heavy-duty plastic can be used to build creations more than 3' tall. Launch date: 2008. 11/13/2008 (Price: $22.00)

BRIK-A-BLOK™ by BRIK-A-BLOK TOYS INC.

The BRIK-A-BLOK™ toy system provides an easy means for any child to recreate the world that surrounds them, at their scale. Easy to assemble panels come together to give kids the power to build their own world. Creative freedom coupled with our toy system liberates kids to custom build the perfect fort, playhouse, or any other structure they care to imagine. (Product Image depicts two BRIK-A-BLOK-46 sets) ( Watch Video) 11/12/2008 (Price: $179.97)

LaQ Art and Hobby Construction Kit: Basic HAMACRON by LaQ USA, Inc.

This colorful construction kit comes in a plastic carrying case that snaps closed and has a handle on the top. It includes more than 650 pieces, including wheels and connectors to build moveable models. Projects include a water mill house, a merry-go-round, a car, a helicopter and a sports car. The pieces make a click sound when connected or pulled apart. ( Watch Video) 11/11/2008 (Price: $60.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]