TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Construction Product Category

Special 80 Building Blocks by BIM BOM TRADING INC.

For children 3 and up, Special Cross building blocks have more available shapes in comparison to Baby Cross allowing for more design possibilites. Special Cross 80 includes 12 blue squares, 12 red squares, 12 yellow squares, 12 green squares, 16 red circles, and 16 blue round pegs. ( Watch Video) 11/5/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Special 20 Building Blocks by BIM BOM TRADING INC.

For children 3 and up, Special Cross building blocks have more available shapes in comparison to Baby Cross allowing for more design possibilites. Special Cross 20 includes 6 yellow squares, 6 green squares, 4 red circles, and 4 blue round pegs. 11/5/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Baby Cross 40 Building Blocks by BIM BOM TRADING INC.

These Italian designed building blocks can be connected together in different ways to form various shapes and models. The Baby Cross 40 set includes 10 squares of each color (blue, yellow, green, and red). 11/5/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Baby Cross 12 Building Blocks by BIM BOM TRADING INC.

These Italian designed building blocks can be connected together in different ways to form various shapes and models. The Baby Cross 12 set includes 6 red squares and 6 yellow squares. 11/5/2008 (Price: $9.99)

iPlay Build-a-Road by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This set comes with two cars and colorful, click-lock track that children can use to build and rebuild their own roads for play.
— Three of 32 retailers predicted in October 2008 that this product will be a hot seller for the holiday season. "Got 12 in yesterday; sold through half," James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly.
—    “People keep asking for it,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., in November 2008. “We’ve gone through 36 and have 18 left.” ( Watch Video) 10/30/2008 (Price: $29.99)

ImagiBRICKS™ Little Reader Blocks by SMART MONKEY TOYS

Little Reader Blocks are 3” cubes constructed of sturdy corrugated cardboard. The blocks are imprinted with over 100 preK-2 sight words that combine learning with play. Words are color-coded by type (adjective, noun, verb, etc.) to make sentence forming fun and easy. The set includes 18 pieces: 3 yellow adjective blocks, 3 green noun blocks, 5 blue verb blocks, 5 red pronon blocks, and 2 white preposition blocks. Kids can roll blocks like dice to form sentences, look for familiar letters or words, stack blocks to make sentences, and much more. Guided play activities are included. Adult assembly required. 10/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks - 16pc Large Red Block Set by SMART MONKEY TOYS

This set consists of 16 large red blocks (12” x 6” x 3”). ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks are an enduring classic that offers endless play possibilities because they are versatile and safe. The blocks are printed with non-toxic inks and with their water-resistant coating are strong and durable for years of creative play.
— ImagiBRICKS are a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly at the beginning of 2009. 10/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks 40pc Deluxe Set by SMART MONKEY TOYS

This 40pc Basic Set includes 8 large red blocks (12” x 6” x 3”), 6 medium yellow blocks (6” x 6” x 3”), and 24 small blue blocks (6” x 3” x 3). ImagiBRICKS™ Giant Building Blocks are an enduring classic that offers endless play possibilities because they are versatile and safe. The blocks are printed with non-toxic inks and with their water-resistant coating are strong and durable for years of creative play. 10/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rubbabu Rubbablox by RUBBABU

These building blocks have soft connectors so children can easily build with them. They are tactile and great for early spatial learning.
Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: March 2009. (Product was formerly dist. by PlaSmart) 10/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Special Cross 40 Building Blocks by BIM BOM TRADING INC.

These blocks, designed in Italy, can be connected in four different ways (vertically, stacked, laterally, perpendicularly and obliquely). "The models that could be made with these building blocks, unlike ... others, are realistic reproductions. For example, the airplane model [looks like] a real airplane; the castle [resembles] a real castle, etc. From the educational point of view, Special Cross develops creativity and imagination in children, as well as precision and patience," Georgiy Saturchenko, president of Bim Bom Trading, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008. 10/27/2008 (Price: $15.99)

Schoolhouse Naturals ABC Block Set by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.

This set includes 16 hard maple blocks that measure 1.75" and can collectively be used to spell more than 350 words. Each unfinished block features a letter, and its background has a detailed, laser-designed image of an object that begins with that letter — S for snowflake, for example. Launch date: 2008. 10/21/2008 (Price: $98.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cella - Red by NAEF SPIELE LTD.

This decorative construction toy consists of nine pieces and is designed to symbolize the smallest unit within a cell. It measures 10 cm cubed. 10/2/2008 (Price: $186.00)

Ruined Government Building - Reichstag Representation by JR MINIATURES

This miniatures building, showing rubble and a demolished interior, measures 13.25" L x 7" W x 8" H. Launch date: October 13, 2008. 9/30/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bones Stack Game by KIKKERLAND DESIGN INC.

The goal of this game for one or more players is to pull the bone-shaped blocks out of the lower portion of the tower, stacking the bones as high as possible without the tower falling over. 9/25/2008 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars Clone Troopers Battle Pack by LEGO

Kids can build an army of Clone Troopers with this set, which includes four figurines plus a blaster turret and speeder bike.
— Dean Smith, Owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that he sells "at least" 20 of these LEGO sets each month.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Detailed; the speeder vehicle included is fun and seats two clones; good for travel because of their smaller scale. Cons: One reviewer complained there weren't enough figures included in the set.
— "Every time there's a new Star Wars LEGO, it blows right out the door," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in September 2008. He and one other retailer, out of 63 polled, mentioned LEGO when discussing best-selling products.
— “Star Wars Lego has been insane at our store,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008. 9/24/2008 (Price: $10.99)

Hyperdo by ZOMETOOL, INC.

Hyperspace, the final frontier. Think of this as a mental spaceship that will help you project your consciousness straight into the fourth dimension.  The first Hyperdo ever built took over two years to construct. Measuring 14" (35cm) in diameter, this 120-cell model will take a lot less time, but you still won't want to take it apart. 9/22/2008 (Price: $99.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Technic Mini Forklift by LEGO

This 89-piece set measures 3.5” tall and includes a functional mast and forks that lift a cargo pallet. Please check with LEGO directly to see if this particular item is available for the specialty market.
— “Lego's been a big huge boost,” Ron Banducci of Games Unlimited told TDmonthly in early fall 2008 when discussing hot-selling tween items.
— “The kids like the challenge of building all the pieces,” said Linda Kapnick, owner of Ambassador Toys in San Francisco.
— Twelve percent of 51 retailers said Lego is a best-selling item for tweens. 9/19/2008 (Price: $7.99)

Simple Machines by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

With this 63-piece kit, kids can build all five Simple Machines at the same time. Students can construct, examine, and explain simple machines to develop a deeper understanding of how they make work easier. The set contains enough pieces to build a lever, pulley, inclined plane, wheel and axle, and wedge. Children can modify the machines with four included weights (two 5g and two 10g) and eight included rubber bands to explore effort, force, load, motion and distance. The labeled pieces assemble easily and separate to store. An Activity Guide is included. Launch date: January 31, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $36.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ROBOTIX Mars Exploration Rover by ROBOTICS AND THINGS

Developed from the ROBOTIX Parts Catalog exclusively from www.roboticsandthings.com is a replica of the Mars Spirit and Mars Opportunity Rovers. Based upon the actual designs with schematics and diagrams from NASA, an instruction Manual and other collateral materials have been created for this set. 9/16/2008 (Price: $199.99)

LaQ Skeleton of Dinosaur Tyrannosaurus by LaQ USA, Inc.

With this construction toy, kids can make a Jurassic model. Interchangeable parts in the Tyrannosaurus Kit can be used to create a plesiosaurus or an ammonite. With the Triceratops Kit, one can create a mammoth or an allosaurus head. The pieces in both sets can be combined to form a Pteranodon or Stegosaurus. Launch date: June 1,2008. 9/12/2008 (Price: $23.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LaQ Mini Kit Bunny by LaQ USA, Inc.

This 175-piece kit can be used to snap and click pieces together to create eight different items: bunny, flower, pencil box, picture frame, coasters, eyeglasses, play house set, and ring and bracelet. Launch date: June 21, 2008. 9/12/2008 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Indiana Jones™ Motorcycle Chase by LEGO

Indiana Jones has the treasure map but will first have to make it through the gate if he wants a chance at finding the Holy Grail. The set includes the following: Indiana Jones with accessories (hat, whip and bag), Professor Henry Jones, a guard, a motorbike with a detachable sidecar, and a gate that moves up and down. Please check with company, as not all LEGO sets are available in the specialty market.
— Nine of 66 specialty retailers named LEGO as a best-selling gift for boys in a July 2008 TDmonthly survey.
— "Any new LEGO that comes in is out the door,” said Tina Benoit, operations manager for Kidstown in South Burlington, Vt., which sells about 50 units of LEGO per month.
— LEGOs are a top-10 best seller for Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., she told TDmonthly in summer 2008. 8/29/2008 (Price: $9.99)

MagNext Drawer Case by MEGA BRANDS

MagNext is the revolutionary new magnetic construction system that sets a new standard for innovative and safe magnetic play. Designed in partnership with Intertek, one of the world’s leading independent safety labs, MagNext features no small magnetic parts that can be swallowed, and will make it possible to create bigger, stronger and faster builds. Convenient and sleekly designed, the MagNext Drawer Case is cool and easy to carry around. Kids can take advantage of the ingenious build-off plate and drawer compartments to build to their heart’s delight. Launch date: August 16, 2008. 8/27/2008 (Price: $19.99)

WordWorld Bucket Set - HOUSE by MEGA BRANDS

The WordWorld HOUSE comes with A to Z letter blocks and 2 buildable WordFriends. Kids can build and rebuild the House scene as they learn new words and role-play with the engaging WordFriends. Includes a WordWorld DVD and a bucket for convenient storage. 8/21/2008 (Price: $29.99)

WordWorld Bucket Set - Barn by MEGA BRANDS

The WordWorld BARN comes with A to Z letter blocks and two buildable WordFriends. Kids can build and rebuild the farm scene as they learn new words and role-play with the engaging WordFriends. The playset includes a WordWorld DVD and a bucket for convenient storage. "WordWorld, a new innovation in the literacy landscape, brings words to life through a patent-pending methodology that embeds words into the objects they represent" said Rona Iny, marketing and outreach manager of WordWorld. "WordWorld toys help kids understand that letters form words and words have real meaning in their lives." This toy won a 2008 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award. Launch date: 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $29.99)