TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Construction Product Category

Constructor Set Helicopter by HEROS TOYS

The construction set consists of 225 wooden shapes, screws, pegs, nuts and bolts. Children will be able to build helicopters and many other items. The set is designed to enhance a child's motor skills and intellectual capacity, while providing hours of fun. Launch date: February 2007. 1/29/2008 (Price: $95.00)

Create-a-Course Building System by DARDA INC USA

This 150-piece game set allows kids to construct their own racing system. It includes instructions for 30 raceways as well as track, connectors, loops and two cars in a reusable storage bin with handles and a top that locks.
— Products by DARDA, including this set, are best sellers at Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., Co-owner Mary Sisson told TDmonthly in early 2008.
— Racing sets were best sellers at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in early 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “They are a great example of how having a demo out to be played with makes all the difference in selling,” she told TDmonthly. “Our salespeople all love showing people how to get the most effective run out of the pull-back cars.” ( Watch Video) 1/28/2008 (Price: $109.95)

Ball Track by NIC TOYS

Unlike many conventional building bricks, these building bricks allow kids to build structures that will resist caving in. The set includes 68 building pieces. 1/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flibbix™ by MERILLIAN, LLC.

With Flibbix™, players build their own board game, make their own rules and then play. It's super easy and lets players rebuild and replay the game as much as they want. Players race to the finish, but things can get wacky along the way — even the game board and rules can change during play. “It's the first-ever build-a-board-game set: Players can easily build and play their own, custom board game with Flibbix. Because each game is different, it has great replay value and players can make a game that’s fun and perfect for them,” Jason Ivan of Merillian told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008. ( Watch Video) 1/17/2008 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LEGO® Pink Brick Box by LEGO

The 216-piece set includes fences, windows, doors and flowers and enough Legos to create anything from homes to ponies. The girl-oriented playset features a classic theme focus that enhances role play and creative thinking. 1/11/2008 (Price: $14.99)

MINDS-i Construction System by MINDS-I

This kit allows kids and adults alike to build creations strong enough for use and abuse in the most extreme conditions. After running the creations on a racecourse or a robot battlefield, simply dissemble the creation and build a new one using the same pieces. “The unique, patent-pending, ‘lock-together’ connection system is the key to MINDS-i,” Christy Marzetta, of MINDS-i’s operations department, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Spring 2008. 1/8/2008 (Price: $100.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Skeleflex by WILD PLANET

The expandable ball-and-socket building system features flexible connectors that create lifelike movement. Each set comes in its own carrying case and idea book. The Skeleflex line offers 12 assortments. Launch date: Fall 2008.
— “The creative ball-and-socket building system includes interchangeable, rigid bone-shaped pieces that rotate at the point of connection,” Kim Bratcher of Wild Planet Toys told TDmonthly. “Pieces from all sets are interchangeable, so there is no limit to what a child can create.” 12/28/2007 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

K'NEX Picture Bricks - Hometown by K'NEX BRANDS

With this set, kids build flat images that can be turned into 3-D structures using K’NEX rods and connectors. The kit comes with educational fun facts and directions for 10 building projects. Carnival, Farm and Ocean varieties are also available. Launch date: January 2008. 12/26/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

iCoaster by MEGA BRANDS

The iCoaster combines sight, sound and speed with extreme magnetic force, high-tech design and ultra-cool physics. Each track features hidden magnets, causing the metal ball to move along the track performing stunts and passing through sensors to trigger a beat or song. Kids can build the suggested extreme coaster configurations and use the pre-included sounds, or use their imagination to build their own track and plug in their digital music players and use their own songs. This product is a winner of numerous awards, including a 2007 iParenting Media Award, Fall 2007 Parent’s Choice Award, 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award and Parents Magazine Best Toys for the Holidays Award. “The iCoaster is the perfect toy to promote creativity, allowing kids to construct a visual and technological masterpiece,” Carine Sroujian of Mega Brands told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. ( Watch Video) 12/18/2007 (Price: $79.99)

Large Pirate Ship by PLAYMOBIL INC.

This pirate ship comes with a cabin, a working anchor winch, a functional loading crane, a boat hook and space for treasure and cannons. It also includes four figures, a monkey, a parrot and other accessories. The boat floats or drives on rollers and can be upgraded with the PLAYMOBIL Underwater Motor (Item #7530). The ship measures 26" L x 9" D x 22" H. “The Pirate Ship also includes string which is used to make the anchor winch and crane functional,” Playmobil Inc. Advertising and Marketing Manager Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
— Three of 45 retailers shared with TDmonthly in early 2008 that Playmobil products are the hottest sellers in their stores.
— The pirate line by Playmobil made the top-10 best-sellers list at LB Toys in Media, Pa. in spring 2008. “Much of the line is made in Europe, and it strongly encourages imagination,”said Owner Jamie Burdette. 12/18/2007 (Price: $94.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LandSailer™ / ÜberDragster™ Scavenger Kit by UBERSTIX

These new construction/craft kits from ÜberStix take the company's commitment to recycling one step further. When kids open the construction kit, they will discover that it requires more than just building it. The ÜBERSTIX LANDSAILER™ and ÜBERDRAGSTER™ are both working models that require Push Ups® ice cream pops for wheels, coffee stir sticks, straws and more. The LandSailer requires very little wind to move it across the ground. Kids can set up their own unique race courses for their working models — even build a speed ramp. "This is the first build system that rewards kids for recycling," ÜberStix founder Dane Scarborough told TDmonthly. "In doing the Scavenger Kits, we're starting a new category of toys." ( Watch Video) 12/17/2007 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

UberStix™ Scavenger Recycling Series by UBERSTIX

These new construction/craft kits from Überstix take the company's commitment to recycling one step further. To complete the working ÜBERSTIX PirateShip™ or ÜBERFO™, one must collect a list of recyclable components from an included Scavenger List. Building the PirateShip, for example, requires ice cream sticks, a plastic water bottle, cups, a rubber band, a plastic bag for the sail, and tape. The ÜBERFO is easy to build and fun to fly.
— "The Scavenger Kits reward children in two ways," Uberstix Founder Dane Scarborough told TDmonthly. "First, they get to build a working model they can actually play with. Second, they can build bigger objects because they add to them with materials they find." 12/17/2007 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wood Building by BOJEUX INC.

This creative wood kit allows you to build your own truck, train and building.  Included with the kit are easy to follow instructions. It enables the children to develop their motricity skills along with creativity. 12/17/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Building Blocks Cordoba by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Stacking can be lots of fun. The colors and forms of these building blocks are especially pretty and the small structures inspire even adults. The blocks are made of beechwood with a base dimension of 1.5". The Cordoba set, which can be combined with HABA building blocks, has 16 pieces, which include rattles, bells, mirrors and a prism. They are made in Germany.
– “HABA … just straight across the board, we sell something every day,” Dennis Hofsetter, owner of The Toy Store in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly.
– “Our best-selling wooden company is HABA,” Steven Aarons, co-owner of Barston’s Child's Play in Baltimore, told TDmonthly.
– Over 14 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008 named HABA’s building blocks as their stores’ best-selling wooden toy item. 12/7/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rok Jr. Beginning Builder Complete Play Set by ROKENBOK

The playset comes with a front-loading, wireless controlled dump truck, large construction blocks, easy-to-assemble roadways pieces and an automatic motorized conveyor that sorts the red and blue “ROKs”. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 11/21/2007 (Price: $99.99)

Action Sorter & Conveyer by ROKENBOK

This motorized conveyer carries ROKs to the Action Sorter, where they can be sent in four directions for either reloading or storage. It requires three AA batteries. 11/5/2007 (Price: $64.99)

Baby's First Blocks by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this simple set includes 12 colored cubes in six different shades. Each measures 1.75” square. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dado Squares™ by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

The colorful, 3”-flat plastic squares can be arranged to construct almost any 3-D design. The squares can be put together by even very young children, and can help them develop advanced visual-spatial development and problem-solving skills. The 35 squares can be used to build a design up to three feet high. ( Watch Video) 10/26/2007 (Price: $22.00)

Mars Mission MT-101 Armored Drilling Unit by LEGO

This Lego building set portrays a Mars' mission vehicle that can be used to help mining specialists searching for energy crystals. Players have access to a connecting air pump that can be used to transport sleds and battle aliens. The aliens come in their own glow-in-the-dark attack ship.
— “LEGO and more LEGO,” Phil Wrzensinski, owner and manager of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Miss., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling construction toy in his store. “The Mars Mission is hot.”
— “I’ve been in business for 22 years, and a lot of stuff come[s] and go[es], but some things just stay around,” Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling construction toy in her store. LEGO was one of three manufacturers she mentioned.
— In April 2008, more than 31 percent of 50 retailers surveyed named LEGO products as the best-selling construction toys in their stores. 10/11/2007 (Price: $79.99)

80 pc. Foam Building Block Set by VENTURE PRODUCTS LLC

The building blocks are made of soft foam, but look like real wood. The pieces are durable, lightweight, quiet and water-resistant, making them playable anywhere, even in the pool or tub. The blocks promote creative, open-ended and imaginative play. ( Watch Video) 9/27/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KAPLA Dual Colors with Artbook by KAPLA USA

The Dual Color Kapla 40-piece Building Set comes with a special Artbook Instruction Book for extra Kapla building pleasure. This set is also a great gift with extra play value for building beautiful Kapla constructions. Kapla is guaranteed SAFE, NON-TOXIC and GREEN. Kapla planks are distinctive in shape and conception for extra special building fun. ( Watch Video) 9/24/2007 (Price: $27.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KAPLA 100 Piece Building Set by KAPLA USA

The new Kapla 100 piece set carries creative building instructions right on the cover of the attractive new box. The Kapla 100 includes 100 pieces of precision cut marine pine planks. A perfect holiday gift for a broad age range of girls and boys. These unique planks offer stability and grace and hours play value and building fun. Kapla is a super construction toy for everyone. 9/24/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fun Rides 10 Model Building Set by K'NEX BRANDS

Part of the K'NEX line of tub and case sets, the Fun Rides 10 Model Building Set is loaded with more than 170 original K'NEX parts, micro K'NEX parts and new K'NEX bricks. The set allows kids to build exciting thrill rides to create their own theme park. It includes instructions for 10 models.
— When asked to predict will sell for older boys during the holidays 2007, Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., replied, "I'm guessing some of the more advanced construction kits. We just finally brought in K'NEX, and they've got some good ones."
— Four of 54 retailers TDmonthly spoke with said K'NEX would connect with older boys during peak selling seasons.
— "The Fun Rides 10 Model Building Set incorporates our new brick system. Even the very young can build fun amusement parks and playgrounds with it," said Barb Rentschler, vice president of global marketing for K'NEX Industries. 9/20/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoomorphs Globalmorphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS

This set of interchangeable parts features the following eight animals plus extra pieces: black bear, dart frog, Madagascan moth, seal, swine, lobster, kangaroo and Komodo dragon. It comes with a 20-page educational booklet and a large playmat of the world. The pieces can be popped together to create all sorts of poseable animals. Launch date: October 2007.
— TDmonthly has been tracking Zoomorphs’ success from the beginning, and sales haven’t wavered yet. Kids have an unquenchable appetite for building new critters or, for the more fastidious, faithfully recreating the real things with these multicolored animal parts. The newest set adds an educational play mat and booklet. Altogether, Zoomorphs have earned a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award.

Where to Buy: Kazoo Toys; LB Toys

( Watch Video) 9/17/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How-to-Build Pirate Ships Building Cards by KLUTZ

How-to-Build Pirate Ships comes with a deck of 64 beautifully illustrated laminated leaves that break into 226 separate cards, cleverly shaped and notched to fit securely with every other card. Builders follow the book’s guidelines using an innovative design to assemble the cards into a sturdy ship in full sail. There are literally billions of different combinations in every pack, so one can make anything from a dinky dinghy to a super sailing vessel. It's written by Doug Stillinger.
— Heather, manager at Toy Shop in Bethel, Maine, specifically predicted that the How-to-Build Pirate Ships Building Cards would do well with boys ages 4 to 8 during the upcoming 2007 holiday season. 9/7/2007 (Price: $12.95)