TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Construction Product Category

Defender Duel Start Set by ROKENBOK

The Defender Duel has a competitive play pattern: The radio-controlled Defender vehicles enter the arena, facing the spectators in the stands — all constructed of Rokenbok's unique girder, ramp and decking units. Then it's no-holds-barred excitement as the two players try to capture all three flags from their opponent's vehicle or push the vehicle completely out of the arena to win the game. Like the other Rokenbok Start Sets, Defender Duel includes the four-player, eight-vehicle command deck and eight receiver keys, which allow nearly limitless expansion of the system. “Retailers responded enthusiastically because of the proven themes of these new Start Sets; Rokenbok's reputation for imaginative play; the flexible expandability of the Rokenbok construction system; our full-featured, robotic vehicles, and the rock-solid quality of every Rokenbok product, backed by our lifetime warranty,” Christine Norris, marketing for Rokenbok Toys, told TDmonthly. “Men really like the Rokenbok sets and are always adding to them,” said Ed Dodd, manager of Classic Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. 3/20/2006 (Price: $159.99)

Wood-Like Blocks by EDUSHAPE LTD.


Description: Recently winning an iParenting Media Award, these perfectly safe, soft foam blocks resemble beautifully stained wood blocks. The product is geared for young creative builders and can be played with on the floor or used in the bathtub for extended play. The blocks float and stick easily to the bathtub tile walls when wet. They are sold in packs of 30 ($17.95) and 80 ($29.95). 3/17/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mindstorms NXT by LEGO

For kids who have tired of swatting at gnats and mites, this new robotics construction set will give them something bigger to aim at. Kids can build a variety of critters, including a robotic bug. The bug will back off if it gets too close to an object or, if it feels threatened, it will reach out and “sting” the intruder.
This robotics toolset includes a “Quick Start” guide to build and program a robot in 30 minutes. Mindstorms uses “intelligent brick” and light, sound, motion and touch sensors. This product is blue-tooth wireless technology capable. LEGO Mindstorms NXT won first prize in the category “Technical Innovation” at the international Nürnberg toy fair in Münich. Launch date: 2006.
— "LEGO, if I can get them, but that's a whole other story," said David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., when discussing upcoming holiday 2007 hot sellers for young boys.
— "We're the best ones to sell it for LEGO,” Campbell added. “I can steer people toward Mindstorms in my store, and I can steer them away from Mindstorms [if they] shouldn't have it. Walmart.com doesn't talk to people."
— Seven of 54 retailers said that despite the availability of LEGO in the mass market, it will still sell in specialty stores during the holidays. ( Watch Video) 2/28/2006 (Price: $249.99)

Blocks & Marbles Maze by TEDCO INC.

This set of hardwood blocks with grooves and holes can be arranged in such a way as to provide a track for colorful glass marbles to run through.
— At Timeless Toys Ltd. in Chicago, floor manager Lance Sundermeyer said these sell the best at his store and that customers often buy one set and then another to add on to the initial set.
— Sallie Kashiwa, owner of Timbuk Toys Inc. in Denver, said this attractive product is most popular with people interested in the product’s aesthetic value, such as grandparents and people who choose the toy for display in a mountain vacation home.
— The beautiful set, with a cloth bag for storage, includes 21 blocks made of beech, ash, walnut and maple designed stand the test of time. 2/20/2006 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Colosseum by PAPERLANDMARKS

This famous Roman landmark model is made so that crafters first build four separate semi-circles that then join into one complete structure. The paper is stone colored to resemble the real deal. Its size when assembled is 14.5" by 12.2" by 3.5". 2/17/2006 (Price: $21.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pup-Botz by XOBOTZ TOYS

Our cute Pup-botz are as playful as they look. Nineteen parts and 16 marbles are compatible with other Marbotz. Out this summer. 1/26/2006

Girl-Botz by XOBOTZ TOYS

Marbot Man now has a new Girl-bot to keep him company. Out this summer. 1/26/2006

Dino-Botz by XOBOTZ TOYS

The exciting new Dino-Botz comes with 19 interchangeable parts and 16 marbles. Parts compatible with all other Marbotz sets. Out this summer. 1/26/2006

Geomag Pastelles Panels by JONIC DISTRIBUTION NORTH AMERICA INC.

After the success of GEOMAG Panels, awarded as the Best Toy of the Year 2005, and the success of Geomag Pastelles, the creativity fashion-made, the new PASTELLES PANELS, a fantastic fusion of fashion soft colour rods and panels, for really creative constructions. GEOMAG Pastelles Panels are sold in 46 and 84 piece-sets. ( Watch Video) 1/9/2006 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Marbotz by XOBOTZ TOYS

The Marbotz kit comes with everything you need to make your own robot out of marbles. The plastic pieces are joined together with the marbles so kids can use their imagination to construct their own models. Marbotz are easy to put together and have won the 2005 Creative Toy Award from Creative Child Magazine. ( Watch Video) 1/4/2006 (Price: $19.95)

Little Amsterdam by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Young builders can recreate a piece of Amsterdam with this 166-piece set that includes natural and stained beech wood blocks. 1/3/2006 (Price: $54.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Skyscrapers by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

The 36 wooden blocks in this set can be stacked in limitless combinations to create a metropolis. The set comes with trees, figures and a small dog. It’s made of unfinished beech wood. 1/3/2006 (Price: $35.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ball Tilt by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

With this huge set, kids can create a marble run using big hardwood ramps. It includes special pieces like a bell and a zigzag ramp. Other accessories, available separately, can be added to the set. 1/3/2006 (Price: $75.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Threading Blocks by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

With this toy, children thread the construction blocks onto a cord, assembling them in a certain order to create cars, boats, houses and more in 2D and 3D. 1/3/2006 (Price: $29.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Medieval Castle Building Blocks by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This 110-piece set includes 21 different shapes made of untreated beech wood. These pieces are interchangeable with HABA's other Master Builder sets. 1/3/2006 (Price: $48.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Holzkugelbahn Stufe 0 by SCALINO

Manufactured in Switzerland, this wooden marble run is one of the basic starter sets the company makes, to which builders can add a wide variety of accessories. 1/3/2006 (Price: $45.00)

Sorting Blocks by BRIO CORPORATION

Sorting Blocks includes three plush shapes that children can fit into the wooden blocks with corresponding shapes, helping develop motor skills. 1/3/2006 (Price: $20.00)

Erste Stein by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This small, colorful block set includes a little vehicle with a cute little block man for a driver. These blocks, which are painted in bright, non-toxic primary colors, offer different acoustic or sensory surprises. 1/3/2006 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Super City Electronic Train by BILDO TOYS

This funny preschool electronic city train has the movements and sounds of a real train when the child puts the driver figure inside. The set contains 90 pieces, including high-quality bricks and accessory road signs, with which children can create a large station. The toy measures 54 cm x 43 cm x 11cm. 12/20/2005 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Build-a-Car by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

Kids can now build their own vehicles with Build-a-Car. They'll feel like junior mechanics as they mix and match eleven magnetic pieces to build a coupe, sedan, pickup, crew cab, sport SUV, or full sized SUV. If they want to change something or to build a truck instead of a car, it's no problem: the hidden magnetic locking system allows pieces to snap together and be taken apart again and again. 12/15/2005 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Goobi Beginner Pack: Rainbow by CREATIVE ZONE

An infinite number of shapes and structures can be easily built with the 3 basic Goobi components: the Bar, the Ball and the Tripod. Goobi structures shape children's imaginations, induce their creativity and develop their sense of proportion. Parents love them because it teaches the children important lessons about problem solving, math and physics. The beginner pack comes 35 bars, 18 balls and 8 tripods for a total of 61 rainbow colored pieces. Marcia Pembroke, manager of Toadstool LLC in Hockessin, Del., said these sell well in her store, and two other retailers mentioned these as big sellers. See demo video from the WTHRA show ( Watch Video) 12/9/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FIREHOUSE/PLAYHOUSE by FUNCLUB TOYZ

There are 23 weather resistant plastic panels in the Playhouse/Firehouse kit, along with 140 easy-to-use fasteners. All the panels and fasteners store neatly into a handy carrying case that measures 34.5x17.5x6.0". Total weight of the kit: just 12 pounds. Build your own starfighter, sailboat, rocketship, performance stage, or whatever you can imagine. Whether on the move or in the backyard, this kit is designed to last. 12/7/2005 (Price: $99.99)

Castle Blocks by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This kit has everything for little knights and their big castle: towers, battlements, two fabric flags and much more. It includes a total of 59 building block pieces. 12/7/2005 (Price: $51.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Plan Toys Water Blocks by BRIO CORPORATION

The colored water inside these blocks helps children learn how water can change its shape with the movement of the blocks. Looking through these blocks, children obtain another perspective of their environment. Each block has been tested for safety. 11/22/2005

Plan Toys Parking Garage by BRIO CORPORATION

The Parking Garage is equipped with three floors of parking space, an elevator tower and a helipad. The set includes a car, a gas station and a car washing machine. The design is scaled to accommodate other metal, die-cast or plastic vehicles. It measures 16.5" by 14.1". 11/22/2005