TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Creative Activities Product Category

Metropolis Train Set by URBAN CANVAS

The Urban Canvas Metropolis Train Set is a craft toy constructed of heavyweight recycled cardboard and is completely reversible. Children can play with, decorate, and display the train set. One side of the train displays an image of a city train station. Fold it inside out and it becomes a brand new train with a blank canvas for children to decorate. Die cut windows and sliding doors complete the train adding another level of fun. Launch date: September 2012. 11/16/2012 (Price: $29.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cityscape Building Set by URBAN CANVAS

The Urban Canvas Cityscape Building Set is constructed of heavy duty recyclable cardboard and contains 40 connector pieces and 6 specially shaped roof top pieces. Each interlocking piece is pre-printed on both sides with city scenes, skyscrapers and buildings. Children can delve into the wonder of the city by building a tall skyscraper or a wide city skyline. The pieces fit together to build endless configurations, even animals, planes, or anything the imagination can create. "While 'skyscrapers' can be constructed with other building sets, the Cityscape set is the only one with a city structure and skyline motif and specially shaped pieces to achieve the architectural elements of an actual skyscraper," Maria Chee, founder of Urban Canvas told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2012. 11/14/2012 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrinky Dinks The Elf On The Shelf Kit by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Families are sure to embrace this new holiday activity, and kids will savor the lasting excitement they'll get from completing this festive playscape. Kids color in over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, and then pop them in the oven to watch them transform. Includes over 50 precut Shrinky Dinks characters and accessories, colored pencils, and 3-D pop up living room. 11/14/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crayola Light Designer by CRAYOLA LLC

The Crayola Digital Light Designer lets children express their artistic side, without the mess of traditional pens. The round dome responds to the touch of a stylus to display up to seven colors, providing unlimited imaginative fun. Kids can make their drawings move with animation options or even create short movies by combining drawings. The dome also features eight engaging activities and games to keep kids entertained. 11/9/2012 (Price: $49.99)

GloGlo Inkoos by THE BRIDGE DIRECT INC

GloGlo Inkoos bring kids designs to life - even in the dark. As with all inkoos, kids can draw and decorate on them with the included washable markers. But when the lights go out, their cool glow-in-the-dark patterns are revealed. Then kids can draw even more glowing designs with the special light pen. Each GloGlo inkoos includes 3 clip-on, washable markers plus the GloGlo light pen. Choose from 3 styles. Machine washable. 11/5/2012 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Carnival Glitter Glue by eeBoo corp.

Each glitter glue pack contains four different tubes. Each tube has two glittering colors swirled together. 10/30/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shake Rattle And Drum by WESTCO EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS

This handcrafted wood set includes seven pieces: A bucket drum with a natural skin head, a pair of drum sticks, a single jingle stick, a handled castanet and a pair of mini maracas. Fun for the whole family or class! Includes a parent/teacher friendly activity guide for ideas on using the items to encourage child development.
— As of 10/30/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The drum makes a nice noise; fun for kids on their own or in groups.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award 10/25/2012 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ABC Clappers by WESTCO EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS

The Sounds Like Fun ABC Clappers are 3 brightly painted, hand crafted wood castanets with handles in graduated sizes and sounds. One side is labeled 1, 2,3, and the other side is labeled A, B, C. For color, number, shape and letter recognition, beginning pattern making, and hearing high and low sound changes. Includes a parent/teacher friendly activity guide for ideas on using the clappers to encourage child development. Launch date: 2005. 10/25/2012 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

This...or That? Activity Book by KNOCK KNOCK

Little ones love defining what it is that makes them so special, and so do we. This fun activity book encourages kids to explore their own imaginations and preferences—treehouse or fort? Pirate or ninja? Filled with whimsical illustrations, playful prompts, and awesome stickers, This...or That? gives kids the power of creative decision making. Launch date: June 2012. 10/25/2012 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Fitness Passport by KNOCK KNOCK

Combat a universal childhood affliction—exercise resistance—with our Kids’ Passports. Featuring fancy sticker “stamps” as rewards, this official-looking booklet will trick even the idlest of youngsters into making an adventuresome, interactive game of moving and grooving. Launch date: January 2012. 10/25/2012 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Food Passport by KNOCK KNOCK

Combat a universal childhood affliction—picky eating—with our Kids’ Passports. Featuring fancy sticker “stamps” as rewards, this official-looking booklet is sure to convince even the fussiest little eater to make an adventuresome, interactive game of trying new foods. Launch date: January 2012. 10/25/2012 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scavenger Hunt Pad by KNOCK KNOCK

Kids will discover a world of intrigue and adventure right under their noses with our Scavenger Hunt Pad. More active than any techno-gadget, this pad keeps young’uns busy and ignites their imagination as they search for “treasure” around the house (or hotel room, backyard, etc.). Launch date: January 2012. 10/25/2012 (Price: $6.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I'm an Artist Pad by KNOCK KNOCK

Encourage budding creative geniuses to showcase their skills with the I’m an Artist Pad. More fun than television and less expensive than art school, this inspiring pad fuels kids’ imagination in a celebratory format that’s just as enjoyable for parents as it is for tots. Launch date: January 2012. 10/25/2012 (Price: $6.5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rainbow Loom - Twistz Bandz by CHOON'S DESIGN LLC

Package includes: Rainbow Loom(TM), Mini Rainbow Loom(TM), hook, a bag of c-clips, instruction manual and 600+ mix rubber bands (colors may vary). Makes up to 24 rubber band bracelets.
— Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Rainbow Loom is their best-selling activity kit. They sell about 50 each month, and if they could keep it in stock, would likely sell more. "I got 24 the other day and they were gone instantly," she told TDmonthly.
— In a July 2013 survey, four out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that the Rainbow Loom was their overall best-selling product.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Rainbow Loom was their best-selling novelty toy. 10/25/2012 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bible Origami Kit by TUTTLE PUBLISHING

Bible Origami kit is a new boxed set from well-known papercrafter Andrew Dewar. It contains everything kids need to fold the figures from famous Biblical stories. A full-color, 64-page booklet provides detailed, step-by-step folding instructions for each figure. Custom-designed papers are provided for each person, animal and object that comprise the 72 models. Each project is introduced by a simple retelling of the biblical story that inspires it, followed by an explanation of the significance of each accompanying origami figure. 10/23/2012 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Krazy Karakuri Origami Kit by TUTTLE PUBLISHING

This kit contains 8 types of origami toys and 16 karakuri models. The origami toys and games include models such as the determined Robot Wrestlers, which you can pit against one another in a battle to the death. The karakuri models are constructed using pop-out paper that are easily assembled and include performing toys that tumble, balance and jump, as well as pieces like the comical Waddling Penguin and 6 additional models that walk down a gentle incline. 10/23/2012 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Color & Collage Origami Art Kit by TUTTLE PUBLISHING

The Color & Collage Origami Art Kit is a unique new product that allows children to fold, assemble, compose, color and display large collages. Author Andrew Dewar provides all the custom-designed folding paper and backgrounds needed to complete these origami collages. Kids will have fun folding the individual models for stand-alone play as well as arranging the pieces on the six included backgrounds—conveniently printed in color on one side, with the reverse featuring just the outlines for coloring fun. Double-sided origami paper with folding lines incorporated right into the playful designs will have everyone—regardless of skill level—folding like a pro right out of the gate. 10/23/2012 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Glow in the Dark Crazy Forts by CRAZY FORTS INC.

Glow in the Dark Crazy Forts are a unique, award winning, building and creative toy. Glow in the Dark Crazy Forts come with 69 child-safe glow in the dark toggles and rods that join together to build any play space from your child's imagination. Create a "Cave" one day, an "Igloo", "Pirate Ship" or "Castle" the next . put the pieces together in different configurations, cover with bed sheets and "voila." kids have a unique new play space every time. Crazy Fort is powered by a child's imagination. Each Crazy Fort Kit contains 25 geometrically precise balls that glow in the dark and 44 sticks that connect to create a multitude of possible play structures. The Glow in the Dark kit contains balls that glow in the dark for hours when held to the light. 10/22/2012 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Randomonium by WIGGLES 3D

Players must try to make as many connections between tiles as they can before the timer runs out. Players can be as creative as they like, but their fellow players will decide if their play counts or not. Fast-paced and perfect for a crowd. Launch date: June 2012. 10/17/2012 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SparkleUps® Robots by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED

Add sparkling jewels to these rocking Robots. Slap these stickers on bike helmets, skateboards and more. These futuristic fighters shoot fire and electricity to squash the bad guys. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: October 2012. 10/17/2012 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New Sprouts™ Fix it! My very own tool set by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Big fix-it fun for the smallest fixer uppers. Encourage imaginative play with chunky tools made from durable, soft plastic. Includes saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill (with sound) and tool box measuring 9"L x 5½"H x 3¾"W. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Gold Seal Award 10/10/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Free Play Magnatab by KID O PRODUCTS

Let the magnetic stylus be your pen and the bead board be your paper. Use your imagination to draw shapes, letters and pictures, popping individual beads to the surface. Erase with the tip of a finger.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. told TDmonthly in a July 2014 survey that the Free Play Magnatab was their store's best-selling toy. 10/4/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower - Blue Clouds by SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS

In the land of Blue Clouds, anything can happen. The clear and beautiful voice of children’s music favorite Elizabeth Mitchell weaves musical landscapes that “seem like a patchwork of memories we’ve always shared,” writes Caldecott Award – winning author Brian Selznick in the liner notes. The dreamlike illustrations of legendary artist Remy Charlip illuminate the magical narratives of these timeless songs. Mitchell’s extended family band, You Are My Flower, including daughter Storey and husband Daniel Littleton, embrace us with sound in a celebration of family, imagination and love. 16 tracks, 39 minutes, 32 page booklet. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval 9/25/2012 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wearables Bi-Plane by KID CONSTRUCTIONS

Each Wearables Stunt Plane comes complete with shoulder straps, propeller fasteners and printed, precut corrugated pieces children to decorate and then construct into a wearable-sized 3-D bi-plane. 9/18/2012 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

16 Piece Cupcake Kit by CURIOUS CHEF INC.

The Curious Chef line provides kids with real, functional, kitchen utensils. The 16 PC Cupcake Kit is just one of many items that helps families create special memories centered on the joy of cooking and positive eating habits. "Curious Chef is the only complete line of real cooking utensils designed for kids that have safety features built-in with kids' size (and behaviors) in mind," Taylor Crenshaw, brand manager for Tailor Made Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009. 9/17/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]