TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

Word on the Street Expansion 1 by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

216 new categories and an extra timer to add to kids' Word on the Street fun. "Word on the Street is great for spelling practice, but is also a party game," Leah Sugar, VP of marketing at Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. 12/12/2011 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Art Books by eeBoo corp.

Three of eeBoo's favorite illustrators - Kevin Hawkes, Lizzy Rockwell, and Melissa Sweet - share their love of art in this new collection of "How to Draw" Art Books. They begin with the Rockwell's intro "Learn to Draw Simple Forms in the Home & Garden"; followed by Sweet's "Drawing Book" and its clever ways of teaching children about form, light, and perspective; and finishing off with Hawkes' "Learn to Draw Animals" with his funny approach to drawing animals without fear. "Kevin Hawkes, Lizzy Rockwell, and Melissa Sweet are well-known children's illustrators who bring their love of drawing and design to these easy-to-follow instruction books," Regina Gelin, sales & marketing rep at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012. 12/12/2011 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Age Crystals: 13 Crystals Deluxe Kit w/LED Base by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

Sparkling crystals grow right before kids' eyes. Grow a collection of 13 sparkling crystal specimens in four colors: Emerald, Aquamarine, Citrine & Ruby. 5 Crystal Clusters; 4 Goedes; 4 Single Crystals.  Plus, kids will learn how to connect their own battery circuit. Contents: crystal growing chemicals, geode mold, casting plaster, crystal growing containers, lids, stirring rods, 48 page Space Age Crystals booklet, instructions, and a multicolor LED base.  Pack size: 17" x 11 ½" x 2 ¼". Launch date: September 2011. 12/12/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bugs 3D Adventure Kit by POPAR TOYS

This adventure kit comes included with all the necessary tools to explore the amazing world of Bugs 3D. The kit contains a 3D book, 3D cards, magic costume card, software and Popar Reader. Kids will have an unforgettable experience as they grow wings and watch their favorite bugs leap from the pages or cards. "Popar® Toys use Augmented Reality (AR) technology to create an immersive reading experience that will allow the user to see incredible virtually “real” 3D objects and animations that will pop off the book or card," Scott Jochim, President of Popar Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011.
Awards: 2012 Best of the Toy Fair - The View; 2012 National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval. 12/12/2011 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DJ Rock Dock by SMARTLAB TOYS

Old-school and new-school technology collide in this plug n' play portable speaker dock kids build themselves. Rock the house or take the show on the road. Kids learn basic electronics by investigating how speakers and amplification work. Docking station works with iPod, iTouch, and other audio devices. Launch date: September 2012. 12/9/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Amazing Squishy T. rex by SMARTLAB TOYS

Featuring five squishy innards-including a tongue-this anatomically correct model of the king of dinosaurs will amaze and enlighten through a journey of building and fun.  The Squishy T. rex has detailed anatomy, inside and out, with removable squishy organs.  Kids learn all about the T. rex through the accompanying book, The Mighty T. rex by Dennis Schatz. Launch date: September 2012. 12/9/2011 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mosaics by eeBoo corp.

Containing 72 soft felt triangles in 9 colors, a flocked game board, and 50 illustrated cards, teach color, form, and design to kids without their knowing that they are learning the fundamentals of design. The instructions offer increasing challenges, from Elementary Figures to Negative Space to Perspective to Translucency and Representational Imagery. "Mosaics offers a highly sophisticated introduction to the basics of art and design for children," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing rep at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. ( Watch Video) 12/9/2011 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Great Pretenders - Baby Bat Cape by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA

Great Pretenders - Baby Bat Cape is a NEW fan favorite. This bat cape has been redesigned to fit Toddlers 18 Months to 3 Years. Our unique Soft velour is washable and a great addition to any wardrobe. Launch date: January 2012.
— Lisa Dallegos, manager of Out of the Blue, Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Bat Cape costume from Great Pretenders/Creative Education of Canada is one of their best-selling Halloween toys 12/9/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grow Amazing Polymers group pack by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus GROW AMAZING POLYMERS group pack. This kit provides enough materials for 30 students and is great for the classroom, after-school programs, science enrichment, boys and girls scouts, camps, and a Magic School Bus birthday Party. Young Scientists grow super balls, snow, rainbow beads, crystal gels, and polymer flowers while learning about the importance and science of super-absorbent polymers. This kit comes with 30 colorful manuals that are based on the popular Magic School Bus tv and book series. "This is the first Magic School Bus themed group pack on the market, and has enough materials and manuals for 30 children," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. 12/9/2011 (Price: $79.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Slime and Polymer Lab by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with The Magic School Bus as they explore slime and polymers. Young Scientists take polymers out of milk, make slime, create goop, produce a snow eruption, melt snow, grow super-absorbent flowers, germinate seeds in polymers, perform a polymer trick, dehydrate polymers, and more. This gooey bus-shaped kit comes packed with science components, 20 colorful experiment cards, a data notebook to record observations, and 10 containers of polymers including super balls, rainbow beads, snow, and gel crystals. "The bus-shaped packaging is unique and comes packed with lots of polymers and activity cards," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. 12/9/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Boikido Wooden 40 Pc Construction Set by BOIKIDO

Build and roll this Construction Toolbox around like a vehicle. 5 projects included; kids can use their imagination to build anything. Includes 11 Geometric Shapes, 4 Wheels, 12 Screws, 10 Nuts, 1 Screwdriver, and 1 Wrench. This Toolbox also provides easy storage for all the pieces. Develops imagination, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and problem solving and fine motor skills. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. "Unique design - the attractive colors, unique features, super play value, learning elements and cute character of this toolbox draws kids attention and become their best friend in no time," David To from Biokido/Georgeous Products Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. ( Watch Video) 12/9/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Solar System by Teach My by TEACH MY TODDLER INC.

The Solar System by Teach My introduces children to the basics of The Solar System. Using a coordinated book, puzzle, poster and flashcards, Teach My showcases the sun and nine planets that rotate around the sun (incl. Pluto, The Dwarf Planet). In order to simplify The Solar System for little ones, we have highlighted one characteristic for each planet and each planet's place within the solar system. The Solar System is an Add-On by Teach My, an additional section for the award winning, all-in-one learning kits, Teach My Toddler & Teach My Preschooler. Conveniently packed in a re-sealable bag, The Solar System by Teach My can be used on its own or with Teach My Toddler & Teach My Preschooler. "The Solar System by Teach My includes coordinated learning tools such as a matching poster, flashcards, book and puzzle. The tools promote natural interaction and repetition, making learning quick, easy and fun," Christy Cook, founder of Teach My, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $14.99)

Underwater Rainbow Adventure - Activity Kit by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

This Enchanting Activity Kit Includes: The Multi-Award Winning Hardcover book The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. IDEAS Music CD.  Eight - 27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each of the following colors: ocean bottom blue, purple anemone, wave break blue and deep sea swirl.  Recommended for children ages 4-8.  All products made and constructed in the USA. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cosmic ConneXion by N.E.T. & COMPUTING

Cosmic ConneXion is an entertaining and educational word search card game created to familiarize players with the Greek alphabet and objects of the cosmos. The deck consists of 2 sets of cards, letter cards and celestial point value cards. The letter cards consist of all 24 letters of the Greek alphabet from Alpha to Omega. Each letter card displays the name, uppercase & lowercase Greek letter, along with English equivalents and variants. The letter cards are played in a diamond arrangement to create words. The celestial point value cards consist of 28 objects of the cosmos from our local solar system to the constellations of the zodiac along with wild cards of the cosmos. For each word formed, a player acquires a celestial point value card from the draw pile. The object of the game is to acquire as many celestial point value cards as possible. However, after all the letter cards have been played, the player who has acquired the sun card during regular play has a final opportunity to score additional points during the bonus round by forming a grammatically correct sentence from the words formed during regular play. The player with the highest point value wins. "The greatest benefit of playing games with these cards is to increase player's familiarity with the Greek alphabet. The Greek alphabet is widely utilized in many fields of math & science, yet not widely recognized to the general public," Joseph Bongiorno, president of N.E.T. & Computing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MathTwister by MATHTWISTER LLC

MathTwister is a brand new competitive card game for kids (eight years and older) to practice and enjoy the four basic computations of arithmetic. Educators and parents observe their students thinking, organizing and self-correcting their mental math concepts to form equations, as well as watching as students encourage others to demonstrate their math ability. MathTwister makes effective practice of mathematics fun. "Through a healthy level of competition MathTwister gets kids thinking mathematically, challenging them at their own ability level, sharpening fluency with basic arithmetic operations and developing comfort with numbers," Benjamin Bosley, creator of MathTwister, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting by IDEALS PUBLICATIONS

Kids discover what makes the weather happen and how to predict what's ahead. Activities include making equipment to measure rainfall, wind direction and speed, humidity, and barometric pressure; recording measurements and observations in a Weather Log; and simulating weather events to demonstrate the science behind them. From foggy mornings to sunny afternoons to our changing seasons, weather forecasting is a year-round, practical science that children will have fun learning about. Perfect for budding meteorologists and science lovers. Launch date: January 28, 2017.
— In a December 2011 survey Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashton, Va., told TDmonthly, "We sell a lot of the science and craft books from Ideals Books - such as Science Play and Weather Forecasting. They are brightly colored with great graphics on the covers and full of simple projects for kids."            12/6/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CHEM C2000 by THAMES & KOSMOS

CHEM C2000 is a complete introduction to the most important topics in chemistry, with over 250 unique experiments and a 96 page full-color experiment manual. A cartoon Professor Probenius guides kids through all of the experiments. Quality equipment, lab manual and chemicals provide the correct tools for serious learning. Ample chemicals for repeated experiments. Parental supervision required. 12/1/2011 (Price: $159.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cosmic Karma Game by COSMIC KARMA GAME PARTNERS

This beautifully crafted board game is an educational and insightful presentation of the principles of karma. 2 to 4 players. It's Monopoly but with karma instead of money; Chutes and Ladders but for adults; and The Game of Life but the life of the soul. 30-90 minutes. Features "Artistic presentation of sophisticated concepts that even a 5th grader can understand," Linda Look, game developer at Cosmic Karma Game Partners, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
— As of 10/5/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Well designed; helps to illustrate the concept of karma; thought provoking. 11/29/2011 (Price: $38.00)

Arizona Way Out West and Wacky by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

In addition to true, but gross, humorous, interesting and wacky stories and facts, Arizona Way Out West & Wacky and Arizona Way Out West & Witty: Library Edition make reading about Arizona’s history fun through word searches, crossword puzzles, coloring pages, recipes, crafts and many other amusing activities. 11/23/2011 (Price: $11.95)

Coral Reefs by Jason Chin by ROARING BROOK PRESS (HOLTZBRINCK PUBLISHERS)

During an ordinary visit to the library, a girl pulls a not-so-ordinary book from the shelves. As she turns the pages in this book about coral reefs, the city around her slips away and she finds herself surrounded by the coral cities of the sea and the mysterious plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide there. 11/23/2011 (Price: $16.99)

The Great Global Puzzle Challenge with Google Earth by KINGFISHER BOOKS

Discover the many wonders of the world in this amazing illustrated tour of some of the most interesting places on Earth. Each spread focuses on one destination, and the amazingly intricate artwork gives readers a visual flavor of the place, with masses to look at and discover the more you look. There are links from one place to the next – historical, geographical, natural history or just simple proximity – for example, there is an ancient Egyptian obelisk in NY’s central park, with two sister obelisks in Paris and London. Find the one in the Central Park using Google™ Earth co-ordinates and it gives you the clue to where you will be going next. You will also need to solve a puzzle with the help of Google™ Earth to collect co-ordinates for your final secret location – again on Google™ Earth. For instance, the puzzle tells you to visit the Statue of Liberty on Google™ Earth and to count the number of points on its crown. This number is one of the co-ordinates you need to find your final destination at the end of the book. Launch date: September 27, 2011. 11/23/2011 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Talking Electron Microscope by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

Kids can view more than 180 amazing, up-close images with the Talking Electron Microscope. They can view various zoomed versions of 60 images and hear 5 fun facts about each image in Learning Mode – then switch to Quiz Mode and test their knowledge. Images include the human body, viruses and bacteria, plants, animals, and other “stuff.”
Awards: National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 11/18/2011 (Price: $64.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Exploration Mobile by PERISPHERE & TRYLON INC.

Space Exploration Mobile is a ceiling-mount mobile for kids intrigued by outer space and the history of space exploration. This fully motorized Space Exploration Mobile features rotating, realistic models of eight historic spacecraft: Sputnik, Mercury, Soyuz, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Mir Space Station. The colorful Earth globe lights up, and the mobile includes an infrared remote and educational booklet. Space exploration mobile requires four AA and two AAA batteries (not included). 11/17/2011 (Price: $32.99)

Palette Pages by BEAVER BOOKS PUBLISHING

Introduce young children to water-color painting with Palette Pages Painting Books. Each painting page comes complete with its own palette of watercolors, ready to use. Just dip the brush in water and apply. Books feature 12 pages of black and white line art for painting and early-learning themes. Each book includes a sturdy fold-under painting page protector sheet, as well as a few handy painting tips for young artists. Launch date: February 2012. 11/14/2011 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learnercise: Phone Mat Fun by GEOMOTION GROUP, INC.

Phone Mat Fun is an interactive 3D Animated DVD and activity mat that prepares young children for school.  Phone Mat Fun teaches children basic concepts of letters, colors, and numbers in both English Spanish while moving around the Learnercise Phone Mat. Launch date: 2011. 11/14/2011 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]