TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--General Toys Product Category

Chaostle by CHIVALRY GAMES

Chaostle is a board game that has many levels of strategy, from picking a starting army to moving throughout the multi-level castle towards victory. Chaostle has many fates that constantly effect the game, ranging from mild setbacks to cataclysmic earthquakes. These unpredictable twists of fate can be either from the card of happiness or the card of doom. Chaostle offers a wide range of fantasy characters to strategically build an army. The game comes standard with sixteen of these custom collectible miniature characters. Chaostle features 23 three-dimensional castle walls that are secured onto the game board. The fantasy fighters can move any direction throughout the castle including up and down stairways to change levels. 7/15/2011 (Price: $69.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Giddy Up The Big Box of Fuzzoodles by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER

Kids can make oodles and oodles of reusable Fuzzoodle combinations.  Just pick a Fuzzoodle Noodle, add some parts and pieces, and start creating.  Includes: 22 Fuzzoodles, 26 Fuzzoodle parts, and an idea guide.
Awards: 2010 Parenting Magazine Toy of the Year Award 7/12/2011 (Price: $24.99)

Unicorn Paradise 300pc Puzzle by RAVENSBURGER

This 300 piece puzzle glows in the dark for extra value once the puzzle is completed. Each piece is unique and fully interlocking.
—In a Summer 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali Cat in Carrboro, N.C., said that this Glow-in-the-Dark unicorn puzzle from Ravensburger was a best-seller. 7/12/2011 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Van Gogh - Café Terrace at Night 1500 pc Puzzle by RAVENSBURGER

This 1500 piece puzzle  features one of Van Gogh's most iconic works. Each piece is unique and fully interlocking.
— In a Summer 2011 survey about best-selling puzzles, Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., said that Ravensburger puzzles over 1000 pieces were a best-seller. “There are not a lot of [companies] who cater to older people who like puzzles but not kiddie pictures,” she told TDmonthly.
— In the same Summer 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali Cat in Carrboro, N.C., said that this Van Gogh puzzle was one of his best-sellers in the category.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: "Outstanding quality;" durable; beatiful artwork; challenging. 7/12/2011 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vehicles Sound Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

Featuring detailed images of 8 favorite noisy vehicles, this wooden peg puzzle makes the vehicle sound when a piece is placed correctly in the puzzle board. Eight sounds in all. Full-color, matching picture under each piece. Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.5" x 11.7" Assembled. AAA batteries not included.
— Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells 10 Melissa & Doug sound puzzles each month.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Affordable; engaging. Cons: Many reviewers said the sounds were poor quality.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, three out of 14 retailers said that puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best sellers in the category. “Melissa and Doug has been a core of the store for years and years," Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly. 7/12/2011 (Price: $12.99)

Jump 'n Slide Inflatable Bouncer by LITTLE TIKES INC.

Little Tikes Jump N Slide Inflatable Bouncer is an inflatable gym with tall protective walls that surround a large jumping area, including a big slide with side rails. Two mesh doors feature hook-and-loop closures to protect children, and allow parents to watch the fun. Stakes anchor the bouncer firmly in place, while a heavy-duty blower provides continuous airflow. The Little Tikes Jump N' Slide Bouncer is built of puncture-resistant material. It also features two mesh pockets on the side to hold shoes or water bottles. The Little Tikes Jump N' Slide Bouncer includes stakes, heavy-duty blower, repair kit and storage bag. 7/11/2011 (Price: $249.99)

Flow by ARKASI GAMES CO.

Control the flow - control your opponents. Game for 2 to 4 players. Game time: 30-45 minutes. Control the flow by altering the flow directional tiles. Gain a reward token each time you either push an opponent's pawn out of the board or into an existing infinite loop. Collect most tokens at the end of the game to win. 7/7/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Burning Bridges by ARKASI GAMES CO.

Burning bridges behind you is not all bad! In this game it's the only way you can win.
Game for 2 or 3 players. Game time: 15 - 30 minutes. Take turns in moving from island to island across a bridge. After crossing the bridge set the bridge on fire. Once the fire is set no one can move or jump over it. The game continues until there are no more bridges remaining, all the scorch points have been awarded. The player with the highest count of scorch points wins. 7/7/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moody by ARKASI GAMES CO.

Each player is a daemon that guides and influences the main character. The game is a struggle between daemons to control main character's mood by using the environment surrounding the character. Daemons take turns playing cards to trigger the environment to shift the mood. Each player's actions directly affect decisions and strategy of the other players. The game ends when Moody enters the mood wheel. Players uncover both mission cards and check how close they are to Moody's final mood determined by the mood marker. Each space gives 1 point. Count how far is the distance from your mission mood to the final mood marker. The player with the least points wins the game. Each game can end up in a draw between 2 players. Play more than one game to truly establish who is the MOOD MASTER. 7/7/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Avodome by ARKASI GAMES CO.

Players move on a 6 x 6 game grid. Movement is determined by roll of dice and coordinates embedded in each game place. Along the way players can pick up booster cards which can help them get to the target area or hinder the efforts of their opponents. The seemingly simple concept of transferring the game pieces from start to finish takes a different shape in Avodome. The game “twists and turns” after each move and is never decided until the last playing piece of one player lands on the target area. No player is ever in the lead since the boosters add a special dynamic to the game where a player seemingly “in the lead” can be blocked, forced back and actually loose the game to a player who appears to be “dead last”. 7/7/2011 (Price: $29.92) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

GeoTrax Disney Pixar's Cars Mega Set by FISHER-PRICE INC.

In this set Lightning McQueen is an RC car with the ability to drive forward or backward. Send him roaring after the other push vehicles as he delivers fun movie phrases. Flo adds to the fun with cool lines from the movie, and Sheriff hides behind the billboard, waiting for speeders. Includes Lightning McQueen RC vehicle, Flo, Sheriff, Sally and Sarge push vehicles, Flo's V-8 café, mountains of Radiator Springs, 2 ramp tracks, 1 "T" switch track, 2 "Y" switch tracks, 4 curve tracks, 1 cross track, 2 straight tracks 6" long, 2 straight tracks 3" long, Radiator Springs traffic light, highway sign, 2 guardrails, 3 off-track ramps and a Radiator Springs billboard. 7/6/2011 (Price: $99.99)

LEGO Fun Favor Pack by LEGO

Designed as party favors, the Fun Favor Pack contains 8 LEGO items ( 4 ea- Jeep and Yellow Airplane); Free LEGO Club membership and LEGOLAND Offers (free child admission). 6/30/2011 (Price: $19.99)

Le Toy Van Tutti Frutti Doll House by HOTALING IMPORTS

White two story house with red roof. Fully painted and decorated with strawberry motif. Side opens up for easy access. Doors, windows and shutters open and close. Includes deluxe starter furniture set. Furniture includes sofa, coffee table, lamp, dining table with chairs, oven/stove, buffet, bunkbeds, end table with lamp, toilet, toys and more. People are not included. 13 ¾ x 24 ¾ x 17 ¼.
— Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells one of these high-ticket items each month. 6/29/2011 (Price: $169.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Babies by TOYSMITH

Cute and cuddly, these 6.5 inch soft-bodied dolls have vinyl heads, arms and legs. Assorted outfits. Come in a case of 24.
— In a Summer 2011 survey Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly that she sold about 24 Mini Babies each month.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, Kim Emigh, manager of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly that Mini-Babies from Toysmith were one of their best-selling novelty toys. 6/28/2011 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

PopOut Ring Toss by DIGGIN

This soft and safe ring toss pops open for portable fun. Kids can take it and play anywhere, outdoors or indoors. Play solo or with the whole family. To collapse, hold the mat at the corners and twist. Comes with six rings, PopOut target with posts and storage bag. It's "A classic game that POPS open for big fun!" Jenny Stern, VP& Founder of Diggin Active Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.
Awards: 2011 Oppenheim GOLD Award 6/27/2011 (Price: $19.99)

Cirkis by HASBRO INC.

CirKis is a fun, award-winning game in which players take turns placing pieces and compete for control of point-scoring zones. Played on a beveled, circular board, the game challenges players to use their spatial reasoning to strategically place their pieces. The game is governed by a single, simple rule: each piece must touch -- or "kiss" -- the piece placed before it. As the game progresses, players have to devise strategies to corner their opponents and achieve victory. Designed for ages eight and up; game time is 15 minutes.
— As of 06/14/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Scoring track is on the board; easy but requires strategy; visually striking. Cons: Some said it was boring; several said it was too complicated. 6/14/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bernese Mountain Dog Trevor by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS

Trevor is one of the newest additions to the Douglas collection. He is a Bernese Mountain Dog with realistic markings of his breed. He is very soft, 16" long with a generous, solid body, and nearly the size of a live puppy.
— Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., said her best-selling plush was from Douglas Cuddle Toy; specifically, "All the dogs, because they carry many different breeds and people can come in and ask for a particular one, like a Bernese Mountain Dog"  she told TDmonthly when surveyed in late Spring 2011. 6/10/2011 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Goober Bear 11" by GUND INC.

Made of soft huggable plush fabric, Goober has a loveable face and silky chocolate-brown fur accented with cream-colored fur on his belly and muzzle. Measures 11" tall. Surface washable.
— In late Spring 2011, 30% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly said that plush and puppets from Gund were best-sellers in the category. Mike DiAndrea, manager of Ace Hardware & Toy Center in Paoli, Pa., said he sells about 6 Goober Bears each month.
— As of 6/10/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com. 6/10/2011 (Price: $32.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Princess Magic Rise Kitchen Playset by CREATIVE DESIGNS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

This kitchen set comes with 18 pieces for kids to bake, decorate and display their royal treats. The set works with all Magic Rise toys and is designed to easily fit the Disney Princess Magic Rise Oven (sold separately). The burners light up when the heart gem is pressed. 6/2/2011 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dado Bricks by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

Dado Bricks are interlocking cardboard bricks, measuring 12 inches long x 6 inches deep x 3 inches high. Kids can use these stacking bricks to create kid-scale structures...walls, castles, forts, secret hide-outs, or even attractive room decor. Unlike other simple cardboard blocks on the market, the Dado Cardboard Bricks contain a protruding pair of square nubs along with a matching set of recessed square indentations. The result is a cardboard brick that when stacked, will not easily tumble and can retain a rigid structure. "The ONLY interlocking cardboard block on the market," Erik Quam, Director of Product Development at Fat Brain Toy, told TDmonthly. 5/27/2011 (Price: $39.95)

Play With Me Gym by BLUE BOX TOYS INC.

The multi-functional Play With Me Gym provides an ideal stage for growth as it keeps little minds fully occupied and alert. Built in concert with Bkids proprietary and innovative Loop ‘n Link system, the overhead bars are a perfect place to attach the collect ‘n connect plush animals from the Bebee and Friends collection. The soft, cushy frame provides a safe place for babies to rest making the Play With Me Gym an ideal nap time companion. Launch date: February 2011. 5/27/2011 (Price: $45.99)

Roylco Straws & Connectors Structure Pack by ROYLCO INC

Kids can design a structure, then throw the big blue veil over top. The heavy duty straws are strong enough to support the veil, yet flexible enough to bend and curve. Set includes illustrated guide. "This set allows children to build a structure large enough to actually crawl into. The included fabric veil adds dimension to the structure," Sandra Smith, sales assistant at Roylco Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011. 5/27/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Z.A.C. the ZOOB Alien Creature by INFINITOY

Inspired by kids’ submissions to Infinitoy’s online gallery, Z.A.C. the ZOOB Alien Creature gives kids all the tools they need to build their own aliens. Using specially-colored ZOOB pieces (including glow-in-the-dark pieces), and light-up eyes, kids can build aliens, a rocket, a UFO, a radio telescope, and lots more. This set includes 200 ZOOB pieces, 12 glow-in-the-dark pieces, 2 light-up eyes with batteries, and complete instructions. Launch date: September 2011. 5/27/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZOOB JR. Scooter by INFINITOY

ZOOB is a building set with a difference—the pieces move after kids put them together. So kids can play with their creations, instead of just looking at them. ZOOB JR. provides ZOOB’s award-winning creative play with softer pieces designed for young children. ZOOB JR. pieces are made with a special memory material that flexes and goes back to its original shape, so they bend, move, and snap together snugly. And just like ZOOB, ZOOB JR.'s open-ended versatility lets kids build anything they want to build as it sparks young imaginations. The ZOOB JR. Scooter includes 18 ZOOB JR. pieces, 4 wheels, and instructions for 17 creations, such as a scooter, a mini go-cart, a skateboarder, and a spinning robot (but kids can make up lots more). The instructions require no reading, and are printed on sturdy cards. Launch date: September 2011. 5/27/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

96mm Striped Bozagga Ball by HEDSTROM

This is the next generation Bozagga Ball. Striped, 12-lobed high-bouncing balls. Kids can challenge their friends to see who can bounce these colorful balls the highest. Launch date: May 2011. 5/27/2011 (Price: $10.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]