TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Kits Product Category

Mugwaz Teez-Business Casual by MUGWAZ

Each machine washable, tagless t-shirt is made from 100 percent cotton and comes boxed in a green gift box with six brilliant fabric markers. Launch date: May/June 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $18.00)

Mugwaz Linkz Chain Link Jewelry Kit by MUGWAZ

The kit lets tweens create custom-length necklaces, multi-colored bracelets, belts and more. Each pre-packaged counter display assortment comes with 12 Chinese food containers (each containing 75 links and one charm) — four Metalz, Neonz and Colors, and 24 sparkly Charmz. Launch date: May 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $9.95)

All-in-One Art Set: Dora the Explorer by ELMER'S

The 40-piece Dora-themed art set includes five jumbo crayons, five markers, seven watercolors, one brush, two paper pads, 16 stickers, three stencils and one glue stick. The set will keep creative kids engaged and entertained for hours. Launch date: September 2007. 5/21/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe 14 pc. Ice Cream Making Set by SASSAFRAS ENTERPRISES INC.

Kids can make their own ice cream and ice cream sundaes with this kit.  The kit includes an ice cream maker, two sundae cups, two sundae spoons, a recipe and instruction booklet, sprinkles, an ice cream scoop, two soda jerk hats and crayons. All items are packaged attractively inside a window box. Launch date: May 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $44.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe Gardener In Training Kit by SASSAFRAS ENTERPRISES INC.

The kit includes gardening bag, three garden tools, two flowerpots, a sprayer, gardening gloves and an apron embroidered with the words “Gardener In Training." The apron fits children sizes four to eight. All items are packaged attractively inside a gift box. Launch date: May 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Uck! Yuck! Worms In Muck Dirt Pudding Kit by SASSAFRAS ENTERPRISES INC.

The kit comes with everything kids need to make “dirt pudding.” The kit includes chocolate pudding mix, cookie crumb "dirt," two flowerpots, gummy worms and a rhyming recipe. Launch date: March 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DYO Real Hockey Puck Kit by DESIGN YOUR OWN

The kit allows kids to decorate their own, real hockey puck and stick. Kids will be able to express themselves while staying active and can easily spot their puck on the ice. Launch date: June 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DYO Real Skateboard Kit by DESIGN YOUR OWN

The kit combines art and athletics, allowing children to express their creativity and individuality while being active. Kids can now decorate their own, real, one-of-a-kind skateboard. Launch date: June 2008. 5/21/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kitchen Littles Deluxe Appliance Set with Accessories by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The toaster pops out toast, the heavy duty die-cast blender blades spin at the push of a button and the can opener opens cans. The set includes two cans fruit, a can opener, a jar of jam, two pieces of toast, a die-cast metal toaster, a lunch plate, a knife, an ice cream carton, three scoops of ice cream, an ice cream scoop, a die-cast metal blender, a carton or milk, a bottle of soda and four glasses. Launch date: Summer 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $20.00)

Sparky Travel Backpack Kit - Little Passenger by UNIVERSAL MAP

The travel activity backpack includes a 64-page maze book of all 50 states, crossword puzzles chocked full of words and information related to each state, a 64-page word search, a laminated folding map, state geography playing cards and coloring markers. All items are packaged in a clear vinyl, zippered backpack. This item is a 2004 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award winner. 5/19/2008 (Price: $21.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dora Fairy Wonderland Garden by DUNECRAFT INC.

The complete kit includes multicolored fairy gravel, decorative fairy stakes and two fairy plants that will sprout within a week and flower within a year. The Lobelia will produce blue flowers, while the Primrose produces pink, scented flowers. “This product is very interactive as it features a terrarium in which kids plant the seeds, watch them come to life, take care of them and more!” Dunecraft Inc. Public Relations Specialist Alicia Borley told TDmonthly. “What better way is there to ignite an interest in plants and the world around us in young children than partnering with the creator of more top rated children's shows than anyone?” Launch date: February 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Volcano Kit by SCHYLLING

The kit lets kids build and erupt their own volcano using Paper Mache. All necessary materials are included inside the kit, including an educational booklet filled with information about real volcanoes. Launch date: July 2004. 5/19/2008 (Price: $14.99)

How to Balloon Animals Kit by SCHYLLING

The simple and fun kit contains 20 balloons, a balloon pump and an 80-page instruction book.  Step-by-step photos and instructions help users create a variety of balloon shapes, including a dinosaur, teddy bear with a tulip, rabbit, elephant, ram, octopus, mouse, giraffe, dog and lovebirds. Additional balloons and pump refills are available separately. Launch date: October 2004. 5/19/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Dinosaur Fossil Kit by SCHYLLING

The kit contains skeleton pieces that allow kids to create their very own dinosaur. Six different dinosaurs are available in the line: Mammoth, Pteranodon, Triceratops, Stegasaurus, Velciraptor and Tyrannosaurus. Six boxes come in each display case. Launch date: January 2007. 5/19/2008 (Price: $2.99)

Crystal Growing Kit - Jade Green by TOYSMITH

Kids can grow their own crystals with this kit. The kit includes a base rock, crystal formula, a growing tray, a magnifying glass, a spatula and instructions. Adult supervision is required. 5/19/2008 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Volcano Making Kit by TOYSMITH

Kids can make their own volcano and then watch it erupt. The kit includes a volcano mold, fast drying plaster, paint, a stirring stick and a paintbrush. Simply add baking soda and vinegar and watch the volcano erupt with bubbling lava. Adult supervision is required.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that this toy is their best-selling activity kit. 5/19/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chicken Socks - Tree House Bugs by KLUTZ

This kit shows kids how to assemble the included colored pipe cleaners, bright wooden beads and glittery paper wings into five bug buddies. Kids can even stick on pre-printed sticker faces to give each bug its own personality. Additionally, the book opens up to become a charmingly detailed, three-room tree house, complete with a front yard, punch-out furniture, stickers and decorative accessories.
— “We do well with the Klutz books ... [especially] the Magnetic Magic and the bug book,” Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends and Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Anything by Klutz,” Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., said in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling arts and crafts item in her store.
— In spring 2008, more than 3 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Klutz activity books as best-selling kits. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Sweet Hearts Jewelry Kit by MELISSA & DOUG

The colorful jewelry set comes in a handy wooden box and includes five laces and more than 150 beads in a variety of shapes, colors and patterns. Kids can create an array of necklaces and bracelets.
— “I like the new travel and craft kits by Melissa & Doug. We sell at least one a week,” Bob Colbert, owner of The Toy Box in Searcy, Ark., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Craft kits by Melissa & Doug,” Kathy Byrd, owner of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Ala., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling kit her store.
— In April 2008, more than 5 percent of the 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out craft kits by Melissa & Doug as best-selling craft kits. 5/8/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Star Pilot by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

The kit includes a specialized astronomical device called the Star Pilot™ which navigates the sky and locates the brightest stars and constellations. A poster, SLOOH Telescope Card and activity book are included, along with an illustrated, color manual that includes fun astronomical information, experiments, diagrams and constellation legends from cultures around the world. “This kit is a very unique astronomy device that has been invented, designed and patented by Brown [University] professors,” The Young Scientists Club President Esther Novis. Launch date: July 2008. 5/8/2008 (Price: $17.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Paint Ceramic Beads by ALEX BRANDS

Kids can design and paint their own ceramic beads and create personalized bracelets, necklaces and keychains. The kit includes 16 square beads, 10 shaped beads, two large heart pendants, six ceramic paints, two brushes, two keychain accessories, glass seed beads, ball chains, elastic and easy instructions. This item is an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner.
—  “Any arts and craft kits by Alex sell really well,” Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Our best-selling craft kits are bead kits by Alex. …[We sell] at least three or four every day,” Gary Timmerding, manager of Johnny’s Toys in Covington, Ky., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— Over one-fourth of the 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 named Alex kits as  best-selling kits in their stores. 5/8/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Patch-a-Peel Purse by ALEX BRANDS

Kids can create their own beautiful handbag with this kit, which comes with a canvas purse, adhesive gems, more than 160 precut, sticky fabric shapes and easy instructions. This product is an iParenting Media Award winner.
— “Alex is our number one activity set … [and] make-your-own purse is good right now,” Joyce Matthews, owner of Just 4 Fun in St. Simon’s Island, Ga., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— In April 2008, Steve Ricks, owner of My Story House Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly that his store sells “maybe one a day” of this particular item.
— Six of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 singled out this particular item as the best-selling kit in their stores. 5/8/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hearts & Crafts by ALEX BRANDS

The kit comes in a heart-shaped keepsake box and includes materials and instructions on how to make 25 heart-themed projects, including a stuffed bear, treasure box, brooch and heart garland. Kids can use the materials for cardmaking, scrapbooking, sewing, embroidery and beading.  “Hearts & Crafts is a unique craft kit, with colorful high quality components, clear and easy instructions,” Alex-Panline USA Inc. Director of Communications Elin Kabo told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $33.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Silkscreen Factory by ALEX BRANDS

The kit lets kids create colorful, silkscreen art on t-shirts, bags and cards. The kit comes with 14 stencil designs, silk sheets, four bright ink colors, a bandana and simple instructions. Refill kits are available separately.  “ALEX kits include stylish stencil designs, brightly colored inks and quality components. Instructions are clear and easy!” Alex-Panline USA Inc. Director of Communications Elin Kabo told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Compact Curiosities Owl Pellet by COPERNICUS TOYS

The kit allows kids to dissect a sanitary owl pellet which contains the skeletal remains of an owl meal. Learn about the owl’s habitat, place in the food chain and predatory skills. Use some archaeological skills to piece together the skeletons using the enclosed bone chart. Launch date: May 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TickleMe Plant by COPERNICUS TOYS

The kit offers a quick and easy plant-growing experience. Kids learn the seed-to-plant process that ends with a fun interactive plant. Launch date: March 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]