TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Play Sets Product Category

Strawberry Shortcake Splashin' Petal Pool Playset by HASBRO INC.

Girls can fill the pool and whirlpool area with water and press down on the sunflower leaf for a real shower, or glide Strawberry Shortcake doll down the pink waterslide into the pool with the Strawberry Shortcake Splashin' Petal Pool Playset. The set also includes a fabric towel, sun bonnet, and removable umbrella. Some assembly required. Launch date: Spring 2010. 5/4/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Littlest Pet Shop Paw Powered Cruiser Playset by HASBRO INC.

Girls can join their favorite pets in the Littlest Pet Shop collection on a fun-filled road trip with the Littlest Pet Shop Paw Powered Cruiser playset. The first-ever vehicle in the Littlest Pet Shop line features seating for six pets including a working swing and "real" spinning hamster wheel. Pets can even enjoy the 360-degree view from the top of the vehicle as they ride in the adorable rotating basket. The Littlest Pet Shop Paw Powered Cruiser playset  includes an exclusive hamster pet. Launch date: Spring 2010. 4/30/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BabyTalk Onesies by GOOD BUDDY NOTES

Good Buddy Notes newborn onesies are imprinted with "baby talk" text messages on the front. Shelley Dieterichs of Good Buddy Notes told TDmonthly, "These onesies are clever, trendy and humorous." Launch date: April 2010. 4/14/2010 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Take Along Dungeon by PLAYMOBIL INC.

This portable play set has a handle at the top and a door that opens to store all the pieces inside. It contains 22 pieces, includes a couple of pirates, a skeleton, guns and other accessories, and even a cannon that really fires cannonballs. ( Watch Video) 4/13/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fun on the Farm Imaginetics by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Lightweight and portable, this small Imaginetics play set combines whimsical animal illustrations and a richly colored background with reusable, interactive magnets. Each image is backed with thin, flexible magnetic material, allowing pieces to be repositioned easily on the themed backdrop. Children can tell stories or invent games, and when finished the play set folds closed to protect and secure the pieces.
― “We sell a lot of Imaginetics,” said Jill Brown, buyer at Kidoodles in Norman, Okla., when asked about her best-selling travel items in spring 2010. Seven of 39 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in March 2010 said magnetic play sets are their top-selling travel toy.
― In late Spring 2011 two out of 12 retailers surveyed mentioned Imaginetics as a best-selling travel toy.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Magic Box Toys. 4/9/2010 (Price: $4.99)

My Little Sandbox-Doggie Day Camp by BE GOOD COMPANY

The Be Good Company My Little Sandbox line features tabletop play sets encouraging creativity, imagination and fun by bringing the sandbox or the beach into the home on rainy or cold days. Kids can play in the ultra fine sand-filled 10" x 10" x 2" wooden box. Each play set includes the wooden box, sand, a no-mess play mat, a re-sealable storage box, and themed toys - dog house, doggie food, grooming tools, doggie bed, 6 dogs, drinking water, pooper scooper, grooming rate, and 3 doggie toys. ( Watch Video) 4/8/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZipBin® Mini Space Play Set by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

With the ZipBin® Mini Space Playset, child can keep toys neatly stored together. When unzipped, there is a colorful planet and a space station ready for fantasy play. When play is done, capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes one astronaut and space shuttle and also serves as a travel toy. 4/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Playmobil Suburban Life - Kitchen with Dinette Set by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The Playmobil Kitchen with Dinette Set is great for use with Playmobil Suburban Life play sets. The Playmobil Kitchen is packed with accessories that allow the figures to put away groceries in the cupboards or fridge, make a meal on the stove, and serve and eat it at the dinette. Launch date: 2010. 4/6/2010 (Price: $35.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Calico Critters - Convertible Coupe by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This convertible allows up to six Calico Critters to travel around Cloverleaf Corners in style. The set includes 3 Whisker Cats, detachable luggage and 2 detachable baby seats with safety straps. The convertible's tires and wheel both rotate. Launch date: 2010. 4/6/2010 (Price: $49.99)

How To Train Your Dragon Movie Volcano Playset by SPIN MASTER TOYS

Fans of DreamWorks "How to Train Your Dragon" can experience the movie's excitement with this volcano playset. Kids can drop an egg into the volcano to reveal a new Dragon. They can remove the parts and assemble, then swap Dragon parts around to make new species. Set includes one volcano, one egg and one figure. Launch date: 2010. 4/5/2010 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Calico Critters - Cozy Cottage Starter Set by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This cozy cottage comes fully assembled and ready to play with everything you need for hours of pretend play fun with Calico Critters. This play set comes equipped with over 10 furniture pieces & accessories including: Bell Hopscotch Rabbit, bed with matching sheets, round table with chairs, kitchen counter with sink & oven, movable ladder for easy access to each floor, cookware and food. Launch date: 2010.
— "We also see a lot of interest in the Calico Critter playhouses - there is quite a variety of them," Suzi McMullen, manager of e-commerce at Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in a June 2013 survey.
— Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that the Calico Critters Cozy Cottage is one of their best-selling play sets. 3/24/2010 (Price: $49.99)

Thomas Early Engineers Busy Day on Sodor Roundhouse Set by RC2 BRANDS

This Thomas and Friends train playset has been designed so that it can be used with or without the normal Thomas Wooden Railway gauged track, but has oversized engines for little hands can easily grasp and manouvre. The set includes two destinations for Thomas to visit on Sodor Island: Maithwaite Station and Crossing Gate. Launch date: February 2010. 3/19/2010 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Toy Story 3 Lotso’s Dump Truck by LEGO

LEGO's construction play sets and figures feature classic and new characters from Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3. In this play set, builders help Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear drive around the day care center in his toy dump truck. 3/17/2010 (Price: $19.99)

Toy Story 3 Western Train by LEGO

LEGO's construction play sets and figures feature classic and new characters from Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3. The Toy Story 3 Western Train serves up many adventures as builders help Woody, Buzz and Jessie fight their way into the train and get everyone off safely. ( Watch Video) 3/17/2010 (Price: $79.99)

Plastic Ball Tosser by CHINA TOYBIZ.CN

Kids and parents can toss the ball to have fun with their pets. Launch date: January 25, 2010. 3/10/2010 (Price: $3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

LEGO® CITY FIRE ZipBin® Large Toy Box Playmat by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

When unzipped, it becomes an activity center perfect for buildings and fire fighters with LEGO Bricks. When play is done, four quick zips and all the bricks are captured inside. The LEGO® CITY FIRE ZipBin® Large Toy Box Playmat features cut handles and fabulous artwork. It is designed to be sturdy, strong, stackable and portable. LEGO blocks are not included. LEGO, The LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2009 LEGO Group. "It is a large playmat that zips up into a sturdy, portable, toy box that has amazing artwork," Robin Leighty, Marketing and Sales Specialist, Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010. ( Watch Video) 3/10/2010 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Twinkles Magnetic Fun® Mini Tins by LEE PUBLICATIONS

Dress up these stylish young girls in a variety of outfits. Each tin consists of 2 characters printed on the tin, activity card to be used on the tin and 1 sheet of magnets. 3/9/2010 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney/Pixar's Toy Story Magnetic Fun® Tin by LEE PUBLICATIONS

Andy's friends are out of the toy box. Woody and Buzz are ready to round them up for another adventure! Each tin includes a colorful play scene printed on the inside of the tin, 1 additional colorful play scene (2 cards) and 3 sheets of magnets. ( Watch Video) 3/5/2010 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animal Stackers Sea X-Plorer by TIER TOYS

This ship hoists a yellow submachine attached by hook and rope for imaginative journeys through the depths of the ocean. The boat’s nine built-in layers of storage space contain 44 figures, including deep-sea divers, shipwrecked items and various forms of sea life. A bonus DVD is included with the story of Captain Nemo plus interactive sea games. Launch date: April 2010.
Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products ( Watch Video) 3/4/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animal Stackers Dog House by TIER TOYS

This stack-and-play dog house comes complete with fencing, dog cages, feeding dishes, a main dog house, a variety of pups, a cat, a bunny and a bird. There are 44 accessories in eight stackable layers of storage that create this imaginative play environment. A bonus DVD is included with the story of B-I-N-G-O and interactive games. Launch date: April 2010. 3/4/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bake & Decorate Cupcake Set by MELISSA & DOUG

Kids can use the icing tube-shaped dry-erase markers to color four wooden cupcakes that come with a baking tray, cupcake sleeves and decorative wooden candles. The package measures 10.5" x 13.25" x 3.13".
— Play food sets and cutting food from Melissa & Doug were named as a best-selling wooden toy by seven of 38 retailers in February 2010. "The Melissa & Doug cupcake set did really well," Lesa Smith of Whiz Kid Toys in San Luis Obispo, Calif., told TDmonthly.
― Michael McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 that the Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set is his best-selling playset. “One of my employees absolutely loves it,” he said of what helps drive sales.
― “All year, [the best seller] is food sets from Melissa & Doug,” said Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., when asked about his top-selling playsets and activity kits during an April 2010 interview.
― Six of 43 retailers listed Melissa & Doug as their top supplier of playsets in April 2010. ( Watch Video) 2/24/2010 (Price: $19.99)

My STORYBOOK Castle Edition by STORYBOOK TOYS INC.

This multi-paneled portable play space can be toted around as a book but opens up to reveal themed scenes that create a large, personal play area for children. Kids can fold out the panels all around them and play with toys and accessories inside the impromptu play area.The cardboard and paper is made from 100-percent recycled material, and the glossy, UV-cured outer layers are designed to prevent fading and offer a dry-erase surface. The Castle Edition has 15+ panels with a suggested retail price of $39.99 to $42.99. Launch date: May 2010. 2/19/2010 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bowling Play Set by ESCO TOYS

Bowl at home with ten 9" pins and two 4" bowling balls. 2/18/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Girl's Wild West Play Set by ESCO TOYS

10pc girl's wild west play set includes two 8" clicker guns, holsters, badge, and more. Comes in a 8"x13" blister card. 2/18/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

makedo™ - Kit for One by REEVES INTL. INC.

Encouraging kids to reuse, recycle and be creative, makedo kits include connectors that help fashion masterpieces out of cardboard and other objects. The Kit for One houses 69 pieces, including 30 pins, 30 clips, eight hinges, a construction tool and an inspiration poster. Watch makedo: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., thought the makedo line "clever" at Toy Fair 2010.
— Susan Stephenson, The Book Chook, called Makedo “beautifully thought out.” Although she found the cutting tool less effective than scissors, she loved the value and limitless possibilities of a set that uses what would otherwise be junk.
— Makedo was a Readers’ Choice Winner for TreeHugger’s Best of Green Awards. 2/17/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]