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

Misty 'n Molly by WOW TOYS

This set includes a stable with a rotating pony feeder, a horse and a girl figurine. Children can play with best friends Misty and Molly, and can “twist the cockerel to turn the clicking trough and feed Misty her favorite meal,” according to Wow Toys PR Manager Tanya Laperouse. Launch date: February 2007. 2/1/2007 (Price: $14.99)

Scenery Book by BRIGHT PATH ENTERPRISES

The beautifully illustrated scenery book, with its pop-up features, becomes the set for the stage. Simply flip the page and you have changed the set for the next scene. 1/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fashion Dollhouse Set by KIDKRAFT

Perfectly sized for most fashion dolls, this large dollhouse is filled with wooden furniture, and is brightly finished in trendy colors of hot pink, lime and lavender. The fashion dollhouse set includes a secret attic under the flip-top roof, three floors (excluding attic) including living room, kitchen, den, bedroom and bathroom, and 18 pieces of wooden furniture, some with fabric detail. The house weighs 39 lbs. and measures 32 ½” x 13 ½” x 51” H.
― Kelly Rummelhart of Ruby Q’s in Gridley, Calif., told TDmonthly in spring 2007 that she’s had “great experiences” with KidKraft. 1/9/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Riding School by TOP SHELF HOLDINGS LLC

Children love to "saddle up" with this colorful equestrian playset, which comes ready-to-play with four realistic horses with bridles and removable English saddles, two jumps, one saddle horse, and four flexible wooden equestrian dolls. The buildings feature five working doors and the roof pieces can be removed for plenty of "indoor" and "outdoor" play. The set assembles in minutes without screws or hardware. Launch date: March 1, 2007.
— “This year Top Shelf Holdings LLC has pushed the envelope of our ‘ready-to-play playset’ concept by combining different materials and components — whatever is necessary to make the perfect equestrian playset,” Eric Meade of Top Shelf Holdings told TDmonthly. "Heritage Playsets includes all the figures, animals and other accessories that a child would need to play with the playset immediately." 1/5/2007 (Price: $99.95)

Nilo Theasel by NILO TOYS

The Theasel is a magnetic dry erase board, art board, felt board and puppet theatre all in one. The portable product locks into a Nilo brand table but works on any flat surface, table, bed or floor. Thanks to its pint-sized design, it will stay in the home and be used every single day. It comes with an art paper roll holder, four dry-erase markers, an eraser, four jumbo magnetic buttons to hold art paper on the board, a set of 2" wooden magnetic letters and numbers, and 10, 12" X 12" squares of different colored felt to cut patterns. It features a 24" x 24" board and is made of solid hardwood, built to last. 1/5/2007 (Price: $79.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jet Plane by PLAYMOBIL INC.

The jet contains room for cargo and passengers, movable seating for more cargo space, mobile doors and four figurines with luggage. "Reality playsets are a feature of Playmobil," Playmobil Inc. Advertising and Marketing Manager Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. Launch date: August 2007. 1/4/2007 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Skate Park with Halfpipe by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Kids can grind the halfpike, shred the railings or gleam the cube in their very own skate park. The set includes four figures with skateboards and helmets, orange cones, a toxic waste barrel and accessories. This product was selected for the Parents Magazine "Toys of the Year 2007" guide. 1/4/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Forest Lodge by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Kick up your heels after a long day of exploring with this fun-filled forest lodge set. comes with the lodge, a family of four, farm animals, birds, a tree fort, deer care center and accessories for hours of enjoyment. This product received a 2007 Excellent Product iParenting Media Award. ( Watch Video) 1/4/2007 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Arena by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Engage your gladiators with competition in the arena. Features include audience seating with trap doors to the lions cages, wide gate and large battle area. Also comes with eight figures, two lions, a double-harness chariot and lots of accessories for hours of fun. "Playmobil toys allow the child's imagination to soar, while playing and learning!" Michelle Winfrey, advertising and marketing manager of Playmobil Inc., told TDmonthly. This product is a winner of the 2007 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: August 2007.
— The Roman arena includes a lot of little pieces to assemble, but it’s also a lot of fun to play with, offering opportunities for creative play with characters and animals that come to life in a sizeable play space. It earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for its detailed figurines and accessories, its playful recreation of an historic landmark, as well as Playmobil’s widespread, positive reputation with specialty stores.
— This Roman arena and accompanying accessories are best sellers for Brain Station and Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., Owners Hans and Tricia Masing told TDmonthly in fall 2007.
— “I’m a big fan of Playmobil,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly, “especially in today’s environment of toy recalls.”

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

( Watch Video) 1/4/2007 (Price: $89.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hospital by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Selected for Parents Magazine's "Toys of the Year 2007" guide, this playset allows kids to care for the sick residents of their own little town. This new hospital includes several figures, functional elevator, adjustable operating table with light, movable patient's bed, reception area, children and babies' sections and tons of accessories. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award, 2007 iParenting Media Award and 2007 Oppenheim Gold Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. ( Watch Video) 1/4/2007 (Price: $159.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZipBinŽ Train Depot Play Set by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

The ZipBin Softie Train Depot is a soft-sided, train depot-shaped and decorated carrying case that converts to a village and train yard playscape. The tracks on the playscape match the popular wooden trains. A Country Stable bin is also available in the Softie line. This product was previously catalogued under the name ZipBin® Softie™ Train Depot Playscape (changed January 2009).
— “The manageably sized shape of the bin now conforms to the concept... and second, the products are soft-sided, adding a tactile sense of delight,” Gerry Linda, director of marketing for Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly about the product’s distinctiveness. “All ZipBin products are characterized by the unique convertibility from bin/storage form to playscape and back.” Launch date: February 2007. (Watch Spanish Video) ( Watch Video) 1/4/2007 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]