TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Arts & Crafts Product Category

Draw Write Now Boxed Set by BARKER CREEK PUBLISHING

Our top selling Draw Write Now series is a great way to develop students’ writing, drawing, and reading skills. Our Draw Write Now books each have 21 theme related drawing and writing lessons with easy to follow step-by-step instructions on 64 full color pages. Each drawing lesson has four handwriting practice sentences that relate to the drawing as well as questions that prompt discussion. This set includes all 8 of the books in our Draw Write Now series. "Integrates reading, handwriting and art in a multifunctional and fun way," Candi Thoresen, in customer service at Barker Creek Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001. 7/26/2012 (Price: $109.99)

Thinking Putty Super Illusions by CRAZY AARON ENTERPRISES, INC.

Thinking Putty is high quality silicone bouncing putty enhanced with knock-your-socks-off colors. It is all Made in the USA, non-toxic, and never dries out. The three new Super Illusions are unbelievably vibrant colors that shift depending on how the light hits them. The dynamic colors shine like no others: when held up to the light and pulled thin, the colors magically disappear and kids can see right through them. Launch date: June 2012.
— Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Thinking Putty is one of her best sellers in the tween category. 7/19/2012 (Price: $13.50)

Savvi Large Licensed Paint Sheet Kits by SAVVI

These fun activity kits provide hours of entertainment. Each kit includes 16 Magic Paint Posters, 50 temporary tattoos and 25 stickers. The Magic Paint Palettes are printed directly on each paint poster and are activated with water for mess-free painting with a paintbrush, cotton swab, or even your finger! Available in Hello Kitty, Scooby-Doo, and Spider-Man. Launch date: August 2012. 7/19/2012 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Savvi Small Licensed Magic Paint Posters by SAVVI

Kids can paint their favorite characters, including Hello Kitty, Batman, Pillow Pets, and Scooby-Doo. Magic paint palettes are printed directly on the paper and activated with water. Kids can paint with a cotton swab, paintbrush, or their finger. This unique, no-mess craft activity is great for travel. Each item includes 12 paint sheets. Launch date: September 2012. 7/19/2012 (Price: $1.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrinky Dinks Fashion Boutique by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Kids can design and decorate their own fashion boutique. Sturdy cardboard fashion dolls come ready to dress and decorate with 50+ pre-cut Shrinky Dinks¸ fashions. This complete set includes Faber-Castell colored pencils, Playscape, 7 fashion dolls, Shrinky Dinks, character stands and a sharpener. The Playscape measures 8 3/4"h x 15 1/2"w x 7.25"d.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner 7/18/2012 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rhinestone Rings by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Kids can make a dozen dimensional rings, perfect to wear and share. This is also a great party activity. Layer 90+ printed acetate and chipboard flourishes with rhinestones and glitter gel accents onto 12 metal ring bases. This kit includes a sweet 6" diameter foam flower ring holder.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Sterling Fun Award Winner; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal 7/18/2012 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Putty Peeps - The Putty with Personality by COLOR YOUR TIME INC

Putty Peeps is a new kind of putty which has unique properties no other putty has. When the putty is played and heated from the warmth of your hands, it will act as a solid and can be stretched, shaped, squished, snapped and bounced. When the putty is left to rest it will immediately begin to take on a liquid form and will seem to melt like ice cream however the putty will not be wet or sticky.    In addition to the unique properties of the putty, Putty Peeps adds extra play value by providing high quality realistic color eyes. Children can insert the eyes into the putty to make the product come alive. Kids can now create countless Putty Peep friends to shape and twist them in their own unique ways, strengthening a child’s imagination  Putty Peeps include the following lines; Metallic color line (Red, Blue, Green, Purple and Silver). Glow in the Dark line (Glow Blue, Glow Green, and Glow Yellow). Heat Sensitive Color Changing line (Green to Yellow, Purple to Blue, Orange to Yellow, Purple to Pink). Launch date: February 2012. 7/10/2012 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Portfolio For Boys by ROYLCO INC

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Portfolio For Girls by ROYLCO INC

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Portfolio Coloring Kit by ROYLCO INC

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sensory Sensations Finger Painting Kit by ROYLCO INC

Have a sensory extravaganza with the Sensory Sensations Finger Painting Kit. Add textures to finger paint to create gritty, squishy, or spongy sensations. This multitasking kit has diverse benefits for all children, especially those with sensory challenges. Uses a Sensory Sensations Finger Painting Kit to exercise fine motor skills, talk about texture and build vocabulary, learn about senses, and enhance sensory experience. The kit includes 2 oz. each nontoxic finger paint in red, blue, green, and yellow; 6 gentle and safe tactile additives; a plastic palette tray; 2 mixers and paper. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dip & Print Sponge Painting Kit by ROYLCO INC

Keep children creatively engaged with the Dip & Print Sponge Painting Kit. Use this kit to experiment with colors and print techniques, develop gross and fine motor skills, explore color theory, and stimulate visual development. Roylco’s Dip & Print Sponge Painting Kit comes with easy-to-clean sponges in 15 popular shapes; 2 oz. each nontoxic finger paint in red, blue, green, and yellow; 4 bowls for dipping; 2 mixers; and 24 sheets of paper. There are 49 pieces and all. This product is suitable for children ages four and older. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Steps4Kids to Draw (DVD) by Steps4Kids, LLC

The Steps4Kids to Draw DVD provides approximately 90 minutes of video modeling to help viewers learn how to draw animals, people, shapes and things. Excellent tool to help children feel successful with art. Video modeling is shown at a pace that helps children learn how to draw animals (farm, house, water and zoo animals - total 20), people (faces, profiles, clothes), shapes (circle, square, triangle, rhombus/diamond, cube and star) and things (bike, car, flowers, etc.). Launch date: July 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tub-Art Pirate Set by EDUSHAPE LTD.

Tub-Art Pirate provides great bath/pool time fun and memories. Comes complete with four non-toxic soap crayons, a toddler safe, "What would I look like if I were a Pirate?" Hi-Def mirror and 2 large double sided pirate themed Edu-Foam drawing pads, all of which adhere to tiles when wet. Canyons simply wipes clean with water and is also great for drawing on tile, mirror and glass. Launch date: March 2012.
— As of 09/17/2012 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The crayons work well; the pirate mirror is a fun accessory. Cons: The foam coloring pieces are very difficult to erase. 7/5/2012 (Price: $16.5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chalktrail by FAT BRAIN TOY CO.

Healthy riding colors the world beautiful. Creativity for sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. Hook Chalktrail® to a bike, then get riding. Draw figure eights, wavy meandering paths, perfect circles, fascinating designs by retracing the same route again and again in succession. It’s freshly invigorating, beautiful play. Works with all bike sizes and training wheels. Includes highly durable Chalktrail® connector  Easy on, easy off - no tools or parents required. Comes with one piece non-toxic, washable chalk. Launch date: August 2012. 7/5/2012 (Price: $19.95)

Show Me a Story by STOREY PUBLISHING

Children love to make up stories, and these 40 creative projects and activities encourage them to free their storytelling instincts. Younger children will love making story stones and a storytelling jar, and then will love using them to create stories of their own, while older kids will enjoy word grab bags, story walks, and journaling exercises. For everyone ages 5 to 12, whatever their reading level, this book has everything needed to spark an infinite number of child-created stories. 144 pages. Launch date: September 2012. 7/2/2012 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eco Wedge Crayons 12 Ct by HEALTH SCIENCE LABS

Bright, colorful, 100% natural crayon wedges that last. 12 colors, kids will love using these multi-surfaced crayons for all of their coloring activities. Each crayon has 4 writing points and multiple surfaces to use for different width lines. Makes coloring large areas a snap. Easy to hold for artists with small hands.
— As of 09/05/2012 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 1 review on AbesMarket.com. Pros: "Nice packaging. The bright, rich colors remind me of chalk or pastels, not run-of-the-mill crayons;" Cons: "Greasy-feeling crayons leave pigment on hands as hands and crayons warm up. As one colors an area, some of the crayon comes off in clumps and curls." 7/2/2012 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wet-Erase Coloring Kit by HEALTH SCIENCE LABS

The Wet-Erase coloring kit comes with 3 stone paper coloring scenes and a set of patented wet-erase crayons that wipe off with a damp cloth for multiple use. Launch date: 2012. 6/27/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Desk to Easel Art Cart by GUIDECRAFT INC.

Children as young as three can explore their creativity with this classic, versatile arts and crafts unit, which can be positioned as an angled easel or folded down into a flat workspace. Features easy-to-clean laminate surfaces, a write-on/wipe-off surface, a chalkboard and plenty of storage space. 6/22/2012 (Price: $199.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magic Yarn Twister Drop Spindle by HARRISVILLE DESIGNS INC.

This handmade drop spindle lets kids take raw fleece that's been washed, dyed, and carded and then make their own yarn, to be used in various crafts. ( Watch Video) 6/21/2012

Read All About Me Activity Book by ALEX BRANDS

Kids can make a colorful book about themselves, their family, friends, school and hobbies. Color, create and bind together the 12 activity sheets to create this unique book. Crayons, markers, glue, glitter, scissors, and 24 additional sheets of construction paper are included.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys 6/19/2012 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Sandbox by ALEX BRANDS

Feeling the sand and moving it to expose the colors underneath stimulates the senses of young children. As their coordination improves, they will find new ways to manipulate the sand. Wooden sandbox comes with 3 tools and a clear acrylic bottom. Use the art on either side of the reversible lid, or your own art to create colorful pictures. Sandbox measures 16' x 12' x 2.75'.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys 6/19/2012 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

M-Boxes by PLAYMAIS CANADA INC.

PlayMais is a biodegradable crafting material made from corn and colored with food coloring. It is manufactured in Germany, 100% safe, and biodegradable. PlayMais stimulates children's imagination and creativity, trains fine-motor skills, and develops social group skills. PlayMais can be shaped, squeezed, and cut — and all it takes is a little bit water to create unlimited fun. Children can build in 2 or 3 dimensions, or wherever their imagination takes them. The PlayMais M-Box contains 150 pieces, a sponge, and an instruction booklet. It is a perfect starter box. 6/14/2012 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

XM-Boxes by PLAYMAIS CANADA INC.

PlayMais is a biodegradable crafting material made from corn and colored with food coloring. It is manufactured in Germany, 100% safe, and biodegradable. PlayMais stimulates children's imagination and creativity, trains fine motor skills, and develops social group skills. PlayMais can be shaped, squeezed, cut and all it takes is a little bit water to create unlimited fun. Children can build in 2 or 3 dimensions, or wherever their imagination takes them. The PlayMais XM-Box contains 250 pieces, a sponge, a biodegradable plastic knife, and an instruction booklet. It is a perfect starter box if you want to build more and bigger creations. 6/14/2012 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Circus Theme Boxes by PLAYMAIS CANADA INC.

PlayMais is a biodegradable crafting material made from corn and colored with food coloring. It is manufactured in Germany, 100% safe, and biodegradable. PlayMais stimulates children's imagination and creativity, trains fine motor skills, and develops social group skills. PlayMais can be shaped, squeezed, cut and all it takes is a little bit water to create unlimited fun. Children can build in 2 or 3 dimensions, or wherever their imagination takes them. 6/14/2012 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]