Toy Industry News for May 2013 — Sony and Lego join forces to blur the lines between blocks and video games ...read more toy news from May 2013

Kids can Whipple up 12 treats including cupcakes and pies. The set includes a two-tiered "cake," which doubles as a keepsake box that can be decorated with crème and dazzle with rhinestones and beads. Great for parties and take home "treats."

Ten cups to stack or nest are great companions to water and sand play.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that these stacking cups are among her store's best-selling bath toys.

Stomp it, launch it, catch it! This Rocket Zoomer comes with 2 soft, safe foam rockets to send flying through the air. Load a rocket onto the base and stomp on the pump to shoot the rocket straight up with the force of air. Includes a sturdy, easy to assemble base and one 5" and one 6.5" rocket.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Rocket Zoomers are their best selling outdoor toy.

This mighty music maker (with an easy-carry handle) lights up as kids rock. Jam on a 24-note keyboard with a choice of 8 instrument sounds, 4 percussion sounds and 8 different rhythms. It even records and plays back compositions. Approx. 7'L x 15'W x 2'H. Made of plastic. Requires 3 'AA' batteries (included).
— Andrea Scartozzi from Hardware Toys in Paoli. Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2012 survey that they sold 6 of this keyboard during the holiday season.

The Sing Along Star Microphone makes singing fantastic fun. Kids can hear their voice amplified, enjoy backing music and also see cool lights flash as they sing to their heart's content. At the end of the show, the pink Sing Along Star Microphone adds clapping and cheering. Children can use the microphone's extending stand to sing along while playing an instrument with their hands, or making extravagant hand actions. They can also take the Sing Along Star Microphone off the stand to dance while they sing.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that microphones were their bestselling musical toys.

Kids can be their own rock star with the cool Rock Star guitar. 8 buttons on the fret board make tunes and sounds, and there's a rhythm button, three songs and a demo, a swing bar to pull, light-up strumming section and lots of fun effects. Comes with cool glasses and hands free mic.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that ELC musical toys from International Playthings were there bestsellers.

The younger kids can now hop to their hearts content. Our jumper is made from soft, durable foam and has a stretchy bungee cord that accommodates any height and can support up to 250 lbs. Soft grip handles make the jumping comfy, and kids will love expending all that energy.

Kids can invent their own mosaics with this Fantacolor Portable or copy those in the included design manual. The possibilities are endless with the 300 square and triangular pegs that are included. The various colors of red, blue, yellow, green, and orange pegs allow kids to create detail in their designs. Store all the pieces in the easy-to-carry case with the lid.

Chunky shapes building set encourages imagination, logic abilities, fine motor skills. Over 75 sturdy pieces designed for small hands. Items created hold together for play. Fun to construct, take apart and rebuild. Includes nuts and bolts, chunky shapes, screwdriver, wrench. Instructions show fun configurations for assembly.

Over 15 feet of flexible track that can be constructed an infinite number of ways. More than 240 pieces are included. Comes with 2 battery operated cars. Track features a multi-directional connector, a turnaround, and an elevator.

The Calico Critters Motorcycle and Sidecar Playset includes Marvin & Maggie Mulberry Racoons, goggles, 8 bumper stickers, 2 driver licenses, 2 maps, magazine, motorcycle manual and club membership card. With 2 helmets and motorcycle straps for safety. The motorcycle steers & tires rotate. Features two compartments for storage.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? With this Early Years Chicken 'n Egg Stackers from International Playthings, the answer is both. Kids will learn to build a tower of brightly-colored, "egg-spressive" oval chickens with four two-piece eggs that nest together or stack towards the sky. This developmental toy will engage tiny tots as they play and build their fine motor skills and eye hand coordination.

When Cloverleaf Corners moms and dads go off to work, they drop their little ones off at the International Playthings Calico Critters Rainbow Nursery for a fun day of learning and play. This nursery day care center features a music room with a grand piano, a reading room with story books, a 2nd floor playroom with a fabulous slide to the ground, and a rainbow roof and balcony. This 9.5 x 8 x 10.5 inch playset also comes with a bench, clothing rack, toy cubbies, table, 4 chairs, 2 ladders, 3 building blocks, 2 notebooks, 6 headbands, 3 caps, music sheet, scenery board, stand for scenery board, and decorative stickers.

The Sights N Sounds Splash Table is great entertainment for toddlers 18 months and older. Lights, sounds and plenty of action are in store on this light-weight table that lets kids scoop, strain and spin. This kids water table is great for warm summer days, or can be used inside as well.

Allows children to learn about cause and effect and simple principles of mechanics. Build a base by attaching the interlocking plates and attach gears to form a chain reaction. Turn the handle to set everything in motion. Soft plastic with round edges, totally unbreakable and safe. 80 pieces.

Build a burger higher and higher with toppings without making it fall. The wobbly plate is placed on the table and a bun is put on it. Players take turns rolling the die to see how many ingredients to add to the super sandwich. With every turn the burger towers higher. Enhance logic and reasoning skills as well as fine motor skills. Can be played as a cooperative game or a competitive game. Contains 14 burger parts, game die, and plate.

Gloria is very sociable and loves being the center of attention. Norma loves playing in the snow with her brother and sister. Elijah loves to go swimming and dancing, especially tap dancing. Calico Critters are posable, with jointed arms and legs, and heads that turn. All Critters come with high quality clothing, that is removable.

Penelope loves being outside and riding her tricycle. Peter is a fantastic brother and is always looking after his sisters. Patricia can spend the whole day playing in the baby sandbox. Calico Critters are poseable, with jointed arms and legs, and heads that turn. All Critters come with high quality clothing, that is removable.

The lovable Calico Critters can now vacation in style and comfort with the Calico Critters Caravan Family Camper. Part of the greater Calico Critters series of toys, the Caravan Family Camper is a fun collectible that complements other Calico Critters locales and accessories. Includes a well-stocked large kitchen, a spacious bathroom, plenty of storage and room for 4 to sleep. Over 35 accessories including round table, plates, cups, utensils, pots, pan, sleeping bags, maps, "board games", iron, soap, towel & more. Caravan measures: 17" x 9 1/2" x 13 1/2" opened, 7 1/4" x 11 1/2" x 7 1/4" closed.

This Soft purse includes pretend accessories, such as a wallet, debit card, lipstick, keys, mirror and cell phone.

Squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights. Each animal's nose lights up when switched on. Side lever stores inside the body—release and squeeze to charge up the light.
— June Hargrove, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in September 2011 that they sell 12 of this item each month.