We want you to see the toys we see, so you can determine if they're right for your store! Check this space every weekday to see brief video clips of new specialty products. To see OLLO World robot kits and more, visit Toy Videos of the Day for April 2010.
Crocodile Chris’s large, grinning face makes for some great fun. Add his jingly bell, offset wooden wheels and non-removable, twistable head and he’s not the only one who will be smiling.
Out of the pages of Tanpopo, a story of a young girl who makes a pact with a devil, by Camilla d'Errico, Kuro comes to life as an adorable 15 cm collectible plush. He's cute, he's evil, and he'll bring a smile to your face. Limited to only 1500 pieces.
Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay is an all-natural play clay scented with organic essential oils and available in six scents, including soothing lavender, relaxing chamomile and tension-easing bergamot. "I'm confident there is no other product like Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay currently on the market," Mama Made It owner Kari Erickson-Valenzuela told TDmonthly. "It is high quality, 100-percent natural, gluten-free, beautifully colored using only natural ingredients and subtly scented for aromatherapy with the highest quality organic essential oils. It's lovely." Awards: 2009 Goddard Systems Best Green Toys Under $30.00. Launch date: 2009.
Shoulder Buddies are a collectible, educational accessory that kids can wear on their shoulders, backpacks, hats, etc. Shoulder Buddies are packaged with a collectible "Smarts" card that teaches their "Smarts" through an easy-to-remember acronym. A "Shoulder Buddies Coin" is also included, which is used to attach them to your shoulder. They also have a hole on their back so that kids can attach them to their backpacks with a keychain, which is also included with the product. There's also a book that corresponds to the Shoulder Buddy characters. "Shoulder Buddies are very unique because they are an adorable character that can be worn on the shoulder," Jeaneen & Kevin Muller, Managing Members, Shoulder Fun USA, LLC, told TDmonthly. "They definitely attract attention when wearing them and our variety of characters each have a different learning message that comes with them." Launch date: October 2009.
Feeling crabby? This brilliantly colored Hermit Crab puppet can cheer you up in a pinch! With his bright orange body and soft patterned shell, he'll sidle blithely into your heart. Slip your hand inside his underside to animate legs and pincers. Hermit Crab puppet is 13” long, is recommended for ages 3 and up and has an M.S.R.P. of $24.
The Best Party Game is a provocative adult board game that challenges players to get out of their social comfort zone with personal questions and crazy activities. It’s not about trivia, or strategy, or guessing; it’s all about what’s true for you. Not for the faint of heart, the questions and activities here are specifically designed to make everyone squirm.
VdoBug is a DVD remote for children which easily programs to the adult DVD player allowing children to move between interactive pages or chapters of our compatible DVDs. Each compatible DVD comes with a picture cutout with a scene from each chapter which fits under the 10 large buttons so children can easily recognize their favorite chapter.
This two-in-one kit for "Following Directions" and "ABCs and Simple Shapes" was developed by an occupational therapist and contains 20 hands-on games in a no-spill carrying case. It's designed to get children prepared for school through activities such as ABC fishing, letter building, turn taking, coloring on bumpy line pages to enhance concentration, and more. It comes with an illustrated guide for parents.
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.
Squeek, The Monster of Innocence, is afraid to try new things. He hides in his cozy bubble dreaming of all he could do if he just stepped outside. But what happens if Squeek's Bubble takes the step for him? Join Squeek through his whimsical adventures in "The Monster in the Bubble." "The WorryWoo Monsters are a first-of-a-kind series where quirky characters embody individual emotions," Andi Green, CEO, Monsters In My Head LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
This high-fashion pooch doubles as a cute coin purse, decked out in rose-embossed, silk-like fabric. The small zippered compartment is designed to hold a bit of makeup and cash, and opens with the bone-cross zipper pull. The Frenchie wristlet measures about 5" long.
ThriveTime for Teens is the first-of-its-kind money and life reality board game just for teens. Offering a fun, interactive and family-fun approach to empowering teens with the basic financial skills, each decision in the game either drives you to thriving success or diving debt. The game delivers real-life experiences with credit cards, jobs, work/life balance, time management, charity, savings and effective communication.
This stretchy rubber band is shaped like anything, from adorable animals and pretty butterflies, to fashionable shoes, clothes and rock star shapes. Tweens can stretch them, wear them, trade them, and collect them all. "The Banditos line is so affordable, and they are the latest craze. We are going to come out with several series, and even throw in some licensed styles that are truly unique to Fashion Angels," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
Baffle! consists of a 5 x 5 grid of 25 squares on the game board, plus 25 game pieces in five shapes and colors. The player strategically places and removes pieces to accomplish the goal of each particular game. In Baffle! Classic, he must end up with a configuration in which each row, column and diagonal has a piece of each shape and a piece of each color. — At the Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., this game is a best seller, Owner Donna Frederick told TDmonthly in late November 2009.
This 24-pack of collectible, glow-in-the-dark rubber bands features the following shapes in various colors: Captain Jack the Pirate, Petey the Parrot, Crossbones, Pirate Ship, Anchor and Sword. These bands are designed to be worn around the wrist and traded. When not in use, they bounce back to their original shape.
Standing about 10" tall, this 9" pit bull pup is decked out in gray and white modacrylic fur and a fashionable striped, stretch T-shirt and leatherette jacket. He's got a diamond stud in his right ear and wears the Fuzzy Nation cross-bone puff pendant on his removable metal ball chain.
Replicas of some of the most amazing creatures in the world. Acts as a learning tool to introduce young children to the often-endangered inhabitants of our planet. Educational information in five languages is included with each replica. All products are hand-painted, phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested. Replica size: 5.25" L x 1.5" H [13.3 x 3.8 cm]. Suggested age 3+.
Crazerasers Series 2 by Fashion Angels features funky shoes and handbags, unusual food items and crazy creatures. "Series 2 is going to be limited edition, so when they are gone, they are gone! The whole eraser fad is continuing strongly, and Fashion Angels will add to the line throughout 2010," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly in December 2009. Launch date: December 15, 2009.
The Climbers is an all-wooden, 3-D strategy game for two to five players. The object is to move your climber pawn to the top of a stack of colored blocks first. On your turn, you move one of the blocks and then climb up if you can, using your ladders for the larger steps in your climb. You must stay on surfaces that are your color or gray. You can also use your blocking stone to keep a block from being moved or occupied. Most games last 30 to 45 minutes. "If you have an open box, customers will be drawn immediately to the colorful blocks, the delicately crafted ladders, the simple rules, and the high replay value," Mark Salzwedel, president and CEO of Strategic Space, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2009.
My First Sticky Mosaics brings all the fun and excitement of Sticky Mosaics to pre-schoolers. The shape-to-color matching system allows easy creation of 5 favorite pretty things. — Two of 40 specialty retailers mentioned Sticky Mosaics when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009.
This giant floor puzzle is full of colorful, adorable dogs. Each puppy has style, attitude and class. The puzzle is 2" x 3" when completed.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 27383 (added 2/26/2010)
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Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. 
