The collector’s set teaches kids about maritime signaling techniques in a vivid and interactive way. The set includes a 60-page book full of colorful photos and fascinating information, two playing card decks, two full-color posters, two Morse code flashers, two replica semaphore training dials and more. The book even comes with a special flipbook feature. Launch date: 2007.

The simple and fun kit contains 20 balloons, a balloon pump and an 80-page instruction book.  Step-by-step photos and instructions help users create a variety of balloon shapes, including a dinosaur, teddy bear with a tulip, rabbit, elephant, ram, octopus, mouse, giraffe, dog and lovebirds. Additional balloons and pump refills are available separately. Launch date: October 2004.

The kit contains skeleton pieces that allow kids to create their very own dinosaur. Six different dinosaurs are available in the line: Mammoth, Pteranodon, Triceratops, Stegasaurus, Velciraptor and Tyrannosaurus. Six boxes come in each display case. Launch date: January 2007.

The complete, one-piece silk costume comes with hood wings and a tail. The costume features a Velcro closure at the neck, allowing kids to easily get in and out of the costume themselves. The costume’s soft silk material is comfortable and itch-free. A dragon costume is also available. Launch date: December 2007.

The soft and shiny silk princess dress comes with flowing, georgette silk sleeves and a matching hat. The combination is available in pink and rainbow, or turquoise and lavender. The MSRP is $20-$65. Launch date: February 2008.

The kit allows anyone to create a variety of spheres. The unique shape and clever angles of the block pieces opens an infinite possibility for hours of creative fun for children and adults. Children will love the fun snapping noise when piecing the parts together. Various LaQ kits with moving parts are also available. Launch date: May 1, 2008.

The colorful jewelry set comes in a handy wooden box and includes five laces and more than 150 beads in a variety of shapes, colors and patterns. Kids can create an array of necklaces and bracelets.
— “I like the new travel and craft kits by Melissa & Doug. We sell at least one a week,” Bob Colbert, owner of The Toy Box in Searcy, Ark., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Craft kits by Melissa & Doug,” Kathy Byrd, owner of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Ala., told TDmonthly in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling kit her store.
— In April 2008, more than 5 percent of the 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out craft kits by Melissa & Doug as best-selling craft kits.

Kids can design and paint their own ceramic beads and create personalized bracelets, necklaces and keychains. The kit includes 16 square beads, 10 shaped beads, two large heart pendants, six ceramic paints, two brushes, two keychain accessories, glass seed beads, ball chains, elastic and easy instructions. This item is an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner.
—  “Any arts and craft kits by Alex sell really well,” Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Our best-selling craft kits are bead kits by Alex. …[We sell] at least three or four every day,” Gary Timmerding, manager of Johnny’s Toys in Covington, Ky., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— Over one-fourth of the 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 named Alex kits as  best-selling kits in their stores.

Kids can create their own beautiful handbag with this kit, which comes with a canvas purse, adhesive gems, more than 160 precut, sticky fabric shapes and easy instructions. This product is an iParenting Media Award winner.
— “Alex is our number one activity set … [and] make-your-own purse is good right now,” Joyce Matthews, owner of Just 4 Fun in St. Simon’s Island, Ga., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— In April 2008, Steve Ricks, owner of My Story House Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly that his store sells “maybe one a day” of this particular item.
— Six of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in spring 2008 singled out this particular item as the best-selling kit in their stores.

The kit comes in a heart-shaped keepsake box and includes materials and instructions on how to make 25 heart-themed projects, including a stuffed bear, treasure box, brooch and heart garland. Kids can use the materials for cardmaking, scrapbooking, sewing, embroidery and beading.  “Hearts & Crafts is a unique craft kit, with colorful high quality components, clear and easy instructions,” Alex-Panline USA Inc. Director of Communications Elin Kabo told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

The kit lets kids create colorful, silkscreen art on t-shirts, bags and cards. The kit comes with 14 stencil designs, silk sheets, four bright ink colors, a bandana and simple instructions. Refill kits are available separately.  “ALEX kits include stylish stencil designs, brightly colored inks and quality components. Instructions are clear and easy!” Alex-Panline USA Inc. Director of Communications Elin Kabo told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

This is a replica of the ceremonial arch standing at the top of the Champs Élysées, commemorate Napoleon's victories. The replica measures 6-1/2” x 3-1/2” x 6-1/2” when assembled.

The Parisian family weekend house is a well-known architectural presentation of the international style. The model is made on a 1:200 scale and is available with either white or dark gray windows. The replica measures 8-1/2” x 7-12” x 4” when assembled.

This is a replica of the Notre Dame du Haut, a chapel designed by world famous Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier. The model is designed on a 1:175 scale and measures 10” x 8” x 5-1/2” when assembled.

The set includes 4,000 beads, two large square pegboards, 11 bead supports, a color-printed design sheet, instructions and ironing paper. Kids can use the kit to create four cars. “Hama offers the best quality beads for ironing – [it] stands up to all safety tests!” Hama – Malte haanic Plastic A/S Export Manager Steen Fabian Jensen told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

The set includes 6,000 beads, three large square pegboards, a color-printed design sheet, instructions and ironing paper. Kids can create two large ponies, a girl and small accessories. Launch date: April 2008.

Kits include the Funky Groovy Tie Dye Kit and the Large Tie Dye Kit. The Funky Groovy Tie Dye Kit contains three primary colors of Procion MX dye in applicator bottles, gloves, rubber bands, soda ash and written instructions. Enough product to do up to 5 shirts. The Large Tie Dye Kit dyes up to 15 adult T-shirts and contains primary colors of pre-measured procion dye powder in applicators, soda ash dye fixer, rubber bands, rubber gloves, an extra applicator bottle for mixing secondary colors and simple instructions. Launch Date: January 2010.

The interactive journal is based on Greg Heffley’s own “diary,” and encourages children to express themselves in a new way. The book comes complete with a full-color comics section featuring the collected cartoons of Greg Heffley and his best friend, Rowley. Launch date: October 2008.

The workbook teaches children basic budgeting and goal-setting skills, and guides them through a whole year of tracking what they earn, spend and save. “Kids wouldn't pick it, but parents would (and do),” Maureen Dolan Rosen of The Cash Management told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001.

The kit comes with four pages of line art on plastic clings, line art of a figure on clear plastic, two pattern plates with four textures each, eight colored pencils, 50 sheets punched tracing paper, a sketching pencil, a pencil sharpener, an eraser and a fine-tip pen. Launch date: August 2008.

The puzzle features 24 big, chunky pieces and four non-toxic crayons. The puzzle’s draw-and-wipe surface allows kids to draw again and again, letting their imagination flourish. The puzzle is available in six varieties and measures 12-1/2" X 15" when assembled. This item is a 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. “Scribble Puzzles keep the imagination and energy going!” Arlene Tucker of Scribble Mats told TDmonthly. “The color on- wipe off signature surface allows a child to create with crayon till infinity.” Launch date: Fall 2007.

The kit comes with a brown-eyed miss waiting to be adorned with 29 reusable sticker trinkets, bracelets, earrings, rings and more. All of the jewels are highlighted with a dash of glitter to make them extra dazzling.
 — “We sell the small sticker books by Dover and each customer buys at least two or three, so we sell 20 or 25 a month,” Beth Gandes, owner of The Toy Shop in Lexington, Ky., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Five percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 named sticker sets as one of their best-selling travel items.
— Many other sticker activity sets are available, including Little Advent Calendar, Egyptian Temple, Coral Reef, Jurassic Dinosaurs, Alice in Wonderland, Police Station and Camping Fun.

The 13-piece travel playset is based on the popular series “Bob the Builder.” Each piece is magnetized, so kids can create and recreate scenes endlessly.
— Three of 40 retailers agreed in March 2008 that Imaginetics are the best-selling travel games in their stores.
— Fifteen percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 said magnetic playsets are the best-selling travel products in their stores.
— "Any type of small travel games and magnetic stickers, such as Imaginetics," Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly in March 2008, when asked to name his best-selling travel toy.

This 40-page, pirate-themed, interactive activity book comes with an eye patch, a compass, a bandana, face paint crayons, play coins, temporary tattoos, a treasure map and more. The book measures 9” x 9”.
— “We have a whole section on travel. Alex is a big one for us,” Jane Beck, owner of B.J. Beck’s Toys in Cedarburg, Wis., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— Five percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 named Alex as the maker of the most popular travel toys.
— Pirate themes appear to be in, with over 7 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 naming a pirate-themed item as a best-selling toy in their store.

The glue pen is mess-free, offering kids the convenience of glue in a design that is easy to hold and manipulate. The pen forms a “temporary bond when clear, so kids can move around items. When the glue is blue, the bond is permanent,” Sakura of America Marketing Assistant Linda Lyon told TDmonthly.