Dado will engage your imagination and help develop a keen eye for design, color, shape, size, space, balance, proportion and composition. Constructed horizontally, vertically or nested together, Dado invites unlimited visual spatial development and problem solving through design-centered play. Dado features ten cubes, scaled from 1” to 5”. This game is "self-expression revealed through a contemporary palette of play, " Kathy Lorkovic, at Fat Brain Toys, told TDmonthly. This product has won numerous awards, including a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award, a Spring 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award, a 2007 iParenting Media Excellent Products Award and a Creative Child Preferred Choice Award. Launch date: September 1, 2006. — “Dado Cubes forms the foundation of a series of design-centered educational toys,” offered Mark Carson, developer and president of Fat Brain Toys. Dado is “that rare toy that combines intuitive fun with fine design. Equally rare is its ability to entertain young and old alike,” he added. “Beyond Dado, we have a number of products in development that have been inspired by true educational research.”
History becomes real with this calendar that features fantastic photography, detailed maps, accurate text and endless creative teaching ideas. The calendar helps individuals of all ages learn something new, build stronger relationships and get organized. It includes special references to the selected topics for 2007, First Ladies and International Landmarks. “The calendar data provides perfect prompts for classroom discussion, homeschool lesson ideas and family time conversation. The corresponding monthly newsletter and available online information bring learning to life with printable worksheets and activities,” Shannon Wallingford of Fat Brain Toy Co. told TDmonthly. This product received a Spring 2007 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. Launch date: September 1, 2006.
The Blues are the first addition to the award-winning Dado Cubes line. Dado Cubes combine art and science as players explore architectural principles — proportion, balance, structure and color. A new twist on classic building blocks, Dado Cubes engage the imagination as the slits on each cube are interlocked to create an unlimited number of three-dimensional structures. Each set features 10 cubes, scaled from 1” to 5”, capable of building structures over 32” high. They are made of durable, heavy-gauge plastic and were developed, manufactured and assembled in the U.S.A. Dado Cubes have been honored with numerous awards, including Dr. Toy's Spring 2007 Best Product Award and a Spring 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: May 2007.
The award-winning Learning Calendar is now available as a 17-month school calendar. The Learning Calendar has distinguished itself as the optimal fun learning tool for on-the-go children and adults. It’s full of activities and trivia in science, history, geography, art, politics, music, literature and culture. In addition to large-scale photography, detailed maps and historically accurate text, educators and families can find endless creative teaching possibilities. It’s easy to understand and fun for all ages. Themes for 2007-2008 include Artists, International Holidays and History Now. It received a 2007 Teachers' Choice Award for the Family and a 2007 iParenting Media Excellent Products Award. Launch date: July 23, 2007.
The colorful, 3”-flat plastic squares can be arranged to construct almost any 3-D design. The squares can be put together by even very young children, and can help them develop advanced visual-spatial development and problem-solving skills. The 35 squares can be used to build a design up to three feet high.
The high-quality, moldable putty allows children to create and recreate endlessly. “Used in conjunction with pre-writing and brainstorming activities, Brain Food channels kids’ fidget energy so they can focus mentally,” Shannon Wallingford of Fat Brain Toy Co., told TDmonthly. “Made in the USA, Brain Food is 100 percent pliable, never dries out, has no odor, has a brilliant color and is available in impressive, color-changing varieties.” Launch date: May 5, 2008.
When precision wooden shapes and vibrant color meet, expect nothing less than masterwork. Twig features natural wood, carved with care and colored with brilliance. Light plays its way through the windows of Twig - illuminating lines, contours, space and arrangement, opening the mind and imagination to new exercises in visual spatial development. Each Twig set consists of 72 wooden pieces; all are compatible with one another. The interactivity between components means limitless combinations in open-ended play. Launch date: February 2009.
The most informative calendar one will ever own, The 2009 Learning Calendar presents 17 full months of history and trivia that make learning fun. Two major themes abound, with Innovations, Inventions & Ideas, plus Best-Loved Toys. Science, geography, landmarks, sports, presidents, weather, music and more are sprinkled throughout. Large-size images, fascinating details, and time-capsule activities keep kids coming back to learn something new every day. "It's the most all-emcompassing collection of history available in one easily-accessible resource. [It] truly provides a 'mini' well-rounded education in every detailed date for more than a full year of excitement in learning," Shannon Wallingford of Fat Brain Toy Co. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
This versatile, attention-grabbing product is a twist on classic building blocks, designed to engage the imagination as the slits on each cube interlock to create an unlimited number of three-dimensional structures. The "interlocking" takes on a whole new dimension as the Cubes go Pink to connect for a cause — the company donates 10 percent of profits to cancer research on behalf of the seller. "[It's a] great promotion for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to being loaded with educational benefits, Dado Pink can be used as a centerpiece, sculpture, or design-centered art, adding to its versatility as an already-proven product. [It is] made in the USA," Shannon Wallingford of Fat Brain Toy Co. told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.
This modern construction set features 35 durable, plastics squares that measure 3" on each side and have notches on the sides that allow them to be connected. Children can build structures more than 3' high.
Inchimals is a set of 12 wooden blocks with animal images that measure from 1” in height (ladybug) to 12” high (giraffe). They can be combined with the 100 write on/wipe off math puzzles for kids to practice counting, number values and recognition, fine motor skills, language and more. Launch date: Spring 2010.
Each box set contains 24 Reptangles in green, yellow, orange, red, purple and blue that can be snapped and slid together in more than 100 ways. The turtles connect at various angles and come with an activity book with 40+ puzzles to encourage kids to think about geometric concepts and design as they build. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.
Dado Planks by Fat Brain Toy Co. are made of recycled plastic, feature notches which can connect and interlock with other peices for different configurations. Standard planks in various colors are also included. Dado Planks are interchangeable and can be used with all the other plank building systems. Set includes 106 pieces in five colors. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.
Reggie the Pigeon dreams of a life in the circus as a high wire acrobat. Now he needs help to perfect 12 poses to “land” his dream job. Players must master the 12 unique poses and be the first to make it to the end of the line. Sturdy Birdy is designed to challenge children on a physical level while encouraging counting skills, self-esteem and more.
MSRP: $39.95 Age Range: 2 and up Target Age Range: 3 to 5 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: FA062-2 Launch Date: February 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
Dado Bricks are interlocking cardboard bricks, measuring 12 inches long x 6 inches deep x 3 inches high. Kids can use these stacking bricks to create kid-scale structures...walls, castles, forts, secret hide-outs, or even attractive room decor. Unlike other simple cardboard blocks on the market, the Dado Cardboard Bricks contain a protruding pair of square nubs along with a matching set of recessed square indentations. The result is a cardboard brick that when stacked, will not easily tumble and can retain a rigid structure. "The ONLY interlocking cardboard block on the market," Erik Quam, Director of Product Development at Fat Brain Toy, told TDmonthly.
MSRP: $19.95 Age Range: 6 and up Target Age Range: 9 to 12 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: FA055-1 Launch Date: October 2010 Gender: Boys And Girls
Players race against each other or work together against the clock to find the patterns hidden in the grid. Each time a tile is turned over, the pattern on that tile may be created by combining two or four of the tiles in the playing grid. Features 70 durable and vibrantly mind-bending pattern tiles, Acuity reinforces the importance of visual spatial skills and pattern recognition. Awards: Parents' Choice Gold Award, 2010
MSRP: $24.95 Age Range: 8 and up Target Age Range: 13 and up Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: FA057-1 Launch Date: February 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
MSRP: $24.95 Age Range: 6 and up Target Age Range: 6 to 8 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: FA059-1 Launch Date: February 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
Players will be challenged to put their memory to the test in just five short seconds as they attempt to memorize a specific shade of color and then match it to the correct color wheel. Just the slightest difference between shade, tint or hue can completely change the game. The first player to fill their artist’s palette with six color chips and win the game. Fast-paced play combines with memory building, visual thinking and art. Color guide provides extra learning material. Awards:TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012;2011Finalist for ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids — Why it won: Unlike most matching games, which require players to remember and pair off images, this game challenges players to remember the exact shade of a certain color. They then must match the color they saw to a color wheel. An entertaining, challenging twist on the classic memory game.
MSRP: $24.95 Age Range: 1 and up Target Age Range: 0 to 2 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: FA060-1 Launch Date: February 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
"While there are several stacking toys on the market, none of them are circular and included the added element of balance. Tobbles is a stacking toy which encourages children to explore and discover," Erik Quam, Director of Product Development at Fat Brain Toy, told TDmonthly. Awards: 2011 Finalist for ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids — Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey about best selling infant & toddler products that they sell 2-3 dozen Tobbles each month.
KooKoo Puzzles come in three different themes: Musical Animals, Flying, and Classic Fairytales. Each box comes with 5 different puzzles. Kids need a delicate hand and keen eye to place the puzzle cards together at the right angles to solve the puzzle and form a continuous image. The five sets of puzzle cards in each theme can be flipped over, and on the back there are different images to put together into one large 24-piece puzzle using all of the cards. Also available in a three-pack for $35.95.
Kids can transform, configure, and manipulate Block Builders for endless building and perpetual design. Fold and unfold the six distinctively hinged blocks to create skyscrapers, modern art sculptures, geometric marvels - just about anything imaginable. Includes 50 puzzle challenge cards. Block Builders puzzle challenge cards range from beginner to expert. Look at the design on the front of the card and recreate the shape using the indicated number of blocks. The solution is provided in an exploded view on the opposite side of the card.
A cleverly cunning cubical conundrum. Individual cubes attached by twisting, turning joints. Flexible tetris-shapes are satisfying to flip and spin. Attempt to recreate the cubical configurations of emerald, ivory & black shown in the Tridio Puzzle Book. Scan the two-dimensional designs pictured, and set kids' minds & hands in motion. Modify the three tetris-shapes. Consider the color placement. Stack the Tetris pieces. Bring images to life in three-dimensional structures. 48 visual challenge puzzles.
Rapid reflex is a card game that challenges players to match images, colors, and left/right directions. Players take turns reading the action cards. The first player to slap the color that correctly matches the action card, with the correct hand, gets to keep the card. The first player to collect one card of each color wins.
Nine Squares + Three Rules = One Solution. This collection of 48 puzzles will enhance critical thinking, logic and deductive reasoning skills while sharpening math and sequencing. Each EquiLogic puzzle provides number, symbol, color or shape hints. Using these clues, players put their deductive reasoning skills to the test and must find the magic number by identifying the correct combination of tiles and numbers. With only three rules to follow, kids will quickly be scratching their brain to arrive at the solution. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval