This brainteaser puzzle is played by first assembling the twelve border pieces, followed by the 16 triangular pieces. All character combinations must be matched correctly in order to complete the puzzle. Although the puzzle can be assembled many different ways, there is only one solution. Available titles include Disney’s Toy Story and Alice in Wonderland, The Simpsons, the wildlife of art of Dan Gilbert and Kodak. When assembled, the puzzle measures 16” x 13.88”. Launch date: June 2007.
This 63-piece Color N’ Wipe wood puzzle lets kids piece together the puzzle, color the illustrations, wipe off the colors, and then color the illustrations again. Kids can color and wipe as many times as they like. The puzzle set includes markers in six different colors for endless fun and creativity. Available varieties include Baking Biscuits, State Fair Piggy, Aunt Moo’s House and Sand Castle Prince. The puzzle measures 11” x 12.5” when assembled. Launch date: June 2007.
Each of the 150 pieces in this Disney Fairies puzzle set glitters and sparkles. When the lights are turned out, Tinker Bell and her friends actually glow in the dark. The puzzle measures 16.25” x 11.5” when assembled. Launch: June 2007.
The iCoaster combines sight, sound and speed with extreme magnetic force, high-tech design and ultra-cool physics. Each track features hidden magnets, causing the metal ball to move along the track performing stunts and passing through sensors to trigger a beat or song. Kids can build the suggested extreme coaster configurations and use the pre-included sounds, or use their imagination to build their own track and plug in their digital music players and use their own songs. This product is a winner of numerous awards, including a 2007 iParenting Media Award, Fall 2007 Parent’s Choice Award, 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award and Parents Magazine Best Toys for the Holidays Award. “The iCoaster is the perfect toy to promote creativity, allowing kids to construct a visual and technological masterpiece,” Carine Sroujian of Mega Brands told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007.
The electronic piano kids can build combines creativity and construction. Without blocks, the piano plays as a normal instrument; but layer or remove blocks and the instrument morphs into something else. The instrument is specially designed for small hands. Launch date: Fall 2008.
This 49-piece set comes with a "WordWorld" DVD, featuring material from the PBS Kids program, and has pieces that teach the words barn, rake, rope, tractor, pail, corn and fence.
The WordWorld BARN comes with A to Z letter blocks and two buildable WordFriends. Kids can build and rebuild the farm scene as they learn new words and role-play with the engaging WordFriends. The playset includes a WordWorld DVD and a bucket for convenient storage. "WordWorld, a new innovation in the literacy landscape, brings words to life through a patent-pending methodology that embeds words into the objects they represent" said Rona Iny, marketing and outreach manager of WordWorld. "WordWorld toys help kids understand that letters form words and words have real meaning in their lives." This toy won a 2008 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award. Launch date: 2008.
The WordWorld HOUSE comes with A to Z letter blocks and 2 buildable WordFriends. Kids can build and rebuild the House scene as they learn new words and role-play with the engaging WordFriends. Includes a WordWorld DVD and a bucket for convenient storage.
MagNext is the revolutionary new magnetic construction system that sets a new standard for innovative and safe magnetic play. Designed in partnership with Intertek, one of the world’s leading independent safety labs, MagNext features no small magnetic parts that can be swallowed, and will make it possible to create bigger, stronger and faster builds. Convenient and sleekly designed, the MagNext Drawer Case is cool and easy to carry around. Kids can take advantage of the ingenious build-off plate and drawer compartments to build to their heart’s delight. Launch date: August 16, 2008.
This 550-piece set includes a transformable castle and features MicroMotion technology stunt sticks that allow kids to battle their figurines and explore the grand castle. There's a cannon launcher, underground jail, the round table, several knights, and a drawbridge that lowers.
Battle Strikers combines hand skill and strategy to a game of defeating other players' tops. The eight-piece starter pack includes a Turbo Launcher, a magnetic Controller, and a Striker (top). Batteries are included. There are 16 different Strikers in the set. Extension packs with additional pieces are $4.99.
The Mark VI Techbot showcases "Iron Man 2"'s most advanced suit. This 55-piece set is assembled with easy-to-snap-on ball joints, and features a spring loaded missile blaster that slots into the suit's forearm. The plastic box top doubles as a stand.
This 23-piece set comes with built-in music and sounds. Included are dancing figures of the characters Brobee and Foofa. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.
Each Mega Bloks Yo Gabba Gabba set comes with a buildable figurine that also dances and swings its arms up and down. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.
This play set transforms into a rock concert with a stage. It comes with buildable dancing figurines of the characters Muno and Plex. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.
This portable table acts as both a building platform and a practical storage container. Stickers for creating scenery, plus a figurine and toy car, are included. — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 34 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to assemble, promotes imaginative play. CONS: Some parents questioned its durability.
Players have to collect the plastic brick pieces to build their winning animal by going around the playing board and finding a chip that matches your building card. This is a game of chance but it does require dexterity, counting and matching skills. The building pieces are good size for preschoolers. The first player to collect all five blocks and builds their animal is the winner of that round. Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.
Players get a card with building plan and images of 8 pieces they need to collect to build their racer. Players take turns tossing the die and moving around the playing board and collecting the pieces of the vehicles pictured on the playing board. Winner is the first to collect and assemble their racing car. Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.
This toy gives kids the opportunity to stimulate their imagination and learning skills while encouraging discovery, fine motor skills and open-ended play. The practical storage bag keeps all of the pieces securely in one place and comes with a hand-strap to make carrying the blocks a snap. 6.8 x 12 x 13.8 inches ; 3.6 pounds. — As of 06/06/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 73 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy for kids to take apart; durable; easier for toddlers to use than LEGOs and other small building blocks; encourages creativity. Cons: Don't stick together as well as LEGOs; children can put the storage bag over their head and suffocate.
The classic Warrior versus Dragon style of play has grown up and moved ahead into a world filled with new technology and weapons. Two ultimate Predavor Dragons, Bloodclaw and Deadeye, go face-to-face against the super heavy-weight Alliance Warbyrd, equipped with multiple missile launchers, dual built-in flight controllers and landing gear, and light and sound effects. The Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer buildable set includes one Alliance General and two Troopers with shields and weapons, as well as two exclusive Dragons with buildable, removable weapons and Power Core in chest.
This multi-dimensional playset allows little pirates to sail about the Seven Seas with a pull-along pirate ship that plays a magical buccaneer tune. It also transforms into a secret pirate hideout when the crew needs shore leave and to hide treasure from other brigands. The secret quick-release trap door keeps the treasure safe from thieves; as they step on the floorboard, it quickly releases and sends the brigands tumbling down to a holding cell. With all of the accessories a little buccaneer could ever ask for: a catchy tune, a crew, a real working cannon, a friendly shark and a treasure chest, the Pull-Along Musical Pirate Ship offers many options for hours of adventure and fun for your little captain.
Based on the movie Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue, Thomas and James must travel through the mysterious mountains of Misty Island. Build and rebuild to new heights as Thomas and James race on unfamiliar tracks from sea level to high up in the mountains. Take Thomas and James through eerie tunnels to get to their destination. This set includes fun accessories such as a lake break-through barricades and rock slides.
Lift your child’s creativity to new heights with Color Blanks. Color Blanks allow your child to engage in creative fun by designing their own plastic haracters using stickers, mini markers and more. Using a blank canvas, you child can create their character, play with it or display. This activity set features one or two collectable, poseable, plastic figures, various colorful stickers and mini markers.
Centuries ago in Japan, a dark force threatened our universe, bringing a civilization to its knees, until a clan of brave warriors were called upon to destroy this ancient evil Samurai warriors defeated them with power symbols passed down from parent to child. But now this darkness has returned and plans to flood the Earth, and the future of mankind rest in the hands of five ordinary teens with one extraordinary destiny They are the Samurai Rangers. Led by the fearless Red Ranger, this team was summoned to train as Samurais under the teachings of Mentor Ji, armed with high powered weapons and mighty Megazords. They have one mission to defeat the sinister Master Xandred and his army of Nighloks and make our universe safe from evil once and for all.
This is the first line of construction toys designed for preschool girls ages 1 and up. Features sparkly translucent blocks, princesses with sparkling tiaras, ponies, and more. This tub includes sparkly and regular blocks, two princesses, and a little pony. Launch date: Fall 2012.
