Patent-pending Clickables technology magically connects toys with Disney’s virtual worlds, seamlessly bringing online worlds, offline play and real-world friends together. The Pixie Dust eJewelry Collection includes a magical jewelry box, a charm necklace and three exclusive Disney Fairies charms powered by Clickables technology. When a girl touches a charm to the Clickables center of her jewelry box, Pixie Dust sparkles and music plays as the jewelry box comes alive. Each charm unlocks a unique fairy gift at the Pixie Hollow website, including exclusive clothing and décor. Launch date: Fall 2008.

The set consists of a pen and two books. When children touch images in the book using the pen, audio content will sound. Additional books are available for purchase separately. Launch date: August 2008.

The system plugs directly into televisions like a video game, and features wireless motion controllers that sense kids’ motions. Three different play packages are available: sports, Disney Princesses and Playhouse Disney Preschool. Launch date: Fall 2008.

Treetures are eco-themed plush characters that come complete with recycled hangtags and give kids the opportunity to explore the Treetures website, where they earn "Green Hearts," learn about the ecosystem, play games and become familiar with the names and responsibilities of each Treeture character. This line is based on characters from a book series by Judith Hope Blau.

This fish is part of a line of 10 sea creatures that come with special codes granting access to an online world in which kids can personalize their virtual acquarium, play in the ocean, visit with other fish, and take on deep-sea challenges in order to visit Atlantis. Launch date: February 2008.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, Elmo Live sings, dances and speaks. It can even be programmed to repeat a child’s name. “For the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like he does on 'Sesame Street,' while he gestures with his arms, sits, stands and even crosses his legs ... all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games,” Gina Sirard, vice president of marketing for Fisher-Price Friends, told TDmonthly.

The robotic dinosaur appears and behaves realistically. The toy walks, chomps his jaw, bares his teeth, wags his tail, roars and more in response to stimulation and what he wants. The D-Rex responds to touch, voices and more. “D-Rex combines robotics, proprietary software and reptilian skin to create a life-like appearance and behavior,” Michele Sturdivant, director of PR and communications for Mattel Brands, told TDmonthly. Launch date: Fall 2008.

Created to facilitate active play with family and friends both indoors and out, this game console speaks, explains how to play games, and cheers on participants. Players interact with the console though XS tags — colorful, microchip-embedded wristbands that begin games and measure player performance. Individuals can download free games onto the console from the Swinxs website. Launch date: 2008.
— One TDmonthly editor was hesitant to include this product in a Toy Fair 2008 top-10 list on the basis that it takes money and electronics to simulate the way children have been playing for generations, and she believes kids will easily tire of it. TDmonthly included it, however, for its encouragement of group play, its novel approach to active gaming, its sleek design and the ability customers have to download additional games from the company's website.

This full-color, electronic handheld game doubles as a pedometer, and each step a child takes grants him one point for game play in the three-dimensional ME2 world online. Kids create their own avatar (more than 1 million designs available through combinations of various features) and can interact with other players online, where they might, for example, challenge others to a race. Six colors are available. Launch date: August 2008.

The product includes both the SoundTech Ediface Digital Guitar Interface and the patented Guitar Wizard software, allowing users to play and learn on their PC or Mac with their existing acoustic or electric guitars. The SoundTech Ediface technology converts the guitar sounds to digital for live interactive video game play. Virtually any guitar can be used with the Soundtech Ediface and virtually any song can be used with the Pro software. The game’s unique, patented, five-step method allows anyone to learn how to play a real guitar and read music in minutes.

This cute little duck comes with a code that allows its owner to access Webkinz World online.
— Over 26 percent of 45 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in early 2008 named Webkinz as their hottest selling item.
— “Webkinz by Ganz — they still sell out every shipment,” Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creativity for Kids in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in early 2008.
— “[They] have been really hot for the last couple of years,” she added.

This cute character is outfitted with super-stretchy hair. The comical, edgy and eccentric plush Zibbies now have a new home – on the Internet Launched in January 2008, ZibbieZone.com is a virtual playground for children and their Zibbie friends. It offers games, interactive experiences and delightful illustrations. No Zibbies purchase is necessary. “The website was created by celebrated children's book author Stephen Cosgrove (Penguin Publishing), who has written more than 300 books,” Vice President Lauri Aibel of Schwartz Public Relations told TDmonthly.

This improved version of the Mega Mission Helmet allows users to download more over 50 role-playing missions from the Internet. Launch date: February 2008.

This interactive phone for toddlers contains over 36 educational and entertaining activities. The phone reacts to voices, helping children strengthen their social skills and build confidence. Launch date: February 2008. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN UPDATED. See latest version here.

This second edition of the popular television game show features new and improved versions of Contestant's Row, The Showcase Showdown and Plinko. Launch date: July 15, 2008.

In this “service” style game, players must take on the job of curing some of the wackiest patients they have ever met. There are 40 levels and four different medical settings where patients suffer from Baboonic Plague, Mother Goose Bumps, third degree sideburns and more. Win Hospital challenges and discover one’s rare and special abilities to help you save the world from the funniest outbreaks ever. Launch date: March 2008.

The hilarious arcade adventure game follows the Tuttle family as they embark on their family vacation to the Alamo. Forty engaging levels of side scrolling action detailed with beautiful art. Players are treated to animated, comic style cut scenes bought to life by the voices of Ashley Tisdale, William Shatner, Bob Saget, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Coulier, Dave Thomas and Dominic Scott Kay. Launch date: March 2008.

Players will care for cuddly otters as well as dangerous lions, while interacting with entertaining staff and visitors. Players will travel around the zoo performing check-ups, and teaming up with vet technicians to use medical tools for investing and treating mysterious ailments. As players become more successful they move up in the ranks to become the “World’s Greatest Zoo Vet!” Launch date: November 2007.

The interactive travel game will keep kids entertained on long car rides.

The 6” reindeer plush is made of several different materials, including cotton and is stuffed with beans. It comes with a distinctive secret code that allows kids to enter an online world. Kids can then interact virtually with their pet, care for it, earn KinzCash, play games and more.
— “I sold 1,000 of reindeer over two months,” Stephanie Dupuy, owner of Playville in Covington, La., told TDmonthly.
— “Webkinz is still the most ordered toy in the store. [We] sell 200 to 300 Webkinz a month,” Joyce Hoover, owner of Doll and Gift Gallery in Rogers, Ark., told TDmonthly.
— Thirteen of 60 retailers named Webkinz as their most popular item of 2007.

Remy comes with five food items tucked into the pockets of his apron. Simply press the button on his hand, hold one of the food items up to his nose, and watch him sniff and recognize the item. Remy is constructed of polyester and stands 15” tall. He also comes with three AA batteries.

Written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Rick Riordan, this book is the first in a series of ten books. The books will be accompanied by 350 collectible cards and a dynamic online game — called 39 Clues — where readers can compete for prizes. Kids will embark on an adventure tracking their points and their clues, managing their card collections, digging through the Cahill archives for secrets and “traveling” the world to collect Cahill artifacts, interview characters and hunt down clues. Scholastic will be giving away more than $100,000 in prizes. Launch date: September 2008.

SpherePlay is the art of rolling, balancing, manipulating and playing with spheres. With infinite ways to play there are guidelines, but no rules. Genuine playfulness combines with learned skills to increase coordination, balance, fluid motion, reflexes and dexterity. The set includes a 70mm UV acrylic sphere, DVD, sphere pouch/polisher and sphere stand/finger dexterity toy. Launch date: February 2008.
— “The SpherePlay Contact Juggling Set is the first and only Sphere and DVD set packaged for retail sales,” Jennifer Sauvageau of TryOut Toys Entertainment told TDmonthly. “Included [is] everything a beginner needs to start Sphereplaying.”

Comet® The Fast Path to Learning, is Active Minds' premier product. Comet® is an enjoyable and engaging way to learn and spell, having fun based on world facts, legends, geography, science, history, health, nature, animals and dictionary meanings. The game has several game editions such as Bible and Family, with a Children's card expansion deck. Launch date: June 2008.
— "'Comet, The Fast Past to Learning' is being played in schools across America and has been praised in South Africa for helping patients suffering from brain injuries develop their learning skills," Sandy Evans, creator of Comet® at Active Minds, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2008-2010 Preferred Choice Award; 2008-2010 Editors Choice Award; 2008-2010 Toyman Seal of Approval