May 2008 New Toys — Puzzles & Skill

Kayak Cove by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

Players act as a river guide, attempting to fit ten kayaks on the river. All kayaks must fit safely in the water without any kayak pushing another out of position or crashing into surrounding rocks. Currents are tricky, and kayaks and rock walls contain powerful magnets, testing the abilities of even the best river guide. Launch date: 2008. 2/26/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crazy Campers by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

Campers in this puzzle game first locate the big tent piece — with the visiting bear — on the campground base as indicated by the challenge card, then simply fill in the remaining pieces. When each challenge is solved, the campground will become full, with no empty spaces. Camping tips (hints) for each challenge is included. Launch date: 2008. 2/26/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hoodoo Loop by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

In this hiking trail game, players remove the pieces from the Hoodoo Mesa Puzzle Tray, and then put them back in a continuous loop trail with no dead ends allowed. It sounds easier said that done. Launch date: 2008. 2/26/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle-Werx® 3-D Puzzles – Mega Blade by REVELL

The pieces assemble to create a robot that is over 15” tall and has joints that can pivot 233 degrees for extended play. The pieces snap and lock together, making glue completely unnecessary. Each piece is numbered for easy assembly. Three other robots are available: Black Wing, Eagle Strike and Hawk Wing. Launch date: January 2008. 2/26/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fraction Sudoku by DIDAX INC.

The puzzle lets players learn about equivalent fractions in a fun way. Simply use the chips to cover the board so that each row, column and 3 x 2 box contains a different fraction. The game includes materials for ten challenging Sudoku puzzles: 360 punch-out fraction chips, ten color-coded game boards and an answer key. The boards increase in difficulty. Launch date: March 2007. 2/26/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Time Sudoku by DIDAX INC.

Kids will learn time to the quarter hour in digital, analog and word form the fun way with this hands-on game. Players use special time chips to cover the board so that each row, column and 2 x 2 box contains a different time chip. The game includes everything players need to complete ten challenging Sudoku puzzles: 360 punch-out chips, ten color-coded game boards and an answer key. The boards increase in difficulty. Launch date March 2007. 2/26/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Money Sudoku by DIDAX INC.

Recognize coins, make change and build mental agility in a fun way. Simply use the coins to cover the board so that each row, column and 2" x 2" box contains a different style coin. The game includes 32 realistic coins, ten full-color Sudoku game boards and an answer key. The boards increase in difficulty. Launch date: March 2007. 2/26/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Unifix Sudoku by DIDAX INC.

The game helps players build spatial reasoning, problem solving and patterning skills in a fun way. Simply use the colorful cubes to cover the board so that each row, column and 3 x 2 box contains a different color. The game includes 36 genuine Unifix Cubes, ten full-color Sudoku game boards and an answer key. The boards increase in difficulty. This product is a Parents’ Choice Award and Director’s Choice Award winner. Launch date: March 2007. 2/26/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle-Werx® 3-D Puzzles – T-Rex by REVELL

The pieces assemble to create a dinosaur that is over 14” tall and has joints that can pivot 233 degrees for extended play. The pieces snap and lock together, making glue completely unnecessary. Each piece is numbered for easy assembly. Three other prehistoric creatures are available: Stegosaurus, Pterodactyl and Woolly Mammoth. Launch date: January 2008. 2/25/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Visual Echo 35-piece Mini Lenticular Puzzles – Sky Roads by Royce B. McClure by HOBBICO

Multiple layers create an astonishing illusion of depth. When assembled, Visual Echo mini puzzles measure 6” x 4-3/4”. Eleven other images are available in the Visual Echo mini puzzle line, with a new series being released each year. Collect them all. Launch date: January 2005. 2/25/2008 (Price: $2.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CONNECT'EM™ 4480PC Puzzle – The Beatles by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Build four individual puzzles, and then connect them to create a puzzle display that measures over 5” in length. The box comes with four 1,120-piece puzzles, which join to make one master puzzle. This product is a Dr. Toy 10 Best Active Toy Award winner. 2/25/2008 (Price: $24.99)

Smarts Pyramid® - Golf by USE YOUR HEAD UNLIMITED INC.

The 20-ball 3D puzzle set is great for golf fans of all ages. The object of the game is to build a pyramid without letting any of the multi-colored balls — which are connected in pair — to ever sit next to a ball of the same color. ( Watch Video) 2/25/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Glade Creek Grist Mill Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

1500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. 2/25/2008 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dynasty Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. 2/25/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Four Kings Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. 2/25/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Monarchs Delight Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

150 Piece Puzzle with JUMBO GRIP featuring large pieces for easy handling. 2/25/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dish Ran Away With the Spoon by LIBERTY PUZZLES

This 73-piece children’s puzzle features larger pieces than in the company’s traditional line, and measures 9.75" x 11.4". 2/25/2008 (Price: $39.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Farm Wooden Chunky Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

The jumbo puzzle features thick puzzle pieces that are hand-painted, feature full-color images and are capable of standing on their own for additional play. When assembled, the puzzle measures 12" x 11" x 4/5". The puzzle promotes creativity and matching skills. Launch date: June 2006.
– “Melissa & Doug…we sell two or three of their products every day. The best selling one is their puzzles,” Steve Ricks, owner of My Story House Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly.
– Over 63 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named a Melissa & Doug product as their best-selling wooden toy item. Melissa & Doug wooden animal puzzles are very popular at The Toy Shop in Lexington, Ky., the owner told TDmonthly. “We sell one or two a day.”
— “Klutz books have been steady sellers for us,” Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2008. 2/21/2008 (Price: $9.99)

Layers of Learning™ Jumbo Knob Large Puzzle – Zoo Animals by MINDGEAR

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this nine-piece vinyl puzzle features flexible, non-toxic pieces that have easy-to-grasp knobs. The puzzles are durable and washable with highly textured pieces. The playboard measures 16.75" x 11.75". 2/21/2008

Puzzleball® - The Earth by RAVENSBURGER

The 8-1/2” 3D puzzle will help children learn geography in an innovative way. The puzzle features 540 perfectly crafted, curved plastic puzzle pieces the fit snugly together to form a solid, smooth ball. No glue is required. The underside of each piece is conveniently numbered to provide arrangement help. A variety of styles are available, including penguins, dinosaurs, dolphins and unicorns. Launch date: Summer 2007.
— “Ravensburger adult puzzles – we sell four or five a day,” Scott Sloan, manager of Toys Inc. in Myrtle Beach, S.C. told TDmonthly.
— “We sell a lot of Ravensburger [puzzles] for adults. At least a dozen every day,” Pam Horwitz, manager of Mr. Toad’s Toy Company in Naples, Fl., told TDmonthly. Four of 45 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly named Ravensburger adult puzzles as their best-selling puzzles.
— “Ravensburger puzzles are my very fav,” said Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., in December 2008 of this strong seller in her store. 2/12/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]