January 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

Modeled after the rebel-controlled, icy planet Hoth from the Star Wars movie series, the Echo Base set from Lego features a rebel fortification with two gunner figurines, a missile-firing defense turret, two Imperial snow troopers, and a Hans Solo character figurine complete with Tauntaun. Children can reenact their favorite scene from the movies or invent new adventures by combining this with other Lego Star Wars sets.
― “Lego star wars is still very popular,” said Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., when asked about his best-selling items for tween boys in fall 2009.
― Nine out of 39 retailers that participated in an October 2009 survey said Legos are their top-selling item for boys in the tween age category.

Armed with an erasable sketch book, an erasable marker and a word card, players get 90 seconds to simultaneously sketch out their own word in their sketch book.  When time’s up, everyone passes their sketch book to the player next to them.  Every player now looks at the sketch they received from the previous player and writes down what they think the drawing is and passes it to the next player. Each player now looks at that word, sketches it out, and passes it on. This simultaneous sketching and guessing continues until everyone gets their own sketch book back and each player can see if the final guess matches their original word, or like the “telephone game,” see how it becomes amusingly different. The more players, the more laughter, and the crazier it gets for a different game each time. Telestrations is a party game for 4 to 8 players. Launch date: 2009.
— As of 1/13/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 167 reviews on Amazon.com.

Roll five dice to win. Calculated chances and strategic choices will place the odds in your favor. After each roll, choose the dice that will get you the best combination. Each combination is worth a different point value and has only four chips, so get the best ones before they run out. Race your friends to the special bonuses and keep the suspense rolling until the end with Pocket Yamslam. It is compact, self contained and includes a chip rack. The colorful wooden retail display holds 12 games. Launch date: February 2010.

Curtain Critters are cute, plush curtain tiebacks that hold your curtains while decorating the home. Available in different animal designs such as bear, monkey, giraffe, elephant and others. All Critters conform to toy safety regulations, come with an elastic safety loop for easy attachment and child friendly velcro pads to keep the hands firmly in place. Arms are standard curtain tieback length to fit almost any curtain. Curtain Critters come in sets of 2 for $24.95.

When ten little hedgehogs are surprised by some bad-news badgers, they have to roll together to reach the low spot in the hedge where mama hedgehog is waiting. Players help the spiny guys escape by rolling them safely past the badgers. There is only one way all ten can clear the hedge in a single roll. 50 different setups challenge players to foil the badgers.

Medieval play has never been more fun. Children can play as prince or princess, queen or king, and even pirate with their own huge castle. My Very Own Castle™ is a single-piece, cardboard castle that is pre-assembled and can quickly expanded for play and folded up for storage when not in use. The castle features a bright white interior and exterior for coloring fun, as well as doors and windows. Fully expanded, the playhouse measures 44" long, 28" wide, and 28.5" tall.

My Very Own House™ is a single-piece, cardboard playhouse that is pre-assembled and can quickly expanded for play and folded up for storage when not in use. The playhouse features a bright white interior and exterior for coloring fun, as well as 2 doors, 4 windows, and 2 mail slots. Fully expanded, the playhouse measures 43.5" long, 28" wide, and 35" tall.

First just turn the eight magnetic puzzle wheels left and right to mix up the picture. Then reverse the process until all images are complete. Too easy? Now separate the wheels, mix them up and try again.  Hidden magnets keep the wheels together while you try to solve the puzzle, making it ideal for travel.

The Wildkin Princess Backpack features a durable exterior polyester fabric decorated with a princess theme print, interior nylon lining, adjustable padded straps, and two zippered compartments with interior storage pockets.

These 2" rubber animals have hard plastic eyes that pop out when the character's head is squeezed. The eyes then go back to their normal position. This series includes Holly the Hippo, Mickey the Monkey, Bobby the Bear and Parker the Penguin. Launch date: 2009.

This Playzzle™ game has you build a puzzle and then play the game. Join Bromly and Cotica as they journey through the Amazon. Learn the names of exotic animals that live in the Amazon. The first to reach the ocean wins.

This Playzzle™ game has you build a puzzle and then play the game. African Adventure takes you on a journey with the game's characters Bromley and Cotica. Players will travel through the jungle and learn about the animals that live there. The first player to arrive at the Pyramids wins.

Stinky Smells the Skunk™ is on the loose with his stinky Smellorator! In P.U! The Guessing Game of Smells™, players race around a large exciting board full of good, bad and mystery smells. Whose nose knows best? Be the first to cross the finish line and stop Stinky from polluting and ruining the town fair. For 2 to 8 players. Winner of the National Parenting Center 2009 Seal of Approval.

With fun colors and textures and a cushy design, this seat offers a great place for any Groovy Girl to relax.

This performance design of the S9 sedan features a deep blue shade with two color emblems and fully branded center capsg. It rides lower to the ground on bigger wheels with low-profile tires, and has been reduced to three blocks. The front and rear blocks accept a front splitter and a rear diffuser.

With soft golden fur and a brown felt mane, this lion has weighted legs for standing upright.

This soft yellow robot has clamp hands, bendable antennae, and a shiny vinyl patch on his stomach, plus brightly colored feet that are weighted for stability.

Camille & Chloe Ballerina (also available) are recital-ready in leotard, tutu, tights and pink slippers with ribbon laces. They have all-vinyl bodies, moving eyes and long rooted hair that can be worn down or styled up; it can even be shampooed!

DESIGNSTUDIOPRO is the car design modeling kit created and developed by professional clay modelers and designers working in the automotive design industry. DESIGNSTUDIOPRO will teach you the basics of automotive design sculpture using the same techniques that car design studios all around the world use. Develop modeling skills you cannot get from plastic or wood modeling kits. Design your own 1/10 scale RC car body or personal show car. This product requires adult supervision for children 12 and under. MSRP is $339.99 with inclusion of clay oven components. Watch video

Flower Power CoolZips is made of a rainbow of round wood beads with a red flower metal charm on the end. Total length is approximately 4 inches.

Set of 5 Holiday Smencils featuring Gingerbread, Sugar Plum, Candy Cane, Cinnamon and Sugar Cookie flavors. Holiday Smencils are seasonal. International Arrivals will begin shipping September 2010.

Scented pens available in Gingerbread or Candy Cane flavors. Holiday Snifty Scented Pens are seasonal. International Arrivals will begin shipping September 2010.
— Assorted Snifty pens have been best sellers at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., for about four months, Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in November 2009.

The Circle Out! game is a game of abstraction and visual memory. Twelve to 16 cards are laid out and players race to find the most circles of the largest size. The “circle” aspect of the game is all abstract. Each card has two features — a top and bottom triangle of different colors. Circles are formed by connecting cards of the same color together: red to red, blue to blue, etc., until the same color connects the chain of cards together at both ends. Bottom Triangles only link to Top Triangles and vice versa. A circle of three linking cards are worth one point, four linked cards are worth two points, and five linked cards are worth three points.

On The Fly Starter Kit includes a large bottle sock to be utilized with wide bottles from 8 to 11 oz. and five large individually wrapped disposable bottle warmers. Each warmer provides up to eight hours continuous heat. The bottle sock is made with all natural ingredients: 95% cotton and 5% spandex. It's washable in cold water. The warmer packs are made of iron powder, water, activated carbon, wood, powder and salt. The heat is air activated when the warmer is removed from its packaging. Bottle is not included. Extra packs are available separately. Launch date: 2009.