January 2010 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

This rugged playset is constructed of Sprigwood, which is a bio-composite material that blends reclaimed wood and recycled plastic, and is dyed with safe pigments. The set includes explorer and rescue boats, Captain Owen the adventure guide, an interchangeable adventure hat, a life preserver, mother and baby dolphins, and a backpack accessory.

This set of two construction vehicles is outfitted for Nuchi train tracks. There's a rubber tread on the front of the steamroller and a functional red tipper decking out the front of the bulldozer.

This product is designed so that young toddlers will delight in placing the dowel/balls in the holes, turning the base, and watching the whirling forms turn around. Older toddlers can start to build with the hardwood squares, put “red hats on the red heads," and stack colored shapes into sturdy towers. Preschoolers can build more complex and imaginative structures while exploring how motion changes the appearance and stability of forms. "Torno Torno combines a wood building toy with a wood turn-table base that is activated by the child — no batteries, just the child's gentle push and imagination," Karen Hewitt, president of Learning Materials Workshop, told TDmonthly. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 10 Best Toys 2009. Launch date: November 2009.

The Dream Baby Hallway Security Gate is designed to fit any opening 38' to 53.5'. The gate comes with a 7' extension and a 3.5' extension. It is pressure mounted, swings closed automatically, has a door that opens in both directions and closes automatically, and functions with one-handed operation. It is created for easy installation and comes with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. This gate is available in white or black. Launch date: November 10, 2009.
— As of August 2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on Amazon.com. PROS: Sturdy, effective and fits even wide doorways. CONS: Some parents felt the gate was too difficult to open and close.

Made from organic cotton and sustainable rubber wood, Momma and Baby Elephant are connected via Velcro at the mama's tail and can be separated. "As with every piece in this line, the classic-meets-modern design makes it suitable for nursery decor as well as play!" Michael Daner, president of I Love My Planet Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2009.

These swim goggles for kids feature polycarbonate lenses that offer 100-percent UV protection, an anti-fog system, and silicone cups for comfort. They are available in pink and blue and feature an adjustable silicone strap. Launch date: 2009.

The Nylon Pizza Cutter from Curious Chef is designed as a safe and fun kitchen utensil for cutting pizza. "The Pizza Cutter is made of nylon, which is hard enaough to cut pizza, but not skin! Also, the design is very compelling, since it features a unique guard that will keep fingers from [the] blade and soft touch button grips," Cristina Villa, account executive at JB Cumberland PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Rolling Pin by Curious Chef is designed specifically for kids' small hands, has ergonomic handles and non stick surface. "Its diameter is the same as a regular one, so that it's highly functional, while being cute and safe. The only difference is that it's shorter and with ergonomic handles," Cristina Villa, account executive at JB Cumberland PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

With a leak-proof top, this water/sports drink bottle has been tested to be safe from leaching and is non-toxic and dishwasher safe. Various styles are available.

Designed for baby's comfort, these leg warmers provide protection and warmth indoors or out. They are lightweight and easy to carry, so are ideal to slip on when the weather cools or in air conditioning. The leg warmers feature Vibrant fashion colors to make baby look and feel good. The one-size-fits-all product is made of 85-percent cotton, 12-percent spandex and 3-percent nylon. Launch date: October 2009.

MY WEEK is designed to show little ones how days are organized in a way that is colorful, playful and personalized to a child's life. It may be used to introduce the days of the week, seasons, weather, routines and special events. Colours and symbols allow even pre-readers to differentiate each day. MY WEEK includes a magnetic calendar, 58 developmentally appropriate activity magnets, a dry erase marker and a reusable storage bag. "In a nutshell, it helps children to develop a better understanding of the abstract concept of time in an engaging, fun manner! We have found no other products in the market that address this need," Nathalie and Jennifer, owners of 2fish kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

From the day the baby crawls through the archway to when she's walking up to it, there are plenty of activities. Shapes and objects can be counted, sorted, flipped and spun. Many activities trigger sing-along songs, lights, sounds and phrases. It requires 3 AA batteries and is suitable for ages 6 months and up.

Part play theater and part brainteaser, this forest exercises imagination and depth perception. Children can make up their own stories or use the cards; the challenge is to determine which animal is standing deeper in the forest. The "unique gift item inspires imaginative play as well as developing depth perception," Brooke Sherman, wholesale manager of Kid O Products, told TDmonthly.

A bright spot in memorization games, the natural wooden board (made from sustainably grown wood from German beechwood forests) holds 4 different double sided cards for 8 different games. Lift the red dots to match numbers, animals, patterns and more.

Emily's little sister, Lilly, doesn't know how to go potty. When Lilly heads off to her first day of preschool, Emily comforts her by sharing a story of her experience in Miss Maggie's preschool class. With the help of the illustrated potty chart and her friends, the Potty Tots, Emily learns the six steps to using the potty. Along the way, she makes new friends, learns the Potty Song and discovers that learning something new can be fun. Kit includes a story/guide book, animated DVD featuring three original Potty Tots songs and 2 bonus music videos, one 11"X17" Illustrated potty chart and one 11"X17" “Toilet Bowl" progress/reward game with clings.

Enrique's little brother, Joey, doesn't know how to go potty. When Joey heads off to his first day of preschool, Enrique comforts him by sharing a story of his experience in Miss Maggie's preschool class. With the help of the illustrated potty chart and his friends, the Potty Tots, Enrique learns the six steps to using the potty. Along the way, he makes new friends, learns the Potty Song and discovers that learning something new can be fun. Kit includes a story/guide book, animated DVD featuring three original Potty Tots songs and 2 bonus music videos, one 11"X17" Illustrated potty chart and one 11"X17" “Toilet Bowl" progress/reward game with clings.

This set includes a Firefighter T-shirt with toy flashlight. Available in three sizes: small (3-4 yrs), medium (4-5 yrs), and large (5-6 yrs).

This set includes a Police Officer T-shirt with toy whistle. Available in three sizes: small (3-4 yrs), medium (4-5 yrs), and large (5-6 yrs).

Leah May’s soft hair is ideal for hours of brushing and braiding, while her pink highlighted eyes and silver sparkly hooves are sure to delight any girl’s fancy. Leah May comes with her own hairbrush and a sweet pastel-patterned saddle blanket.

Pay no heed to the fainters and screamers. Blanche takes pride in being your ugly stepmonster — not to mention the first pillow ever with rainbow highlights and a mutated crown.

Bright colors and high-contrast patterns offer visual stimulation; hidden noise makers, including rattles, squeakers, and crinkle paper perk up little ears; and a variety of textured fabrics keep busy hands occupied. Small enough to tuck into a purse or diaper bag.

This 11-oz., two-in-one sippy to straw bottle is equipped with a stainless steel body, a thermo plastic rubber sleeve for insulation and grip, a straw-shaped spout to support physical and speech development, removable handles, a tapered waist with ribbing, a dust cap, a travel plug to prevent leakage, and a straw and straw adaptor to easily convert the Safe Sippy2 as a child grows.

Made of food-grade stainless steel, this  12-fl.-oz. sippy cup features a cap and spout constructed from BPA-free polypropylene, has a large mouth for simple cleaning and to hold ice cubes, and is 100-percent recyclable. It is available in seven colors, plus natural Sport.