February 2009 New Specialty Toys — Arts & Crafts

With over 50 mazes, word find, connect the dots and pictures to color, the Giant Activity Tablecloth allows for multiple child play. The tablecloth comes with six washable markers, but can work with any washable maker. It is completely machine washable. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This program introduces students to professionals who have chosen to work in the visual arts and related fields. The thirteen careers described and visually illustrated include Architect, Art Educator, Fashion Designer, Framer, Gallery Owner, Graphic Designer, Industrial Designer, Interior Designer, Metal Sculptor, Painter, Photographer, Publication Designer and Urban Planner. "Each career is introduced in a concise manner," President Amy Woodworth of Crystal Productions told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 16, 2009.

Bling by Number Wall Art sets feature pre-printed designs on stretched canvas and come with glitter glue and sparkly "bling" to complete the artwork. Launch date: March 2009.

The tool set includes 11 cookie cutters (turtle, frog, squirrel, dragonfly, moon, star, sun, leaf, butterfly, heart and cloud) and a wooden rolling pin is a perfect accessory for softdough.  The parts are all sized for small hands.

This quilt-making kit for a twin-size bed covering includes precut, pre-sewing squres with a lacing tool, 24, 10.75" colorful squres, cotton ribbon and instructions.

This no-stress optical illusion coloring activity captivates all ages, has global appeal, and is ideal for mixed boy and girl groups. The activity is easy to assemble, totally child safe, and made in the USA. Each Party Fun Pack for 8 Children contains eight morphed placemat coloring pages with colorable borders, eight Morph-O-Scope mirror decoders, and eight bonus morph activities. Activity time is about 30 to 45 minutes. Retail cost per child is about $2. The Halloween Party Fun Pack meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards. Princess Pony and Pirate themes are also available.

This no-stress optical illusion coloring activity captivates all ages, has global appeal, and is ideal for mixed boy and girl groups. The activity is easy to assemble, totally child safe, and made in the USA. Each Party Fun Pack for 8 Children contains eight morphed placemat coloring pages with colorable borders, eight Morph-O-Scope mirror decoders, and eight bonus morph activities. Activity time is about 30 to 45 minutes. Retail cost per child is about $2. The Princess Pony Party Fun Pack meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards. Pirate and Halloween themes are also available.

This captivating little optical illusion coloring activity — the Twisted Pajama Party Packet — contains five wacky morphs: Mid night snacks (shown); Pillow fight; Giggle fits; Runway glammin'; and Down time. Each packet comes with one Morph-O-Scope mirror. The brain-tickling fun challenge is crayoning the twisted shapes on the paper to make color appear in the right places in the pajama party cartoon reflections. It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and appeals to all ages. The Twisted Pajama Party Packet is made in the USA and meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards.

This captivating little optical illusion coloring activity — the Stretched Pets Packet — contains five adorable morphs: Puppy Tug-O-War (shown); Uh Oh Kitties; Papa Parakeet Perch; First Fish Tank; and Pony Daydreams. Each packet comes with one Morph-O-Scope mirror. The brain-tickling fun challenge is crayoning the twisted shapes on the paper to make color appear in the right places in the pets cartoon reflections. It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and appeals to all ages. The Stretched Pets Packet is made in the USA and meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards.

This parent and child activity kit includes materials to create a foot cast in the sand at the beach. It includes enough plaster mix to make molds of two feet and comes in a bright beach pail. Launch date: February 2009.

This vinyl apron gives kids the freedom to be creative without worrying moms about the mess that results. It ties behind the neck and includes three oversized pockets in the front for supplies.
— This art apron was on the list of best sellers at Kazoo & Company in Denver at the beginning of 2009, Storeowner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly.

Includes a large variety of jewels so you can add some "bling" to all of your fuse bead projects. Pack includes flowers, hearts, stars, larger circles and three different colors of our popular smaller circles.  Then hang your completed Perler® and fuse bead project on the refrigerator with one of the super magnets. JAMLiBs allow a child to customize their fused or Perler® bead projects, opening the door to another level of creativity and fun.  They come in jewels of all shapes, sizes, and colors, googly eyes, colorful dots and word tabs.  Each pack also includes magnets, enabling each kid to display their finished work on your refrigerator. JAMLiBs are reusable.

Includes everything you will need to get you started; large and small jewels, googly eyes, colorful pegs, word fun circles with pre-printed messages and some word fun circles to write your own message. Then hang your completed Perler® and fuse bead project on the refrigerator with one of the super magnets. JAMLiBs allow a child to customize their fused or Perler® bead projects, opening the door to another level of creativity and fun.  They come in jewels of all shapes, sizes, and colors, googly eyes, colorful dots and word tabs.  Each pack also includes magnets, enabling each kid to display their finished work on your refrigerator. JAMLiBs are reusable.

Each coloring and activity set features a different theme (neighborhood, airport, horse ranch, zoo or construction site) and includes Crayola crayons, a coloring mat, corrugated pop-up buildings for decoration and play, and accessories. The three-dimensional structures allow kids to play after they’ve colored and designed the set. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Introducing the easiest way to center up to 4 lbs. of clay on a potter's wheel the first time, every time. The QuickCenter is "training wheels" for the centering process. The components of the system include the Universal Adaptor, Recessed Bat, Canister/Plunger, False Bottoms Set, Ejector, and QuickCenter Bat Pins. "Centering clay on a potter's wheel can be intimidating for students and those new to ceramics. The QuickCenter takes the guesswork out of centering clay in just three easy steps," Richard Fullenweider, advertising and media director of AMACO, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

All-inclusive, hand-drawn, step-by-step drawings are combined with watercolor instruction and come with classical music that innovatively provides the means to shift into the right/creative mode of thinking. The ready-to-go, eco-friendly portfolio includes the "Definitely Drawing and Watercolor" workbook, a classical music CD, a watercolor pencil set, a sharpener, a paintbrush, a sketch-pad and a pencil. The combination of materials "[creates] an optimal environment for children to produce watercolor masterpieces," Owner Cheryl Miller of Rock N Go LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

Kids can create and illustrate their own story in an accordion book, then mount it in a box with a cover that they design. The kit includes enough materials to create three box books, plus one special house-shaped book. "Eye Can Art kits provide an open-ended art experience with high-quality materials and clear instuctions. All kits are multi-use, meaning the projects can be done with a friend, sibling, family member, or multiple times by the same child," Shannon Ninburg, co-owner of Eye Can Art, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Top Toy of the Year Award

This set contains 1,250 Puzzibits pieces in 12 vibrant colors. It comes with building instructions and plenty of pieces to shape various creations. The "flexible interlocking pieces create flat and 3-D art," Julie Flann, manager of marketing and sales services for Manhattan Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

This mobile island organizes three popular sizes of construction paper, five reams of 9” x 12”, nine reams of 12” x 18” and one ream of 18” x 24” paper. It secures paint behind a lockable door and features an E-Z to clean, white laminate worktop. Keys and four clear cubbie trays are included. The unite measures 39.5” W x 29” D x 29.5” H and boasts KYDZSafe® edges, KYDZTuff® finish and KYDZStrong® construction. It is mobile and caster mounted with a lifetime warranty. The island "provides a mobile place for art, including a work surface, plenty of storage and a lockable/secure area," Nick Schwarz, VP of marketing for Jonti-Craft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This 36" x 24" ready to hang picture depicts a yellow NY taxi cab fashioned from an Empire State license plate. The image is available in several presentation styles: Contemporary Mount (with beveled edge), Creative Canvas Wrap, Framed Canvas, Gallery Framed, Heritage Framed and Art Block Mounted. It is made in the USA. Launch date: November 2008.

Both decorative and informative, this 36" x 24" ready to hang picture depicts the continental United States through state license plates. The image is available in several presentation styles: Contemporary Mount (with beveled edge), Creative Canvas Wrap, Framed Canvas, Gallery Framed, Heritage Framed and Art Block Mounted. "Art4Kids is not sold in discount stores. Our artwork has no glass to break in a child's environment," Joy Phillips, founder and owner of Creative Images, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

This cool, 12" x 12" sign is one in a series of Cartoon Signage, including BAM!, KAPOW!, VROOM and ZAP. Ideal for tweens and teens, it comes ready to hang with wire attached. The "exclusive Art4Kids publication [is] not available in discount stores," Joy Phillips, founder and owner of Creative Images, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

This 36" x 18" image of a bucket of baseballs is destined to be a sports classic. At the end of the baseball season, the victories and defeats are recorded on the team's bucket of baseballs with their many scraps and scars. The photography is by Kim Riseley Delph. The exclusive Art4Kids print is available in the following ready to hang presentation styles: Contemporary Mount (with beveled edge), Creative Canvas Wrap, Framed Canvas, Gallery Framed, Heritage Framed and Art Block Mounted. "Glassless presentation formats [offer] safety in a child's environment," Joy Phillips, founder and owner of Creative Images, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 3, 2008.

Kids can create a one-of-a-kind bowl for their one-of-a-kind pet. The size is perfect for dogs, cats, monkeys, parrots or opossums. The specially coated, food-safe ceramic pet dish comes with six non-toxic ceramic markers and holds three cups of dry food. The kit "provides children a creative way to express their love for a favorite pet. It is a fun, easy and functional project that your child will be proud of," Mike Greenwald, co-president of Bowwowmeow, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.
— "I saw these last year and didn't give them a second thought," said Mary Sisson of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., "but I'm realizing how much kids love their pets and how this fills a niche for the animal lovers among our customer base. Especially the artistic ones." The Bowwowmeow pet products were one of her favorite lines at ASTRA Marketplace 2009, she told TDmonthly.