March 2012 New Specialty Toys — Construction

LEGO Ninjago Zane DX (2171). Kids spin their way to victory and become a Spinjitzu master. Zane is now a dragon ninja and has reached a level of Spinjitzu ability that allows him to ride the awe-inspiring Ice Dragon. Wearing the white dragon suit and armed with the Shurikens of Ice, no skeleton is a match for him. Use the four battle cards included in the set to influence the battle.
— As of 3/30/2012 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on ToysRUs.com.

Take to the stars in the classic X-wing starfighter. Featuring wings that fold into attack mode, proton torpedoes, retractable landing gear and opening cockpit, this most iconic vehicle of the Star Wars universe returns to turn the tide in the battle against the evil Empire. Includes 4 minifigures: Luke Skywalker, Jek Porkins, R2-D2 and R5-D8.
— As of 3/30/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a May 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best selling licensed product.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best-selling construction toy line.

Another stone building set from Anker Blocks, made of natural ingredients, these shapes of stones will allow kids to create endless forms. It contains 20 sample cards to fire kids' imaginations. With 36 stone building bricks made from the original Anker stone material kids can construct creative buildings and let their imagination run riot. There are countless possibilities to build mosaics, aesthetically appealing puzzles and edifices using the stones of the New Stone Age. Made in Germany of chalk, quartz sand, pigments and linseed oil.

The possibilities are endless with the 147-piece Quadrilla Twist and Rail Set. A combination of straight and curved rails and even funnels plus color-coordinated blocks offers a new level of fascination to a build and play toy. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award; 2007 TDmonthly Top Seller Award; 2007 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award.

This 500 piece model of the Titanic celebrates the 100th anniversary of the doomed ship's voyage.

The Sevi workbench is what every little carpenter dreams about. Each detail is carefully designed by the toy designers from Sevi, a company with a tradition of making great children’s products since 1831. The bench has a nice big work surface (about 18 by 19 inches). There is also a vice and a place to put your tools when finished. The tool bench is designed as a companion product to Sevi’s full range of construction toys. There are five different sets in the construction series (sold separately). In addition to the workbench, the set comes with 20 pieces including nuts, screws, and a set of five tools: mallet, wrench, screw driver, saw, and a square. The size of the pieces are ideal for little fingers just learning to manipulate and develop dexterity. The Sevi workbench is recommended for children ages 3+.

These construction sets offer exciting insights into the world of technics and also foster the technical skills of all amateur craftsmen. Thanks to the pre-cut wooden pieces budding craftsmen have immediate construction pleasure without having to do any sawing. Thanks to the easy to read instructions assembling the pieces is very simply. The construction sets bring physics within easy reach and are real fun to assemble, and then to observe and test the results.

Solid beechwood blocks still made in Germany. Perfect for little architects with the 6 building block clamps, 6 wheel clamps, 3 building block clutches, 11 building blocks. 26 pieces.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

A little buggy with a driver and six different building blocks each with its own surprise, acoustic or visual, for playing, building, assigning, discovering.

Build a five-foot-tall marble track out of paper and tape. Eleven different patterns are printed onto 45 sheets of card stock and cut into strips. The kit comes with five marbles and a detailed instruction manual with over 90 color photographs showing kids how to make each piece and how to connect the pieces together. Made in USA; marbles made in China. "This is the only commercially available marble track kit made out of paper," Andrew Gatt, owner of Paper Roller Coaster Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.

Little builders with big ideas can work right at this professional-looking station. Shelves and storage keep all the tools and supplies in the 38 piece set within easy reach. Includes an "adjustable height counter that grows with a child," Robin Lehnert, Marketing Manager for Hape North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

New fun and colorful GEOMAG set lets kids build and put into motion. Build a spinning top, and put it into motion. Set makes two spinning tops. All components are manufactured to stringent European and American safety standards. GEOMAG E-Motion Power Spin 24 pc Includes: 8 magnetic rods; 8 Non-magnetic steel spheres; 2 performance tips; 1 triangle panel; 1 pentagon panel; 2 graphic discs; 1 triangle pro panel; 1 pentagon pro panel.

Constructed of hardwood & comes with over 38 pieces; skills developed will include the matching of gears, construction building and hours of multiple tasking. Container has handle.

This classic manipulative wooden toy is designed with geometric blocks, large gears, washers and rings, all in bright colors. Geo Blocks & Gears will boost hand/eye coordination and problem solving skills in a fun hands on way. Skills include stacking, matching and making gears fit to turn. Constructed of hardwood and is packaged in a full retail colored box

Multi color. 24 pack in full color display box. Size 10"L x 1"W.
— In a September 2014 survey, Lynda Blankenship from Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that What'Zit is one of the store's best-selling novelty toys.

Like how every great inventor has a lab, the Nanopad is the ideal platform for Nanodot creations. Made from a fusion of ferrous metal and fabric, the Nanopad is a flexible double-sided surface that is attracted to magnets but isn’t magnetic. Each Nanopad features an imprinted grid on one side making it an ideal play surface for chess, checkers, go, as well as role-playing and card games. Available in two sizes: 16" and 26".

Nanodots: how do they work? Users can see for themselves with the Magnetic Field Viewer and Splitter. Straight from the labs of Nano Magnetics, the MFV Splitter allows users to see magnetic interactions, carve and divide creations while also serving as a Nanodot ruler.

MEGA Nanodots are a throwback to the collectible marble sensation of yesteryear, but with a magnetic twist. Striking a balance between kinetic and magnetic forces, these super-sized Nanodots(TM) let users experiment with the forces of Newton’s cradle, solve challenging build puzzles and play “Grow,” the Nanodots game of war. Available in packs of 30 and 64 pcs in three colors: Titanium Spectra, Black and Silver.

This is the first line of construction toys designed for preschool girls ages 1 and up. Features sparkly translucent blocks,  princesses with sparkling tiaras, ponies, and more. This tub includes sparkly and regular blocks, two princesses, and a little pony. Launch date: Fall 2012.

littleBits is a system of modular electronics that snap together with tiny magnets for prototyping and play. The littleBits starter kit is the first kit by littleBits and contains all you need to get started within seconds. Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Included in the kit are 10 color coded modules (power, input, output, and wire) that snap together magnetically to create larger circuits, guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours. Comes packaged in an attractive case with a magnetic closure and includes an instruction sheet, 9v battery and a custom plastic screwdriver. 

This 64-piece strand of tiny building components comes with a code that tells kids how to create specific designs. Or, kids can use their imaginations and create whatever they want.

Resting in the ancient fortress ruins of Weathertop, Aragorn, Frodo and Merry are suddenly attacked by the Ringwraiths. Will they take The One Ring from Frodo or can Aragorn stop them in time? Includes 5 minifigures: Aragorn, Frodo, Merry and 2 Ringwraiths. 430 pieces. Available June 2012.

Plotting to reclaim The One Ring, Gollum lures Frodo into the lair of the ancient giant spider, Shelob. Will Shelob cast her web and capture Frodo or can Samwise Gamgee rescue him in time? Includes 3 minifigures: Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum. 227 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.

Under attack by the evil Uruk-hai Army, the ancient fortress of helm's Deep is the last refund for the people of Rohan. As the Uruk-hai draw near, they fire hooks from the armored hook shooter and try to scale the fortress walls. Can Éomer and the Rohan soldier hold back the Uruk-hai and save the day? Includes 6 minifigures: Éomer, Rohan soldier and 4 Uruk-hai.  257 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.