May 2010 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

The Preschool Activity Pack for uses different textures to create activities.

The Astro Highchair has a large, super-soft leatherette seat and a deep adjustable tray. It sits on a stable yet compact base, and collapses flat for easy storage.

This dashboard has a steering wheel with three horn sounds and an ignition key with a realistic revving sound. It also includes moving windshield wipers, turn signals, a car phone, sirens, a radio and an electronic roller gear shift.

Lilly Bean's play food line is made of super-soft fleece and velour, with stuffing made entirely from recycled soda bottles. The Market Sandwich Lunch is American made and features two slices of wheat bread, one slice of lunch meat, lettuce, cheese, tomato, a carrot and a cream-filled cookie. "Our play foods are more life-sized than play foods currently available in the market. We believe that it makes our product more fun, safe and easy for little hands to play with," Lilly Bean Owner Hilary Karnatz told TDmonthly.

This realistic kitchen and dining counter has a dual-sided design for multi-child use. Its modern features include a "stainless steel” oven, refrigerator and serving utensils. Also included are a 39-piece accessory set, lots of storage, two electronic sound features, and a deep sink.

This sleek European-influenced styling uses gender-neutral colors to appeal to both boys and girls. “Stainless steel” appliances and accents add to the clean, modern look. A special frying pan and boiling pot with lid activate electronic frying and boiling water sounds in the stove’s cook top burner. Additional electronic sounds in the oven, microwave and phone add to realistic play. The set also includes a refrigerator, coffee maker, faucet and sink.

Whether going to school, going to grandma's, going on a trip, or just going next door, the Take-Along-Teddy Backpack makes it easy for kids to tote their Take-Along-Teddy everywhere. Featuring comfy, adjustable straps, it has a place for Teddy to ride comfortably on the front, plus a large compartment in the back for books, clothes and more. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "This backpack is sized to fit preschool and Kindergarten children, is machine washable and made in the U.S." Launch date: July 2010.

The Learn-To-Dress Knight helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip, all while encouraging hours of imaginative playtime. This Noble Knight can change to a Dark Knight with just a swoosh of his reversible cape. Outfits are completely removable and Floppy Bear is machine washable and guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Components are incorporated into the design, so the life and play of the product is longer." Launch date: July 2010.

The Learn-To-Dress Fairy Princess helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip all while encouraing hours of imaginative playtime. The Fairy Princess changes into a Pretty Pink Princess by removing her top skirt and unbuttoning her wings. The outfit is completely removable, and the dress and bear are machine washable. The bear is guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Fairy Princess outfit is fully removable and educational portions are designed into the garment for a longer life and to inspire creative play." Launch date: July 2010.

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem is an acclaimed American string band that released "Ranky Tanky" nationwide in 2010. This release is meant for all ages as family listening and reflects Rani Arbo’s journey into motherhood, as well as her love of American music. The tracks cover songs from various genres, times and traditions, so listeners of practically any musical taste can pick their favorites, from the raucous “Tennessee Wig Walk;” to the swingy “Kemo Kymo;” the Mardi Gras parade styled “They All Ask'd For You,” or the rousing rendition of  “Purple People Eater.” Sugar Mountain PR Publicist Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly, "Modern arrangements and traditional instruments, plus a collection of familiar songs that invite singing along, make this a great choice for families that love non-commercial acoustic music."

The Greenzys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to young children through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are environmentally safe and fun. All Greenzys toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes, with packaging made from recycled paperboard. A portion of every purchase benefits the Environmental Media Association and for every Greenzys purchase made in 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in U.S. forests.

The Greenzys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to young children through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are environmentally safe and fun. All Greenzys toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes, with packaging made from recycled paperboard. A portion of every purchase benefits the Environmental Media Association and for every Greenzys purchase made in 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in U.S. forests.

The Greenzys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to young children through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are environmentally safe and fun. All Greenzys toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes, with packaging made from recycled paperboard. A portion of every purchase benefits the Environmental Media Association and for every Greenzys purchase made in 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in U.S. forests.

The Greenzys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to young children through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are environmentally safe and fun. All Greenzys toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes, with packaging made from recycled paperboard. A portion of every purchase benefits the Environmental Media Association and for every Greenzys purchase made in 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in U.S. forests.

The Grasshopper Preschool Prep Getting Our Hands Ready Kit is packed with playful games and an illustrated guidebook to get children ready for early writing and grasp. Children can feed bugs to Mr.Crunch, play with dozens of reusable stickers, dough stamps, stretchy dough, and more. The Grasshopper guidebook gives parents the tools they need to give their children a head start for school success. Rachel Rudman, President of Grasshopper Inc., told TDmonthly this is "the only product on the market to get kids ready for preschool without electronics and without workbooks ... all fun!"
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

JumpStart Pet Rescue contains five Discovery worlds where preschoolers navigate through five stories in a search for lost pets. Each Discovery world contains a guided story told by one of the JumpStart friends, leading children on a learning adventure through more than 50 learning lessons and 20 activities that teach kids more than 75 essential skills they need to succeed. As kids progress through the adventures, they improve their pre-reading skills, memory, creativity, motor skills, listening and much more. This imaginative and immersive 3D learning environment is designed to offer hours of exploration and adventure. James Czulewicz, Vice President of Sales and Planning at Knowledge Adventure, told TDmonthly this item is the "first educational product for the Wii."

These kid-powered flashlights are available in 104 designs with 88 popular names and eight color combinations.
— "We have sold a lot of those," Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly, listing this product as one of her best sellers in June 2010.
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that My Name Flashlights from John Hinde are her best selling personalized items. “[We sell] one a day, maybe more.”
— Of 44 retailers, two said John Hinde is a best-selling product line in a September 2010 survey of most-wanted personalized items.

Children discover and explore new shapes, learn measurements, develop primary motor skills, improve communication and language skills, and visualize their world in new ways with Sandtastik Play Sand. Sandtastik Play Sand is 100-percent natural, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The sand molds when wet and can be washed and re-used over and over again. Sandtastik Sales and Marketing Manager Chad Noyes told TDmonthly, "Sandtastik White Play Sand is safe for children of all ages. It is the only sand in the world containing no free crystalline silica or quartz, approved safe by the ACMI, ASTM (USA), Corporate and Consumer Affairs (Canada), and EN-71 (Europe)." Launch date: October 1990.

Yellow Label Kids play food is designed in knit or cloth. The Pizza Pie set includes six slices of pizza and one plate.

This four-wheeled plush car features lights and sounds. Children can press the button on top for lights and a beeping sound or pull the tab on the back and watch as the car wiggles along. This item features Taggies vibrant "Colours" materials and ribbons and includes a mirror on the back, crinkly wheels, a rattle and a peek-a-boo pup in the window.

These 2-in-1 toys combine simple building with the excitement of pull back and go action. Each package includes five colorful chunky parts that are easy for little hands to construct. Comes in 2 assorted styles: Helicopter & Sports Car.

The Calico Critters Country Tree House comes full of features for pretend play. The Country Tree House has four rooms and comes with two Mango Monkeys, a hot tub, pagoda, patio, water slide and lake. House measures 18" x 24" x 16".

This Knight in Shining armor is designed for any "knight to be". This knight set is a light weight armour that coordinates with the chainmail under-armor with hood.

The mermaid dress is an alternative to the mermaid costumes on the market. The "tail" is open, so as to not limit movement and the top is made of a spandex/sequin fabric with stretch. The straps are elastic and the tail is made from shimmer organza.