May 2012 New Specialty Toys — Educational

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 kit is for kids as they begin to explore, experiment and discover their world. Over 70 fun exciting experiments to stimulate young minds. Launch date: 2012.

Harness the power of Mentos candies and soda into a racing car that travels 200 feet or more. Launch date: 2012.

Kids will explore the magic of crystal chemistry as they design and grow their own crystal ring. They will discover the secrets of crystal chemistry, learn to make sugar jewels and find out which household salts make the best crystals using the included magnifying glass to study them. Launch date: 2012.

The newest Perplexus model requires a player to twist, turn, and realign the tracks within to escape traps, dead ends, and cliffhangers. A captivating new dimension for the Perplexus family of toys. Thirty transition points.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids – Gameplay/Brainteasers

Sleek high tech looking tablet with 21 smooth touch icons. Tablet has 4 activities to learn about Dinosaurs and 15 dinosaurs to discover – just like in the Smithsonian Museum. earn their names, hear their sounds, learn what their diet was and more fun information. Launch Date:  September 2012.

Kids can learn about colors, quantities, observation skill and more with Arthur’s Little TV. One infra-red remote and 4 double sided scene cards + 1 default scene card for 9 total fun scenes to interact with. Insert card into TV and start playing with fun discover and questions about each scene. Touch one of 6 Arthur characters on the remote to answer. Launch Date:  September 2012.

The new Handy Science Kits, exclusively from GeoCentral, will have kids learning from real science experiments. There are four different kits including Water, Color, Magnetism and Light. Each kit includes 6 experiments that strengthen a child's powers of observation while being interactive and fun. The Water Handy Science Kit teaches experiments like how to make fish swim, float objects and explore paper. With the Magnetism Handy Science kit you can do experiments like navigate through a magnetic maze, attract objects through water or build force fields. The Color Handy Science Kit teaches how to change colors, make colorful super bubbles and make rainbows. The Light Handy Science Kit teaches how to use the sun to tell time, magnify objects or block light. Launch date: 2012.

With this set, kids can practice counting, numbers and stacking. Includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into 5 different-size bowls (printed with numbers 1–5). Bowls nest to store—largest measures 21/4”H x 43/4” in diameter. Launch date: February 2012.

Measuring madness is coming to the kitchen. Enticing, chunky tools are contoured for little hands. Scale, bowl, 3 self-standing spoons and 6 unique cup designs help children visualize quantities as they make mystery goo, puffy paint, slime and more. Activity Cards included. Launch date: February 2012.

The Tribute Kendama is a Japanese wooden skill toy that challenges hand-eye coordination, focus, balance, and creativity. Enjoyed by millions in Japan, its only recently been introduced into the USA thanks to KendamaUSA. " It is the only Kendama designed so that the cups can never fall off the handle, which is the #1 customer complaint with copy-cat brands," Jeremy Stephenson, president of Kendama USA, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Toy of the Year Award Nominee
— David Castillo, vice president of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Kendamas, especially ones from Kendama USA, are one of their store's best-selling toys.

Tilt and see images flip magically to teach the alphabet and numbers. Special 3D lenticular printing makes these magnets interactive and captivating for young children. Large magnets (2.25” square) are easy to hold and play with. Each set includes a colorful teaching guide in English, French and Spanish. "The first magnet toy for children that uses 3D lenticular printing," Ilango Sankaralingam, president of Smart Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Tilt and see images flip magically to teach the alphabet, numbers, opposites or animal babies. Special lenticular printing makes these cards interactive and captivating for young children. Colorful illustrations make learning fun in English, Spanish and French.   High-quality, durable flashcards are easy to clean and maintain. Reclosable ring keeps cards together. "Our flash cards utilize an unique lenticular printing process and provides the ability to learn in 3 languages," Ilango Sankaralingam, president of Smart Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.

Images on these 3-D flashcards will take on a new dimension to view the world in a whole new way. Realistic 3-D images make these cards captivating and fun to play with. Learn animal or fruit/vegetable names in English, French and Spanish. Includes 20 durable & easy to clean cards. Perfect for on-the-go learning as the Reclosable ring keeps cards together. Comes in 3 fun styles – Zoo animals, Marine animals and Fruits/Vegetables. Launch date: March 2012.