June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

Girls can customize T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies and more with this silk screen set that makes it safe and easy to create their own one-of-a-kind designer looks for themselves and friends. The style guide offers inspiration and instructions on how to use the machine, stencils and paints to create runway-worthy clothing and accessories. "Silk screening is such an easy process — you can just purchase plain clothes and make one-of-a-kind creations that no one else will have," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

With delightful illustrations, Tell-Me Tarot is a charming deck designed for beginners, teens and tweens. The meanings are written right on the cards, so there's nothing to memorize. Kids can just ask a question, choose a card, and receive an answer. "This deck is simple to use and easy to understand so it's perfect for young people interested in tarot," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

Kids can recycle a soda can into a silly, walking, wobbling robot. The kit includes all the parts needed, right down to the googly eyes, except for the two AAA batteries that are required. Launch date: 2008.
— “The Tin Can Robot is a huge hit. It’s from their Green Science series, which has been doing great,” Jennifer Schneeweis, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, told TDmonthly in late August 2009. Two of 40 retailers mentioned the brand when discussing best-selling educational items in fall 2009.
― “Right now we have the Tin Can Robot for 8- to 10-year-olds and that's doing well,” said Marlene, manager of Kits & Kaboodle in Carmel, Ind., when asked about her best-selling item for tween boys. Seven of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 said science kits are their top sellers for tween boys.
― “It's a good price point and an excellent product.  It sells all the time,” Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub's Party, Toys and More  in Yellow Springs, Ohio, said of the Tin Can Robot and other 4M science kits in spring 2010.
— In August 2010, seven of 43 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith is a best-selling science and nature brand. Two retailers named Tin Can Robot as a top product.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

Kids can learn about renewable energy by building this functioning wind generator. When the blades turn, they create electricity that powers an LED light, demonstrating renewable energy from the wind. Users just add a recycled plastic bottle and the kit provides everything else they need. No batteries required. Launch date: 2008.

These kits are designed to offer everything kids need to learn about the basics of robotic science while constructing fun machines. There are four styles: Robotic Bird, Robotic Ball Collector, Robotic Bubble Blower and Robotic Beeper. All parts snap together with easy to follow instructions. Each kit requires 2 AA batteries, not included. Launch date: 2009.

The horses have been running wild on the range, and the players' job to round up as many as they can and bring them back to the Ranch Corral. Some may be in the box canyons, or grazing along the trail. As players ride out, they'll have to get some lassos and binoculars and watch out for falling rocks that could block up a trail and leave a beautiful horse trapped. Players have to work together as a team, sharing equipment and talking over ideas. Because of the random setup, each game is a new adventure. It includes a 12" x 12" board, rocks, lassos, wild horses and binoculars. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Kids can choose an adventure and set off to a land near or far, playing with polar bears and seals in the freezing floating ice lands, or discovering tigers in the dense jungle. Four backgrounds set the arena for 26 animals to play and jump around. Launch date: 2009.

With more than 60 pieces and a lettered play board showing both upper- and lower-cased letters, this set gives kids a way to become more familiar with the alphabet. Each picture has the word on felt to go along with it. And ech vowel has an image of its long and short sound, helping to start the concept of beginning phonics. Launch date: 2009.

Kids's imaginations can splash into an underwater world where scuba divers explore the colorful creatures of the coral reef or venture out into open water and find magnificent giant mammals and fish. This play board and 28 felt pieces create a place to explore the depths of the sea. Launch date: 2009.

With this imaginative kit, kids can set a scene in which the characters fly a kite in the cool salty air, build art sculptures of sand, or go snorkeling and discover the world under the sea. A beach oasis is a playground paradise for this boy and girl. It includes more than 20 colorful felt pieces. Launch date: 2009.

Deep in the rainforest camouflaged againt dense vegetation hide unique animals. A tapir slumbers by the sleepy three-toed sloth, while toucans and monkeys sing in the trees. A lavish play board provides a dense cover for more than 20 felt animals. Launch date: 2009.

Each card is an opportunity to explore, explain and express oneself on subjects from serious to silly and everything in between — leisure suits to lava lamps and pet rocks to a favorite rock group on 8-track tape. Launch date: March 2009.

Friends and family can talk about the decade that changed the world, exploring topics from the heavy to the groovy, whether influenced by the Establishment or the anti-everything movement. Launch date: March 2009.

Valley girls and video games, Ronald Reagan and Rubik’s Cube, Flashdance and the fall of the Berlin Wall. TableTopics ‘80s edition has it all covered. The era of big business and even bigger hair can inspire fun conversation with friends and family. "The content and quality of our questions is unsurpassed by any competitive product, but if we had to pick on thing that is iconic about TableTopics, it is our beautiful cube. It's very upscale, permanent, timeless," Sheryl Brunell, vice president of TableTopics, told TDmonthly. "Our founder and owner, Cristy Clarke, wanted to create a product that people would use in their homes everyday and was beautiful enough to stay out on the dinner table, on the coffee table, on the dining room table all the time." Launch date: March 2009.

With this collectible bracelet line, girls pick a one-size-fits-all elastic cuff bracelet and choose from a variety of badges to customize their look. A selection of animals, pop art, rockin’ badges and more is available. Limited editions, gems and licensed images will add to the collectible badge mix. Each bracelet holds six badges that easily click on and off the bracelets. Additional badge accessories will include handbags, a headband and a belt. Retail prices are as follows: badges: $1.50; bracelets: $3.00; additional accessories range: $4.00 - $16.00. "Badges are very popular and have an Asian and European trend factor. Add in the fact the badges are collectible and the kid-friendly price point — it makes the Badge Bands and Badge Wear a great addition to our jewelry line," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly.

Designed to provide a thoughtful and imaginative play experience, this game features a princess who needs to be rescued from a mean guard and fierce dog. Players go through fields, woods, mountains and villages in search of things magical and practical that are needed to free the Princess. Participants share and help each other remember where special things are hidden, and together think their way past the obstacles. The games includes a 12" x 12" board, die, movers, night cards, good grief cards and special things.

The Bling By Number Alphabet Design Set includes numerous alphabet cards, organza ribbon, glitter paints, sequins and more to create decorative message banners, bookmarks, monograms and ornaments. The Bling by Number line is designed to be error proof and provide exquisite and professional-looking results every time. There are instructions and design ideas to get girls started on their way to creating their own personalized blingin’ messages.

The goal of this game is to help everyone from Mom and Dad to Granny and Grandpa have a great day and not get caught by The Blues. Players can pass on a hug, make others laugh with goofy faces, tell someone what they like about them, dance, sing, share a joke, and more. Feel-Good Cards have lots of things to do to chase away The Blues, but players must be careful, as The Blues can sneak up very quickly. Participants can personalize the game's supplies by adding various books and music of their own. Suggestions are included. The games includes a 12" x 12" board, feel-good cards, a neighborhood card, people movers, the blues and dice.

This lift-the-flap board book features colorful illustrations showing how different animals around the world walk, slide, hop and more. It is written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Caroline Mockford.
—  Barefoot Books were listed as top sellers by Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, in spring 2009.

German company Holztiger uses native maple and beech woods and water-based paints and sealants in the construction of its wooden toys, such as this giraffe that is one in a collection of many wildlife animal figurines.
— Holztiger wooden animals were recognized as top sellers by Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, in spring 2009.

The modern design aesthetic of Paul Frank Industries coupled with the whimsical nature and personality of Julius is captured in these classic knitted monkeys. Knitted Monkeys are created in soft knit fabrics featuring classic crochet, knit, and chenille stitch patterns.  Featuring a loveable embroidered sock face and body, Knit Monkeys are available in white, brown, beige, pink, and Julius signature print knit fabric in pink and blue. Launch date: July 2009.

Fans can show their allgiance to Ugly Dolls of all colors and shapes on this nifty tee.

Babo is best friends with Wage...and the cookie jar. But once he gets to know you and the kinds of snacks you keep around the house, he will focus mostly on the snacks! Little Ugly Babo is 7" tall and won 2006 Toy of the Year Award, Oppenheim best Toy Award and the 2006 Parent's Choice Approved Award.

Wage is a hard worker, just like you! He works at the local Super Mart and wears his apron to serve his customers best. Does Super Mart know that Wage works there? Nope.But 14" tall Wage doesn't mind.He likes to put things in bags, especially snacks. Wage is the Ugly Doll that started a cultural phenomenon. Watch Video to learn more. Launch date: 2001.