June 2012 New Specialty Toys — Arts & Crafts

The little princess is not sure what to wear today. Who wants to help her choose a dress? Here creative children can let their imagination run wild and can design their own picture book over and over again as the stickers can be peeled off. Includes 6 sheets with stickers.

The fun and educational drawing and coloring toy for ages 4 and up. Create endless colorful pictures and effects without any paints or crayons – and no mess. Create effortless works of art by just gliding the tool across the Magic Drawing Board.

Find & Make has added a new project kit that directs children to make their own original creations using Makedo connectors and packaging commonly found in the home. This product invites child to be resourceful by sourcing boxes and packaging from around the house and using them as the ‘building blocks’ . Once built, the Shop becomes the source of endless role-play fun. Through this experience, the child changes their perception of a box as something they would throw away. Instead it becomes an object of value. The child has learned about reuse and upcycling in a fun and playful way. Each Makedo Find & Make kit includes a safe-saw for cutting and punching through materials safely; re-clips and lock-hinges for connecting, themed decorative stickers, beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions and a gorgeous inspiration poster. The material contents and packaging has been kept to a minimum. The reusable nature of Makedo’s connectors means that the child is able to pull apart and reconstruct their shop over and over for new building and role-play experiences. Construction with Makedo also minimizes the use of virgin materials by directing the child to make their own toy rather than going out to buy something completely new.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval, 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys

2 Birdie Banks™ is a new activity kit in the ALEX Eco Crafts series. Kids can save their money and at the same time help to save the planet! This all-in-one environmentally-friendly craft kit lets kids create 2 bird-shaped banks out of recycled paper molds. It comes with 2 makeshift banks (fashioned from recycled paper) that kids can outfit with coin slots and lids before decorating them with colorful squares. Using the included sponge brush, kids can easily affix the paper tape with glaze and wait a while for their creation to dry. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Sets of essential art materials for on-the-go artists. High-quality Thin Markers, Colored Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, and Oil Pastels in clear durable cases. Inner trays neatly hold materials. Expandable handle and snap closure. Descriptive label. AP Non-Toxic. Launch date: January 2012.

This whimsical chalkboard is actually a Paint-by-number wall mural. This chalkboard is "made" of four branches and three cute owls. The center of the mural is painted with chalkboard paint to make any kids' to-do list more fun. It is almost 4' x 4'. Simply TAPE, TRACE & PAINT. Launch date: January 2012.

A retro replica of the candy necklace. Each bead is one of six different colored crayons. Non-toxic.

A complete art kit for families on the go. This natural cotton carry case with built in crayon holster, pencil holders and pockets is fully equipped with a 6"x9" recycled paper notepad, 10 soy crayons, 5 drawing stencils including a 6" ruler (metric and inches), 2 wood pencils, and plenty of storage! Perfect  for restaurants when waiting for your food, airports, and road trips. This 8"x10"carry case fits in a baby bag and has built in handles for the little ones to carry proudly. Made from Plants - primarily natural cotton, soy, paper.

Store your secret treasures in these super sparkly KeepSake Boxes! Follow a numbered legend and add sparkling jewels to make three special boxes. Each box features a different Princess along with her special animal friend. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these ghoulish girls. Use 8 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create colorful frightfully fashionable designs by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these retro owls. Use 8 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create colorful owls on their perches by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Have a bedroom fit for a Princess with this whimsical Mirror. Match shapes and colors to create this sparkling piece of room decor. This kit uses bright oversized tiles perfect for the youngest crafters. Launch date: March 2012.

Have a bedroom fit for a Princess with this whimsical Jewelry Box. Match shapes and colors to create this sparkling piece of room decor. This kit uses bright oversized tiles perfect for the youngest crafters. "Each kit contains 4 unique projects to hang and display," Stephanie Carver, marketing manager at The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Sticky Mosaics were their best selling hobby item.

Look sweet as sugar with this Cupcake Clutch. Follow a simple numbered legend and add over 150 sparkling jewels to create this tasty clutch. Skip right to dessert and pair this with any outfit for some funky fashion flair. Launch date: March 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, two of 13 retailers said that The Orb Factory was a best selling brand of activity kit.

Kids can just tear, stick, and wear. Create unique duct tape fashions using the fluorescent and animal print tape and easy templates included in this fun Alex kit. Get all "duct" out in colourful rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, headbands, brooches, belts and more. Includes 8 rolls of duct tape (2.74 metres each) and other items needed.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that "anything Alex releases that has to do with duct tape" becomes a best seller at his store.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that duct tape kits from ALEX were their best selling hobby item.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling toys, four out of 12 retailers said that Duct tape kits from Alex were their bestselling Arts & Crafts toy.

Hot Duct Tape Fashion - 54 Feet of Tape. Tear, stick and wear. Kids can use these hot colors to make fun creations- belts, headbands, glasses, a purse and more.
— In a March 2012 survey, 2 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Alex was a best selling brand. "Alex has about 4 SKU’s that are selling as fast as they come in. They have only been here for a month but we have sold dozens of them," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly. He specifically mentioned that the new "Duct Tape" line is doing well.

Create 3 pretty Princess collages. Peel, stick and reveal beautiful pictures perfect to hang and display. Young children create their designs by matching colors and textures in three simple steps. Launch date: March 2012.

Learn all about dinosaurs while creating 3 colorful collages. Peel, stick and reveal beautiful pictures perfect to hang and display. Young children create their designs by matching colors and textures in three simple steps. Launch date: March 2012.

Now kids can create a pretty plushy photo pillow. Use the stylus to punch purple fabric and make this fun and easy fabric-by-number craft. Add funky foam and sparkling jewels and choose the perfect photo to display.  This no mess craft teaches number and pattern recognition and creates a finished product to show off their fave photos. In the great craft traditions of Sticky Mosaics® and Rug Hooking, PlushCraft™ allows a rewarding craft experience for young crafters. Match fabric colors to numbers and decorate beautiful pillows, room decor, journals, and other soft & colorful items. Launch date: March 2012.

Stick sparkly stickers and snap snazzy shapes to create rings, shoelace clips, headbands and more. Based on the well-loved children’s books, this line captures it’s young heroine’s love of life and excitement for all things posh and fabulous. Launch date: March 2012.

This kit is sure to suit girls' Fancy. Follow a simple numbered legend and add sparkling jewels to create super stunning shades. Based on the well-loved children’s books, this line captures it’s young heroine’s love of life and excitement for all things posh and fabulous. Launch date: March 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, Sandy Haynes, owner of Lollipop Toy Store in Dawsonville, Ga., told TDmonthly that Fancy Nancy is their best selling licensed brand.

This kit is sure to suit kids' Fancy! They can use their imagination to create crowns, bracelets, hair clips and more. Based on the well-loved children’s books, this line captures it’s young heroine’s love of life and excitement for all things posh and fabulous. Launch date: March 2012.

Create a stuffy plushy pillow. Use the stylus to punch pretty fabric and make this fun and easy fabric-by-number craft. Add funky foam pieces and sparking jewels to complete the fluttering friend. This no mess craft teaches number and pattern recognition and creates a finished product that is sure to brighten up any little girls’ room. Launch date: March 2012.