July 2009 New Specialty Toys — Creative Activities

The Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio allows kids to create their own "portfolio" book of clothing and accessory designs on the pre-printed Fashion Angels model sketch pads. The set includes removable plastic stencil cards with more than 100 shapes to start girls on their way to creating finished looking designs. The book also has instructions on how to draw just like professional designers with shading techniques and funky details. "Its fabulous price point makes it the perfect item to pick up or add on to any purchase," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This fanny pack features a front zipper pocket for small toys and an elastic waistband with sheaths on either side for essential pirate gear. It's a "unique kids' fanny pack with side elastic sheaths to hold kids' pirate swords, toy telescopes, treasures and more," Mike Biggers, president of Portable Playtime Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Approximately 8" tall, this magnetic paper doll comes with outfits and accessories, most of which are interchangeable on other critters in the collection. They are made to cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner of Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Designed with colors, features, and simplistic yet detailed designs to draw all age groups, each critter in this collection is approximately 8" tall and comes with outfits and accessories. The critters are made to cut out easily with regular scissors. Launch date: April 2009.

These Christmas clothes will fit all but three of the MAGNETIC PAL critters and dolls. They do not fit Rita, the frog or the monkey. The designs are made to be cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner at Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Rita is magnetic and comes with clothing and accessories that are interchangeable with other critters in the collection. She is approximately 8" tall and can be cut out with regular scissors. Launch date: April 2009.

This biodegradable steamer made from recycled cardboard is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. It includes six non-toxic, washable markers and may be used as a birthday party craft, as a school project or in goodie-bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This airplane is designd to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable and comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This fire truck is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. The truck comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. It is "perfect for a fire fighter-themed birthday party or school project," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This 100-percent biodegradable racecard made out of recycled cardboard is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Six non-toxic, washable markers are included. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

Made from recycled cardboard, this 100-percent biodegradable carriage is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. It comes with six non-toxic, washable markers, and could be used as a birthday party craft or as part of a school project. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This dinosaur is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard and 100-percent biodegradable, it comes with six non-toxic, washable markers and may be used as a craft for birthday parties and goodie-bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

The CALAFANT spaceship is designed to be easy to build, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard and 100-percent biodegradable, it comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. "[It's] easy to sell as a goody-bag item for birthday parties: It's a craft-activity and something for the kids to take home," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This camper van is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. It has six non-toxic, washable markers and could make an ideal craft for birthday parties and goodie bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This little house is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. It comes with six non-toxic, washable markers, and could make an ideal craft for birthday parties and goodie bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

"Our die-cut vinyl designs are superior to paper or cardboard pictures. The peel-off release paper can be 're-attached' to the sticky surface to create your own designs. All products are made in the USA," MaryLee Hanson, owner of ArtiSands, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Rose Fairy Dress is a beautifully designed gown suitable for all little princesses and fairies.  The skirt has many layers and it’s made of bridal satin, tulle, tricot, and shimmery organza with the top layer gathered in a princess style and garnished with four handcrafted red roses.  The stretchy bodice is embellished with five beautiful roses.  Launch date: 2009.

Woodland Fairy Dress is a beautifully designed gown with layers of satin lining, tulle, and topping the skirt are shimmery rainbow organza petals.  The corset-style stretchy bodice is embellished with golden metallic ribbons and two rainbow organza bows on each shoulder.  The shimmery sleeves are designed from rainbow organza and shaped like petals. Launch date: 2009.

Reversible Princess Fairy Cape is made of light pink bridal satin on one side and decorated with a silver princess crown, which is adorned with pink gems.  The reversed side is made of a pink glittery spangle and decorated with pink panne set of wings which are adorned with a pink satin ribbon. Launch date: 2009.

The Queen Gown showcases a beautiful skirt, which is made of many layers.  It has a layer of rose bridal satin underskirt, a layer of lavender tulle to give it full volume, and a layer of magenta organza to give it a flowing effect.  The stretchy ruched top is made of magenta satin, and it’s finished with a silver crown which is decorated with silver heart gems. "Our designs are made from the finest available fabrics and sewn to perfection," Veesha Knight, sales and marketing manager for Creative Education of Canada, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Queen Cape is made of magenta steamed velour and it’s trimmed with black and white ermine to give it a royal effect.  The cape has a hood and it’s  tied with a white satin bow.  "Our dress-up quality is beyond compare and it's designed to last for generations," Veesha Knight, sales and marketing manager for Creative Education of Canada,  told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

In this word game activity book, kids fill in the blanks about their own family members on topics such as “Family Ghost Stories” and “Famous Ancestors.”
— Barbara Paeth Haas, owner of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., said in spring 2009 that Mad Libs sell so well she can’t keep them in stock.
— “A lot of people choose things like Mad Libs for travel specifically because they're very compact and they're entertaining for a while, and they just seem to be one of those perennially popular items,” Gini Wingard-Phillips, owner of Math ‘n’ Stuff in Seattle, told TDmonthly in March 2009.

Think-ets Deluxe "Teacher Edition" contains a distinctive assortment of 30 miniature trinkets specially selected for storytelling and imaginative play. Like the original Think-ets, there are 10 different games. The Teacher Edition comes with three formal lesson plans and more activities and applications. Think-ets Deluxe is the larger version of the Original award-winning Think-ets game, and may be used by teachers, ESL teachers, speech therapists, school psychologists, trainers and others. Think-ets utilizes "unique manipulatives from around the world [that] have many educational applications," CEO Randy Compton of Think-a-lot Toys told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

Think-ets Genius is a more challenging version of the Original award-winning Think-ets game. There are 12 new games and 15 new miniature items from around the world for creative storytelling and intriguing word games. Players can use the trinkets to tell a “Surprise Story,” a “Time Warp Story” or an “Interrupted Story,” or use them to play “Name That Word,” “Ghost” or “Killer Mouse.” Think-ets Genius may be used for creative family or group fun, or one-on-one parent-child time. "Think-ets Genius uses tiny treasures from around the world for imaginative play and critical thinking, all within a cool, portable tin," CEO Randy Compton of Think-a-lot Toys told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.