July 2009 New Specialty Toys — Infant & Toddler

Toddlers will love leading the parade with this wooden elephant that claps two cymbals together when pushed along. With a large wooden knob for easy grasping, this is a wonderful first push toy to accompany those first steps.  Brightly painted with non-toxic paint. It measures 21.5" x 7" x 5" assembled.

These organic terry cloth bath mitts come with a matching baby mitt so kids can join in the bathtub fun. Designed to offer bath time fun for kids and adults, the mitts are made with 100-percent organic cotton and non-toxic low impact dyes, and produced under Fair Trade. Launch date: January 1, 2009.

The innovative design and palm cushion of the Squeez-Ease prevents scratching the face and promotes sensory development in newborns. The design of the Squeez-Ease allows fingers to be free for exploration and sucking, allows for tactile development of the fingers, decreases sudden jerking of the hands and calms baby, and improves awareness of hands when cushion is squeezed. Made of an ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton. This product received a 2009 Top Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine.
Past Videos: Product demonstration

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Zebra Buddy features black stripes and extra tactile nubby's for its mane. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Lion Buddy features a bright, orange mane around its head. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

These three animals, an ox, elephant and hippo, have embedded magnets that allow kids to mix and match their head and tail components. Each measures about 5" L x 3" D.

The front end loader from the ROADMAX series is a sturdy toy with a design suitable for small children with many realistic functions for playing fun. The transparent driver's cab that opens from above can be equipped with a play figure. Front and back end loader are fully functional and can be locked in position. The front shovel and the rear shovel can also be tilted or moved by operating the respective lever. Fold-out support legs ensure stability and soft tires complete the picture.

These nature-themed, gender-neutral wall cards are numbered one through 10. The images are made using recycled paper. The cards are designed to be educational, stylish and environmental from start to finish, using only 100-percent recycled materials and soy ink for the product and packaging. "Wall cards are known as an economical alternative to expensive wall art, which makes them the perfect product for families on a budget. And their versatility allows them to be individually framed, or simply tacked up to the wall!" Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

The Rocking Caterpillar features a wooden base, a soft, plush seat and a squeaky red nose. The multi-colored fabric plush can be removed for easy cleaning.

This line of plush donkeys is stubbornly cute. Tomato comes in various sizes, but this one is 45 cm long.

These brightly colored, textured snaps with faces make a push, pull motor skill game for infants. Suitable for ages 6 months and up. Launch date: 2009.

Designed to meet the challenges of young children's fast-paced lives, and enhance the development of motor skills, coordination, balance and emotional and social skills, the GYMBOX opens into six squares forming a playground of various elements: ball pit, different-sized rollers, rockers, steps, climb and slide slope, tunnel, and balancing elements. The sections attach with Velcro and can easily be pulled apart. It is created to encourage classical soft play and provide a fun, active environment anytime of day. At the end of the day, the GYMBOX can be snapped closed and put away for another day. The modular cube is available in two sizes: 32" (80 cm) and 39" (100 cm).

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this fire engine is made of the renewable resource rubberwood and comes with colorful shape pieces toddlers can push through the matching silhouettes on the sides. Launch date: 2009.
— "Smart Gear is doing some really smart stuff," Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly after the 2009 ASTRA show. She commented on the line's nice appearance and wooden construction.

Baby’s first prehistoric plush pal! This extremely soft, loveable baby dinosaur was designed especially for infants. Its embroidered details, soft blue color, orange spikes, and smiling face make this a toy that children of any age will cherish.

With this puzzle, toddlers can match the shape of one of the four knob puzzle pieces or discover what is underneath. The Pond Knob Puzzle is designed to promote fine motor and concentration skills. "Delightful graphics encourage children to uncover and learn more about animals in their environment," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Little Autos are child-sized vehicles made of maple with natural wood wheels painted with a vibrant burst of color and sweet graphics. They are available in four colors: lime green, blue, red and yellow, and accented with one of two whimsical patterns: checkers or blossoms. Little Autos are an "exceptional value for a modern, wood vehicle. This is available in a display with 8 autos in 4 colors," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Pink line includes organic rattles, teethers, and developmental toys designed with purpose. The House Sorter comes packed with four shape blocks ready to be shaken, squeezed and sorted. It's designed to stimulate and develop babies' sensory, motor and social skills vital to their personal growth and most importantly, have fun doing it. “From the organic cotton grown without pesticides and chemicals, coloring process, and right down to the plant-based fibers used in filling the plush toys, we’re all about delivering toys that babies will enjoy learning from and that don’t harm the environment,” Re-Think It Co-founder Amy Shumway told TDmonthly. A portion of the proceeds from the PINK line will support Breast Cancer Research. Launch date: September 16, 2009.

The Lauri Caterpillar Crepe Rubber Puzzles for Wood Puzzle Graduates are made in the United States and have soft, bright, durable and washable pieces that won't curl, crease or tear. The puzzle has two skill levels. Kids first follow the pattern, and then they can take it away to increase the challenge. It's designed for kids to feel special achievement when each piece fits snugly. "The best thing about the Lauri Caterpillar Crepe Rubber Puzzle is that it's latex-free, washable and completely safe! Parents also appreciate the educational value of the puzzles, which encourage concentration, patience and quiet play," Jessica Wineke, PR coordinator for Patch Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.
— Lauri puzzles are best sellers at Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., Owner Shana Hack told TDmonthly in June 2009.

This classic pull toy is made of velour that rolls around on sturdy wooden wheels. Launch date: July 2006.

BinkiBear is a teddy bear with a pacifier attached, allowing for both baby and parent to find the pacifier. If baby loses the pacifier while sleeping, he or she can easily locate the pacifier via BinkiBear and fall back asleep, allowing for better sleep for both child and parents.

The infant hoodie from BinkiBear is colorful and comes complete with a long tail hood plus pockets for baby to explore.

Available in three colors. The Long Tail Hat is soft and warm and features a tail extending out of the hat.

This hat is square in shape, allowing a little child to easily stand out in a crowd.

White with Black Swirl print. Made of 100% Cotton. The Sprout Shell is an infant carrier cover that attaches securely over any size infant carrier within seconds, and gives Baby a tent-like enclosure so he or she is sheltered from the elements. The opening for the infant carrier’s handle lets air in for Baby, while giving Mom, Dad or caregiver a secure grip on the handle and a view of Baby inside.