July 2010 New Specialty Toys — Developmental Toys

Stuffed to be firm with organic cotton, this soft friendly teether is perfect to sooth a baby's gums. A rattle sounds when the toy is shaken. The Teething Toy measures 6" x 6" and is also available in Monkey, Ducky, Bunny and Lamby versions.

This 3.5" x 4.5" wrist and ankle rattle jingles when shaken. Soft baby velcro keeps it in place for continuous and drop-free playing. The toy is also available in Ducky, Cubby, Bunny and Lamby versions.

Flower Feelings are emotions brought to life as a garden of eight adorable plush characters, each with a distinctive facial expression identifiable by the feeling name embroidered on the back. Accompanying the toy is a full-color booklet describing the individual traits of each emotion, along with playful questions and answers designed to help children recognize feelings in their own life. A sing-along CD about the Flower Feelings is included in the package, along with lesson plans for home or classroom. "The colorful and engaging plush allow children a tangible way to embrace their feelings while the activities and song included in the kit provide many ways to create a positive setting in which children can express their emotions," Ei Kids President Daniel Nix told TDmonthly.

The Zoomer is an innovative balance training bike designed for children ages 2 to 5. Also called a walking bike, the Zoomer allows kids to learn balance and agility on their own and at their own pace, eliminating the need for training wheels when learning to ride a traditional pedal bike. "Our high-quality, brightly colored bikes are the most affordable balance bikes on the market," Boot Scoot Bikes LLC President Katherine Stirling told TDmonthly.
Awards: Placed in the Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio, 2009

Four ladybugs and a caterpillar have a tea party in the forest. Made of easy-to-clean, phthalate-free covers and high-density foam, these bugs are safe and comfortable for children to climb, rock, toddle or play on. "The quality is second to none," Lynn Toves, Wee Blossom marketing and sales representative, told TDmonthly.

The Gymnic Line’s Hop Ball is made in Italy from super strong, soft, latex-free vinyl, for long-lasting use and durability. It can be used indoors or on smooth, safe outdoor surfaces. The Hop Ball is designed to promote children’s body coordination, balance and lymph circulation while simultaneously providing a fun workout. It is free of phthalates.

Four ladybugs and a caterpillar have a tea party in the forest. Made of easy-to-clean, phthalate-free covers and high density foam, these bugs are safe and comfortable for children to climb, rock, toddle or play on.

This infant toy is based on the book by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. The "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"-themed soft stacker includes three alphabet stacking rings, plus a removable tree top to complete the coconut tree.

Lilly Bean's play food line is made of super-soft fleece and velour, with stuffing made entirely from recycled soda bottles. The Market Sandwich Lunch is American made and features two slices of wheat bread, one slice of lunch meat, lettuce, cheese, tomato, a carrot and a cream-filled cookie. "Our play foods are more life-sized than play foods currently available in the market. We believe that it makes our product more fun, safe and easy for little hands to play with," Lilly Bean Owner Hilary Karnatz told TDmonthly.

This easy-to-use educational tool promotes accelerated learning, literacy and new language skills. The WhisperPhone Element is adjustable for fit and comfort, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Word Builder challenges children to build new words by twisting the rings in order to create different letter combinations. With the help of their caregivers, children learn how to use consonants and vowels to build words between two and six letters long. The rings are easily removed and rearranged, creating a multitude of possibilities.

The Story Starter is designed for shared use with young children and their caregivers. A child twists the rings in order to create one of several thousand combinations of story introductions. The caregiver can continue to tell a story from the introduction, or encourage the child to use his or her imagination and continue the story himself or herself.

Alphabet Matcher challenges children to choose a letter and find the five corresponding images that begin with that letter. For example, select the letter “F” and find Fish, Foot, Frog, Flower and Flag. An answer guide is included. Alphabet Matcher engages skills ranging from logic to spelling. It contains three extra sets of rings, covering 24 letters and 120 images.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010; 2011 PAL (Play Advances Language) Award.

The Learn-To-Dress Knight helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip, all while encouraging hours of imaginative playtime. This Noble Knight can change to a Dark Knight with just a swoosh of his reversible cape. Outfits are completely removable and Floppy Bear is machine washable and guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Components are incorporated into the design, so the life and play of the product is longer." Launch date: July 2010.

The Learn-To-Dress Fairy Princess helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip all while encouraing hours of imaginative playtime. The Fairy Princess changes into a Pretty Pink Princess by removing her top skirt and unbuttoning her wings. The outfit is completely removable, and the dress and bear are machine washable. The bear is guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Fairy Princess outfit is fully removable and educational portions are designed into the garment for a longer life and to inspire creative play." Launch date: July 2010.

BPA and PVC free, this cornstarch teething rattle is eco-friendly and biodegradable. The slender design provides easy gripping for exploring fingers. It is made with Natureworks® EcoGreen cornstarch PLA biopolymer with silicone teether parts.

BPA and PVC free, this cornstarch resin rattle is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Its classic dumbbell shape provides easy gripping for exploring fingers. It is made with Natureworks® EcolGreen cornstarch PLA biopolymer.

Organic, BPA and PVC free, this plush animal with teething rings entertains baby. The plush animal is made from organic cotton terry with organic cotton fill, and the EVA teething rings can be chilled in the refrigerator for a soothing effect.

This BPA-, PVC- and nitrosamine-free cooling teether can be chilled in the refrigerator for a soothing effect. The soother is filled with sterilized water for baby's health and comfort.

The Friendliest Bugs Lacing Cards enhance hand-eye coordination and sharpen fine motor skills. The heavy duty cards have faux silk laces. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly, "Laces will not unravel!"

The award-winning ABC Feelings Activity/Flash Card set contains 26 cards with full-color illustrations and a feeling word for each letter. Each card has a line drawing on the back, a definition of the feeling, a story and interesting activities relating to that feeling. With six activities per card, this set is ideal for preschool age and up, in home or classroom, group or one on one. Instructions are included in the easy to use carrying package. Vice President of ABC Feelings Gene Abrams told TDmonthly, "These 7.5" x 8.75" cards are interactive and multicultural, fun and easy to use, resulting in enhanced communication and understanding of feelings."

In this game, the seven pieces start as an ink blot to be carefully rearranged to make animals, faces, letters, numbers, birds, ships, and more. A booklet of 60 silhouetted shapes to try is included, as well as rules for a cooperative game. It can be played alone or in a group. President of Family Pastimes Jim Deacove told TDmonthly this product is "for the clever, the imaginative, the creative!"

Large, versatile and sturdy stand-up easel allows young artists to create masterpieces over and over! Painting area is 17" x 20" for chalkboard, write and wipe, and paper roll surfaces. Handy and spacious paint and brush shelf has a washable surface for easdy clean-ups. Spacious 18" x 18' storage tray conveniently holds a variety of art supplies. Paints, paintbrush, chalk and paper sheets not included.  Ships partially assembled.

Each box set contains 24 Reptangles in green, yellow, orange, red, purple and blue that can be snapped and slid together in more than 100 ways. The turtles connect at various angles and come with an activity book with 40+ puzzles to encourage kids to think about geometric concepts and design as they build.
Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.