August 2009 New Specialty Toys — Educational

This kit includes 24, 18" x 18" square, 100-percent nylon scarves in a variety of colors, an instructional/informational insert, and a reusable plastic bag for storage. Launch date: 2008.

This set icludes three 9' x 9' square, 100-percent washable nylon scarf canopies, one each in red, white and blue, along with an instructional/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

This pack includes six, 27" square, 100-percent washable nylon scarves — two each of red, white and blue. It comes with an instructional/informational insert and the IDEAS Primary Music CD along with a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 2008.

In this game, players are Gypsies trying to earn as much gold as they can and bring it to the Big Gypsy Gathering. They need to finance the various festivities of weddings, baptisms, meetings, feasts and entertainment before border checkpoints are closed, preventing them from traveling and earning a living. Players have only two rounds of events to accomplish their goal of raising money for the Gathering. The game includes a 17" x 22" board, four movers and matching caravan cards, 26 colored wagons, 24 trades, 24 gold payments for trades, 56 events, and rules for regular and advanced games. In this cooperative game, individuals play together, not against one another. Launch date: August 2009.

This pack includes 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: red, pink, light pink, yellow, orange and peach, and includes an instruction/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

Rocket Pockets features floating super balls and an inflatable, multi-color target that can be used in the pool, at the beach or in a back yard. It is designed for one to eight players and points are scored by landing the super balls in the colored pockets. The game may be used for birthday parties, ring toss, fun learning activities and, for adults, party pong and chipping golf balls. Each game includes one inflatable target, four floating balls, four non-floating super balls, a patch kit and instructions. It is "great for teaching hand and eye coordination, letter recognition and number recognition," Gary Hoskins, creator and inventor of Rocket Pockets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2004.

Kids can explore the systems of the human body — skeletal, nervous, muscular, circulatory, urinary, respiratory and digestive systems — in this 52-minute DVD that meets National Science Education Standards. Created for grades 4 through 8, it also covers the five senses and offers a bonus segment on healthy nutrition, exercise and MyPyramid. Launch date: October 2009.

Led by D.J. Doc Roc, positive lyrics, cool rap music and high-energy action characterize this educational DVD. Sums up to 18 and differences from 18 are covered in these "add and subtract songs." This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: August 25, 2009.

Kids can join the Banana Slug String Band in their rollicking concert and as they travel with a group of children to their favorite habitats. Mr. Dirt talks nutrition and fun food facts on the farm, Nature Man leads the way to the ancient redwoods, and Marine Mark holds class in the tide pools. "The catchy songs fit perfectly into teachers' lesson plans for topics including nutrition, ecology, and the water cycle," Monica Woelfel, administrator for Banana Slug String Band, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

This 100-piece puzzle features bright artwork and three embedded gemstones. Launch date: 2009.

This apple-shaped pouched with a soft, zip-closed top includes 110 tiles with red capital letters that may be used to play three different games. In Appleletters, for two to six players ages 5 and up, players alternately add tiles to the first or last letter of a word in the middle of the table, creating a continuous "snake" of new words. Apple Turnover, for two to four players ages 7 and up, is similar to Appleletters. However, each player begins with 21 tiles instead of nine, and may actually replace an opponent's word with a longer word. The goal is to be the first player to get rid of tiles. In Applescore, for two to four players ages 7 and up, players build words as long as possible in crossword-like fashion and get bonus points for length, palindromes and going out first. Launch date: 2009.

In this episode, Billy Blue Hair loses his dog Doogie while playing fetch. As Billy searches for Doogie within the live-action video, Billy discovers Fire Station 25, where he learns fun and quirky facts about fire stations, fire engines, ladders, turnout suits, hydrants and how to safely battle a fire. "Why do fire stations have a pole?", "Why are fire hydrants different colors?" and "Why are fire trucks red?" are just a few of the many questions answered during this adventure with Billy Blue Hair. "Billy Blue Hair is a child's personal guide and educator, speaking directly to the child during the episode," Kris Olson, president of Kayo Media, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. It received a 2009 Kids First Approved approved.

The Texan Bull is part of the Farm Life Series by Papo, featuring detailed artwork on hand-painted figurines. Launch date: April 2009.

This hand-painted Turtle Caouanne is a 2009 addition to the Papo Sea Animals Collection. "The realism, poses, movement, detail and quality that Papo offers," set these figurines apart, Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

This product features programming, saving, editing and downloading capabilities via desktop or laptop USB port. It is compatible for both the Robotic Arm Trainer (OWI-007) and the WAO Kranius (OWI-9762). Launch date: April 2008.

Take a jazzy trip through an elementary school with The Playdate Kids as they share tissues with classmates and teachers, encouraging everyone to blow it out! Use that tissue and blow it out! Sheet music and CD included.

"Adventure In Numberland" is designed to introduce children to basic math concepts, such as identifying numbers and counting, in a fun, entertaining way that strengthens children’s cognitive and motor skills. Comfyland friends go on fascinating adventures of color, movement and sound with animated numbers, helping children learn addition, subtraction and problem solving. This Level 4 software features content developed exclusively for use with the Comfy Easy PC.

"Joy of Music" allows children to actively participate in concert rehearsals with Fifi Flute, Tempo Trumpet, Boom-Boom Drum and Mana Piano. These charming instruments interact with Comfyland characters to introduce a child to the wonderful world of music. Through fun activities with animated instruments, a child can become familiar with musical concepts, build awareness of harmony, and improve overall motor and auditory skills. Content for this Level 4 software program was developed exclusively for use with the Comfy Easy PC.

Designed for learning and fun, this electronic preschool toy harnesses the power of a computer and utilizes Interactive Voice Recognition Technology so that the on-screen Comfy characters respond to a child's voice as he or she plays the 36 educational games and activities. The multilingual product easily switches among 20 different languages. "During the past 80+ years, different versions of toy telephones have traditionally been among the top-selling preschool toys on the market," Ron Cantor, president of Comfy, Inc., told TDmonthly. "The Plug ‘n Play Phone is a preschool child's phone for the 21st century!" Two AA batteries are required (not included). Launch date: 2009.

This award-winning preschool toy / electronic learning aid is designed as an interactive experience that grows with children as they develop at their own pace. It comes with an interactive keyboard, "First Steps" beginner software, a USB cable and a parents' guide. The multilingual toy switches among 20 different languages for games and activities. Additional software is sold separately; for 2009, there are 12 software titles available. The keyboard is specially designed for small children.

Roar of the Jungle is a game designed for children to learn the concept of directions (clockwise and counter-clockwise) and decision making. Watch the excitement as the Gorillas, Hippos, Elephants, and Lions' expressions are constantly changing as you are battling to become the ruler of the jungle. Spin your way to a mighty roar while leaving the others roaring no more.

That Way is a game designed for children to learn the concept of North, South, East, and West.  The game features a colorful car that you move (by rolling the dice) through the wacky city where you encounter detours that tells you what direction you must travel. You may want to travel north to accomplish your goal of reaching downtown first, but the directional card says you must go in a different direction. This creates chaos and fun for the players as they are never sure where they’ll travel next.

The sleeves give kids a fun place to aim their coughs and sneezes at while learning the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommended habit of coughing and sneezing into your elbow or shirt sleeve and the sleeves protect their clothes or arm from getting "gunky". Package includes 25 disposable sleeves.

The sleeves give kids a fun place to aim their coughs and sneezes at while learning the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommended habit of coughing and sneezing into your elbow or shirt sleeve and the sleeves protect their clothes or arm from getting "gunky". Package includes 10 disposable sleeves.