August 2009 New Specialty Toys — Educational

Using the included molds and plaster of Paris, kids create their own reproduction of a complex leafcutter ant colony and rivet the special window to the casting for observation. Children can watch their ants as they organize the many intricate tunnels and chambers for different purposes, and take food and water around the colony. Launch date: June 2009.

With the Worm Farm, kids can discover the abilities of worms and their importance in the ecosystem through a series of safe and humane experiences using real worms. This kit features a high-quality, large-volume worm colony that allows children to plant seeds and grow vegetation in soil strata that is separated by colored sand horizons — great for tracking worm activity. The farm also contains removable privacy screens to bring worm tunnels into closer view. "The Wild Science kits are constructed of the highest quality materials and designed for extended play use. Each individual kit can be designed, customized and modified to an individual child’s liking. In addition, all of the kits within the system are designed to be interconnected, providing kids and creatures with endless possibilities to explore, learn and grow," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Horizon's iconic H-racer refuelable fuel cell car has entered the second generation, with infrared remote control and steering capability, as well as faster driving speed due to a new generation of miniature PEM fuel cell. Launch date: October 2008.

Nelly Dragon is a 10" plush educational pal. She includes 1/2 life-size dentition with four flossible locations, bendable extremities to hold toothbrushes. The product includes two children's toothbrushes and one plush toothbrush, designed to serve as a great way to teach the proper way to bruch and floss. Launch date: 2009.

In this techno trading game, players try to diversify their hands with the best inventions from each invention family by 'doing deals' (trades) with other players. Deal Maker cards give an added zing to play. There's an inventor’s die and an inventions pocket guide. It "puts the future in childrens’ hands like no other game before it!" Geoffrey Moran, President, Evolving Toys, told TDmonthly. This product was a Museum Store Association Buyer’s Choice Award Finalist 2009. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

Each players pits his dinosaur against an opponent’s in this deck-dueling challenge, while watching out for Dino Danger. Players can learn about dinosaurs and their world in this prehistoric card game featuring action elements and a dino die to change up game play. It also comes with a dinosaur pocket guide. "Children will learn dinosaur taxonomy and time periods long before they even realize they’ve been learning!" Geoffrey Moran, president of Evolving Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

Did you know the constellations are grouped by astronomers into families – like the Hercules, Heavenly Waters and Ursa Major families – whose members are in the same region of the night sky? After playing this game a few times, individuals may be connecting constellations all over the sky. It includes action cards and a galactic die to change the game play up in lots of spacey ways. An awesome constellation pocket guide is included. "Constellation Connect! is an attractively packaged game with a lively blend of fun and educational attributes, making it suitable for home, vacation or classroom use. It introduces the deep beauty of the starry skies to children in a friendly, fun and non-overwhelming way," Geoffrey Moran, president of Evolving Toys, told TDmonthly. This game received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product award. Launch date: August 15, 2008.

Kids can splash into undersea adventures with friendly creatures that engage them in early learning games. It includes a treasure hunt and plays eight children’s songs. They press the gem notes to create original tunes. The mat is designed to keep kids on the move with floor play, or for play on a table. It features high-quality audio, automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and Activity Guide. It wipes clean and is for one to three players. The mat measures 34” L x 30” H and requires 4 AA batteries, not included. Launch date: May 20, 2009.

Color Caterpillars are designed as a captivating way to introduce children to colors, patterns and sizes. The big, bright, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build cute, colorful, caterpillar friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early exploration at the same time. Color Caterpillars encourages creativity with 15 mix-and-match pieces and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Number Bugs are designed to introduce children to numbers, counting 0 to 5, addition and color matching. The chunky, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build adorable bug friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early learning at the same time. The 18-piece set makes six bugs and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— “[We] do a lot with Learning Resources in math,” Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 about best-selling educational supplies.
— Two of 40 retailers named Learning Resources as a top-selling brand for school supplies and educational products.

Little chefs fill pies, roll cookies and more. This set invites kids to imagine holding a pretend bake-off, making special treats for company, running their own bakery, or entering the school bake sale. It features an egg that cracks open to release the yolk, cookies in four shapes to cut out, and more. The set introduces parts of a whole with a sliceable, three-piece loaf of bread and a pie with three, two-piece slices kids can fill with the included fruit. It comes with 31 plastic pieces, including favorite baked goods, a measuring cup and spoon, and other utensils a baker needs. The rolling pin (the set’s largest piece) measures 8.5” L. "From mimicking what happens in the kitchen at home to imaginative play such as running a restaurant, the Pretend and Play Bakery Set offers a realistic hands-on play experience as well as educational play," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

The Smart Bank sorts, counts, dispenses, deducts and always knows the balance. A patented "Balance Guard"™ feature locks and remembers the balance even when batteries wear out or when changing batteries. Launch date: 2000.

With the Pretend & Play Birthday Set, kids can design custom invitations for special guests, and decorate the cake and three presents. The five cake pieces feature candles numbered one to five to help with counting. Also included is a birthday crown, a pretend camera, birthday cards and more. "It encourages creativity through the design of invitations and cake decorations to number play with the numbered candles and cake slices," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Speed, smarts and reflexes get a workout in the Jitterz Fast-Paced Trivia Game that sets players on edge. Instead of buzzing in, two to four players keep their hands on pads as Jitterz reads a question, then multiple choice answers. The first player to pull her hand up after the correct answer has been read wins. More than 250 general questions about science and world geography, simple classification, and logic questions challenge children to expand their knowledge. It includes an Activity Guide, adjustable volume and automatic shut-off. An AC adapter is available separately. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Like all Scribble Mats!, this durable vinyl place mat is designed to provide hours of fun and creativity. Kids can learn as they color. Each mat comes with a box of four crayons. Scribble Mats! may be used at school, home, restaurants, or during travel. "Color on Wipe off Scribble Mats! are made with our signature surface that allows any waxed based crayon to wipe clean and easy with a dry paper towel or cloth. Kids can color again and again," Andi Thea of Scribble Mats! told TDmonthly. This product received a 2003 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy award. Launch date: July 2003.

Got It Reading & Math Game is a two-sided electronic game with two arcade-style joysticks. Word and math questions appear on the screen and players move their cursors to “grab” the correct answers before they are eaten up by the opponent or the friendly monster (also offers solo play). It features bonus rounds, volume control, automatic shut-off and two headphone jacks that allow quiet play. It includes Activity Guide and an AC adapter is available separately. "This game provides the option of either a reading or a math game, providing immediate feedback and play for one or two players," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 15, 2009.

This Solar Motor is ready to go right out of the package. Designed for demonstrating the principles of solar power, this kit includes a 1.1-volt, 75mA high-quality solar panel, propeller, and a state-of-the-art coreless DC motor capable of up to 22,000 rpm. This Solar Motor is a good way for introducing alternative energy concepts or just having fun outside while the sun is shining. Launch date: 2009.

Designed to engage engage students in purposeful talk about books, What's in Your Book! lets students explore story elements (character, setting, plot, solution) and challenges them to demonstrate their understanding by making connections and asking questions. It can be played by two players or teams. Launch date: 2009.

"Global Wonders: Around the World" is an educational entertainment brand created to inspire kids (3 to 6) to explore and appreciate the customs, music, languages and lifestyles of various cultures from around the neighborhood and world. It was created by a mom of two young girls and a veteran team of children's entertainment and developmental education experts. In a world where animation meets live-action footage, children can discover, share, and compare new cultures with their new friends from Global Wonders. "Global Wonders packaging dazzles, and the cultural content is entertaining and deep. Interactive features like WonderVision and Language Jams also set it apart," David Burchianti, VP of marketing and brand development for Global Wonders, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best New Product, iParenting Media Best New DVD and Toy Tips Top 10 Back to School Toy. Launch date: October 21, 2008.

An electronic dice roll gives players a target number, and kids (or parents) race to add or subtract the light-up numbers one through 9 at their station. Once a player has used all of his numbers, he's scored a knockout. Players can also train for matches in solo mode. The announcer’s voice, starting bell and roaring crowd send fighters into the ring ready to rumble. It features volume control and automatic shut-off, and includes an Activity Guide. An AC adapter is available separately. Launch date: April 2, 2009.

Little anglers can hook the catch of the day, and an adjustable vest makes play more realistic. Kids can play a size-matching game with worms and fish. It features six pages of write-and-wipe, fishing-themed activities. Plastic pieces include a pole with magnetic hook, three magnetic fish, three worms, a net and a vest (plastic, nylon and canvas). All magnets are embedded for safety, and the plastic tackle box stores all pieces. "This fishing set is a realistic representation of fishing, allowing imaginative play, while also being able to play matching games with the various size worms and colored fish that come with the set," Nancy Davies, group account director at Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— Deborah Smith from Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that Learning Resources Pretend & Play kits were among her best selling Halloween products.

This junior version of I Spy Eagle Eye is scaled to suit the youngest I Spy fans. No reading is required and there are four levels of play. The game is designed to help develop language skills, word association, matching like and similar objects, and social skills. It is made in the USA. "This game makes learning fun with its unique I Spy imagery and bell-ringing activity," Carol Comes, product manager for Briarpatch, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

"Boarding Basics" is designed as the perfect companion DVD for the award-winning Yo Baby Kick Flipper. The easy to follow DVD offers instruction on tricks such as the 180 and 360 Spin, Ollie, Peanut Flip, Caveman and lots more. It takes kids through each move, step by step, so they can follow along and learn. "It is the only step-by-step DVD that teaches kids how to do all the cool boarding tricks on a Yo Baby Kick Flipper (think 'skateboard without wheels') in the safety of their home," Bob Ellis, president of GarageCo Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 21, 2009.

These counting and matching games offer seven versions of play for children at different levels of skill and experience. There's a different game for every night of the week. It encourages listening, matching, and beginning number and reading skills. The product features the endearing artwork from the classic book "Goodnight Moon" and is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.