September 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

The Ares™ Ultra-Micro MD 500D CX 100 is perfect for first-time and experienced pilots looking for an ultra-scale and ultra-stable heli they can fly indoors almost anytime and anywhere. The highly-detailed MD 500D scale body is equipped with LED lights and is available in two attractive trim schemes while the included decals allow for quick and easy customization as a News, Rescue, Fire or Police helicopter. The MD 500D CX 100’s coaxial, counter-rotating blade design offers excellent control and unsurpassed stability that will have any first-time pilot hovering like a pro in no time. The ultra-micro size and low weight make it possible to fly indoors in just about any bedroom, living room or office, and best of all the heli is 100% factory-assembled and ready-to-fly right out of the box. Also in the box is everything needed to fly including AA batteries for the 4-channel transmitter equipped with interference-free 2.4GHz technology, an LCD screen, dual rates and digital trims, a 220mAh 1S 3.7V LiPo battery and DC USB charger for charging from almost any computer or 5V USB power source, plus an AC adapter for quick and convenient charging from almost any outlet.
— In a Summer 2012 survey about electronic and battery operated toys, Mark Rosenblum from Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly that he sells 20-30 RC helicopters from E-Flite and Ares each month.

The classic wristlet with slip through wristband. Available in 2 colors: Soft Silver and Neon Pink. Each Izza holds up to 4 Charms (Charms sold separately). Perfect for cell phones, ID cards and Cashola! Size: 6.25" x 4". Launch date: September 2012.

A take anywhere cross body cutie featuring a long adjustable strap and stylish key chain charm. Available in 2 colors: Soft Silver and Neon Pink. Each Stella holds up to 5 charms for super stylin' customization (Charms sold separately). Size:  6.5" x 5.5". Launch date: September 2012.

Inference Jones provides short, fun, and easy-to-use activities that improve critical reading and higher order thinking by developing the student’s ability to draw inferences from written text. Research shows inferential reasoning is a prerequisite component to superior reading comprehension. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012.

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012.

A petite package to stack for whenever a child needs an activity. Each portfolio includes over 100 awesome drawings to color plus 4 rubbing plates and 8 crayons. Simply lay the drawing over the rubbing plates and rub with the included crayons to create cool textures and patterns. Use Pocket Portfolios to exercise fine motor skills, expand vocabulary, and promote creative thinking. There are 120 pieces in all. Launch date: August 2012.

Have a sensory extravaganza with the Sensory Sensations Finger Painting Kit. Add textures to finger paint to create gritty, squishy, or spongy sensations. This multitasking kit has diverse benefits for all children, especially those with sensory challenges. Uses a Sensory Sensations Finger Painting Kit to exercise fine motor skills, talk about texture and build vocabulary, learn about senses, and enhance sensory experience. The kit includes 2 oz. each nontoxic finger paint in red, blue, green, and yellow; 6 gentle and safe tactile additives; a plastic palette tray; 2 mixers and paper. Launch date: August 2012.

Stand them up and knock them down. Make your domino Topplers tumble, swing, and wind along a colorful obstacle course track. Turn and connect the printed tracks to form over a hundred possible routes. Combine the tracks with plastic obstacle “stations” like bridges, teeter-totters, and slides. Use the kit to develop fine motor skills, exercise concentration and coordination, customize your own domino obstacle course, and build dexterity and creativity. The Topplers Domino Obstacle Course includes 100 Topplers, 21 printed tracks, and 8 obstacle stations. Launch date: September 2012.

Keep children creatively engaged with the Dip & Print Sponge Painting Kit. Use this kit to experiment with colors and print techniques, develop gross and fine motor skills, explore color theory, and stimulate visual development. Roylco’s Dip & Print Sponge Painting Kit comes with easy-to-clean sponges in 15 popular shapes; 2 oz. each nontoxic finger paint in red, blue, green, and yellow; 4 bowls for dipping; 2 mixers; and 24 sheets of paper. There are 49 pieces and all. This product is suitable for children ages four and older. Launch date: August 2012.

The Play Clay Gift Pack includes 6 wonderfully scented Play Clay rolls in Blueberry Blast, Cherryberry, Pineapple Punch, Orange Sherbet, Grape Bubblegum, & Sour Green Apple. Made from organic ingredients, Play Clay is the dough that moms love because there's no crumbly mess or staining. Approx. 2 lbs.
Award: 2012 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award

The Steps4Kids to Draw DVD provides approximately 90 minutes of video modeling to help viewers learn how to draw animals, people, shapes and things. Excellent tool to help children feel successful with art. Video modeling is shown at a pace that helps children learn how to draw animals (farm, house, water and zoo animals - total 20), people (faces, profiles, clothes), shapes (circle, square, triangle, rhombus/diamond, cube and star) and things (bike, car, flowers, etc.). Launch date: July 2012.

The Star Wars Talker is an interactive hand held toy with real character voice recordings. The Talkers also contain candy in the handle. This item is the only platform in the industry that uses voice recording in lifelike sculpted character. The characters, Darth and Yoda, each say four different messages. Launch date: October 2012.

Tub-Art Pirate provides great bath/pool time fun and memories. Comes complete with four non-toxic soap crayons, a toddler safe, "What would I look like if I were a Pirate?" Hi-Def mirror and 2 large double sided pirate themed Edu-Foam drawing pads, all of which adhere to tiles when wet. Canyons simply wipes clean with water and is also great for drawing on tile, mirror and glass. Launch date: March 2012.
— As of 09/17/2012 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The crayons work well; the pirate mirror is a fun accessory. Cons: The foam coloring pieces are very difficult to erase.

Soft, really cute and extra cuddly, these Elephants are full of discovery. As Baby/Toddler plays with them, surprises are revealed everywhere, including crinkly ears, squeaking balance ball, squeaking baby elephant, a discoverable baby safe mirror & hidden 'roller ball' spinning rattle (under the saddle). Parent and child elephants are meant to stay together:  when baby is pulled away, the parent's tail pulls the baby back and vibrates for added excitement & fun. Launch date: July 2012.

This soft and cuddly hippo is loaded with discovery for the young mind. Features attached legs (pull one the other retracts), a teether hand, a baby safe mirrored hand, a peek-a boo silky bellybutton (just got to poke it!) and an ergonomically designed teether tail which encourages gripping. When pulled, it makes Soft Hippo vibrate with excitement. Launch date: July 2012.

Baby Fitness Center. Baby sized innovative products to develop baby's fine and gross motor skills and strengthen core muscles. Includes Edu-Training Mat, Edu-Weights (only 1.5 ounces each), Power Stretch and My First Ball. A perfect gift set or each available separately. Launch date: June 2012.

Edushape's new Rock 'n Table is an adorable play table for two toddlers, but turn it upside down and it instantly converts to a see saw. Brightly colored and extremely sturdy, it is a toddler’s dream for both indoor & outdoor play. Launch date: August 2012.

Healthy riding colors the world beautiful. Creativity for sidewalks, parking lots, and streets. Hook Chalktrail® to a bike, then get riding. Draw figure eights, wavy meandering paths, perfect circles, fascinating designs by retracing the same route again and again in succession. It’s freshly invigorating, beautiful play. Works with all bike sizes and training wheels. Includes highly durable Chalktrail® connector  Easy on, easy off - no tools or parents required. Comes with one piece non-toxic, washable chalk. Launch date: August 2012.

It’s a busy day in Crazy Cake Café. Baker Bernie needs kids' help getting cakes stacked as quickly as possible so they can be delivered. The first player to finish stacking one of Baker Bernie’s famous twelve layer cakes wins a recipe card. Collect ten recipe cards and winning the game will be the icing on the cake. This fast-moving game is a delectable visual-spatial, brain-teasing treat. 2 to 4 players. Launch date: August 2012.

Commemorate with pride the patriotism of the seven men through whose courage and vision gave birth to the nation we love. George Washington, Ben Franklin, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay. Seven magnificently sculpted coins, lavishly coated in 24 karat gold reflect the image of each Founding Father on the front and an inspirational quote from them on the back. The collection comes with a personalizable hardback book of the US Constitution, a magnifying glass and deluxe gloves for studying the coins and a deluxe hardwood display box, also with a personalizable nameplate to preserve and protect the collection for years to come. Also included are a set of history cards that describe the contributions of each of the celebrated patriots and a Certificate of Authenticity. Launch date: August 2012.

Children's quartz watches feature: 3 Dimensional bands; some are teaching time dials, other have minute increments; Battery good for approximately 2 years (can be replaced); Bands are available in several hundred designs; Moving disc on dial.  "We have several hundred designs in stock including some that have teaching time dials," Ricky Wilhelm from Solo Time Ltd. told TDmonthly.
— Karen Laroche, manager of Kid's Ketch in Lews, Del., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that they sell 15-20 Solo Time watches each month, making them a best-seller in the jewelry category.
— Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., told TDmonthly in an October 2014 survey that Solo Time watches were her store's best-selling jewelry and accessories item.

Each mini figure in Safari Ltd®’s Toob® ranges from 1” to 3” and is carefully sculpted and finely hand painted. Packaged in a reusable acetate Toob®, the figures guarantee years of learning fun. Safari Ltd® introduces for 2012 small, highly detailed musical instruments that play together in symphony. This Toob® includes a violin, guitar, clarinet, flute, French horn, saxophone, trombone and horn. All figures are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Suggested ages 3+. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Each mini figure in Safari Ltd®’s Toob® ranges from 1” to 3” and is carefully sculpted and finely hand painted. Packaged in a reusable acetate Toob®, the figures guarantee years of learning fun. Safari Ltd® introduces for 2012 highly detailed butterflies from around the world that flaunt their vibrantly colored wings. This Toob® includes a Red Glider, Green Swallowtail, Orange Barred Sulphur, White Angled Sulphur, Evenus regalis, Anaea clytemnestra and a Papilio garleppi. All figures are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Suggested ages 3+. Launch date: January 2012.