October 2012 New Specialty Toys — General Toys

Each wooden magnet shows a stylized fruit or vegetable as illustrated by Jen Skelley: lemon, peach, radish, lime, kiwi, potato, garlic, mushroom, asparagus, blueberry, pineapple, raspberry, celery, strawberry, peapod, chili pepper, watermelon, orange, broccoli, pear, eggplant, avocado, grapefruit, cantelope, grapes, bananas, bell pepper, pumpkin, carrots, apple, corn, cherry, and tomato. Make your own green market on the refrigerator or any metal surface. The full magnetic backing will hold the letter firmly in position. Magnetic pieces are made of 80% recycled wood. Package contains 85% recycled paper and is printed with nontoxic inks.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Worlds Together is a new excellent educational film series that explores a number of the world’s most out of the way places seen from the viewpoint of a curious traveler. Each documentary in the series introduces their culture, history, food, geography, and people. The series includes East Africa, Ethiopia, and West Africa. Approximately 25 minutes are included per country. Features include close-captioning and a free Teacher’s Guide.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

A handheld flash-card game that targets tricky times tables. Kids can play just the ones they want or select them all. Answer as many problems (numbers 0–12) as they can in 60 seconds. Vertical problem format, 2 skill levels, timed/untimed modes, plus fun sound effects. Requires 3 AAA batteries, not included.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Few things are as satisfying as the THONK! of hitting a target. With Coin Blaster Arcade, even novice sharpshooters can flick coins with surprising speed and accuracy using the included “coin blasters” — the world’s first coin-operated, finger-powered mini-cannons, only from Klutz. The book is full of awesome tabletop target games including Hot Shot Hoops, Break the Bank, Skee Coin, and Penny Putt Golf. Ten different games test your coin blasting mastery and let you dominate the kitchen table.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

WrapStar is the first mic kids can bend and twist. With 3 feet of bendability, kids can get all wrapped up in the fun. Each color includes three fun sound effects, and the built-in speaker provides ultimate creative freedom.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Excavate 3 genuine shark teeth just like a real paleontologist. Buried inside the shark tooth shaped digging brick shark-lovers will uncover 3 different species of shark teeth. This hands-on kit includes an excavation tool, brush, magnifying glass, full-color information guide, and an activity booklet with 10 fun games, puzzles, and challenges to complete. This is a must have gift for anyone who loves sharks. The genuine specimens in this kit are each millions of years old. This educational gift is a great way to start a fossil collection. Launch date: August 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys; 2012 Seal of Approval - Parent Tested, Parent Approved; 2012 Dr. Toy 10 Best Socially Responsible Products.

Customize this fleet of 5 durable foam planes with color-in stickers, markers, and metallic accents. The soft but tough foam bodies are easy to assemble and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Wingspan measures 7". For ages 5 and up.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

This set comes with a large tray and footing in which kids build the structure. The tray measures approximately 10 inches by 16 inches by 3 inches deep. The tray and the footing are both white. The footing has a grid of 12 holes for columns (4 x 3 configuration). Build the structure using the footing in the tray for the base, place the submersible pump in the tray, add water until it completely covers the inlet on the pump, and then enjoy reconfiguring the pipes, opening and closing valves and watching the action. When one takes the set down, all the parts pack into the tray, the plastic lid snaps on and it can be safely stored away for future use.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Don't tell baby that they are only 1.5 ounces. Edushape's Edu-Weights look like barbells, but are really rattle/shakers designed to stimulate babies and encourage development of their fine/gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, auditory sensory stimulation and visual stimulation. Specifically designed with high contrast colors, pattern and different textures. For ages 3 months and up. Launch date: June 2012.

These race cars can be used with other SmartMax race track sets. SmartMax is the magnetic discovery concept that allows children, even from a very early age, to experience both the wonders of magnetism and the fascinating world of construction in a safe way. The extra-large pieces make it easy for small children to manipulate them. The magnets have the ideal strength for easy assembly and breakdown of constructions. SmartMax is carefully designed to meet and exceed the world’s toughest safety requirements, including giant-sized, non-swallowable 1.8” diameter metal balls and inaccessible magnets encased in specially sonic-welded bars.

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

Spot it! Halloween is a party card game consisting of 55 cards, each featuring an assortment of 8 symbols. This special Halloween edition features images such as jack-o'-lanterns, cobwebs, ghouls and other spooky creatures and objects to surprise even the bravest player. Spot It! reinforces visual perception and matching skills. It sharpens reaction time while exercising motor skills and quick cognition in a fun, fast-paced atmosphere.  As with all Spot it! editions, there is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards. This game can be played five different ways.

This ferocious dinosaur head is the perfect place to store and play with the Tyrannosaurus Rex that's included. Unzip the backpack to reveal a prehistoric jungle, tar pit, volcano and lava filled gorge. When it’s time to go, kids can pack-up the dinos, zip up the backpack and throw it over their shoulder. Includes 1 dinosaur. Colorful, Durable, wipe-clean surface.
Awards: 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it Won: This dinosaur shaped back pack unzips into a colorful, durable playmat. The playmat features prehistoric scenes like a tar pit and an erupting volcano. The backpack comes with one toy dinosaur, and kids can add their own collection as well. They can even have fun with the zipped-up backpack, which resembles the face of a fearsome green dino. The material is durable and easily wipes clean, and the zippers run smoothly, securely holding dinos and other toys until kids are ready to unzip and play again. 

Roy Toy's Classic Building sets are all wooden pieces, dyed with natural vegetable based food dyes, and made 100% in the USA. This line features a log cabin and a fort set, both have 140 plus pieces and each set comes complete with building directions. Launch date: January 1992.

Roy Toy's 250 pc. set is all wooden, dyed with all natural, vegetable based dyes, and made 100% in the USA. This set comes complete with building directions for a log cabin, a tree house, and a farm set, but the possibilities are endless. Launch date: January 1992.

The Revolution features YoYoJams all new “Solid Spin” high grade aluminum axle system. Machined specifically for YoYoJam this axle is completely unique in construction. It brings the metal rimmed yo-yo together as if it was a completely solid metal body resulting in a very stable yo-yo. This new construction also allows for two bearing sizes to be used as users progress from your first throw to the most complex string tricks. The Revolution ships with a standard bearing installed which allows the yo-yo to be more responsive for beginner to intermediate play. When users are ready to move on to more complex tricks, simply change to the Speed bearing included in the package to move up to an unresponsive yo-yo capable of the most complex string tricks. The Revolution features a tough polycarbonate body with machined aluminum weight rings. It has a comfortable fit in the hand and a smooth, stable spin at all times.

With its wide metal aluminum rings, extra weight, and extra width the Dark Magic II is the perfect yo-yo for learning string tricks that require a stable and long sleeping yo-yo. Designed by World Yo-Yo Contest Judge André Boulay it has been used by many famous players to place as high as 2nd in the World Yo-Yo Contest and 1st in the National Yo-Yo Contest. The all new Dark Magic II is also available featuring the YoYoJam Solid Spin Axle System. It brings the metal rimmed yo-yo together as if it was a completely solid metal body resulting in a very stable yo-yo. Dark Magic II ships with a standard bearing installed which allows the yo-yo to be more responsive for beginner to intermediate play. When users are ready to move on to more complex tricks, simply change to the Speed bearing included in the package to move up to an unresponsive yo-yo capable of the most complex string tricks.

Let kids' imaginations soar with this gliding toddler plane. The dynamic rolling rubber wheels and spinning front propeller will engage any young pilot.

A steady hand is required to remove the shaped pieces in this game. Players must think critically, remove pieces carefully without causing the trap to move. Assists with fine motor control and visual spatial development. Contains 63 pieces, game board, 6 game cards, replacement band, and complete instructions.

The patented, original Swiss-made Magnetic Construction System. Helps kids advance in creative thinking and logical reasoning abilities. Fun, 36 vibrant magnetic rods in a brilliant bubble gum pink color, and 30 non-magnetic metal spheres. Complete instructions to assist with simple & complex structures. A starting set for discovery with Geomag. Made in Switzerland.

Designed for creation, disassemble to reuse again & again. Kids look for recycled materials, then assemble them with the included 30 clips, 2 lock-hinges, 1 safe saws and flower and Space Pod inspired sticker sheets. Includes step by step instructions and a poster with idea inspirations. Can be used again and again.

Each of the 16 all-new minifigures come in a sealed "mystery" bag, so kids never know which minifigure they might get. And each minifigure has its own special accessories, display plate and collector's leaflet. Series 7 includes: Aztec Warrior, Evil Knight, Galaxy Patrol, Jungle Boy, Viking Woman, Ocean King, Grandma Visitor, Rocker Girl, Tennis Ace, Computer Programmer, Bride, Swimming Champion, Daredevil, Bunny Suit Guy, Hippie and Bagpiper.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass., told TDmonthly that "Lego continually sells really well, across the board, for boy gifts," and that the LEGO minifigures were an overall best seller.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that LEGO minifigures were one of their bestselling novelty items.
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that  LEGO minifigs are their best-selling toy.

With this kit, kids make a robot from salvaged stuff and items in the recycle bin. Includes all the tools, reusable fittings, and stickers to build a completely unique robot. Prompts innovation & invention, fine motor skills, visual spatial abilities. A total of 33 reusable parts, including 15 Pins & 15 Re-clips, 2 Lock-hinges, 1 Safe saw, 3 Robot-inspired sticker sheets, Guided instructions, and an Idea poster.