November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Creative Activities

Tandy Leather Factory has developed a line of kits especially made to be used with iron-on products. The Pixie Pouch is just one of over 20 age appropriate kits that include items like a video game guitar strap, IPOD holders, and a even a complete belt buckle kit which are all iron on products and will be featured in three different colors. The kits have a modern appeal as well as the appeal of being an actual craft item that children can assemble easily. Launch date: February 2009.

This versatile building set combines both art and science with pieces that build 3-D structures that serve not only as décor or architectural models, but also as marble runs in which the activity of the balls is unpredictable.

This safari includes over 20 pre-cut favorite and exotic animals. All are illustrated and moveable felt pieces allowing for a creative adventure among children.

Help Grandpa feed the animals and plow the fields, since there is always work to be done and fun to had on the farm. "A Trip to the Farm" includes over 30 pre-cut felt pieces, providing children with lots of variety to be creative.

FingerPrints is a complete art kit for children. It contains everything needed for a child to create a finger painting that is framed and treasured for a lifetime: a quality 11" x 14" frame, acid-free artist paper, a child's apron, six bright, washable, non-toxic finger paints and a Certificate of Authenticity. "Anyone with a child will appreciate the convenience of an all-inclusive, one-stop-shop package that turns family time into a keepsake that will last a lifetime," Jennifer Ridley, account rep for ColorGoRound, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 18, 2008.

Shailie goes beyond “dress-ups,” allowing girls to design, create, and wear their own fashions. It includes a life-sized designer dress form and stand (girls' size medium). Shailie dresses come in pieces, and sleeves, skirts, tops and accessories come in various styles, colors and lengths. Using Velcro®, all pieces mix and match to create endless looks. The design easily comes off to wear and model with friends. "Shailie promotes interactive play among a variety of ages, and the possibilities for creativity and fashion fun are endless," President Kari Kawa of Style Paige LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This set features 230 bricks in a wooden box, plus a building plan and packing model. Anchor (Anker) Stones are made with 100-percent-natural ingredients: quartz sand, color pigments, linseed oil and chalk. Each stone is individually tested and hand measured to ensure it meets the company's standards.

This starter set comes with two simple construction plans and 42 bricks, offering an introduction to the word of Anchor (Anker) Stones by allowing children to create cars, trains and simple buildings.

This set of 35, 3" squares made of heavy-duty plastic can be used to build creations more than 3' tall. Launch date: 2008.

This large deck of 50 cards offer step-by-step direction on yoga poses while also encouraging "green" living with eco-friendly tips. It is co-written by Tara Guber and Leah Kalish of Yoga Ed., and is illustrated by Sophie Fatus. Each card included is related to one the natural elements: air, earth, fire, water and space. The box measures 5.5" x 7" x 1.25".

Girls can design a fashion line for each model in this kit with the fabric supplied and detail them with trims, sequins, beads and more. This kit includes four 12" models, fabric, trim, sequins, beads, gems, glitter paints, tickers, patches, buttons, instructions and more.  10.5" W x 11" H x 2D".  Launch date: 2008.
— Barbara Vininsky, owner of Blossom & Harry in Ontario, Canada told TDmonthly that Fashion Angels Project Runway was one of her two top toys for girls in the autumn of 2008.

Including everything you need to create your own unique models of our world, this kit features a globe stand and a CD with a variety of map projections that can be printed out on adhesive inkjet paper (included) to be cut and placed on the globe.  A 64 page, full-color project book offers comprehensive instructions and information about how maps are made and additional globe-related projects, including how to make “origami globes.”  The book also tells the story of how our world was made and takes you on an entertaining voyage around the planet.

The flowers are in full bloom, and it’s a lovely day for a tea party in the garden. This set, with over 30 moveable pre-cut felt figures, will captivate a young girl’s attention for hours of imaginative play.

Explore the vastness of space in this pre-cut felt board play set. Watch as children's imagination comes to life as they get lost in the solar system with this interactive play board, which allows them to arrange and re-arrange the pieces all day long.

Enjoy a fun filled trip to the Animal Park to see the cheerful elephants, silly swinging monkeys and many more playful animals. With over 20 brightly colored pre-cut felt pieces, children can enjoy their favorite friendly animals time and time again.

Suede lace is a popular lace in the craft industries. It has many decorative uses from American Heritage crafts to key chains, jewelry and more. Available in spools as well as 6yd cards, all in various colors.

These non-toxic oil pastels come in ocean-themed packaging decorated with bright fish and other sea creatures.

Step back into the alluring world of the dinosaurs. The colorful and dramatic illustrations make this felt play board a fun and educational activity that will captivate the attention of young children for hours. This product will encourage expression, exploration and creativity through play. Launch date: November 2008.

Bunkies is a collectible action plush toy. Unique patterns and expressions make each Bunkie a unique character. Handmade from cotton with all embroidered features, Bunkies are a safe, creative toy that can spark any kid's imagination. Launch date: October 2008.

This 32-page activity book is based on the Angels from the Attic toy line and is gentle and appealing with easy-to-color pages. It shows the six characters and their special characteristics. Each Angel has its own specialty, such as exercise, reading or eating well. The magical attic they live in is introduced and encourages children to create their own special worlds. "This activity/coloring book is not mass-produced. It welcomes children to send in their own works of art and encourages friendship. Placed next to the Angels from the Attic plush animals, it expands the concept of visiting the Attic for fun and freedom," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

Silver shimmery Snowflakes from FunToSee are the simplest way to create beautiful feature walls or simply add a tasteful touch of color and fun around a room or on furniture. Easy and fun, removable and re-usable, and splash-proof and washable, a package of 30 FunToSee Snowflakes provide hours of holiday decorating fun. The product is "re-usable and will not damage walls," Elizabeth Marquis, account director for Serendipity Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Each Snugaboo polyester fleece blanket is 30" x 30" and is trimmed in triple-stitched soft satin edging that will help it last through many adventures. The blankets even have two convenient silky satin pockets for little hands to snuggle in or to use to fly around. Six designs are available: Zeek, Daisy, Frankie, Boots, Noodles and Princess Aladreena. "Each Snugaboo hooded blanket matches a specific Snugaboo cartoon character and comes bundled with a package of temporary tattoo Freckle Rewards to promote good behavior in children," Sheila Oberaigner, CEO and Boo Master Select of Crushtown, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.

Couplicoles are designed to entertain children while also serving as a learning tool. They help develop children’s imagination and three-dimensional thinking. While learning to follow simple instructions, children can simultaneously develop their dexterity and creativity. This product received a Dr. Toy 2008 Best Vacation Product Award, and won a grand prize in Quebec's 2006 Grafika contest. "Couplicoles ... are classified according to their degree of difficulty. Beginners start by relying on the help of an adult and progressively learn to be more independent. Couplicoles therefore encourage both cooperation and individual initiative, which makes them particularly suitable for art classes and kindergartens. Moreover, they require only basic tools such as a ruler, scissors and glue. Black and white models can be customized using crayons or highlighters," Maria Valkova, in operations at Hartiatoys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2004.

Offer some extra color to projects with these waxed braided cords. In addition to stitching the 25 yard spools can be used for braiding friendship bracelets, jewelry, and various other crafts. Available in 17 different colors.