December 2011 New Specialty Toys — Gifts

The innovative Wind n Sun Specialty Kites were design with the Museum, Gift and Specialty customer in mind. There is a wide selection to choose from and each WNS kite has incredible graphics. The Wind n Sun also includes Lawn & Garden decor. "Customers will not only want to fly these kites you will see them displayed in children's bedrooms as room decor," Richard Brady, SR VP of Sales at BrainStormProducts/X Kites told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Loopdedoo is a new spinning tool that makes fabulous twisted bracelets in just a few minutes. It's fast, easy and fun. Just wrap the threads around the Loopdedoo device, turn the knob, guide the thread and minutes later the bracelet is done. Kids can even make necklaces, anklets, belts and more. There's no pattern to follow so each accessory is completely different and unique. Kids can use as many threads and color combinations as they like, and can make them thick, thin or anywhere in between. Launch date: November 2011.
— In a January 2012 survey, Barbara Finblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly that Loopdedoo is their best selling arts and crafts toy. "They came in in December and we sold 194 out of 5 stores - 163 out of 3 stores alone. We sold out and couldn't get them back," she said.
— As of 10/5/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy to use; promotes creativity; fun. Cons: One user couldn't figure out how to start.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, Dean Smith, owner of Jazams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that they sell 15 of this item each month, making it one of their top-2 sellers in the Hobby category.

Space Adventure series is an extension of Cube Figures where each of the three packages (episodes) include two Cube Figures along with over 90 blocks to create two space crafts for them to go in and fight the evil. In addition, the package contains a Manga (Japanese-style comic book) which outlines the background stories of the characters and links the three episodes. The instruction booklet included details the steps needed to build not only the two space crafts but also the mega robot which can be assembled by collecting all three packages. Launch date: October 2012.

Congratulate you graduates with GIANTmicrobes New Graduation Brain Cell Plush Sound Doll that plays Pomp & Circumstance. Like all GIANTmicrobes products, Graduation Brain Cell is inspired by a microscopic image of the microbe it represents (neuron). Comes packaged in a fun graduation scene. Launch date: March 2012.

Children can direct their own stories from one of four magnetic story backgrounds: Fairytales, Robot's Landing, Animal Cottage, and Forest Adventure. Theater directors-in-training can move their magnetic figures around the scene to help tell their own original story. Launch date: January 2012. 

This Christmas inspired kit includes: 6 washable, durable nylon 27" square IDEAScarves in Christmas colors. 2 of each of the following colors: Santa suit red, holly green and snow ball white. The Nutcracker (Peter IIyich Tchaikovsky) Music CD with 7 music selections instructional/informational insert. The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet - Paperback by Diane Goode. Nutcracker Activity Book - by Victoria Fremont, a fun candy cane pencil and a sturdy, self-closing, reusable carrying bag with handle. Made in the USA. Launch date: October 2011.

Cube Figures is a block figurine kit and comes in 16 pre-designed styles. Each components such as legs, hands and nose come apart, and the real fun begins when one starts to create their original characters by mix and matching components. The package also comes with a sticker sheet to dress up the characters, as well as a key chain strap. Launch date: October 2012.

This lovely mouse with big ears, delightful little brown nose and happy smile lives in a match box. The match box is decorated with whimsical illustration and made with sturdy card board. Comes with matching padded sleeping sack for the little mouse's sweet dreams. Her sweater and skirt is removable and even has a little hole for her tail. "The mouse in the box can help parents when they put their children into bed. when the mouse goes into sleep in the box, the kids go to sleep too," Malene Kleemann, marketing assistant at Maileg North America, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

These YooHoos play 3 of Christmas Carols when squeezed, including "Jingle Bells…", "Santa Claus is coming to town..." and "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas". Available in a variety of styles.

This stuffed owl comes with a embroidered heart on its belly. Also available in 6" size. For Valentine's Day and year round.

In 100 Wacky Things, players will do some ridiculous things while laughing uncontrollably at each other. The game has two types of cards: Always and Whenever. If you draw an Always Card, you will do the wacky thing on your card every time it's your turn. A Whenever Card directs you to do what the card says whenever another player does something specific. And we can't forget the silly props: the elephant nose, feathered boa, funny glasses and echo microphone. Launch date: 2009.
Awards: 2010 FamilyFun 8 Best Family Board Games; 2009 Creative Child-Preferred choice award; 2009 iParenting Media Awards-Outstanding products; 2009 The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval; 2009 Winner of the Washington Post’s KidsPost best toys

Each set includes a fashionable pet carrier purse and fuzzy blanket for celebrity naps.  Paired with Pet Personality Sets and Celebrity Pet Play Sets these couture purses pull the whole Pawparazzi look together for only $7.99. Launch date: September 2011.

Choose from 6 themes: Winter Fun, Celebrity Sleepover, Beach Boogie, Fun in the Sun, Celebrity Wedding, and Diva Ballerina. These accessory sets expand the pretend play experience for Pawparazzi fans. Launch date: September 2011.

Pawparazzi Pet Personality Sets are the newest addition to the Pawparazzi line. 6 new 'mini' Personality Sets offer kids their Pawparazzi pet fix at a retail price of only $9.99. Each set includes a plush pet, clothing accessory, sticker, and trading card with fun facts about the famous pet. "Kids become engaged in the fantasy world built around Pawparazzi. Every pet has a personality that is enhanced through the product accessories and offerings and online at PlanetPawparazzi.com," Susan DeCoste, marketing coordinator at Noodle Head,Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

Soft, white, and squishy, this 15" spherical polar bear is made of all new polyester fiber.

Scramble Squares® are nine-piece puzzles that feature original art and only one solution. They're designed for everyone from age 4 to 104.

Ladybugs are small oval or round beetles whose scientific name is “Coccinellidae” They are known as “ladybirds” in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Malta and in some parts of Canada and the United States. “Ladybirds” are known as “ladybugs” elsewherre throughout North America. Scientists increasingly prefer the names “ladybird beetles” or “lady beetles,” because these insects are not true bugs. Lesser-used names for these insects include “ladyclock,” “lady cow” and “lady fly.”
Awards: Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products for 2011.

Meet the award winning collectible Piggy Wiggie Family. Each Piggy Wiggie has a unique personality and comes with its own little story. With big ears and a cute button nose,  they really will bring a smile to everyone's face. Each Piggy Wiggie is handmade, and no two are exactly the same. Launch date: February 2011.
Awards: 2011 Plush Toy  Of The Year by Creative Child; 2011 Top Ten Toy at the Long Beach Toy Fair

SANTA SNORZ has joined the Piggy Wiggie Family. Handmade from a pair of socks, he makes an ideal gift for family and friends, and a perfect little stocking stuffer too. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2011 Plush Toy  Of The Year by Creative Child; 2011 Top Ten Toy at the Long Beach Toy Fair

The goal is to reach the exit before Sweet Little BOO gets upstairs. Who will succeed? Laura, Elliot, Albert, Rose, Alec, or Fixela? Together or by themselves, family members can engage in this exciting race. With each roll of the dice, some players will move faster, some will have to step back, others will discover secret passages, but everyone will have fun. Includes 1 game board, 7 character pawns, 3 dice, and Instructions.
Awards: Parent Tested Parent Approved Seal of Approval; Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award.

An extension of Ravensburger's popular puzzleball line, each of these buildings feature flat and hinged precision-cut pieces that snap together perfectly, and stand up to 15” high when completed. Other sets include Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and a New England lighthouse.

This puzzleball from Ravensburger is designed especially for pre-school kids. Extra large plastic pieces support 3D comprehension and fine motor skills. The 24 piece puzzleball comes with an assembly aide for the little puzzle beginners. 24 curved plastic pieces fit together to form a perfectly smooth surface. No glue required. The finished puzzleball is a "picture-perfect" decoration for every kids room. Colorful and age-appropriate puzzle fun for children from 4 to 6 years. Each puzzle piece is numbered on the back so kids can puzzle by the image or by number – their pick.
— In a July 2013 survey, five out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger was their best-selling puzzle brand.

Players take turns to search the Labyrinth for their magical objects and characters by carefully moving through the constantly changing maze. The treasure cards are divided between the players, without revealing them to the other players. The maze cards are randomly placed on the playing board and the first player uses the extra card to start moving the first wall. Players strategically move the walls so they can collect their treasures, but block the path for the other players. Labyrinth comes complete with 1 game board, 34 moving wall cards, 24 treasure cards and 4 different colored playing pieces. This 25th Anniversary Edition of the game comes packaged in a high-quality and stylish tin. Content: 1 game board 34 maze cards 24 treasure cards 4 playing pieces Instructions. 1 game board, 34 maze cards, 24 treasure cards, 4 playing pieces, Instructions.

Whoowasit? is an interactive board game with an exciting electronic feature. Players must find the magical ring that was stolen from the wise king by a castle resident under the spell of the evil wizard. Playing against the clock, players move through the castle rooms to uncover clues to who stole the precious gem. Along the way, talking animals help players solve the mystery of the stolen ring with the help of a treasure chest that randomly supplies clues on behalf of the animals. Players must seek food, communicate with and then feed the animals to receive clues that help eliminate the suspects. Whoowasit? helps reinforce memory, tactical and teambuilding skills. Playing time 40 minutes. Contents 1 game board, 4 doors (to place on the board), 1 electronic chest, 4 playing pieces (red, yellow, green, blue), 1 ghost, 1 cat (game board), 9 food tokens, 4 key tokens, 10 suspect cards, 1 die, 1 ring, 1 ring base.
Awards: Children's Game of the Year 2008 in Germany

Winter Wagner bears come in two styles of 18" bears and three styles of 12" bears. These soft teddy bears wear cozy, trendy winter hats. Launch date: Fall 2011.