April 2011 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Playspaces come in a decorative envelope but become a 3-D play scene. Two sturdy interlocking boards create four areas to populate with pop-out characters with stands. The reclosable envelope measures 9-3/4 x 15" and has a string closure. 100% recycled paper is used for the product greyboard. Playspaces are designed for children ages four and older. They have small parts, and are a choking hazard for children under 3 years of age.
Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011

With the Green Toys Sandwich Shop young chefs can open their own imaginary deli and take orders, create sandwiches and serve guests. This 15-piece, stackable, mix-and-match play food set comes with all the fixings to create two complete sandwiches. Each realistic part is made in the USA from food-safe, 100% recycled plastic milk containers which save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Interchangeable with other Green Toys stacking play food products. Fits on Green Toys kitchen sets. Set includes two bread slices, bun top and bottom, burger patty, fillet, two cheese slices, lettuce leaf, tomato, two sets of onions, one red pepper, one set of pickles, and Sandwich Shop order form. No BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings. Meets FDA food contact standards. Dishwasher safe. Stacks to 3-1/4"H. Each piece approximately 3"W.

Vacations are fun and exciting, but when day turns to night, being in an unfamiliar, dark environment can be scary. Read Bedtime on Safari to learn about how relaxing lights and familiar sounds can comfort kids and show them that there’s nothing to fear in the dark. Set features a fully illustrated book that helps children overcome their fear of the dark. Includes two fun finger puppets (Twilight Turtle and Gentle Giraffe). Gift box transforms into an interactive puppet theater with fully illustrated Safari scene. Gift set lets children play while they learn. Launch date: 2011.

Whether serving lemonade in the yard on a hot summer day or selling cookies at a local fair, this easy-to-assemble, mobile solid wood stand will help kids learn about business. Kids can use the included Design Idea Book and decorating accessories to give their stand a unique, personal touch. Extra inventory or other items can be stored on the sturdy shelf underneath. When finished, simply fold the stand up and slide it into a closet, store it in the garage, or put it in the trunk of your car. Easy to assemble, store and move; made of solid wood.

Sturdy spring steel construction makes for long lasting fun in this Dinosaur Train themed tunnel. Assists in developing cooperative play. Great for muscle development. Stimulates the imagination for creative playtime.

Sturdy spring steel construction makes for long lasting fun in this Dinosaur Train themed tunnel. Assists in developing cooperative play. Great for muscle development. Stimulates the imagination for creative playtime.

Durable and washable, this tent comes with a roll-up doorway and mesh ventilation panels that allow for airflow on hot days. Features several Dinosaur Train characters including Buddy the T-Rex.

These glitter wings come in an organza bag with maribou trim. Six layered pieces feature a three color base and two colors of glitter.
— In a Winter 2012 survey Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly that butterfly wings were one of their bestselling items this Halloween season.

This size-flexible dress is made of heavy satin and embroidered brocade. Encourages creative play. Fully machine washable.
— In a December 2011 survey about best selling Halloween items, seven out of 12 retailers named Creative Education as their best selling brand of costumes.

Kit includes sleek black nylon case contains binoculars, magnifying glass, fingerprint powder, brush, flashlight, secret marker pen set and a printed spy guide. Can be carried by the convenient handle or looped through the belt.
Awards— Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011

This kit comes with four tiaras waiting to be decorated. Girls follow a simple numbered legend and stick over 900 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces to create a beautiful set of jeweled tiaras. Each of these tiara's come with its own special colored over-sized jewel. "Not just a craft, this kit results in four tiara's to be used for open-ended and imaginative play.  Every girl loves being a little princess, and with four different tiara's to choose from, this craft goes from art project to dress-up fun," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

With Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings boys decorate 6 different kingly crowns, all based on actual historical crowns. By following a simple numbered legend, boys stick more than  1300 sparkling tiles and jewel pieces onto the different crowns to recreate monarchies past. This kit also comes with an educational booklet featuring historical information on each individual crown. "Looking for a craft for a boys birthday party?  Sticky Mosaics Crowns of Kings comes with 6 different crowns and is perfect for all your little royals!  This quality craft kit is sure to entertain a group of boys as they make the crowns and then play with the finished products," Stephanie Carver, from The Orb Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.

A delightful combination of wooden and felt pieces that have been graphically-enhanced to help youngsters pull of a pretend healthy lunch. Educo does it again with silk-screen graphics on the veggie and fruit pieces that fit with lettuce and cheese in felt to tuck in a whole wheat pita pocket. Just what the new food pyramid suggests. Launch date: February 2011.

The Little Mommy My Very Real Baby Doll features interactive light and motion innovation for a realistic play experience. Full of lifelike movements and sounds, baby doll will ask for her juice pop and teddy bear accessories - and when placed in her hands – will recognize and respond to them. Hand baby doll her juice pop to lick, and her tongue lights up green until it's magically wiped away. The boo-boo on her leg also lights up, so kids can help make her “all better” and magically wipe it away too.
Tickle baby doll’s foot to make her laugh. Place doll in a lying down position and she will recognize that it is nap time and close her eyes. Includes a doll, juice pop, bear, ”bandage”, wiping cloth, bowl and spoon accessory pieces. Launch date: Fall 2011.

This set features a Fairy and her magic light wand. The toy features a color wand that uses a patented technology to collect color from any object. Once captured, the color can be shared with other toys in the product line. The magic wand also can play three interactive games. Different playsets are available. Launch date: Fall 2011.

This puppet theater and play tent in one comes with a stage opening that features pull back curtains and large back entrance. Tent fits 2 kids comfortably. Simple to set-up and breaks down for easy storage. Assembly required. Launch date: January 2011.

Children can transform into a colorful monster with these fuzzy costumes. The collection includes three different vibrant plush monster costumes: orange, blue and green. Every monster costume also has a coordinating monster friend. Launch date: January 2011.

This fabric mailbox comes complete with three postcards—two with windows to hold family photos, Velcro-like stamps and rotating red flag. Mailbox and postcards are made of heavy fabric material to assure durability for play. Carry handle can also be used to hang mailbox on child's door. Launch date: January 2011.

This new dress-up outfit includes a ladybug polka-dot pattern dress made of satin, poly-spandex, tulle and taffeta, antennae headband and ladybug wings with easy to slip on elastic cords with Velcro-like closures. Fits sizes 4-6. Launch date: January 2011.

This colorful outfit includes an apron and chef's hat. Apron features two pockets and a waist strap that ties in back. Fits girls' size 4-6. Launch date: January 2011.

This play food set includes a pizza pie plate, a "loaded" pizza cut into six slices, and a kid-safe pizza roller. Launch date: January 2011.

This play food set includes a colorful strawberry, velcro banana, fried egg, pancake, and two strips of bacon. Launch date: January 2011.

Enjoy a Groovy Girls tea party with the Tea-rific Tea Set. Tea set includes a tea pot, four tea cups and saucers, creamer and sugar bowl. Launch date: January 2011.

The Cooks in the Kitchen Set is sure to bring new life to your favorite play kitchen. With pots, pans and two spatulas all colorfully designed, cooking up something fun has never been easier. Launch date: January 2011.