January 2011 Notable Toys — General Toys

"The Lively Game of What Matters Most." Opinions count as players try to guess how their friends really feel about what matters most. From the seemingly trivial to the highly debatable, "Oh, Really!" reveals players' true feelings about everything from "Emotions" to "Underwear." For 3-8 players (or teams). Contains 200 engaging word cards, game board, 40 ranking symbol cards, 5 blank cards to customize your game, Scorepad, 5 pencils, and rules for individual and team play.

From flower girl to firefighter, Aurora has released nine new "dress up" outfits that fit all of Aurora's five inch YooHoo & Friends. Each dress up set comes in clear packaging that includes two accessories. Retailers can combine the dress up packaging (fits slatwalls) with existing YooHoo & Friends displays. The "Blast to the Past" set includes three YooHoo & Friends "hippies.” Available separately are the "Go Green" set with two flower girls and a princess butterfly; and a third set that includes doctor, firefighter and police officer. Each 5-inch YooHoo & Friends animal (w/ sound) is available separately for $6.
— "They are all over the board, but I've sold about 100 of the various things," Barbara Fineblum, Owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said about YooHoos to TDmonthly when surveyed in late Spring 2011.

Travel to incredible places in this plush locomotive with three jungle friends. Don't forget to change their places from time to time so they can see all the views. Velcro allows child to switch the three animals between the locomotive's two windows and nose. Also included is a canvas carrying tote. Made of Polyester Fiber. Surface wash, air dry.

This playset features everything needed for a piggie fashion show. The stage has working lights and sounds, an extendable catwalk with a rotating platform, and an interactive piggy starlet with a collection of chic fashion accessories.

This Foxtail breaks the sound barrier every time you throw it. Whistles lodged in the leather-covered soft sponge ball shriek as it whizzes through the air.

Duncan Toys introduces the Metal Drifter yo-yo, featuring a ball bearing axle for long sleep times, and an aircraft aluminum body. Included is a collectible counterweight, to attach to the string for Duncan's patented Freehand style of play where the yo-yo isn't attached to the players hand. "Metal Drifter takes competition yo-yo tricks to a new level," Brandon Jackson, National Sales & Marketing Coordinator for Duncan Toys, told TDmonthly.

These sheds offer Thomas & Friends™ HO scale locomotives a place of their own after a full day’s work on the Island of Sodor. Five bays and a manually operated turntable keep engines ready for new adventures.

This adorable ball trio invites baby to grab, squeeze, and roll! Set includes three balls plus one ring.

Based on the movie Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue, Thomas and James must travel through the mysterious mountains of Misty Island. Build and rebuild to new heights as Thomas and James race on unfamiliar tracks from sea level to high up in the mountains.  Take Thomas and James through eerie tunnels to get to their destination. This set includes fun accessories such as a lake break-through barricades and rock slides.

The classic Warrior versus Dragon style of play has grown up and moved ahead into a world filled with new technology and weapons. Two ultimate Predavor Dragons, Bloodclaw and Deadeye, go face-to-face against the super heavy-weight Alliance Warbyrd, equipped with multiple missile launchers, dual built-in flight controllers and landing gear, and light and sound effects. The Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer buildable set includes one Alliance General and two Troopers with shields and weapons, as well as two exclusive Dragons with buildable, removable weapons and Power Core in chest.

With the Imaginext Disney/Pixar Toy Story 3 Tri-County Landfill, you can open the furnace, spin the sorter and pick up figures and drop them to safety with the crane arm. The conveyor belt even carries junk to the furnace. It's a whole new adventure every time you play.  It also features three characters from the movie: Lotso, Buzz, and Three Little Green Aliens.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews on ToysRUs.com and this product was listed No. 15 in ToysRUs.com's best-selling toys.  PROS: Fun, easy assembly, durable  CONS: Parts often fall off.

Product features include five activation points in all, so kids can help the caped crusader complete his missions and save the day.  Kids can turn the figure to raise and lower the elevator, and open the portal.  Or they can press the button to launch the grappling hook.  Product folds for easy storage.  Playset is approximately 21 inches long x 6 inches wide x 16 inches high.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 209 reviews on ToysRUs.com and this product was listed No. 7 in ToysRUs.com's best-selling toys. PROS: Durable, good for range of ages, encourages sharing  CONS: Gates won't close with all pieces inside.

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Slice and Bake Cookie Set lets children ages three and up pretend to bake, decorate, and serve cookies, all while practicing fine motor skills, learning number concepts, and more. The set includes a dozen wooden cookies, a dozen wooden decorating pieces, and toy wooden kitchen utensils.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 81 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 22 on the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS:  Durable and fun.  CONS:  Recalled in Canada for barium in the paint.
— The Slice and Bake Cookie Set was one of only two wooden items that sells well for Tracie Meadows, owner of Whippersnappers on St. Simons Island, Ga.

Standing six inches tall and featuring five points of articulation, each Zombie Ninja comes with his own katana.  Limited edition: only 3000 pieces.

Stowaways™ Big Buckets™ feature sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Dinosaur Park adventure includes a complete playset of animals, scenery, an off-road vehicle and a playmat to build exciting scenes.

Stowaways™ Big Boxes™ feature sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Space adventure includes a complete playset of figures, vehicles, and a playmat, including over 45 pieces.

Stowaways™ Big Buckets™ feature new, sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Military Adventure includes over 55 military figures, 2 tanks 2 artillery pieces, sandbag bunkers and more for hours of imaginative fun. Combine this set with one of our many Bitty Buckets™ (sold separately) to build even greater adventures. Over 80 pieces.

Create your own art by sticking the LEDs into the rubber pad and watch them light up. Use the 50 LEDs of 8 colors to create personal designs.

Create your own art by sticking the LEDs into the rubber pad and watch them light up. Use the 50 LEDs of 8 colors to create personal designs.

Features 14 distinct, real tools, with safety helmet included.

Our products have a strong iron mould inside to support up to 90 kgs weight.  Nice children's rhymes are heard once you pinch the tiger's ears.  Furthermore, both the tails and mouths are moveable.  100% safety guaranteed without toxin or odor.

These products have a strong iron mold inside to support up to 90 kgs weight.  Nice children's rhymes are heard once you pinch the horse's ears.  Furthermore, both the tails and mouths are moveable.  100% safety guaranteed without toxin or odor.

Hang the Velcro fabric straps of this colorful Buggybu Musical toy on the crib rail or stroller. Give the smooth wooden ring a tug and the three parts of its body pull down and play Brahms Lullaby as they move back up. Each of the round segments of the body have ribbons to touch. The body of the Buggybu, itself has multiple textures. A fleece face with stitched features, crinkly wings, and segments done in cord and knits with satin piping.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum, 2010.

A great combination of two favorite play modes for learning about cause and effect and making things happen. There's an easy to activate ball drop with two balls that roll down a chute and best of all, there is a set of colorful gears that twirl and play music. Tots can activate the gears by moving them directly or by pressing the red happy face button.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum, 2010.