January 2011 Notable Toys — Musical Toys

Learn sounds and colors with Manhattan Toy’s Rockin’ Sounds Guitar. Guitar features numbered keys that play different musical notes or say numbers and colors with the touch of a key. Change between different sound categories: numbers, colors and musical sounds with the touch of a button. Launch date: January 2011.

Moona Luna is the new musical project brought to you by the Latin-Alternative group Pistolera. Inspired by the birth of her first child—during the making of the last album—Pistolera's lead singer and songwriter Sandra Velasquez now brings us family-friendly songs in Spanish and English that continue the band's tradition of positive messages and toe-tapping beats. Moona Luna's debut album, Piñata Party, features eleven original songs as well as a cover of the Latin American folk song De Colores. Brooklyn based family music hero and Moona Luna fan, Dan Zanes, makes a guest vocal appearance on Brinca, Jump. "This is bilingual party music for the whole family," Beth Blenz-Clucas, PR, told TDmonthly. Launch Date: March 2011.

Includes Harmonica, Mini Chimalong, JingleBand, Kid's Accordion, Ukulele, and Mini Tambourine.  "The pieces are for children, but are created with a professional musician mentality," Garry Kvistad, CEO of Woodstock Chimes, said in a press release. Launch date: February 2011.

Includes Maracas, Triangle, Hand Drum, and Jingle Stick. "While part of our goal is to provide entertainment for children, much of our focus is on delivering instruments of the utmost quality and sound, combined with educational elements," Garry Kvistad, CEO of Woodstock Chimes, said in a press release. Launch date: February 2011.

This wooden set allows children to creatively and artistically embellish each item. Includes Tambourine, Maraca, and Train Whistle. "The pieces are for children, but are created with a professional musician mentality," Garry Kvistad, CEO of Woodstock Chimes, said in a press release.

The Zither Heaven harp, while small enough to be portable and affordable, is capable of quality sound. When the strings are plucked, the soundboard resonates. The strings form a diatonic scale, allowing many familiar tunes to be played. Beginners can explore the harp while making real music. The harp pictured is 38" tall and has 22 strings. Zither Heaven also offers a 15-string harp that is 30" tall that will debut at Toy Fair 2011.  Both instruments are made in the U.S.A.  The neck and pillar are made from sustainable native North American solid cherry or maple and the soundboard is made with Baltic birch.

Zither Heaven's ukulele is well constructed. The neck is made of solid maple and features a 15-inch vibrating string length. The body is made of solid cherry, maple, or black walnut. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry or black walnut.

Zither Heaven's soprano ukulele features a smaller body with a 14-inch vibrating string length. The frets are closer together making it easier for a young child to play. The Baltic birch back on Zither Heaven’s soprano ukulele makes this instrument very sturdy and durable. Its small size makes it easy to carry. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut with a Baltic birch back

To play the thumb piano (kalimba), the musician pushes down on a key with a thumb. When the key is released, the vibration resonates in the wooden body. A thumb piano is sturdy and easy to carry, making it an easy choice for children. The 8-note thumb piano forms a diatonic scale (middle C to C, no sharps or flats). Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut.

To play the thumb piano (kalimba), the musician pushes down on a key with a thumb. When the key is released, the vibration resonates in the wooden body. A thumb piano is sturdy and easy to carry, making it an easy choice for children. The 12-note thumb piano forms a diatonic scale (middle C to G, no sharps or flats). Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut.

To play the thumb piano (kalimba), the musician pushes down on a key with a thumb. When the key is released, the vibration resonates in the wooden body. A thumb piano is sturdy and easy to carry, making it an choice for children. The 8-note dished thumb piano forms a pentatonic scale (sharps and flats only). Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple, or black walnut.

The psaltery has survived through the centuries, from ancient times to the present. Zither Heaven's bowed psaltery features a triangle shape, which separates the strings to form a diatonic scale on one side and the remaining chromatic notes on the other side. imply designed and easy to bow, the Zither Heaven psaltery is designed for a child interested in music. The psaltery includes tuning wrench, bow, and rosin. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple or black walnut.

The psaltery has survived through the centuries, from ancient times to the present. Zither Heaven's bowed psaltery features a triangle shape, which separates the strings to form a diatonic scale on one side and the remaining chromatic notes on the other side. Simply designed and easy to bow, the Zither Heaven psaltery is designed for a child interested in music. The psaltery includes tuning wrench, bow, and rosin. Made in the U.S.A. from sustainable native North American solid cherry, maple or black walnut.

This multi-dimensional playset allows little pirates to sail about the Seven Seas with a pull-along pirate ship that plays a magical buccaneer tune. It also transforms into a secret pirate hideout when the crew needs shore leave and to hide treasure from other brigands. The secret quick-release trap door keeps the treasure safe from thieves; as they step on the floorboard, it quickly releases and sends the brigands tumbling down to a holding cell. With all of the accessories a little buccaneer could ever ask for: a catchy tune, a crew, a real working cannon, a friendly shark and a treasure chest, the Pull-Along Musical Pirate Ship offers many options for hours of adventure and fun for your little captain.

The Justin Bieber Singing Doll - 'Baby' features a 30-second clip of the featured song, an outfit Justin really wore in the video, and a cool mini fan magazine.  Choose from "Baby" or "One Less Lonely Girl".
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 2 out of 5 stars from 1 review on ToysRUs.com and this product was listed No. 11 in ToysRUs.com's best-selling toys.

These 49-key stringed pianos feature perfect pitch with true piano sound (without the use of electronics). The keys are the same dimensions as those on a full-sized piano, the keyboard half the width. Baby Grands are available in White, Black, Red; Upright in Black, White. Includes cushioned bench.

Schoenhut's three-octave Traditional Deluxe Spinet, with a keyboard almost half the size of an adult piano, is designed for the three-to-nine-year-old. The span of the keyboard allows room for playing with both hands. The standard key width promotes proper finger placement, enabling an easy transition to a larger piano. Chime-like notes, the unique sound for which Schoenhut is famous, are produced by small hammers striking steel music rods. Available in Black, White, Mahogany/Black. Includes bench, Schoenhut's Learning System, songbook and a color-coded strip that fits behind the keys to guide small fingers from chord to chord.

This 15 piece tin tea set that comes with a wind-up tea pot.  Wind it up and then pour--it plays "I'm a Little Tea Pot".  The set comes with the tea pot, four plates, four cups and saucers and a tray--just right for pretend tea parties.  No batteries are required to get the tea pot to play-it just winds up like a music box. 
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum, 2010.

Give these wooden painted maracas a shake. Painted in bug-like colors-red and black ladybug, yellow and black bumble bee, green and black grasshopper, these are smooth to the touch and have a good sound. Fun for keeping time with music or dancing time.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

A small pull down musical bear for the little (and big) sport in your life. Tug on the baseball and it plays Take Me Out to the Ball Game. This is a small musical that will fit on stroller or car seat for a lullaby on-the-go.
Awards:  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal, 2010.

This versatile new little piano grows with your child! The main unit, decorated with a whimsical animal’s head, is perfect for toddlers because it sits safely and squarely on the floor within easy reach of little hands. Later on, the sides with the animal’s body can be attached, conveniently raising the piano to a comfortable upright height for an older child seated at the bench. Schoenhut toy pianos are noted for their excellent quality and unique chime-like tones. The width of the keys promotes proper finger placement, enabling an easy transition to a larger piano.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

The new Magic Window Talking Farm features a color LCD display that brings farm animals to life with smooth animation. Featuring three levels of play, eight nursery rhymes, and five songs, the Magic Window Farm engages children with its bilingual play option, teaching children numbers and letters in English and Spanish. Children learn by listening, watching, and interacting with the animals on the farm through naming, matching, answering, and sequencing games.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010