January 2013 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Any project is possible with the whimsical, Green Toys Pink Tool Set. Constructed from 100% recycled plastic milk containers that save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this trendy tool kit makes any fix-it job an opportunity to go green (and pink and purple) too. The groovy 15 piece set includes a tool box, phillips screwdriver, flat screwdriver, hammer, saw, wrench, pliers, 2 two-hole connectors, 2 nails, 2 bolts, and 2 nuts. No BPA, phthalates, PVC, or external coatings.
— As of 1/17/2013 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 37 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Eco-friendly; durable; helps encourage interest in building.

Solid and stately, this castle is built to withstand battles and sieges. Free-standing, with a functional drawbridge to secure the castle from intruders, there's plenty of room inside to organize jousting tournaments or set up a great hall for a royal feast. Launch date: January 2013.

Take your favorite dolls or stuffed animal friends for a ride in our new Pram. Sturdily constructed of hardwood and pine it is built for busy afternoons filled with play and sure to be a hit with young mommies and daddies alike. Launch date: January 2013.

Simple and compact, this new Elves & Angels kitchen design features a top shelf for displaying and storing  dishes. Like the Julianna's Kitchen the oven and cabinet compartment provide lots of storage space and endless opportunities for cooking fun. The simple slot-together assembly takes only a few minutes so little cooks can get right to work. Launch date: January 2013.
— Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, told TDmonthly in a June 2014 survey that various Elves and Angels kitchen sets are their best-selling furniture.

Animal rescue rangers to the rescue! With this rugged safari truck, two cheerful people are ready to zoom across the savannah to help their animal friends. The alligator, zebra, rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus and lion fit into the truck's sides through die-cut slots, so this exciting toy is perfect for imaginative play and fine motor skills . . . and much more! Lift and remove the cargo door to unload the colorful animals, then count, sort and stack the solid-wood pieces before loading the truck and securing the door in its track. One male and one female ranger fit in the cab of the truck, or come out to tend to the animals on the preserve. Play ideas are included to reinforce basic skills and inspire creative play.

The school bus is here! There's a friendly driver at the wheel and room for six happy passengers in this 10-piece wooden play set. With easy-rolling wheels and doors that open and close, this exciting set creates an interactive scene designed to inspire limitless play. Pieces are sized to fit with all Whittle World play sets and accessories sets.

Playing with new foods encourages kids to try them. Watch a real sushi chef (Itamae) in action. Roll sandwiches or filled lettuce leaves into sushi shapes.

Take care of the newest arrival in the Heartlake City stables with Olivia and fun accessories. Get water from the moving pump to fill up the trough and feed the foal with the carrot. Then use the wheelbarrow to collect the hay for the foal under the buildable tree. Groom her with the accessory pack including ribbons, brushes and combs to make her very pretty. Includes Olivia mini-doll figure.

A peaceful slumber full of sweet dreams are on their way with the Baby Stella™ Dreamy Bedtime Set™. With a cuddly soft blanket, a plump pillow and snuggly little lamb friend, Baby Stella is sure to get a good night's sleep. The soft lamb is attached to an elastic strap that fits snuggly around baby Stella's wrist for easy attachment. Tuck Baby Stella in tonight with the Dreamy Bedtime Set and watch her slip into a simply serene slumber.

Our Cupcake Stand with Cupcakes is a perfect kitchen accessory for any young chefs. ids will love putting the cupcakes on display for the whole world to see. 6 pretend cupcakes – mix and match the tops and bottoms to make new color combinations. Made of composite wood products.

Shen is Zylie the Bear's panda friend from her Adventure across China. Shen met Zylie and her silly little brother Theo in Chengdu, where he's from, and they had great fun journeying east across the country to Beijing. Shen loves rock & roll music, and is a drummer in a band about to go on tour. Shen practices martial arts, and is fascinated by other cultures, particularly their native music and instruments. Shen's Adventure Kit includes a leather jacket, cargo pants and cool t-shirt. He also has a backpack with drum sticks and a Chinese Passport, and the second book in Zylie's Adventure Series, "Zylie's Silk Road Adventure."

The Kiki the Koala Adventure Kit includes 18" jointed plush Kiki the Koala character, fashionable signature outfit, accessories, Australian passport and the third book in the Zylie Adventure Series, Zylie's Adventure Down Under. Part of The Adventures of Zylie & Friends collection. Marking the third chapter in Zylie's exciting adventure around the world, Kiki the Koala and the Adventure Down Under collection continues the awesome journey of a few unlikely animal explorers: Zylie the Bear, a young bear from Manhattan; her little brother Theo; their friend Shen the Panda from China.

Let your little ones imagination run wild with our New Cotton Canvas 8ft Tee Pee. This ginormous 8 foot tall Tee Pee is large enough for the entire tribe. Made of durable 100% Cotton Canvas, the easy to set-up Tee Pee can be used indoors. The 8ft Tee Pee features wooden poles for easy assembly and extra durability. The tie back dual front doors add to the hours of fun for your little ones.  The Tee Pee comes in its very own carry bag for easy storage.

SmartMax Flower Palace provides your child with four colorful flower-shaped pieces, along with 19 magnetic medium bars, 16 large ball-shaped magnetic connectors, and two peaked rooftops so she can use their imagination to build a multitude of creations. These extra-large pieces make it easy to use creative-thinking skills to mix-and-match the pieces and create new combinations. Unique houses and large-scale castles are among just a few of the many options. Children can use the four panels to strengthen the structure of their construction and build walls, floors, or forts. Flower Palace is one of several new 2012 sets in the award-winning SmartMax® magnetic construction toy line. It can also be combined with all existing Smart Max ® sets for unending play opportunities.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

This beautiful tented carousel is adorned with intricate royal details and opens up to two-feet wide, revealing a dream closet fit for a Princess Pony. The playset features display areas not only for her Change-It-Up Hair™, but for her Mix-It-Up Fashions™, too, making it easy for the Princess Pony to appraise her pony wardrobe and decide on just the right fashion for the royal occasion. The Styling Center, with three mirrors and storage for her hair brushes, jewelry, and Saddlettes™, lets girls add the finishing touches. The Dressing Carousel comes with two Princess Pony skirts, which also dress the windows as fanciful curtains.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

Colorforms, an iconic play product, once again brings classic Colorforms® to life with the Tinga Tinga Tales™ Create-A-Creature Game. Using African artwork from the loveable Disney Junior TV Show, Tinga Tinga Tales™, players use their imagination to tell stories about the unique creatures they create. So 2 to 4 players can take turns spinning the wheel to see which body part to select from the 32 pieces. When all players have collected a pair of legs, a tail, a head, and two ears and arranged them on a scene card, players take turns telling imaginative stories about how their creatures were created. Every generation will enjoy playing with the reusable pieces as they bring to life never before seen animals. Once the hilarious creatures are formed, the Create-A-Creature Game promotes imagination and creativity through the story each player tells about the new animal. The stories of how each animal came to be change every time as numerous animal combinations are created.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

A peaceful slumber full of sweet dreams are on their way with the Baby Stella™ Dreamy Bedtime Set™. With a cuddly soft blanket, a plump pillow and snuggly little lamb friend, Baby Stella is sure to get a good night's sleep. The soft lamb is attached to an elastic strap that fits snuggly around baby Stella's wrist for easy attachment. Tuck Baby Stella in tonight with the Dreamy Bedtime Set and watch her slip into a simply serene slumber.

Captivating is understating the charm of the Folkmanis Enchanted TREE Puppet. Made for storytelling and all things fantasy, this magical tree has movable eyes, limbs and mouth - perfect for spellbinding fun. Launch date: July 2012.

Spider Dress is a black and red spider web print full-length dress. Unique open sleeve design shows the spider web print inner sleeve. Versatile dress can be used as a witch, vampire, or other spooky costume.
— Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly that this dress was one of their top-2 Halloween toys.

This annual wine-tasting festival is in full swing when the body of local vineyard owner, Barry Underwood, is found hidden beneath his wine cellar. Comes with a complete party planner, invitations, costume and menu suggestions, clues and more. Mystery dinner party game for 8 players.

The NEW midnight-black, winged Areion from Safari Ltd® has one of the fiercest spirits of all. Stare into its untamable brown eyes and let it show you the way to the mythical world. This hand painted replica measures 5.5” L x 4.25” W x 5.25” H (13.75 x 10.75 x 13.25 cm) and is suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Visit www.safariltd.com to explore educational information in five languages and to view and purchase Safari Ltd® 2013 introductions and all other products. Launch date: January 2013.

The Fortune Cookie Maker lets children write, create and decorate fortune cookies right at home. Children just write down their fortune, combine the included mix with water, heat in the microwave for a few seconds, knead and roll out their dough and then place it in the Fortune Cookie Machine. With the push of a button, their fortune is deliciously sealed and is ready to decorate and eat within 10 minutes. The Fortune Cookie Machine makes up to 12 cookies, and is fun for the entire family.

This pirate ship from Jake and the Never Land Pirates assembles in seconds thanks to patented Twist N Fold technology. The sail doubles as a basketball hoop for the mini basketball (included), and there are 2 tunnel ports with roll-up flap doors for easy access and expansion. Approx. 54'L x 29'W x 60'H. Easy adult assembly. Made of non-woven fabric, nylon, mesh and steel.

Cash in on curiosity with this modern cash register that makes playing shop irresistible. Features a fun coin slide and pop-open cash drawer. Includes chunky buttons and 5 number coins. Ages 2+. Launch date: January 2013.