February 2010 Notable Toys — Interactive

The latest realistic dinosaur pet kids will love. Continuing the interactive robotic dino DNA CRUNCHER™ takes a big bite out of fun with his cantankerous carnivorous ways as he dances, plays catch, begs for food, comes when called and purrs happily when he’s petted. If sent into attack mode though, he’ll rear up on his hind legs and charge forward with startling speed while snapping his massive jaws.

The intelligent 612-piece NXT Lego brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, 4 input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link; batteries not included. This set includes interactive servo motors and four sensors (Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the all-new Color Sensor). The Color Sensor has triple functionality; it distinguishes colors and light settings, and functions as a lamp. This product comes with easy-to-use software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming and 16 fun building and programming challenges, along with building instructions for 4 new amazing robots. Awards: 2010 TOTY Award
— As of 7.27.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 46 reviews on Amazon.com, and was listed No. 44 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Teaches simple programming with well-designed, easy-to-use software. Encourages creative play. CONS: Not innovative enough; doesn't allow for open-ended play; one customer received two defective sets before receiving one that worked.
— In late Spring 2011, 25% of retailers surveyed said LEGO was their best-selling brand of construction toys.

Cartoon star. Theme park mascot. Worldwide icon. Dance star? Mickey Mouse takes on a new role with FISHER-PRICE’s new Dance Star Mickey Mouse. The interactive toy is quite an accomplished dancer, able to switch between Soul, Techno, Disco, and Latin dancing styles. Interactive activities, walking, and talking are also a part of this playful rodent’s repertoire.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum.
— As of 1.07.2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars on Walmart.com and was the #12 bestselling item in the Dolls & Dollhouses category. Pros: Multiple songs; interactive. Cons: Possibly too fragile for very young children.

Each of these plush characters comes with an interactive/educational CD enclosed in its home, which doubles as a reusable container. "Our products have several characteristics that set us apart. For one, our packaging is actually a container that can be used over and over again and has a four-way lip lock system to store small toys as well as other items," Douglas Robertson, President, AMSFrontline.com, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

This or That? is a fun way to learn something new about someone you know. It’s packed with lots of question and is designed as a simple, everything-included, take-along game for waiting rooms, restaurants, planes, back seats, parties and any time there’s down time. "This or That? is the perfect cross-market item; it places well in all store types," Donna Modrell, Marketing & Operations Manager, Peaceable Kingdom Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

WebRappers are the ambassadors of health, wellness and happiness for children of all ages, from diapers to Depends. WebRappers celebrates life's special moments from birthdays to retirement, plus encourages healthy eating habits and drinking responsibly. Not only do the plush toys rap and record, but they also wrap around wrists, gifts, cribs, vitamins, bottles, ankles, etc. The WebRappers website features hundreds of musical greetings and genres in multiple languages to choose from for friends and family. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

This puzzle disc spins back and forth on a string, mixing colors and shapes. It's designed to help kids develop their creativity while they play. "It is the first product of its kind. It makes kids stay active and at the same time learn principles of physics, color and composition. Even adults can find this product as a relaxing and calming object to play with," Junior Mendez, President, JJ Mendez Studio, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2010.

Kids can discover the complex inner-workings of a pirate ship, from the roaring raids on a Spanish galleon to the salvage mission of a sunken vessel. From the outer decks to the crew’s quarters, this book reveals various parts of the pirate life. Intricate illustrations show the smallest details and may cause some laughs as readers notice funny scenes hidden inside the ship. It features naval battle scenes, a sunken ship panorama, and even pirates dropping cannon balls. Kids can peek behind decks, windows and hulls to unfold panoramic foldouts. The following page gives a breakdown of each scene with clear explanations, interesting facts and more illustrations. "Panoramic gatefolds and wonderfully engaging illustrations reveal the rich and colorful scenes of a pirate ship," Jessica Lemp, Marketing Assistant, Langenscheidt Publishing Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Girls can peek behind foldouts and flaps to uncover a treasure of royal secrets from favorite fairy tale princesses, such as Cinderella, Thumbelina and Snow White. The life of a Princess is one of diamonds, ball gowns and handsome princes, but it’s also filled with little secrets. How did the Princess feel the pea? What lies in Sleeping Beauty’s spell book? Launch date: November 2009.

Kids can discover the complex inner-workings of a castle, from the lavish banquet hall of the lord and lady to the soldiers arming the battlements, and from the outer moat to the inner chamber. Intricate, full-color illustrations show the minute detail, and funny scenes are hidden in the art behind the castle wall. Readers can peek behind doors, windows and walls, and open panoramic foldouts, then find a breakdown of each scene on the next page. Launch date: 2010.

Jordan Weisman, co-creator of the acclaimed Cathy’s Book series, launches an interactive trilogy based on the 2012 end-of-world Mayan prophecies. Nathan Richards learns on his 13th birthday that his destiny is to be challenged by the Mayan god Kukulkan in a game that decides the fate of the human race. Read the Book - Play the Game - Save the World. "The combination of book and game board with 11 game pieces and dice engages the reader to interact with the story — as our hero plays the game, so can the reader. Play the game online in a single player mode against the computer or a two player mode against anyone anywhere in the world. The online game will also act as decoder ring where specific locations on the board will give players background fiction on the book's characters and teaser fiction about what happens in the next book," Geri DiTella, Marketing Coordinator, Running Press Book Publishers, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2010.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

This hot pink coin features a golden tiara on top of the word "Princess" that runs across the coin.

The full display box is intended for sale to retailers and fund-raisers only. Box includes 1 Retail Display Box (Traypack), 24 “Bracelet + 1 Coin” Packs in Retail Packaging, and 75 “Two Coin” Packs in Retail Packaging.

This green coin features various shades of green with the phrase "Green Revolution" printed on the coin.

This coin is decorated with dandelions traditional to the "Loves Me, Loves Me Not" reference, with the exact phrase printed on the coin.

This Flipoutz™ Bracelet features a solid orange color and comes with a random Flipoutz™ coin. Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next.

This Flipoutz™ Bracelet glows in the dark and comes with a random Flipoutz™ coin. Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next.

Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next. The Flipoutz™ Super Starter Kit includes a bracelet of your choice, a random coin, and two random 2-coin packs (making a total of 5 coins to fill up the bracelet).

If kids can play business, they can learn business. Kids will have fun earning money in their neighborhoods and communities while starting their very first business with this unique mobile business stand. The business stand comes with wheels, dry/erase magnetic banner areas, built-in locking money tray, literature storage tray, solar-powered built-in calculator, hooks, keys, magnets, and dry erase marker set. Launch date: November 2011.
Awards: 2011 Dr.Toy Best Classic Toys; 2011 NAPPA Gold Award; 2011 Oppenheim Award

Meet Fred's girlfriend. Follow-Me Fiona is continuing the success of her best selling mate, Follow-Me Fred. Same great crawling toy, now with a feminine touch.

Gigapals is an award winning online interactive learning experience for kids ages 3-6. Each plush toy comes with an "adoption code" on certificate that can be used to register the Gigapal on the Gigapals website and enjoy an educational experience for kids ages 3 to 6.

Gigapals is an award winning online interactive learning experience for kids ages 3-6. Each plush toy comes with an "adoption code" on certificate that can be used to register the Gigapal on the Gigapals website and enjoy an educational experience for kids ages 3 to 6.

When triggered by a motion-activated sensor on its forehead, this jolly reindeer rolls around and laughs hysterically. Launch date: Fall 2009.