February 2013 Notable Toys — Musical Toys

This mighty music maker (with an easy-carry handle) lights up as kids rock. Jam on a 24-note keyboard with a choice of 8 instrument sounds, 4 percussion sounds and 8 different rhythms. It even records and plays back compositions. Approx. 7'L x 15'W x 2'H. Made of plastic. Requires 3 'AA' batteries (included).
— Andrea Scartozzi from Hardware Toys in Paoli. Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2012 survey that they sold 6 of this keyboard during the holiday season.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

The Confetti Ukulele is thoughtfully made of wood with blast-from-the past construction and quality. Fun, tune-able sound and a size that’s just right for a budding musician.
— In a December 2012 survey, Katie Rook, owner of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold 40 of these ukuleles during the holiday season.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

The Sing Along Star Microphone makes singing fantastic fun. Kids can hear their voice amplified, enjoy backing music and also see cool lights flash as they sing to their heart's content. At the end of the show, the pink Sing Along Star Microphone adds clapping and cheering. Children can use the microphone's extending stand to sing along while playing an instrument with their hands, or making extravagant hand actions. They can also take the Sing Along Star Microphone off the stand to dance while they sing.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that microphones were their bestselling musical toys.

Kids can be their own rock star with the cool Rock Star guitar. 8 buttons on the fret board make tunes and sounds, and there's a rhythm button, three songs and a demo, a swing bar to pull, light-up strumming section and lots of fun effects. Comes with cool glasses and hands free mic.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that ELC musical toys from International Playthings were there bestsellers.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

Disney Baby Dreamy Sounds Soothers effortlessly help calm children to sleep and make the perfect nighttime companion. Similar to the best-selling Sleep Sheep, Disney Baby Dreamy Sounds Soothers will lull little ones to sleep with the classic melody “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and pleasant “white noise” – soft sounds of nature. They can also be attached to a crib with Velcro® straps and feature a removable sound box.

Touch Magic™ is a new product line from LeapFrog that brings intuitive touch technology to preschool toys for the first time. It combines fun, learning, and creativity. Touch Magic learning toys utilize capacitive touch technology that recognizes every tap, touch, and swipe to bring each product to life. This new collection of interactive toys includes four products that help develop core learning skills, and encourage exploration and discovery. The Touch Magic Rockin’ Guitar brings musical fun and develops preschool skills with every little touch. It fits kids’ development, engages their creativity, and builds their confidence as they learn ABCs and many new words through educational songs. Kids can choose to play solo without a backup, play along with a band, or select an electric or acoustic guitar to accompany songs including Rockin’ Robin, Itsy Bitsy Spider, If You’re Happy and You Know It, and Pop Goes the Weasel.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best Picks

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

Dance like the description. In this game players have a 40 second song clip to dance out as many of the dance charades cards as they can. They get a point for each correct dance charade the other player guesses. The other players also get to reward their opponent with dancing points by throwing purple tokens to you while you dance. In the Box, Audio cd with 40 songs-300 dance charades cards-300 purple tokens-Score Pad and Pencil. This game tends to bring even the shyest of people out of their shell.

M3 wows his audience with 360 spins and his signature one-handed handstand, the Windmill M3 has 8 original tracks to share with kids, including the catchy beats: M-to-the-I Remix and Who's Da Mouse Master Moves Mickey has over 15 dance moves to groove along to the music. Encourages energetic movement and learning through 4 action-packed dance lessons Squeeze Mickey's nose to switch songs and moves and to activate interactive dances. Launch date: 2012.
— As of 11/26/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 30 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: High quality; well-designed; dances are entertaining. Cons: Motor noise is loud; does not work well on soft surfaces.

Little rock stars will take center stage playing Schoenhut's “next generation” guitar. Schoenhut's innovative design incorporating a molded composite body with dual curves greatly enhances sound and durability. The birch soundboard which offers excellent tone and resonance, hardwood neck (for rigidity), and molded composite fretboard ensure proper height and spacing of the frets. Six steel strings permit a wide range of rich sounds. Available in several vibrant designs. Includes: Pick and Extra String. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Orchestra is the Advanced Level Xyloba with 96 parts. Xyloba is a creative marble run for building and composing at the same time. Xyloba develops motor function and spatial imagination, and facilitates a creative approach to music.

The Basic Level Xyloba with 25 parts. Xyloba is a creative marble run for building and composing at the same time. Xyloba develops motor function and spatial imagination, and facilitates a creative approach to music.

Children will be fascinated with this durable and colorful wooden Giant Xylophone. Develops rhythm and motor skills. Added fun with the roly-poly feature. Includes 2 drumsticks. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. Launch date: February 2013.

This colorful and attractive wooden pull-along musical train will engage your kids in hours and hours of wholesome play. It consists of 3 wagons equipped with a Xylophone, 2 Drumsticks, 2 Bells and a Cymbal. Develops rhythm and motor skills. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. Launch date: February 2013.

The kazoo measures 4.75” in overall length and comes individually boxed in a pegable four-color window gift box. The kazoos are sold as a 24-piece, four-color point-of-purchase display. The kazoo is handmade in a small Western New York factory which has made kazoos since 1916 and uses similar tools from that time. The packaging, also produced in the Western New York area, proudly features the U.S. Flag on the box and display.