March 2013 Notable Toys — Interactive

Little ones are sure to fall in love with Hasbro's first feature Elmo toy that can hug them back! When tots give their red furry friend a hug, Elmo will wrap his arms around them to show how much he loves them! This cuddly 22-inch lifelike Elmo has flexible arms and a soft head. He sings a sweet song about hugs and a bedtime lullaby, and encourages pretend play. This all new design makes the BIG HUGS ELMO Hasbro's largest, cuddliest, most lifelike Elmo interactive plush ever! Requires four AA batteries, not included.
— David Hesel, owner of The Toy Shop of Concord Inc in Concord, Mass., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that "Anything Elmo" is their best-selling licensed toy.

When kids look into the Barbie Digital Makeover Mirror, which is used with an iPad, they can see their reflections. Then, using the accessories provided, they can digitally put on eyeshadow, lipstick, and other makeup - without actually getting anything on their face, thanks to the mirror's augmented reality software.

Kids place stickers with different bar codes on the track. Then the race cars drive over they read the codes and perform new actions - stopping, lighting up, slowing down, and more.

This is a new trendy desk SmartGlobe™ —the SmartGlobe™ Horizon explores the world through 30 activities in the comfort of your own home. There is a wealth of information to be discovered through 30 different educational activities. The entire family can join in on the fun with the multiplayer games—challenge one another and see who can identify the most country capitals in a minute. Have the choice to customize levels between three age groups, so learners of all ages can enjoy the experience. Use the wireless talking Smart Pen to interact with the product and hear about fascinating topics ranging from capitals, population, currency and even world leaders. To keep the information up-to-date with current events, simply link it to your computer via a USB cable and refresh the contents. Additional activities are available by connecting the SmartGlobe™ with the MEEP! tablet (also compatible with iPad®*).

SUPER ANIMAL GENIUS features nine highly replayable minigames that introduce young learners to hundreds of fascinating facts about 12 different animal habitats and 40 different reptiles, birds, amphibians, and mammals. By playing the minigames and completing Animal Challenge quizzes, players can earn animals for each habitat while learning about the animals’ physical attributes, eating habits, predators, and more. Available for LeapFrog’s learning tablets, LeapPad1™ and LeapPad2™, and learning video game systems, Leapster Explorer™ and LeapsterGS™. Launch date: 2013.

Romo is a revolutionary mobile robotic platform that uses your smartphone as its brain. When connected to any iOS device, Romo becomes a friendly robotic avatar that wanders around your home or school. Romo is the first personal robot built for everyone. He's small but sturdy, fast, and his behaviors evolve the more you use him. At Romotive, we believe everyone - whether you're 7 or 70 - should have a robot that loves you with every cog in his heart. Romo's simple to use drag and drop programming language lets even kids with no computer science experience create and share new behaviors and personalities for their robot. Romo teaches kids about science, technology, engineering, and math in a super fun, intuitive way - by given them their own personal robot pet to program. Launch date: January 2013.

Introducing an "appsolutely" new way to enjoy story time. This sturdy case (that looks just like baby’s favorite book) will protect any iPhone® 3GS, 4 & 4S or iPod touch® 4G from dribbles, drool, teething and sticky little fingers. Baby will love unlocking never-ending content at the turn of a page – just open and close the case cover to advance app content. Through FREE interactive story apps, with adorable animations and audio prompts, baby will be introduced to classic stories, nursery rhymes, book handling skills and early literacy. (Device not included.)

The perfect addition to any Halloween party, Vampy Vince sings a Halloween song and dances along to the music (well, his arms and head move to the beat). With a cool black/red/gray outfit and a classic vampire haircut Vince is ready to party this Halloween. Just press the button on his left foot to start the action. Vince comes with 3 AA replaceable batteries.
— In a Winter 2012 survey Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that Gund monsters were one of her Halloween bestsellers.

This giant and cuddly plush dog measures 42 inches long and features 9 interactive functions. Ruffoo comes with his own bone that kids can "feed" him. Innovative KidooPets show kids how to nurture while having fun. These quality plush toys are designed in France and made with only the finest materials. Launch date: 2013.

This giant and cuddly plush horse measures 42 inches long and features 9 interactive functions. GALOO comes with a saddle and a carrot to feed him. Innovative KidooPets show kids how to nurture while having fun. These quality plush toys are designed in France and made with only the finest materials. Launch date: 2013.

Laser Maze is an innovative new game that integrates the use of laser beams into a mind-challenging logic game. 60 challenges flex strategic thinking muscles and ignite the light both on the grid and in players' minds.

Where to buy:
NORTH EAST

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.

Are you ready to be flashed? Everyone hears the question and thinks it’s soooo easy, but once the random 2-second flasher gets going, you could be caught off guard or even left speechless. You gotta be ready for surprise turns and stolen answers in this frantically fast, fantastically fun game! Contents: Flasher, 588 questions on 98 cards, 2 blank cards, rules. Includes: 3 AAA replaceable batteries.

This 9.5" durable play tablet features 20 colorful light-up images and 40 fun sounds and phrases that activate when children press the arrow buttons. Children will have their very own learning pad to play with, and they’ll have fun pretending to be like mommy and daddy with their tablets. Pushing each button will activate two different sounds, including phrases and sound effects. For instance, they might reveal the sound of a choo-choo train or hear the phrase, "Balls are round!" For ages 12 months and up.

Time to dust off the FURBISH dictionary because FURBY is back and ready to take the world by storm. Kids had better be prepared because FURBY has A MIND OF ITS OWN. Feed it, speak to it, tickle it, play music for it, and shake, tilt or turn your FURBY upside down. But be warned - how kids treat their FURBY will shape its personality.Kids can also download a free app to help them translate FURBISH, as well as virtually feed their FURBY and other interactive features. App is optional and works with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone with iOS 4.2 or later. Launch date: 2012.