May 2009 Notable Toys — Play Sets

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this wooden play set includes a skillet, spatula, breakfast foods, utensils and service for two. It is made with organic materials and finished with linseed oil. The toast has internal magnets that allow the two pieces of bread to be joined together.

Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse is constructed of sustainable bamboo and includes a working solar panel in the roof.  An adjustable, fully operational solar panel absorbs light energy and transfers it to four rechargeable batteries through wiring in the walls, just like in a real house. This energy then lights five LEDs to brighten three rooms of the house with just a push of a button. A light, water-based stain is used on the bamboo and then polished with beeswax. This dollhouse comes fully furnished with nine rooms of bamboo furniture and a modern family of five. "The three-level home is the first dollhouse to offer eco-friendly materials with contemporary designs and modern technology, satisfying both a parent's interest in green products and a child's fascination with role play," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager at Hape, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This Felt Tales play set includes 19 soft, safe pieces that allow children to create colorful scenes on the portable board that includes a carry handle. It measures 15" W x 12" H. Launch date: 2009.

The Work-Home Collection offers both Worktown Mat™ and Hometown Mat™, offering a variety of fun platforms to support kids' imagination of work and home life. Launch date: April 2009.

Welcome to the Haba mini market-ask about today's special! Includes imitation bar code scanner, 2 storage boxes, and umbrella. Made of birch plywood, this mini store comes with lots of extras to add additional play value: carrots, apples receipts shopping bags cheese. bread and many other items included! Shopping will never be the same!

Made in the USA of recycled plastic milk jugs, this tool kit includes flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a wrench, pliers, a hammer, a saw, and two each of nails, bolts, nuts and two-hole connectors. The environmentally friendly set also includes a tool box for storage of the toys. Launch date: 2009.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009

This 500-piece starter kit includes enough components for the construction of 12 lineal elevated feet of monorail track. It also comes with a powered engine and a car to ride the rail and weather 30-degree grades.

With over 50 mazes, word find, connect the dots and pictures to color, the Giant Activity Tablecloth allows for multiple child play. The tablecloth comes with six washable markers, but can work with any washable maker. It is completely machine washable. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Microwave and dishwasher safe, this bright orange plate comes with divided sections to keep food organized, but also special built-in features specially designed to work with all three Constructive Eating utensils. A ramp and loading bay waits for the pusher to bulldoze peas up into the spoon, and a slotted incline creates the illusion that the fork is picking up the food just like a real pallet jack might.

This tiny playset comes with a storybook and three moose - mom, dad and baby - that are soft and poseable. It also includes a tent, and is part of a collection featuring various animal characters and themed sets.

This 4D time puzzle of New York City includes 765 pieces and challenges participants to build a base map from 640 pieces as they learn about city streets, museums and more. Then, they continue to build the city by adding buildings and skycrapers as they are numbered in the included booklet, which details the city's evolution from 1812 to 2013. Launch date: February 2009.

Each coloring and activity set features a different theme (neighborhood, airport, horse ranch, zoo or construction site) and includes Crayola crayons, a coloring mat, corrugated pop-up buildings for decoration and play, and accessories. The three-dimensional structures allow kids to play after they’ve colored and designed the set. Launch date: Fall 2009.