May 2010 Notable Toys — All

Made of organic materials, the Picnic Pal Finger Puppets are individually boxed and include Ducky, Lamby, Bunny, Cubby and Monkey. Launch date: May 2010.

These hardwood maple and cherry chess pieces are made in Vermont. The pieces are blocks with a traditional characters engraved on two sides. All the pieces are 1" wide and 1" deep, varying in height depending on the strength of the character. The pawn stands at 1.25" tall and the Queen is 2.25" tall. Each set comes with a cloth pouch for piece storage when not in use. Barbara Rainville, marketing manager for Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly, "Each piece has a diagram to show how that character moves engraved on the bottom — for new players or those just a bit rusty." Launch date: March 13, 2010.

The Kiddi-o Layana Trike features quiet-running MaxXtread tires, a patented Limited Turn Radius and patented Quik-Adjust frame for easy adjustability. This trike has an ergonomically contoured high-back seat for added comfort and to promote better posture. Launch date: June 15, 2010.

Series 2 Uglydoll Action Figures feature Uglydog, Big Toe, Poe, Trunko, Uglyworm and Peaco. Each action figure is available in two colors. The series is packaged in a clear window box for a clear view of all the action. Launch date: April 2010.

Princess Katie and Racer Steve bring their combination of singing, musicianship and kid-oriented comedy to their third studio CD. "Tiny Cool" delivers messages about honesty, individuality, acceptance, kindness, helpfulness, the power of love, and the amazing capabilities kids will exhibit, if they’re only given a chance. Elizabeth Waldman Frazier, president of Waldmania Public Relations, told TDmonthly, "'Tiny Cool' captures the vibrant energy, daring innovations, and positive spirit of the NYC-based group’s tremendously popular live performances." Launch date: April 4, 2010.
— CPA Mom of Did You See That? reported that her “daughter loves the beat of the music” and “her favorite was ‘Clelia's Party’ because it just like an entire FIESTA in a song!” Though both mom and daughter felt the skits between songs fell flat, after listening to the CD, CPA Mom loved “the lyrics and the messages they give – (about) dealing with bullies, celebrating our uniqueness (like shyness), and really, that kids can pretty much do anything.”
— Carrie of Growing a Baby in Seattle listened to the CD with her whole family, and “it only took a few minutes for us all to be big fans.” The between-song skits had Carrie and her kids “laughing out loud.” She also noted that, “it's nice to listen to a CD that's so encouraging — this CD is ‘kid power’ at its best.”

In this game, children work together to solve world and human problems presented in a simplified way. Players are divided into simulated social groups (tribes, nations, etc.). Each group gets World Problem Cards and a share of Solution Cards. Through discussion, trade agreements and world councils, the players try to solve all the problems facing them. The debriefing session at the end allows for everyone to learn from each other. Together includes two decks of cards, grouping tokens and rules for teacher preparation, interaction and final evaluation. Launch date: 1971.

In this game, six "Nations" must solve internal affairs without creating conflicts within their own borders. As the game progresses, hot spots can develop — and by game’s end several or all of the Nations may be at war. The game is then lost. Each Nation creates a balanced territory so that a balanced world results in which population does not exceed land and resources and work is available for everyone. On the religious, cultural and political side, all sectors are also in balance with no particular sector dominating another. The key to achieving this balance is Right Education, in which intelligence and compassion are nurtured. How well the players use Right Education and deploy the other factors within their borders while making trades to assist each other across borders will determine the degree of success in establishing firm and lasting peace in our time. The game includes six nation charts, two sets of cards (110 total) consisting of population, land/resources, work/technology, religion/culture, politics/military and right education, one die, and rules of play. Launch date: 2006.

This game is designed to nurture imagination, listening, self-expression, collaboration and clear thinking, using a story-telling format. The setting is science-fictional and the issues presented everyday and real, tackled by players with role-playing, values discussions, dialogue, problem-solving, and creative writing. Not an Island is adaptable to any group situation and includes 55 situation cards, 55 resource cards, six life force markers, two booklets of scenarios, and rules for basic, medium and hard levels of play. Launch date: 2003.

In this cooperative game, players try to develop a series of balanced patterns. The moving principles are simple, but the variations and complexities of play are almost infinite. This is a game for those who like abstract, meditative endeavors. A simpler game, Clarity, is included for the beginner or younger players. The game also includes a 12" x 12" board, three sets of colored "pebbles," and scoring sheets. Launch date: 1973.

This values-oriented, moral-dilemma game of discussion and evaluation presents challenges an individual encounters from childhood to old age. The situations and questions appear on cards with choices to make. Players can create their own responses and more situations to enter into the game. This game is a useful tool to stimulate values discussion in a non-competitive framework and includes a 14" x 18" play pad, four sets of questions (for childhood, adolescence, middle years and old age), mover, die, game and complete rules. Launch date: 1976.

Starwords is a cooperative word game in which players make words to cover as many Star Spaces as they can. Each word must be about what players see in the picture. The picture changes, letters get recycled, and letters are given away. Players can discuss, share and compare ideas in a natural, friendly way. Word wizards can play the Advanced Version in which dice are rolled to see what kind of word has to be formed. The game includes a 13" x 17" board, die, reference chart, 100 letter tokens, and a collection of unusual pictures. Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly, "Our games foster the spirit of cooperation. Players help each other climb a mountain, make a community, bring in the harvest, complete a space exploration... They are never against each other." Launch date: 1983.

Children discover and explore new shapes, learn measurements, develop primary motor skills, improve communication and language skills, and visualize their world in new ways with Sandtastik Play Sand. Sandtastik Play Sand is 100-percent natural, non-toxic and environmentally friendly. The sand molds when wet and can be washed and re-used over and over again. Sandtastik Sales and Marketing Manager Chad Noyes told TDmonthly, "Sandtastik White Play Sand is safe for children of all ages. It is the only sand in the world containing no free crystalline silica or quartz, approved safe by the ACMI, ASTM (USA), Corporate and Consumer Affairs (Canada), and EN-71 (Europe)." Launch date: October 1990.

The Green Zebra Sassy Pet Sak is one of the most popular new styles of the Douglas Sassy Pet Saks. At 7.5" wide, the Sak's removable Dachshund toy rides inside. Launch date: Feb. 15, 2010.

The JUMPAROO BOING! Jumping Stick is capable of 24” leaps with a little practice. Constructed from all-metal materials with a Y-shaped handle with foam grips that offers more hand positions than standard pogos, and greatly increases its control and ease of use. The rugged metal spring is completely encased by a steel housing, so there’s no possibility of pinching, and all surfaces are rounded for extra safety. The rubber “foot” has a diameter is twice that of most pogos for greater security and stability. The JUMPAROO BOING! Pogo Stick has two models: one for users with a body weight of 44-86 pounds and another for users between 86 and 160 pounds.

In this multiplayer game, players use swiveling ramps to launch chips onto the play board. With careful aim the chips will fall into the desired hole. As players take turns the stack of chips in each hole gets higher. The goal is to try to get three matching color chips in a row, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally in this version of the classic game. The package includes a game base, game tray, four ramps, 52 game chips, and game rules in English and French. For two to four players.

Yellow Label Kids play food is designed in knit or cloth. The Pizza Pie set includes six slices of pizza and one plate.

This four-wheeled plush car features lights and sounds. Children can press the button on top for lights and a beeping sound or pull the tab on the back and watch as the car wiggles along. This item features Taggies vibrant "Colours" materials and ribbons and includes a mirror on the back, crinkly wheels, a rattle and a peek-a-boo pup in the window.

There are 12 different flavors of ice cream players can stack one on top of the other. Whoever can scoop and stack the most wins the game. Package includes ice cream cone base, ice cream cone, 12 ice cream scoops, and game rules in English and French. For 2-4 players.

The Tote Along Musical Mirror features straps on the back for easy attachment to cribs plus loops on the front to attach dangling toys, pacifiers and more. The faces on the tote light up one after the other in time with the music. The easy to operate switch can be activated by parent or baby for three modes of play: one plays soothing music for 10 minutes before switching off on its own, one plays stimulating music for ten minutes before switching off, and the other is activated by baby and plays short clips to encourage a reprise. This item is for use in cribs or alone on a mat and includes giraffe plush cuddle toy inside.

These 2-in-1 toys combine simple building with the excitement of pull back and go action. Each package includes five colorful chunky parts that are easy for little hands to construct. Comes in 2 assorted styles: Helicopter & Sports Car.

These squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights come in a variety of animals whose noses light up when switched on. The side lever stores inside the body and can be released and squeezed to charge up the light. The 12-piece counter displays include four assorted animals in each assortment. The Zoo assortment includes a tiger, panda, monkey, and penguin, whereas the Farm assortment features a cow, pig, duck, and dog.

This game asks players to find the common object on all five 'Magical Discs of Common Things'. Whoever finds it first gets to mark that object with his/her colored coin and flip over ANY ONE of the discs. There will always be only one common object that appears on all five discs, no matter which disc is turned over during the game. For a greater challenge, there's a version using six magical discs, with more objects on each one. The game comes with five magical double-sided discs, six magical double-sided discs for advanced play, 16 scoring chips, built-in scoring board, and rules in English and French. For two to four players.

The Playdate Central Giant Activity Tablecloth is imprinted with more than 50 mazes, word finds, connect the dots and pictures to color. Children can color one side then flip it over for more creative activities. The tablecloth comes with six colored markers and works with any washable markers. Cloth is machine washable in cold water, no detergent, on gentle cycle. Measures 55" x 38".

This collectible figurine is of a prehistoric Velociraptor. Bullyland Soft Play figurines are made to feel like the real thing with realistic handpainted details. They are great for pretend play and wipe clean with a damp cloth. They are made on a 1:8 scale from PVC & phthalate free synthetic rubber.