May 2010 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

A classic heirloom project, the woven potholder, gets an overhaul in this informational, whimsical book from Klutz. The loom is provided, as well as a generous quantity of cotton-blend loops made specifically for the kit. Projects include potholders, a purse, a picture frame, a chicken and more. Detailed instructions and illustrations are provided.
― “I have a huge Klutz assortment. I really love it because the quality is so good,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., in April 2010.
― “Klutz always sticks out for me, as far as activity kits go,” said Janet Gessner, owner of Deep River Toy Company in Deep River, Conn., of her top-selling activity kits in spring 2010.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Klutz is a top-selling activity line in their stores.

With this 40-piece restaurant playset, little ones can design their pretend menus with many different pretend food items, and step into fully into their roles with a guest check pad, a waitress's apron and a hat. The table is set with menus, cloth napkins, cups, plates and flatware. The set, which packs into a carrying case, even comes packaged with two play credit cards.
― “The Sweetheart Cafe from Alex does very well,” said Lori Hershman, owner of Evan's Toy Shoppe in Camden, Conn., in spring 2010.
― Five out of 43 retailers who took part in an April 2010 survey of best-selling activity kits and playsets named Alex as their top supplier for this category.

Measuring 4” x 5” each, the three blank books are packed with markers and sticker accents. Kids create their own stories, photo albums, journals or anything else they can think of. The books are unlined to accommodate any style of contents imaginable.
― Three out of 43 retailers in an April 2010 survey listed Creativity for Kids as their top-selling provider of activity kits and playsets.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Baseball Guys packs an entire stadium into a handy plastic storage bin. Each box contains 26 2 1/2" players from red and blue teams, an umpire, a felt field and an adjustable scoreboard.
Awards: iParenting Media
— Katie from Katie’s Nesting Spot felt that the Baseball Guys made a great way for fathers and grandfathers to bond with their kids over baseball. She appreciated the comparatively large size of the figures and the included stackable carry case, though she remarked that the container lid did not stay shut when moved.
— Rhea of Mommy23Monkeys reported that her eldest son disliked having to switch between figures posed in “hitting” and “running” poses while acting out games. Her more imaginative sons thoroughly enjoyed playing with the figures, both in baseball and non-baseball themed play.
— In a May 2012 survey about best selling toys, Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toy Center in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly that they sell 10 of this item each month.

This 74-minute DVD, featuring six artists with diverse talents and backgrounds, aims to inspire young viewers to make art. Activities use simple materials and techniques for projects including Found Object and 3D Sculptures, Self-Portrait Relief Prints, Abstract Art and Folk Art Paintings, Murals and Stained Glass.

This book was designed to open dialog between parents and children about money issues. Moo learns the importance of saving her money, want versus need, and the importance of being charitable. "Our humorous approach sets us apart; we try to add a lot of fun and self-motivational reasons to work — no matter how young or little you are," My Cow Moo Creator Kimberly Arezzi told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Eco-Recognition Seal; 2009 The Toy Man E-Choice Award

This 18-piece Thanksgiving set includes eight Adorable Kinders Paper Dolls (four boys and four girls) and eight outfits (two Pilgrim Boy, two Pilgrim Girl, two Indian Boy and two Indian Girl), a glue stick and blunt-tip scissors. The dolls are made of durable, UV-coated card stock and come with a foot stand. They are perforated for easy removal and assembly.

Writing Center is designed to help parents and teachers prepare children for the writing demands required in elementary school. The kit focuses on the development of fine motor skills, pencil grasp and control, mastery of pre-writing shapes and the capital letters of the alphabet. Each kit contains Shape Builders Learn To Draw, Capital Letter Stories, stencils, grips, three #2 Pencils, 12 colored pencils, and Pop Beads.

Designed by artist Lori Schory, The Crazy Toys Jigsaw Puzzle is a 24” x 30,” 1000-piece toy-themed puzzle. The puzzle is made  in the United States from recycled materials.
— Sue Wrzesinski, owner of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Mich., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that puzzles from White Mountain were among her best sellers.

This fashionable doll has hair almost down to her ankles and comes with an assortment of styling accessories so girls can trim and style her hair.

Sandtastik supplies safe non-toxic colored PlasterMix in 8 different colors including white, yellow, blue, purple, red, brown, orange and green molding PlasterMix. PlasterMix is perfect to use with Plaster Molds, for creating exciting craft projects like handprints or animal paw prints and can even be used as chalk when dried. Available in 1 kg bags, 10 kg bags, and 5 lb bags. Custom Packaging also available.

The Crayola Chalkboard Floor puzzle is a 2ft x 3ft puzzle that kids can draw on over and over again. Made up of 48 extra large, sturdy pieces, the unique chalkboard surface allows kids to draw on and erase the puzzle in a mess-free way. Crayola Sidewalk Chalk is included. Launch date: 2010.

This updated version of the classic toy features a thick handle so little hands can easily press down on the extruder to create one of eight silly shapes. The extruding dial is now attached so that it cannot get lost- children simply spin the dial to select a favorite shape. Set includes two 2-ounce cans of Play-Doh compound and a plastic cutting tool, which can all be stored in the Fun Factory base. Launch date:
Spring 2010.

This 24-piece, two-sided puzzle has a sturdy 5.5" x 9.75" x 2.75" sliding drawer box. It features a full-color front and black-line reverse and includes five wipe-off crayons. The completed puzzle measures 10" x 15". It is printed with non-toxic inks and CE tested for safety, and the puzzle greyboard contains 90-percent recycled paper.

Kids can turn ordinary bath water into a tub of colorful fun. The primary colored tablets (50 each in red, blue and yellow) can be mixed and matched to create all the colors of the rainbow. There are enough tablets for more than 50 colorful baths.
— These bath tints have been a consistent good seller at Jillie Beans Toys & More in Westminster, Col., since the store opened in fall 2006. “Kids love that they change the water and can make different colors by blending,” said Owner Valerie Elsea in April 2010.

This multicolored scarf kit contains 24 durable 36” square, washable nylon scarves —  two of each of the following 12 colors: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and white. A CD is included with songs to accompany the scarves, as well as an instructional insert, a self-closing sturdy carrying bag with handle, and Velcro to hang the scarves in a special place.

This extra-large kit is designed to give kids everything they need to start cooking. Once they don their chef’s had and apron, kids can use the included measuring cups, bowls, whisk and other utensils to create their own meals. With a little adult guidance and supervision, the BPA-free nylon, silicone and plastic items in the kit can foster a lifelong love of food and cooking.
— Katie of Time 2 Eat Yall praised Curious Chef’s products for being durable and dishwasher safe. Katie explained, “With Curious Chef's products, young ones can experience and learn a ‘hands on’ approach about kitchen basics and safety with Mom assisting headache free.”
— A mom reviewer at Brimful Curiosities tried some Curious Chefs utensils with her daughter, who “proudly arranged them on the counter, excited to have her very own kitchen tools just like Mommy.” The utensils proved safe enough for a child yet effective enough for an adult as the mother-daughter team prepared an apple crisp together.

The Bitty Bobble Pet Shop includes bobble-head dogs that kids can paint with fur-colored paint and bright accent colors, as well as accessorize with included trimmings. Launch date: 2010.
— “The kits from Creativity (have) the biggest sell-through for young girls,” George Emerson of The Walrus & Carpenter Toys in Middletown, R.I., told TDmonthly in June 2010.
— Thirty-two percent of 40 retailers named craft kits a top seller for girls in early summer 2010. Ten percent of the 40 retailers mentioned the Creativity for Kids brand.

SandMemories allows kids to make gifts for their parents, or for parents to make a wonderful keepsake of their child's hand print, out of sand. Made in Germany by a Danish company, the SandMemories hand print kit with wooden frame contains:

    * sand
    * sand adhesive
    * wooden frame for individual decoration (outer size 21x21cm, inner size 15x15cm)
    * loop
    * spatula
    * illustrated instructions on rear side
    * wooden stick for standing up the completed frame
 
When completed, the hardened hand print may hang on the wall or stand upright on a table. Launch date: 2010.

The Create-a-Clip craft kit has been stringently tested and is CPSCA certified. The clips, appliques and ribbons, as well as the glue and non-slip liner, have been custom designed by Kensey Lu. Each kit comes complete with eight stainless steel hairclips, 11 non-fraying ribbons, 10 stylish appliques, 20 Swarovski crystals, one bottle of non-toxic ribbon and crystal glue, eight non-slip liners for stay-put styling and one craft stick. Launch date: 2009.

This two-level Car Carrier Truck comes with four cars to load and unload. The top level of the truck swings up and down for easy loading and unloading. Launch date: 2010.

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".

These create-your-own whimsical wind-ups with this set. The Wind-up Workshop Robots come with five wind-up mechanisms, colorful cardboard robot cut outs, retro-robot stickers, wiggly eyes, sticky foam shapes, eight mini markers and more.

The Calico Critters Country Tree House comes full of features for pretend play. The Country Tree House has four rooms and comes with two Mango Monkeys, a hot tub, pagoda, patio, water slide and lake. House measures 18" x 24" x 16".