May 2010 Notable Toys — Preschool

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.

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.

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.

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".

This Knight in Shining armor is designed for any "knight to be". This knight set is a light weight armour that coordinates with the chainmail under-armor with hood.

The mermaid dress is an alternative to the mermaid costumes on the market. The "tail" is open, so as to not limit movement and the top is made of a spandex/sequin fabric with stretch. The straps are elastic and the tail is made from shimmer organza.

This chainmail is a hooded tunic made from fabric with the sleek touch and feel of real under-armor. For the whole effect, the chainmail hooded can be paired with the Knight and Dark Knight sets offered by Creative Education of Canada.

These capes designed for babies come with a matching finger puppet. Three styles are available: Dragon, Ladybug and Bumblebee.

This 34-track album features The Wiggles musicians in songs including "Fruit Salad," "Get Ready to Wiggle" and "Monkey Man" (featuring Kylie Minogue).

This 11-track album includes an array of pop and rock children's songs.

This 18" soft chenille plush friend unfolds into a cushy pillow. It is also available in an 11" size, MSRP $15.99. Pillow Pets are machine washable on the gentle cycle.
— "It's definitely one our hot-selling items through the Easter season. The children love and sleep with them every night," Sandy Challinor, owner of Owl's Nest Toy Store in Southlake, Texas, told TDmonthly in April 2010.

The intelligent design of this product uses bamboo rings to form very unique building blocks. The distinct angles of the bamboo rings combined with textile edges that act as "grips" create endless possibilities for building exciting shapes and structures. It includes 24 angular bamboo rings and an instruction guide. Hape International Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly, "The eco-friendly activity helps children develop a sense of spatial awareness, geometry and hand-eye coordination." Launch date: July 2010.

The bink'd collection of temporary tattoo earrings can be applied quickly and easily with water, in as little as 15 seconds. The tattoos are made in the USA with FDA-approved, vegetable-based inks and adhesive. When applied correctly to ears, bink'd tattoos are designed to last five or more days. Multiple designs are available.

This multi-paneled playscape folds into a book for easy portability and, with 21 feet of design on the interior and exterior, offers 42 feet of space for one or more children to enjoy while playing. The pictures are designed to spark a child's imagination and encourage creativity.

This CD features 10 kid-tested tunes by Debbie and Friends designed to get everyone in the family playing and dancing along. The release from the Boston-based artist, More Story Songs & Sing Alongs, features familiar themes like “I Think I Can,” “Simon Says” and “Little Red,” as well as songs featuring goofy wordplay or that encourage movement. Each song promotes social interaction and creative and physical activity. Even Sesame Street’s legendary music teacher Bob McGrath joins Debbie for a good-bye song. Launch date" March 30, 2010. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010

Easy-click bricks, sticks, panels, and a play figure make building a snap for kids. They can build suggested designs, or use their imagination to build things all their own. Includes 100 pieces in a convenient storage tub whose lid doubles as a building base. All pieces in the Fisher-Price TRIO Building System work together. Launch date: 2010.

StinkyKids Brand tees feature the colorful StinkyKids characters on the front of each shirt as well as the StinkyKids logo and motto, "Always be a leader of good," displayed on the back of the tee neckline. StinkyKids Brand tees are 100-percent cotton, and sizes range from infant to women's lX and come in white, light pink or baby blue. Each StinkyKids Brand tee comes with a matching trading card and collectible book mark. A portion of the profits is donated toward making cancer patients smile. Britt Menzies, CEO of StinkyKids told TDmonthly, "StinkyKids characters teach kids to 'Always be a leader of good' and learn from their childhood mistakes and mischievous little stinker behavior. Characters have an eye candy appeal and are very colorful and unique." Launch date: August 2006.

Licensed from John Deere, this authentic-looking kid’s tractor features an adjustable seat, easy to reach pedals and a working steering wheel. It carries a 90-day limited warranty and weighs 22 lbs. Measurements are 38” x 19” x 22.5”.
—    Two retailers mentioned this tractor when asked about top-selling ride-on toys in spring 2010. The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., sells two to three per month, Owner David Ekwall told TDmonthly.

Pookie and Tushka Find a Little Piano takes children to magical lands atop the world in a tender tale where a frozen little piano arrives to the shores of Icelands, bringing Pookie the penguin and Tushka the polar bear fun, excitement, and a heartwarming lesson about the essence of friendship. The forty-page, full color hardcover with jacket includes four pages of educational content and a CD-ROM with games, songs, and other educational content. Launch date: July 28, 2003.
Awards:
Winner of the "BEST NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD" at the 2005 Parent to Parent Awards.
Winner of the "OUTSTANDING PRODUCT AWARD" at the 2005 iParenting Media Awards.
Winner of the "SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD" (Storybook with Characters category) at the 2005 Top Creative Toy Awards.
Winner of the "ADDING WISDOM AWARD" at the 2005 Parent to Parent Awards.
Finalist Award for "BEST FIRST CHILDREN'S BOOK" at the 2004 PMA Benjamin Franklin Awards.
Honorable Mention for "BOOK OF THE YEAR" at the 2003 DIY Book Festival.

Baby Stella has a new Baby Brother named Sam. Sam comes dressed in a blue and white striped onesy decorated with yellow trim and a dinosaur.  His pacifier matches the outfit and attaches magnetically to his mouth. Also includes a removable diaper. Launch date: 2010.

This fully insulated preschool lunch box has an easy to wipe clean interior. Kids can enjoy wearing it as a backpack or it can be carried with the padded carrying handle. Launch date: 2010.

The Keester is a cushion specifically invented, designed, and engineered for the comfort of child. The Keester is a practical solution for the discomfort and lack of back support experienced by children on most automobile booster seats. The Keester is more than 2 inches of polyurethane foam for added comfort. The rear of The Keester is a semi-circular cut out that suspends the tail bone and reduces pressure on child's sensitive nerves, preventing numbness.

The Diggity Kids™ Neck Pillow slips on child’s neck and provides the support needed for comfortable rest or sleep. Props their head in the perfect position to prevent sore necks. Soft and comfortable, can be used in the car, on the plane, or in the stroller. Colors coordinate with The Keester® and the Diggity Kids Seat Belt Cover. Can be purchased separately or with the Diggity Kids Comfort Travel System. Machine sewn and hand stuffed with memory foam.