May 2012 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

With over 90 different attachments the Nexus offers maximum play value. With attachments like wheels, a scoop, hands, feet, wings, springs and more, the possibilities for creations are endless. Build a flying Martian, a hovering robot, or objects that fly, drive, and spin. The Nexus includes 4 flexible OGOBILD balls for hours of fun, and increased variety.

How can kids move a ball into a target with 2 high walls from 2 feet away? Build a ramp? A catapult? A trampoline? A zip-line? There are no right answers and we provide no solutions--it's up to kids to use ZOOB pieces (and other materials that they choose) to build contraptions that solve the challenges. The ZOOB Challenge features 175 ZOOB pieces, string, wheels, a ball, rubber bands, a foam play pad, and 25 challenges based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) skills-skills that educators have targeted as essential to helping the US compete successfully in the 21st century.

Liz the Fairy and Josephine the caterpillar adorn this teething rattle. It also features a bright orange teething ring to sooth sore gums and a nicely decorated tag with which to hold the child’s own dummy. The smart, red corduroy with ribbons attached offers a selection of textures to entertain and educate.

Fairy Town Train Set: The land of railways and trains just got even more exciting. Enter a magical world of colorful cottages, bridges and trees, designed in a gorgeous princess themed purple and pink. This bright and cheerful wooden train set contains 75 pieces. An ideal first train set, it contains a chunky engine and three detailed royal carriages, which attach using a magnetic system – perfect for little hands to use. Can be used with any wooden railway system. "Compatible with existing wooden rail systems. The Fairy Town Train Set is among the few available train sets specifically designed for girls," Liza Grando, President of The Moss Tucker Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

This exciting activity kit includes the Sing Along Sing Alone COLORS Song book that includes music and activities. Twelve 27" square nylon IDEAScarves, one of each of the following colors: red, royal blue, orange, yellow, pink, kelly green, black, white, medium blue, grey, purple and sunset lavender swirl. Colors Music CD and Data CD (with all songs and activities ready to print), crayola crayons to color the music pages and an instructional/informational insert. Launch date: July 2011.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line’s Rody Horse is a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. Used in Therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Inflates according to size and weight of child (inflation by adult). Is surface washable with soap and water. Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Rody Horse.  Rody is available in 14 colors. Launch date: November 2012.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line’s NEW Racin’ Rody Horse is a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. Can be used for Rody Races. Used in therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of heavy duty, latex-free vinyl. Inflates according to size and weight of child (inflation by adult). Surface washable with soap and water. Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Racin’ Rody Horse. Racin' Rody is available in 3 colors. Launch date: March 2012.

Kids need to try to stack this pair of sailors without tipping the boat. The life ring spins from one side to the other when the weight is off center. All posts are elasticized for added safety. Launch date: January 2012.

This balanced walker provides a sturdy base for pulling up, and a unique design that makes pushing a breeze. Nodding zebras lead the way. Galloping Zebra Cart is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 15.83”L x 11.02“W x 15.67”H, Galloping Zebra Cart is age graded for children 12 Months +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood rom sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

The first collection of 6 dolls is an edu-fun tool for parents to teach and bond with their child.  Each doll has a unique virtue for the child to adopt. The interactive website compliments the doll, encourages learning and presents the child with challenges. "There is no other product on the market that has coupled play with character building in a life size doll," Brenda Katz, President of Great Divide Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

Made of safe, uniquely shaped, brightly colored and highly textured dense foam, this toy is designed for purposes beyond fun. Made for one or more players, it teaches agility and consequence while developing Fine/Gross Motor Skills, Reasoning, Logic, Hand-Eye Coordination, Socialization, Tactile Sensory Development, Color Matching and is an easy to grasp toy. Highly textured pieces make it easy for small hands, as well as Special Needs hands, to grip. As opposed to toys that ask players to retain balance while removing pieces, this is a stack and balance toy. Launch date: June 2012.

Made easy for driving trips with adjustable straps for vehicle headrest attachment – this playful ocean-themed mirror features dancing lights, charming characters and classical melodies.  Four play modes: Discovery mode introduces baby to colors and shapes in 3 languages; Lights and melodies; Melodies; Lights only. Adjustable straps for use over most headrests.

An innovative new magnetic, crescent shaped building block. A magnet rolls through each Arx piece, giving any builder the option of building in ways that defy common thought. When the magnetic force between two Arx pieces meets, kids’ll feel the slight click as the magnets adhere. 24 Versatile magnetic pieces. Building base included (optional for building). Launch date: August 2012.

Sit. Stand. Roll! Teach this silly dog some new tricks. Walk-A-Long Puppy is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 8.66”L x 3.54“W x 6.38”H, Walk-A-Long Puppy is age graded for children 12 Months +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

Hours of colorful creative fun with these 32 colored pegs and rings. Stack the rings and pegs to make taller structures! Ideal for free play.

Rattles and spins when pushed - stimulates walking.

Friendly dragon pull toy stimulates crawling and walking. Special playfulness -  when pulled the funny wings wobble and rattle.

Colorful wooden rattle, made in Germany using water based stains so the woodgrain shows through. 6 mos +

Maxville- A new wooden activity cube with a turning base. Every side has a fun activity. Try gears, move mounted cars on a track, play with a mirror, push beads along a maze and much more. Bright colors whimsical graphics. Easily spins on its turntable. Part of the mix 'n max line of baby toys.

This fun little game is especially designed to build children's recognition and matching skills using vivid colors, numbers and real objects to count. Includes 22 double-sided picture cards that make 11 complete puzzles. 4 puzzle sks available: 123s, ABCs, Animals, Shapes & Colors. 

This modern take on the classic memory game is especially designed to build kids' recognition, memory and matching skills with letters and everyday object association. Includes 24 picture and letter cards that make 12 complete matching pairs. 4 puzzle sks available: 123s, ABCs, Animals, Shapes & Colors. 

This fun game set includes mini-puzzles that are especially designed to build kids' recognition and matching skills with images of real animals and vivid colors. Includes 30 double-sided picture cards that make 10 complete puzzles. 4 puzzle sks available: 123s, ABCs, Animals, Shapes & Colors. 

This fun little game is especially designed to build children's recognition and matching skills using vivid colors and colored-object association. Includes 22 double-sided picture cards that make 11 complete puzzles. 4 puzzle sks available: 123s, ABCs, Animals, Shapes & Colors. 

This extra large twist varies in texture and color throughout its design. Includes a colorful package insert filled with lots of brainy games and fun ideas. Feel it, twist it, play puzzles and games, wear it, build with it and more.