June 2012 Notable Toys — All

These adjustable, durable and practical aprons grow with your child – or are great hand-me-downs, due to their ingenious strap system. Perfect for art projects, cooking, spaghetti dinners, or science experiments, as they wash or wipe right off. Fits 2-6 years. All our acrylic-coated cotton is organic, and unlike PVC or oilcloth, completely nontoxic. American-made from European fabrics. Size: 16.5W x 19.5"L. Launch date: January 2012.

A fast paced game for the entire family. Race to the Dino-Cave but don't be sent back to the Dino-Bath. Large 5" dinosaurs that kids jump and switch, will have kids screaming in minutes. "Beautiful color graphics and an over-sized playing board," Don Rosenthal, president of LuvyDuvy Corporation, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence; 2010 National Parenting Magazine Seal of Approval; 2011 Parents' Choice Fun Stuff Award.

The fun of matching and the challenge of puzzles. There are puzzles and there are memory games...but only Puzzle Match™ combines these two timeless play patterns in one unique, patent-pending game designed for kids ages 3 to 6. Puzzle Match offers a unique challenge unlike any traditional memory game: Rather than searching for two identical images, kids have to find two halves of a whole image, such as the bottom and top of a seahorse. Once the interlocking pieces are found, they can be assembled into a giant, beautifully illustrated scene. Launch date: May 2012.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride while becoming attracted to magnificent magnets. Young Scientists go on a magnetic scavenger hunt, build a compass, make magnetic slime, design magnetic faces, experiment with lodestone, play magnetic games, hold magnetic car races, and much, much more. This magnified kit includes a colorful poster with a racing track, game board, and experiment diagrams. Seatbelts everyone! Get ready and become Attracted to Magnificent Magnets. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 PALS award

Marble Copter is a brand new outdoor light up helicopter toy. Fling the Marble Copter up to 50 feet in the air using the launching wand, and watch as the copter lights up, glows in the dark, the light reflects off the hologram wings, and helicopters to the ground. Great nighttime fun for kids 8 and up. Launch date: May 2012.

Telepathy Jr is the younger version of the Telepathy board game. Telepathy Jr teaches kids how to use logic and deduction at an early age and is important in the area of critical thinking. Game plays in around 10 - 15 minutes. "There are not a lot of logic/deduction games for youngsters out there and Telepathy Jr will help kids practice their deductive skills," Derek Chinn, owner of LMD Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2012.

Build some sweet structures. Stretches creativity, problem solving and fine motor skills. Includes chunky, durable candy pieces in a variety of fun, familiar designs plus Activity Guide with illustrated, step-by-step building directions. Largest piece measures 7"L x 1⁄2“ in diameter. Launch date: January 2012.

Bring the playground to the back yard with the Kiddi-o® Parallel See Saw. For added safety this See Saw keeps children parallel to the ground at all times. High back seats provide extra support and spring loaded stoppers underneath allow an easy landing. Launch date: May 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.

A retro replica of the candy necklace. Each bead is one of six different colored crayons. Non-toxic.

Kids can build and program their own computer. As easy as snapping together the circuits and downloading Elenco’s programs. Kids can write their own programs using Basic commands or flowcharts. Includes over 100 projects and over 50 parts. A great introduction to microcontrollers and how they are used in the world around us. Requires 3 "AA" batteries.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The goal is to move the colored tokens through the maze to their respective corners. To do this, players must pass through turnstiles, shifting walls to form new pathways...and new barriers. Clever challenges exercise strategic thinking muscles, as one turn may lead to victory or may leave players stranded.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Made of 70 denier flame retardant polyester taffeta. Has eight sturdy handles so kids can get a good grip. Parachutes clean easily with a damp cloth and mild soap; carry bag included.

The world's first underwater slingshot for a rocket blast of fun.  Water activated safety mechanism unlocks safely underwater for fun play. Toy is 10" long.

With 10 classic Tegu blocks, a signature magnetic styling top, and 4 magnetic wooden wheels, Dart is a member of the Compact Line of Tegu Mobility. Deconstruct Dart and click the wheels on and off to create any number of mobile creations. Magnetic connections make racing and crashing as fun as building. Dart integrates seamlessly with the existing line of Tegu blocks.

A boxed set includes an anteater, Dalmation, lemur, panda, penguin and skunk. Printed on recycled board, these cards will stand up to baby's explorations. Each 5x7" card is beautifully finished with matte varnish and child-friendly rounded corners. Wee Gallery animals are made of high-contrast repeating patterns to stimulate visual development in infants.

The BugLit "body" is actually our powerful INOVA Microlight - a tough micro flashlight encased in a durable polycarbonate plastic housing, with four functions (high power, low power, strobe, and signal). This bright white LED has an effective range of up to 50 feet, and one-mile visibility. Next, the securely attached "legs" are two flexible, fully moldable 6" Nite Ize Gear Ties, which can be bent, wrapped, or twisted in many configurations, to sit, stand, store, or shine the flashlight. Wrap the legs around the body for compact storage and transport. And, finally, its lightweight plastic S-Biner clip allows you to attach, hang, or store the BugLit for convenient access on zippers or keys.

Allows children to learn about cause and effect and simple principles of mechanics. Build a base by attaching the interlocking plates and attach gears to form a chain reaction. Turn the handle to set everything in motion. Soft plastic with round edges, totally unbreakable and safe. 80 pieces.

This three piece set comes with a mystery foal, whose color is a surprise. This set features a grey stallion and a black mare, and their foal remains hidden in its stall until the package is opened. A fun visual lesson in horse genetics, the foal's coat color and pattern will be based upon the coat color and patterns of its parents.
— Denise Magstadt, owner of Imagination Station in Whitefish, Mont., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that they sell 10 Breyer Horses each month.
—  Sari Powacek from Doll House & Toy Store in Scottsdale, Ariz. told TDmonthly in an August 2013 survey that Breyer horses are one of her store's best-selling collectible lines.

The HAPPY HOOP has an innovative new design which allows for the full adjustment of both ring size and weight. Eight colorful ring-pieces can be added or subtracted to created the perfect hoop-size. The unique molded curves each ring-piece increases grip and controllability while massaging the waist, stimulating blood circulation.

The ring toss game for skill and easy-going competition. Perfect for parties, cookouts, the beach, and picnics, easy-to-grip rings are 100% safe natural rubber with no sharp edges. The 3' nylon carry strap provides portability and easy storage.

Can be attached to an existing swing set or hung from a tree. Kids can swing like they would normally do or swirl around. All 3 sizes of our hand made swings can hold 660lbs and hang down 70”. The two ropes are joined together at the top by a steel ring, making it easy to hang.

Can be attached to an existing swing set or hung from a tree. Kids can swing like they would normally do or swirl around. All 3 sizes of our hand made swings can hold 660lbs and hang down 70”. The two ropes are joined together at the top by a steel ring, making it easy to hang.