June 2012 Notable Toys — All

Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Contents: coin battery (rechargeable via micro usb cable) bargraph pressure sensor. Snap and play: magnets prevent kids from putting things the wrong way. Play with light, sound, sensing and buttons without wiring, soldering or programming. Kids can make their own interactive objects, or combine with other construction toys.

Build a burger higher and higher with toppings without making it fall. The wobbly plate is placed on the table and a bun is put on it. Players take turns rolling the die to see how many ingredients to add to the super sandwich. With every turn the burger towers higher. Enhance logic and reasoning skills as well as fine motor skills. Can be played as a cooperative game or a competitive game. Contains 14 burger parts, game die, and plate.

The book is divided into six themed chapters—transportation, buildings, space, kingdoms, adventure, and useful makes—each with basic templates of key models and spreads to inspire kids to create their own. Hints and tips from Master Builders can help kids turn their classic car into a race car or add a bridge to their castle. Featuring all-new LEGO® building projects, tips to supplement and enhance LEGO creations, inspirational builds, and expert advice from LEGO Master Builders, The LEGO Ideas Book will keep kids of all ages creating for hours. Launch date: September 19, 2012.

Hunt down the Rebels in the iconic TIE Fighter. Equipped with dual flick missiles and opening cockpit, this instantly recognizable and hugely popular starship of the Imperial fleet returns to battle the rebel alliance once again. Includes 4 minifigures: TIE fighter pilot, Imperial officer, Death Star trooper and R5-J2 droid.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Stonger than previous sets; more representative of the Tie Fighters seen in the movies than previous sets.
— In a May 2013 survey, 50% of retailers surveyed told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best-selling line of licensed products.
— Helen Santosuosso, owner of Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that LEGO Star Wars is one of their store's best-selling toy lines.

C-3PO and R2-D2 have the secret plans to escape the Death Star, and must avoid capture by heading to the desert planet Tatooine in their escape pod. Will they land safely and avoid being captured by the Imperial sandtroopers on their swoop bike? Includes 4 minifigures: C-3PO, R2-D2 and 2 sandtroopers.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Design has improved from previous sets; escape pod is larger and more detailed; good assortment of useful LEGO bricks.
— In a May 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Star Wars was their best selling licensed product.

Introducing the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. This masterpiece of expressionist architecture is the vision of young Danish architect, Jorn Utzon, whose unique interlocking vaulted ‘shell' design beat 933 competitors from 28 countries to win an international design competition held by the New South Wales Government in 1959. Combined with the beautiful setting of Sydney Harbour, the opera house has become a true symbol of late modern architecture and one of the most iconic buildings of the 20th century. This LEGO Architecture series interpretation of the Sydney Opera House was designed by US architect Adam Reed Tucker in collaboration with the LEGO design team.

The Power Rangers iconic Megazord comes in a sleek Samurai look. Three ways to play: 1) Morph as Megazord mode; 2) Morph as Zord mode; 3) Morph with items in the ZordBuilder collection. The ZordBuilder collection takes Deluxe Megazords to an ultimate level. Collect and combine with: Cycles or Zord Vehicles (#31550 or #31565, each sold separately). Collect all the Megazords and Zord Vehicles to create the Samurai GigaZord.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; has three modes of play. Cons: Difficult for kids to maneuver and connect.

Kids can bring home the magic with this static 2 inch PVC figure. Each Mystery Pack contains 1 of 24 possible different ponies. Look for the 6 main characters plus tons of new characters and 3 chase pieces. There's something for everypony.

Nickelodeon Gak is back. The Nickelodeon Gak - Blue is the incredible squishable, squeezable, squashable, stretchable, bounceable, ploppable, poppable stuff. Gak's  "Splat" container lets kids make all sorts of wacky sounds when they squish the Gak around. Smoosh it, Twist it, Bubble It, Mix it.

With 4-in-1 endless fun, the Vtech Kidizoom Camera - Pink allows children to become an instant photographer and movie director with the press of a button. Kids' creativity will come alive as they learn to take and edit their photos with wacky effects. They can also shoot their own video movies or play 3 cool games right on the camera. With storage of up to 1000 photos, and the ability to connect to a computer, children can easily keep all of their creations so they can be treasured forever.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.1 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: long battery life; lots of fun for kids; durable. Cons: Picture quality isn't great.

For centuries, Skylanders have competed in gladiator-style events inside epic arenas of sport, where only the greatest of combatants become immortalized as magical, golden statues that stand watch as guardians. These are the Legendary Skylanders. Whenever the world is in peril, special Portal Masters can bring these statues to life and summon the Legendary Skylanders to defend Skylands against any evil that threatens it. Bring the Skylanders to life in the Skylanders Spyro's Adventure video game and on the web in Skylanders Spyro's Universe. Build the ultimate collection of Skylanders - over 30 Skylanders to collect. Each Skylander has their own unique powers and abilities to enhance game play experience and save Skylands. Each character has unique abilities and powers - play more and unlock special moves and superpowers. Skylanders are action figures with brains - the Skylanders are so powerful that they remember their in-game experiences and upgrades. Skylanders figures work on and across all major video game systems, including Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and PC/Mac computers. Skylanders Single Pack includes: 1 Skylander Figure, 1 Trading Card, 1 Sticker Sheet, 1 Web Code.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on ToysRUs.com.

Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Hunger Games Katniss doll wears a hooded jacket, top, and military-style pants inspired by the costume Katniss wore in the film. Included are bow, arrows, and quiver. Completing her look is the iconic mockingjay pin. Launch date: September 1, 2012.

On a dangerous journey aboard Destiny's Bounty, an ancient shipwreck, Sensei Wu and the ninja have located the powerful golden Hypnobrai staff deep inside of the secret snake shrine. As they land the flying ship in the water to seize the staff, Zane and Jay get a scaly surprise from Hynobrai General Skales and his accomplice warrior, Slithraa. Sensei Wu fires the ship's cannon into the battle until his ancient enemy, Lord Garmadon, appears. Can Sensei Wu protect the Ninjago treasures onboard without the help of the ninjas? Choose the battle in an epic showdown where the fate of the Ninjago world hangs in the balance. Includes 6 minifigures: Sensei Wu, Kendo Zane, Kendo Jay, Lord Garmadon, Skales and Slithraa; Destiny's Bounty ninja ship, snake staff shrine, golden Hypnobrai staff and 16 weapons.
— As of 4/11/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of minifigs; sets are sturdy enough to play with after building.
— In an April 2012 survey, five of 13 retailers said that LEGO is their best selling construction brand. Melissa McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly that they sell about 150 LEGO sets each month, especially from the Ninjago and DC Universe lines.

Stilt walking is great for co-ordination, cognitive and physical development, balance, confidence, self-esteem, strength, and trust building, and is an extremely interactive activity. Kids' Peg Stilts are recommended for ages 8+ and/or for users under 5ft 2in tall. Kids stilts are available in heights of: 1', 1.5', 2', 2.5', and 3' tall. All stilts have adjustable nylon webbing straps that include Velcro. Straps are located at the toe, ankle, and knee; Knee also has a padding cup to increase stability and comfort. Re-claimed mountain bike tires are used on the peg bottom to increase traction and to absorb shock. Stilts are handmade with care and attention to detail by PegStilts.com and can be used by kids of most sizes. All PegStilts.com products are woman veteran handmade by Kricket Caffery in Portland, OR USA.

Using the 3-stage learn-to-swim SWIMTRAINER "Classic" children develop the perfect swimming style. In accordance with the company motto "it's safe to have fun," from the age of 3 months children can safely enjoy independence and have lots of fun while learning how to swim. Specially designed swimming aids are introduced according to the child's age and learning ability (red, orange, yellow). The SWIMTRAINER "Classic" comes in three different sizes. Red, for ages 3 months-4 years, is used for early habituation with the water and for learning the correct leg movements; orange, for ages 2-6, focuses on encouraging proper leg and arm movement; yellow, for ages 4-8, provides a methodical progression towards swimming with no swimming aids.  These training techniques are applied for the child to achieve a perfect swimming style. SWIMTRAINER "Classic" offers children: Ideal swimming position in the water, Fast and easy to put on with clip fastener, Inflatable pads to prevent slipping through, Adjustable safety belt to prevent tipping forwards.

The new Mark-My-Time Digital eReader Light combines the unique features of a back-lit LCD screen, time of day clock, cumulative timer to 100 hours, adjustable LED light, countdown timer with alarm and auto light shut off.  This tool makes it simple to monitor daily reading minutes on eReader displays. Easy to use with any hardback or paperback book. Launch date: June 15, 2012.

This sturdy little dump truck belongs at every construction site. The chunky maple design includes a removable load. The truck measures 4.6" x 2.4" x 3.5". Ages 10 months and up.

String-Along Shapes are first toys that encourage coordination, dexterity, imagination, and simple problem solving. This brightly colored set of 30 maple shapes includes two strings that turn blocks into a train, a caterpillar or a tower. The possibilities are endless and so is the fun. Shapes are approximately 1.25' wide each.

Everything tastes better when you've got the right accessories. These safe and simple toys revolve around food and cooking, to promote realistic role play, and encourage healthy eating. The Apron Set includes an elasticized chef's hat, quilted oven mitt and bright orange-trimmed apron. The mitt and apron fabric is exclusive to Hape.

BINGO on the go. Choose an appropriate theme among the eight provided, slide a card into each game boards and pay attention to the passing scenery. Includes two game boards and four double-sided game cards. There are no loose pieces and everything stores conveniently in the board. Great for travel.
— Laura Turman, owner of One Two Kangaroo in Shepherdstown, W.Va., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that Travel Bingo is her best selling travel toy.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, Mike Castor, owner of Pentwater Toybox in Pentwater, Mich., told TDmonthly that they sold 71 travel bingo sets in the past three months.
— In an April 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Travel Bingo from Melissa & Doug is their bestselling travel toy.

The original Boogie Board LCD eWriter that started a revolution. Ultra light (4oz.) and thin (1/8"). One just isn’t enough. Get one for on the go, in the office and multiple places around the house. Almost anywhere you’d keep memo pads, sticky notes or scrap paper.
— Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that their best selling travel toy is the Boogie Board. They sell 6-7 each month.
— Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that they sell 15 of this item each month, making it a bestselling novelty item.
— Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell 18 Boogie Boards each month, and up to 48 a month during 4th quarter.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

A delightful sticker book with over 500 colorful stickers to complete the summery scenes. There's a summer flower garden to decorate with buzzing insects, pirate mice to add to a treasure ship, and stickers for beaches, boats, airports, picnics and other summer scenes. An amusing activity with lots to talk about on journeys and long summer days.
— In an April 2012 survey about best selling travel toys, three out of 11 retailers said that sticker books from Usborne were their best sellers.
— In a September 2014 survey, Kai Rady, owner of Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly that their store sells "hundreds and hundreds" of these sticker books each month, making them one of the store's best-selling novelty items.

For ages 6 months and up. The bathtub is baby's ocean. Set includes 13 toys in a floating boat; captain; life preserver; fishing hook & 4 ready-to-catch fish; 3 nesting cups that shower, stack & pour, octopus comb & whale nailbrush. Everything stows away below deck.
Awards: American Baby Toy of the Year Award.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a 2012 survey that their best selling infant & toddler products are from Toysmiths "B." line. "Though expensive, it has great packaging and is perfect for gift giving. Fish & Splish is an especially great product," she told TDmonthly. She also said this item was a best seller in the bath category.

It's a 7" long x 2-1/2" dia PVC tube with a resonant head at one end attached to a 17" long x 3/16" dia extension spring. Kids shake it, scrape it, wiggle it, use their palm to muffle it and they generate creaks, deep warbles, rumbles, weird heterodyne-ish gong effects, wa-wa's, rude noises, and, yes, realistic thunder. A perfect musical companion to a cuica and rain stick - and good, clean fun around the house.