June 2012 Notable Toys — All

This powerful, pump-handle blaster features a five-nozzle blast to deliver five streams of water at a target. Kids use the flip-up sight to perfect their aim and the tactical rail to ready their shot. Then, they pump the handle and unleash multiple streams of water to douse unsuspecting opponents up to 25 feet away.
— As of 6/11/2012 this product had 4.1 out of 5 stars from 37 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; great range as long as it isn't windy; easy to use. Cons: Some reviewers reported purchasing defective items that did not pump or build enough pressure to shoot water.

Kids can serve breakfast with this pretend play set. The set includes 2 slices of bread, a sausage, a bacon, a cheese, a mushroom, a tomato, an onion, fried egg, salt and pepper seasoning, and a 4 piece place setting.

He glows softly at night in yellow, blue or pink providing comfort in the dark. As an added bonus, Night Owl also features Onaroo's "OK to Wake!" green light in the morning. Toddlers can take this cuddly friend beneath the covers or to the potty. The Night Owl lives in his included AC-powered tree branch base or runs on ordinary AA batteries when removed for take-along fun. When Night Owl is placed on his tree branch, batteries are not drained at all. This dual-power arrangement maximizes battery life while still providing a portable friend that toddlers can carry wherever they go.

Match It! First Words Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn first words through images and reading.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Match It! Mathematics Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn basic addition and subtraction.

Day & Night is a game that evolves in step with children's growing skills: Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Ages 3 and up: Visual perception of colors and shapes. In the day everything is bright and clear so the day side of each challenge shows kids all the details of their playing pieces and the shapes needed to create the scene. Ages 4 and up: Visual perception and logical reasoning. At night, when it's dark, kids can only see silhouettes so the night side of each challenge only gives kids the outline of what they have to create.

Anti-Virus is a sliding puzzle game with a new twist: Tiles that only slide diagonally and can move in groups. 60 challenges with 5 levels to keep the body and mind healthy.

The boldness of a beautiful play zone without the loss of space. Take a step into prehistoric times with the large Dino-Land Museum Collection™ Playmat. See what life with the Dinosaurs was like from the volcanoes to tar pits to plant life everywhere. Graze with the other dinos or chase after prey with the fierce Tyrannosaurus Rex. Museum Collection™ Dino-Land includes 4 museum quality animals and a large wipe clean 2-sided playmat. Mat is 28.5 x 21.0 inches.

18" Stuffed Penguin from Fiesta plush toys. Peek-A-Boo Plush is a pillow that unzips and becomes a stuffed animal. Unzip again, and the animal becomes a pillow. Soft fabrics. Huggable bodies.

Banz swimsuits were originally designed in Australia for one of the world’s toughest UV environments. Our Beach Kickers swim shoes provide kids with outstanding protection against pebbly beaches, hot sand, and slick pool areas. Lightweight and flexible, with a high-traction sole. UPF 50+. Each pair comes with a black mesh carry bag that can be used to tote shoes, sunscreen, glasses and any other treasures. Size 3 - 9-12 months, Size 5 - 18-24 months, Size 7 - 3 years. Comes in pink or blue.

Ahoy, matey. Sail the seven seas with a pirate, ship, parrot and treasure chest. Includes 9 tubes of sand and 8 sheets to design.

Don't be frightened...it's just ArtiSands Monster kit. Frankenstein, Dracula, the Hunchback and a swamp monster are waiting to come to life in this frighteningly fun kit. Includes 9 tubes of sand and 8 sheets to design.

Party in a Box! Fantasy is fast, fun, educational and has easy clean up. Includes 24 fantasy Sandesigns, 14 tubes of vibrant, colorfast sand, 8 no mess trays, 8 frames and a tablecloth for quick and easy clean up.

Airfork One is now ready for boarding. It's made of sleek stainless steel encased in food-grade, dishwasher-safe silicone, just the thing to bring those mashed potatoes and peas in for a safe landing. It's high-flying meal-time fun for the little ones. 6-1/2-inch long, packed in a recyclable clear peggable PET box. Design by Sibylle Stoeckli/ECAL.

BIT is the ultimate machine to help children take their first steps in the world of two wheels, run on their own and develop their balance and coordination. BIT features wide wheels to help keep balance and stability, while the ergonomic, innovative handlebars are integrated into the chassis to ensure a good driving position. The handlebars become a convenient carrying grip as well as a hanger in small spaces. Made from curved wood, aluminum and EVA.

Kids can build and create their own optical prism. Kit contains: cardboard tubes, plastic mirror pieces, assorted beads, rhinestones, adhesive paper, foil confetti pieces, craft glue and instructions.

What do you get when you combine a word and a number? A wumber! Paying tribute to William Steig's CDB!, best-selling book, cre8ors Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have wri10 and illustr8ed this s2pendous book that is 1derful 4 readers in kindergar10 and up. If we've confused you, just take a look at the book — 4tun8ly it has helpful pictures. Kids will get it ins10tly. Launch date: May 30, 2012.

Using Bernoulli’s principle Fascinations has engineered a way to float a disc in the air over 18 inches high. Of course at that height it can become difficult to balance any object on a cushion of air but that’s where all the fun begins. How long can it stay in the air and how long can it fly? It’s cooler than magic because it’s real science at work.

A reproduction of the original 1968 Fisher Price toy, this camera includes 3 interchangeable picture disks that are advanced by pressing the "shutter" button. Other features include a take along strap for the aspiring photographer on the go and a rotating flash cube.

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

This easy-to-assemble, sturdy wooden play table is ideal for trains, dollhouses, arts & crafts projects, blocks, puzzles and more. It also features a double-sided play board and jumbo-sized drawer for convenient storage.
— In a May 2012 survey, Andy Ricks, owner of My Imagination Station in Hattiesburg, Miss., told TDmonthly that they sell one of these items each month, "but much more around the holidays."

The Savannah Dollhouse is an elegant, large six-room mansion designed for children ages three and up. The dollhouse is decorated like a true southern mansion and is fully furnished, with beautiful, handcrafted wood furniture. With four levels and six rooms of open space, the Savannah Dollhouse is decorated in a southern style, and includes wide-open windows for easy visibility into the rooms from outside the house. The Savannah Dollhouse fits any 12-inch fashion doll. There are 14 pieces of handcrafted, hand-assembled, and hand-painted wood furniture included with the house to furnish the six rooms. The beds have actual linens, while the couch and love seat come complete with cushions.
— In a May 2012 survey, Mary Horne, owner of J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., told TDmonthly about the Savannah that she sells "upwards of 20 during the holiday season, but it's only a holiday item."

A best-selling concept — children's dramatic play kitchens — just took a great leap forward with the addition of the Hideaway Playtime and Country Kitchens. In a few simple steps, the Hideaway Kitchen compacts to a depth of 6", allowing it to be efficiently stored when not in use. Offers plenty of features including a sink, a stove; an oven; a dishwasher; functioning knobs, clock and more. Adult assembly required. 30"W x 15.25"D x 38"H
— In a May 2012 survey, Maryalice Miner, co-owner of Miner's Doll & Toy Store in Ocean Springs, Miss., told TDmonthly that she sells 3-4 of this high-ticket item each year.

Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people's pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people's lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter. Authors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's all-time leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Raymond Obstfeld is the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction and is a professor of creative writing. He lives in California. Launch date: January 2012.