June 2012 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

Tiny Love’s new Soothe ‘n Groove Mobile will calm and entertain a child from birth through the toddler years. As a crib mobile, the Soothe ‘n Groove Mobile offers several innovations that parents will appreciate. Three brightly colored, friendly faced animals hang from the rotating mobile and the music box has the widest range of music currently available in any crib mobile. Eighteen different soothing tunes play 40 minutes of non-repetitive music from two high-quality built-in speakers. In addition to traditional nursery classics by Mozart and Bach, melodies from additional music categories can be played, including classical, world music and jazz, among others. Additional features include music shuffle mode, nature and “white” sounds, a calming night light, baby activation button and varied volume control.  As a baby grows, parents can detach the mobile arm and the music box can remain attached to the crib. The music box also has a carry handle for baby to use outside of the crib, and can also sit on a table top, which is convenience while traveling. Includes "eighteen different soothing tunes play 40 minutes of non-repetitive music from two high-quality built-in speakers," Audrey DeSimone, Executive Director of Public Relations at Tiny Love, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012.

The Un-block is a system of interlocking blocks and connectors that stimulates both the left and the right sides of the brain simultaneously, improves gross motor skills, and challenges the pathways through which the mind relays information. Made of Ash Wood, kids can build anything they can imagine. "The Un-Block has a system of interlocking blocks and connectors that resist falling apart even when your masterpiece is knocked over, unlike ordinary building blocks that will fall apart if moved the wrong way," Joe Azmani, CEO/President of Aha! Concepts LLC told TDmonthly. Launch number: 2011.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Top Toy of the Year 2012

Teach stacking and sorting with a colorful assortment of big LEGO® DUPLO® bricks as children learn to build basic animals.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys

Lace up this skate. Tie a bow. Then push it on its way! Lacing Skate, blue is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 4.72”L x 2.36“W x 4.13”H, Lacing Skate, blue is age graded for children 3 Years +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

Lace up this skate. Tie a bow. Then push it on its way. Lacing Skate, red is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 4.72”L x 2.36“W x 4.13”H, Lacing Skate, red is age graded for children 3 Years +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

Lacing string adds even more color to this strutting peacock. Lacing Peacock is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 8.03”L x 1.46“W x 5.12”H, Lacing Peacock is age graded for children 3 Years +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

A lace-up mane and tail lets kids customize their pony with color. Lacing Pony is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 6.50”L x 0.94“W x 7.91”H, Lacing Pony is age graded for children 3 Years +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

The unique grippable texture of Tobbles Neo awakens touch. See those gentle, playful curves? They truly enliven tactile experiences. Young minds revel in stacking, toppling, and the discovery of endless ingenuity with Tobbles Neo. Six uniquely weighted pieces balance, neatly nest, and incessantly spin beyond your expectations. Includes 6 vibrant, weighted spheres & stacking base. Launch date: July 2012.

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.