June 2012 Notable Toys — Gifts

These classic pull string tops are made of wood and painted with multicolored stripes. $24 for bucket of 12. Launch date: 2012.

This bucket features and assortment of painted cars and trucks, including police cars, fire engines, taxis, and ambulances. $39 for bucket of 12. Launch date: 2012.

The eco-friendly, handcrafted SIXKID ROCKING HORSE is a modern and natural version of the traditional children’s piece, appealing to any generation. It's design is based on classic forms with a unique, modern twist. With no loose pieces and ergonomically shaped saddle it makes riding safe and enjoyable for little ones.  Made of sustainable European beech with a walnut saddle, the rocking horse is finished with oils and waxes and are not treated with paint, chemicals, or lead. The fine joinery requires only four screws for assembly. Two sizes are available: one for 18 months and older and one for 3 years and older. They meet all US safety standards. Imported and distributed by Beck To Nature. Made in Hungary, EU. Launch date: November 2011.

Goodness, are Owls scary. Fearsome terrors of the night, they strike with vicious precision at all things squeaky and crunchy in a wave of silent death...I'm not convincing anyone, am I?  All right, fact is, yes, Owls are extremely efficient hunters, but who cares when they're so gosh darn cute. Who wouldn't gladly sacrifice the occasional mouse for those huge eyes, those fluffy feathers, that permanently surprised expression that asks, "Who, me? What mouse? It was like that when I got here. Incidentally, pass the ketchup."  15 squishy inches of innocent bird, polyester fiber, ages 3 and up. Launch date: 2011.
— In a June 2014 survey, three out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Squishables were their best-selling plush toys.

With tools that come in a wonderful fuchsia color, little ones will be proud to have their own kitchen tools to help mom or dad cook fantastic meals. Kids will be learning valuable life skills while having a fun-filled time full of smiles. This kit includes a Pink/Green Apron, Whisk, Large Spatula, 6PC Measuring Spoon Set, Large Poly Spoon, Flower Cookie Cutter, Shopping List and Sticker Set. Launch date: February 2012.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Salmon are anadromous, meaning that they migrate between freshwater and saltwater habitats, while their relative, trouts, remain in freshwater for their entire life cycle. Salmon is a popular food both because of its delicious taste and versatility and its high nutritional value. Consuming salmon is considered to be healthy because of the fish's high protein, high Omega-3 fatty acids, and high vitamin D content. Salmon flesh is generally orange to red in color, although there are some examples of white fleshed wild salmon. The orange color of salmon results from carotenoid pigments that wild salmon get from eating krill and other tiny shellfish. The Salmon Scramble Squares® 9-piece puzzle is likewise adaptable. It is a beautiful, enjoyable and healthy activity for children, adults and seniors. The object of the Scramble Squares® puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated 4” x 4” square pieces into a 12” x 12” square so that the realistic graphics on the pieces edges match perfectly to form completed pictures in every direction.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys

This Bald Eagles Scramble Squares® puzzle, provides an appropriately awe inspiring depiction of this majestic symbol of the United States and America’s national bird. The Bald Eagle is unique to North America and is among the largest birds in North America, growing from 29” to 42” long, weighing 7 to 15 lbs., and possessing a dramatic wingspan of 6’ to 8’. Females are larger than the male Bald Eagles. The Bald Eagle is listed as a "threatened" species in the lower 48 states, its population having fallen from an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 in the early 1700s to levels of less than 500 pairs by the early 1960s. The object of the Scramble Squares® puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated 4” x 4” square pieces into a 12” x 12” square so that the realistic graphics on the pieces edges match perfectly to form completed pictures in every direction.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

The Maileg giraffe id made of cotton and wears a knitted shirt. The back end is stuffed with rice, so he can sit. Launch date: May 2012.

A beautifully crafted 'princess and the pea' set. A tall bed piled high with mattresses - alas, the poor princess cannot sleep, as beneath the mountain of soft fabric lies a little crocheted pea! A wonderful toy with a little story book to accompany it.
Awards: 2003 Scandinavian Design Prize

MOGO Shades are the perfect tween accessory featuring retro styling and hot neon colors. Each pair of Shades will hold 2 MOGO Charms - ready for instant personalization. "MOGO Shades let you show the world how you're feeling, what you love or maybe you just want to wear your initials," Katie Elliott, Operations Manager of MOGO Designs, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy's Best Picks New Products; 2011 Parents' Choice Fun Stuff Award; 2012 The Next Big ZING Award, Kid's Category; 2012 Mom's Choice Award, Arts, Crafts & Hobbies

My Little Puppy just loves play time. He flaps his ears and claps along to "If You're Happy and You Know it, Clap your Hands". This childhood song favorite will get any child up and ready for play time. Launch date: July 2011.

Sets of essential art materials for on-the-go artists. High-quality Thin Markers, Colored Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, and Oil Pastels in clear durable cases. Inner trays neatly hold materials. Expandable handle and snap closure. Descriptive label. AP Non-Toxic. Launch date: January 2012.

Each hat comes with 3 removable Patch Pals that stick to the Velcro circle on any Patch Hat. Just peel off one Patch Pal and press on another. Not only does a Patch Hat make a great gift, it is fun. Kids can swap patches on their hats and with their friends as they collect all the Patch Pal characters. Each Patch Pal has a Name, Hometown, Species, Age, Size and Pal - so kids can learn about animals while collecting all the patches.

A game for the Girls who will Rock the World. Girls gather their BFF's and get ready for LOL fun. The Girl Game is a game for fun loving "Tween" girls who love to laugh. Draw activity cards and take the challenges. Earn Character cards to fill in the Storyboard. Some of the cards are played to keep; others are played hard to give away. When the game ends every girl reads her story aloud. " The Girl Game is made in the USA, printed with vegetable based inks and made using recycled paper," Carla Miller, Late for the Sky Production Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2012.

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.

Drop the shiny metal marble sphere into the Paradox Box. Guide it through the blind maze.  Can players find the opposite exit without losing THEIR marbles? It’s a mental workout players can’t see coming - so deceiving they’ll wonder where in the heck that marble’s going.  Just maybe they’ll learn the secret...The one and only Paradox Box. Includes 1 metal sphere, 1 Paradox Box. Launch date: August 2012.

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.

Shake up baby's playtime with a colorful wooden rattle, created especially for grabbing hands, teething gums, and curious minds. Made of wood and water based paint. 6 mos and up.