June 2012 Notable Toys — Kits

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.

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.

The state of Earth's atmosphere affects us all, which explains why the weather is one of the most popular topics of conversation and scientific study. Build a model of Earth and its atmosphere and then use it to conduct experiments that show how the global wind system works. Trace air currents from the icy cold poles to the warm equator and back with a wisp of smoke. Model Earth's heat reservoirs, thermals, and global and local winds. Recreate ocean currents in a small basin of water. Simulate Earth's rotation and revolution to learn how the sun affects the weather daily and seasonally. Learn about the climatic zones and the composition of the atmosphere. Experiment to see how carbon dioxide levels affect temperature. Explore the hydrological cycle to learn about humidity, clouds, and precipitation. Build a simple barometer, set up a rain gauge, and track the temperature. Full-color, 48-page manual featuring 23 experiments.

It’s a robot riot. These futuristic fighters are here to save the world. Follow a simple legend and add cool foam pieces to these droid destroyers so they can squash the bad guys. Arrange the army in different battle formations and take out evil once and for all. This kit includes 10 FlipMotion™ stickers to add real movement to these mosaic masterpieces. Launch date: March 2012.

It’s time for a dragon duel. These deadly dragons are breathing fire and sharpening their talons. Follow a simple legend and add cool foam pieces to these battling beasts. Hang these magical dragons on your bedroom walls for some truly monstrous décor. This kit includes 9 FlipMotion™ stickers to add real movement to your mosaic masterpieces. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these adorable little monsters. Use 7 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more! Meet mischievous friends by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these funky far out decals. Use 15 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create totally groovy designs by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend.  Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these prehistoric dinos. Use 8 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more.Create dino-mite designs by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these glittering bugs. Use 11 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create beautiful bug designs by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Showcase a special memory in this sparkling frame. Follow a numbered legend and add sparkling jewels and tiles to create a colorful Picture Perfect frame. This frame will brighten up any little girls’ bedroom. Launch date: March 2012.

Kids can go to school in style with this totally blinged out Fashion Bag. Follow a simple numbered legend and add over 200 sparkling jewels to create this totally fashionable messenger bag. With a sturdy over the shoulder strap, this bag will carry books and important notes. Launch date: March 2012.

Kids can show off their fashion flair with Hippy Chic Crystal Cuffs. Follow a simple numbered legend and add sparkling jewels to create cool denim cuffs and add a flower power any outfit. This kit comes with two different cuffs to wear and share. Launch date: March 2012.

Find & Make has added a new project kit that directs children to make their own original creations using Makedo connectors and packaging commonly found in the home. This product invites child to be resourceful by sourcing boxes and packaging from around the house and using them as the ‘building blocks’ . Once built, the Shop becomes the source of endless role-play fun. Through this experience, the child changes their perception of a box as something they would throw away. Instead it becomes an object of value. The child has learned about reuse and upcycling in a fun and playful way. Each Makedo Find & Make kit includes a safe-saw for cutting and punching through materials safely; re-clips and lock-hinges for connecting, themed decorative stickers, beautifully illustrated step-by-step instructions and a gorgeous inspiration poster. The material contents and packaging has been kept to a minimum. The reusable nature of Makedo’s connectors means that the child is able to pull apart and reconstruct their shop over and over for new building and role-play experiences. Construction with Makedo also minimizes the use of virgin materials by directing the child to make their own toy rather than going out to buy something completely new.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval, 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys

2 Birdie Banks™ is a new activity kit in the ALEX Eco Crafts series. Kids can save their money and at the same time help to save the planet! This all-in-one environmentally-friendly craft kit lets kids create 2 bird-shaped banks out of recycled paper molds. It comes with 2 makeshift banks (fashioned from recycled paper) that kids can outfit with coin slots and lids before decorating them with colorful squares. Using the included sponge brush, kids can easily affix the paper tape with glaze and wait a while for their creation to dry. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

Andrea works at the City Park Cafe and loves dishing out tasty treats — when she is not singing into her broom and daydreaming of her big performance. It's the perfect place in Heartlake City for all of the Lego Friends to meet for milkshakes and burgers or to chill and have fun. Kids can bake goodies for the girls in the cafe kitchen, complete with everything needed to serve up cafe cuisine in style. Then hang in the outdoor dining area and have a milkshake in the sun. Order up a sweet snack, serve the customers and pay with Lego money bricks. Includes 2 mini-doll figures: Andrea and Marie.
— As of 4/18/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 14 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; fun to play with; very detailed. Cons: Too easy to put together; not as much educational or developmental value as other LEGO sets.

Relate rocks to the history of the planet. Uses exciting eruptive experiments to foster comprehension. Mold and slice open a model of the earth, Create a lava fountain to explore density, Spew a volcano, Make pyroclastic eruptions, Discover which rocks will float and which will burn, Identify, break & display volcanic rocks, Sediment sedimentary rocks, Acid test rocks, Explore metamorphic rocks, and Form fossils.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Norman & Globus products "are perennial. I continuously do well with these."

Store your secret treasures in these super sparkly KeepSake Boxes! Follow a numbered legend and add sparkling jewels to make three special boxes. Each box features a different Princess along with her special animal friend. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these ghoulish girls. Use 8 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create colorful frightfully fashionable designs by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Add sparkling jewels to these retro owls. Use 8 reusable stickers to decorate mirrors, windows, notebooks and more. Create colorful owls on their perches by matching sparkling tiles to a numbered legend. Best of all, these stickers can be peeled right off with no residue and reused for years to come. Launch date: March 2012.

Look sweet as sugar with this Cupcake Clutch. Follow a simple numbered legend and add over 150 sparkling jewels to create this tasty clutch. Skip right to dessert and pair this with any outfit for some funky fashion flair. Launch date: March 2012.
— In a May 2012 survey, two of 13 retailers said that The Orb Factory was a best selling brand of activity kit.