July 2010 Notable Toys — Construction

Each Mega Bloks Yo Gabba Gabba set comes with a buildable figurine that also dances and swings its arms up and down. Designed for first-time builders, this set aims to help children develop fine motor skills and distinguish colors and shapes.

WaterBlocks brings classic block play into a new watery environment. The bathtub and pool are the perfect places to create floating towns, bridges, waterslides, ball runs, towers and more. The "sticky" viscosity of water creates a helpful cling between blocks, and the movement, buoyancy and flow of water add an engaging twist to classic block play.

WaterBlocks brings classic block play into a watery environment. The bath tub and pool are the perfect places to create floating towns, bridges, waterslides, ball runs, towers and more. The "sticky" viscosity of water creates a helpful cling between blocks, and the movement, buoyancy and flow of water add an engaging twist to classic block play. The set includes 20 pieces.
— Laura Turman, owner of One Two Kangaroo in Shepherdstown, W.Va., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that Waterblocks are their best selling bath toy.
— Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that floating playsets from Just Think Toys are their best-selling bath toys.

This Lego starter kit lets younger children build a house, car, dog, helicopter and more. The set features 405 pieces stored in a durable plastic box with a see-through top. Included are minifigure, a building plate and a wide mix of standard bricks in various colors, as well as house and wheel elements.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 293 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 19 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. Pros: 405 pieces and one figurine included; packaged in durable storage container. Cons: Younger children may need help with construction; pieces do not fill up bucket all the way.

This minifigure features a magic wand, a book of spells on a tilting pedestal, a desk, two beakers to hold magic potions and a little green dragon mascot.
— In late summer 2010, four of 43 specialty retailers surveyed told TDmonthly that LEGO products are an overall top seller.
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that  LEGO minifigures are a best-seller: "LEGO minifigures have been one of our top sellers this month. We've sold about 2 a day, or about 65 in a month." Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., agreed, saying that they sell "about 8 a day" at her store.

This Court Jester minifigure comes with three juggling balls, a stage and a flag. The stage measures over 2" high.

This collectible series one minifigure is detailed to resemble a costumed wrestler and comes loose in a blind package.

This collectible series one minifigure is detailed to resemble a futuristic robot and comes loose in a blind package.

This LEGO Architecture replica of the White House can be assembled from the 560 pieces that come with the set. This set is part of the Signature Series from BrickStructures. For ages 12 and up.

Can Obi-Wan Kenobi deal with Hondo Ohnaka and his ruthless band of Weequay pirates, or will this powerful pirate tank from the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” TV series take the Jedi prisoner? Measuring 9.5” L x 6” W, the tank features a pop-up driver’s seat, a rotating blaster, firing flick-missiles and hidden wheels for “hovering” movement. It includes Obi-Wan Kenobi, Hondo Ohnaka and Turk Falso minifigures. The set includes 372 pieces.

Kids will be over the moon for this new space-themed version of Techno Gears Marble Mania. An automatic marble launcher sends marbles flying into the tracks’ twists and turns. Glow-in-the-dark components, blinking lights, and fun, space-like sound effects add to the fun children can have when assembling this marble run, which includes more than 425 pieces. Colors may vary. Requires 3 “AA” batteries. Ages 8+ years. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and marbles. Not for children under 3 years.

Full-color photos combine with clearly labeled instructions, trivia and a compelling story to make this 48-page Brickmaster kit ideal for LEGO fans. Young builders can build fantastic models of undersea craft from LEGO's Atlantis line or come up with distinctive Atlantis creations of their own. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group.

This collection is designed for Magformers to transform into hundreds of creative emergency vehicles.

This collection is designed for Magformers to transform into hundreds of creative fashion items.

Goodwood is a system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite imaginative and creative play. The precisely crafted blocks allow for building in every dimension, creating structures that are architecturally interesting and visually pleasing. The system includes seven intercompatible sets, each intended to be fun and interesting on its own, and to combine in fascinating ways with the others. These colored blocks are made from forest-friendly wood and are CPSIA tested. "The abstract, innovative shapes of the Goodwood blocks, which fit together in surprising and interesting ways, cultivate truly open-ended explorative play," Around Square President Matthew Hiebert told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Products Award

Mini No Ends is a table-top version of No Ends that contains more diversified beam parts and wheels in every kit. The pieces snap into place and can be easily pulled apart to later become new easy-to-build creations. Kids are encouraged to build structures while having hours of fun. "There is no end to what the child can design," Taurus Toy President Dawn Baird told TDmonthly.

Race N Roll comes complete with a starting gate and a light-up finish line. All of the pieces are red or black. Kids may have hours of fun racing the marbles against each other or competing with a friend. Race N Roll can be used with any Block N Roll set and is compatible with age-appropriate  Lego, Duplo or Mega Blocks. Two AAA batteries are required.

Snap together pink and white block parts to create a butterfly that can be attached to the LaQ Headband. The Kit includes one headband part and 35 LaQ parts. The Headband Part can also be used with block parts from other LaQ kits to create bunny ears, dog ears, a tiara, silly head pieces, or whatever you can imagine. "LaQ is a snap together construction toy completely unique in how the joint parts connect in various angles so that a child can create geometrical and spherical shapes from toy blocks," Mo Saeki, Overseas Division Manager for YOSHIRITSU CO., LTD, tells TDmonthly.

Made of heavy-duty plastic with snap-together tubes and chutes, this kit includes plenty of marbles for hours of building and rolling.

This battery-powered 25-piece set lets kids build an take apart a miniature airplane. 21 vehicle parts and a power screwdriver with three different bits are included.

Children can build a realistic miniature army Jeep with this 100-block set.

This award-winning, snap-together block allows individuals to make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Basic 650 is a 650-piece kit consisting of all seven types of LaQ blocks in red, blue, yellow, green, white, and black parts to make 16 interchangeable models. Easy to follow instructions show steps to make an Airplane, Boy, Butterfly, Bulldozer, Christmas Tree, Crawfish, Dog, Ferris Wheel, Formula Car, Helicopter, House, Sailing Ship, Snake, Traffic Light and Tree.

This award-winning, snap-together block allows individuals to make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Hobby Kits are 260-piece kits designed to make various interchangeable models. The Hobby Kit Beetle has instructions to make a Beetle, Wood Louse, Spider, Bee, Ant, Butterfly and Ladybug.

With LaQ, kids can make spherical shapes from toy blocks. LaQ Mini Kits are 175-piece kits designed to make various interchangeable models. The Mini Kit Chameleon has instructions to make a Chameleon, Giant Tortoise, Crocodile, Frog and Japanese Bush Warbler.