July 2010 Notable Toys — Educational

Tours of the Eames House and Studio require a sizable donation to the Eames Foundation, but with this toy kids can bring the Case Study No. 8 house to the convenience of a coffee table or playroom. Each set of 36 replenishable Michigan-grown basswood blocks represents 29 separate hand-pulled screen passes. The set is made in the USA with non-toxic, lead-free, child-safe inks.

Players can join characters Bromley and Cotica on a bilingual journey through the Amazon, learning the names of exotic animals along the way. The game is designed to encourage the development of multi-language, critical thinking and memory skills. The first to reach the ocean wins. "The game board is actually a floor puzzle that you put together before playing the game. This joins the activity of a puzzle and beginner game; both are great for kids just starting to play board games," Todd Jacobs, vice president of Talicor Inc., told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award

Ten bright blocks are ready for baby to drop into the open bucket or through the shape-sorting lid. This toy is designed for developing eye-hand coordination and other early skills. Then children can move on to sorting, stacking and learning about identifying and matching shapes. This set includes a plastic shape-sorting box with a handle and ten colorful blocks.
Awards: 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner.
— As of 05/21/2012 this product had 4.1 out of 5 stars from 314 reviews on Amazon.com. PROS: Basic, durable baby toy that keeps children entertained. CONS: Lid does not snap on; May contain carcinogens.

As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of the loyal toys are troubled about their uncertain future. This comical adventure lands the toys in a room full of untamed tots who can't wait to get their sticky little fingers on these "new" toys. It's pandemonium as they try to stay together to ensure that "no toy gets left behind." The game features expanded play for the Leapster2 system, so Leapster2 players can connect online for extra games, activities and rewards, and parents can get detailed learning progress reports through the online LeapFrog Learning Path.
— As of 7.26.2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com, and was listed No. 1 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Multiple games to choose from. CONS: Not perceived as challenging enough by some children.

The Strobotop™ LightPhase Animator is a combination of a hand-powered spinning top and cutting-edge LED electronics to make pictures and drawings magically spring to life before your eyes. Just spin the Strobotop™, aim your LightPhaser at it, and capture the motion.
Awards: Mom's Best Award 2010, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2010

This booster pack for the Strobotop LightPhase Animator contains 18 Strobodisks to add to the existing disks found in the Strobotop LightPhase Animator set. The booster pack's disks contain 12 picture disks and six draw-your-own disks.

This line of DVDs is designed to teach early sign language skills to preschool-age children. Featuring beautiful video productions of some of the most recognizable children’s books of all time, this series offers a unique approach to learning sign language and helping kids of all hearing abilities to gain literacy and pre-reading skills. "A Pocket For Corduroy...and More Stories About Friendship" is adapted from the beloved book by Don Freeman.

This line of DVDs is designed to teach early sign language skills to preschool-age children. Featuring beautiful video productions of some of the most recognizable children’s books of all time, this series offers a unique approach to learning sign language and helping kids of all hearing abilities to gain literacy and pre-reading skills. "Goodnight Moon…and More Great Bedtime Stories" is adapted from the 1947 storybook by Margaret Wise Brown that has sold tens of millions of units worldwide.

Beyond the basic motion detector or potato clock, Elenco's Snap-Micro I Standard kit allows children to learn about the theory and application of micro-controllers while building their own complex projects. A variety of components and software included in the kit guide children through the basic commands and flow charts required to assemble and operate the micro-controller, which can then program more than 25 different projects. 
― “Snap Circuits do well,” said Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., during a summer 2010 survey of top-selling electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Snap Circuits are their best-selling electronic item.

This 96-page activity book lets kids create lists that are all about them. "Not only are our activity books fun and hip, they are produced with the lenticular technology. Our covers flip from one colorful image to another," Leslie Montalbano, Iscream prepress manager, told TDmonthly.

This 90-minute, award-winning instructional handwriting DVD uses video modeling to teach modern manuscript letters. It supports D'Nealian penmanship programs and has breaks that show how to draw using select letters and Look2Write breaks to develop reading and writing skills.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year; Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products 2010

Every child can be Santa's Little Helper with this holiday cookie kit. Users can combine their favorite cookie recipes with the Curious Chef cookie cutters and utensils to create a unique holiday treat. "These are REAL cooking utensils designed to meet the unique needs of small hands, not toys. This means they actually work!" Shelly Schumacher, Curious Chef communications manager, told TDmonthly.

This 24" x 36" educational poster portrays leaders of the American Civil War and includes a timeline of battles and events.

This 24" x 36" educational poster showcases a variety of butterfly species.

Splashimals can be played anywhere there is water but it can also be played on dry ground too. For ages 2 to 5+, depending on the age, children can use the cards for animal recognition, for creating new animals by mixing the combinations, for a game of memory, and for practicing reading skills.

Deep Sea Diver is a real-life adventure game about diving for treasures and other discoveries. Players need teamwork to plan the dive, share equipment, get each other out of trouble, and divide whatever treasure they bring up. The game includes a 13" x 18" board, diver cards, danger cards, treasure cards, equipment tokens, air tank tokens, a glossary of diving terms, and movers.

Players are a team of magicians performing a series of dangerous illusions, trying not to get trapped in them. Each game played is the performance itself, full of risks. This game includes a 13" x 18" board, manager's chart, magicians, dangers, escapes and magic power cards. "Play as friends, not as enemies! Our games foster the spirit of co-operation," Family Pastimes President Jim Deacove told TDmonthly.

During this "Walk in the Woods," players can observe beautiful things such as wildflowers and butterflies, help each other gather goodies such as apples, berries, nuts and herbs, and keep an eye out for dangers like poison ivy, stinging nettle, biting bugs and even hot sun. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, dangers, remedies, goodies, look-ats, baskets, and rules for basic and hard games. "Play as friends, not as enemies! Our games foster the spirit of co-operation," Family Pastimes President Jim Deacove told TDmonthly.

Ze Super Zeros are hero friends whose super powers and problems blend. Each Super Zero has a "mini" power and a related challenge that aims to teach kids to embrace what makes them unique and find their inner Super Zero. The Super Zeros measure 9" tall and feature removable capes and pouches to contain kids' special treasures.

Ze Super Zeros are hero friends whose super powers and problems blend. Each Super Zero has a "mini" power and a related challenge that aims to teach kids to embrace what makes them unique and find their inner Super Zero. The Super Zeros measure 9" tall and feature removable capes and pouches to contain kids' special treasures.

Think-ets is a little game in a pouch containing tiny treasures from all over the world. The game includes an assortment of 15 miniature trinkets that can be used to tell stories and play memory and strategy games. These Think-ets come in a purple pouch, replacing the previous yellow pouch design.
Awards: 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2008 AblePlay Rating; 2007 The Toy Man Editor's Choice Award; 2007 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti brings together 22 family friendly artists to help with the Haiti relief effort. The CD includes previously unreleased and brand new songs from kid favorites including They Might Be Giants and Pete Seeger. Proceeds from the record will be donated to the Haitian People’s Support Project.
— Leigh Goldman Balber of Urban Baby calls the CD “A We are the World for the sandbox set.” The “who’s who … of the best in the world of kiddie music” combine to create a “spiritual, uplifting (but not too out there)” CD.

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.

ABC Melody Maker is an exciting electronic learning companion featuring five fun games and a ten note musical keyboard sure to entertain and educate youngsters. This colorful interactive unit features an activity selector that puts kids in charge of choosing their fun. Children won’t even realize they’re learning! Song book included. Requires three “AA” batteries (included). Ages 3+ years.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2010