July 2010 Notable Toys — School Supplies

Fun and practical, Tee Juice Broad Line markers let users make broad, bold strokes yet are soft to the touch. Kids can paint on fabric without the mess and hassle of paintbrushes and open bottles of paint.  Teens can use these markers to express themselves by writing messages or drawing images on t-shirts.  They are great for coloring in large blocks of color when using Fineliner or Medium Point Tee Juice Fabric Marking Pens. The markers come in eight colors, open stock and two boxed sets.

$3.99 (individual markers) and $14.99 (4 marker boxed set)

This children's lunchbox combines style and function for kids, parents and the environment. Each Deluxe lunchbox includes a custom-fit ice pack, two small round containers suitable for sides and snacks, and one large container big enough to pack a whole sandwich or leftovers. Lunchbox handles are made of a soft rubber material and can be repositioned anywhere along the outside of the lunchbox to carry it vertically or horizontally, or clip it to a backpack. Each Yubo lunchbox is dishwasher-safe and comes with a designer faceplate set of two prints that can be swapped out for personalization. Faceplate sets are durable, water-proof, and tear-proof. Additional food containers and designer faceplate sets are sold separately. Cyndi Pedrazzi, Founder of Kinsco LLC, told TDmonthly, "Yubo's unique changeable faceplates allows kids to update the look of their lunchbox as often as they'd like. Kids can personalize faceplates with their name, upload photos or even their own artwork!"

The adventure scenarios in this game are the actual journeys of such explorers as Marco Polo, Nansen, Scott, Drake and Cook. Players pick a journey, make preparations, assemble crews and venture forth together, each handling different aspects of the expedition. The package includes an 18" x 22" world map board, dice, a land and sea log of adventures, money, crew cards and assorted charts. Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly this product is "an educational eye-opener about the life of explorers — a good family and classroom game."

In this game, the seven pieces start as an ink blot to be carefully rearranged to make animals, faces, letters, numbers, birds, ships, and more. A booklet of 60 silhouetted shapes to try is included, as well as rules for a cooperative game. It can be played alone or in a group. President of Family Pastimes Jim Deacove told TDmonthly this product is "for the clever, the imaginative, the creative!"

Early Years are four cooperative card games for the younger ages. Each game is designed to nurture and encourage a blend of close observation, communication, imagination, and some academic, social and memory skills in a non-threatening, self-esteem-building atmosphere. The pack includes four sets of 35 cards each: a “domino” word game, an animal memory game, a number/math skills game, and a storytelling game. Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly Early Years is "a big bargain with lots of play value, and just plain fun to play! Special group game rules are included for accommodating as many as 36 players."

In this game, children work together to solve world and human problems presented in a simplified way. Players are divided into simulated social groups (tribes, nations, etc.). Each group gets World Problem Cards and a share of Solution Cards. Through discussion, trade agreements and world councils, the players try to solve all the problems facing them. The debriefing session at the end allows for everyone to learn from each other. Together includes two decks of cards, grouping tokens and rules for teacher preparation, interaction and final evaluation. Launch date: 1971.

In this game, six "Nations" must solve internal affairs without creating conflicts within their own borders. As the game progresses, hot spots can develop — and by game’s end several or all of the Nations may be at war. The game is then lost. Each Nation creates a balanced territory so that a balanced world results in which population does not exceed land and resources and work is available for everyone. On the religious, cultural and political side, all sectors are also in balance with no particular sector dominating another. The key to achieving this balance is Right Education, in which intelligence and compassion are nurtured. How well the players use Right Education and deploy the other factors within their borders while making trades to assist each other across borders will determine the degree of success in establishing firm and lasting peace in our time. The game includes six nation charts, two sets of cards (110 total) consisting of population, land/resources, work/technology, religion/culture, politics/military and right education, one die, and rules of play. Launch date: 2006.

These tie dye bags come in more than 12 assorted colors and many different appliques such as heart, peace signs, smiley face, etc. Each bag also comes with a free necklace. VP of TOP TRENZ Jamie Glassberg told TDmonthly, "Most backpacks are not fashionable as these!" Launch date: May 2010.

The 24-Count Rock Bandz Shape Pack of colorful silicone bands includes Guitars, Rock Hands, Mic Stands, Drums, Jumping Rockers, and Rock. This pack has shapes in six assorted colors to be collected, worn, or traded with friends. They can be treated as traditional rubber bands and worn as bracelets but spring back into their original shape when not in use. Launch date: 2010.