July 2011 Notable Toys — All

All the information kids need to solve the mystery is in the puzzle story; everything they need to deduce, reason and organize their thoughts is in the handy grid below. Grid Perplexors: Level A teaches kids a step-by-step process that keeps their thinking linear and focused. Great practice for standardized tests that reward logic skills. Paperback; 50 puzzles on 56 pages.

It's the compact version of the classic naval combat game for plenty of fun on the run. Players keep track of hits and misses, and sink all of their enemy's ships to win the game. All of the pieces fit inside the case, making it easy to travel with.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey about travel toys that their best seller is Fun on the Run Battleship. They sold "18 this month," he said.

Filled with premium artist quality Faber-Castell materials, this portable art studio is the perfect gift for young artists on the go. This 34 piece set includes Faber-Castell pastels, markers, chalk, a white board marker, colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a sponge and a drawing pad. Multi-functional surfaces include: a chalkboard, white board and a drawing easel. Designed with storage in mind, all of the materials fit neatly inside when not in use.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Product Winner; National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2009

Kids can play games, create art, or just keep gear within easy reach with a portable, adjustable, mobile play center and organizer. Attaches to the rear of the car's front seat and folds down for easy access to supplies. Fold and zip up when finished. The perfect bag for travel. Measures 14'W x 12'H x 3'D.

This sippy cup is suitable for ages 9 months and up. Colorful John Deere artwork on both inner and outer cups creates eye-catching 3-D graphics. Double-wall insulation keeps drinks cooler longer, and the "sweat-proof" surface makes it easy to grip. The spill-proof valve is built right into the lid...no parts to lose. BPA-free. Dishwasher and microwave-safe. Colors and decorations may vary slightly.

Strike up the band with this toddler-safe set of wooden rhythm instruments for kids 18 months and older. Four friendly, easy-to-grasp instruments jingle, shake and clack. The instruments promote fine motor, auditory and creative expression skills while instilling appreciation of music and movement.
— In a January 2012 survey, Jen Fairclough, assistant manager of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly that they sell six of this item each month, making it one of their top-two best selling musical products.

A ball full of finger holes that is incredibly easy to catch, captivating to hold, and safe to throw. Shiny, Smooth, Flexible, Durable and virtually Indestructible — Oball is the ideal ball in every situation. Now all the great Oball features in a colorful sparkly ball.
— Mike DiAndrea, owner of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa. told TDmonthly in Spring 2011 that he sold around a 18 of these glittery Oballs each month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.

This 5 in 1 transforming truck has vehicle and sand play all in one. The water resistant playset is complete with Dunebug, truck, rake, shovel, bucket, and wildflower seeds. Expand your world with additional Sprig Hollow toys.
— In late Spring 2011, Margy Peine, owner of the Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md. told TDmonthly that the Sand Truck was a recent best-seller in the infant & toddler category.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Tree House Toy Shop.

This book contains twenty-five endlessly reusable mazes. Featuring the work of the talented illustrators from around the world, each maze stands on its own as a work of art. The brightly colored mazes each offer a whimsical design and a new challenge. Ideal for travel or just to pass the time.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of the Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va. mentioned this book as a best-selling travel toy in late Spring 2011, saying she sold several each month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at The Curiosity Zone.

This fun game allows kids to build a cupcake of their choice. They spin to compile all the necessary ingredients. The first finished cupcake wins the game for its creator. With illustrations by children’s book illustrator Lizzy Rockwell. Launch date: 2010.
— “It’s classic just for families to get together and play,” said Devo Ihonde, explaining the appeal of this simple game that doesn’t even require reading ability. “That will always be contemporary.”
— In a February 2014 survey, Joe Novak, owner of Kazoo Toys of Buckhead in Buckhead, Ga., told TDmonthly that Eeboo's Cupcake Game was one of their stores top-3 best-selling games.

Accessorize an iPhone or a backpack. Individualize the accessory by creating a unique color pattern, or solve the puzzle by getting the numbers in order. Launch date: February 2011.

Now boarding for Thomas & Friends™ fun! With three platforms, all of the HO scale Thomas & Friends engines can enjoy a full schedule of arrivals and departures. (Two or more kits can be combined to create larger station configurations.) This is the only expandable Knapford Station on the market.  Launch date: 2011.

Bachmann welcomes James the Red Engine to our Large Scale Thomas & Friends™ lineup. He features moving eyes and international-style hook and loop couplers. With his shiny scarlet coat and cheerful smile, James the Red Engine is ready for BIG railroading adventures. [Manufacturer’s note: This is the only electric Large Scale James the Red Engine on the market.] Launch date: 2011.

Children can carry along their own electronic tablet with the ABC WordPad, a compact electronic learning device that looks and feels like a little tablet. It features include five different learning activities: Letter Learning Fun, Word Learning Fun, Find It!, Spelling Practice Fun and Music Fun. This portable playbook requires two “AA” batteries (included). Launch date: May 2011.
Awards: 2011 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award; 2011 Dr Toy 10 Best High Tech Products and 100 Best Children's Products.

Kids love to role-play and the Shop and Learn Cash Register gives them the opportunity to play grown upShoppers. Three play modes encourage kids to shop, count, identify food and determine values. Thiselectronic talking register guides children through learning with encouraging words, amusing sounds and fun games. Kids can scan food, enter coins, slide the credit card and openthe cash drawer. The toy requires two “AA”
batteries (included).

New from the Les Classiques collection is Bebe Amour, a huggable baby dressed in a cute corduroy dress, print blouse, striped leggings and knitted hat. Like all Corolle dolls, she's softly scented with vanilla.  Launch date: 2011.
— While the latest high-tech toys offer new ways to amaze and sometimes educate children, the fundamentals of doll play have been around for centuries,” said Liza Grando for Corolle. “Whether it's dressing it, styling its hair, or having a conversation, these tasks allow children's creativity to flourish, offering them a constant companion and creating memorable play that will last a lifetime.”
— In a summer 2011 survey, Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly that Corolle Dolls are her best-selling line of collectibles.

Some people don’t realize that the dragonfly is a friend. It eats up a lot of mosquitoes in the summer. In this cooperative board game, one to four players maneuver the dragonflies to catch as many mosquitoes as they can. Cooperative games teach kids to work together to achieve a goal.

Ditto is a soccer star. He comes in a window box that transforms into a play set for him and his Pet friends. Launch date: Summer 2011.

This Mini Eni in pastel colors can be manipulated to create interesting patterns. Or, place the numbers in the correct order to solve the puzzle. Launch date: February 2011.

Kids can pretend to clean their dishes in the tub. When the dishes are dipped in the warm water, the "dirt" disappears. This 10 piece set includes a dish rack that can be suctioned to the wall and a sponge.
—Mike DiAndrea, owner of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that he sold five Dirty Dishes each month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.

These chubby, star-shaped bathtub crayons are fun and easy for children to hold. The crayons come in six bright colors, and can be used to create bath time art on shower wall, tile surfaces, or on children.
—Annie Ricks, owner of My Imagination Station/ Head over Heels LLC in Hattiesburg, Miss. named Rub a Dub Star Crayon as a best-selling bath toy when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at My Imagination Station.

This set includes a basketball net and three squirting balls. A suction cup rim and mesh net allows the product to be mounted easily to a smooth surface for bath-time fun.
—Margy Peine, owner of Tree House Toy Shop in Cumberland, Md. named Rub a Dub Shapes For The Tub as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— In an April 2012 survey about bath toys, five out of 11 retailers named Alex as their best selling brand.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Tree House Toy Shop.

These soft foam shapes stick to the tub or ceramic tiles when wet. Includes two multicolored sets of alphabetical letter and the numbers 0-9. There are 62 pieces in all. Kids can learn that ABC's and 123's while playing in the bath.
—Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa. named Rub a Dub Shapes For The Tub as a best-seller in the bath category when surveyed by TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Growing Tree Toys.

8" Praying Lambs recite "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep". Pretty pink and baby blue ribbons and embroidered "Bless Me".