July 2011 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

This cardboard playhouse is made in the U.S.A using 100% recycled cardboard material. The Adventure Castle will take any child on an enchanting adventure every day. The unique design allows for a sturdy drawing surface and reliable stability during play.  From brave knights in shining armor to carriage riding princesses, every child will enjoy creating there own.The Adventure Castle is eco-friendly and encourages creative play. This playhouse is perfect for birthday parties, play dates, everyday play and rainy day fun. Made from very sturdy 44ECT corrugated cardboard. Measurements (Assembled): 48"L x 48"W x 48"H

Kids can save the planet and make a fashion statement, too, when they make sweet bracelets, headbands and belts from candy wrappers. Just fold and link. Includes over 200 precut candy wrappers, glue stick with burnishing cap, hole puncher, 9 cords, 9 beads, 4 elastic loops, 30 sticky gems and easy instructions.

Dress Your Doll is a unique fashion designer craft kit. The doll is actually a fully articulated fashion mannequin. The clothes come in an assortment of patterns with different difficulty levels, and are $15.99 each. One pair of scissors indicates a low difficulty level, two indicate a medium difficulty level, and three indicate a high difficulty level. The patterns in each kit can be reused with different fabrics or leftovers from another project. The kits are designed to use very basic stitching patterns that can be sewn by hand, so even youngsters who have only a basic understanding of sewing will be able to participate. The scissors, needles, and threads are not provided with the kit.

A World of Beautiful Colors comes alive as players choose commission cards picturing 34 of the finest European art works of the past six centuries. Players score their commissions by mixing primary colors through clever tile placement, and recreating the palette of colors used by the masters who created these works. Explore the paintings, palettes and pasts of the artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family. While placing hexagonal pieces to gain palette (color) cards, players become familiar with the different color combinations that produce the many hues of an artist’s palette... all listed on the Player Reference Card. Players also learn to recognize many great artists and their works as they complete commissions.

This larger size measures 6 inches wide for bigger hands and rolls out to 30 feet of blank paper. Like its smaller version, each roll comes with two end caps to keep the paper in place until it's time to unroll. High quality non-toxic crayons are included with each kit.

Just 4 inches wide but 15 feet long, the packaging is designed to be easy for kids to open and close, with a finger-hole to make opening the crayon compartment a snap. The 4” roll is the ideal size for smaller hands. The roll curls downward toward the table, so a child will not have any trouble with paper curling up while he/she draws. When done doodling, the specially shaped well for each crayon will be a reminder to put them back in.

Safety Pin Bracelets helps anyone craft an entire collection of sparkling beaded jewelry out of garden-variety safety pins. The book includes 12 dazzling bracelet designs. Whichever design kids choose, they pick the colors and patterns so each bracelet is unique. The book comes with everything that is needed: 175 safety pins in three different sizes, over 1,000 beads in vibrant colors, and silvery elastic cord. Finally, the open-and-shut packaging keeps all the craft supplies organized and neat.