July 2015 Notable Toys — Preschool

Nello is a magic object and versatile, open-ended toy that quickly becomes an indispensable accessory for countless play activities, indoors and outdoors. It is a color puzzle, a nesting toy, a marble run, a floating island in the bath or a sand toy at the beach. You can roll, spin and swing the rings, throw and catch them. Use them as targets for games like tiddlywinks or as beautiful props for role and pretend play. Nello is made from high-quality, food-grade HD-PE, 100% recyclable.

Each Slushy bear is handcrafted and hand painted, along with all the products from Aurora’s award-winning Miyoni collection, so no two animals are the same. White as snow, Slushy is a soft and huggable 16-inch polar bear that will melt your heart. He’s sure to keep little ones warm at night, whatever the weather.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award

On land or in the sea ... wherever, playing is just fun with this vehicle. It's ability to glide across the water will make your bath or beach time engaging.

Count up the fun with this neat number puzzle set! Use the colors and pictures on each piece as clues to figure out what numbers they create. Count all the way up to 5! Both children and parents will love how the amount of puzzle pieces corresponds to each number. 15 pieces total, made of sturdy cardboard.

Looks like someone’s been scrabbling about and making all kinds of mischief! Fuddlewuddle Fox has been on so many adventures, he’s made ruffles all through his soft, gingery fur. Give this feisty fellow lots of scruffles and strokes, and maybe he’ll show you how to dance the foxtrot!
— In a June 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Jellycat was their best-selling plush brand.

Muddly, cuddly Fuddlewuddle Calf is so loveably ditzy! He’d forget to put his horns on if they weren’t attached! We all love him though, with his black and white splotches and merry Jellycat grin. Soft as silk and fond of milk, this scamp has a big heart and lots of love to give.
— In a June 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Jellycat was their best-selling plush brand.

This cute little 1 piece, palm size porcupine set from Gund will put a smile on your child's face. Each porcupine measures 3" in height with a plastic nose & stitched eyes. Each porcupine has soft velour face & paws with the lighter of the two having a soft velour stomach as well. Both porcupines have salt & pepper colored long hair.
— In a June 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Qwilly porcupine was their best-selling plush toy.

This prickle of hedgehogs from GUND is a ball of cuteness. Super-soft and fluffy with sweet little faces, they're fun to cuddle, toss, and tote. Set includes three hedgehogs in dark brown, light brown, and charcoal. For ages 12 months and up. Size 3"
— Dean Smith, owner of Jazams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a June 2015 survey that Ganley the Hedgehog was their store's best-selling plush brand.

Like his cousin, the award-winning Tranquil Turtle, Tranquil Frog transforms any room into a serene oasis.  Glowing in a relaxing lily pad green, the shell projects a magical underwater light effect and plays the soothing sounds of ocean waves and a seaside serenade.  The total effect provides for a calm and relaxing environment giving children a peaceful night’s sleep.  Tranquil Frog features a  23-minute timer with auto shut-off to ensure complete darkness during deep sleep, as recommended by pediatricians.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

Baby Stella can talk! Baby Stella Sweet Sounds doll features three sounds: pacifier sucking noise when pacifier is attached, giggling when foot is squeezed, and says "mama" when hand is squeezed. Sweet Sounds doll includes a pink, ruffled onesie with Velcro-like closures in back, and a pacifier that magnetically attaches to her mouth. Baby Stella by Manhattan Toy is an ideal first baby doll collection that will encourage little ones to role play, nurture and care. Baby Stella dolls are completely soft and beautifully crafted with life like details such as a belly button and perfectly plump tummy. You can change her outfits and every doll comes with a magnetic pacifier.

Count on plenty of learning fun and musical rewards with this delightful friend. Baby will learn about counting, colors, animals and sizes with songs, music, speech, and activities that respond to baby. There are 10 colorful coins to drop into the slot while counting along, comparing big and small, and discovering mommy and baby animals. Press the piggy’s snout for musical responses, open the door for put-and-take play, and enjoy fun sing-along songs. Make learning more fun with the Laugh & Learn collection of toys. With rich music, sing-along songs, and lots of activities, they combine early academics and everyday experiences—for the way kids really learn! Requires 3 "AAA" alkaline batteries (included).

A new fun version of Miniland’s giant stacking and nesting game formed by 10 progressively sized cups. Each cup has a happy animal shape and a number in relief making it easy to stack in order. The bucket has a perforated lid with the silhouettes of 4 different shapes to match and insert 4 included shape blocks though the lid. Made for children ages 12-24 months.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

Miniland’s Monster Truck is a ride-on truck with rollover-resistant bars in the front and back to avoid tip-overs. It includes a tilting dumper for loading and unloading and it is made of strong durable reinforced plastic. These vehicles can be used both indoors and outdoors for hours of imaginative play. No batteries required. Made for children ages 2-6 years old.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

No-mess painting for kids! This exciting paint-with-water coloring book includes four reusable pages and a refillable water pen. Simply use the pen to color in each scene--details and vibrant color appear with every stroke! Then let the page dry to erase the pictures and fill it in again and again. This animal-themed book includes four scenes to color, and a search-and-find activity for each scene. The chunky-sized water pen is easy for kids to hold and stores neatly right in the front cover, so Water WOW books make ideal travel activity books and travel toys for kids!
— Joe Novak, owner of Kazoo Toys of Buckhead in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Water Wow from Melissa & Doug is one of their store's best-selling travel toys.

Part of Miniland’s best-selling construction sets, our super blocks contain versatile parts that can be assembled in different ways. They surprise the little ones and the infants, and amuse them with their multiple possibilities, as with the same set different results can be obtained. This particular set is a great track of Super Blocks with 2 characters, 2 cars and 57 pieces. Large, tough and durable blocks. Include activity cards and made for children aged 18-36 months.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

This is a fun magnetic game and part of Miniland’s new 2015 On-The-Go collection. With Crazy City you use your memory to combine the pieces on the city streets, and then check that the models are the same as those on the outer board. This new collection comprises 6 crazy magnetic games. These are games of association with a large dose of imagination and excitement. Their format and design make them ideal for taking them wherever you go and for playing without limits.  Made for children 3-7 years old.

Moogy’s bright colors and charming appearance makes him a great cuddle toy. Children will gradually learn how to dress themselves when they master these zippers, buttons, buckles and laces. Moogy is surface washable and made for infants aged 12-36 months. Moogy measures 18.5" in height.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award

This season’s hottest fashion accessory, Flower Crowns, is perfect for every day "bohemian" style, special occasions and even flower girl gifts! For younger girls, wear this special crown as you are transformed into your own magical environment.

• It’s fun to make: twist realistic paper roses, beautiful berry bunches and charming ribbon ivy around the twig bases
• Add a little bling with the golden shimmer accent paint included
• You decide on the color scheme and how you want to wear it – as a headband, crown or maybe across your forehead for a groovy retro look
• Enough materials to make 4 adjustable crowns

— Two out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that Creativity for Kids is one of their best-selling activity kit brands.