August 2009 Notable Toys — All

Swiggies is the Water Bottle for the 21st Century. It is designed to attach to one's wrist and provide easy access to water during an exercise. Each Swiggie holds 4 ounces of water or sports drink, for a total of 8 ounces. It is strapped onto the wrist and has a pull top. It eliminates the need to carry water bottles, which can be cumbersome to carry and break your stride when you have to stop to take a drink. You just fill them up with cold water and go. Swiggies comes in 6 bright colors for kids on-the-go and encourages kids to drink more water. Swiggies is approved by Child Safe International as a safe, BPA-free, "green" product.

Tiny fingers becoming trapped in doors is a common cause of serious injury for small children. The Wedjie is a child safety solution with a built-in shock absorber that stops doors closing on tiny fingers, is quick and easy to use as it simply slides onto the hinge of a door, is safe because it is placed on the top hinge of a door, out of the reach of children, and is portable. Another unique feature is that the Wedjie protects fingers on both sides of the door - the hinge and handle side.

This bright, licensed plush toy unfastens to become a pillow and unzips to reveal a yellow blanket with a colorful butterfly design. It is fashioned after Eric Carle's classic character, the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

In 2008, One World Projects began participating in a teddy bear distribution project in Afghanistan. For each teddy bear sold, another is donated to a child living in an orphanage or refugee camp in Afghanistan. Often, the bears are the first toy the child has ever received. The teddy bears are handmade by Children and Women Education Fund (CWEF), which started a few years ago in Afghan refugee camps to provide a source of income and instruction on women and children's rights.

A monumental miracle in music, bridging the past & future. The viewer meets Johann Sebastian Bach who was the personification of the Baroque style - a music that was complex and highly embellished.  Bach drew from many sources and produced a vast body of work, steeped in the flavor of the period, yet belonging to all time.  Dennis Kobray brings this magnificent eighteenth century composer to life with exuberant performances of Bach's masterpieces on the clavichord, harpsichord and grand piano.

Candy Corn Jamboree fills a house with Halloween treats. The 3' x 5' full-color, high-quality plastic window decoration "lights up" at night with back lighting from everyday household lamps for the enjoyment of passersby on the street. It comes with corner stick adhesive squares. WOWindow Posters are made in the USA and are reusable. The product is "not sold in national big-box or national chain discount party stores," Robert Schott, director of national sales for WOWindows, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

This diaper cream can be used at every change to prevent rashes as well as eliminating existing ones. The cream is formulated without dyes, paraben or artificial fragranes. The ointment is aromatherapuetic in nature, with a number of vitamins, anti-oxidents and Mayron's blend of essential oils; aloe, calendula, chamomile, jojoba, lavender and sweet almond. Paraben Free. 98% Natural.

This lotion for baby and caregiver is infused with Vitamin E and a blend of essential and organic oils including chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, lavender, Monoi Tahiti Gardenia flower oil, orange, tangerine, shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, Jojoba oil and more.. Paraben free. 99.8% natural.

This kit is designed for children and adults who wish to build and solve the SphereXYZ. The pieces can be assembled in any way, and once snapped in, the puzzle is ready to be solved, which is done by rotating the hemispheres and moving the scrambled tiles along the canals until each hemisphere hosts the complete collection of one of the tile colors and the two white tiles are positioned at either pole. SphereXYZ takes about 10 minutes to snap together. "It's the first-ever 'build it, solve it' puzzle," Lori Powers, co-founder of LA1Products, told TDmonthly.  Launch date: November 2009.

Designed to provide all-natural, active fun for children of all ages, this product features a hand-dyed silk streamer (11" x 60") coordinated with a hand-painted wand (about 12" long) sealed with water-based, non-toxic sealant. The high-quality silk has hand-rolled hems, and the length is designated so as to not cause children to trip or trample upon the fabric, as might happen more easily with longer streamers. The hardware is designed so that it cannot be removed by a child. Young children should be supervised, as with all long items that can tangle around them. It is available in more than 15 styles, as well as custom colors. "It doesn't knot or tangle, like thinner streamers. It is 100-percent natural, safe and its core quality is the need for active, imaginative play," Lori Campbell, owner and artist of Beneath the Rowan Tree, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

Tic-Attack-Toe adds a battling twist to the classic game of tic-tac-toe. Kids can challenge friends and family to claim three-in-a-row using numbered X and O cards. Players knock-out their opponent's spot with a higher value card or use their "Wild" card to take any spot. The goal is to be the first to get three-in-a-row five times. As an added bonus, the playing board doubles as a carrying case. "Tic-Attack-Toe takes the simple premise of a game everyone knows and gives it a twist to provide a game that is easy to learn and provides multi-generational fun," Nathan Jones, president of PB&J Toy Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

Little Hero Capes are designed to empower a child's imagination and expand his adventures. The fully lined capes are made from high-quality materials with high-quality sewing and have a SUPER design placed prominently on the back. The capes feature a snap closure so a child can easily spring into action when he or she hears the call. Each cape also has a collar, which may be placed upward for a more mysterious look.  "Each Little Hero Cape, mask, and pair of power cuffs is artisan crafted in the United States," Allison Faunce, owner of Little Hero Capes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2, 2008.

Ideal for U.S.-based customers that want to maximize their freight dollars, this package of 26 pallets of new toys shipped to a 53' trailer is offered at 75-percent off MSRP, for $59,995. Name brands may include Hasbro, Mattel, Tyco, Kenner and others.

Ideal for experienced exporters, this package includes a 40' container load (20 pallets) of brand new toys from companies such as Toy Biz, Hasbro, Mattel, Kenner and others. It is offered at 70-percent off MSRP, for $49,995. Continuous supply is available.

Ideal for export, this 20' container load (approximately nine pallets) of brand new toys is available for $24,995 — 65 percent off MSRP. Continuous supply is available. Name brands may include Little Tykes, Milton Bradley, Tyco, Mattel, Hasbro, Playskool and others.

This assortment of new toys from companies that may include Hasbro, Mattel, Kenner and other well-known brand names is offered at 62 percent off MSRP, for a total cost of $9,995. Continuous supply is available; such a package can make a great Assortment for flea market vendors, Internet sites, and retail stores.

This package of new, name brand closeout toys in their original packaging is marked 60 percent off MSRP, for a package cost of $4,995. The assortment could be ideal for flea market vendors, Internet sites or retail stores. Possible brands in the assortment include Mattel, Hasbro, Kenner, Fisher-Price, Milton Bradley and many others.

This American-made Scramble Squares puzzle features nine cowboy-themed pieces that must be arranged into a 12" x 12" square so that the graphics match up edge to edge for every piece, forming a complete design. There exists only one solution. The packaging includes educational information relating to the puzzle theme, as well as a trivia quiz. Scramble Squares awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2009.

Where to Buy: LB Toys

Available in blue, orange and lime green, these portable round cups feature a lid with a sturdy straw, and a clear body so the drink level can be monitored. They may be used with one or two handles, or without.

Designed for versatile use as a cradle, bathtub and crib for babies, the Peititen Cushion Tub-Bed features a cushioned floor and wall for comfort, with an antimicrobial surface that makes it safe for even newborn babies. Available accessories include a cradle and baby tub stand. It is available in white, pink, blue, cobalt and light green. The company makes both round (shown) and neckrest types.

The unique 4-in-1 Smart Trike Recliner designed for babies from 6 months and up, provides the child with a safe and comfortable ride. The adjustable seat is equipped with a reclining position to allow baby to nap. The multi-position adjustable handle guarantees an easy solution for the parents to steer and, by releasing the clutch, the child takes control for fun, independent riding. The Smart Trike Recliner includes a washable, quality seat cover and is available in a range of colors together with a useful functional bag. It is available in green, pink and red. Smart Trike “Recliner” is the winner of the “Toy Innovation” Award in the Fun + Sport category and “Right Start Award” Overall Winner in the 0-3 category and “Gold award” in the Sit n Ride category.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Doesn't easily stay in a straight line; sun shade doesn't align with the rest of the trike.

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The paintdots collection of totes and pen cases allows individuals to decorate their product with the included markers based on dot-color instructions generated from an image uploaded to the paintdots Simulator program. The tote has three pockets on the exterior and there are two sizes of pen cases available.