August 2009 Notable Toys — Educational

Players will need to know more than their ABCs to play Electronic A to Z Jr. In fact, they'll need to be pretty quick with the entire alphabet, including those pesky XYZs. Players have 30 seconds to list as many different answers for a specific category as possible. Each answer must begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Players turn off letters on the electronic board for each correct answer. The first one to turn off all the letters on their board wins. It includes an electronic game board, A to Z Jr. category cards, and instructions. Launch date: June 2008.

The Gisela doll and book set is based on one of the daughters of Charlemagne, designed to teach young girls about the lives of young girls during the medieval period. The soft-bodied and vinyl doll is dressed for historical accuracy. Launch date: March 2008.

Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book contains an array of puzzles, mazes, Q&A's, and activities specifically designed to entertain and educate children on the merits of being environmentally green. The book can be carried anywhere and contains quizzes and challenges created to keep kids occupied for hours. The Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book is part of a larger selection of Eco Snoopers stationery and backpack products. Launch date: May 2009.

This two-sided Dry Erase Paddle Board has one lined side and one blank side. It comes with an EZ pen and storage for the pen right in the handle. The durable, lightweight paddles may be used by both young students and adults. They are sold in a four-pack reusable mesh tote with an activity booklet and four extra dry erase markers/erasers. The boards can be cleaned with soap and water. Launch date: July 2009.

Qubits is a simple plastic toy that can be built up using a distinct, patented modular geometry. It is designed to quickly capture the imagination of those who might have visions of becoming architects, engineers, scientists or even nanotech designers. The pieces are flexible to allow for curved creations. The Jumbo Kit comes with 330 pieces. 120 flexible Qubits, 150 connectors and 60 bridges. Molded with high quality plastic featuring bendable pieces that allow curved shapes. Launch date: June 2009.

This great little kit is not only simple to assemble, but practical too. Every kid needs a pouch to keep his or her “treasures!” Corps of Re-Discovery Coin Pouch Kits include soft pre-punched leather with snap, plastic lace and illustrated instructions. The finished coin pouch is 4" x 3", perfect for holding your child's "loot!" Assorted earth tone colors.

Because pioneers and colonists had limited materials, they were happy to find ways for their children to play. Iroquois Indians taught early American children to make cornhusk dolls. These Cornhusk Doll kits from Corps of Re-Discovery include everything you need to make and dress your own cornhusk doll. This is a great craft activity for children of all ages. The dolls also make unique and lively decorations. While the Cornhusk Girl Doll Kits are most popular, the Cornhusk Boy Doll Kits encourage multiple purchases. Fabric selections vary.

Writing with a quill pen holds a special authenticity and uniqueness for historical re-enactors and romantics! Many children are excited to write like the early Americans and artists prefer the variations they can achieve with the flexible tip! Your customers will have fun making and using Corps of Re-Discovery’s Quill Pen. This kit includes two sanitized goose flight feathers, non-toxic ink powder, an ink jar, plus two recipes to make ink at home.

About 9" in diameter, this colorful ball features outer sections that name the colors represented. It unzips and unties to reveal various activities inside, including the ABCs and 123s with a mirror, ties, a button and elements that crinkle and squeak.

This gonto bag features Camouflage 100% cotton fabric lined with grey nylon an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and orange thread detailing. Handle strap on side. Two outside pockets and one deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity filled day. Pack with change of clothes and shoes or swim trunks, towel and snorkel gear for a day at the pool/beach. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Red 100% cotton fabric lined with grey nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion and detailed with black thread. Handle strap on the side. Two outside pockets and one deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity filled day. Pack with change of clothes and shoes or swim trunks, towel and snorkel gear for a day at the pool/beach. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Green Corduroy cotton/nylon fabric lined with orange nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and detailed with blue thread. Handle trap on side. Two outside pockets, deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for and activity-filled day. Pack games and books for car trips. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Grey Corduroy cotton/nylon lined with orange poly/nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and detailed with yellow thread. Handle strap on side. Two outside pockets and one deep pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity-filled day. Pack games and books for car trips. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

Children can get into the holiday spirit with this festive Santa Scribble Mat. This durable, washable vinyl placemat is designed to provide hours of fun and creativity. It comes with four non-toxic crayons and may be used at meal time, school, home, restaurants, or for travel and kids on the go. "Our signature surface wipes clean with a dry cloth. Children can color over and over," Andi Thea, COTS of Scribble Mats!, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2003.

These nature-themed, gender-neutral wall cards are numbered one through 10. The images are made using recycled paper. The cards are designed to be educational, stylish and environmental from start to finish, using only 100-percent recycled materials and soy ink for the product and packaging. "Wall cards are known as an economical alternative to expensive wall art, which makes them the perfect product for families on a budget. And their versatility allows them to be individually framed, or simply tacked up to the wall!" Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Museumline Pteranodon Sternbergi is made of a non-PVC material called synthetic rubber. It is handpainted, made to 1:30 scale, and produced to the company's high standards of design and safety in Germany. Each piece comes with a ring screwed into the creature's back, so it can be hung on a thread to "fly." The tag contains information about Pteranodon Sternbergi and his pre-historic environment. The fish in its mouth is detachable. "Museumline Pteranodon Sternbergi's design has been created in cooperation with and approved by the National Museum for Natural History "Museum am Lowentor" in Stuttgart, Germany," Rico Fabbroni, director of sales for Bullyland Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2002.

This “run bike” or “balance bike,” which is pedal free and without training wheels, is designed to help a child develop balance and motor skills necessary to later ride a two-wheel bicycle with pedals. Smart Balance Bikes work to develop a child’s balance and coordination by simply allowing the child to sit and walk or run with the bike by pushing with his or her feet. If the bike starts to fall, kids instinctively regain balance using their feet. Once they’ve gained some momentum and balance control, they can lift their feet up as they feel comfortable and start cruising. Smart Balance Bikes are made from birch wood from a replenishable source, with real inflatable rubber tires, handle bar grips, an adjustable, cushioned leatherette seat to grow with the child, and a distinctive carry handle incorporated into the bike's body. The construction uses formaldehyde-free lacquer and non-toxic paints, and the carton is made from recycled paper with water-based ink. Launch date: September 2008.
— In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Balance Bikes from Smart Gear were one of her best selling ride-on toys.

Babies can learn sorting, matching and association skills. Looking through the blocks, children will see the world in different colors. The Wonderworld Rainbow Sound Blocks are comprised of wood and transparent multi-colored plastic, and filled with rattling beads that produce different tones when shaken. "Wonderworld, as a strong advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-wood that is of replenishable source[s]... Wonderworld strictly uses only non-toxic color and laquer constituent for all our products," Jason Cohen, president of Smart Gear, told TDmonthly. This product received a National Parenting Publications Award. Launch date: September 2007.

"Thumbuddy To Love" is an illustrated story book that comes with a thumb puppet to help children stop thumb sucking. Fireman Fred (for boys) matches the character in the book. A calendar at the end of the book allows kids to mark off the days they do not suck their thumb. "Thumbuddy To Love is a positive teaching tool for kids to help them break the thumb-sucking habit," Andrea, president of Thumbuddy To Love, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. This product received a 2009 Mom's Choice Award.

This kit is designed to help parents teach kids about money — specifically saving, spending and sharing. It comes with a lesson plan, a book about how people approach money differently, a game to encourage money talk, and a Moonjar Moneybox to promote goal setting and budgeting. "This kit is designed to break open the money conversation at home and to help parents find staightforward, fun and meaningful ways to help the children sustain smart saving, spending and sharing for a lifetime," Mary Ryan Karges, vice president of Moonjar LLC, told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: 2009 Creative Child Seal of Excellence, Oppenheim Best Toy, Teachers Choice Award, IP award, and Global Learning Initiative award. Launch date: June 12, 2009.

This lively and colorful book features rhyming text that shares facts about lesser-known animals in a humorous way. It is written by Maxine Rose Schur and illustrated by Michael S. Maydak. It is also available in hard cover (MSRP: $16.95).

This 32-page hardcover explains why humans wear clothing and certain gear that animals don't have to, thanks to special adaptations that help them survive rain and more. Launch date: 2009.

This 32-page hardcover is an interactive book designed to help kids understand their own surroundings and get a glimpse of the world while learning basic mapping concepts. It is written and illustrated by Scot Ritchie. Launch date: 2009.

This 5-7" plush doll represents the Influenza A virus H1N1 in an oblong pink shape covered with pink fur and adorned with big red eyes and a pig snout. It is part of a line of educational stuffed "animals" that look like mini microbes. The GIANTmicrobes series turns creepy crawly microscopic organisms into irresistible stuffed toys. Launch date: June 2009.
— Online Reviews: Minnesota Mamas’ Sarah found GiantMicrobes “a fun way to teach your kids about germs and how to stay healthy as well as why they are ill.” The Mom Buzz thought the plush can help kids develop healthy habits, like washing their hands, as well as alleviating fear of medical procedures.