August 2009 Notable Toys — General Toys

These jumping balls come in either 18" or 22" sizes. Colors include pink, blue, red and yellow and the balls can come with single or double grips. Launch date: 2009.

For little linebackers who can’t wait to hit the fields, the nine-piece Touchdown Football Set includes a kid-sized football with “laces” for proper holding technique, an adjustable goal post and a kicking tee. "This play set encourages outdoor, active play for children. It also develops hand-eye (foot-eye) coordination," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

The iPlay Six Pin Bowling Set includes flat-bottomed pins and a weighted foam ball for indoor or outdoor play. The set comes stored in a study zippered bag for both portability and storage. "Weighted pins allow for easier set up. Children love this age-old game for indoor and outdoor play, featuring parts in fun and stimulating colors," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

Each Splat Attack display comes with 12 splat balls in six styles: Egg, Tomato, Gold Pig, Green Pig, Purple Pig and Orange Pig. Kids can throw them on the ground to see them splat and morph back into their original shape. In addition to the six styles, the company can create customized Splat Attack to feature licensed products or specifications. Launch date: August 2009.

This kit contains everything needle to make two cute stuffed owls, right down to the stuffing, scissors and needle. The owl pattern is printed onto unbleached cotton fabric, making it easy to cut out and simple to sew together the owls. The box is printed on the inside to cut it out and recycle it into glasses for your owl. Launch date: January 2, 2009.

These natural colored piggy banks are handmade fair trade in a small artisan community called Quinea, in the province of Huamanga in Peru's central highland department of Ayacucho. Some designs are available in large, medium and small, and each bank has a cork stopper. Launch date: April 15, 2008.

The cotton outer body of this fair-trade, artisan-made animal is filled with acrylic and rice, so the pet may be used as a heating pad after placed in the microwave for a very short period of time. Velcro on the bottom of the animal enables washing of the cotton body and acrylic inside. The uncooked rice is separate, in a bag. Caution: When heating, please carefully check the temperature prior to giving it to a child. Launch date: May 20, 2007.

These reusable building sticks are made from colored string coated with a special wax. Flexible Bendaroos building sticks are designed to adhere to virtually every household surface, and are easily removed to be used again and again. "Bendaroos' durability sets it apart from competitors. Bendaroos reusable materials allow kids to play for hours. Also, since Bendaroos do not break or wear, parents need not worry about buying replacement sets," Lindsay Durr, account coordinator at 360 Public Relations, told TDmonthly on behalf of Bendaroos. Launch date: August 2009. This product received a 2009 Outstanding Product iParenting Media Award.

This stack and play puzzle set includes 9 levels of storage and 75 detailed figures and accessories stored inside. Plus bonus download of the story of Princess Olivia and interactive games.

This interchangeable charm features a full-color image and a round clasp. Full length including clasp is 1.5". Launch date: March 2004.

The collection includes a complete set of gingerbread characters: Cookie Formal Boy, Cookie Cinamon Girl, Cookie Softy Snowmank, Cookie Boy and Cookie Reindeer. They are 8" with colorful holiday buttons and edging, ideal for gifts, decor or play. "Douglas toys are distinctive in design and quality. There is visual appeal as well as true quality workmanship and safety consciousness," Erika Radich, marketing manager for Douglas Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 20, 2009.

This distinctive bank has a patented, four-chambered design created to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills (Fiscal Fitness Training for Money - Smart Kids™) by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in brown with white stripes and laces. The Money Savvy Football Bank received a 2008 NAPPA Gold Award and a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: December 2006.

A cousin to the award-winning Money Savvy Pig® piggy bank, this four-chambered bank is designed to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in clear with black cow spots. "Its unique four-chambered design allows children to deposit their money through four separate slots on the top of the bank — one slot for each money choice — and empty each money chamber individually through the feet on the bank," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Gold Award and 2008 NAPPA Gold Award (National Parenting Publications Awards). Launch date: November 2004.

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.

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.

AAA Closeout Liquidators offers assortments of licensed and name brand closeout toys in factory cases, including toys from Hasbro, Mattel, Kenner, Tyco, Playskool, Toy Biz, Little Tykes, Lego, Milton Bradley and Fisher-Price. Minimum orders are $4,995 per shipment.

Fairies and elves can take a ride in this delicate-looking petal boat edged with floral decoration and a robust sail. Launch date: September 2009.

The Money Savvy Pig® is a four-chambered bank designed to help kids and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It is designed to help teach basic money skills by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. "Its unique four-chambered design allows children to deposit their money through four separate slots on the top of the bank — one slot for each money choice — and empty each money chamber individually through the feet on the bank," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly. It is available in six colors.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award; 2002 Parents' Choice Gold Award; 2008 National Parenting Publications Gold Award; 2008 Preferred Choice Creative Toy Award; and 2008 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 2002.
— As of 05/12/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 34 customer reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Three customers reported that the bank broke when they dropped it.
— The Money Savvy Pig is a traditional piggy bank on steroids. Instead of holding a child’s money in a single chamber, it utilizes four,  labeled save, spend, donate and invest. Reviewers found that it works well with an allowance system. Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar explains that even if children cannot completely understand the concepts behind the Money Savvy Pig, it can make it “so that saving seems like a completely natural thing.” See also 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires.

Inspired by the legendary genius Da Vinci, the product is a Code Machine that stretches players' imaginative and logical mind. It is a beautiful fusion of a Word game and a Logic game. Its interactive game-play makes it a great piece for friends and family pastimes. The difficulty levels are controlled by players so it is also a nice adult-child educational toy.