August 2009 Notable Toys — General Toys

This stack and play puzzle set includes 5 levels of storage and 51 detailed barn yard animal figures and accessories. Plus bonus download of the story of old McDonald's Farm and interactive games.

This stack and play puzzle set includes 5 levels of storage and 41 detailed vehicles and accessories. You can use the multi-purpose monster truck as a play environment, shape sorter, puzzle and storage case. Plus bonus download of the story of Tommy the Truck and interactive games.

Submerge an Aqua Cannon just beneath the surface of a pool or lake. Then, grasping the two cutout handles, give it a quick pull backwards and out shoots a 1”-diameter geyser of water as far as 30 feet! You can splash unsuspecting sunbathers with a torrent of water, or try to hit other swimmers in mock battles. Or create contests to see who can shoot water the furthest, highest or most accurately. And never worry about breaking it; it’s practically indestructible and has no moving parts. Winner of a prestigious Dr. Toy Award. Comes in assorted colors.

— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010 that his store sells about 12 Pump Rockets a month.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 retailers named the Pump Rocket a top-selling gift for boys.

The Pop 'n Catch™ is excellent for improving eye-hand coordination. Place the ping pong like ball into the basket, pull the trigger, and watch as the ball catapults out like a cannonball. One person can fire it straight up and then try to scoop it up with the basket. Two people can aim the launchers toward each other and play catch. Made of long-lasting, non-marking polymers. Includes one ball and two launchers.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, the Fishing for TAGGIES play set includes three rattling fish, a soft pond with a large mirrored bottom, and a soft fishing pole with a jumbo hook-n-loop hook for easy fish-catching fun. The base mirror encourages self-recognition and makes a game of fill-and-spill play extra engaging. Featuring the TAGGIES vibrant colored materials and ribbons, this distinctively textured game is designed to stimulate baby’s senses. Launch date: 2009.

Parents can keep babies entertained and protected from the sun as they ride in the car with the Monkey Tunes Window Shade. A funny monkey spins around as the music plays and lights blink. Even when driving, Mom or Dad can control the monkey’s actions with a remote control that attaches to the car's visor. The shade attaches with strong suction cups and plays a variety of different songs. It is suitable for ages 3 months and up. "[The] detachable mobile allows parents to control the level of stimulation. When in the car, mom or dad can use the visor remote to control lights and sounds if baby begins to be fussy," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Baby Activity Birdhouse includes five sides of fun. Each side features a new activity, including find the owl, peek-a-boo birdie, slide-along bugs, put-and-take pocket bird, and a mirror on the bottom. The birdhouse chimes as it swings from the included link. "This easy to take-along toy is truly packed with baby-exploration, including seven activities total," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Healthy eating can be child’s play...even for picky eaters! Once engaged in an entertaining meal, children won't notice that they are actually eating healthy food. Kids spin the spinner and eat food from the designated section of the plate where the spinner lands. The matching mug completes this gift set that will have children Playing with their Food (and eating it, too). Dining set includes: Plate, Mug, Spinner. Plate and mug are made of melamine. Not for use in the microwave. Dishwasher safe.  Available themes include Fairy Princess, Dinosaur, Transportation and Farm Animals.

Chuckle Buddies are motion-activated rolling and laughing plush friends. Once activated, the Chuckle Buddy will roll around from side to side three or four times, filling the room with an hysterical, contagious laughter. Once he stops moving, an individual simply waves a hand in front of the sensor located directly above the eyes to reactivate. There's an on/off switch located on battery compartment. The product required 3 AA batteries (not included). A Dog, Monkey and Cat are currently available, and other styles are in development. Launch date: February 2009.

Everyone takes turns to roll the die to see how many chomps the pig will take. Players push down the pig's head to chomp the burger. With every pump, the pig's stomach gets bigger, bigger and bigger. When he pops on a player's turn, that person loses the game. Launch date: July 2009.

Players take turns placing their tiles in the correct sequence, racing to get rid of them in this fast-moving game. The game can have unexpected turns as special tiles let players change direction, give tiles to opponents, skip opponents, or play wild cards. The game includes 106 high-quality tiles and four holding racks. Launch date: 2008.

Tayu is named after the legendary Chinese hero who saved his country from flooding by creating a series of waterways. In the game, each player trys to create as many water channels from one side of the board to the other, while at the same time blocking his competitor. Twists and turns are the norm in this fast-packed strategy game. "Choosy, quality toy-store owners agree that this game is of the highest quality and provides the most fun for the money," Jodi Swindle, operations manager for Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Players place the Bloqs to try to surround unused squares on the board, and the player who can isolate the most of these squares wins. All of the playing pieces in the game are the same but can be played in many different ways to create space to win. Launch date: 2008.

This game was designed to transform checkers into a game of cunning and luck where kids can beat their parents. On each turn, players spin to see if they either move, or open and close trap doors. If a checker is on one of the trap doors, it might fall through. Trapdoor Checkers features "quality components that stand the test of time," Jodi Swindle, operations manager at Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. This game earned a 2009 Major Fun Award.

This backpack looks like and is shaped like a front-loader digger. Unzipped, it becomes a construction zone. But when play is done, the Playscape™ becomes a backpack in a zip, capturing the toys inside for easy cleanup. It includes two die-cast construction vehicles. Launch date: 2009.

ZipBin® Trucker is shaped like and looks like a long-haul truck. It’s designed as a creative way for kids to store and carry their trucks and cars. Unzipped, it reveals a side-by-side racetrack. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. The set includes die-cast cars and is sized for travel. Launch date: 2009.

We at Daydream believe that anything can be child's play. Once engaged in an entertaining meal, children won't notice that they are actually eating very healthy food. Kids spin the spinner and eat food from wherever the spinner lands. The matching mug completes this innovative gift set that will have grandparents, parents and children all Playing with their Food (and eating it, too)!

Includes: Plate (game board), Mug, Spinner. Plate and mug are made of melamine; not for use in the microwave; dishwasher safe.

Draw a line and the vehicle will follow! It is more than just a race set; it’s a craft activity that encourages children to be creative allowing for many ways to play. With the official Doodle Track marker and the included play mat, the Doodle Track car will follow a continuous line drawn on the mat by the marker. The Doodle Track car also comes with colorful, stick-on decals for customization. Set includes: Doodle Track Car, Washable Marker, Stick-On Decals, Playmat Track and Instructions.

Other Videos:
Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats

On the road, in the air or anywhere, kids can have fun with Minis! Perfect on their own or for use with the full-sized cushions. Set includes 6 square 8" cushions and 4 triangle cushions plus a sun and moon decoration all packaged in a handy travel backpack.

Unzipped, ZipBIn Mini Zoo becomes an animal habitat, complete with zoo animals. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set is sized for travel. Launch date: 2009.

Unzipped, ZipBIn Mini Aquarium becomes a reef habitat, complete with a sea creature. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set is sized for travel. Launch date: 2009.

Unzipped, the ZipBIn Mini Mansion becomes a fashion doll paradise, where dolls can sleep, cook, entertain, dance, or throw a garden party by the pool. Storage pockets are built in for doll accessories such as clothes and shoes. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes a mini doll and is sized for travel. "We make it fun to be neat!" Dee Farrell, VP of sales for Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Designed for use with traditional drum sets or with drum console gaming systems, Rock Stix LED drumsticks pulse with every beat. The user taps the Rock Stix to activate the ultra-bright LED, which illuminates the entire stick. Batteries are included and replaceable. The Stix are constructed with Lexan professional-grade plastic for superior durability and optical clarity. There are no switches, wires or controls, and the product is available with red, blue or rainbow LEDs. The packaging features a "try me" option so customers can see the functionality of the product and the LED brightness and color before they buy. Launch date: July 2009.