August 2009 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

The Radio Flyer Push, Pull & Ride offers three interchangeable modes: stroller, ride-on and pull wagon. The large, easily removable bucket encourages children to build cognitive skills by loading and unloading objects, while the free-rolling wheels permit easy forward and backward motion and encourage active play. Toddlers can push their favorite toy in the stroller mode, scoot across the floor on the back in foot-to-floor mode, or pull their favorite treasures in wagon mode. It is a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval winner. Launch date: July 2009.

This custom-designed, toddler-sized backpack is fully lined, machine washable, and contains a mix of toys designed to keep toddlers entertained. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

The 6” Busy Block has a chubby handle for little ones to hold as they explore the tug and teethe tags and Dandelion’s playful Swirly Stitches pattern. The soft textures, peek-a-boo crinkle flap and chime sound exist to enchant baby while developing fine motor and sensory skills. The Busy Block is made with organic cotton terrycloth, canvas, velour and waffle weave, and filled with soft corn fibers. It is machine washable. Launch date: September 2008.

The Bamboo LullaBag is a sleep bag that is specifically designed to help babies sleep through the night. With the Bamboo LullaBag, baby stays at a constant comfortable temperature, which greatly improves the quality and duration of baby’s sleep. Since the Bamboo LullaBag promotes back sleep and replaces loose bedding, it is designed as a safer way to put baby to sleep that reduces certain risk factors associated with SIDS. "The patented Bamboo LullaBag has a continuous dual-headed zipper that begins at the neckline and curves along the entire side and bottom of the bag. This unique two-way zipper allows parents to open the bag partially or completely in either direction, making overall use and late-night diaper and clothing changes very easy," Emily Chae, marketing associate for Cloud B, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 PTPA Seal of Approval. Launch date: July 2009.

The Kangaroo Zak facilitates skin-to-skin contact and is designed to assure safety and comfort of parents and baby (baby will not fall and lines will stay put), maximize the area of contact between the baby and the adult, assures proper positioning, provide containment and sense of security, allow mom or dad to kangaroo "hands free" to read a book or and even fall asleep while kangarooing. It is created to support and complement all the benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care (constant natural temperature, breathing, stable blood pressure, increase of the mother's milk supply) and is made so that moms and dads can hold their babies safely and for longer periods of time. Kangaroo Zak is adjustable and each fits three sizes. It also gives moms coverage so they are not "exposed" when holding their babies. "Kangaroo Zak helps parents show how much they love their babies and it provides a nice and safe transition between womb and world," Yamile Jackson, president and founder of Zakeez, Inc., told TDmonthly. Zakeez received a 2009 Outstanding Women-Owned Business of the Year Award (Small Business Administration - SCORE Foundation). Launch date: September 13, 2009.

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Elephant Buddy features large ears and trunk, characteristic of the typical elephant. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

Tellerpuppe, with blonde hair tied in a pair of ponytails, wears a bright red dress with white polkadots, matching red shoes and cap. Soft and warm, 15" Waldorf dolls are exactly the right size and type of doll friend for a kindergartener. Their sheep wool stuffed cloth bodies make them feel like no other doll.

This Waldorf carries a large dandelion flower while her hair and outfit provide an earthly tone. Soft and warm, 15" Waldorf dolls are exactly the right size and type of doll friend for a kindergartener. Their sheep wool stuffed cloth bodies make them feel like no other doll.

The Rhoost Sling Hub is a chic and simple way to keep cute and curious hands out of off-limit cabinets. Innovative design is easy on parents and big on protection. Features screw-and adhesive-free installation.

A modern take on a classic product, the Rhoost Edge Om turns sharp edges into furniture fashion statements, keeping your little ones safe, your tables unharmed and your personal style intact. Features screw-and adhesive-free installation.

Mopley is a 12” curly white plush lamb with corduroy face and legs and zig-zag top stitching.

 Saba is not only an adorable snail, but also a comfy pillow and super-soft blanket all in one. Perfect for road excursions or just cuddling in bed. Suishy Saba also makes a perfect baby shower gift. Launch date: 2009.

Bound to become a child's best friend, Lilly is not only an adorable ladybug, but also a comfy pillow and super-soft blanket all in one. She's perfect for road excursions or just cuddling in bed. Lilly also makes a a great baby shower gift. Launch date: 2009.

This award-winning preschool toy / electronic learning aid is designed as an interactive experience that grows with children as they develop at their own pace. It comes with an interactive keyboard, "First Steps" beginner software, a USB cable and a parents' guide. The multilingual toy switches among 20 different languages for games and activities. Additional software is sold separately; for 2009, there are 12 software titles available. The keyboard is specially designed for small children.

Look & Learn baby dolls feature contrasting colors and patterns, and sound to encourage exploration and early development. Their designed is based on research showing that next to mom and dad, babies love to look at high-contrast images like black on white patterns, especially faces. Each doll also comes on a “hang and hold” ring for play on the go. Launch date: September 1, 2009.

Galloping Minds Numbers, Shapes and Colors Flash Cards offer a way to teach and reinforce numbers, counting, shapes and color recognition for preschoolers. The flash cards have photographs and illustrations that offer an exciting and interactive way to acquire preschool skills. Each Flash Card is post-card size, has excellent quality photography, and is laminated to prevent damage from little fingers. Launch date: June 2009.

This butterfly character design toy comes in a book style with each page of the butterfly wings featuring a different activity. Children can explore all the activities as the butterfly head lights up. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

These “stick-in-place” toilet seat covers protect children (and the whole family) from germs on public toilet seats. They are designed to stay on seats with adhesive strips, creating a reliable barrier between little bottoms and big germs. A soft and absorbent top exists for comfort, and a plastic liner underneath eliminates wet seats from soaking through. Resealable, zip-close travel packs with 10 covers fit conveniently in a diaper bag. Launch date: April 2009.

The Table Topper disposable “stick-in-place” placemats with adhesive strips are designed to protect baby from germs on restaurant tables. The designs aim to keep baby occupied so everyone else can eat, too. The product comes in resealable, zip-close travel packs with 18 mats that each fit conveniently into a diaper bag. Launch date: April 2009.

The Safe Sizer, a colorful child’s plate with a distinctive safety feature, is designed to help parents reduce the risk of their young child choking on food. It incorporates a half-inch diameter raised ring that reminds parents and caregivers of the recommended maximum bite size for kids under 4 who are eating solid foods, and helps them measure it properly. Launch date: 2009.

The Soft Caterpillar in the Taggies Colours from Mary Meyer collection features Taggies patented looped ribbon tags that babies can explore and rub. The caterpillar is soft and easy for little hands to grasp and hold. Launch date: February 2009.

The Guardian Angel Bracelet is a secure lock bracelet that can be easily adjusted to fit children of all ages. The bracelet includes a space for parents or caregivers to write the cell phone number of the child’s caregiver. They can teach their children that if they get lost or separated from their group, they should find a mommy and ask her to call the number on the bracelet. Launch date: June 2009.

Intended for infants, the DreamSwaddle uses a double-wrap system and offers a double-ended zip-up pouch that gives easy access for diaper changing. "The DreamSwaddle is a unique new concept in swaddleing babies; it's every parent's dream — sleeping made easy," Brenda Anderson, president of Bluebird Sales & Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

Momma Couture offers a line of bags created for fashionable, on-the-go Mommas and Poppas and their kids. The fashion-forward bags are designed to meet the style needs of the parents carrying them as well as being functional. Much of the function is provided in the form of insulation that can be found within the bags that allows bottles, sippy cups, snacks and wipes to be kept at the right temperature and moist. The messenger-style City Bag features water- and stain-resistant canvas and nickel hardware, a top zip-closure, a 60" adjustable strap, six interior, elasticized pockets, a key ring hook, an oversized ring on the outside, and a coordinating wristlet and changing pad. All of the bags are 100-percent compliant with CPSIA lead and phthalate regulations. Launch date: March 2009.