September 2009 Notable Toys — All

These sturdy backpacks are constructed with nylon made entirely from recycled plastic water bottles and are trimmed with naturally biodegradable canvas. Each pack removes four, 16-oz. plastic bottles from the environment. The large interior space contains a smaller zipped pocket, and the back panel and straps are padded. The backpack is sized for children ages 2 to 5. It "helps your child do something to help the environment while carrying around his or her favorite toys," Claire Theobald, partner at Dante Beatrix, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Inhabited by the creatures of Maakun Forest, these little packs are designed to hold everything a tot needs for a busy day. Constructed from durable nylon and laminated canvas to make them extra easy to clean, they feature roomy interior space with a smaller zipped pocket. There's a padded back panel with a name tag and padded shoulder straps. The backpacks are sized for kids ages 2 to 5. Launch date: June 15, 2009.

Created for use year-round, these 100-percent edible teeth are ideal for parties, give-outs or everyday fun. "We are the original edible candy teeth," Colin Leier, manager of Triple Alliance LLC dba Bubbagum, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2007.

This kit comes with 450 self-locking paper links. There's no need for tape or glue. Launch date: 2009.

This spider is made of shiny velvet with polyester fiber stuffing. Different sizes are available. Launch date: August 2009.

This ready-to-fly mini helicopter measures 10.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 8 cm and can travel up, down, left or right. It requires 15 to 25 minutes of charge time for 6 to 8 minutes of flying time. It comes with a 3.7 Li-polymer battery and requires a transmitter battery (6*AA 1.5V - not included). Launch date: August 10, 2009.

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.

These clips are designed to keep mittens safely attached to jackets, and come in a set that includes mittens and a coordinating hat with a soft strap that keeps it in place. The sets are available in various colors. Launch date: 2009.

This hat and scarf in one can be worn tied in the front or back, or with the tie over the shoulder. It is reversible to coordinates with even more jackets. Launch date: July 2009.

This product features programming, saving, editing and downloading capabilities via desktop or laptop USB port. It is compatible for both the Robotic Arm Trainer (OWI-007) and the WAO Kranius (OWI-9762). Launch date: April 2008.

This standing 14" bear wears a velour hoodie embroidered with the team name and logo. The bear's color is the NFL team's primary color and the hoodie is the team's accent color. It is available for all NFL teams. Launch date: December 2008.

With the USB Interface Kit, robot lovers can connect the Robotic Arm Edge to a PC and have real-time manual control of the robotic arm and program the arm to perform a sequence of movements — just like an actual robot on an assembly line. The kit comes complete with a CD, a printed circuit board, a USB cable and accessories, and a detailed instruction manual. Launch date: April 2009.

OWI’s aluminum, non-venomous invertebrate building kit features a Scorpion to be assembled from metal and bendable aluminum parts. The Samurai Scorpion is comprised of two major parts: head and body. The head consists of a pair of eyes, mouth and claws used to capture prey. The body contains eight legs, tail and a curved aculeus (stinger). The kit contains 30 hard and soft pre-punched aluminum parts, seven screws, seven nuts, three springs and assembly tools. Its claws, arms, legs and tail are moveable. Launch date: April 2008.

OWI’s aluminum insect building kit features a praying mantis insect that the owner assembles from metal and bendable aluminum parts. The average size of the scientifically named “stagmomantis carolina” is 3" to 4" in length. Mega Mantis is twice this size, hence its name. Kids can hold it, bend it, and even move its legs, wings, head and fore legs. The kit contains 25 hard and soft pre-punched aluminum parts, seven screws, seven nuts, four metal springs and assembly tools. Launch date: April 2008.

This "I Love Lucy" doll was made to resemble Lucille Ball when she was a baby and to serve as a memory of Lucy's famous TV episode (No. 30) when she did a commercial to promote a tonic called Vitameatavegamin. It is available in limited quantity. Launch date: September 30, 2009.

Attacking Inch worm has orange, spiky limbs to ward off any predator who seeks to challenge it as a delectable delight. Its initial defensive mechanism may fool intruders for a moment, but still requires a way to heed out of harm’s way. The sun’s rays power this mini solar kit to slither along to safety. The mechanical movements are designed to simulate the movements of its soft-bodied derivative. Because its home is above ground, Attacking Inch Worm has a hard plastic body to protect itself. No batteries or tools are required, and there are less than 50 parts to assemble. Launch date: April 2007.

Fifty years ago, Billboard launched a revolutionary music chart called the Hot 100. Billboard's Hot 100 Trivia Game captures 50 years of music facts, designed to appeal to both passionate and casual music lovers. Played in a fast-paced team format, Billboard's Hot 100 Trvia Game creates a party atmosphere. It has 2,880 questions in four categories: Who Sang It?, Finish The Lyrics, Who Am I?, and Grab Bag. Launch date: March 15, 2009.

This little green amphibian friend leaps with a joyful sense of freedom using its hind legs and rubber feet. Happy Hopping Frog jiggles its eyes as a dog would wag its tail, acknowledging its love and appreciation to its owner. The tailless, leaping mini solar kit is activated by the power of the sun’s rays; no batteries are required. Happy Hopping Frog is designed for easy assembly with approximately 25 parts, and demonstrates alternative energy principles. Launch date: April 2007.

Powered by the sun's rays, this alternative-energy toy car requires no batteries or tools, and contains less than a dozen parts to assemble. Launch date: April 2007.

Methodically, eight legs work in harmony to create a ballet style “tippy-toe” movement. Similar to its cousin from Alaska, the Walking King Crab scurries along to safe passage when powered by the sun's rays. Walking King Crab is powered with a mini solar cell (included) and demonstrates alternative energy principles. No batteries or tools are required; there are 35 parts to assemble. "Because of its entry-level price point, retailers will grow fond of its movements; both off the shelf and after assembly. If a make-it and take-it type product is what you are looking for, this hands-on terrestrial tantalizer will make you the local hero," Craig Morioka, president of OWI Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007.

This song CD for ages 2-7 contains the following cute and lively original and tradition songs by veteran children’s singer songwriter Mark Beckwith: Oooh Mud, What’s Your Favorite Color?, I’m So Hungry, Say Hello, Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (and Tail), Dad’s Ride to School, Toucans in Papaya Tree, Wonder What My Kitty is trying to Tell Me?, Making Our Garden Grow, Singing the ABCs, Pots and Pans, Cleanup Time, Days of the Week and How I Wonder.

For ages 3-8, The Word Wits features the funny and friendly live action characters Joni, Obediah, Tuba, Mark & Puey (a zany pig puppet), who demonstrate the definitions of word through songs and skits.

Take a jazzy trip through an elementary school with The Playdate Kids as they share tissues with classmates and teachers, encouraging everyone to blow it out! Use that tissue and blow it out! Sheet music and CD included.