October 2009 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Dress up as your own classic princess with the My Princess Academy pink satin and tulle diamond sequin dress up dress. This dress has a high scoop neck and a tea length skirt. Dress slips on easily with stretch material for easy wear. Dress is available in: 3 / 4, 5 / 6 and 7 / 8.

Dress up as your own princess with the My Princess Academy pink satin and tulle diamond glitter dress up skirt and wings. This skirt has a diamond gold glitter pattern with pink tulle leaves layered on top. Skirt slips on easily over clothes with stretch material and elastic waist for easy wear. The wings have a glittery diamond pattern and elastic straps that easily stretch over your shoulders.

Princesses will be enchanted with the 12” heart shaped rainbow light up wand with a magical charm sound. Light and sound operate with a heart shaped button. Batteries included.

The Papo Lioness with cub is created with detail and designed to authentically display how lionesses really carry around their cubs. "[The] Papo wildlife series is easily the best-quality figure for the price," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2006.

Kids can blast off on a cosmic journey in the Playhut X9 Rocket play structure, which is comprised of a large, shuttle-shaped play hut and two 20” tunnels. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, and EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009.

The Disney Princess Adventure Hut is designed to be a magical getaway for any little princess. This versatile play tent is comprised of a large play hut and 4’ tunnel. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, mesh windows for peek-through entertainment, a flap door entrance for easy accessibility, and bright, bold Disney Princess graphics. EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009.

It's the kit that gets you going (ages 6+)  The Shailie™ Starter includes one life size pink and white polka dot dress form, a must for any aspiring fashion designer.  The Starter also includes the Base top and skirt so you can easily attach and detach all of your Shailie™ dress pieces and accessories, a Starter dress - in 9 pieces, and a Shailie™ Closet for storage.

The hood of this Frankenstein costume for babies features a forehead scar, bolts, felt hair and a heightened head — to store all those brains. The poly/cotton blend jacket and pants have jagged edges, and the pants have an elastic waist. "Our costumes are easy to wear for the children and for parents to dress! Adorable, fun, exciting and unusual costume characters are well made so that younger siblings will be able to wear them also," Eugenie Torres, designer for Mullins Square, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2009.

The traditional dress from China is simple and elegant, made from silken brocade with butterflies, which are a symbol of joy and summer in China. It has silk loop buttons in soft purple to complement the butterflies. It fits 18" and 21" dolls. "Our products are unique in their ability to expose children to different cultures through pretend play," Leah Wheelan, director of Little Bridges, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

This silver and pink tiara is trimmed with marabou feathers and embellished with pink gemstones. "This tiara is our unique design and it's sold only in the specialty toy market," Veesha Knight, sales and marketing manager for Creative Education of Canada, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Kids Crooked House can customize a playhouse specifically to the interests or needs of a child. Custom-designed playhouses are handcrafted and built to individual requirements. Parents can turn to the company's existing designs for inspiration or ask their kids (or inner kid) to describe their dream playhouse. Launch date: June 2009.

Kids can learn about healthy food choices by running their own market stall filled with wooden fruits and vegetables. Produce sold separately.

This durable metal shopping cart looks just like those in real stores. Sturdy metal construction includes pivoting front wheels, a folding doll seat and protective corner bumpers to navigate the aisles in style and safety. It measures 18.5" x 13.5" x 22.5" assembled. Contains small parts. Adult assembly required. Launch date: 2009.
— These carts are best sellers at Learning Resources Toy Magic in Fort Walton, Fla. "There are between 25 and 35 on hold for Christmas," Owner Mark Pattison told TDmonthly in late October 2009.
— Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said in fall 2009 that his store sells about 60 of these shopping carts per month.

This set comes with a hooded zipper jacket, sweats with tie string, and a loose long sleeve striped shirt. For dressing up 18" dolls.

This set comes with a tartan patterned skirt and a white tee for the top and is for dressing up 18" dolls.