October 2012 Notable Toys — General Toys

The super bouncy SpongeBob SquarePants Inflatable Cube for iPad will delight and entertain children of all ages while they play and interact with their iPad. The inflatable cube helps protect the iPad from bumps and damage, safely bringing the wonder of tablet technology to young children while entertaining them with the playful faces of Bikini Bottom's favorite talking sponge. The cube is easily inflated with the included foot pump and features a protective case recessed on a padded side to hold and secure the iPad. Once inflated it can safely be bounced and turned over to use in either an upright tabletop position for playing with Apps like the included SpongeBob's Super Bouncy Fun Time HD game or flipped to its side for enjoying videos and episodes of kid's favorite SpongeBob adventure. Parents can have peace of mind and comfortably watch their child play games, learn and discover magical interactive moments while child proofing and protecting the iPad with the official licensed Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Inflatable Cube for iPad from CTA Digital.

Are you ready kids? Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants! Absorbent and yellow and protective is he! The SpongeBob SquarePants Universal Activity Tray for iPad will delight and entertain children while they play and interact with their iPad. The Activity Tray helps protect the iPad from bumps, spills and damage, safely bringing the wonder of tablet technology to toddlers and young children while entertaining them with the playful images of Bikini Bottom's favorite talking sponge. This unique and universal activity tray can be easily fitted and securely attached to a car seat, stroller or a high chair.

"Mord im Arosa" is a three-dimensional mystery game. The totally new game concept brings a thrilling and tense atmosphere to the gaming table. Somewhere on the eight levels of the hotel tower, two crime victims are found one after another. Any player could be the murderer. However, players cannot see where the tracks of the suspects go - they can only hear it. A unique and smartly arranged interplay of suspicion and forensics guarantees astonishing and mysterious twists and turns: tracks disappear and reappear in other places. A player who is caught too often at the wrong time and place will be found guilty through the burden of proof.

It's time for the final showdown with the Vampyre. He has gathered all 6 moonstones at his castle and is about to cloak the world in darkness forever so that his followers can roam free for the rest of eternity. Will our heroes Dr. Rodney Rathbone and Jack McHammer survive the castle's hidden spikes and traps to disable the moonstone device? Or will the Vampyre's bride and the manbats throw them into the castle dungeon? You decide. Includes 6 minifigures: Rodney Rathbone, Jack McHammer, the Vampyre, the Vampyre's bride and 2 manbats.
— As of 10/26/2012 this product has 4.5 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of pieces (949); detailed minifigures, including some that glow in the dark; lots of details. Cons: Some reviews said this set was not as sturdy as other LEGO building sets.

5" YOOHOO MERMAID ASST. Part of the YooHoo & Friends Wanna Be line, these yoohoo mermaids have colorful fins and tiaras, and play fun sounds when kids sqeeze their bellies.

11" ROXIE'S FRIEND WILLS - MEDIUM features embroidered eyes, super soft plush fabric, and a bow... Meet Wills, Roxie's Friend she met in London.! He shares her exciting lifestyle and loves to travel and have fun adventures.

Kids will have fun even when they're on the go with the Carrying Case Vet Clinic. This easy to take-along case comes with a figure, kitten, puppy, guinea pigs, and accessories to help the vet treat the animals.
— In a July 2013 survey Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., told TDmonthly that toys by Playmbil are one of her store's overall best-sellers.
— In a May 2014 survey Suzi McMullen, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Playmobil was her store's best-selling play set.

Kids will have fun when they are on the go with the Princess Carrying Case. This easy to take-along playset comes with a figure, unicorn, peacock, swan, vanity, and other accessories.
— Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Playmobil take-along sets, particularly princess and pirate, are some of their best-selling play sets.

Avast ye, matey; there's hidden treasure in this Playmobil Pirate Adventure Island. Find the 5 magic coins and use them to unlock a secret cave where the treasure lies hidden. Sound & light effects activate when the cave is opened. But beware of danger. The island also has hidden stairs and falling rocks. Set contains 210 pieces, including 3 figures, exotic creatures, rowboat, working cannon, and many other accessories. There's even a colorful poster for little buccaneers to put on their wall.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

This plush boat even has a seat belt to keep the little bear safe on all of his journeys. Wheels, flag and string are detachable. Kids will loving pulling bear in his boat.

The new Dice Dude brings more excitement and fun to every game. It comes with four different dice, giving kids tons of options for game play. Choose the interchangeable die/dice that they wish to use, twist and remove Dice Dude’s clear dome hat, insert the die/dice, twist the dome hat back into place, and then start shaking away. Watch Dice Dude’s big, green eyes move side to side as he is shaken. This dude stands 5 1/2” tall and has a diameter of 3 1/4”. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Fun is the destination once kids hop on the VeggieTales bus. Sturdy enough for hours of play, it features bump-and-go action so that no matter what gets in the way, it keeps on rollin'. Honk the horn and hear the Veggies sing "The Wheels on the Bus." For ages 3 and up. Requires three AA batteries (not included). Measures 8" x 6.75".

VeggieTales' first remote control car just for little ones. Kids can have fun with Junior Asparagus & Laura Carrot in the front seats. Features easy controls for small fingers, working headlights, and controls that move car forward, backward, left and right. Remote control works within a 20 foot radius so the car never gets away. Uses 6 AA batteries (not included).
— As of 12/6/2012 this product had 2.5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Children who like Veggie Tales will like the toy. Cons: Reviewers reported the car was of a poor quality.

Join LarryBoy and his sidekick Alfred as they whirl away to help save the day in Bumblyburg. Equipped with real helicopter sounds and the voice of LarryBoy saying "LarryCopter to the rescue," kids will love playing with their favorite Veggie hero. Features spinning propellers and actual shooting plunger.

Glow in the Dark Crazy Forts are a unique, award winning, building and creative toy. Glow in the Dark Crazy Forts come with 69 child-safe glow in the dark toggles and rods that join together to build any play space from your child's imagination. Create a "Cave" one day, an "Igloo", "Pirate Ship" or "Castle" the next . put the pieces together in different configurations, cover with bed sheets and "voila." kids have a unique new play space every time. Crazy Fort is powered by a child's imagination. Each Crazy Fort Kit contains 25 geometrically precise balls that glow in the dark and 44 sticks that connect to create a multitude of possible play structures. The Glow in the Dark kit contains balls that glow in the dark for hours when held to the light.

This has the same shape and package design of the first Krazy straw® that was ever created in the 1960's. Bring to parties and be sure to turn heads. Launch date: 2012.

Kids can enjoy hours of spooky fashion fun with Draculara, Clawdeen, and Frankie Stein from Monster High. These stylish dolls are dressed like characters from famous spooky tales.

Enjoy countless hours of fun with a toy based on Tigger from the Winnie the Pooh series. The colorful black-and-orange tiger rests on his bouncy tail and plays the "Bounce Bounce" song for listeners. Tigger waves and bounces as the music plays. The doll is made of sturdy polyester and features a control unit, allowing you to set the appropriate volume for the toy's song.

It's time to take N-STRIKE battling to the next level with the HAIL-FIRE blaster. The HAIL-FIRE blaster's unique rotating ammo rack gives it the highest capacity of any NERF blaster. The HAIL-FIRE blaster comes with 4 Quick Reload clips and 24 Elite Darts, but it can hold up to 4 more Quick Reload ammo clips and up to 144 darts. The blaster's acceleration trigger powers up the motor for semi-auto blasting that lets users unleash a storm of revolutionary Elite Darts at targets. Fire at targets up to 75 feet away. The Quick Reload clips work with any Clip System blaster (sold separately) and the Elite Darts work with any Elite blaster and most original N-STRIKE blasters (sold separately). With 2 tactical rails that are compatible with most N-STRIKE accessories (sold separately) and an advance handle, this blaster gives users the ultimate in Elite customization and firepower.

The ultimate playset for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans, the Secret Sewer Lair playset is BIG, and ready for Ninja battle action. This playset will have kids creating their own Lair of excitement as they become the leader of the pack, swinging into action, training the Turtles and defeating Shredder once and for all. Standing 42 inches tall and resembling the Sewer Lair that is home to the Turtles in the TV show, the Secret Sewer Lair includes more than 20 different exciting Ninja features.

Kids load their micro racers in the four lane charger...It's four times the action, four times the fun. Race around the corners, and over the cross bridge. Complete with a timer controlled finish, the Micro Chargers Time Track is the ultimate in racing. The Time Track comes with 2 x Exclusive Quick Charge Micro Car(colors vary), 1 x Time Race Track, 2 x Stats Card.

Motorized animatronic kitty bank. Watch this super cute kitty, peek out, make a sweet meow sound, and then snatch coins and keep them safe. The box lid pops up and kitty paw snatches the coin. Battery operated. Uses 2AA batteries (not included). For ages 3 and up. Launch date: January 2011.

Big Owl Toy makes the perfect addition to your baby's toy collection. Measuring 16” tall and available in two colors, the cuddly owl will be cherished for years to come. Makes for a great pillow as well. Launch date: September 2012.

The Infantino Pop and Play Swap Gym is like no other with customized features that let parents create lots of ways for baby to play. The 3 activity pods on the main activity center of the gym can be interchanged with other Pop & Play™ Pods. The pods are also great stand alone toys so they can be used solo or on the go-go. Just use the VELCRO® brand closure strap to attach it to a car seat, stroller or gym. 4 Great Ways to Play: Newborn Overhead Discovery, Tummy Time, Sit & Play, Crib Activity Center. Launch date: August 2012.
Awards: 2012 Parents Magazine Toy of the Year