November 2010 Notable Toys — Construction

Standing 4' tall, the Eitech Eiffel Tower metal building kit lets builders re-create an impressive replica of this famous Parisian structure. The kit can be brightened with the attachable lights combo. Over hundreds of parts and tools are included in each construction set.

The C31 Mega Model Train is a sleek locomotive that features more than 2,560 parts. Step by step illustrated instructions are included for easy-to-follow directions.

Timberworks Toys are heirloom quality, large-scale construction sets made from hard maple. 52 pieces of high quality timbers, widgets, gable ends (triangles) and more are included to spark a child's imagination. Builders can start by making a small house, and then transform it into a bridge or a tree house.

Timberworks Toys are heirloom-quality, large-scale construction sets made from hard maple. The wheeled vehicle set features 48 pieces including four wheels to create endless possibilities to engage a child's imagination. Builders can make anything from a simple car to a dragster or an airplane with this large-scale construction set.

71 pieces of timbers, widgets, gables (triangles), and more make a creative building set that allows children to use their imagination to make a number of different structures such as a house or a bridge. This set is designed to be ideal for a busy, high-traffic play area.

This 98-piece innovative building set includes timbers, widgets, gable ends (triangles), wheels, and more. The set features timbers up to 24" in length, providing children the ability to create anything from a car to a house, a bridge or a plane. This set aims to provide the flexibility to engage true beginners as well as to challenge "future engineers."

Kids can build up to three crane models with the Deluxe Motorized Crane. Each set includes over 960 pieces, a three-way cable control, three gear motors, and a ball bearing joint for ultimate control and function. Step-by-step illustrated instructions are included for easy to follow directions.

This set includes 19 pieces for building this member of the Lego Hero Factory Alpha Team. The finished figure stands 6" tall and comes equipped with a removable hero core, high-tech air armor, a camera helmet and a communications headset.

This kit lets children build Jeff Gordon's 24 DuPont/Pepsi Car. Included are 106 K'NEX bricks, rods and connectors, as well as wheels for push play and a Jeff Gordon K'NEXman figure. Once built, the car measures 7" in length, and features custom parts, sponsor logos and a realistic color scheme.

This portable table acts as both a building platform and a practical storage container. Stickers for creating scenery, plus a figurine and toy car, are included.
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 12 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 34 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to assemble, promotes imaginative play. CONS: Some parents questioned its durability.

With this army pack, children can lead the attack on planet Hoth by launching flick fire missiles from a battle station. This pack, designed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of "The Empire Strikes Back" includes two snowtroopers, one Imperial officer and one AT-AT driver.
— As of 05/12/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 34 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Pieces are small and hard to put together for younger kids; smaller than depicted.
— As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from eight reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 20 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Colorful, sturdy and easy to assemble.
— Dave Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont.,  said he sells about 24 LEGO Star Wars toys per month.

Jedi Master Plo Koon scours the space lanes for General Grievous’ ship, Malevolence, in  "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." This set includes 175 building pieces, a Plo Koon minifigure, an Astromech Droid minifigure and a cockpit ejection seat for ejecting minifigures from the finished 10" Starfighter.
— Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-By-the-Sea, Mass., told TDmonthly in Summer 2010 that her store sells about 20 to 30 LEGO Star Wars sets each week.
— Six of 38 specialty retailers named LEGO products an overall best seller in July 2010. Two of the six cited LEGO Star Wars as a popular product line.

Light Up Marble Racers brighten the world of mini cars. Each Light Up Marble Racer contains a rolling and flashing LED marble. The exterior of the cars can be customized with the slick racing decals included with the cars.
— Bonggamom Finds declared, “Move over, Matchbox! Take a hike, Hot Wheels! There's a new kid in town.” She loved that the Racers offer girl-friendly varieties to “spark their imaginations” and are compatible with similar toy cars.
—“The Light Up Marble Racers are nothing like I have seen before” raved Shop with Me Mama Kim Delatorre. The stickers make the cars “super cool looking” and piqued the interest of both her son and daughter.
— In a summer 2011 survey, Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly that Marble Racers are her best-selling die-cast toys. She sold 3 dozen of their race tracks last Christmas season.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal.

Lockrobots are brightly hued interlocking plastic robot-shaped blocks designed for building, stacking, balancing and creating puzzles. Made in the USA, the Lockrobot 30-Piece Medium Bucket includes six each of green, red, yellow, blue and orange Lockrobots.
— Brandi of Living Solo Gratia tried Lockrobots with her kids, who “had a ball playing with these little guys,” stacking the Lockrobots and making pyramids. However, Brandi recommended buying a larger Lockrobots set: “The 15-piece set is fun but we would have been able to be more creative with a larger set.”