November 2010 Notable Toys — Arts & Crafts

This advanced-formula, air-drying natural stone clay possesses a fine body, allowing for greater detail, exceptional strength, ultra lightweight pieces and a bright white finish. It can be blended with LaDoll Clay to increase LaDoll’s strength. Premier clay accepts acrylic-, oil- and water-based paints or dry finishing powders, and can be carved, sanded or drilled when dry.

Blackjack Clay is a blend of several natural clays found in Texas. A process of blending, wet screening (slurry mixing), filter pressing and final pug milling results in a plastic and silky smooth-textured clay. This clay can be used for modeling, hand building, wheel throwing and sculpturing, and is designed to be a tool for both beginners and professionals.

This lightweight general purpose dollmaking clay contains highly refined pumice, talc, small amounts of paper pulp and additional binders. It is extremely pliant, allowing for exceptional detail, and has an ultra smooth finish. LaDoll accepts acrylic-, oil- and water-based paints or dry finishing powders, and can be carved, sanded or drilled when dry. LaDoll has the unique ability to be dissolved in water and used as a finish coat or soaked with paper or cloth to be formed into shapes.

This kit allows children to customize a plush animal through painting, stitching and embellishing. The kits are designed to be interchangeable and come ready-to-assemble with simple instructions. Embroidery floss, stuffing, a safety needle and a complete outfit are included.

This magnetic dry-erase boardand chalkboard provides a large work area. Each board includes a clip to hold paper. The set includes four detachable storage bins for holding art accessories and a folding easel for easy storage, and comes with an eraser and 77 magnetic letters and numbers.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 130 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 6 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Educational, long-lasting, engaging. CONS: Messy; some parents questioned its quality.

This set includes ten plastic bottles of washable paint designed for children.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 8 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to use and store; long-lasting. CONS: Some parents questioned its quality.

This durable wood table can be used for many kinds of creative activities. It includes a paper roll holder that hangs under the table and an 18" x 100' roll of paper. The chalkboard tabletop surface features a paper cutter, three recessed cup holes, three cups and a printed canvas storage bag. The assembled table measures 52.5" x 18.75" x 27.75." Each of the two benches measures 32" x 10.75" x 11.5."

This pre-printed umbrella is designed to let children exercise their creativity and stay dry in style. The measures 24" and comes with six bright weatherproof markers.

This set of 24 crayons comes in a convenient tuck-box and features educator-preferred color selection
— As of 8.03.2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com and was #34 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Durable, with a variety of colors. CONS: None listed.

Eco Collage Kits contain a variety of eco-friendly, recycled, and recyclable collage items. Each item has been carefully sourced to make sure that they are earth friendly. Each Eco Collage Kit includes recycled Kraft cardstock and paper bags, multi-colored recycled tissue paper “shred,” "Green Glue" made from plants and natural ingredients, biodegradeable natural wood shreds, grosgrain ribbon made from recycled plastic bottles, fiber ribbon-made from 65-percent reclaimed cotton and 35-percent recycled plastic bottles, four Eco-Tree colored pencils, green craft felt and recycled designer tissue paper.

Eco Dough cutters are biodegradable and are made in the USA from 100-percent recycled corn (PLA). This set of four includes teddy bear, heart, star and house shapes.

These eco-friendly pencils are made from from sustainable Tamarind Trees, which are farmed for their fruit in Southeast Asia. Each set comes with 10 colored pencils.