November 2012 Notable Toys — Construction

This gigantic marble run features 103 pieces with 12 marbles. Kids can build their structure any way they like, then drop the marbles and watch them race through the run.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that marble runs were one of their best-selling construction toys.

Figure comes in his own storage case with a special package design made to fit in your pocket. Each figure comes with a Boston cap, bat, glove, ball, stand, and unique OYO DNA number. OYO minifigures are athletic figures that are compatible with popular building-block systems. These figures include MLB and NFL licensed minifigures. OYOs are designed with eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and other facial characteristics that best represent their real life counterparts. Figures are articulated to better mimic real athletic positions and movements.

Each BrickWarriors Warrior Pack includes between 7 and 9 premium minifigure accessories, ranging from swords and medieval armor all the way to sci-fi guns and space armor. The accessories all fit perfectly onto LEGO® and other building-toy minifigures. The packs are sold in cases of 20 and the cases double as a retail POP display. Launch date: October 2012.

Designed for both the classroom and the playroom, this magnetic wooden block set includes 106 blocks in 8 shapes: 12 cubes, 8 large columns, 16 mega planks, 26 long planks, 8 medium columns, 8 small trapezoids, 8 large trapezoids, and 20 short planks. During Tegu’s design process, we observe students in their natural environments and create educational tools that encourage active, inquisitive, and resourceful minds at all grade levels. Powered by magnets, Tegu Blocks offer puzzle-like constructive possibilities that challenge students to develop and problem solve their way to gravity-defying breakthroughs—improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills in the process. Launch date: February 2013.

Orchestra is the Advanced Level Xyloba with 96 parts. Xyloba is a creative marble run for building and composing at the same time. Xyloba develops motor function and spatial imagination, and facilitates a creative approach to music.

The Basic Level Xyloba with 25 parts. Xyloba is a creative marble run for building and composing at the same time. Xyloba develops motor function and spatial imagination, and facilitates a creative approach to music.

Users can recreate their very own piece of aviation history with the historic Sopwith Camel. This detailed replica of one of the most recognizable British single-seat biplanes ever to have graced the skies. Features include a realistic rotating propeller and engine cylinders, hinged tail rudder, realistic tension wires, functioning wing ailerons and tail flaps that can be controlled from the cockpit – just like the real plane. The detail doesn't stop there; this authentic model has over 880 bricks, including rare dark green, dark tan and metallic silver elements.

Build a LEGO® brick model of this famous modernist-style country house residence. Situated on the outskirts of Paris, France, Villa Savoye was designed by Le Corbusier in the 1920s as the perfect embodiment of Le Corbusier’s 'Five Points' construction principles. This fusion of modern architecture and nature was intended to create harmony with Villa Savoye’s woodland surroundings. Just like the real thing, this set features columns/pillars, functional roof space, open floor planning, long horizontal windows, and a free façade. This LEGO Architecture series interpretation of Villa Savoye was designed by German architect Michael Hepp in collaboration with the LEGO design team.

No matter where the emergency is, the fire chief is ready to speed to the scene and save the day. Set includes fire chief's off-road fire rescue truck, trailer and lots of great firefighting equipment, plus an authentic fire chief mini-figure to take command of your rescue team. 131 pieces.

In the amazing Ultra Sonic Raider, the Spinjitzu masters spot supreme leader Pythor and his protector Spitta, soldier of the Venomari tribe, taking off with the Fangpyre fang blade. Chase them across everything with the all-terrain tracks or detach the flying vehicle, extend the golden blade wings and take the battle to the skies. If all else fails, crank up the huge speaker cannons and tame the snakes with some ancient snake music. Don't let them get away. Includes 6 minifigures: Cole ZX, Jay ZX, Kai ZX, Zane ZX, Pythor and Spitta. Set includes Ultra Sonic Raider, Fangpyre fang blade with red anti-venom capsule, 4 golden weapons and 5 regular weapons.
— As of 11/15/2012 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Comes with 6 detailed minifigs; Instructions were easy to understand; Lots of fun details once built. Cons: Some reviewers said that once the set is built, it is too fragile to be played with.

This kit allows users to increase the size, complexity and richness of their models. The number of interesting things one can build increases exponentially when one has more parts. This kit is perfect for those who have already caught the Zometool bug or families and groups who want to build together. Total parts: 738.
— As of 11/15/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: A great educational tool; can be used to teach geometry, or just for fun. Cons: Rods have to be pushed really hard into the balls in order for the creations not to fall apart.

SmartMax Set - BASIC 25 allows children ages three and up to experience the wonders of magnetism and the fascinating world of construction in a safe way. Towers, bridges, and houses are just a few building options that take advantage of the large pieces to engage even the youngest builder.
— Diane Gervais from Amato's Toy & Hobby in Middletown, Conn., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Smartmax sets are one of their store's best-selling educational toys. "Smartmax is pretty popular right now in preschool," she told us.

Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The holiday season has arrived in Heartlake City. Head outside with Olivia, Christina and their dog Coco. Build a snowman or go skiing, then warm up by the fire with cookies and milk. Help Olivia and Christina writing a holiday card, delivering gifts on their snowmobile and decorate the Christmas tree. Set includes 24 individual gifts, including 2 mini dolls, a dog and accessories. Celebrate the holiday season with the LEGO Friends.

Set sail on an adventure to defeat the evil minions of Kaos with the buildable Crusher’s Pirate Quest by Mega Bloks Skylanders Giants. The colossal Crusher swings his stone hammer in a clash with the deadly Axecutioner. Meanwhile, Cynder leaps into action to take down the remaining Chompy. Rebuild the set into a dock inspired by the Cutthroat Carnival in Skylanders Giants and discover all of the action features in this 2-in-1 play set.

Through the mist, Jack McHammer catches sight of the zombie graveyard. He's on a mission to recover the zombie moonstone, but as he reaches for it, the zombies rise from their coffins and attack. Can he make it back to his car and battle the zombies with the giant hammer? Includes 4 minifigures: Jack McHammer and 3 zombies.

A buildable and fun twist on a memory game for 2 to 4 players. The game is all about finding the missing Dwarves who have gotten lost in Hobbiton, using hints left by Gandalf the Grey and some Hobbits to help players search. If players are up to the challenge they can transform the board during the game, testing their memory skills to the max. Once the board is built it is easy to store and quick to take out to play again.

The Mine is a busy place, full of miners digging for gold. Break up the rock with the big drilling machine and transport it out of the mine with the train. Then load it onto the conveyor belt with the crane and haul it away with the truck. There's even a safe to keep the gold inside. Help the miners find even more gold by blasting with the dynamite! Includes 4 minifigures: crew chief, crane driver, driller and truck driver.

Discover the all new Magneatos Better Builder Series. With super strong magnetic force, unique rod and ball configurations and myriad design possibilities, Magneatos Better Builders are a wonderfully inventive way to help children discover principles of science, construction, and engineering while developing their creativity skills. Includes handy storage bin and deluxe 22-page Activity Guide which explores magnet science and provides sample building models for all ages. Magnets are safely and securely embedded in the over sized rods. Metal balls ensure a quick and strong connection. Tested to ages 18 months plus. For ages 2+.
Awards: Oppeheim Platinum Best Toy Award Winner

The Classic set consists of 36 varieties of maple blocks. Painted with non-toxic water based acrylic paints and sealed with organic beewax.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

With Xyloba mezzo kids can create a great variety of melodic marble runs, using the 8 interchangeable sound modules to produce complex melodies. Made in Switzerland.

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.

Get Christmas off to a galactic start with the LEGO® Star Wars™ Advent Calendar. Featuring 24 gifts, including iconic starships, minifigures, and accessories, this great advent calendar is the perfect gift for Star Wars fans of any age. 234 pieces total.

This set consists of 6 blocks Goodwood deconstruction blocks are a new system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite real creative play. The beautiful, precisely crafted blocks are intentionally packaged without instructions or other prescriptive guidelines, in order to cultivate open-ended exploration. Unlike most modern toys, this puts the child in complete control of the child-toy relationship, and encourages them to come up with their own ways to play. The different shapes allow for building outwards in every dimension, and the creation of structures which are both architecturally and geometrically interesting, as well as visually pleasing. They are suitable as a construction toy for children, and increasingly popular as a desk toy for design-minded adults as well. The ever-growing goodwood system currently includes seven original designs. Each set is designed to be fun and interesting on its own, and to provide new features when combined with the other sets as well. All sets come with pieces in six vibrant colors (water-based acrylic paint), made from forest-friendly rubber wood, and CPSIA tested. Care has been taken to ensure that the product reflects responsible social and environmental decision-making, and the developer's website provides a mechanism for purchasing discounted sets for donation into orphanages and kindergartens in the developing world.

Goodwood deconstruction blocks are a new system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite real creative play. The beautiful, precisely crafted blocks are intentionally packaged without instructions or other prescriptive guidelines, in order to cultivate open-ended exploration. Unlike most modern toys, this puts the child in complete control of the child-toy relationship, and encourages them to come up with their own ways to play. The different shapes allow for building outwards in every dimension, and the creation of structures which are both architecturally and geometrically interesting, as well as visually pleasing. They are suitable as a construction toy for children, and increasingly popular as a desk toy for design-minded adults as well. The ever-growing goodwood system currently includes seven original designs. Each set is designed to be fun and interesting on its own, and to provide new features when combined with the other sets as well. All sets come with pieces in six vibrant colors (water-based acrylic paint), made from forest-friendly rubber wood, and CPSIA tested. Care has been taken to ensure that the product reflects responsible social and environmental decision-making, and the developer's website provides a mechanism for purchasing discounted sets for donation into orphanages and kindergartens in the developing world.