November 2012 Notable Toys — General Toys

Get on board the Sock Monkey School Bus as they go on a field trip to Banana Farm. Children will love playing with this set of eight plush sock monkeys, including one teacher, a principal and six lively students. Innovatively packaged in a box designed to look like a school bus, there are eight cut outs for the monkey's heads to pop through. Launch date: July 2012.

This sock monkey family is perfect for any child. These stylishly dressed monkeys provide classic twists on retro toys. The family consists of Mr. Coconuts, his wife, Cupcake, and their two children, Daisy May and Joey. This family enjoys a typical sock monkey lifestyle. Mr. Coconuts spends his days working at the local banana factory while Cupcake enjoys crocheting banana blankets for baby sock monkeys at the zoo. Daisy May is an active member of Banana Scouts while her younger brother, Joey, enjoys eating banana-cream pudding pies. Both children attend Banana Elementary School. The monkeys come housed in a cardboard car so your child can enjoy hours of driving them to their daily activities. Each car has four cutouts so the monkeys can see out the window. The cars also have cardboard tires that pop out for added fun. These cute sock monkeys are made from polyester fibers and are recommended for ages 3 and up. Launch date: December 2011.

From building a tower, to a fortress or a maze, eco-build a block set™ will inspire imaginations to soar. These blocks are fun for all ages; they build confidence, teamwork and help with gross motor skills. Get ready to watch worlds come to life. These 100% recycled cardboard blocks come packaged in a reusable carrying case and are ready for play. With four unique sizes, use them as is or add an artful touch for hours of creative play. eco-build a block set includes 2 extra large boxes, 4 large, 8 medium and 16 small boxes. Carrying case measures 16.5"H x 20"W x 4.25"D. Launch date: August 2012.

This set of customizable gizmos includes a book of games, pranks, and jokes that make the most of them. The 16 different sound-and-gizmo combinations offer limitless opportunities for immature humor. Follow simple instructions to wire a door alarm, motion sensor, light sensor, or push-button device; then program it with one of four funny sounds. Comes With: circuit board, speaker, LED, battery clip, photoresistor, switches, project wires, alligator clip, gadget dock, gadget case, 4 gadget covers, 2 doorbell hangers and 2 door alarm hangers. Launch date: September 1, 2012.

The Wild Core brings motorized, electronic chaos to any battle. Be the first to spin Monsuno Cores (sold separately) into impact with the Wild Core for a powerful payoff. Each Wild Core comes with an exclusive collector game card.

Kids can unleash the power of their Monsuno monster with the Monsuno Metal Die Cast Core. The collectible die cast metal Monsuno cores are based on battling monster creatures from the Monsuno animated TV series. Awesome, extended spin performance. Approximately 1.25" long.

The NEW midnight-black, winged Areion from Safari Ltd® has one of the fiercest spirits of all. Stare into its untamable brown eyes and let it show you the way to the mythical world. This hand painted replica measures 5.5” L x 4.25” W x 5.25” H (13.75 x 10.75 x 13.25 cm) and is suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Visit www.safariltd.com to explore educational information in five languages and to view and purchase Safari Ltd® 2013 introductions and all other products. Launch date: January 2013.

Light Up dice work great with dice games like Monopoly, Yahtzee, Backgammon, and Dungeons and Dragons. These 30mm Light Up dice are transparent red plastic which glows brilliantly when rolled. The bright red LED lights dance in a rolling pattern when it is activated and remains lit for 60 seconds before going to sleep.  The display also flashes ten times giving a countdown warning to the players. This gives games an extra kick of speed and excitement. What's the secret? The secret is one of the worlds’ smallest and most inexpensive computer chips. Barely the size of the head of a pin, the computer has incredibly low power draw when the dice are asleep. Light Up Dice have an estimated shelf life of 4+ years. The sensor activated LED display is mounted to a patented double pivot, or “gimbal”, which always faces upwards due to the weight of the long lasting battery. Key chain Light up dice are also available - nothing says "hot rod" like dice hanging in your car, and ladies - never lose your keys in your purse again, just shake your purse and the dice will light up. Launch date: February 2013.

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.

With the Spin Master Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker, kids ages six and up can make and decorate vanilla-flavored cake pops. The kit's cake-pop maker helps kids fill the included molds to make perfect, no-bake pops, which set up in the refrigerator and are ready to decorate in just 15 minutes. Kids can personalize their pops with white or brown icing and pink, blue, and rainbow sprinkles. Sprinkle stencils and brightly colored paper tags add extra flair.

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.

Rock the spots to today’s hottest music with the Twister Dance Game. Learn dances by following the Twister spots to songs like "Till the World Ends" by Britney Spears or "Whip My Hair" by Willow. Or kids can dance to their own music by connecting the game to any MP3 player (sold separately).

Get ready for an intergalactic battle with Angry Birds Star Wars when kids and their friends take on Darth Vader and his porky pals. Take turns trying to topple the Empire with this awesome Jenga Death Star game. Load the X-Wing Fighter launcher with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo or Chewbacca birds for an epic squawk attack against the Death Star. Who will knock the Darth Vader and Stormtrooper pigs’ block off and bring the Death Star crashing down? Launch Date: 2012.

FURBY is back and it has A MIND OF ITS OWN. Feed it, speak to it, tickle it, play music for it and shake, tilt or turn the FURBY upside down. It even interacts with other FURBYs (sold separately). But be warned - how the FURBY is treated will shape its personality. Who the FURBY becomes may surprise it's owner. For additional interactive fun, kids can download an optional free FURBY app that works with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone with iOS 4.2 or later for virtual feeding, accessing the FURBISH-English dictionary and the FURBISH translator. (Not all functions of the app work with older devices).

FURBY is back and it has A MIND OF ITS OWN. Feed it, speak to it, tickle it, play music for it and shake, tilt or turn the FURBY upside down. It even interacts with other FURBYs (sold separately). But be warned - how the FURBY is treated will shape its personality. Who the FURBY becomes may surprise it's owner. For additional interactive fun, kids can download an optional free FURBY app that works with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone with iOS 4.2 or later for virtual feeding, accessing the FURBISH-English dictionary and the FURBISH translator. (Not all functions of the app work with older devices).

Cyanne is wearing sweet candy fashions to celebrate Dee’s 16th birthday. She got super inspired by Peppermints and designed candy-striped leggings and a crinkly candy wrapper skirt to match her crimped pigtails. This whole look is minty-fresh. Each Peppermint inspired Cyanne Doll comes with a fashion activity book with a Dee-licious craft idea.

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.

The Crayola Digital Light Designer lets children express their artistic side, without the mess of traditional pens. The round dome responds to the touch of a stylus to display up to seven colors, providing unlimited imaginative fun. Kids can make their drawings move with animation options or even create short movies by combining drawings. The dome also features eight engaging activities and games to keep kids entertained.

With the Playmobil Soldiers Fort with Dungeon kids can help the soldiers defend their fort, which includes a prison drop door, dungeon, and vault. Located on the door to the vault is a magic coin that can be used on the Pirate Adventure Island. Set also includes three figures, working cannon, and other accessories. Dimensions: 20.1 x 18.9 x 9.3 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four to ten.
— Sue Hottel, manager of No Kidding (aka Sand Castle Toys Inc) in Mattapoisett, Mass., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Playmobil was one of the top-2 best-selling construction toys in the store.

The Spin ‘N Saucer™ comes with EZ-Glide wheels for 360°movement so children are free to create their own motion and can move in any direction – there is no getting stuck. The SafeSpin™ design offers a low-profile for stability and the ergonomic handle gives children the leverage they need to spin freely. For added fun, buttons are built into the handle to play sounds on the move.

Start a garden with this Flowers TOOB® from Safari Ltd®, featuring flowers from around the world. This collection of individually hand painted miniature replicas features vibrant colors, professional sculpting, and accurate detail. Packaged in a reusable acetate tube, this set contains these lifelike flowers: rose, tulip, hibiscus, bird of paradise, daffodil, sunflower, lotus, and orchid. Hand painted figures measure 1.5” to 3” (4 to 7.5 cm) and are suitable for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and lead free to ensure children’s safety.

A collection of 6 colorful foam gliders that assemble in minutes without glue or scissors. With the catapult launchers, there beauties fly up to 150 feet.
— Dean Smith, owner of Jazams in Princeton, N.J. told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell about 24 of these each month, making them a best selling aircraft/flying toy.

This little flying Astronaut has twin rotor propulsion, Bright diode lights and ultrafine micro components. The Rapid Battery Charging Unit requires 8 AA batteries, Not Included. The Infrared Remote Controller requires 3 AG13 batteries (included). The 3.5-inch spaceman has an on-off switch. Recommended for indoor use only.
— Joe Berardoni Jr., owner of Puns Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell about 6 of this item each month.

The Flash Flyer is truly the modern boomerang. The flexible round disc is capable of flying a whopping 40 feet and returning exactly from where it is launched. It is easy to launch and can stay aloft for long periods of time. Makes for a fun game of flying catch. The Alien Flyer can even spin and hang on a ceiling or wall. Plus, it lights up. The Flash Flyer has smart-sensor technology that automatically turns on super-bright LED lights when launched, creating a rainbow of color in the dark.
Awards: 2011 Good Housekeeping’s Best Toy Award
— Deborah Smith from Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va. told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that AFO Flash Flyers were one of her top-2 best selling aircraft/flying toys.