November 2012 Notable Toys — Kits

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.

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.

The Fortune Cookie Maker lets children write, create and decorate fortune cookies right at home. Children just write down their fortune, combine the included mix with water, heat in the microwave for a few seconds, knead and roll out their dough and then place it in the Fortune Cookie Machine. With the push of a button, their fortune is deliciously sealed and is ready to decorate and eat within 10 minutes. The Fortune Cookie Machine makes up to 12 cookies, and is fun for the entire family.

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.

Smart Lab's Squishy Science from Head to Toe sparks curiosity and reveals the mysteries of the human brain and body for kids eight and up. This set includes transparent, anatomically correct models of the human body and human skull. Kids dissect the squishy organs and glow in the dark bones, nerves and eyeballs with lifelike surgical tools. The colorful information booklet, Organ-izer, and activity cards are packed with scientific information about the human body and the brain.
— As of 11/15/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Fun and educational; includes and educational guidebook. Cons: Hard to snap the skull together.

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.

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.

This kit contains 8 types of origami toys and 16 karakuri models. The origami toys and games include models such as the determined Robot Wrestlers, which you can pit against one another in a battle to the death. The karakuri models are constructed using pop-out paper that are easily assembled and include performing toys that tumble, balance and jump, as well as pieces like the comical Waddling Penguin and 6 additional models that walk down a gentle incline.

The Color & Collage Origami Art Kit is a unique new product that allows children to fold, assemble, compose, color and display large collages. Author Andrew Dewar provides all the custom-designed folding paper and backgrounds needed to complete these origami collages. Kids will have fun folding the individual models for stand-alone play as well as arranging the pieces on the six included backgrounds—conveniently printed in color on one side, with the reverse featuring just the outlines for coloring fun. Double-sided origami paper with folding lines incorporated right into the playful designs will have everyone—regardless of skill level—folding like a pro right out of the gate.

Peek into the underground world of earthworms and discover their earth-saving secrets. See how they turn waste into soil and dig tunnels to create drainage for plants. Perform experiments to demonstrate how worms live and work underground. Have fun with the "Super Squirmin" character cutouts. Made in the USA and Safety Approved. Double-sided viewing, Worm Facts and Anatomy Poster, experiment booklet, and 2 foot Super Squirmin worm cut-out with Superhero hats. Mail-in certificate (send $12.95) for live worms, soil wafers and starter food shipped Priority Mail year-round in the USA, excluding Hawaii.

The Gelarti Designer Studio allows kids to make a fun and colorful world on their walls using paint pens, glitter and 3-D accessories. Kids simply place a sticker sheet onto the turn table making sure the edges are underneath the tabs and gently squeeze the Gelarti paint pen to create and color their sticker. Kids can also create different effects with the marbling tool. Blend two colors together or create beautiful swirls. Once they have finished painting their sticker they can add 3D accessories. Leave to dry for at least 6 hours, or for best results overnight. Once completely dry, peel off the backing sheet and apply to smooth, clean surfaces. When kids want to move your Gelarti sticker, peel off and place it somewhere else. When kids have finished using the designer studio they can simply close the lid and take their studio with them. Launch date: 2012.

Whether kids are into super heroes, zombies, princesses, robots, or anything else they can think up, our Wood Chuck is the perfect medium to bring their creation to life. Complete with paints and a brush all kids need is an idea and they're off and running.

Matisse's Red Studio was a breakthrough in modern art with its flood of vibrant red color and white sketch lines. The different perspectives Matisse used have been studied and debated by artists since the painting first debuted in 1911. The Red Studio Master Kitz includes all the tools children need to create their own masterpiece along with learning materials to deepen  their understanding of the Red Studio and its impact on modern art. Each Red Studio Mater Kitz includes: A sturdy, re-usable art tool box with magnetic closures; 1 re-usable stencil; 2 pieces of high quality art paper; 2 sticker sheets; 1 acrylic paint; 1 oil pastel; 1 foam brush; Fun, easy-to-understand Matisse learning materials; Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.
— Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Snap Circuits are one of their best-selling activity kits.

This hands on kit includes supplies for kids to recycle and make their own paper. Includes 6"X8" mold and deckle, supplies to make patterned & textured bookmarks, a notebook, and greeting cards.

Curious kids will be inspired by the endless possibilities of the fifty fun-filled building activities in The Budding Builder. With great ways for children to take ideas from their limitless imaginations and to fashion them into reality, this book shows parents and kids how to create a fairytale cottage, make a marker organizer, carefully construct a toothpick sculpture, and build a bird feeder.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Few things are as satisfying as the THONK! of hitting a target. With Coin Blaster Arcade, even novice sharpshooters can flick coins with surprising speed and accuracy using the included “coin blasters” — the world’s first coin-operated, finger-powered mini-cannons, only from Klutz. The book is full of awesome tabletop target games including Hot Shot Hoops, Break the Bank, Skee Coin, and Penny Putt Golf. Ten different games test your coin blasting mastery and let you dominate the kitchen table.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Head for the sunny skies of Heartlake City with Stephanie's seaplane. Soar the sunny Heartlake skies with Stephanie. Find sky-high adventure at the Heartlake Flying Club where she takes flying lessons. Now that she has some experience, Stephanie can even fly all by herself. With a map to find her way around and a life preserver for safety, Stephanie can practice piloting her very own seaplane and earn her diploma. Includes Stephanie mini-doll figure. Features a waterside hut and pier.  Accessories include a map, diploma, pink life preserver brick, bird, crab and telescope.
— John Taylor, owner of O.P. Taylor in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that LEGO toys are consistent best sellers in his store.