December 2012 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Loads of fun in a small package! Open up the barn to play with the two adorable foals, and use the fencing to create a corral. The Pocket Barn has hinged loft doors and sliding front doors, and is easy to take along, making it a great item for travel and on-the-go play.

Great free wheeling scooter comes with a First Friend and a Puppy. Encourages interaction and imaginative play. Strong and durable.
— As of 10/01/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

These projects are for the youngest children and work best with a high level of parental support. Skills required include assembly, gluing, hammering and filing. Painting and decorating optional and the crafts to be built are toys that would appeal to younger children.

Push, pull and twist the chimneys to see the farm animals pop out. Push the mailbox to open the barn door. Four friendly farm animals: Chicken, Sheep, Cow, and Dog. Encourages an understanding of cause and effect.

Barbie and her three sisters can take a magical trip on the Barbie Sisters Cruise Ship. While on the "water," the boat features a steering wheel and space for two lounge chairs on the upper deck. When the boat docks, the side panel opens up to reveal another deck, a fun swing that fits all four sisters and a grand buffet table. The back of the boat pulls out to reveal a fabulous pool that features two slides for racing. When the day in the sun is done, flip up the deck to reveal two beds for the sisters to slumber in. Dolls not included. Launch date: 2012.

The expanding Fisher-Price Imaginext Eagle Talon Castle Play Set brings imagination to life with sound effects, activation discs and figures to help fight the attackers. Castle magically recognizes approaching dragons, ogres and battlements to warn of impending attacks. Castle expands from 20" to 42" and is reconfigurable in different ways. Play set includes: transforming castle, 3 figure turn discs, 2 catapults, 1 "Turn Tech" cannon with 2 projectiles, 3 figures with helmets, shields and swords, 8 firing discs for catapults and eagle head, 1 treasure chest, 2 ladders and 4 flags. Launch date: 2012.

Each Wearables Stunt Plane comes complete with shoulder straps, propeller fasteners and printed, precut corrugated pieces children to decorate and then construct into a wearable-sized 3-D bi-plane.

This set is fit for royalty. 36 pieces include: a candle holder, pedestal stand, dressing table, mirrors, canister, stool with cushion, goblet, chest perfume bottle, trunk, dressmaker form, and more.

A horse and carriage Playmobil set. Inspires storytelling and creative play. Includes pegasus horse, carriage, princess doll figure. Princess figure height 7.5 cm tall. 25 plastic pieces. High quality Playmobil construction.

This castle features a grand staircase and a lot of rooms. The tower has a secret hiding place, and inside the castle there is a revolving dance floor. Includes a jewelry box, tiara, bracelet and ring for the child. Dimensions: 29.5"x 28"x 26" (L x W x H).
— Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a June 2013 survey that Playmobil dollhouses and furnishings are their best-selling furniture item.

The World of Entertainment, Publishing and Inspiration (World of EPI) was formed by Dr. Lisa Williams, a dynamic mom/former professor whose mission is expressing joy by providing children access to dolls that encourage dreams, promote intelligence, challenge perceptions, and open their hearts to all types of beauty. Abrielle is modeling her satiny lavender princess dress with a matching headband, slippers, and silvery studded earrings. Her high ponytail with long luxurious tresses perfectly complements her regal attire. She has beautifully bronzed skin and golden brown eyes.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Make It Mine is now offering a revolutionary new line of dolls that are a first-of-its-kind line of high-quality, fun, fully customizable, poseable, play dolls and accessories. This innovative combination of features make the dolls stand alone. They are 16-inch premium ball-jointed play dolls, with changeable wigs, changeable eyes and 15 articulated joints that separate to allow for changeable parts. From the dolls’ faces to their eyes, wigs, torsos, hands, feet and clothing, These dolls’ parts and accessories are interchangeable, so a girl can make her doll a black-haired, brown-eyed soccer player one minute and a pink-haired, purple-eyed mermaid the next.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

This great Indoor Play tent comes in 2 burlap and 6 canvas fabrics. Tent poles can be ordered in many colors or stained. Support poles are 57" tall to the top point. The tent is 40" deep and can go from 30 to 36" wide. Easy to assemble, this tent is for indoor play. Made in the USA. Launch date: 2012.