Top-10 Toys at the ASTRA Marketplace

See the Best of Show in These Product Demos

By Alison Marek
August 2008

TDmonthly's video and editorial crews have picked out the top-10 toys and games from June's ASTRA Marketplace show. These are the brand new toys we've never seen on a trade-show floor before, so we hope you like them (and your customers do, too!) as much as we do:

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^{Videography by Chelsea Whitaker. Edited by Alison Marek.}

Chocolate Fix™ by THINKFUN

Chocolate Fix™ by THINKFUN

This game of deductive reasoning involves life-like candy play pieces. Players examine all the clues on the cards before making a move. Once they discover where to put a chocolate piece, they combine this knowledge with the clues to learn more information. Some clues give exact or possible locations, while others just give you the token color or shape. Narrow down all of the possibilities to fill each candy assortment. Challenges range from beginner to expert. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008.

Where to Buy: Rocking Horse Toy Store; Berkira ( Watch Video) 12/5/2007 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 8 and Up)

The DANO2 Ducki by DANO2 Designer Toys

The DANO2 Ducki by DANO2 Designer Toys Kids will pick the DANO Ducki over a competitor because of its cute and colorful design. Parents will pick the DANO Ducki because it is Phthalate-Free & made in the USA with medical-grade materials. Launch date: September 2008. ( Watch Video) 7/14/2008 (MSRP: $9.00; Age: 0 to 3)

Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook by HANDSTAND KIDS

Kids will learn how to cook simple, yet delicious Mexican dishes, while learning about the vibrant Mexican culture. Each book is packaged in a tortilla bag with an oven mitt. "Ingredients and utensils are translated in the intro so kid chefs get to learn Spanish," Handstand Kids Founder Yvette Garfield told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: May 5, 2008.

Where to Buy: Dolls Like Me ( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (MSRP: $28.00; Age: 3 to 12)

Dinosaur Chess by MAZEOLOGY

Dinosaur Chess by MAZEOLOGY This chess set features carnivores vs. vegetarians. Each dinosaur has a tag on the bottom of its stand giving its scientific name and describing its features. ( Watch Video) 7/17/2008

ScienceWiz™ DNA by SCIENCE WIZ / NORMAN & GLOBUS INC.

This 40-page science book and materials kit includes eight major activities that transform the study of central concepts of molecular biology into child's play. Kids can extract DNA from a fruit, probe and spool real DNA, build a double helix model, solve a chromosome puzzle (Is it a boy or a girl?) and play a gene construction game. A more advanced version is available for appropriate markets. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2008.

Where to Buy: Kazoo Toys ( Watch Video) 7/3/2008 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 8 and Up)

Rolit by GOLIATH GAMES

The object of Rolit is to observe, block, and change the balls' colors to your own. The victor is the one who has the most Rolit balls in his or her color. The oversized game board, for two to four players, is perfect for tournaments and schools. The game takes about 20 minutes to play. ( Watch Video) 7/9/2008 (Age: 7 and Up)

Paint-by-Number Kit by CRESCENT CARDBOARD

This new "paint" by numbers kit consists of graphic designs with sticky backings and pots of brightly colored powder pigment made from recycled mat board. Kids simply dip their paintbrushes into the pots, then spread the pigment on the board to create a variety of bright and fun designs. ( Watch Video) 8/1/2008

Secrets of the Sea by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

Secrets of the Sea by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT This game includes a handheld light that reveals clues to the types of tokens needed to win the game. Launch date: September 2008. ( Watch Video) 8/1/2008