January Staff Picks

By TDmonthly Staff
January 2015

With a new year comes a new batch of TDmonthly Staff Picks! From mind puzzles to science games, innovative plush toys to expertly crafted fantasy figurines, these toys are the perfect way to bring your store into the new year.

Pentago Jubilee 10th anniversary edition by MINDTWISTER USA

Pentago 10th anniversary commemorative Jubilee Edition is a two player, five in a row strategy game. A stylish, sleek black and white board is wrapped in an elegant smoky black cover; the marbles are a glamorous black and gold to make a powerful visual impression on all players. Pentago Jubilee is packaged in a clear clamshell packaging to show off the beauty of the game itself, the showy clear visual of the game, framed by a graphically appealing box that communicates the many awards Pentago has claimed over the decade. 12/18/2014 (Age: 6 and Up)

Bellz by WIGGLES 3D

Bellz is deceptively simple and yet supremely challenging at the same time. Just open the travel pouch and you’re ready to play! The pouch opens to become the game arena. Inside there are 40 custom bells in 4 colors and 3 different sizes. Players use the magnet wand to pick up bells of only one color. Make a string off the end of the magnet wand, or create a cluster — just don’t pick up bells of any other color or the turn is over. Each player must decide how far to push their luck on every turn. The first player to collect all 10 bells of one color wins!
The magnet wand can be used two ways:
Use the small end for precision grabs, or try the larger, more powerful end to make really long chains. You choose which end to use each turn. 12/17/2014 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 2 to 4)

ScienceWiz™ Cool Circuits Junior by SCIENCE WIZ / NORMAN & GLOBUS INC.

Science Wiz presents Cool Circuits Junior the follow-up to the mega hit, Cool Circuits. 40 brand new puzzles, 8 3-D puzzle pieces and 6 orange barriers bring the difficulty level down a bit from the original. Connect the circuit and the game board lights up and plays music. Solution book and batteries are included. Recommended for ages 6 years and up with a suggested retail of $24.95. 12/11/2014 (MSRP: $24.95; Age: 6 and Up)

Pirate Pursuit Game by GALT TOYS

A pirate track game with a wind-up pirate galleon to sail around the treasure island. Be the first player to fill your loot bag with coins from the treasure chest before the pirates catch up with you in their galleon! For 2 to 4 players. Contents: game board, wind-up pirate galleon, 4 loot bag boards, 24 play coins, 4 pirate counters with stands, dice, dice shaker, guide. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations 12/11/2014 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 to 7)

Bebe Bath Girl by COROLLE DOLLS

Specially designed for bath time fun, 12-inch Mon Premier Bébé Bath Girl is soft and pose able and so light that it floats. Filled with polystyrene "beads" that dry quickly, the doll is a favorite playmate out of the tub, too. When bath time is over, simply air-dry the doll by hanging it from the tab on the back of its neck. Bébé Bath Girl's sweetly expressive face will captivate little ones while its cuddly soft body will invite lots of hugs and cuddles. Mon Premier Bébé Bath Girl features quality materials and careful attention to detail. Its face and limbs are made of soft, supple vinyl that is delicately scented vanilla -- a Corolle signature and its blue eyes close when you put Mon Premier Bébé Bath Girl down for a nap or at bedtime, just like a real baby. Ages 18 Months +, MSRP: $42 12/4/2014 (MSRP: $42; Age: 1 and Up)

Dream Frenz® Pretty Pink Penelope and Beautiful Blue Brittany by MAF INDUSTRIES

Pretty Pink Penelope and Beautiful Blue Brittany (shown with bodies tucked in) make delightful friends!

Inspired by a child's drawings, they have soft cushy pillow heads, with small stuffed bodies that tuck inside. As a friend to dream with, they spark positive, imaginative play, and encourage children to Be A Dreamer®. As a pillow, Dream Frenz put the fun in FUNctional! Each one has a coordinated quilted soft fabric on the back. U.S. Pat. No. 8,321,978 12/1/2014

Aquarellum Amazon by SENTOSPHERE USA

These easy to use sets feature a distinct and unique method that makes painting by numbers obsolete. The painter has complete control. Unique embossed picture cards absorb paint in some areas and repel it in others creating intricate, detailed works of art that even the youngest children can achieve. The vibrant colors provided in these superb painting kits are extremely appealing to children, Parents describe Aquarellum as captivating and relaxing for both themselves and their Children. The Aquarellum have three boards and 9 washable inks to create 1000's of exciting color combinations!
— David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toy Store in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that Aquarellum painting kits were one of his store's best-selling STEM toys. 11/24/2014 (MSRP: $21.98; Age: 8 and Up)

Kingii Dragon Robot by OWI INC.

Native to Australia, chalamydosaurus kingii or frilled lizard is one of the wackiest lizards to roam planet Earth. So in order to keep young lizard enthusiasts out of harm’s way, OWI has created a freakish robot lizard that is actually fun to play with. The Kingii Dragon Robot is a smart super lizard with artificial intelligence (AI). Similar to the original from Australia, when this robot feels threatened, it gapes its mouth, flashes its eyes, and dramatically spreads and flaps its frill (pleated material that encircles its head) in a threatening manner. If you are not intimidated by these shenanigans, it then turns around, front and back legs erratically move as if it were scampering away from danger.

Kingii Dragon Robot by OWI has an infrared sensor that is programmed to “escape” or “follow-me”. If the infrared sensor is activated in the “escape” mode the robot will automatically act “shocked!”, spreading its frill, dropping its jaw, illuminates its bicolor LED eyes and will scurry away from you until it escapes to a safe distance. If the infrared sensor is switched to the “follow-me” mode using the 2 way function switch, then the robot will assess danger by bluffing the attacker (unfurling and shaking its frill). When the robot does not sense danger it will proceed to follow you like a pet lizard. Thank goodness, that unlike the wacky frilled lizard that roams in Australia’s tropical woodland, OWI’s Kingii Dragon Robot is whimsically kooky and fun to build.

11/18/2014 (MSRP: $41.95)

Mythical Realms® Pyrois by SAFARI LTD.®

In Greek Mythology, Pyrois pulled the fiery chariot of the sun god Helios across the sky to create the sunrise and sunsets. Our New 2015 Mythical Realms® Pyrois figure measures 5.75” L x 3.5” W x 3.25”H (12.5 cm x 9 cm 8.25 cm) and recommended for children 3 and up. All products are 100% guaranteed and lead-free to ensure children’s safety. Visit safariltd.com and explore the educational information we have available in 5 different languages. 11/18/2014

Lennja & Elin Doll Sisters by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Lennja is a big sister! Her Elin don't always get along but they are the best of friends and they love to play. They will play and help teach your little one what being as sister means. Lennja and Elin have soft bodies and are 12" and 8" respectively. 11/14/2014 (MSRP: $52.99)