ToyDirectory
April 24, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

May 2015 | Vol. XIV - No. 5


May Staff Picks

By TDmonthly Staff
May 2015

TDmonthly Magazine is always on the lookout for the best specialty toys. You can see our top toys each month in our Staff Picks. This May, we fell in love with train games, mosaic blocks and more! You can learn more about these and all of our favorites below.

Mosaic Art by MINILAND EDUCATIONAL CORP

Mosaic Art by MINILAND EDUCATIONAL CORPThis toy lets you build on 2 dimensions on a sturdy mounting bracket which at the same time is the top of the box where the content is saved. It includes various formats of platelets and strips with different designs, plus screws and screwdriver to secure the assemblies. This valuable collection includes 12 different activity cards, represented in large sheets that complement the game.  We emphasize the practical container box that will help you organize and store all your pieces neatly. No batteries required. Suitable for children 3-7 years old. Builds on STEM abilities. Includes 180 pieces and 12 activity cards. 4/28/2015 (Age: 3 to 7)


Decorate Your Own Sunnies by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Poolside craft! Whether at the beach or pool, sunglasses are a necessity and trendy accessory. Have fun in the sun by decorating 3 pairs of sunglasses.

 4/20/2015 (Age: 8 and Up)


Bundle Box Set: 2in1 & Sticker Puzzles - Disney Frozen by LEE PUBLICATIONS

Bundle Box Set: 2in1 & Sticker Puzzles - Disney Frozen by LEE PUBLICATIONSThree fun time activities in one! Use the Special Pen and a rainbow of colors will instantly appear. With the same Special Pen, fill in the dotted area and invisible images and words will become visible. Then unscramble the stickers to create surprise pictures of everyone's favorite Frozen characters. Place the numbered stickers on a numbered grid to complete the pictures. MADE IN THE USA

Set Includes:   

2in1 Book   
 •  16 pages of Invisible Ink fun   
 •  8 pages of Magic Pen Painting fun  
 •  Special pen

Sticker Puzzle Book  
•  8 colorful jumbled sticker puzzles  
 •  8 numbered puzzle grids   
•  240 stickers

— Three out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that Frozen was their best-selling licensed toy property. Bebe Feimster, manager of Big Smile Toys/Hardware Center in Paoli, Pa., told us that this specific toy was their best seller. 4/3/2015 (Age: 3 and Up)


Pink Curtsy by DREAM BIG WHOLESALE DOLL CLOTHES LLC

Pink Curtsy by DREAM BIG WHOLESALE DOLL CLOTHES LLCPink Satin Dress with organza overlay, pink satin bow on collar and matching handbag with bow. 4/3/2015


Madame Chouette Activity Toy by MAGICFOREST LTD

Madame Chouette Activity Toy by MAGICFOREST LTDWelcome baby with gifts from the newest range by Moulin Roty: Mademoiselle et Ribambelle. Imagine the forest and all of the fairytale characters who can be found there. Imagine an owl singer, a little opera mouse, a gentleman otter and a rabbit - Monsieur Lapin – who is always late. This happy crowd is gathered around the delightful Mademoiselle at the edge of the wood to enjoy the show! Enter Madame Chouette The Activity Owl. Marvel at all of the surprises that await baby while admiring her pink ensemble with a yellow cotton polka dot tutu lined with tulle. Place this precious owl near baby and wait for her to discover a baby owl squeaker hidden in a tummy pocket, a detachable plastic ring rattle filled with colorful beads, large super soft wings with crinkle paper and a small mirror. Adorable! Look for other items in Mademoiselle et Ribambelle such as musical Owl and Monsieur Otter, squeaker toys, buttery-soft loveys to comfort baby and mousey rattle.  Imported Exclusively by Magicforest.
Attributes: 
·    Hours of fun, learning and companionship to a little one
·    Mirror helps with self-awareness
·    Ring Rattle for grasping, sound and visual stimulation
·    Crinkle paper for teaching cause and effect, sound recognition
·    Baby Owl squeaker tucked into Mamma’s front pouch will teach object permanence and help with motor skills
·    A variety of soft fabrics offer sensory experience for baby as she explores all sides of Madame Chouette 3/31/2015 (MSRP: $70.00; Age: 0 and Up)


Ticket to Ride by DAYS OF WONDER

Ticket to Ride by DAYS OF WONDERBorrowing a Beatles song as its title, this 2004 Spiel des Jahres ("Game of the Year")winner is extraordinarily popular among the board game cognoscenti with sales just over 250,000 and availability in six languages and 30 countries. Players embark on a “track trip,” collecting train cards to connect cities in an effort to claim the longest rail route in North America. - Andrew Robinton
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 463 reviews on Amazon.com. (Watch the Ticket to Ride Video Watch Video) 1/18/2005 (MSRP: $39.95; Age: 8 and Up)


Trigger by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Trigger by BLUE ORANGE GAMESIn Trigger, players answer "True" or "False to various statements using their right hand for "True" and their left hand for "False." The first to answer using the correct hand signal collects a card. An example of one of the statements is "If I am your mother's brother, then I am your aunt." Players collect a card if they are the first to answer correctly, or lose a card if they are the first to answer incorrectly. "Trigger is a fast, fun party game. Your brain has to think quickly so you can answer the statement correctly and answer using the correct hand," Nicole Britton from Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012; 2011 ASTRA Best Toys for Kids
— Why it won: Super fun, for small or large groups of friend or strangers. Rapidly paced and often hilarious, players learn new facts about their opponents, and about their own abilities to be observant. 3/22/2011 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 8 and Up)


Marble Racer by GALT TOYS

Marble Racer by GALT TOYSBuild an exciting marble racing game for up to 4 players. Fully compatible with Galt Marble Run, this exciting construction set features 3 special racing pieces.A variety of chutes and wheels are also included for a really fascinating race. Starter top, starter base, finish, 3 racing vortex, wiggly bell chute, staircase, staircase support, curved chute with horizontal wheel, vertical wheel chute, paddle wheel, 'S' shaped chute, 4 straight chutes, 37 tubes, 4 bases and 20 marbles. Mention ToyDirectory for special considerations

 2/24/2014


JUXTABO™ Game by FUNNYBONE TOYS LLC

JUXTABO™ Game by FUNNYBONE TOYS LLCLOVERS OF CHESS, CHECKERS AND PUZZLE GAMES WILL LOVE JUXTABO! THE COLORFUL GAME WHERE YOU STACK TO WIN
Juxtabo is a fun 3D game where players stack colorful pieces to create patterns on the challenge cards. The board is different every single game, because players create the board with Juxtabo pieces. As the game goes on, the board grows, and it starts to look like a colorful mountain range. The player with the most challenge cards completed at the end of the game wins!



 2/4/2015 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 6 and Up)


Tagamoto Large Starter Set by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.

Tagamoto Large Starter Set by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.Kids place stickers with different bar codes on the track. Then the race cars drive over they read the codes and perform new actions - stopping, lighting up, slowing down, and more. 2/25/2013 (MSRP: $14.99; Age: 4 and Up)


Four-Headed Orange Dragon by SAFARI LTD.®

Four-Headed Orange Dragon by SAFARI LTD.®The Four-Headed Orange Dragon has little to fear, with four sets of eyes on the lookout for food and fiery colored scales that allow it to move through boiling hot lava pools. Safari Ltd® Dragons include the most colorful, creative, and varied dragon figures available. Some of our most intricate professional sculpting and eye-catching hand painted designs can be found in this collection. Let your imagination soar with our Fantasy figures!
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award 12/5/2014 (MSRP: $18.99; Age: 4 and Up)


Princess Electronic Piano by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

Princess Electronic Piano by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANYSchoenhut recently added versatility to their product line by introducing a collection of electric toy pianos painted with adorable characters. Rave reviews from visitors at Toy Fair 2014 proved the popularity of these instruments.
 
Whimsical and appealing for children, these unique and fun instruments will provide hours of musical enjoyment. Included in the selection are a Dog, Elephant, Bird, Alligator, Lady Bug, Zebra and Princess. The 25-key piano sits safely and squarely on the floor within easy reach of little hands...a great choice for beginners. 4/30/2014








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