TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Creative Activities Product Category

Art Books by eeBoo corp.

Three of eeBoo's favorite illustrators - Kevin Hawkes, Lizzy Rockwell, and Melissa Sweet - share their love of art in this new collection of "How to Draw" Art Books. They begin with the Rockwell's intro "Learn to Draw Simple Forms in the Home & Garden"; followed by Sweet's "Drawing Book" and its clever ways of teaching children about form, light, and perspective; and finishing off with Hawkes' "Learn to Draw Animals" with his funny approach to drawing animals without fear. "Kevin Hawkes, Lizzy Rockwell, and Melissa Sweet are well-known children's illustrators who bring their love of drawing and design to these easy-to-follow instruction books," Regina Gelin, sales & marketing rep at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012. 12/12/2011 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Age Crystals: 13 Crystals Deluxe Kit w/LED Base by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

Sparkling crystals grow right before kids' eyes. Grow a collection of 13 sparkling crystal specimens in four colors: Emerald, Aquamarine, Citrine & Ruby. 5 Crystal Clusters; 4 Goedes; 4 Single Crystals.  Plus, kids will learn how to connect their own battery circuit. Contents: crystal growing chemicals, geode mold, casting plaster, crystal growing containers, lids, stirring rods, 48 page Space Age Crystals booklet, instructions, and a multicolor LED base.  Pack size: 17" x 11 ½" x 2 ¼". Launch date: September 2011. 12/12/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mosaics by eeBoo corp.

Containing 72 soft felt triangles in 9 colors, a flocked game board, and 50 illustrated cards, teach color, form, and design to kids without their knowing that they are learning the fundamentals of design. The instructions offer increasing challenges, from Elementary Figures to Negative Space to Perspective to Translucency and Representational Imagery. "Mosaics offers a highly sophisticated introduction to the basics of art and design for children," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing rep at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012. ( Watch Video) 12/9/2011 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Children's Christmas/Nutcracker Scarf Activity Kit by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

This Christmas inspired kit includes: 6 washable, durable nylon 27" square IDEAScarves in Christmas colors. 2 of each of the following colors: Santa suit red, holly green and snow ball white. The Nutcracker (Peter IIyich Tchaikovsky) Music CD with 7 music selections instructional/informational insert. The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet - Paperback by Diane Goode. Nutcracker Activity Book - by Victoria Fremont, a fun candy cane pencil and a sturdy, self-closing, reusable carrying bag with handle. Made in the USA. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Underwater Rainbow Adventure - Activity Kit by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

This Enchanting Activity Kit Includes: The Multi-Award Winning Hardcover book The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. IDEAS Music CD.  Eight - 27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each of the following colors: ocean bottom blue, purple anemone, wave break blue and deep sea swirl.  Recommended for children ages 4-8.  All products made and constructed in the USA. Launch date: October 2011. 12/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Green Start Play Draw Create: Trucks by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Earth—friendly reusable drawing and magnet kits. Contains everything neessary for everlasting fun, learning, and creativity! Each kit includes a magnetic dry erase board, over 30 magnetic play pieces, five dry erase markers in assorted colors and a write on/wipe off activity book filled with lots reusable activities and games. Kids will create rough—and—tumble trucks and make up their own on—the—go adventures. Launch date: February 2011. 12/1/2011 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

OGOBILD Hub by OGOSPORT, LLC

The Hub features new attachments, including the wheel and more imagination pieces, allowing kids to invent more complex structures. Build a go—cart, a rover, or a roaming character on a secret mission. Comes with over 60 attachments. Set Contains: 2 flexible OGOBILD balls, 4 wheels, 16 connectors, 11 joints, 5 wings, 25 imagination pieces. 12/1/2011 (Price: $22.00)

Colorgami by WOWOPOLIS LLC

Coloring meets crafting in the innovative, patent-pending COLORGAMI. It debuts with several thematic sets, including "Space Adventure," "The Red Carpet Collection" and the "Puppet Maker Activity Kit."  Each COLORGAMI kit includes markers, giant COLORGAMI design sheets with characters, accessories, themed environments and more. When the coloring is finished, the illustrations can be popped out, folded and constructed into a three-dimensional scene. Launch date: February 2012. ( Watch Video) 11/29/2011 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crayola Glow Book by CRAYOLA LLC

The Crayola Glow Book lets kids create glowing, moving, animated art. Six glow marker colors and four removable drawing surfaces allow kids to draw, layer, and arrange images, and then light them in sequence so that the images appear to move. And since glow marker drawing surfaces wipe clean with a damp cloth, kids can create new images as often as they like. Variable lighting effect options maximize the glowing contents.
— As of 11/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 17 customer reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps develop fine motor skills; easy clean up; versatile. Cons: Only comes with one sample template to trace; hard to find refills for the markers; the plastic sheets can be difficult to put in place or remove. 11/16/2011 (Price: $29.99)

Crayola Model Magic Jewelry Studio by CRAYOLA LLC

Crayola Model Magic Jewelry Studio lets kids fashion fun and fabulous handmade trinkets, bracelets, necklaces and much more. The bead spinner mashes small amounts of Model Magic into marbled beads and baubles. Kids can make handmade gifts for friends and family, host a jewelry—making party or create their own line of colorful accessories. Includes: Crayola Model Magic Jewelry Boutique workstation, 8 packs Model Magic, 5 bracelet charms, 18 sticky gems, 3 pendant charms, 5 toggle sets, 2 48—inch necklace cords, 2 shape cutters, 4 earring posts and ear wires, 1 36—inch elastic cord, Peacock dryer rack, bead bunch, bead glaze, and instructions.
— As of 11/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Comes with lots of modeling dough; easy; nice gift idea. Cons: the dough can stain; only 4 storage compartments for 8 colors of dough. 11/16/2011 (Price: $31.99)

Crayola Princess Light Up Tracing Desk by CRAYOLA LLC

Creating fun scenes with Disney characters is easy. Light Up surface makes tracing a snap. Comes with 20 tracing sheets, 10 scenes stickers and coloring pencils. 11/16/2011 (Price: $29.99)

Playsilks by SARAHS SILKS

Playsilks are simply pieces of beautiful colored cloth that are used to make capes, skirts, and doll carriers, over and over again in different combination. Blue silks can be spread on the floor to "sail" boats on; green can be grass for horses to "graze" on. These toys are sustainable, eco-friendly and reusable so moms feel good about having them around the house. Sarah's Silks is proud to be Green America certified. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Green America 10/5/2011 (Price: $14.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fire Station Play Box by BOX-O-MANIA

This box can be decorated with the custom stickers to look like a fire station. They can also be drawn on and erased using washable markers. The play box consists of six (6) pieces: a front panel, a back panel, two side panels, the roof and the floor, which locks everything into place. The play box weighs approximately 16 lbs. Once assembled, the play box's dimensions are 55.75" L x 36" W x 57.5" H. Once stored, the play box and carrying case's dimensions are 53.25" L x 20.5" W x 3.5" H. The play box is 100% corrugated plastic, made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). ( Watch Video) 10/5/2011 (Price: $99.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

eeBoo Pipe Cleaners by eeBoo corp.

eeBoo’s new line of super plush pipe cleaners come in 18 vibrant color assortments. Each 36 pipe cleaner pack contains 3 different colors and 4 different thicknesses per pack. Twist, curl or bend them into shape. "Our pipe cleaners are plusher and softer than anything else on the market. Instructions for a different project idea are printed on the back of each package for inspiration, but children are also encouraged to use their imagination to create wonderful, one-of-a-kind crafts," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing associate at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $4.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

18 Crayons by eeBoo corp.

Kids can unleash their creativity with eeBoo’s new line of BIG non-toxic crayons. Large size makes for an easy grip for even the smallest of hands. 18 vivid crayons, each with its own individually designed wrapper, provide a smooth, clean finish. Four beautifully designed plaid inspired box covers to choose from. Launch date: September 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Day at the Beach by eeBoo corp.

52 pages of great drawings to color with accompanying rhymes for reading. Features high-quality textured paper and a durable cover, so kids can read the book even after they're done coloring it. "Pigs and Rabbits at the shore will be your hosts to fun galore," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing associate at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $7.5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Paper Flowers by eeBoo corp.

Adorn any space with these crepe paper flower kits from eeBoo. Each pack contains 2 color papers from which 3 big flowers can be made. 3 pipe cleaner stems included. Easy to follow instructions printed on back. A simple, enjoyable craft for children and adults. "The flowers are hard to resist because they are the perfect marriage of beauty and versatility. They are even beautiful enough to be used as actual decoration for all events and occasions, including weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, holidays, and birthday parties," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing associate at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

lapiluv by LAPILUV INC

lapiluv is the only wearable attachable activity center for parents to play with their children, mixing technology and traditional toys. Launch date: September 2011.
Awards: 2012 PAL AWARD;  2012 Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award 9/16/2011 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab by SMARTLAB TOYS

Standing over two feet tall, the Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab has 60 mix-and-match pieces to build an unlimited amount of contraptions.  Kids can dream up crazy courses, then build and test them using this easy-to-construct Velcro-like system.  Instructions offer tips and tricks on how to best manipulate the kit's components.  It guides kids through five sample contraption designs while they learn how to predict the outcome of each. "Contraption Lab offers full-circle skill building from prediction and planning to testing and experimentation," Nancy Storment, marketing & PR rep for SmartLab Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012.
— Why it won: A great product that encourages creativity. 9/16/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Master Kitz - The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh by KIDZAW INC

The Starry Night would have been just another landscape if it were not for van Gogh’s swirling layered brush strokes that make the painting come alive. The Starry Night Master Kitz includes all the tools your child needs to create their own Starry Night masterpiece and learning materials to deepen their understanding of the original painting. Each Starry Night Master Kitz includes:A sturdy, re-usable art tool box with magnetic closures, 3 Custom Acrylic Paints (child friendly), 5 Custom Oil Pastels (child friendly), 1 van Gogh Roller specially designed to , replicate van Gogh’s active stroke, 1 re-usable Starry Night Cyprus Stencil, 1 standard paint roller, 2 pieces deluxe art paper, 1 low tack “Mesmerizing Stars” sticker sheet, Fun, easy-to-understand van Gogh learning materials, Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. The Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt and Water Lilies by Claude Monet kits are also available. Fifteen percent of Kidzaw’s profits are donated to programs that fund art for disadvantaged public schools in urban areas.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012
— Why it won: This fun kit introduces kids to one of the most famous pieces of art in the world. Including educational materials about van Gogh, the kit also provides paint, stickers, and the tools necessary for kids to recreate, or re-imagine, the Starry Night painting. 9/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Junglemorphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS

Junglemorphs, new for 2011, is part of the Zoomorphs pop-together building system.  The child can build animals that exist or have existed in nature; or easily pop the pieces apart to make all sorts of friendly, poseable fantasy creatures.  There are four characters in this set:  Tree Python, Bird of Paradise, Tiger and Tropical Beetle.  All sets are interchangeable.  Some animals have hinged jaws. Launch date: August 2011.
— Karin Evick, manager of Kids' Ketch in Lewes, Del., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that Zoomorphs are one of their best selling construction toys. 9/8/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

The Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab includes 50+ pre-cut Shrinky Dinks, Faber-Castell color EcoPencils, brads, chenille stems, wiggly eyes and more. When you are finished, place them inside the 3-D pop-up laboratory. This craft kit is perfect for play and display. The Laboratory measures 16" x 7 3/4" x 6". This is a spook-tacular kit for Halloween too. 9/7/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrinky Dinks Halloween Fun by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

This quick and easy craft makes a spook-tacular Halloween decoration. Includes genuine Shrinky Dinks®, 11" x 8" sturdy black velvet tree, colored pencils, sharpener, mini hole punch and all the extras needed for decoration and display. 9/7/2011 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soft ShapesŪ Play Puppets: Enchanted Kingdom by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Kids can make up their own royal adventures, swashbuckling stories, superhero missions, and pretty kitty tales with these themed puppet packs containing six puppets each. For use alone or with the Soft Shapes Puppet Theater. Launch date: August 2011. ( Watch Video) 9/6/2011 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A5 Sketch Pad by XONEX

All purpose sketch paper is bright white with sturdy backing. Kraft paper covers to customize! 30 acid-free sheets. 50 lb paper weight (80g). Polybag with label. Size:5¾ x 8¼“. Launch date: August 2011. 9/2/2011 (Price: $4.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]