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

Goodwood Deconstruction Blocks by AROUNDSQUARE

Goodwood is a system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite imaginative and creative play. The precisely crafted blocks allow for building in every dimension, creating structures that are architecturally interesting and visually pleasing. The system includes seven intercompatible sets, each intended to be fun and interesting on its own, and to combine in fascinating ways with the others. These colored blocks are made from forest-friendly wood and are CPSIA tested. "The abstract, innovative shapes of the Goodwood blocks, which fit together in surprising and interesting ways, cultivate truly open-ended explorative play," Around Square President Matthew Hiebert told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Products Award 6/25/2010 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cake Designer Kit by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

The Girl Gourmet Cake Designer Kit lets kids create and design custom cake patterns. This kit includes a square shape mold, a lacing wheel cutter, two wheel cutters, a plastic display box, six shaped fondant cutters and an instruction sheet. 6/23/2010 (Price: $9.99)

Candy Bead Studio by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

Girl Gourmet lets girls create their own edible fashions with this Candy Bead Studio. It includes everything needed to make candy jewelry. 6/23/2010 (Price: $21.99)

CARS Ramone's House of Body Art Color Shifters Playset by MATTEL INC.

These cars, based on film character favorites Lightning McQueen, Mater and Ramone, change color when dipped in water. For more organized car customization, the CARS Color Changers auto body shop playset allows boys to easily change the paint job of their CARS Color Changers vehicles.
— Michelle Bears, owner of The Toy Store in Highlands, N.C., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that she sells about 20 Disney Cars licensed products each month. 6/23/2010 (Price: $22.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Princess Sea Pretty Styling Head by HASBRO INC.

The Disney Princess Sea Pretty Styling Head allows girls to give Ariel a party-worthy look in or out of the tub. Ariel's long red hair changes color in cold water and transforms back with warm water. Ariel's face and bodice can also change color. Flounder is included. 6/22/2010 (Price: $23.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Primary Wooden Kitchen by KIDKRAFT

Constructed of sturdy wood with bright primary colors, this kitchen island comes with four major appliances and accessories. Multiple children can play together, sharing pretend household tasks at the stove, microwave, sink and oven. Turning nobs, opening doors, shakers and utensils add to the fun. 
― “We do well with KidKraft kitchens and playhouses. We sell them year-round and offer free assembly,” said Shawntá Ray, owner of Happy Up Inc in Edwardsville, Ill., when asked about her best-selling furniture and playhouse items during a May 2010 survey.
― Four of 48 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2010 that KidKraft is a best-selling playhouse and furniture brand in their stores. 6/22/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe Kitchen Play Center by MELISSA & DOUG

This large wood kitchen from Melissa & Doug is printed with bright graphics and loaded with pretend amenities so kids can take their role-play to the next level. Cabinets for storage above and below the sink, a refrigerator, oven, sink, stove and microwave are designed to accommodate hours of creative storytelling. 
― Five of 43 retailers told TDmonthly Melissa & Doug is a best-selling line during a May 2010 survey on best-selling furniture and play house items.
— In a May 2012 survey, John Taylor, owner of O.P Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly that this is their best selling furniture/play house item. 6/22/2010 (Price: $249.99)

Littlest Pet Shop Deco Pets Bear by HASBRO INC.

Kids can add a dash of creativity to this bear pet with the included stencils, stickers and colorful markers. 6/21/2010 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Amigurumi Friend with Sound by LION BRAND YARN

This pre-knit craft kit includes everything a child needs to make an Amigurumi Friend. Simply attach the pre-made parts, stuff them with fiberfill and stitch them up with yarn supplied. A customizable six-second message on a recordable sound module makes each semi-homemade stuffed animal unique. The kit is available in Coco the Dog, Blossom the Lamb, Rudy the Rectangle, Walle the Koala, Katie the Cat, and Pookie the Panda. 6/18/2010 (Price: $9.99)

Princess and Pirate Dress-Up Dolls by MANHATTAN TOY

These plush dolls are designed to teach children practical skills like buttoning, zipping, tying and snapping. The 15" pirate comes with a parrot pal, sword and eye patch, and the 15" princess includes a butterfly, flower and crown. ( Watch Video) 6/16/2010 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Design and Drill by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

Kids can fire up this "power drill," grab some bolts and create a mosaic masterpiece. Designed to build coordination, the kit includes a power drill, screwdriver, wrench, three interchangeable drill bits, 20 bolts, an 11.5" pegboard and 20 idea cards. ( Watch Video) 6/16/2010 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tops and Tights by MELISSA & DOUG

This magnetic dress-up set features two double-sided wooden figures that can be dressed for every occasion. An extensive wardrobe of magnetic tops and tights, reusable vinyl shoes and hair accessories are included in a portable zippered fashion-designer portfolio. ( Watch Video) 6/16/2010 (Price: $19.99)

Fanta Color Jr. by QUERCETTI INTELLIGENT TOYS

Young children can create colorful mosaics with the Fantacolor Junior peg board set. The set includes eight pattern cards, a clear peg board and 48 colorful pegs that are large enough for preschool-age children to handle. This toy is designed to help children develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination. ( Watch Video) 6/16/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creative Caddie - Art by JONTI-CRAFT INC.

The Creative Caddie has an easy-to-clean Write-n-Wipe adjustable tabletop that can also be easily covered with paper (not included) for art projects. Kids can store supplies in the tray below or in optional bins that can be attached to the sides. The caddie accommodates a 24" paper roll and is available in 21" and 25" sizes.
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified. 6/16/2010 (Price: $331.70) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SmartLab Bug Playground by SMARTLAB TOYS

Kids can wrangle backyard creepy-crawlies into this mini funhouse, catching crickets, ants and beetles with the handheld bug catcher, then watching how they behave in the 5” x 3.5” x 3” plastic playground. The Bug Playground comes with a 12-panel fully illustrated booklet written by insect expert David George Gordon. 6/16/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DIY Paint Kit by GLOB LLC

GLOB's do-it-yourself Paint Kit includes everything a child needs to be eco-creative. The paints are made from fruits, vegetables, flowers, spices and organic extracts. This kit contains six scented color packets that make paint when mixed with water. The packets include Lemon Verbena, Tangerine, Pomegranate, Plum Purple, Berry Blue and Basil Green. The kit also comes with six compostable jars with lids and two bamboo vegan brushes, all packaged in a rice paper pouch. "GLOB Natural Blends minimize manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact," GLOB LLC Founder Ashley Phelps told TDmonthly. 6/14/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Color Me Cosmo by COSMO THE BOAT CAT

"Color Me Cosmo," designed by the creator of the chidren's book "Cosmo The Boat Cat" and made in the USA, encourages children to use their imagination to create a colorful Cosmo to share with family and friends. "Color Me Cosmo" is a 12" cotton stuffed animal with a handy pocket sewn on the back with three washable makers. Cosmo is washable and can be used again and again. 6/14/2010 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Meanwhile by ABRAMS BOOKS

Eisner award-winning writer and illustrator Jason Shiga promises 3.856 story combinations in his Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style comic “Meanwhile.” Tabbed pages send readers backward, forward and even across alternate universes as they help main character Jimmy choose ice cream flavors and explore a mad scientist’s lab. “Meanwhile” features 80 full-color pages.
— Common Sense Media cautioned that some of the book’s paths do contain death, though only through simple, gore-less representations. Common Sense Media ultimately declared the book “Quirky, inventive, and absorbing.”
— Tanya of Books4yourkids liked the book’s thick, glossy pages — perfect for a book that will be flipped through time and time again. She said the comic “is IDEAL for long car/plane/train rides and should appeal to boys and girls alike.” 6/14/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stix & Stones by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

Stix & Stones is a prehistoric picture-making race designed to build fine motor, creative and social skills. Kids can create like a caveman using only sticks and stones; no drawing skills are required. Players make a picture with as few pieces as possible, then challenge each other to guess what it is. Along with 40 plastic sticks, 15 plastic stones, an arrow and a timer, Stix & Stones features 75 game cards providing 450 words of varying difficulty, ensuring a different game every time. Instructions and a storage bag are included. 6/8/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kids' Kitchen: 40 Fun and Healthy Recipes to Make and Share by BAREFOOT BOOKS

Kids can step into the kitchen for some child-friendly fun with food. The 40 recipes in this colorful, large deck are based around the five main food groups, and offer a healthy and exciting way to learn about cooking. Kids' Kitchen is written by Fiona Bird and illustrated by Roberta Arenson. ( Watch Video) 6/3/2010 (Price: $19.99)

CALAFANT Robot by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

Build your own robot from the pre-cut parts and decorate it how you imagine your pefect robot to be. The robot comes with a back-pack, little leg pockets and moving arms. ( Watch Video) 6/3/2010 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CALAFANT Three Little Pigs by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

This cardboard kit includes everything you need to build three little houses, play with the three piggies and the big bad wolf (included, plus a playmat to set up the houses and figurines, as well as 12 washable, non-toxic markers). 6/3/2010 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CALAFANT Mermaid Cove by CREATIVE TOYSHOP

A wonderful craft kit to build and decorate an "underwater" cove with two little mermaids to play. The kit comes in pre-cut, pre-punched pieces that are easy to put together without glue, scissors or any other tools (some parental help is required). 12 non-toxic, washable markers of excellent quality are included, so that you can start decorating right away. Calafant toys are made from 75% recycled material, and they can easily be recycled again once the child outgrows them. 6/3/2010 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Techno Gears Marble Mania Vortex by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

This glow-in-the-dark set of Techno Gears Marble Mania has over 375 pieces, including an automatic marble launcher, 3-D connectors and a variety of channels. Colors may vary. Requires 2 “AA” batteries. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and marbles. Not for children under 3 years. 6/2/2010 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mighty World River Explorer by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

One of many adventure kits from Mighty World, the River Explorer set comes with two character figurines and a load of other accessories to stimulate kids' imaginations. The bright yellow, heavy-duty truck and trailer both have free-rolling wheels and are accompanied by a raft, boating and camping gear, and an alligator.
― “Our rack is empty right now, so they've been doing good,” Wallace Harvey, manager of Three Cheeky Monkeys in Los Angeles, Calif., told TDmonthly of Mighty World, which he listed as his best-selling playset during an April 2010 survey. 5/26/2010 (Price: $59.99)