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

Pirates Take Along Dungeon by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Have fun on the go with the Pirates Take Along Dungeon. Includes two figures, monkey, working cannon, and many other accessories that can be placed in the dungeon's storage compartment. Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Unicorn Take Along Castle by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Have fun on the go with the Unicorn Take Along Castle. Includes a figure, two unicorns, and many other accessories that can be placed in the castle's storage compartment. Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ghost Pirate Ship by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Sail the Ghost Pirate Ship in the dark quiet seas. Open the hidden flap to expose the three figures. Treasures and two working cannons can be stored in hidden compartments. Set also comes with an anchor and many other accessories. Ghost Pirate Ship rolls on wheels or floats on water. The set can be upgraded with the Playmobil Underwater Motor (#7350). Once exposed to the light, the figures will glow when you turn off the light. You can continue to play with them even in the dark. Dimensions: 22.4 inches (Length). Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Barbarian Take Along Fort by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Have fun on the go with the Barbarian Take Along Fort. Includes two figures, working ballista, and many accessories that can be placed in the fort's storage compartment. Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Knights Take Along Tower by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Have fun on the go with the Knights Take Along Tower. Includes two figures, working cannon, and many accessories that can be placed in the tower's storage compartment. Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ghost Whale Skeleton by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Keep the ghost pirates protected in the Ghost Whale Skeleton. Includes two figures and a Ghost Whale Skeleton. Skeleton comes with lateral folding door and jaw that can open and close. Set comes with working cannon and many other accessories. Once exposed to the light, the playset will glow when you turn off the light. You can continue to play with them even in the dark. Recommended for ages four and up. (Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fair Share Chore Cards by ROBIN DOWNES DESIGN

Fair Share Chore Cards eliminates dreaded arguments among who does what chores and takes the phrase "that’s not fair" out of the housework equation by leaving chore assignments to the luck of the draw. The chore cards have helpful directions printed on each card on how to accomplish each chore safely and efficiently. The only Ace in the deck serves as a "get out of a chore free" card, giving one a lucky break from a chore. ( Watch Video) 12/7/2009 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Clear Colors Magna-Tiles® by VALTECH CO.

This 32-piece set of transparent tiles in various shapes makes for a colorful building project. It comes with 14 small squares, two large squares, four isosceles triangles, four right triangles and eight equilateral triangles.
— Four of 44 retailers told TDmonthly in late fall 2009 that Magna-Tiles is one of their best-selling products. Isaac Judd, CEO of Magic Beans in Brookline, Mass., estimated his store sold about 100 Magna-Tiles sets in November 2009.
― “[An] item I do very well with is from Valtech, their Magna-Tiles,” said Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star  in Lexington, Mass., of best-selling construction toys in April 2010.
― Three of 43 retailers surveyed in spring 2010 told TDmonthly Magna-Tiles are a best-selling construction item in their stores. 12/3/2009

Harumika Designer Dress Form Set by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Aspiring fashion designers can test their skills with this no-sew kit that includes two dress forms, stamped art, fabrics, fashion accessories and a stylus tool to lock the designs in place. ( Watch Video) 12/2/2009

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Ocean by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Ocean combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for your child. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reuseable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity! The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3' x 2'. Launch date: November 16, 2009. 11/30/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Farm by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Farm combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for your child. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reuseable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity! The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3' x 2'. Launch date: November 16, 2009. 11/25/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cuddle Cards by MERCURIUS USA

Each of the 52 cards in this set includes a funny drawing, a catchword and a phrase. They are designed to be drawn randomly to spark conversation between parent and child, to provide comfort or reward, or to function as an ice breaker at a kids' party. 11/19/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ben 10 Alien Creation Challenge by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Kids can test their alien design skills with the Alien Creation Challenge “build it or blast it” play set. Kids race against a timer as they piece together alien torsos and limbs to recreate figures based on alien combo cards. If time runs out, the tray pops up along with all the alien pieces. Players can keep the challenge going by adding additional figures to the play set and creating additional alien combo cards online. The play set includes four alien figures, eight alien combo cards and a special key to unlock body parts. Launch date: August 2009. 11/17/2009 (Price: $24.99)

Shrinky Dinks Holiday Fun by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Kids create a 9” sparkly Christmas tree, then color Shrinky Dinks ornaments with the included color pencils, bake them, and then hang them on the tree. The kit includes 30 ornaments, eight colored pencils, a hole punch, metallic stars, ornament rings, a star-shaped tree topper, silver metallic tree branches, metallic foil paper for wrapping the base of the tree, and a pre-assembled tree base.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers mentioned Shrinky Dinks when asked about best-selling hobby products in fall 2009.
— Two other retailers named Creativity for Kids as a best-selling hobby brand in their stores. 11/9/2009 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

PlayFoam Mini Single by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

Each single-color mini pack is designed to introduce kids to the texture and possibilities of PlayFoam. The collection includes six colors, which may be used as party gifts or stocking stuffers.
— PlayFoam small bricks have been consistent best sellers for the last two years at The Parent-Teacher Store & Toys Too in Louisville, Ky., Owner Kimberly Kopatz told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 11/9/2009 (Price: $2.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shains - Save the Animals Kit by SHAINSWARE

The Jane Goodall Save the Animals Kit features 50 icons of species that have been brought back from extinction. With each purchase, 10 percent is donated to the Jane Goodall Institute to continue to raise awareness and support the animals of the world. "[It's] the only kit to feature these 50 species and the kit bracelets and elements are made from recycled materials," Ewa Zielinski, owner of Shainsware, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bling by Number Card Design Set by FASHION ANGELS

The Bling By Number Card Design Set includes materials for creating handmade greeting cards. The set includes eight cards and envelopes, four postcards, 50 cut-out shapes and 100+ stickers, plus glitter glue, sequins, gems and more. The Bling by Number line is designed to be error proof and provide professional-looking results every time. There are easy to follow “Bling by Number” instructions and design ideas to get girls started on their way to creating their own personalized card collection. "It gets the creativity going for girls and shows that 'hand-made' can also be glam, fun, and many different materials can be used to achieve the final piece," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fashion Angels Mini Sketch Books by FASHION ANGELS

Made for the designing diva on the go, this kit includes 10 mini markers, a design guide and 25 sketch sheets. There are three styles: Fashion Design, Pet Fashion Design and Rockstar Stylist. "These new mini sized versions offer an amazing price point that will fit into everyone's budget. A perfect stocking stuffer or birthday gift for any girl," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fashion Angels Glitz & Glamour Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio by FASHION ANGELS

Girls can create a portfolio book of fabulous fashion creations with a little glitz and glamour flair, using the 50+ stencils and create red-carpet-worthy designs. Launch date: August 2009.
— Kim Emigh, VP of E-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Fashion Angels Fashion Design Sketch Portfolios were one of their best selling tween products. 11/5/2009 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fashion Angels Flower Power Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio by FASHION ANGELS

Girls can create a portfolio book of fabulous fashion creations with Flower Power flair, using the 50+ removable stencils to create funky Boho-Chic designs. "Girls can focus their designs to a certain theme, and this one happens to be boho-chic look that is very trendy right now," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

100% Cool Sticker Maker by FASHION ANGELS

Girls can create their own stickers using the 100-percent Cool Sticker Maker machine. Kids can create a custom sticker from their own drawings, magazine pictures, photographs and more. The kit includes the sticker maker machine, 15 stencils, and 8' of sticker tape. Refills are available. "The machine is compact, so it is great for slumber parties, camp and to take on the go. Plus, the fact that just about any weight of paper material can be used to make into a sticker is a great feature," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Project Runway Rockstar Style Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio by FASHION ANGELS

The Project Runway Rockstar Style Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio lets girls create a look for their favorite musician or their own future rock band. Girls use the stencils to start the design, then follow the instructions for inspiration and how to shade the design to make it look like it was done by a professional. This portfolio includes 40 fashion design sketch pages and 50+ stencils. "The stencils that can be easily taken out, and popped back into the portfolio (so they won't get lost!) will help girls start their designs with a real shape and form to work with," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Project Runway Make-Up & Hair Design Sketch Portfolio by FASHION ANGELS

The Project Runway Make-Up & Hair Design Sketch Portfolio allows girls to create their own hair and make up looks on pre-printed Fashion Angels model sketch pads. The set includes removable plastic stencil cards with more than 100 shapes to start girls creating the next wild hair color streaks, what color lip gloss will be the next hot trend, or how to wear make-up and hair to a rockin’ concert. The book also has easy-to-follow instructions on how to draw like the pros with shading techniques and funky details. Launch date: August 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Project Runway Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio by FASHION ANGELS

The Project Runway Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio allows kids to create their own portfolio book of clothing and accessory designs on the pre-printed Fashion Angels model sketch pads. The set includes removable plastic stencil cards with more than 100 shapes to start girls on their way to creating finished looking designs. The book also has easy-to-follow instructions on how to draw like professional designers with shading techniques and funky details. "The sketch portfolio has an awesome section in the front that walks kids through how to do different shading techniques so they can make their drawing look realistic and three dimensional. The stencils can be taken out, and placed back into the portfolio so kids won't lose them," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009. 11/5/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Project Runway Hair Stylist Studio Set by FASHION ANGELS

Kids can learn to style trend-setting runway hair-dos with this deluxe studio set. They get started with the step-by-step design guide on how to use different hair accessories to create many funky hairstyles. The included headband, scarf, clips and many more hair accessories offers a great start to create fab hair to complement any look they want to achieve. "The design guide is what really makes this kit. It has everything about hair styling from how to create volume to how to use the scarf and clips included in the kit to make dramatic up-dos," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 11/5/2009 (Price: $23.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]