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

Cool Construction 10 Model Building Set by K'NEX BRANDS

The 150-piece set includes instructions on how to build ten different models – from bulldozers to forklifts. All pieces are packaged in a handy storage case, making it easy to take anywhere. 3/26/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dueling Racers by K'NEX BRANDS

The set lets kid build two cars at once using two motors and 136 building pieces, including rods, connectors and bricks. Instructions on how to build two lead models and two alternate models are also included. 3/26/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stonees by ZABAZOO CORPORATION

The 50-piece set of composed of building blocks that are colorful, easy to use and rock-like contoured for an alternative to traditional wooden blocks or plastic pieces that stick together. Children will enhance their fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving abilities, creative concept thought and imagination, while also applying an underlying eco-awareness. A 150-piece set is also available. 3/25/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Little Pim: Foreign Language and Fun, Vol. 1 Eating and Drinking (Spanish) by LITTLE PIM CO.

The DVD contains five-minute shorts starring a lovable, animated panda named Little Pim who, along with live-action kids, teaches very young kids food related vocabulary. It also teaches them and how to express needs such as "I'm hungry" and "I'm thirsty" by pairing words with action. The DVD is specially designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. “Available in Spanish, French, Chinese and ESL, the three-disc series teaches young children nearly two hundred vocabulary words and phrases for such everyday activities as playtime, bedtime and mealtime,” Heide Hendricks of Little Pim Co. told TDmonthly. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: November 2007. 3/25/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Henrys Circus Diabolo by HIGGINS BROTHERS

The German-made diabolo measures 5” in diameter. It features a special center that makes for excellent spinning. 3/18/2008 (Price: $50.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Music Table by LITTLE COLORADO INC.

Baltic birch plywood table measures 15" H x 26" W x 22" D and features a real leather drum, a cymbal, a single octave xylophone, a single octave xylopipe and four multicolored maracas with four mallets. All musical components are easy to replace if they are ever damaged to insure a long life for this product. ( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (Price: $179.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Toad Toss'n by DRIVEWAY GAMES COMPANY LLC

The floating bean bag toss game consists of a 36” x 24” wedge target that inflates and floats like a raft and eight frog-shaped waterproof bean bags. Lilly pad scoring zones add a fun, new twist to the game. The game can be played on land or in a pool. "It takes the fun and huge popularity of traditional lawn bean bag toss to the swimming pool, indoors and beyond with the first-of-its-kind inflatable, floating target and toss bean bags," President Justin Greiwe of Driveway Games Company told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2008 Toy of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: June 1, 2008. ( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook by HANDSTAND KIDS

Kids will learn how to cook simple, yet delicious Mexican dishes, while learning about the vibrant Mexican culture. Each book is packaged in a tortilla bag with an oven mitt. "Ingredients and utensils are translated in the intro so kid chefs get to learn Spanish," Handstand Kids Founder Yvette Garfield told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: May 5, 2008.

Where to Buy: Dolls Like Me

( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bonz Band by CURIOUS TOYS

The instrument construction set consists of colorful, anatomically incorrect and interlocking construction pieces that children can use to assemble a variety of distinctive musical instruments. The set includes a CD of original music, a large metallic whistle, a canister with a top that converts into a tambourine and a bottom that converts into a drum, drumsticks, a washboard rattle, sand-filled shakers and four poseable eyes that turn the musical instruments into characters. The 42 construction pieces are all compatible with other Bonz sets. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 3/12/2008 (Price: $26.00)

Barney 48PC Puzzle Jigsaw Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Invite Barney into your very own living room, learning and playing while you bring Barney and his friends to life puzzle piece by puzzle piece, perfect for little hands. 3/11/2008

Barney 24PC Puzzle Jigsaw Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Invite Barney into your very own living room, learning and playing while you bring Barney and his friends to life puzzle piece by puzzle piece, perfect for little hands. 3/11/2008

Planet Earth 1000PC Jigsaw Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Photographic Images from BBC Landmark TV series. Each image telling a story of the most spectacular natural events and animals on Earth piece by piece.

Puzzle Size: 29.75" x 19.125"
8 assorted images

Available Now 3/11/2008

Planet Earth 500PC Jigsaw Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Photographic Images from BBC Landmark TV series. Each image telling a story of the most spectacular natural events and animals on Earth piece by piece. 3/11/2008

Planet Earth 100PC Jigsaw Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Photographic Images from BBC Landmark TV series. Each image telling a story of the most spectacular natural events and animals on Earth piece by piece. 3/11/2008

Manga Drawing Kit by FABER-CASTELL

Part of the Creative Studio line, this set includes three PITT artist pens made with India Ink (black superfine, black brush and grey brush) and a 28-page instruction book with helpful hints on doing manga drawings — with lessons on everything from basic shapes to light and shadow. It showcases a variety of head shapes, and the kit also includes the following: a poseable figurine on a stand to help guide artists in their drawings, a graphite pencil, an eraser, a sharpener, a stencil, a ruler and a 20-page sketch pad. Specialty retail members of ASTRA were impressed with this kit at Toy Fair 2008. Launch date: May 2008. 3/11/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Draw n' Dream Console by PLAYMATES TOYS INC.

The self-contained, interactive art studio can be taken anywhere and used any time. The studio comes with friendly narration and allows kids to learn at their own pace. Launch date: 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $49.99)

U-Dance by TIGER ELECTRONICS

The electronic dance game requires no game console or dance mat controller. Simply plug the included U-Dance console to a television and then attach motion tags to shoes. The motion tags allow users to use moves that are outside the scope of a typical dance mat. Launch date: Fall 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $74.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ulti-Motion by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

The system plugs directly into televisions like a video game, and features wireless motion controllers that sense kids’ motions. Three different play packages are available: sports, Disney Princesses and Playhouse Disney Preschool. Launch date: Fall 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $79.99)

Yoga Pose Coloring Book by SPIRALING HEARTS

Each of the 30 pages in the coloring book depicts a different yoga pose, making yoga fun for children to learn. Complete pose instructions included in the back of the book. 3/3/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SR Make Your Backboard Design Series by NEXT STEP FAMILY OF PRODUCTS

With the SR Make Your Backboard Design Series, kids can make the backboard shape and cover design they want for their favorite sport or activity, which adds creativity to the SportsRing's versatility and makes it stand out. Children can play their favorite sports any time, any place with the SR SportsRing or Hoop and its customized backboards. “The playability and creativity mixture to make something fun and personal makes it ideal for the specialty toy market,” Ron Nelson of Next Step Family of Products told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008. 2/27/2008 (Price: $24.95)

Marilyn Monroe Puzzle-A-Month™ by THE CANADIAN GROUP

The jigsaw calendar allows users to assemble a new puzzle every month. The 1,800-piece puzzle set comes with a calendar, frame and hanger. Available varieties include Marilyn Monroe and Landmark. Launch date: Fall 2008. 2/26/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Elvis Presley Panorific™ Legends 1000PC Puzzle by THE CANADIAN GROUP

The 1,000-piece panoramic puzzle measures 39” wide and features four images of the legendary icon, Elvis Presley. Other varieties include Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali and Audrey Hepburn. 2/26/2008 (Price: $12.99)

CONNECT'EM™ 4480PC Puzzle – The Beatles by THE CANADIAN GROUP

Build four individual puzzles, and then connect them to create a puzzle display that measures over 5” in length. The box comes with four 1,120-piece puzzles, which join to make one master puzzle. This product is a Dr. Toy 10 Best Active Toy Award winner. 2/25/2008 (Price: $24.99)

Glade Creek Grist Mill Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

1500 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. 2/25/2008 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dynasty Jigsaw Puzzle by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle. 2/25/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]