TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 4 - 7th & 8th grade by THE SPELLING BEE GAME INC.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards. 6/22/2012 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 3 — 5th & 6th grade by THE SPELLING BEE GAME INC.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards. 6/22/2012 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 2 - 3rd & 4th grade by THE SPELLING BEE GAME INC.

BUZZLEWORDS® - The Spelling Bee Game is the most fun that children and adults can have while learning spelling, reading and vocabulary. Because the spelling words are taken from actual school word lists, children will master all of the spelling words for his or her grade level just by playing the game. In addition, by reading the words to the speller and by looking up the meanings of words for the speller,  children will improve his or her reading and vocabulary skills while having fun, without even realizing it. Includes Game Board, Tri-Colored Die, 6 Bee Playing Pieces, 300 BUZZLEWORD Cards, 50 BUZZLEBEE Cards. 6/22/2012 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kindness Kingdom by MARVELOUSLY WELL-MANNERED LLC

This marvelous manners game encourages empathy, develops social skills and nurtures a kindness of spirit that will help each player lead a more enjoyable and thoughtful life.
— As of 10/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. ( Watch Video) 6/21/2012 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Classic 30 Model Building Set by K'NEX BRANDS

Kids can build models that move with classic K'NEX pieces. Includes 300+ pieces and ideas to build 30 models like a truck, helicopter and dune buggy. Made in U.S.A.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys
— Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that K'Nex was one of her best-selling construction toy brands. 6/19/2012 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pieces of History™ Pharaoh's Egypt by FIND IT GAMES

The Pharaoh's Egypt puzzle captures a significant event of historical relevance in ancient Egypt. Details that define the location or time are vividly portrayed throughout this 300-piece puzzle.  Icons depicting the historical theme border the finished puzzle and are hidden within the artwork.  A day in the life of the Egyptians along the Nile of Pharaoh’s time becomes a second game once the pieces are in place. Look around the border and deep inside the scene to “find it” – a list of 40 Egyptian items from sandals, sword, necklace, wine jar and pottery, to animals like a cobra, crocodile, leopard, jackals and monkey. Instead of putting the pieces back in the box for another day, consider framing the handsome historic scene. The included key explains the significance of each found object. Puzzle features vibrant artwork from painter Rachel Land and are suitable for framing. Finished puzzle measures 20.75" x 15".
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys, 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20 6/19/2012 (Price: $13.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Diggin' Dinos Scramble Squares® by b. dazzle, inc.

The renewed popularity of the subject of dinosaurs and recent sensational archaeological finds have led to this second coming of Scramble Squares® dinosaurs styles, Diggin' Dinos. These dinos are less dragon-like and scary than b. dazzle's original Dinosaurs puzzle and more suitable for the elementary school child.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys 6/19/2012 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bears Scramble Squares® by b. dazzle, inc.

This Bears Scramble Squares® puzzle is not only one of the most popular Scramble Squares® puzzles, it is among the most beautiful. Bears are cute and cuddly as stuffed cloth playmates, but in the wild, bears are extremely powerful and can be very dangerous animals, especially if they are startled by intruders. Bears have no remaining natural enemies, other than humans and one another. One swat from the powerful foreleg of a brown bear or black bear can break the neck of a deer! In spite of their large size and lumbering walk, bears can run very fast, up to 25 miles per hour, which is faster than the world record for humans in the 100 meter sprint.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys 6/19/2012 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Basher: Go! Go! BoBo Opposites by KINGFISHER BOOKS

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. Bouncy BoBo is back, leaping through bright, cheerful scenes, and discovering all kinds of amazing opposites—from big elephants and tiny mice to a noisy drum kit and a quiet balloon ride. The super-colorful artwork, bold design, and funny antics will make this a read again favorite for the youngest set. Launch date: April 24, 2012. 6/15/2012 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Basher: Go! Go! BoBo Time by KINGFISHER BOOKS

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. From the moment he gets up to the time he goes to bed, lovable (but accident-prone!) BoBo bounces through his day. A big, bold clock face on each spread will help preschoolers learn how to tell the time, and the super-colorful design and silly antics will keep them engaged. Launch date: April 24, 2012. 6/15/2012 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Match It! - First Words Memory by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Match It! First Words Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn first words through images and reading.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval 6/8/2012 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Match It! - Mathematics Memory by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Match It! Mathematics Memory is a fun memory game that will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations help children learn basic addition and subtraction. 6/8/2012 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moving through Math: Meadow Count by MISSARMIA PRODUCTIONS LLC

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. Meadow Count explores one-to-one correspondence and counting. 6/6/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moving through Math: Clap, Drum, and Shake It! by MISSARMIA PRODUCTIONS LLC

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. This book explores repeating patterns. 6/6/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Autumn de Forest by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Autumn de Forest is ten years old and loves to paint. She has been an avid painter for most of her life, but it was not until her parents placed fine art quality oil paints and canvases within her grasp that her output became not only prolific — but eerily beyond her years. DVD, 20 minutes. 6/6/2012 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creating a Clay Whistle by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Luis Perez, educator, ceramist, and musician gives a brief history of Pre-Columbian musical instruments – wind and percussion, and shows the materials used in a demonstration of clay whistle construction. He explains the basic principles of sound and how symmetry and asymmetry is applied to the making of finger holes for sound production. He makes an acoustic chamber, creates an aperture for sound, the mouth piece, and the finger holes. He produces the sounds of a clay whistle using various types of finished whistles. Many examples are shown. Grades 6-12. DVD, 23 minutes. 6/6/2012 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creating Still Lifes by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Peggy Flores sets up several still lifes using a variety of subjects, and shows how to display them for the best perspective. She also cuts out templates of various shapes to show how students could compose a still life on a piece of paper. She draws the still lifes in pencil or outlines the paper cutouts and colors them with watercolor, tempera, markers, and colored pencils. Many finished examples are shown. DVD, 18 minutes. 6/6/2012 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Climate & Weather by THAMES & KOSMOS

The state of Earth's atmosphere affects us all, which explains why the weather is one of the most popular topics of conversation and scientific study. Build a model of Earth and its atmosphere and then use it to conduct experiments that show how the global wind system works. Trace air currents from the icy cold poles to the warm equator and back with a wisp of smoke. Model Earth's heat reservoirs, thermals, and global and local winds. Recreate ocean currents in a small basin of water. Simulate Earth's rotation and revolution to learn how the sun affects the weather daily and seasonally. Learn about the climatic zones and the composition of the atmosphere. Experiment to see how carbon dioxide levels affect temperature. Explore the hydrological cycle to learn about humidity, clouds, and precipitation. Build a simple barometer, set up a rain gauge, and track the temperature. Full-color, 48-page manual featuring 23 experiments. 5/25/2012 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Glow-in-the-Dark Lab by SMARTLAB TOYS

Put this glow-boratory to the test with 20 experiments that will help you answer questions like, what makes a glowing ball bounce and, what does fake snow have in common with spaghetti? View the experiments with a hand-held black light, build a lava lamp, and create glowing alien blood. Test out projects that teach about these 9 principles of science: fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, bioluminescence, polymers, non-Newtonian fluids, carbon dioxide reactions, crystal formation, and nucleation. This kit includes: a handheld black-light activator, 4 glow sticks, mix-n-measure scoop, fluorescent ink, beaker, mixing cup, 3 creature molds, 2 test tubes and stand, funnel, bouncy ball mold, glow-in-the-dark powder, bouncy ball polymer, jelly balls polymer, fake snow polymer, star stickers, and a 24-page Lab Book. 5/25/2012 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Snap Circuits LIGHT by ELENCO

Snap parts together to build different circuits, and watch the different pieces light up. Includes fiber optics over a light organ that can be connected to an iPod; the lights will flash to the beat of the music. Includes strobe lights with different plates so kids can experiment with strobe patterns, white LED lights, glow in the dark and lighted fan blades, a light up egg, and more.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Where to buy:
NORTH EAST
SOUTH  5/25/2012 (Price: $75.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Duple by ANOMIA PRESS

Duple is a quick-thinking game of symbol matching and word-finding. Players flip letter cards in turn until the symbols on two players' cards match. Matching players face-off by being the first to shout a word which contains the letters on both cards. Correct answers must be at least 5 letters long and conform to ever-changing categories. Wild Cards and Cascades create unexpected face-offs and the All Play card gets everyone facing off a once. Distributed by Everest. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval 5/25/2012

The ZOOB Challenge by INFINITOY

How can kids move a ball into a target with 2 high walls from 2 feet away? Build a ramp? A catapult? A trampoline? A zip-line? There are no right answers and we provide no solutions--it's up to kids to use ZOOB pieces (and other materials that they choose) to build contraptions that solve the challenges. The ZOOB Challenge features 175 ZOOB pieces, string, wheels, a ball, rubber bands, a foam play pad, and 25 challenges based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) skills-skills that educators have targeted as essential to helping the US compete successfully in the 21st century. 5/25/2012 (Price: $32.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lowercase ABC Alphabet Magnet by SMART GEAR LLC

Includes 44 magnetic pieces. Children can play and learn alphabet, spelling and reading words with pictures. Extra pieces included for free-writing. 5/25/2012 (Price: $31.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sticky Mosaics® Robots by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED

It’s a robot riot. These futuristic fighters are here to save the world. Follow a simple legend and add cool foam pieces to these droid destroyers so they can squash the bad guys. Arrange the army in different battle formations and take out evil once and for all. This kit includes 10 FlipMotion™ stickers to add real movement to these mosaic masterpieces. Launch date: March 2012. 5/25/2012 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sticky Mosaics® Dragons by THE ORB FACTORY LIMITED

It’s time for a dragon duel. These deadly dragons are breathing fire and sharpening their talons. Follow a simple legend and add cool foam pieces to these battling beasts. Hang these magical dragons on your bedroom walls for some truly monstrous décor. This kit includes 9 FlipMotion™ stickers to add real movement to your mosaic masterpieces. Launch date: March 2012. 5/25/2012 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]