TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

Digasaurus Sandbox by DIGASAURUS SANDBOX

This is a one of a kind educational sandbox fossil find, featuring a tasteful faux rock design.Comes with an on-line field manual that makes it educational and fun as it explains the dinosar bones that are uncovered. Kids can sit all the way around the sand box, and the bones are arranged in a 360 degree format so no one gets left out. Launch date: September 2011. 11/11/2011 (Price: $149.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Saga of the Sioux: An Adaptation from Dee Brown's Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by MACMILLAN

This new adaptation of Dee Brown's multi-million copy bestseller, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, is filled with photographs and maps to bring alive the tragic saga of Native Americans for middle grade readers. Focusing on the Sioux nation as representative of the entire Native American story, this meticulously researched account allows the great chiefs and warriors to speak for themselves about what happened to the Sioux from 1860 to the Massacre of Wounded Knee in 1891. This dramatic story is essential reading for every student of U.S. history. Launch date: October 25, 2011. 11/11/2011 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stacking Shapes Peg Board by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Teach geometric shapes and reinforce fine motor skills as kids put the correct shape into the pegboard. Five shapes including square, circle, triangle, star and hexagon come in five colors. Large 1.5" x 1.25" pegs for easy handling.
Awards: 2005 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
— In a November 2011 survey about best selling education toys, Martha Bimblich, owner of Twinkles of Bay Harbor in Bay Harbor Island, Fla., told TDmonthly that she sells 20-30 of these each month.  “I think it's a great manipulative toy for kids, especially if they're having trouble using their hands," she said. 11/10/2011 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Standard Chenille Stems (Pipe Cleaners) by EDUCATORS RESOURCE

Regular crush resistant polyester stems come in a poly bag with header. Available in a variety of colors, sizes and quantities.
— In a November 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month. "People, especially teachers, like them because they are versatile," he said. 11/10/2011 (Price: $1.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jumbo Washable Stamp Pads by CENTER ENTERPRISES

Non-toxic, child safe ink. unscented. These pads are wonderful for large stamps. Stamp pad measures 6-1/4" x 4". Conforms to ASTM D-4236.
— In a November 2011 survey about best selling education products, Kim Emigh, manager of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly that, "We sell the large stamp pads from Center Enterprises — little kids just love them. They are easy to use for hands or their extra-large stampers." 11/10/2011 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Start to Finish Mazes: Set of 2 by MINDWARE

These Start to Finish Mazes Sets are teacher-created books that combine age-appropriate mazes with challenging activities such as counting practice, letter recognition and more. Lightweight paperback volumes are great for taking along on road trips or filling time at restaurants. 100 puzzles in all.
— When asked about her best selling educational products in November 2011, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that "Just about everything in our store is educational, so this is a tough question to answer," but that "Workbooks from Mindware do well," in particular. 11/10/2011 (Price: $12.95)

Discover the Sound by BEAVER BOOKS PUBLISHING

This original series of electronic Discover the-Sound Books allow kids to explore  backyard, farm, rain forest and pond scenes to discover the animals who live there. Each book has a sound module that plays an animal sound. Available in English and Bilingual versions (English/ French, English/ Spanish). Launch date: January 2012. 11/8/2011 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Water Magic by BEAVER BOOKS PUBLISHING

Parents can have fun with their child as they practice early learning skills with Water Magic™, an exciting new educational format by Beaver Books Publishing. This series of educational discovery books includes four colorful discovery scenes that are magically revealed with the Water Magic™ brush. The engaging activities presented above each scene reinforce the basics of each subject while keeping children entertained. Titles include Alphabet Zoo, Candy Counting, Bug Play: Matching, Circus Colors and more. Launch date: 2011. 11/8/2011 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WiseMoney The Town of Financial Literacy Spanish Card Set by DESTINA INC.

Destina Inc. has released its first expansion to the Wise Money board game: the Spanish Card Set. The Spanish Card Set is a direct translation of all the card decks in the original WiseMoney board game, from Banking and Investing to Identity Protection including directions in Spanish. The Spanish Card Set is an extension of the board game that uses all of the same basic game elements (board, spinner, dice, etc.) of the original English version. "Our product addresses the financial literacy needs in the Hispanic community," Jan Noah, director of R&D at Destina, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2011. 11/3/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ant Farm Revolution by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

Kids can watch ants create 3-D tunnels in nutrient-rich, translucent gel with the brand new Ant Farm Revolution from Uncle Milton. Ant Farm Revolution is the next generation in ant farm technology, with integrated LED light and projecting lens. This new ant habitat not only provides a home for ants, but also illuminates from within and projects GIANT ant shadows onto the wall or ceiling. Ants need to be ordered online.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: "Feels more like art than a toy;" interesting to all ages.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 1 out of 5 stars from 1 review on ToysRUs.com. Cons: Reviewer said the ants got out of their container. 10/14/2011 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Live Bug Projector by INSECT LORE

Kids add friendly insects from their yard, watch them grow into giant supersized shadows on their ceiling, and move as they crawl about in the magnified-projector dome. The spacious observatory chamber is safe for bugs and kids. The projector’s buggy eyes light up, too. 10/14/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Apprentice Kit by Little Green Money Machine

If you can play business, you can learn business! Kids will have fun earning money while starting their first business with this unique mobile business stand. The Apprentice Kit includes a mobile business office, a fun illustrated activity book to get started, and customizable banner set. The business stand comes with wheels, dry/erase magnetic banner areas, built-in locking money tray, literature storage tray, solar-powered built-in calculator, hooks, keys, magnets, and dry erase marker set. Kids can choose a business from the book or come up with their own business to launch. The book is easy to read and teaches kids how to become young entrepreneurs. Launch date: November 2010.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys; 2011 Oppenheim Toy Award; 2011 NAPPA Gold Award 10/5/2011 (Price: $299.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kids in Business Around the World Activity Book by Little Green Money Machine

Kids in Business around the World is an interactive workbook that offers FUN content, ideas, and hands-on learning exercises to give kids, tweens and teens the tools to start and run their own business or fundraiser. Chapters include information on goal setting, money management, and social entrepreneurship, determination and more. "This interactive workbook teaches kids, tweens and teens the foundations of entrepreneurship," Stephanie Lutz Paulauskas, marketing director at Del Visionaries, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2010.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys; 2011 Oppenheim Toy Award; 2011 NAPPA Gold Award 10/5/2011 (Price: $19.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Day Tiger Rose Said Goodbye by Jane Yolen by RANDOM HOUSE INC.

This book about loss follows beloved cat Tiger Rose as she says goodbye to her family and favorite things for the last time. Written by prolific children's author Jane Yolen and illustrated by Jim LaMarche. 32 pages. Launch date: May 24, 2011. 9/30/2011 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bubble Gum Factory by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER

Kids can make gobs of gum with this bubble gum factory. Create unique recipes by mixing and matching different flavors. Kit Includes citric acid packet, corn syrup, confectioner sugar, gum base, watermelon flavoring, blueberry flavoring, mint flavoring, 2 note cards, activity guide, and a plastic tin with lid.
— Andrea Scartozzi, from Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in a September 2011 survey that Bubble Gum Factory is their bestselling science toy.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, Joe Berardoni Sr., owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Penn., told TDmonthly that "a certain few of the kits from Scientific Explorer, mostly any one that has to do with food," are their second-best selling Science & Nature item.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that kits from Scientific Explorer are one of their top-2 bestselling educational products. They sell dozens each month. 9/19/2011 (Price: $19.99)

uKloo by uKLOO KIDS INC

uKloo was developed as a reading game with the help of teachers, parents, lids, and special needs family testers. Great for kinesthetic learners. Offers physical exercise, builds confidence, and promotes independent learning and play. Kids search for clues and learn to read in this interactive literacy game.
Awards: Dr. Toy's 10 Best Active Products - 2011 9/16/2011 (Price: $14.95)

Kids' Puzzle of the USA by A BROADER VIEW

55 piece Jigsaw puzzle. Pieces shaped like the states. Complete children's geography lesson of the USA. Fun for the whole family. 9/16/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Global Puzzle by A BROADER VIEW

Since the pieces are actually shaped like the Countries of the World, you can't complete this 600-piece puzzle without figuring out where every Country is located. No other puzzle comes with such a superb geography lesson! 600 pieces. 9/16/2011 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pink - Dancing Scarves with Magically Inspired Music by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

PINKALICIOUS - New York Times Bestselling Hardcover book by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann. Eight 27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each of the following colors: ballet pink, white frosting, cotton candy pink, and dazzling pink  IDEAS Music CD with lots of dancing, twirling, magically inspired music selections. Instructional/informational insert. Easy to store in our reusable sturdy storage bag with self-closing handles. All scarves are made and all kits constructed in the USA. Launch date: June 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gold- Dancing Scarves with Magically Inspired Music by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

GOLDILICIOUS - Hardcover book by Victoria Kann. Eight-27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each of the following colors: star bright gold, white frosting, cotton candy pink and perky purple  IDEAS Music CD with lots of dancing, twirling, magically inspired music selection. Instructional/informational insert. Easy to store in our reusable sturdy storage bag with self-closing handles.  Loose scarves are available for purchase. All scarves are made and all kits are constructed in the USA. Launch date: June 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Purple - Dancing Scarves with Magically Inspired Music by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

PURPLICIOUS - Hardcover book by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann. Eight-27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each of the following colors: perky purple, sunset skyblue-pink, boo-hoo blue and cotton candy pink.  IDEAS Music CD with lots of dancing, twirling, magically inspired music selections.  Instructional/informational insert. Easy to store in our reusable sturdy storage bag with self-closing handles.  Loose scarves are available for purchase. All scarves are made and all kits are constructed in the USA. Launch date: June 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

36" Square Individual Multi-Colored Nylon Scarves by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

These are 36" square scarves that come in the following colors: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and white.  These scarves are wonderful for children ages 3-12. They are washable, air dry. Launch date: 1996. 9/16/2011 (Price: $3.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

27" Square Multi-Colored Individual Nylon Scarves by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

Individual 27" square nylon scarves in a variety of colors: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black, white, peach, light pink, brown and grey. These scarves are wonderful for children ages 3-12.  They are washable, air dry. Launch date: 1996. 9/16/2011 (Price: $2.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learn A Map by ROCKFORD MAP GALLERY

This is a brand new double sided, laminated, educational desk map. Learn A Map is a terrific learning tool for children. It's easy to read and easy to use. It is double sided and laminated so it can be drawn on and easily erased. Learn A Map can be used anywhere, at home, at school, or on the road. Bulk ordering is available and there is free shipping on orders of 100 or more. Launch date: 2011. 9/16/2011 (Price: $3.95) [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][?]