TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab by SMARTLAB TOYS

Standing over two feet tall, the Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab has 60 mix-and-match pieces to build an unlimited amount of contraptions.  Kids can dream up crazy courses, then build and test them using this easy-to-construct Velcro-like system.  Instructions offer tips and tricks on how to best manipulate the kit's components.  It guides kids through five sample contraption designs while they learn how to predict the outcome of each. "Contraption Lab offers full-circle skill building from prediction and planning to testing and experimentation," Nancy Storment, marketing & PR rep for SmartLab Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012.
— Why it won: A great product that encourages creativity. 9/16/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shalom Sesame - Mitzvah on the Street by SISU HOME ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

When a storm makes a mess of the neighborhood, everyone lends a helping hand. In the meantime, Grover is invited to a Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem. Come join Matisyahu and Oofnik as they beat box the Hava Nagila. It's "Sesame Street for the Jewish American consumer - The Jewish Version of Sesame street with familiar Sesame Street characters and their Israeli furry friends," Haim Scheininger, president of SISU Home Entertainment, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.
Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy Best Pick Award; 2011 Hugo Television Award (for “It’s Passover. Grover!); 2011 CINE Golden Eagle Award. 9/13/2011 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pink, Silver, Purple and Gold - Dancing Scarves with Magically Inspired Music (Set of All 4 Hardcover Books) by ARTS EDUCATION IDEAS

PINKALICIOUS & SILVERLICIOUS* (NY Times Bestselling Children's Book List), PURPLICIOUS, AND GOLDILICIOUS Hardcover books by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann - COMPLETE SERIES. Sixteen 27" square 100% nylon scarves, two of each in the following colors: cotton candy pink, dazzling pink, sunset sky-blue pink, perky purple, starbright gold, white frosting, silver, and lively lavender; An IDEAS Music CD with lots of dancing, twirling, magically inspired music selections; Instructional/informational inserts. Easy to store in our reusable sturdy storage bag with self-closing handles.Launch date: May 2011.
Awards: Silverlicious - 2011 Creative Child's Book of the Year and Media of the Year Award. 9/13/2011 (Price: $98.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TRI by GENIO TOYS LLC

TRI : 3-Way Thinking Games "TRI your brains, TRI your words, TRI your luck. Multiple Games for Endless Fun." This is a new game set that challenges players' perceptive, tactical and word powers. Instructions include 4 different games, and will be extensible to other new playing methods in the future. Launch date: October 2011. 9/13/2011 (Price: $8.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Master Kitz - The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh by KIDZAW INC

The Starry Night would have been just another landscape if it were not for van Gogh’s swirling layered brush strokes that make the painting come alive. The Starry Night Master Kitz includes all the tools your child needs to create their own Starry Night masterpiece and learning materials to deepen their understanding of the original painting. Each Starry Night Master Kitz includes:A sturdy, re-usable art tool box with magnetic closures, 3 Custom Acrylic Paints (child friendly), 5 Custom Oil Pastels (child friendly), 1 van Gogh Roller specially designed to , replicate van Gogh’s active stroke, 1 re-usable Starry Night Cyprus Stencil, 1 standard paint roller, 2 pieces deluxe art paper, 1 low tack “Mesmerizing Stars” sticker sheet, Fun, easy-to-understand van Gogh learning materials, Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. The Tree of Life by Gustav Klimt and Water Lilies by Claude Monet kits are also available. Fifteen percent of Kidzaw’s profits are donated to programs that fund art for disadvantaged public schools in urban areas.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012
— Why it won: This fun kit introduces kids to one of the most famous pieces of art in the world. Including educational materials about van Gogh, the kit also provides paint, stickers, and the tools necessary for kids to recreate, or re-imagine, the Starry Night painting. 9/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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

This NY Times Bestselling Book and Multi-Award Winning Activity Kit is an educational tool with a thousand uses. These bright colorful scarves stimulate the senses, encourage movement and teach and reinforce color recognition. Parents can use this book to encourage imagination and solo and choral reading. Dance to the music or use for dress up. These scarves are an open-ended tool, limited only by the users imagination. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: 2011 Winner of Creative Child's Book of the Year and Media of the Year Awards 9/8/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Obstacles - A Game of Imaginative Solutions by eeBoo corp.

Obstacles is a journey along a path of hazards and barriers which are overcome by the collective cleverness of its players. Armed with an unlikely set of tools, imagination, and some silliness, players "cooperate" creatively to innovate solutions that let them get home together. "Obstacles is eeBoo's first "cooperative" game. It teaches the useful skill of creative collaboration and makes for a play experience that is positive and constructive as it promotes good feelings amongst players. It is a perfect game for parents, children, and siblings to be silly and imaginative together," Regina Gelin, sales and marketing associate at eeBoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award - Platinum 9/8/2011 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hexacus by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

HEXACUS is an exploration in creativity and fun for the entire family. Just sort by size and color, then stack, nest, and balance to create a wide variety of patterns and shapes. Our Idea Booklet shows over 100 examples of easy to challenging patterns and shapes to build.  Ages: 2+  CONTENTS: 12 Hexagonal Pieces – 3 Red, 3 Orange, 2 Yellow, 2 Green, 1 Light Blue, 1 Dark Blue, Idea Booklet. "Due to it's unique and geometrically accurate shape, children are able to nest and stack HEXACUS pieces in a wide variety of ways using horizontal, vertical and diagonal planes," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2012. 9/8/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sounds Amazing by SMART PLAY LLC

A fun way to discover 100 everyday sounds. Children will be delighted to hear sounds that come to life when bar codes are scanned by using the Smart Pen.  Crystal clear technology teaches animals, musical instruments, vehicles, machinery and nature sounds. The sounds are recorded in high fidelity and are very realistic. 50 double sided learning cards are included for hours of learning fun. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Creative Child Toy of the Year 9/8/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZAFARI Animal Alphabet Puzzle by SMART PLAY LLC

Zafari is a puzzle game that teaches the alphabet and animal names in English & Spanish. 27 Brightly colored puzzle cards have unique die-cut openings to help children complete the puzzle and identify beginning sounds in English & Spanish. On the other side of the card, it has a realistic photo of the animal and its name in English/Spanish.  Sturdy puzzle cards are self correcting and easy for a child to play with. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Creative Child Puzzle of the Year. 9/8/2011 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

5 Inch Jumping Brain DIY Figure by Toy2R

From Spanish designer Emilio Garcia's original creation, The Jumping Brain, Toy2R is pleased to offer the latest 5 inch incarnation in DIY form allowing the collector to customize it any way they see fit. Ideal for shops catering to the brainiac or geek shoppers. Launch date: October 2011. 9/8/2011 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Thumbuddy To Love - The Binky Fairy by THUMBUDDY TO LOVE LLC

Thumbuddy To Love- the Binky Fairy helps children wean from pacifier sucking. It comes with a children's book, matching Binky Fairy puppet and success chart. Launch date: June 2011. 9/7/2011 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lil' Iguana's Feeing's Calendar by LIL' IGUANA CHILDREN'S SAFETY FOUNDATION

Lil' Iguana Feelings Calendar features master copies of a calendar in Spanish and English with 9 wooden and rubber stamps depicting different childhood feelings. The calendar "has been used by schools and child care facilites with tremendous results of understanding how children are actually feeling inside. Has been credited for saving young children from abuse," Jim Tomaszewski,  executive director of Lil' Iguana's Children's Safety Foundation, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010. 9/7/2011 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kid-Friendly Dry Erase Markers With Erasers by KLEENSLATE CONCEPTS LLC

Kid-friendly dry erase markers with felt erasers that rinse with a simple solution of soap and water. Eight new colors. Our markers are compliant with CPSIA and are non/toxic-low odor. "Our marker tips don't push back up into the barrel when pressure is applied," Julia Rhodes, CEO of KleenSlate Concepts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011. 9/7/2011 (Price: $1.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deluxe Dry Erase Response Paddles by KLEENSLATE CONCEPTS LLC

New Deluxe Dry Erase Response Paddles with marker and eraser in handle for that all-in-one experience. Great for travel, working on homework and for family games.Environmentally friendly and clean up with a soft cloth and a simple solution of soap and water. Paddles Come in 8 colors. Launch date: September 2010.
Awards: 2010 Kidlutions; 2008 Teachers Choice Award - Best in-classroom tools. 9/7/2011 (Price: $6.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teach My Preschooler by TEACH MY TODDLER INC.

With Teach My Preschooler, little ones can get Ready To Read, Print, Count to 100, Add & Subtract, all in one kit. Teach My Preschooler is the multi award winning, all-in-one learning system for preschoolers. The kit has all the educational tools necessary to help prepare preschoolers for kindergarten. The kit is divided into four sections – Ready to Read, Ready to Print, Ready for 1-100, and Ready for Math – each fully-coordinated with books, flashcards, posters, a print guide and magic drawing board. Developed with education consultant Judith Rowlands, M Ed., Teach My Preschooler is designed to give preschoolers a head start, develop fine motor skills, encourage parent/child interaction and increase school readiness skills. Launch date: September 2010.
Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy 100 Best; 2010 iParenting Media Award 9/7/2011 (Price: $49.99)

Incredible Journeys by KINGFISHER BOOKS

This 128 page, fully illustrated book features the migration habits of many different animals in a colorful, informative, and easy-to-read format. From Animal Planet's new line of children's books. Launch date: September 27, 2011. 9/6/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Weird and Wonderful: Show-Offs by KINGFISHER BOOKS

This new line of books feature the expert knowledge of Animal Planet in a fun, easy-to read format for kids. This book features the unique visual attributes of many different creatures in the Animal Kingdom. Launch date: September 27, 2011. 9/6/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Weird and Wonderful: Attack and Defense by KINGFISHER BOOKS

This new line of books feature the expert knowledge of Animal Planet in a fun, easy-to read format for kids. This book features the attack and defense mechanisms of many different creatures in the Animal Kingdom. Launch date: September 27, 2011. 9/6/2011 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Peg Puzzle Assortment by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Extra large pegs to make it easy to handle for small hands. Match up the print of the animal skin underneath. Includes 5 precision cut pieces. 2 different puzzles in the assortment. Ideal brand solid wood puzzle. Detailed, European Hand-crafted designs. Heirloom quality. Launch date: 2010. 9/2/2011 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Solid Wood Matching Puzzle by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Three variations of the Matching Puzzle teach 3 different skills:  recognizing colors, matching shapes and learning to count to 10. Launch date: 2010. 9/2/2011 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beautiful Building Blocks by TIMBERWORKS TOYS

This 51 piece set helps kids get back to the basics. With the addition of square locking widgets this simple block set turns into a building set with ability to build stable horizontal and vertical structures as well as endless stacking fun. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Recommendation 9/2/2011 (Price: $79.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wince The Monster of Worry — Don't Feed The Worrybug by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

Wince, The Monster of Worry can’t stop worrying. His worries are with him wherever he goes. His big floppy ears are waiting for someone to share their feelings. No experience needed, just a willingness to encourage Wince with lots of hugs. "The WorryWoos Monster series is a first-of-a-kind-series where emotions are personified by characters. The WorryWoo series follows the belief a healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand. All books are printed with environmentally friendly soy inks and promote healthy emotional wellness," Andi Green, owner of The Monsters in my Head LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2012. 8/29/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Toysmith Nonstick Bakeware Set by TOYSMITH

Kids can bake real desserts with this set which features 12-cup mini muffin pan, a mini loaf pan, a pan and 4" diameter springform pan. Comes with laminated recipe cards. Dishwasher safe.
— As of 8/29/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Oven and toaster oven safe; don't need to buy special mixes in order to use; durable; non-stick really works. Cons: Since pans are smaller than adult pans, users need to reduce most recipes that they want to use the pans for. 8/29/2011 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ready2Learn™ Paint & Clay Palm Printers by CENTER ENTERPRISES

Thisset of four paint & clay palm printers includes a variety of patterns, scribble design, concentric dots, star bursts, and a multi-sized dots array. Made of long-lasting hard rubber, each circular stamp has a 2” diameter surface area.  The handle easily slips onto a child's hand. Easy clean-up with soap and water.  For 3 years and older. Launch date: February 2011. 8/25/2011 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]