TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

Snap-Micro I Standard by ELENCO

Beyond the basic motion detector or potato clock, Elenco's Snap-Micro I Standard kit allows children to learn about the theory and application of micro-controllers while building their own complex projects. A variety of components and software included in the kit guide children through the basic commands and flow charts required to assemble and operate the micro-controller, which can then program more than 25 different projects. 
― “Snap Circuits do well,” said Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., during a summer 2010 survey of top-selling electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Snap Circuits are their best-selling electronic item. 7/21/2010 (Price: $119.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Book of Lists by ISCREAM

This 96-page activity book lets kids create lists that are all about them. "Not only are our activity books fun and hip, they are produced with the lenticular technology. Our covers flip from one colorful image to another," Leslie Montalbano, Iscream prepress manager, told TDmonthly. 7/16/2010 (Price: $7.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Steps4Kids to Write Modern Manuscript by Steps4Kids, LLC

This 90-minute, award-winning instructional handwriting DVD uses video modeling to teach modern manuscript letters. It supports D'Nealian penmanship programs and has breaks that show how to draw using select letters and Look2Write breaks to develop reading and writing skills.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year; Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products 2010 7/16/2010 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Curious Chef 26 Piece Holiday Cookie Kit by CURIOUS CHEF INC.

Every child can be Santa's Little Helper with this holiday cookie kit. Users can combine their favorite cookie recipes with the Curious Chef cookie cutters and utensils to create a unique holiday treat. "These are REAL cooking utensils designed to meet the unique needs of small hands, not toys. This means they actually work!" Shelly Schumacher, Curious Chef communications manager, told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 7/16/2010 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Civil War Poster by EUROGRAPHICS INC.

This 24" x 36" educational poster portrays leaders of the American Civil War and includes a timeline of battles and events. 7/14/2010 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Butterflies Poster by EUROGRAPHICS INC.

This 24" x 36" educational poster showcases a variety of butterfly species. 7/14/2010 (Price: $22.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Splashimals by MILLIWIK LLC

Splashimals can be played anywhere there is water but it can also be played on dry ground too. For ages 2 to 5+, depending on the age, children can use the cards for animal recognition, for creating new animals by mixing the combinations, for a game of memory, and for practicing reading skills. 7/12/2010 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deep Sea Diver by FAMILY PASTIMES

Deep Sea Diver is a real-life adventure game about diving for treasures and other discoveries. Players need teamwork to plan the dive, share equipment, get each other out of trouble, and divide whatever treasure they bring up. The game includes a 13" x 18" board, diver cards, danger cards, treasure cards, equipment tokens, air tank tokens, a glossary of diving terms, and movers. 7/9/2010 (Price: $26.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Amazing Illusions by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players are a team of magicians performing a series of dangerous illusions, trying not to get trapped in them. Each game played is the performance itself, full of risks. This game includes a 13" x 18" board, manager's chart, magicians, dangers, escapes and magic power cards. "Play as friends, not as enemies! Our games foster the spirit of co-operation," Family Pastimes President Jim Deacove told TDmonthly. 7/9/2010 (Price: $22.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Walk in the Woods by FAMILY PASTIMES

During this "Walk in the Woods," players can observe beautiful things such as wildflowers and butterflies, help each other gather goodies such as apples, berries, nuts and herbs, and keep an eye out for dangers like poison ivy, stinging nettle, biting bugs and even hot sun. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, dangers, remedies, goodies, look-ats, baskets, and rules for basic and hard games. "Play as friends, not as enemies! Our games foster the spirit of co-operation," Family Pastimes President Jim Deacove told TDmonthly. 7/9/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zonk the Monkey by GEARED FOR IMAGINATION

Ze Super Zeros are hero friends whose super powers and problems blend. Each Super Zero has a "mini" power and a related challenge that aims to teach kids to embrace what makes them unique and find their inner Super Zero. The Super Zeros measure 9" tall and feature removable capes and pouches to contain kids' special treasures. 7/9/2010 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ze Super Zeros Zipo the Hippo by GEARED FOR IMAGINATION

Ze Super Zeros are hero friends whose super powers and problems blend. Each Super Zero has a "mini" power and a related challenge that aims to teach kids to embrace what makes them unique and find their inner Super Zero. The Super Zeros measure 9" tall and feature removable capes and pouches to contain kids' special treasures. 7/9/2010 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Think-ets Purple Pouch by THINK-A-LOT TOYS

Think-ets is a little game in a pouch containing tiny treasures from all over the world. The game includes an assortment of 15 miniature trinkets that can be used to tell stories and play memory and strategy games. These Think-ets come in a purple pouch, replacing the previous yellow pouch design.
Awards: 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2008 AblePlay Rating; 2007 The Toy Man Editor's Choice Award; 2007 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award 7/8/2010 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti by SPARE THE ROCK RECORDS LLC

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti brings together 22 family friendly artists to help with the Haiti relief effort. The CD includes previously unreleased and brand new songs from kid favorites including They Might Be Giants and Pete Seeger. Proceeds from the record will be donated to the Haitian People’s Support Project.
— Leigh Goldman Balber of Urban Baby calls the CD “A We are the World for the sandbox set.” The “who’s who … of the best in the world of kiddie music” combine to create a “spiritual, uplifting (but not too out there)” CD. 7/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Techno Gears Marble Mania Galaxy by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

Kids will be over the moon for this new space-themed version of Techno Gears Marble Mania. An automatic marble launcher sends marbles flying into the tracks’ twists and turns. Glow-in-the-dark components, blinking lights, and fun, space-like sound effects add to the fun children can have when assembling this marble run, which includes more than 425 pieces. Colors may vary. Requires 3 “AA” batteries. Ages 8+ years. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts and marbles. Not for children under 3 years. 7/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ABC Melody Maker by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

ABC Melody Maker is an exciting electronic learning companion featuring five fun games and a ten note musical keyboard sure to entertain and educate youngsters. This colorful interactive unit features an activity selector that puts kids in charge of choosing their fun. Children won’t even realize they’re learning! Song book included. Requires three “AA” batteries (included). Ages 3+ years.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2010 7/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle Doubles Fun Facts! Animals of the World by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

This series of Puzzle Doubles! combines a beautifully illustrated floor puzzle along with twelve fun animal facts into a high-quality educational experience. Children will first enjoy assembling the large, colorful puzzle. Flip the puzzle over to learn fun facts about the pictured animals. All Fun Facts! Puzzle Doubles! encourage parent-child interaction. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ x 2’! Ages 3+ years. 7/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soft Block Set by APPLE PARK LLC

This set includes three soft 100-percent organic cotton blocks, adorned with Picnic Pal appliques, colored apples, numbers and silk gingham patches. Each block makes a different sound - bell, rattle and squeaker. The blocks measure 3" x 3" each. 6/30/2010

Pip the Positive Platypus by THE POSITIVE EXPRESS LLC

Designed to be fun and educational while encouraging good habits and character, this plush platypus speaks humorous and uplifting phrases. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flower Feelings by EI KIDS

Flower Feelings are emotions brought to life as a garden of eight adorable plush characters, each with a distinctive facial expression identifiable by the feeling name embroidered on the back. Accompanying the toy is a full-color booklet describing the individual traits of each emotion, along with playful questions and answers designed to help children recognize feelings in their own life. A sing-along CD about the Flower Feelings is included in the package, along with lesson plans for home or classroom. "The colorful and engaging plush allow children a tangible way to embrace their feelings while the activities and song included in the kit provide many ways to create a positive setting in which children can express their emotions," Ei Kids President Daniel Nix told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 6/28/2010 (Price: $59.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Who's in the Garden? by BAREFOOT BOOKS

In this novelty peek-a-boo book, children are invited to look through the holes on every other page to answer the repeating refrain, "Who’s coming to see how my garden grows?" The energetic, rhyming text introduces all sorts of creatures that are busy foraging and frolicking in the garden. 6/25/2010 (Price: $14.99)

Kids' Garden by BAREFOOT BOOKS

With 40 interactive activities and games, Kids’ Garden encourages children to engage with the outdoors and appreciate the green world around them. Each double-sided card has step-by-step instructions with colorful collage artwork.
Awards: 2010 Ippy Award Best Children's Interactive Category ( Watch Video) 6/25/2010 (Price: $19.99)

Smart-opedia Junior: The Amazing Book about Everything by OWLKIDS

This lively "un"cyclopedia gives young readers an eye-opening broad basis of general knowledge. From a tour of the human skeleton and the five senses to modern technology and inventions, from life in a desert to a day at the fire station, children will be delighted and fascinated at every turn of the page. "Special features throughout make information fun and accessible: Kids' Questions sidebars, What About You? bubbles, Figure It Out! activities, Did You Know? sidebars, Number Time bubbles, Day-in-the-Life pages, and more," Kendal Gerard, Marketing Associate, Owlkids, told TDmonthly. 6/25/2010 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Why?: The Best Ever Question and Answer Book about Nature, Science and the World around You by OWLKIDS

Everyday childhood activities, such as an excursion to the park, splashing in the bathtub or fixing a snack in the kitchen, can prompt many questions from young children. This special edition of Why? celebrates the book's 10th anniversary and provides kid-friendly explanations for nearly 100 of the most common questions kids ask. "Each of the questions included in this book was carefully selected from a pool of thousands of questions submitted by real children," Owlkids Marketing Associate Kendal Gerard told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2002 American Association for the Advancement of Science Best Books for Children; 2002 Canadian Toy Testing Council 25 Great Books for Children 6/25/2010 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

mY Design Paintable Zimbi Shoes by mY DESIGN

This pair of zimbi shoes can be painted and erased again and again. The kit includes a pair of zimbi shoes, six waterproof paints, 32 magical erasing pads, two paint brushes and a mixing palette. 6/25/2010 (Price: $29.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]