TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Educational Product Category

One Fish Fishbowl by MANHATTAN TOY

This fishbowl features five fish that each make a sound such as a rattle, crinkle, bell or squeak. 5/24/2010 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ring Flash Cards: Under the Sea by MUDPUPPY PRESS

The fronts of the 26 colorful cards from the Under the Sea set feature marine life illustrations from Janell Genovese. The backs of the cards include facts about the animals so kids can learn on the go.
— Laurie of Double Bugs liked that the flash cards encourage thinking and imagination. She said, “My boys have a blast with these and even made the animal noises to match.”
— Dee from Two of a kind, working on a full house found that within a week her son was remembering what he learned from the flash cards. She felt this would give him an advantage when he started preschool. 5/24/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teething Rattle - Blue by P'KOLINO

This natural wood teether is also a colorful infant rattle. The rattle inside is designed to entertain infants while the natural wood soothes sore gums. Made of ECO rubber wood and machine-washable polyester, the rattle's pieces separate for easy cleaning. 5/21/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

P'kolino Plump - Stacker by P'KOLINO

This stacking toy has endless variations allowing toddlers to build their very own playmate. The stacking features are intended to fine-tune hand-eye coordination and strengthen manual dexterity as they teach children about size and proportion. Eight felt accessories stack in between the wood pieces to become arms, legs, clothing or even a super-hero’s cape. 5/21/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Multi-Solution Shape Puzzles by P'KOLINO

Simple shapes make this puzzle suitable for early developmental stages. The creative variations and mixing features are intended to fine-tune hand-eye coordination and strengthen manual dexterity as they teach children about size and proportion. 5/21/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nesting Birds by P'KOLINO

These birds nest inside each other and are designed to teach the fundamentals of size and shape while engaging reasoning skills. Children can rock and balance the birds to learn spatial awareness and to fine-tune hand-eye coordination. These functional features combined with bright colors and natural wood create a playfully educational nesting toy. 5/21/2010 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

NASA Imagery EarthBall Inflatable 16-inch Diameter Globe by PLANET EARTH GIFTS

This inflatable 16"-diameter "reality globe" is made with thousands of digital images of the world from space. Visually authentic, the EarthBall also features accurate glow-in-the-dark cities and atmospheric conditions as seen from space. The ball is easy to inflate and suspend from the North Pole in a classroom, office or a bedroom. "This inflatable globe is photo-realistic, offering a beautiful, fun and important global perspective," Sole Proprietor Didier Gincig told TDmonthly. 5/20/2010 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Solar Power Plus by THAMES & KOSMOS

Solar Power Plus is a gigantic photovoltaic science lab that navigates the fundamentals of solar energy, the conversion of light into electricity, and circuits. This kit includes two of the special solar panels from the Solar Power kit that when connected generate up to 3 volts of electricity to power 22 different models. 265 building pieces are included. 5/20/2010 (Price: $79.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Solar Power by THAMES & KOSMOS

This solar panel consists of three solar cells and generates 1.5 volts of electricity. The combination solar panel and battery holder allows users to switch out the solar panel for a AA battery, and is positionable in order to maximize exposure to the sun. 177 building pieces and a model-building manual are included. 5/20/2010 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Elastic Power by THAMES & KOSMOS

Elastic Power stretches the possibilities for a simple rubber band while exploring the principles of potential and kinetic energy. After forming the 11 models, including a catapult, motor bike, trolley and paddleboat, students can use the 170 building pieces to create their own unique vehicle. A rubber band is the only fuel needed. 5/20/2010 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Remote-Control Machines by THAMES & KOSMOS

The Remote-Control Machines kit uses a unique six-button infrared unit, complete with touch sensors that simultaneously control three different motors. In addition to forming the 10 suggested models — including a car, crane, plow and robotic arm — the motors can be combined to make complex machines in numerous creative configurations. The kit contains three motors, remote control unit, battery holder, 182 building pieces and a 48-page, full-color manual.
— Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., ordered Thames & Kosmos science kits at ASTRA 2010, Owner Barbara Fineblum told TDmonthly in June 2010.

Where to buy:
SOUTH  5/20/2010 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teddy Bears and Tigers by FAMILY PASTIMES

All players help a dreaming little boy, chased by tigers, collect all four teddy bears and a toy collection. Then, they get him back to bed before he wakes up. The game includes a board, tigers, candy, wake up card, little boy, card stand, toys, dream tools, and rules for basic and hard games. 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sleeping Grump by FAMILY PASTIMES

Grump has taken the villagers' treasures and is now fast asleep at the top of the beanstalk. Together, players climb to the top to recover their treasures. If Grump is awakened, he takes back everything. Players share the treasures and leave some behind for Grump. Their kindness will help change him. The game is won when everyone has some of the treasure.
Awards: 1981 Canadian Toy Testing Council  Top Rating 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Growly in the Garden by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players help each other plant as big a flower garden as they can, and also help the Growlies find what they need most, so they don't pick and trash the flowers instead. With some sharing of ideas and talking over of strategies, players can will help change Crabby, Messy, Greedy, Stinky and Snobby into happier creatures. Each game unfolds differently. The game includes a board, 16 flowers, five growlies, a growly lodge, nine special items, scoresheets, a handy chart, and rules for regular and hard versions. 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Oasis by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players act as Camel Drivers, guiding caravans from their home village through the desert, gathering various valuable things to trade and sell in the city. The game includes a board, special dice, sandstorm card and holder, caravan movers, desert caravan collector card, and an assortment of special cards including tents, thieves, valuables, guards, camels, food, water and jeeps. 5/17/2010 (Price: $22.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Galaxy by FAMILY PASTIMES

The game begins with a Random Universe arrangement. Players try to create an Ordered Universe of life and form. The illustrated cards represent various thought-provoking concepts. The game also includes The Collection, a booklet of 40 more co-op card games for the same deck. 5/17/2010 (Price: $15) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bus Depot Diner by FAMILY PASTIMES

Players work as a team to feed the hungry bus passengers entering the diner. This game is quick-paced, original and challenging. It comes with three sets of rules, for younger children (5 to 7), middle years (7 to 12) and adults. "Our games foster the spirit of co-operation. Players help each other ... they are never against each other," Family Pastimes President Jim Deacove told TDmonthly. 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moo York Adventures: A Bovine's Guide to New York City by MY COW MOO

This NYC guidebook and activity book is filled with stickers, word searches and plenty of space to journal.
Awards: 2010 - The Toy Man Seal of Approval, The Toy Man Eco-Recognition Seal, The Toy Man E Choice Award. 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moo Becomes a Cash Cow by MY COW MOO

This book was designed to open dialog between parents and children about money issues. Moo learns the importance of saving her money, want versus need, and the importance of being charitable. "Our humorous approach sets us apart; we try to add a lot of fun and self-motivational reasons to work — no matter how young or little you are," My Cow Moo Creator Kimberly Arezzi told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Eco-Recognition Seal; 2009 The Toy Man E-Choice Award 5/17/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pathquest by PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

Developed by an occupational therapist, Pathquest aims to strengthen eye-hand coordination and visual perception through four different quests, with a total of 12 adventures. 5/17/2010 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Writing Center™ Pre-Writing Shapes & Capital Letter Kit (Pre-K) by PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

Writing Center is designed to help parents and teachers prepare children for the writing demands required in elementary school. The kit focuses on the development of fine motor skills, pencil grasp and control, mastery of pre-writing shapes and the capital letters of the alphabet. Each kit contains Shape Builders Learn To Draw, Capital Letter Stories, stencils, grips, three #2 Pencils, 12 colored pencils, and Pop Beads. 5/17/2010 (Price: $37.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WhisperPhone Element by HAREBRAIN INC.

This easy-to-use educational tool promotes accelerated learning, literacy and new language skills. The WhisperPhone Element is adjustable for fit and comfort, and comes with a lifetime guarantee. 5/17/2010 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shape Builders Stencils by PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

Developed by an occupational therapist to improve hand strength and coordination, these stenciling activities are designed to teach the young learner to find the proper shape among similar shapes to develop visual discrimination and visual form constancy. Children will also learn to place the shapes in the correct orientation in order to strengthen visual spatial relationship and closure skills. Working with the stencil encourages good hand strength and bilateral coordination. 5/14/2010 (Price: $10.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Snip It! by PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

Snip It! is designed to help young children learn proper scissor skills. Snipping and cutting activities can help develop a child’s eye-hand coordination, adherence to visual boundaries and paper stabilization skills. Awards: 2010 NAPPA Gold. 5/14/2010 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grotto Grip Pencil Grasp Trainer by PATHWAYS FOR LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

The pencil grasp trainer is designed to target and activate the proper muscles for writing. It's created for both left- and right-handed writers to improve handwriting and decrease hand fatigue. The patented ergonomic grip was designed and tested by an occupational therapist with finger guard and unique angles to place and hold fingers in the proper position. It is non toxic and latex free. 5/14/2010 (Price: $5.60) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]