TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--General Toys Product Category

The Magic School Bus - Chemistry Lab by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with the Magic School Bus as they explore the field of chemistry. Young Scientists make sticky ice, use litmus paper, measure pH, perform chromatography, make bubble sculptures, wake-up fungus, create slime, form a bouncy ball, learn about density, produce a milk rainbow, plate copper, explode a volcano, and more. This bus-shaped kit comes packed with science components, 51 colorful experiment cards and a data notebook to record observations. "The Magic School Bus is a very popular brand and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. This bus-shaped kit is unique in that it is a lab in a bus! It comes with 51 instructions cards which provides hours of science fun," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011. 1/25/2011 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Magic School Bus: Jumping into Electricity by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride by jumping into electricity. Young Scientists generate lightning bolts, use anti-static sheets, make cereal dance, bend a water stream, create static hair, construct an electric circuit, build a light switch, experiment with insulators and conductors, design electric games, and more. This kit comes with a colorful circuit board holder. "The Magic School Bus brand is a very popular brand and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Our Magic School Bus line has great manuals that engage Young Scientists into the exciting science experiments that are explored in each kit," Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011. 1/25/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star-Ball by CREATIVE WHACK COMPANY

Creative Whack’s newest product is both a challenging puzzle and a creativity toy. Star-Balls's 32 magnetic pieces can be rearranged in countless different ways. Polarity dots help you reassemble the star shape by combining the 5-legged stars with the 3-legged "tri" pieces. Star-Ball pieces can also be combined with the award-winning Ball of Whacks for even more creative possibilities. "The geometry of Star-Ball embodies the golden ratio found in mathematics, art, and nature," Lynn Araujo, communications director of the Creative Whack Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011. 1/25/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DoodleMark by REMARKABLE READING CONCEPTS

DoodleMark™ allows children and parents to interact with books together. Whether practicing sight words, working on vocabulary, learning to write letters, bookmarking their progress or just doodling a funny picture, this product is designed to help build a child's confidence in their reading and writing. It can be used as a classroom tool, at home to reinforce what's being taught in school, and as an incentive for reluctant readers. "DoodleMark is the world's only bookmark and drawing pad that clips to a book," Jennifer Kendra, VP sales and marketing at ReMarkable Reading Concepts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2010. 1/25/2011 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hand-Launch Glider "Extreme Team" by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Throw, glide, and catch. The red and yellow Hand-Launch Glider "Extreme Team" provides an opportunity to have fun while being active outdoors. Made with an ultra-light material, this stable glider can even be used to play catch. The Hand-Launch Glider also comes with a Playmobil pilot. Dimensions: 18.1 x 19.7 inches (L x Wingspan). Recommended for ages six to ten. Suggested Retail Price: $19.99. Warning. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— In a November 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Playmobil Gliders are a best-selling flying toy. 1/21/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Oh, Really! Game by FIND IT GAMES

"The Lively Game of What Matters Most." Opinions count as players try to guess how their friends really feel about what matters most. From the seemingly trivial to the highly debatable, "Oh, Really!" reveals players' true feelings about everything from "Emotions" to "Underwear." For 3-8 players (or teams). Contains 200 engaging word cards, game board, 40 ranking symbol cards, 5 blank cards to customize your game, Scorepad, 5 pencils, and rules for individual and team play. 1/19/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

YooHoo & Friends Dress Up – Blast to the Past by AURORA WORLD INC.

From flower girl to firefighter, Aurora has released nine new "dress up" outfits that fit all of Aurora's five inch YooHoo & Friends. Each dress up set comes in clear packaging that includes two accessories. Retailers can combine the dress up packaging (fits slatwalls) with existing YooHoo & Friends displays. The "Blast to the Past" set includes three YooHoo & Friends "hippies.” Available separately are the "Go Green" set with two flower girls and a princess butterfly; and a third set that includes doctor, firefighter and police officer. Each 5-inch YooHoo & Friends animal (w/ sound) is available separately for $6.
— "They are all over the board, but I've sold about 100 of the various things," Barbara Fineblum, Owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore, Md., said about YooHoos to TDmonthly when surveyed in late Spring 2011. 1/13/2011 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Travel Friends - Locomotive by ANATINA TOYS

Travel to incredible places in this plush locomotive with three jungle friends. Don't forget to change their places from time to time so they can see all the views. Velcro allows child to switch the three animals between the locomotive's two windows and nose. Also included is a canvas carrying tote. Made of Polyester Fiber. Surface wash, air dry. 1/13/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teacup Piggies Fashion Runway by TOY TECK LTD

This playset features everything needed for a piggie fashion show. The stage has working lights and sounds, an extendable catwalk with a rotating platform, and an interactive piggy starlet with a collection of chic fashion accessories. 12/21/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Foxtail Sonic by KLUTZ

This Foxtail breaks the sound barrier every time you throw it. Whistles lodged in the leather-covered soft sponge ball shriek as it whizzes through the air. 11/24/2010 (Price: $10.95)

Metal Drifter Professional Yo-Yo by DUNCAN TOYS

Duncan Toys introduces the Metal Drifter yo-yo, featuring a ball bearing axle for long sleep times, and an aircraft aluminum body. Included is a collectible counterweight, to attach to the string for Duncan's patented Freehand style of play where the yo-yo isn't attached to the players hand. "Metal Drifter takes competition yo-yo tricks to a new level," Brandon Jackson, National Sales & Marketing Coordinator for Duncan Toys, told TDmonthly. 11/15/2010 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tidmouth Sheds with Manually Operated Turntable by BACHMANN TRAINS

These sheds offer Thomas & Friends™ HO scale locomotives a place of their own after a full day’s work on the Island of Sodor. Five bays and a manually operated turntable keep engines ready for new adventures. 11/12/2010 (Price: $175.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

by SKIP HOP INC.

This adorable ball trio invites baby to grab, squeeze, and roll! Set includes three balls plus one ring. 11/2/2010 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adventures on Misty Island by MEGA BRANDS

Based on the movie Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue, Thomas and James must travel through the mysterious mountains of Misty Island. Build and rebuild to new heights as Thomas and James race on unfamiliar tracks from sea level to high up in the mountains.  Take Thomas and James through eerie tunnels to get to their destination. This set includes fun accessories such as a lake break-through barricades and rock slides. ( Watch Video) 10/29/2010 (Price: $49.99)

Mega Bloks Dragons Universe - Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer by MEGA BRANDS

The classic Warrior versus Dragon style of play has grown up and moved ahead into a world filled with new technology and weapons. Two ultimate Predavor Dragons, Bloodclaw and Deadeye, go face-to-face against the super heavy-weight Alliance Warbyrd, equipped with multiple missile launchers, dual built-in flight controllers and landing gear, and light and sound effects. The Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer buildable set includes one Alliance General and two Troopers with shields and weapons, as well as two exclusive Dragons with buildable, removable weapons and Power Core in chest. 10/29/2010 (Price: $49.99)

Imaginext Tri-County Landfill - Toy Story 3 by FISHER-PRICE INC.

With the Imaginext Disney/Pixar Toy Story 3 Tri-County Landfill, you can open the furnace, spin the sorter and pick up figures and drop them to safety with the crane arm. The conveyor belt even carries junk to the furnace. It's a whole new adventure every time you play.  It also features three characters from the movie: Lotso, Buzz, and Three Little Green Aliens.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 18 reviews on ToysRUs.com and this product was listed No. 15 in ToysRUs.com's best-selling toys.  PROS: Fun, easy assembly, durable  CONS: Parts often fall off. 10/26/2010 (Price: $49.99)

Imaginext Adventures DC Superfriends Batman Bat Cave by FISHER-PRICE INC.

Product features include five activation points in all, so kids can help the caped crusader complete his missions and save the day.  Kids can turn the figure to raise and lower the elevator, and open the portal.  Or they can press the button to launch the grappling hook.  Product folds for easy storage.  Playset is approximately 21 inches long x 6 inches wide x 16 inches high.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 209 reviews on ToysRUs.com and this product was listed No. 7 in ToysRUs.com's best-selling toys. PROS: Durable, good for range of ages, encourages sharing  CONS: Gates won't close with all pieces inside. 10/26/2010 (Price: $44.99)

Slice and Bake Cookie Set by MELISSA & DOUG

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Slice and Bake Cookie Set lets children ages three and up pretend to bake, decorate, and serve cookies, all while practicing fine motor skills, learning number concepts, and more. The set includes a dozen wooden cookies, a dozen wooden decorating pieces, and toy wooden kitchen utensils.
— As of 10.25.2010, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 81 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 22 on the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS:  Durable and fun.  CONS:  Recalled in Canada for barium in the paint.
— The Slice and Bake Cookie Set was one of only two wooden items that sells well for Tracie Meadows, owner of Whippersnappers on St. Simons Island, Ga. 10/25/2010 (Price: $19.99)

Zombie Ninjas by MEZCO TOYZ

Standing six inches tall and featuring five points of articulation, each Zombie Ninja comes with his own katana.  Limited edition: only 3000 pieces. 10/20/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stowaways™ Dino Adventure by BSW TOY INC.

Stowaways™ Big Buckets™ feature sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Dinosaur Park adventure includes a complete playset of animals, scenery, an off-road vehicle and a playmat to build exciting scenes. 10/18/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stowaways™ Space Adventure by BSW TOY INC.

Stowaways™ Big Boxes™ feature sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Space adventure includes a complete playset of figures, vehicles, and a playmat, including over 45 pieces. 10/18/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stowaways™ Military Adventure by BSW TOY INC.

Stowaways™ Big Buckets™ feature new, sleekly designed keepsake tubs with sturdy handles and snap on lids for Take-Along-Fun. This Military Adventure includes over 55 military figures, 2 tanks 2 artillery pieces, sandbag bunkers and more for hours of imaginative fun. Combine this set with one of our many Bitty Buckets™ (sold separately) to build even greater adventures. Over 80 pieces. 10/18/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sketch Jr Camo LED Sketch Pad by HI-TEC ART LLC

Create your own art by sticking the LEDs into the rubber pad and watch them light up. Use the 50 LEDs of 8 colors to create personal designs. 10/18/2010 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sketch Jr Flower Power LED Sketch Pad by HI-TEC ART LLC

Create your own art by sticking the LEDs into the rubber pad and watch them light up. Use the 50 LEDs of 8 colors to create personal designs. 10/18/2010 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

14Pcs Large Tool Set with Helmet on net bag by YMC TRADING CORPORATION

Features 14 distinct, real tools, with safety helmet included. 10/18/2010 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]