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

Plastic Recorder by SCHYLLING

A 12 1/2” soprano recorder, this simple instrument from Schylling makes a good companion to school music classes teaching the recorder to children. In clear, durable plastic and an assortment of bright colors, the recorder comes with a cleaning rod as well as instructions printed on the box. 
— “We go through a lot,” remarked Priscilla Moore, owner of Mr. Fub’s Party in Yellow Springs, Ohio, of her recorders and other instruments from Schylling in early 2010.
— Four of 48 retailers told TDmonthly during a January 2010 survey that recorders are their most-wanted musical item.
— "We sell a lot of them in September or October. After that, it's hit or miss," said Lou Metri, owner of Joggen Your Noggin in Monroe, Conn. He sells about about 40 or 50 per year. 1/28/2010 (Price: $4.49)

MusiColor™ Music Player by DELTA CREATIVE INC.

MusiColor turns color into music via an innovative music player and coloring discs. To produce a song, such as “Old McDonald,” children simply follow the coloring guide and color a disc with the included markers. When placed on the player, the fully colored picture of Old McDonald will produce a pitch-perfect rendition of the song. In addition to 14 template discs, MusiColor also includes five blank Create-a-Song discs for more open-ended play.
— Bridgette of The Experimental Mommy called MusiColor a reinvention of coloring; by providing a reason to color within the lines, it fosters patience and attention to detail. Though some reviewers felt the detailed template discs were too difficult for younger children, Rob of Look What Mom Found felt that MusiColor’s greatest strength is its adaptability to a wide age range thanks to the blank discs kids can use to create their own colorful compositions. 1/28/2010 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Banjo by PLANTOYS

Little kids can Pollywolly doodle all day on this wooden banjo ( Watch Video) 1/27/2010

WebRappers by WEBRAPPERS

WebRappers are the ambassadors of health, wellness and happiness for children of all ages, from diapers to Depends. WebRappers celebrates life's special moments from birthdays to retirement, plus encourages healthy eating habits and drinking responsibly. Not only do the plush toys rap and record, but they also wrap around wrists, gifts, cribs, vitamins, bottles, ankles, etc. The WebRappers website features hundreds of musical greetings and genres in multiple languages to choose from for friends and family. Launch date: February 14, 2010. ( Watch Video) 1/14/2010 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Chimalong by WOODSTOCK CHIMES

A smaller version of the Chimalong, the Mini Chimalong comes attached to an illustrated full-color spiral-bound songbook that can be propped up for both the player and the singers to read their parts simultaneously. It folds into a traveling toy. ( Watch Video) 12/14/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spice Nut Shaker by JAMTOWN, LLC

Big empty spice nut shells sound like falling water. The Spice Nut Shaker measures 11" and is made in Indonesia. ( Watch Video) 12/10/2009 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pentatonic Glockenspiel by AURIS MUSIKINSTRUMENT AB

This seven-tone pentatonic glockenspiel has a lovely, crystal-clear sound. ( Watch Video) 12/10/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Genius Pet Care Center by PACIFIC ENTERTAINMENT

Kids can feed Melody, listen to her heart, trim her nails, and give her lots of cuddles. The excitement begins when your child opens the pet carrier door and hears Melody's playful theme song. Plush puppy and all accessories store easily inside. "The Pet Care Center incorporates the Baby Genius principle of music as a core learning tool to engage and encourage children to communicate, connect, discover, and use their imaginations to express themselves," John Russel, of RUSSEL Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Awards: The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 2009, The Toy Insider Best Toddler Toys for the 2009 Holiday Season 2009 and Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: August 2009. 11/30/2009 (Price: $18.00)

Music ‘N Play Table by CHICCO USA INC.

Chicco’s award-winning Music ‘N Play Table features a reversible table packed with engaging activities designed to help your baby learn through play. The electronic side includes a piano with large colorful keys, flashing lights, and fun melodies. There are 3 piano playing modes, 8 electronic tunes, and 4 different instrument sounds. The table also includes 8 ‘Bugs & Bees’ activities that target multiple skills that are important for your baby to develop. If you flip the table over, you’ll find a building block base to build on using the 10 included building blocks. ( Watch Video) 11/25/2009 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Mix Lights – Digital Audio Player by DISNEY

This MP3 player, available in several styles, lights up to beat of the music. Kids can download their favorite songs and auto-synch them with Mix Central software and online Mix Central download store, where they can also buy TV shows and music videos. The player has a 2GB memory to hold 1,000 songs, supports by MP3 and SD cards, and includes a rechargeable battery, software, a lanyard, ear buds, a USB cable and a guide. It comes with a one-year warranty. Launch date: Summer 2009. 11/23/2009 (Price: $39.99)

Ucreate Music by MATTEL INC.

Designed for wannabe DJs, this digital music system allows kids to record samples, demo mash-ups and mix and match loops. A online site allows kids to start a collection of tracks and special effects as they create their own beats. 11/23/2009 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Schoenhut® 37-key Melodica by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

This 37-key wind piano produces a professional, rich tone with a full three-octave range (37 piano keys) and a tonal range from F through F. Includes a specially designed mouthpiece and deluxe carrying case.The sweet-sounding Melodica is so easy to play that many educators use it for teaching the rudiments of harmony, chord formation, theory, and for choral work. You can play chords and single notes, sharps and flats just like a piano, but within a smaller range. It's portable, inexpensive and fun — perfect for camping or travel. 11/10/2009 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fender Starcaster Strat Electric Guitar Pack by FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

Available in black, candy apple red, midnight blue, three tone sunburst and black sparkle, this Fender electric guitar a maple neck with 22 frets, die-cast tuners, a five-way pick-up selector switch, a multi-ply pickguard and more. It's packaged with an amp and various accessories. 10/29/2009 (Price: $199.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Woodstock Kid's Accordion™ by WOODSTOCK CHIMES

The Woodstock Kid's Accordian has true authentic sound and a 2-octave range in the key of C. The adjustable strap ensures a comfortable fit. Comes packaged in a 4-color gift box and includes a songsheet with instructions and 8 songs. Additional songs are available for download from the Woodstock Chimes website. "This children's instrument has true authentic sound and comes with detailed playing instructions and eight easy-to-play songs so your child (or you!) can play songs the first time you use it," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly. 10/28/2009 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Woodstock Folk Guitar™ by WOODSTOCK CHIMES

Sized just right for the next generation of pickers and strummers, the Woodstock Folk Guitar is a great kid's instrument at a really great price. It looks just like a full size guitar and comes with a guitar strap, pick and vinyl carrying case. Also included is an easy-to-follow instruction booklet that teaches how to hold the guitar, the basic guitar chords, and 11 songs. Additional songs are available for download from the Woodstock Chime website. "This realistic-looking guitar will make any child feel like a pro," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly.
— "It was a newer item for us and they were gone shortly after Thanksgiving," Chris Cahalane of Cape Cod Toys told TDmonthly in 4Q 2010. “We sold about 8 or 10 in the last month.” 10/28/2009 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chimalong® by WOODSTOCK CHIMES

Tuned to a C Major scale, the Chimalong is an 8-note metallophone that can be played by number, color or notes. The youngest children will use the included 15-song songbook to play by color; older children can play by number. As they progress, they'll learn to read the music and play by note. Additional songs are available on the Woodstock Chimes website. Packaged in a 4-color window box. Comes with 2-mallets, 15-song songbook and an extra #7 tube, which changes the B (for key of C) to B flat (for key of G), giving greater musical flexibility. Chimalong is "recommended for its educational value by many professional musicians, including John Sebastian, Marilyn Horne, André Watts, Peter Schickele and the late Jim Henson," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly. The Chimalong has received the following awards: 2003 Parent's Choice Top 25 Toys in 25 Years; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Classic Toy, Blue Chip Award; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal; and 1987 Parent's Choice Gold Award. Launch date: 1986.
―  Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., only recently began selling Chimalongs, she told TDmonthly in 4Q 2010; she sells about four per month.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Ok.,  told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that the Woodstock Chimalong is their store's best-selling musical toy. ( Watch Video) 10/28/2009 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Hands Music Band by EDUSHAPE LTD.

Musical toys specially designed to lead babies from the first discovery of noise and sounds into the creative world of making music. The four-piece set includes: baby xylophone, rattle roller, mini wave drum and spinner mini rainbomaker. ( Watch Video) 10/20/2009 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Tambourine by EDUSHAPE LTD.

This tambourine features a unique modern shape with a comfortable grip for small hands. It's light but durable. There are  four pairs of steel jingles under a safe clear cover. It comes in a variety of colors. ( Watch Video) 10/20/2009 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

31" Electric Guitar - Red by FIESTA

23" Toy Acoustic Guitar in Red. Give the gift of music. Features quality sound, lustrous finishes, clear tone, quality materials and craftsmanship, and good vibrations. Play the blues, country, flamenco, rock, pop, and classical. 9/16/2009 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Women - Jo by GREEN TREE PRODUCTS, INC.

This wind-up musical doll rolls her head in time with the music. She's "Jo" in the "Little Women" collection. ( Watch Video) 8/25/2009

Nature's Own Bugs - Amazing Mushroom by BLUE BOX TOYS INC.

The Amazing Mushroom is a three-stage activity toy that allows achild to progress through the phases of crawling, sitting and standing. The Mushroom is equipped with fun features and learning activities, including light effects, music, a color rainbow and a ball-drop surprise. Launch date: January 10, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $49.99)

Light 'n Sound Butterfly Book by TALENTOY FACTORY LTD.

This butterfly character design toy comes in a book style with each page of the butterfly wings featuring a different activity. Children can explore all the activities as the butterfly head lights up. Launch date: January 10, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $17.99)

Bops - Wooden Percussion Toys by ONE WORLD PROJECTS INC.

These frogs, fish and turtles are handmade in Vietnam using the ecologically harvested woods of the tropical jackfruit tree, and only when the tree is no longer able to bear fruit. The company calls them "bop-animals," as "bop" is the Vietnamese word for the "ribbit" you hear when you run a wooden stick (included) along their spine. These fair-trade items are made by artisans. Launch date: April 22, 2006. 8/19/2009 (Price: $13.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ocean Friends Treasure Box by ENCHANTMINTS

This tall treasure box is excellent for tiny treasures. Earrings, bracelets, charms and sachets are all safe and comfortable inside. Four drawers, one in front and one on each side. It measures 6” x 4” x 6”. 7/16/2009

Schoenhut® 37-key Concert Grand by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

Inspired by the beauty of a full-size concert grand, Schoenhut® Piano Company offers this exquisite miniature 37-key replica. Complete with opening top to release the lovely chime-like tones, this smaller version is designed for a child with serious musical aspirations. Each piano in the series is custom built from solid maple and ½-inch multi-ply birch, stained in mahogany or painted in your choice of white or black, with the interior hand finished to match the selected exterior. The hinge is designed to raise and lower gradually, so as not to slam down on little fingers. Chromatically tuned, the sound is produced by little hammers striking precision-ground, German steel music rods.Schoenhut's patented Learning System, with its play-by-color teaching method, makes playing simple and fun. Available in Mahogany, Black or White. 7/6/2009 (Price: $255.97) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]