TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Play Sets Product Category

Calico Critters Bullrush Frogs by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Bright green, friendly-faced, flocked frogs make up the Bullrush Frog siblings who live in International Playthings’ fanciful world called Cloverleaf Corners. Brother Algernon and sister Lily live in the swamp and have many friends in Cloverleaf Corners. The Bullrush Frogs integrate with an extensive line of houses, accessories and other character figures.
— Out of 49 retailers interviewed in July 2009, two told TDmonthly Calico Critters are a favorite collectible in their stores. 8/18/2009 (Price: $14.99)

Stackers Storage Play Set: Little Princess Castle by TIER TOYS

This stack and play puzzle set includes 9 levels of storage and 75 detailed figures and accessories stored inside. Plus bonus download of the story of Princess Olivia and interactive games. 8/17/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fire Rescue Starter Set by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Kids can play the real heroes while coordinating a rescue effort with this playset from Playmobil. The detailed face of the burning building has a balcony on it for one of the included firemen to climb his tall ladder to while another hooks up the hose to the fire hydrant. Four figures are included with lots of pieces to inspire the imagination.
― “As far as toy figures go, our Playmobil products sell well,” Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in July 2009.
― “It all sells so well,” remarked Sarah Green, manager of Kids at Heart in Portland, Ore., of Playmobil during a summer 2009 survey of best-selling action figures. 8/11/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZipBin® LEGO® City Toy Box Playmat by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

Kids simply remove the top and unzip this storage bin to reveal a mat designed for play and themed for LEGO City sets. Launch date: Fall 2009. 8/6/2009 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hoffman Bikes Flick Trix Bike Shop by SPIN MASTER TOYS

Complete with 20 interchangeable parts, this Bike Shop set features two frames, two sets of wheels, various other parts needed to successfully assemble a bicycle, a storage case for the pieces, and a set of stickers to deck out the bikes. ( Watch Video) 8/5/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Princess Elise Magnetic Dress-Up Set by MELISSA & DOUG

Complete with a royal array of magnetic outfits, the Princess Elise Dress-Up Set offers a variety of activities and an even greater variety of ways to combine them. Girls can mix and match the colors and styles of the painted magnetic clothes that come with the princess figure, pretend to design fashions, tell stories about Princess Elise's adventures, and more. The set includes the dress-up doll figure, a wooden stand, and magnetic outfits and accessories. 
―  Sandy Haynes, owner of Lollipop Toys in Dawsonville, Ga., sells 10 to 12 units per month of Melissa and Doug's Magnetic Dress-Up dolls. In June 2009, she told TDmonthly, “They remind grandparents of cloth dolls.” 7/24/2009 (Price: $12.99)

World of Elves: Elf Boat by SCHLEICH NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Fairies and elves can take a ride in this delicate-looking petal boat edged with floral decoration and a robust sail. Launch date: September 2009. 7/24/2009 (Price: $45.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pharaoh's Temple by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Illuminated with detailed Egyptian images, the gate of this mysterious temple opens a whole world of creative play in ancient Egypt. The set comes with a rune-inscribed obelisk, ceremonial scepters and headdresses, a sedan chair, three figures and a stately panther.  It may be used as a stand-alone set or combined with other pieces from Playmobil's Egypt line for exploration of the ancient world.  Launch date: August 2009.
— “Playmobil. It blows me away how popular it is right now. We have a whole room of Playmobil and it's outstanding,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer's Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in June 2009.
— “We brought it in new last year and it's always selling,” said Phillip Anderson, manager of The Down Town Toy Store in Kenosha, Wis., when asked about his top-selling gift for boys in summer 2009. ( Watch Video) 7/21/2009 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Parking Garage by PLANTOYS

The Parking Garage has three floors of parking space, a working elevator tower, attendant's booth and helipad. The set also includes a figure, car, gas station and car wash. It measures 19.3" x 13.8" x 13". ( Watch Video) 7/16/2009

My Magical Castle by AURORA WORLD INC.

This 6" plush castle with a front door that opens from the top includes prince and princess finger puppets as well as a dragon and a white unicorn with sound effects. ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play Castles by TEAMSON DESIGN CORPORATION

The Teamson Design Play Castles are the newest design of play time that your children will love! Each Castle is very easy to assemble (no tools required!) and comes complete with figurines and furniture! The swivel base ensures that where ever they are, the will have full access to their play area with its high quality designs and its hand crafted structure. ( Watch Video) 6/24/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Felt Tales™ A Day at the Aquarium by BABALU INC.

With 20+ felt pieces, this story board includes a sturdy handle and back pocket for storage of the pieces. This particular theme highlights sea life and various other characters for play. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 6/19/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Felt Tales™ Forest Fairies by BABALU INC.

This colorful, themed set includes a carry handle and a storage pouch on the back for toting the various pieces included. It features felt fairies, flowers, insects and more. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 6/19/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Felt Tales™ Pirates at Shipwreck Cove by BABALU INC.

Outfitted with 19+ pieces, this felt storyboard set measures 12" x 15" and has a sturdy, attached handle. Pieces include pirates, weapons, treasure and other accessories. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 6/19/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Little Pony Ponyville Sweetie Belle's Gumball House by HASBRO INC.

Shaped like a giant gumball machine, this house has two levels of fun. Sweetie Belle, from the Newborn Cuties line, can have her friends over for a snack in the first floor kitchen, take the musical elevator up, and check out the view over the giant lollipop balcony. It comes with Sweetie Belle, and a house full of accessories like a kitchen set shaped like candies. Launch date: Fall 2009. 6/10/2009 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stackers Storage Play Set: Noah's Ark by TIER TOYS

This colorful stack and play puzzle combines together to form Noah's Ark. The Ark breaks up into 13 layers, 12 of the layers acting as different levels of storage for the different plastic animal figures residing within them. Each layer of the ark have special spaces to hold each individual animal figure in place. 21 pairs of animals as well as two human figurines are included. Animals include giraffes, pigs, birds, horses, rhinos, and dogs. This product received a 2009 Tillywig Brain Child Award and Sterling Fun Award, as well as a 2009 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center.

Past Videos:
Product Demonstration ( Watch Video) 6/2/2009 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Calico Critters - A Surprise Birthday Party for Olivia by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

In this ready-to-play set from International Playthings, children help 4-year-old Olivia's older sister Ashley set up a birthday party for the special girl. Designed in detail to fit in with International Playthings' extensive Calico Critters line, the kit includes a cake, drinks, presents and party hats to enrich the fantasy-play and include all of a child's favorite Calico Critters characters.
— The Calico Critters line from International Playthings accounted for the top licensed toy sales in three of 49 stores surveyed in April 2009. 5/26/2009 (Price: $17.99)

ZipBin® Street Racer by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

ZipBin Street Racer is a backpack that looks like and is shaped like a race car. Unzipped, it becomes a city street with drivable roadways. When play is done, the Playscape™ becomes a backpack in a zip, capturing the toys inside for easy cleanup. This set includes two die-cast cars. It received a 2008 Seal of Excellence award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2009. 5/22/2009 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Poppy's Pony Adventure by WOW TOYS

Bright colored and super-chunky for little hands, Polly's Pony Adventure includes six pieces to accompany a child on a horse-riding adventure. The car and horse trailer attach easily with magnets, getting the two characters and their two horses ready to go on the road.  Other arena-side accessories, as well as the push-button tailgate and shape-sorting roof of the trailer, add to the fun.
— “Wow toys are my best seller, bar none,” said Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska. Kutchik listed Wow Toys as not only his best-selling playset in an April 2009 survey, but also as a long-time top seller in his entire inventory. ( Watch Video) 5/21/2009

Calico Critters Britney Bunny's Ballet Set by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Cloverleaf Corners is a busy little town, complete with a ballet studio. With this playset from International Playthings, children can tell the story of aspiring ballerina Britney Bunny. The set includes three tiny dresses that fit the poseable, flocked bunny character, a mirror, and a ballet bar. Britney Bunny's Ballet Set integrates fully with the wide variety of other Calico Critters sets.
— “Calico Critters is fabulous, for the fantasy. All girls love those,” said Sheryl Guidera, owner of Kaleidoscope: The Parent Teacher Store in Capitola, Calif., in April 2009. 
— “[We] sell a ton of them,” Becca Bramhall, owner of Dandelion Toys in Fort Collins, Colo., told TDmonthly when she listed Calico Critters as her best-selling playset line in spring 2009. 5/21/2009 (Price: $21.99)

Red Corsair by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Kids can take their imaginations to the high seas with the rough-and-tumble Red Corsair. Crimson sails are emblazoned with the Jolly Roger, and the Red Corsair comes with three pirates, a cannon and other assorted accessories to dress up the deck. The boat floats and will accommodate the Playmobil motor, available as an add-on. Launch date: August 2009.
— “Playmobil is our best seller. Everything in that line is strong,” said Peggy Sebert, owner of Becky & Me Toys in Glenview, Ill., of her best-selling playsets in spring 2009.
— “Playmobil as a line. The pirate ship is probably the best in that line,” Dean Nelson, owner of Wizard Kids Toys in Toledo, Ohio, told TDmonthly during an April 2009 survey on playsets. 
— “As a brand, Playmobil is our No. 1 selling brand in store. All day long, everyday,” remarked Casey Sartain, buyer at Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Eleven of 49 retailers surveyed in April 2009 named Playmobil as a best seller. 5/21/2009 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Domo - Medium by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

This Domo is not too small and not too big... he's just right. Confide in him, play with him, listen to him - he's the perfect everyday companion. ( Watch Video) 5/6/2009 (Price: $16.99)

Peg Boards by SIMPLEX INTERNATIONAL (PVT) LTD.

Made of treated rubber wood and painted with non-toxic, lead-free paints, these teaching aids are designed for use in the home and at Montessori schools. Launch date: February 2, 1973. 4/28/2009 (Price: $5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FeltTales™ Cinderella Storyboard by BABALU INC.

“Cinderella” lets you act out the story of Cinderella.  Have her clean the house while her evil stepmother and stepsisters get ready for the ball.  Help her Fairy Godmother give her a new dress and glass slippers.  Dance with the prince at the ball, but leave before midnight!  Can you help the prince find the owner of this glass slipper?

14 ¾ x 11 ¾ -inch feltboard with a collection of over 20 themed felt pieces. 4/24/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FeltTales™ Heroes to The Rescue Storyboard by BABALU INC.

“Heroes to the Rescue” puts you in charge.  Is that smoke up on the rooftop?  Sound the alarm.  Use the ladder to rescue someone stuck upstairs.  Grab the hose and put out that fire.  All the fire trucks are blocking the street.  Don’t worry, the police officer will direct the traffic.  With your trusty Dalmatian, can you save the day?

14 ¾ x 11 ¾ -inch feltboard with a collection of over 20 themed felt pieces. 4/24/2009 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]