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

Mighty World: Search for the Lost Mummy by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This set includes three explorer figures (Megan the Ranger, Ken the Tracker and Tom the Adventurer) and more than 30 accessories including an ATV, crypt, mummy, crates, tool boxes, tools and much more. Launch date: 2006. 3/29/2006

Baby Play Park by Calico Critters by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This new environment gives the babies of Cloverleaf Corners lots of adventures as they slide down the slide, crawl through the tunnel, run over the bridge and climb to the top of the hill. Best of all, there is a hot air balloon they can ride above the park. The park itself comes with everything needed to start playing — including two twin-sized Critters!
— “Calico Critters have been an exceptional thing...my highest increase in sales the last three years,” Yamil Castillo, owner of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Calico Critters consistently sell. There is just something that appeals to adults and children as well,” Donna, manager of The Treasured Child in LaGrange, Ky., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— Three of 50 retailers, who spoke with TDmonthly in April 2008, singled out Calico Critters playsets as best-selling playsets. ( Watch Video) 3/28/2006 (Price: $44.99)

The Calico Critters Townhome by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The Calico Critters' Townhome is a large, four-room home with a room divider that can create a fifth room. The house can be opened and closed for lots of decorating and pretend-play fun. There is a movable staircase and an extra floor area to create larger rooms. When closed, the house measures 12" by 12" by 12". What makes this house even more special is that there are lights inside that can be turned on or off with the flip of a switch. It recently won a 2006 Oppenheim Platinum Seal Award.
— Seven of 32 specialty retailers named Calico Critters in October 2008 when asked which items they expect to be their hottest holiday sellers. In late November/early December 2009, two of 44 retailers cited Calico Critters as one of their overall best sellers. 3/17/2006 (Price: $79.99)

Shake 'N Go Speedway by FISHER-PRICE INC.

This interactive raceway lets kids race two Shake 'N Go cars on a fun, circular racetrack. Featuring flashing lights and all the sounds of a real speedway, kids can choose from an open-ended play mode that lets them continuously speed their cars around the track, or race mode, which sets two cars against each other where the first one to complete a set number of laps, wins. The coolest thing about this Speedway is that it uses new technology — it actually "knows" who won the race and announces it at the finish! When the Speedway is in race mode, kids quickly lead. It includes two Shake 'N Go cars and will recognize any of the other Shake 'N Go Racers in the collection including the Rally Car, the Hot Rod, the Race Car, the Stock Car and the Exotic Car. This Oppenheim Toy Award winner requires 4 AA batteries, not included. 3/17/2006 (Price: $39.99)

Woody Click Farm Theme - Boxed Set by HAPE

Boxed sets of Woody Click are available by theme. The Farm collection contains a select assortment of components and are perfect for the home or classroom. Contents include: 1 wooden carrying case, 1 Farm House (WC1050101), 1 Farm Tractor ((WC1050102), 1 Farm Sheep (WC1050103), 1 Farm Forest (WC1050104), 1 Farm Pigs (WC1050105), 1 Farm Farmer (WC1050105). 3/2/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Molly by LEARNING CURVE

New for 2006, Molly is a large, powerful, bright-yellow engine. She's proud of her strength and is also sensitive. Molly is distinct in her color and styling from any other engine on Sodor, and is 7” in length.
— Shelley Hawkins, sales associate with Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., said she recommends the figure eight sets for children aged 3 to 7 who are just starting out with train sets.
— “This has been our no. 1 top seller for the past 10 years,” said Rene Nordhus, co- owner of Toy Zone Inc. in Rochester, Minn.
— Molly debuts in the "Tales From the Track" video that launches in Spring 2006, which will likely increase customer demand. 2/27/2006 (Price: $19.99)

Leather Mask's Horse by HOTALING IMPORTS

Hand painted and wearing a black cloak fringed with grey, this dark steed from Papo wears a leather mask to match that of his rider (sold separately). He is one of 85 new Papo figures to be released in 2006 and comes from Papo’s Fantasy Collection. “The Medieval Collection as well as the Fantasy Collection are fighting it out for top category, especially with all the new introductions this year,” said Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said, “that’s the one that we do a pretty heavy volume of … It’s a nice price point; kids can buy a figure and add it to their collection.”
— Rene Nordhus, co-owner of Toy Zone Inc. in Rochester, Minn., said she ordered knights and castles from the company after seeing their product line at the 2006 Toy Fair.
— Sandy Kozlowski, sales associate at Toy Loft Ltd. in East Aurora, N.Y., said Papo does very well at her location and that the knights sets in particular do well. 2/27/2006 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Susie Snow-Warren's Doll Houses by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This is the newest "ready-to-play" set from Calico Critters. Susie Snow-Warren likes to spend all of her free time playing with her dollhouses. The set includes Susie, two miniature dollhouses and nine pieces of tiny furniture for the dollhouses — all scaled to Calico Critter size. She was launched at the 2006 Toy Fair in New York City.
— According to Shelley Hawkins, sales associate with Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., this is the playset line she would play with if she were still a little girl between the ages of 3 and 11, and they’re selling well in her store.
— Mrs. Grafton Stine, co-owner of Toys on the Square, Unusual Toys & Pottery Painting in Hummelstown, Pa., said her store ordered new products within this line for 2006 based on the brand’s past success.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said that this is the leading girls’ playset at her store. 2/27/2006 (Price: $16.99)

Escape from Pirate Prison by ODYSSEY MARKETING

An add-on to the Pirate Scapes series of interconnecting play sets, this set features Stede Bonnet who escapes through a hidden door. He suffers the company of a removable rat and spider that can fit through the playset’s bars. The product sells for less than $20.00.
— Katie Frederick, owner of The Wooden Rainbow in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said this line is extremely popular right now.
— Jean Zoeller, co-founder of Toys & More in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., said that although she does not carry these in her store, she has heard good things about the line.
— A number of other retailers mentioned that pirate products in general are extremely popular these days. 2/27/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fancy Prancy Forest Fairy Playset by NORTH AMERICAN BEAR

The shimmering decorated plush fairy house opens fully to reveal a fantasy world containing two Forest Fairy dolls, a vanity with mushroom stool, a flower, a shower and a swing. The all-in-one set is 24 centimeters tall.
— Products from this line already sell well for Matthew Macdonald, owner of Wooden You Know in Maplewood, N.J., and Macdonald plans to stock up on new products from the line that caught his eye at Toy Fair.
— Mary Tague, owner of Toy Town Inc. in Key Biscayne, Fla., said she hasn’t done these but that fairies are popular in other forms at her store.
— Sandy Kozlowski, sales associate at Toy Loft Ltd. in East Aurora, N.Y., said that her store has entirely sold out of its fairy-themed products and that it will be getting more in soon to meet demand. 2/27/2006 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mighty World: Search for the Lost Mummy Medium Theme Set by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

This unique playset includes three explorer figures and more than 30 accessories including an ATV, crypt, mummy, crates, tools and more. It began shipping in February 2006.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said “we’ve received a really good response on them” and that the product is being marketed as “more realistic and highly detailed” than its top competitor.
— Shelley Hawkins, sales associate with Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., said, “they’re doin’ really well. We’re looking forward to the new stuff [for 2006]. It looks really cute.”
— With regards to this line, Mrs. Grafton Stine, co-owner of Toys on the Square, Unusual Toys & Pottery Painting in Hummelstown, Pa., said, “We’re seeing a lot of excitement about it.”  2/27/2006 (Price: $19.99)

Soccer Girls by KASKEY KIDS INC.

Included in the handy plastic storage bin are enough players to field two separate teams. Each package contains 24 players, one referee, two soccer goals/nets and a 24" by 36" washable felt field. Each figure is 2” high, sturdy and very easy for children to manipulate. Soccer Girls was also featured in the December 2006 issue of Better Homes & Gardens® Magazine. Soccer Girls® was included in a list of 30 toys that were picked by the magazine as “the most engaging toys parents can put under the tree this year”.(2006)
— These playsets sell well for Katie Frederick, owner of The Wooden Rainbow in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
— Andy Brown, owner of Wellesley Toy Shop in Wellesley, Mass., said “they’re nice ‘cause they’re something different” of the Kaskey’s Football Guys. He added that he’ll be stocking up on Soccer Girls.
— Soccer Girls won Creative Child Magazine’s Toy of the Year Award in December 2005. 2/27/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZipBin™ - Dinosaur by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

10-year-old Max Rothschild co-invented these storage bins/toys with his father, Wayne. Unzipped, the Dinosaur ZipBin becomes a dinosaur island activity surface for use with dinosaurs, animals, vehicles, boats and action figures. Fantasy play is encouraged by a prehistoric world featuring a volcano, a river, a tar pit and a mysterious cave. ZipBins also come in Road & Rail, Castle, Medieval Castle, Farm, Unicorn and other versions. ZipBins were launched in January 2006.
— Katherine and John Hodge of Neat-oh! International consider their Zip Bin line of toys to be a “a new way to play ... and put things away!” ( Watch Video) 2/6/2006 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZipBin™ - Mansion by NEAT-OH! INTERNATIONAL LLC

Wayne Rothschild and his 10-year-old son Max co-invented these nifty toys that double as storage bins. The ZipBin Mansion looks and plays like a dollhouse. Unzipped, it’s a “multi-room” activity surface with built-in closets for doll accessories. Dolls can throw a rooftop garden party, lounge by the pool, entertain, dance and have a fashion show. Zipped up, the Mansion still looks like a house, but can hold a gaggle of toys, keeping Mom’s and Dad’s “mansion” neat and tidy. ZipBins also come in Road & Rail, Castle, Medieval Castle, Farm, Unicorn and other versions. Launch date: January 2006. ( Watch Video) 2/6/2006 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Colorville Playset by ROSE ART INDUSTRIES INC.

Kids can color their own playsets. It involves four ways to play, including Coloring, using Dry Erase Shapes, Stickers and magnetic play. It comes in three different styles, including Pirate, Princess castle and Circus. 1/10/2006 (Price: $14.99)

Mighty World Town Life Playset by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The North American subsidiaries of Grand Toys International Limited, International Playthings, Inc. and Grand Toys Ltd. have come together to introduce the Mighty World line of playsets. Each character in the line features detailed expressions, body styles and outfits that are so detailed kids can even see the wrinkles in their clothes. 1/9/2006

Little Fox Playing set by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Kids will learn about this cute little plush fox’s story in his sturdy, colorful board book, then tuck both book and fox into their sturdy carrying case to take with them. 12/9/2005 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Friends First Playing Set by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

New for 2006, this carry-along playhouse with five little cubbies comes with four friends to hide inside and play with: a kitty teething ring with plush, a beech-wood mouse rattle that clicks and clacks, a cuddly sheep and a teddy bear with a jingly bell sound and a blankie to tuck him into. The characters peek out of plastic “windows” in the fabric carrying case, and when kids are ready to go, they just zip up the case and throw it on their backs. 12/9/2005 (Price: $60.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Champs™ Tennis Racket by LITTLE TIKES INC.

Kids will hit an ace very time with this fun electronic activity racket. Swing the racket to spin the soft ball, see lights and activate sports-themed sounds. Helps baby develop both fine and gross motor skills. Textured grip is just right for little hands. Batteries included. 11/15/2005 (Price: $7.99)

Super Star Sing-Along™ Vanity by LITTLE TIKES INC.

Kids are the star when they sing along with this cool “karaoke” vanity. Hairbrush is really a wireless microphone. The push-button radio has 6 pre-set songs to sing along with, plus an applause button for encore performances. Lighted star-shaped mirror also glows in the dark, spotlighting the singer. A star-shaped vanity chair and star-shaped sunglasses complete the super-star look! 11/15/2005 (Price: $69.99)

B.C. Builders™ I-Fell Tower Playset by LITTLE TIKES INC.

Build up the tower and knock it down with ease with your dino wrecking ball or hit the button and it self destructs! 13" Apatosaurus dino has a soft vinyl body, is fully articulated, and makes greeting and working sounds. Includes 2 poseable “cave dudes,” a removable crane/wrecking ball, a wrecking tail with wrecking ball, driver and operator seats, and 16 tower pieces — one of our safe and fun new dinosaur play sets. 11/15/2005 (Price: $29.99)