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

My Princess Academy — Light Up Princess Wand with Sound by ALMAR SALES COMPANY INC.

Princesses will be enchanted with the 12” heart shaped rainbow light up wand with a magical charm sound. Light and sound operate with a heart shaped button. Batteries included. 8/28/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Papo - Lioness with Cub by HOTALING IMPORTS

The Papo Lioness with cub is created with detail and designed to authentically display how lionesses really carry around their cubs. "[The] Papo wildlife series is easily the best-quality figure for the price," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2006. ( Watch Video) 8/27/2009 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

X9 Rocket by PLAYHUT INC.

Kids can blast off on a cosmic journey in the Playhut X9 Rocket play structure, which is comprised of a large, shuttle-shaped play hut and two 20” tunnels. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, and EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Princess Adventure Hut by PLAYHUT INC.

The Disney Princess Adventure Hut is designed to be a magical getaway for any little princess. This versatile play tent is comprised of a large play hut and 4’ tunnel. It has multiple tunnel ports for crawl-through fun and structure expansion, mesh windows for peek-through entertainment, a flap door entrance for easy accessibility, and bright, bold Disney Princess graphics. EZ Twist technology allows for instant set-up and quick-fold down for convenient storage. It received a 2009 Outstanding Products iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shailie™ Starter by STYLE PAIGE LLC

It's the kit that gets you going (ages 6+)  The Shailie™ Starter includes one life size pink and white polka dot dress form, a must for any aspiring fashion designer.  The Starter also includes the Base top and skirt so you can easily attach and detach all of your Shailie™ dress pieces and accessories, a Starter dress - in 9 pieces, and a Shailie™ Closet for storage. ( Watch Video) 8/19/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Costume - Frankenstein by MULLINS SQUARE

The hood of this Frankenstein costume for babies features a forehead scar, bolts, felt hair and a heightened head — to store all those brains. The poly/cotton blend jacket and pants have jagged edges, and the pants have an elastic waist. "Our costumes are easy to wear for the children and for parents to dress! Adorable, fun, exciting and unusual costume characters are well made so that younger siblings will be able to wear them also," Eugenie Torres, designer for Mullins Square, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2009. 8/6/2009 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chinese Doll Dress by LITTLE BRIDGES

The traditional dress from China is simple and elegant, made from silken brocade with butterflies, which are a symbol of joy and summer in China. It has silk loop buttons in soft purple to complement the butterflies. It fits 18" and 21" dolls. "Our products are unique in their ability to expose children to different cultures through pretend play," Leah Wheelan, director of Little Bridges, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008. 7/23/2009 (Price: $14.99)

Tiara, Silver/Pink by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA

This silver and pink tiara is trimmed with marabou feathers and embellished with pink gemstones. "This tiara is our unique design and it's sold only in the specialty toy market," Veesha Knight, sales and marketing manager for Creative Education of Canada, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. ( Watch Video) 7/19/2009 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kids Crooked House - Pirate Ship Playhouse by KIDS CROOKED HOUSE

Kids Crooked House can customize a playhouse specifically to the interests or needs of a child. Custom-designed playhouses are handcrafted and built to individual requirements. Parents can turn to the company's existing designs for inspiration or ask their kids (or inner kid) to describe their dream playhouse. Launch date: June 2009. 7/17/2009 (Price: $7300.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Market Stall by PLANTOYS

Kids can learn about healthy food choices by running their own market stall filled with wooden fruits and vegetables. Produce sold separately. ( Watch Video) 7/16/2009

Grocery Cart by MELISSA & DOUG

This durable metal shopping cart looks just like those in real stores. Sturdy metal construction includes pivoting front wheels, a folding doll seat and protective corner bumpers to navigate the aisles in style and safety. It measures 18.5" x 13.5" x 22.5" assembled. Contains small parts. Adult assembly required. Launch date: 2009.
— These carts are best sellers at Learning Resources Toy Magic in Fort Walton, Fla. "There are between 25 and 35 on hold for Christmas," Owner Mark Pattison told TDmonthly in late October 2009.
— Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said in fall 2009 that his store sells about 60 of these shopping carts per month. ( Watch Video) 7/15/2009 (Price: $49.99)

Serendipity Doll Clothing Collection: Blue Jogging Suit by THE BEAR MILL

This set comes with a hooded zipper jacket, sweats with tie string, and a loose long sleeve striped shirt. For dressing up 18" dolls. 7/3/2009 (Price: $22.99)

Serendipity Doll Clothing Collection: Tartan Skirt and Top by THE BEAR MILL

This set comes with a tartan patterned skirt and a white tee for the top and is for dressing up 18" dolls. 7/3/2009 (Price: $19.99)

Princess Tiara by CREATIVE EDUCATION OF CANADA

This light pink tiara features maribou feathers and artificial pink gemstones. One size fits all. 6/30/2009 (Price: $7.75) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ryan's Room - Friends and Family by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Wooden dolls with yarn hair are available in an assortment of ethnicities, ages and genders. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Feather Boas by LITTLE ADVENTURES LLC

These fluffy feather boas with silver tinsel make a glamorous addition to any dress up outfit. Each boa measures 3 feet long; the perfect size for little ones. One size fits most. They come in pink, lilac and white.
— In an early fall 2010 TDmonthly survey, seven percent of 44 retailers cited Little Adventures costumes as a top-selling accessory item. ( Watch Video) 6/30/2009 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Best Buddies - Christmas Figure and Animal Set by WOW TOYS

This set features a detailed Santa with his toy sack and best friend Rudolph the Reindeer for pretend play. The figures may be used with other WOW toys sets. Launch date: July 9, 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $6)

Mix 'n' Fix Mike by WOW TOYS

This friction-powered cement truck has an automatic revolving mixer. Mike’s motor rotates his inner cement drum, tossing and turning all the mix of cement ingredients with real cement-making sounds. He is operated by a friendly removable construction driver figure who can either drive him to his next job or watch the mixing process from the top of his truck. A detachable bollard can be fixed to the back for easy storage. "Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike, as with all other vehicles from WOW’s toy range, has been designed to help children make sense of the world around them through imaginative play. Every WOW toy is compatible with others from the range, [and] they are extremely resilient, don’t require batteries, and exceed all toy safety regulations," Tanya Laperouse, PR manager for WOW Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 9, 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $50)

Pretend & Play Bakery Set by Learning Resources by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Little chefs fill pies, roll cookies and more. This set invites kids to imagine holding a pretend bake-off, making special treats for company, running their own bakery, or entering the school bake sale. It features an egg that cracks open to release the yolk, cookies in four shapes to cut out, and more. The set introduces parts of a whole with a sliceable, three-piece loaf of bread and a pie with three, two-piece slices kids can fill with the included fruit. It comes with 31 plastic pieces, including favorite baked goods, a measuring cup and spoon, and other utensils a baker needs. The rolling pin (the set’s largest piece) measures 8.5” L. "From mimicking what happens in the kitchen at home to imaginative play such as running a restaurant, the Pretend and Play Bakery Set offers a realistic hands-on play experience as well as educational play," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pretend & Play Birthday Set by Learning Resources by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

With the Pretend & Play Birthday Set, kids can design custom invitations for special guests, and decorate the cake and three presents. The five cake pieces feature candles numbered one to five to help with counting. Also included is a birthday crown, a pretend camera, birthday cards and more. "It encourages creativity through the design of invitations and cake decorations to number play with the numbered candles and cake slices," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pretend & Play Fishing Set by Learning Resources by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Little anglers can hook the catch of the day, and an adjustable vest makes play more realistic. Kids can play a size-matching game with worms and fish. It features six pages of write-and-wipe, fishing-themed activities. Plastic pieces include a pole with magnetic hook, three magnetic fish, three worms, a net and a vest (plastic, nylon and canvas). All magnets are embedded for safety, and the plastic tackle box stores all pieces. "This fishing set is a realistic representation of fishing, allowing imaginative play, while also being able to play matching games with the various size worms and colored fish that come with the set," Nancy Davies, group account director at Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— Deborah Smith from Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that Learning Resources Pretend & Play kits were among her best selling Halloween products. 6/29/2009 (Price: $27.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dinosaurs, Extinct? by BRIARPATCH INC.

This game asks the question, "Can you keep your dinosaur alive into the 21st century?" It's a board game full of pitfalls and promotions as each player's dino works its way from the Jurassic to modern times, trying to avoid terrifying predators and extraordinary earth events in order to survive and be the winner. It comes with six free dinosaur replicas and is made in the USA. This game received an Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: March 31, 2008. 6/29/2009 (Price: $21.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Papo Spinosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS

This dinosaur is almost a foot long, 6" tall, and designed to be in a realistic, frightening pose. Like other Papo dinosaur figures, the Spinosaurus's mouth opens and closes. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (Price: $23.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Papo Allosaurus by HOTALING IMPORTS

The articulated jaw of this Allosaurus really opens and closes. The hand-painted dinosaur is approximately 1:20 scale and measures about 10.5". It is made of durable synthetic material. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Safari Slumber Set by TIME TO PLAY CORPORATION LIMITED

Boldly decorated with friendly wild creatures, the Safari Slumber Set is made to transport children away to far off adventures in the jungle. The spacious tent has a mesh top for ventilation and a split-front panel with tie-backs and a Velcro closure. It can be used inside or outdoors. The set also includes a 24” by 48” slumber bag with matching graphics. 
— “The Safari and Princess Tents by Time To Play are new for us. We got them in May and have sold four so far,” said said Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys and Treats in Montclair, N.J., of her best-selling furniture and play house items during a May 2009 survey. 6/25/2009 (Price: $24.99)