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

Ratatouille Magic Dough Play Set by DISNEY

Kids will have endless hours of fun “cooking” with this magic play dough set. The plastic set comes with six colorful containers of dough, a dough press with ten different shapes, four molds and a dough injector with two different shapes, a rolling pin, a dough cutter, two forks and two plates. With this nifty little kitchen set, kids will be able to get just as creative as their favorite little rat chef. Launch date: June 2007. 7/25/2007 (Price: $16.50)

Down on the Farm Barn & Stable by SAFARI LTD.®

Part of Safari’s Fantastic Farm collection, this uniquely designed barn opens in half to reveal cows, pigs and goats and stalls on opposite sides. The barn is made of real wood construction and comes in an attractive gift box. All doors and windows open and close for increased imaginative play. ( Watch Video) 7/25/2007 (Price: $120.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney High School Musical™ Yearbook Collection – Cheerleader Dress-Up & Accessory Set by RUBIE'S COSTUME COMPANY

This High School Musical™ set features 29 pieces of dress-up fun, including a cheerleader uniform, pompoms, a headset and microphone, musical earrings, hairclips, photos and more. It all comes packaged in a colorful book-shaped storage box. “We are the only official licensee of Disney’s High School Musical costumes and accessories. Our unique packaging, such as the High School Yearbook, is especially appealing to the specialty toy market,” Pat Cacciola of Rubie’s Costume Company told TDmonthly. 7/19/2007 (Price: $32.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Healthy Foods Playset by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Children can play their way to a healthy lifestyle with these three baskets that are full of healthy meal choices. They are packed with realistic-looking, nutritious foods and include Activity Cards for each meal. All pieces are actual size and washable.
— This play set made Jamie Burdette’s top-10 best sellers at LB Toys in Media, Pa. “These very realistic play fruits and vegetables come with a shopping basket,” he said in April 2008. 7/6/2007 (Price: $59.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Invent A Tent by INVENT A TENT

The colorful Invent a Tent system is designed to help build children’s minds through creative play, allowing them to construct a unique play structure every time they pull it out. The kit includes set pole lengths and fabric dimensions and condenses easily into one storage bag. “Compared to similar products on the market, Invent A Tent builds a much sturdier play structure that is large enough for multiple children to play in at once. It also comes with an ample amount of fabric to cover the whole structure,” Cameron Scott of Invent A Tent told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007. ( Watch Video) 7/6/2007 (Price: $79.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jr. Magician by AEROMAX INC.

Little magicians can show off their best hocus pocus skills while looking as stunning as Harry Blackstone, Jr. The costume comes complete with a fancy silk cape, a button-down vest, a top hat, white gloves, a bow tie and a magic wand. The cape and hat both feature secret pockets, perfect for many wonderful magic tricks.  The outfit comes in sizes for kids age two to twelve. Launch date: June 2007. 6/29/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jr. Physician by AEROMAX INC.

Every physician costume set comes complete with a surgical cap, a mask, a shirt, pants, matching shoe covers and a white, pocketed lab coat embroidered with a medical seal. The outfit is available in blue, green or pink and comes in sizes for kids age two to twelve. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/29/2007 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Time to Play Corp. Ltd - Red Carpet Runway Light and Sound by TOY ZONE INC.

This 4' dressing room features graphics on the inside and a back door entrance. The front entrance has curtains that open and close. When a child steps through the doorway onto the red carpet, the runway lights up and music begins to play. As the child continues down the runway, the crowd begins to applaud. Shock-corded PVC poles make set up and storage simple. Orders must reach a minimum of $250. Launch date: July 2007. ( Watch Video) 6/27/2007 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spider-Man Reversible Deluxe Action Suit by DISGUISE INC.

With this costume, little boys get two superheroes for the price of one. They can spin a web as the classic red Spidey or as his symbiote-affected alter ego. The box set includes a reversible jumpsuit with muscle torso and a fabric hood. It also includes three punch-out character cards and a stand. Launch date: Fall 2007. 6/13/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ben 10 Transforming Arm Set by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Kids get into the action with this unique role-play set that features a wearable Omnitrix and three arm attachments designed after Heatblast, Diamondhead and Four Arms.  Kids attach one of the plates directly onto the Omnitrix to trigger a sound and phrase from that character.  They can punch with the super-powered arm to activate even more sound effects.  The counter feature adds a game play element for getting kids active by keeping track of how many punches they land, with different phrases from Ben indicating the results of their performance. Launch Date: July 2007. 6/12/2007 (Price: $24.99)

Ben 10 Deluxe Omnitrix by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Ever wonder what it’s like to transform into an awesome alien with super powers?  Well, now kids can with the new Deluxe Omnitrix role-play toy from the hit Cartoon Network series Ben 10.  Bigger and badder than ever, this toy is packed with power in the form of flashing lights, sound effects and an LCD game screen that tests kids’ ability to transform into the correct alien when attacked by the evil Vilgax.  Launch Date: July 2007. 6/12/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Power Rangers Mega Mission Helmet by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

As the ultimate Power Rangers toy of all time, the Mega Mission Helmet takes the role-playing action to even greater dimension.  This unique product connects to the Internet, via the included USB cable, to access 25 different secret missions.  Each two-minute role-play adventure can be downloaded into the helmet and updated once a child tackles the last one.  As a result, kids can fully become their favorite Power Rangers hero; this is the very first time they can get a replica Red Ranger helmet that they can wear. Launch Date: August 2007. 6/12/2007 (Price: $49.99)

Boy Deluxe Costume Line - Cowboy by LITTLE ADVENTURES LLC

This boy's costume comes in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. Launch date: July 29, 2007. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. 5/24/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Boy Deluxe Costume Line - Soldier by LITTLE ADVENTURES LLC

This boy's costume comes in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. “Each costume is durable, washable and affordable. You won't find a better quality costume at a more affordable price,” Owner Jenny Farnsworth of Little Adventures told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 29, 2007. THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. 5/24/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cottage Bed Tent by PACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC

How much fun will it be to go to sleep in your very own cottage bed tent? With flower boxes and a picket tent, roof windows and side windows, it will be just like sleeping in the country with all of the singing birds. Full curtain front doors and soft colors make this a very imaginative play environment. Our new removable and washable poly-cotton bed sheet enables you to simply detach from the Velcro tabs and through in the wash. You can even play in the tent by placing it on the floor without the sheet attached. When bed time comes, put the sheet back on the bed, lift the tent atop the bed and re-attach it to the sheet with the Velcro tabs. Exterior of the bed tents may be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Our exclusive patented “G-3” poles are safe and easy to use, making set up effortless. Designed to help you enter dream land in real country style! 5/24/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Princess Tea Time For Two Set by MUD PIE

This heart-shaped tea-time box set is part of the Mud Pie Princess Collection Tea Sets line.  This tea set includes a ceramic teapot, sugar, creamer, cups, saucers, plates and stainless steel flatware, all packaged in a polka-dot, heart-shaped box.  Each item is decorated in shades of pink, green and purple with a festive polka dot pattern.  The front of the box reads:  “You are invited to Tea with the Princess.” 5/21/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fisher-Price Classics™ Chatter Telephone™ by BASIC FUN INC.

Introduced in 1962, the Chatter Telephone was designed with a rotary dial to teach children how to dial a phone. Today’s Chatter Telephone makes children smile just the same with eyes that roll up and down, and a dial that rings. This friendly phone was re-introduced for a whole new generation of children to enjoy.
— Reproductions from Fisher-Price have been named as hot sellers since 2005 by the specialty retailers that talk to TDmonthly.

— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc., reported to TDmonthly sales of about 40 Chatter Telephones per week in November 2009. 5/21/2007 (Price: $14.99)

Woodland Adventures Castle of Courage by THE STEP2 COMPANY

Raise the drawbridge and man the towers! The Castle of Courage is under attack, and five brave knights must stand firm. The drawbridge and portcullis will protect them for a little while, but hand-to-hand combat is sure to follow, so these valiant defenders arm themselves with swords and bow. 5/18/2007 (Price: $79.99)

Neat and Tidy Cottage by THE STEP2 COMPANY

Year-round playhouse with molded-in floor keeps kids out of the dirt, and dirt out of your house. 5/18/2007 (Price: $159.99)

LifeStyle™ Grand Walk-In Kitchen by THE STEP2 COMPANY

A culinary playground of epic proportions, the Grand Walk-In Kitchen provides an interactive play experience that is second to none in features or accessories. “To have a kitchen that serves several different services — food preparation and serving, etc. — [provides] the ultimate role-play experience,” Director of Marketing Communications Dotti Foltz of The Step2 Company told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. 5/18/2007 (Price: $259.99)

Chicken Dance Musical Skirt by ACTING OUT

This musical dress-up skirt plays the infamous “party” favorite polka song. Girls simply press “on” for music and it continues with motion. It has a new adjustable waistband that allows for even greater size versatility. The product includes three AAA batteries, and the company’s website includes a “How to Dance the Chicken Dance” video. Launch date: July 2007. ( Watch Video) 5/7/2007 (Price: $34.00)

Macarena Musical Skirt and Headband by ACTING OUT

This musical dress-up skirt plays the 1996 hit pop song "Macarena.” Kids press “on” for music and it continues with motion. It features a new adjustable waistband that allows for even greater size versatility. It includes three AAA batteries. The company’s website even has a “How to Dance the Macarena” video. Launch date: August 15, 2007. ( Watch Video) 5/7/2007 (Price: $34.00)

Ben 10 Alien Voice Changer with Glasses by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

Inspired by the hit Cartoon Network show, the Ben 10 Alien Voice Changer is a cool role-play toy in which kids speak into the microphone and hear the wearable modulator distort their voice so they sound like an out-of-this-world creature. To complete the look, the three included glasses are made to resemble popular show characters such as Four Arms, Heatblast or Grey Matter. Two different sets with various character glasses are available. Launch date: January 2007. 4/18/2007 (Price: $24.99)

The Learning Tower by LITTLE PARTNERS INC.

Constructed of sturdy, high-quality layered birch, The Learning Tower is solid and made to last. Its four-sided design and roomy platform foster both the child's and caregivers’ feelings of security and safety while enabling the child’s desire to be independent and inquisitive. To accommodate different aged children, the platform height adjusts quickly and easily. And its durable, high-gloss, natural finish cleans easily with a damp cloth. It can serve as a step-stool, a desk, a fort or even a puppet theater. The tower is available in its original Natural color, Rich Ebony, Soft White and Dark Cherry. This product is a winner of four national awards including Dr. Toy's Best 10 Active Toys Award, iParenting Media's 2007 Outstanding Products Award, Mr. Dad Father’s Day's 2007 Seal of Approval Award and a 2007 National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Award. Launch date: 1998. ( Watch Video) 4/6/2007 (Price: $169.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

One Touch Play Tent by PACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC

The easiest tent to set up and take down, the “One Touch” play tent eliminates messing with poles or twisting wires. New patented technology enables the user to pull the tent from the carry bag, set it on the floor and lift it up. The user just “snaps” the hub into place (with the ease of two fingers) to secure a full-sized dome-shaped tent with the same structural strength as a standard two-pole dome tent. Taking down the tent is just as simple. “The innovative design and ease of operation makes this the best quality pop-up tent on the market today,” Executive VP Brian Jablon of Pacific Play Tents told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 1, 2007. Past Videos: Pomona 2007 ( Watch Video) 4/3/2007 (Price: $45.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]