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

Sugar & Spice Magnetic Dress-up Girls by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Sugar and Spice are two cardboard dolls with lots of exciting magnetic clothes and accessories. They come with 9 play scenes, a storage tray, and 60 magnetic pieces that help them stay in fashion. And there are no pieces to punch out ... everything's ready for play. They're illustrated by Lisa Perrett. Launch date: October 2006.
  7/11/2006 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

See Me Connecting Tunnel by PACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC

Kids will have fun using this tunnel to connect to other tents and tunnels from Pacific Play Tents to make mazes and secret hide-aways. Through the building process, they will develop their cooperative skills, muscles and imaginations. It has a padded interior and two nylon mesh windows that act as “see-me” windows or for keeping an eye on the kids. The tunnel collapses down for easy storage and carrying and wipes clean with a damp cloth. It recently won an iParenting award. 6/7/2006 (Price: $38.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fantasy Costume Collection by BRAND NEW WORLD

Fairytales do come true when children combine these authentic-looking costumes with their growing imaginations. Developed specifically for the Child Care industry, the Fantasy Costume Collection promotes durability and safety through its premium fabrics and qulity construction. Each of the seven costumes comes with a curriculum of activities and play script. 6/1/2006 (Price: $224.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Colorful Splash Chair, Dura-Care Overstuffed Furniture by BRAND NEW WORLD

This ulta comfortable, overstuffed chair features Dura-Care upholstery. Dura-Care fabrics are enhanced through a special treatment process that coats each fiber with stain fighting and liquid repelling characteristics. That means durability and easy care! This revolutionary process allows our upholstery to resist liquids, remain breathable and have the feel, warmth and comfort of fabric. This chair is also available in blue or red for three different age groups: infant and toddler (ages 18 to 36 months), preschool (ages 3 to 6) and school-age (ages 6 and up). 6/1/2006 (Price: $185.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Loaf of Fun Bread by BRAND NEW WORLD

Combine learning with play as kids pretend to butter a slice of "8" bread or have "ABC toast" for breakfast. By reinforcing numbers (1-10) and letters (A-Z), Loaf of Fun Bread extends literacy and math into dramatic play.

 

 6/1/2006 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ripjaws 8” Transforming Figure by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This large scale 8” Metamorfigure starts off as a harmless alien but transforms into something totally different: a mini role-play toy. Ripjaws, the water creature, can transform into a functioning squirt gun. 5/26/2006 (Price: $8.99)

Transforming Alien Rocks by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

When these alien rocks are dissolved in warm water, the "DNA" fizzes to reveal a miniature 1” alien figure hidden inside.  They come in packs of two with the following character versions: Heatblast/Upgrade, Diamondhead/Wildmutt, Fourarms/Ghostfreak, Stinkfly/Greymatter, and XLR8/Ripjaws. 5/26/2006 (Price: $4.99)

Deluxe Playset by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This playset is an exact replica of Max’s RV on "Ben 10", lovingly nicknamed the “Rust Bucket.” But this isn’t an everyday RV, as it transforms into a cool Alien Laboratory where kids can conduct their own experiments! The included supplies allow kids to create their own alien figures using clay molds. Water can be added to the beaker and dropped in one or two of the (included) Transforming Alien Rocks to see which character will appear after the DNA has oozed off. And the exclusive animation disks can be viewed with the special microscope (three additional disks are included in-pack; other disks come with the 4” collectible figure line and the Omnitrix Alien Viewer). 5/26/2006 (Price: $29.99)

Omnitrix F/X by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This is true to scale just like Ben’s alien watch on "Ben 10" that crash landed on Earth in a meteorite. The Omnitrix F/X allows kids to wear it on their wrists and reenact all the action that they see on the series. It features red and green flashing lights and transformation sound effects taken directly from the show. Images of each of the 10 aliens that Ben can initially transform into are also featured on the face of the watch. But be careful, it just may transform kids into those funny alien creatures! 5/26/2006 (Price: $14.99)

Ben's Animating Omnitrix by BANDAI AMERICA INC.

This can be worn by kids who can imagine themselves transforming into one of the aliens they see on the show. With three animation disks to be inserted into the watch’s face, kids can watch Ben transform before their eyes. More disks are available. 5/26/2006 (Price: $7.99)

Smart Snacks Sorting Shapes Cupcakes by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

This two-time award-winning set is great for developing fine motor skills and shape recognition. The six colorful two-part cupcakes pull apart to reveal a hidden shape that fits tightly into the matching pan. Shapes include square, triangle, clover, half-moon and circle. Cupcakes measure 2.5" by 2.25". 5/24/2006 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pretend & Play Healthy Foods Snack Set by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Kids can serve up good health with these fun, nutritious snacks. This set of 18 plastic foods encourages children to make healthy food choices and includes fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, pretzels and crackers all packaged in a vinyl lunch sack. The set is also great for teaching everyday vocabulary to English language learners. The milk carton measures 2.75” x 3.25”. The foods are made of durable, non-toxic plastic. 5/24/2006 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spielstabil Little Gourmet – Bakery Set by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

In this set, packed in a handy carrying bag with zipper, the baking utensils are completed by professional garments for the little bakers: an apron that has a front pocket and a neck ribbon with Velcro closure and a padded oven mitt for taking the little cakes out of the oven. The set has 12 pieces plus 30 paper baking molds. There’s a stirring bowl, rolling pin, 5 cookie cutters, 4 utensils and metal baking mold. “The entire line of dishes is microwavable and dishwasher safe,” said vice president of marketing for Habermaass, Lea Culliton. 5/24/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Tea Set by FABER-CASTELL

This 17-piece ceramic tea set comes with four cups, four saucers, four plates, a teapot, a creamer and a sugar bowl. Girls can paint the tea set with any pattern or design using ceramic paint. A tea party is a timeless activity enjoyed by both children and adults. Older girls will enjoy painting this miniature set as a collectable for their room or as an accessory for their doll collection. 5/24/2006 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Build-a-Burger by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Kids can now create an American classic – the hamburger! This 8-piece plastic set includes all the fixin’s for the best burger ever: hamburger patty and bun, sliced tomato, sliced pickle, lettuce leaf, cheese slice and plastic knife. Each piece has Velcro on both sides for easy stacking. If kids take a look on the back of the box, they’ll learn fun facts about burgers plus be able to review the food pyramid. 5/24/2006 (Price: $9.45) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kitchen by KIDKRAFT

KidKraft’s kid-sized kitchen provides fun and fantasy for open-ended imaginative play in the heart of the home. Pink refrigerator and freezer are finished with frescoed water and ice dispensers. There are knobs on the sink and the oven. The microwave oven has see-through doors. The kitchen even includes a clock and a phone (with caller ID), and a notepad on the side panel.
— Over 15 percent of retailers named Kidkraft as the company whose products would grab the attention of most consumers during the holiday season.
— “The big kitchens and dollhouses by Kidkraft are always great sellers,” Tracey, co-owner of Whippersnappers in St. Simons Island, Ga., told TDmonthly.
— Four of 58 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Kidkraft’s big kitchens as impressive holiday items. 5/24/2006 (Price: $199.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Barbecue Grill Set by SCHYLLING

Kids can get grilling with this mini barbecue set. The set comes complete with tongs and spatula for flipping those delicious wooden burgers. Please note: For pretend play only. 5/24/2006 (Price: $29.99)

Children's Tin Tea Set by SCHYLLING

Made of tin, this classic tea set is great for little hands. Set includes 4 plates, 4 cups and saucers, a teapot and a serving tray. 5/24/2006 (Price: $14.99)

BUTTERFLY TEASET BASKET by SCHYLLING

Children who love watching nature can now keep it close to them with this lovely butterfly porcelain tea set in a basket. Thirty pieces come packed together, including cutlery, a tablecloth and cloth napkins. Teacups measure 1¼" tall. 5/24/2006 (Price: $24.99)

Garden Fresh Fruits and Veggies by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

These pretend play food fruits and veggies are a great way for toddlers to learn about the rewards a garden can bring. Each lifelike fruit and vegetable can be pulled apart, peeled, or sliced as if it were the real thing. This soft plastic food set includes lettuce, pineapple, orange, banana, pea pods, cauliflower, onion, peach, an ear of corn and a plastic knife for “cutting” fruits and veggies. The included canvas tote has a mesh bottom. 5/24/2006 (Price: $16.99)

Let's Pretend – Microwave Oven by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

This little microwave has tasty features, such as six timed food settings with pictures (popcorn, pizza and hot chocolate). The turntable actually rotates the food. The clear door lets kids see what’s “cooking” inside, said Pat Sarka, vice president of creative development at Educational Insights. 5/24/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Can of Chips by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

These wooden potato chips are extra crunchy. They come packaged in a decorative metal tin, ready to be dropped in a little kid’s shopping bag. 5/24/2006 (Price: $6.40) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Apple by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

These delectable looking Granny apples are made of polished wood. The apples are sized just right for little fingers. Add a wooden fruit crate for a great gift. 5/24/2006 (Price: $2.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fried Egg by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Kids “crack” open this plastic egg and out spills a plush white and yolk. They can make breakfast for their other plush toys while mom and dad take a much-needed rest. 5/24/2006 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cook Time by AWESOME KIDS

Just what every Awesome chef should have to begin a career in the kitchen: Pots, pans, plates, glasses, serving pieces, and silverware, all in rich colors. Several pieces of plastic food put the finishing touch on this array, which is one of the most popular Awesome Kids boxes. The set includes a Magic Book CD and a giant 32” x 21” playmate. 5/24/2006 (Price: $25.95)