TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Puzzles & Skill Product Category

First Jigsaw Puzzle by YOUNG MINDS AT PLAY

First Jigsaw Puzzle is a 4-piece solid hardwood puzzle perfect for 1-3 year olds. The pieces are interchangeable and reversible, allowing any two pieces to be connected. However, only if all pieces are connected correctly, will a square be built. Two different pattern solutions are possible: a checkerboard pattern and a striped pattern. This puzzle is designed to provide multiple levels of challenges. Younger toddlers will find it challenging to just physically connect two pieces. By having the pieces interchangeable and reversible, they find success without being frustrated. Once that skill is mastered, older toddlers will be challenged to build a square. Finally, toddlers will be fascinated that they can make two different patterns and will be challenged to discover how that is possible. They will do the puzzle over and over to find the answer. Made of sturdy, solid maple and cherry, it will not bend or warp like cardboard puzzles. At over 3/4" thick, toddlers can easily sense when a successful connection has been made - something that can be difficult with thin cardboard puzzles. Other puzzles have pictures painted or glued onto them. Our puzzle is simply finished with a safe, food-grade beeswax and oil finish. Instead of concentrating on a picture, our puzzle focuses on the natural pattern the two contrasting wood tones make.
Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011 4/28/2011 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pool Puzzles by FUNDEX GAMES

Putting Pool Puzzles together is simple- just pop the foam puzzle pieces out and assemble them by number. Once together, they become floating friends- a dolphin, turtle, or lobster. They can be taken apart and put together again every time a child plays in the pool. 4/15/2011 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dragon Face by BLUE ORANGE GAMES

Dragon Face is perfect for the chess and checker enthusiast and ideal for those with a penchant for fantasy and strategy games. Each side has an Emperor, 6 Ambassadors and 7 Governors. Each piece can move in different ways. Players capture an opponent's piece by jumping over it; that piece is then turned upside down and becomes the players own. The end goal is to capture the Emperor by locking it in. "Dragon Face is a great strategy game and a perfect way to develop critical thinking skills and concentration," Nicole Britton at Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011. 3/22/2011 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Puzzle Pod by The Puzzle Pod

Sold as a set of four pods, these nifty holders are made of sturdy vinyl that won’t tear and come with pleated corners to adjust to thick crayons, bulky puzzle pieces, dice, tiles or whatever the kids can snuggly fit inside. The Puzzle Pod adheres to the back of the puzzle, the game board or any toy packaging. Now when kids travel in the car or on a plane, they can whip out the Puzzle Pod and neatly play with dozens of puzzle pieces, word tiles, dice or game cards. When play is over, everything goes back in the Pod -- which easily closes tight thanks to cleverly placed Velcro tabs. The design is patent pending.Ideal for grownup projects too. Moms like it for scrapbooking to keep scissors, glue, arts & crafts pieces and other necessities tidy and within reach. The Puzzle Pod is perfect for storing bill-paying supplies, holiday receipts, greeting cards and stamps, whatever activity needs to be neatly contained for a new day. Simple, transparent and affordable. 3/15/2011 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Prince William and Kate Middleton Royal Wedding Puzzle by BLUEWATER PRODUCTIONS

The 500-piece (17.5” x 25.5”) handmade, limited edition puzzle features the April wedding of the royal couple. 3/15/2011 (Price: $34.96) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Prismatic by LEARNING MATERIALS WORKSHOP

Prismatic contains a variety of brightly colored hardwood prisms and hand-polished acrylic prisms that fit into square boxes. Children create simple and complex designs that help them think about order, pattern, and symmetry. Children also experience the beauty and wonder of the color spectrum when light refracts through the acrylic prisms that form part of their inventive buildings and designs. Contains 30 hardwood prisms (natural finish), 36 hardwood prisms (in 6 colors), 6 clear acrylic prisms, and 1 hardwood tray.
Awards— Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011 3/7/2011 (Price: $65.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Serengeti Scramble Squares by b. dazzle, inc.

The sophisticated colors of the realistic Serengeti Scramble Squares puzzle make it among the best selling styles of Scramble Squares overall, appreciated by enthusiasts of African art and nature, naturalists and conservationists. This puzzle is also especially popular with children.
Awards— Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011 3/7/2011 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soccer Scramble Squares by b. dazzle, inc.

The Soccer Scramble Squares puzzle features boys and girls of many cultures playing the world's most popular team sport. This puzzle edges out our Baseball Scramble Squares as the most popular sports style and sells strongly all though the year.
Awards— Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2011 3/7/2011 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

V-Cube 7 by V CUBES NORTH AMERICA

Similar to a Rubik’s Cube, this multicolored cube has seven rows and columns users have to align. 2/22/2011 (Price: $40.54) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tilt by THINKFUN

Tilt is a dynamic multi-challenge maze game that requires a player to tilt the game board back and forth, and left and right to navigate the green sliders through the center hole. The challenges progress in difficulty, and each challenge card comes with a hint, just in case players need a little help. Launch date: March 2011. 2/9/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Snack Attack! by THINKFUN

Snack Attack! is a fast-paced picture matching, token stacking challenge. Players spin the Snack Attack! Spinner Platter and the Snack Tokens appear. The player with the most Snack Tokens wins. The matching and stacking of Snack Tokens varies the game every time it’s played and two levels of play keeps the game interesting for both younger and older children. Launch date: March 2011. 2/9/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

PathWords by THINKFUN

PathWords is a new game that combines the Tetris® and Word Search. Players must find all the words in each challenge and place the puzzle pieces so that the letters under each piece spell a word. PathWords will delight puzzle game buffs and word search fanatics. Launch date: March 2011.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, Mary Porter of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that ThinkFun was her best-selling brand of puzzles.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Clear instructions; fun alone or as a group; challenging. 2/9/2011 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Baffler by GAMEWRIGHT

Each puzzle image is randomly designed and cut in the oddest ways to make it as tricky as possible. The Baffler has no straight edges, no overlapping images and many unique shapes. Each of the three puzzles in the series has a unique piece count: 67 pieces, 69 pieces and 78 pieces. "The puzzles feature unique shapes and no straight edges," Emily Giurleo, marketing coordinator at Ceaco, told TDmonthly.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that puzzles from Gamewright/Ceaco were among his best sellers. 2/9/2011 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jungle Pals Stacking Puzzles by MANHATTAN TOY

Each puzzle features 5 easy pieces that slot together to create four jungle critters. Sets can mix and match to create a bevy of new animal breeds. Bright graphics suggest each animal's natural markings. Launch date: January 2011. 1/26/2011 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Manhattan Toy Flat Puzzles by MANHATTAN TOY

Puzzles feature natural wood grain as a back drop to vibrant silk-screened colors. Matching patterns and colors on the board help children place the pieces. Puzzle pieces are chunky in size and easy for little hands to manipulate. Comes in four designs. Launch date: January 2011. 1/26/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lucky Ladybug Color Match Up by MANHATTAN TOY

This illustrated wooden board comes with color-coded ladybugs that are rounded and raised to provide easy removal and placement on the board. Use this matching ladybug game to introduce the concept of fair play and taking turns while sharpening focus and memory. Launch date: January 2011. 1/26/2011 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

On A Hunt by FIND IT GAMES

This game was designed with the Sportsman, Hunter or Fisherman in mind. Find It – “On A Hunt” is a mini-scavenger hunt. Be the first to find the 48 hidden treasures mixed in with the Camouflage colored pellets and win. Players must look for the Bulls Eye, Arrow, Rope, Fish Hook, Hiking Boot, Dog and, for the Ultimate Sportsman, the BIG GAME hiding in every “Find It – On A Hunt” game.  For 1+ player or teams. 1/19/2011 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

VeggieTales by FIND IT GAMES

Based on the classic “Find It” Game comes the latest entry into the world of VeggieTales: The new VeggieTales version of the Find It Game. Players join the VeggieTales characters on a hand-held scavenger hunt as they search for objects and characters straight from stories in the VeggieTales collection. The fun begins by finding popular icons like the Viking Helmet, rubber ducky, and slushy cup. Also look for authentic characters such as Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber, Junior Asparagus, Philippe Green Pea and Madame Blueberry. These characters, and more, are hidden amongst a sea of colorful pellets. For 1+ player or teams.
— Marc Holcomb, owner of Toys & Co. in Greensboro, N.C. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that he sold 15 Find-It products a month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Toys & Co. ( Watch Video) 1/19/2011 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Vol. 8 by MONKEYING AROUND

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 8 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form. The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles. ( Watch Video) 1/12/2011 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Vol. 7 by MONKEYING AROUND

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 7 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles. 1/12/2011 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Vol. 6 by MONKEYING AROUND

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 6 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles. 1/12/2011 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Vol. 5 by MONKEYING AROUND

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 5 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles. 1/12/2011 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sharks - 100 piece puzzle by EUROGRAPHICS INC.

This 19 x 13" 100 pieces Sharks jigsaw puzzle features over 20 shark species. Made of strong, easy-fit puzzle pieces, grained paper for a glare-free picture, recycled board, recycled paper, and vegetable based ink. "Beautiful illustrations make your child aware of the diversity in shark species. Your child will learn important characteristics of individual shark family members," Erich Fellinger, Eurographics sales manager, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010. 1/12/2011 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Penguins - 100 piece puzzle by EUROGRAPHICS INC.

100 pieces Penguins jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle features over 15 species of the penguins. Features: 100 pieces, Dimension: 13 x 19 inches, Superior-quality piece by piece, easy-fit puzzle pieces, Strong puzzle pieces, Made from recycled board, Image printed on recycled paper, Ink is vegetable based. This 100 piece puzzle will challenge and educate. "Beautiful illustrations educate your child about species diversity and important characteristics of individual penguin family members," Eric Fellinger, sales manager at EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010. 1/12/2011 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Neocube Alpha by STRONG FORCE, INC.

Composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnets, the NeoCube allows you to create and recreate an nearly infinite number of shapes and patterns. Can be used to create complex designs and puzzles, or for simple fun and relaxtion. As of 1.06.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 84 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 2 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. PROS: Challenging; stimulates both brain hemispheres; many variations. CONS: Not suitable for children under 14; can be difficult to master. 1/7/2011 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]