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

Aha! Brainteasers: The Fifth Chair by THINKFUN

Four chair-shaped pieces of varying sizes combine to form one large, single chair that is the same shape. Hard (Level 3)
— “The thing that's important to me with the games I carry is I enjoy playing and promoting [them] to adults as well as the children. I feel that for adults they need to keep their brains active, and playing games like ThinkFun helps to do that,” Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas, told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Nearly 6 percent of 52 retailers named Thinkfun as a favorite supplier. 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aha! Brainteasers: 4-T Puzzle by THINKFUN

Take the four Ts out of the large frame and try to fit them into the smaller frame on the opposite side. Hard (Level 3) ( Watch Video) 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aha! Brainteasers: Wing It by THINKFUN

Based on a nineteenth century puzzle, Wing It challenges puzzlers to remove the metal ring from between the two wings. Medium (Level 2) 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aha! Brainteasers: Pack It In by THINKFUN

This nine-piece packing puzzle challenges puzzlers to take the pieces out of the box, then pack them back flat – so the lid closes easily. Medium (Level 2) 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aha! Brainteasers: 4-Piece Jigsaw by THINKFUN

Separate the four jigsaw puzzle pieces and put the puzzle back together again. Easy (Level 1) 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aha! Brainteasers: 4-Piece Pyramid by THINKFUN

Players arrange the four puzzle pieces to build a four-sided pyramid. Easy (Level 1) 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adams Cube by THINKFUN

A beautiful puzzle with architectural roots, Adams Cube combines six games in one. Each side of this translucent cube offers a new challenge, as players attempt to arrange the five puzzle pieces within a polygon frame. Some puzzles are more complex than others – solve one and move on to the next for lasting fun. Plus, the cube’s smart design allows game pieces and instruction booklet to be stored inside the cube. 12/17/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

S'MATCH by THINKFUN

S’MATCH is a classic memory game with a twist. Players are challenged to make matches according to specific attributes such as color, number or category. However, it's the S’Match Spinner that decides which way to match – and every player gets a spin. Pictures and words allow pre-readers and early readers to play together and enjoy hours of memory-building fun. ( Watch Video) 12/17/2008 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crazy Machines 2 by VIVA MEDIA

Crazy Machines 2 is packed with all-new features to help kids create their wackiest "Rube Goldberg-style" contraptions. A 3-D physics engine lets them craft even more complex gadgets and effects. Builders can kick the brain into high gear with mind-bending puzzles and tinker with wrecking balls, lightening rods, lasers, pulleys, springs, gears and more to create the chain reaction they need. Launch date: April 15, 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Noah's Recroom by SERENDIPITY PUZZLE COMPANY

Made with high-quality blue board that gives the puzzle edges a finished look, this 399-piece family jigsaw puzzle completes to 17.25" X 26.5". It is made in the USA with 100-percent recycled fibers, soy-based inks, water-based coating and recyclable bagging material. With the family puzzles, children work from the side of the puzzle with the large pieces while adults work from the side with the small pieces. They meet in the middle when the puzzle is complete. Launch date: January 20, 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby BuckleyBunny by BuckleyBoo, LLC

BuckleyBoo plush dolls come in two sizes: the original 17” with five buckles ($29.99)  and the 12” ($19.99) with three buckles — perfect for the toddler on the go. With an internal, motion-activated chime and a variety of pattered ribbons, each BuckleyBoo will provide hours of challenging and engaging playtime. Created by a child psychologist and grandma, Buckleyboo teaches essential developmental skills. Launch date: February 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby BuckleyBoos by BuckleyBoo, LLC

BuckleyBoo plush dolls come in two sizes: the original 17” with five buckles ($29.99) and the 12” with three buckles — perfect for the toddler on the go. With an internal, motion-activated chime and a variety of pattered ribbons, each BuckleyBoo provides hours of challenging and engaging playtime. Created by a child psychologist and grandma, Buckleyboo teaches essential developmental skills. Launch date: February 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Color Me Puzzles by MUDPUPPY PRESS

Kids can color these 24-piece, two-sided jigsaw puzzles with the five jumbo wipe-off crayons that are included in the sturdy sliding drawer box. Or, they can flip over the pieces over and assemble the pre-colored pieces to see the same scene. Launch date: August 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnaplay™ Wooden Magnetic Alphabet Picture Puzzle by MAGNAPLAY

The MagnaPlay™ Wooden Magnetic Alphabet Picture Puzzle contains self-checking tiles that give little fingers the ability to put puzzles together and keep them together. Launch date: November 15, 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle Doubles Let's Learn Transportation by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

The Let’s Learn series of Puzzle Doubles! combines a puzzle with additional activities into a highly educational, interactive learning experience for your child. The Let’s Learn puzzles introduce numbers, letters, animals, transportation, foods, and colors & shapes in a bright and colorful way. After assembling the colorful “talk about” puzzle, turn the puzzle over for an entertaining learning activity! Color in the illustrations using the enclosed write- on/wipe-off crayons, and practice those hand writing skills by tracing and writing the letters and words as shown. Each 50 piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up. 12/10/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Construction by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

The Create A Scene series combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for children. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reusable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity. The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up. 12/10/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wild Animal Puzzle by PLAYMOBIL INC.

Play and do a puzzle at the same time with the Wild Animal Puzzle. Includes a figure, monkey, giraffe, zebra, lion, cloud, and a colorfully decorated puzzle board.  Recommended for ages 18 months and up.  12/8/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Blokus 3-D by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

This brain-building strategy game plays off the original Blokus but plays with entirely new configurations in four construction plans: steps, pyramid, tower and corner (shown). The player who ends up with the most squares showing from above wins the game. Launch date: 2008. 12/5/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bumper Cars by POPULAR PLAYTHINGS

Just about everyone loves the BUMPER CAR ride. It's the next thing to driving a real car and the only time you can legally bump into someone. MAGNETIC BUMPER CARS is a brainteaser puzzle that is almost as much fun as the real thing. The challenge is to position the nine bumper cars on the track so they don't bump into one another or the surrounding wall. Of course these miniature drivers have something else on their minds, as powerful hidden magnets in the cars and track walls cause all sorts of collisions as you maneuver your way through 12 brain-bumping challenges! 12/3/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spin Me a Rainbow Puzzle Game by eeBoo corp.

This game comes with a colorful spinner and corresponding shapes that fit into puzzle board with color-corresponding cut-outs. Launch date: 2009.
— “eeBoo is excellent,” Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in late 2008. One other retailer, out of 52, also mentioned eeBoo as a favorite. 12/2/2008 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cube Puzzle Series by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

LiveCubes are to cube puzzles as genes are to living organisms. . Just as genes are combined to form unique individuals, LiveCube cubes can be used to make all manner of puzzles by simply  snapping the cubes together. The puzzles  come apart after assembly and, thus, are  reusable. A LiveCube package includes play manuals and a total of 120 cubes (1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm) comprising 24 white two-stud cubes; and six red, six blue, six green, six yellow and 72 white four-stud cubes. 12/1/2008

Animal Puzzle Series by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

It is a new concept of construction toy that can have endless possibilities. It is a teaching tool that will teach kids about colored shape matching, structure, and spatial skills. With livecube manual it is an intelligent toy that can guide kids to use their analytical, logical and motor skills through playing. It comes with four different packages – Lion, Rhino, Goat and Elephant version. Each package includes: 6 red, 6 blue, 6 green, 6 yellow and 24 blocks; a total of 48 blocks (2x2x2 cm) and play manuals. 12/1/2008

Pentominoes Classic Set by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

In livecube classic, we offer our puzzle lover a unique puzzle set. Each set of the livecube has a different color combination so your set of livecube is personalized and has a unique ID number to only your set. In addition, we introduce the cube 3X4X5 play cards, this shape can form about 4000 different combinations itself and with our play card system, it’s a never-ending puzzle game. Includes 1 unique puzzle color puzzle (12 pieces), 90 classic play cards, and carrying bag. 12/1/2008

Pentominoes Kids & Parents Set by LIVECUBE TBS INC.

Livecube for Kids & Parents is a proud winner of the Parents’ Choice Award, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and The Best Toy Winner from Dr. Toy. This is an exciting 3D adventure for the entire family developing visual, logical and problem solving skills. The package includes: 1 sets of 2 color mix puzzle(12 pieces); 30 Kids & Parents play cards (from 2D to 3D); 5 advance play cards; one carrying bag. 12/1/2008

Fire Tunnel Set by NOVA NATURAL TOYS & CRAFTS

This set of five colorful pieces is carved from a single block of European hardwood, so the sections align perfectly with one another. It features non-toxic, water-based stains and measures 6.75" H x 4.5" W. A mini version (MSRP: $15.90) is available also and measures 4" H x 3" W. 11/10/2008 (Price: $29.90) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]