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

4D – Vision Horse Anatomy Model by FAME MASTER ENTERPRISE LTD.

This four-dimensional horse anatomy model consists of 25 pieces, including detachable organs and body parts.  The horse features finely detailed sculpting with hand-painted parts. When assembled, the horse stands 18.5 cm tall and can be mounted on the included display platform.  4D PUZZLEs are highly recognized for their authentic look, museum-quality painting and finishing, novel and creative designs and educational, enjoyable and inspirational value. 5/15/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzz 3D Spider-Man 3 by HASBRO INC.

With this three-dimensional poster puzzle, kids will have fun building the puzzle as they watch their favorite superhero come to life in 3-D form.  These easy-to-assemble foam pieces lock together to create a displayable puzzle that kids can hang on the wall or display on a shelf.  The puzzle assortment includes two scenes: one of classic red Spider-Man and one of black-clad Spider-Man.  Both glow in the dark.  Launch date: May 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Christmas Noel Puzzle Sphere by UNICORN ENTERPRISES CORP.

The Christmas Noel is a puzzle composed of tiny, interlocking plastic pieces that join — without glue — to form a sturdy sphere. It is available in four designs, and each box comes with a stand and a string. Finished puzzles may easily be displayed on a stand or hung as Christmas ornaments. Each finished sphere measures 3" in diameter. Launch date: September 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $7.95)

World's Largest Crossword Puzzle, 2007 Collectors Silver Tin Edition by HERBKO INTERNATIONAL INC.

Introduced in 1996, the World’s Largest Crossword Puzzle is the largest English crossword puzzle ever published. More than 400,000 copies have been sold. This puzzle is so popular, in fact, that it is mounted backstage at the Winter Garden Theater on Broadway and the Wyndham Theater in London’s West End. This gigantic puzzle contains more than 28,000 clues and a 90,000 square grid that spans 6-1/2 square feet. The puzzle comes folded in 10" x 12" panels for those who don’t wish to open and mount the puzzle. This 2007 Collectors Silver Tin Edition commemorates the puzzle’s 10th anniversary. Launch date: 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $39.99)

If You're So Smart, Prove It! Amusing Word Games for All Ages by INTERNATIONAL PUZZLE FEATURES

This book contains a fascinating collection of clever word games that are both fun and educational. The puzzles demonstrate intriguing aspects of words and help children improve their thinking skills. Answers are basic, yet often elude the reader. When finally discovered, readers will be amazed and wonder how they could possibly have overlooked the obvious. “The word games are devised to be light-hearted and enjoyed not only by children, but by adults as well. The book gives parents the opportunity to involve the entire family in entertaining challenges. Everyone can participate,” author Pat Battaglia told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Wizard's Workshop by FAMILY GAMES INC.

This wooden workshop consists of eight bewitching brainteasers and an everlasting magical maze. Wooden blocks, balls, ropes, cords, metal rings and a screwdriver are tucked inside the faux leather assembly book. The challenge of the game lies not only in putting together the eight wooden puzzles, but also in solving them once the puzzles are assembled. Creativity and constructiveness are essential to this game. ( Watch Video) 5/4/2007 (Price: $49.99)

Illuminated Sudoku Mega Screen by TECHNO SOURCE

This product tests logic skills with more than 2 million accessible puzzles. It features a puzzle input option that allows players to input any Sudoku puzzle from their favorite newspaper or book and solve it with ease on the Mega Screen. It even provides the answers. Full illumination and an extra-large screen make the game easy to read and ready to play anytime, anywhere. In January 2007, this product was announced as 2006 Best Toy of the Year in the Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards. Launch date: April 2006. 5/2/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Doozie by TUCKER-JONES HOUSE INC.

The company’s 28th design and a Group 6 puzzle (difficult/complex), Doozie follows in the footsteps of the Tri Again and Big Shot puzzles: the solution does not rely on the manipulation of the object piece. Rather, other parts of the puzzle are worked to free the ring. 5/2/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Inside by FAMILY GAMES INC.

Together, two players build one pyramid using 13 of their cubes and five of their opponent’s cubes. Strategic positioning is crucial because when the pyramid is completed, each of its three faces comprises 15 squares. The player with the most pieces on at least two faces wins the game. “There is a combined effort between both players to build one 3-D pyramid. … How they choose to position their opponents’ pieces can be very interesting,” Susan Hebblethwaite of Family Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2007. ( Watch Video) 4/18/2007 (Price: $29.00)

Glow in the Dark Dino 3-D Puzzles by PUZZLED, INC.

This Glow in the Dark 3-D puzzle kit is fun and easy to assemble. 3-D puzzles are great for both children and adults, providing a fun, educational activity for the entire family. Once assembled, this model provides hours of play and is an excellent collection starter. Building a kit is a fun activity that also improves hand-eye coordination, provides practice in visualization and planning, and encourages creativity. Launch date: January 2007. ( Watch Video) 4/6/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Qwix by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

In this game for two to eight players, participants roll the Qwix dice and flip over the timer. They race to list words containing the three letters identified on the dice. Only words listed by a single player score points. Game play takes 20 to 30 minutes. THIS GAME IS NOT AVAILABLE 11/14/08.  3/29/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ZenBenders - Quilt by OUT OF THE BOX PUBLISHING

With ZenBenders, success is just a flip and slide away. A single player selects a challenge card and flips and slides the special ZenBender dice to recreate the pattern. With four difficulty levels and 48 different patterns, there’s a challenge for everyone. Each game takes less than two minutes. Dachshund, Dragon and Race Track varieties are also available. 3/29/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wake Up, Rooster! by INNOVATIVEKIDS

This read-along puzzle-sound book features eight puzzles and eight real animal sounds. It is time for the farm to wake up, but Rooster is still asleep. One by one, the farm animals try to wake up Rooster in this hilarious tale, but none of them can. Kids push the buttons to hear the appropriate animal sounds as they read the story. It is up to them to make the puzzles, push the sound buttons again, and wake up the farm. Launch date: May 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Mixables™: A Princess Mess by INNOVATIVEKIDS

What do you get when you upset a princess who has magic dust? A royal mess. When everyone is invited to the ball except for Monkey (or so she thinks), the other princesses had better watch out. Everyone is having a blast until — POOF! Camel has Crocodile’s legs and tail, Giraffe has Hippo’s legs, and Ostrich is part Zebra. Kids will have a blast mixing and matching the magnets to set the princesses right again or making their own mixed-up princess messes. Each hilarious tale of mixed-up mayhem comes with 10 easy-to-build magnetic puzzles that can be made into 100 different wacky animal combinations. Launch date: April 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Mixables™: Funny Farm by INNOVATIVEKIDS

“Cock-a-doodle … baa?” Uh-oh. Farmer Finkle’s wife has given the animals the wrong food by mistake, and now the animals are all mixed up. What will they do? Kids can play along with the story by mixing up the magnetic animal puzzles and then save the day by restoring the farm animals to their usual state. Each hilarious tale of mixed-up mayhem comes with 10 easy-to-build magnetic puzzles that can be made into 100 different wacky animal combinations. Launch date: April 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

innovativeKids Readers™: Clue School™: The Lost Lunch Mystery by INNOVATIVEKIDS

It’s a new day and a new mystery for the Clue School Kids. This time, Artie’s lunch is missing, and the kids have to put their sleuthing skills to work before Artie’s tuna, limburger cheese, pickle, vinegar and mustard sandwich stinks up the whole school. A challenging 64-piece puzzle reveals what REALLY happened to Artie’s lunch. Launch date: February 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

innovativeKids Readers™: The Great Barrier Reef: An Undersea Adventure by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Kids join the narrator’s undersea search for a mysterious grandfather’s long-lost gold watch. Throughout the adventure, beautiful photographs and fascinating true facts introduce the true riches of this thrilling marine world. A large 48-piece puzzle shows the exciting creatures of the Great Barrier Reef. Launch date: February 2007. 3/29/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzles to Go™: 3 Little Ducks by INNOVATIVEKIDS

“Three little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away …” The well-known lyrics are brought to life in this beautifully illustrated storybook. An adorable puzzle featuring Mother Duck and her three mischievous ducklings will provide hours of duckling-counting fun for kids. Puzzles to Go story book and puzzle sets integrate delightful stories with age-appropriate puzzles for hours of entertainment. The chunky, eight-piece puzzles can be locked into the book for easy storage on a bookshelf or anywhere. Launch date: February 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Puzzles to Go™: I Love You, Teddy by INNOVATIVEKIDS

This charming story about a teddy bear’s adventures comes with a chunky puzzle that’s perfect for preschoolers. Playful illustrations and exciting escapades will make this a longtime favorite. Puzzles to Go story book and puzzle sets integrate delightful stories with age-appropriate puzzles for hours of entertainment. The chunky, eight-piece puzzles can be locked into the book for easy storage on a bookshelf or anywhere. Launch date: January 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic MightyMind by LEISURE LEARNING PRODUCTS INC.

Magnetic MightyMind is ideal for travel and can keep kids busy for hours. The game includes a series of 30 puzzles that increase in difficulty. Some include color cues. Children learn as they place magnetic pieces onto each card, developing independence, self-expression and accomplishment. Launch date: Fall 2007. 3/29/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme Puzzle by KIDS TOUCH LEARNING

This gigantic foam puzzle measures 36” x 36” and features buttons that children can press to hear each of four nursery rhymes: Humpty Dumpty, Jack and Jill, Mary Had a Little Lamb and Hickory Dickory Dock. The 60-piece puzzle includes 16 pop-outs for extra play value. It is super soft and can also serve as a playmat. 3/29/2007 (Price: $29.99)

Sneak a Peek: The Crossword Game by J-WAY

This easy-to-play, interactive game gives two to four players or teams the ability to solve even the most difficult crossword puzzle. Players start with a blank puzzle and amass clues each turn, based on the draw of a card and roll of a die. They may answer a clue for points or receive a “Sneak a Peek” letter. Correct answers are entered on the board, with points awarded or deducted. The player notes clues (and Sneak a Peek letter) on their “cheat sheet” and play continues. Upon puzzle completion, the person with the most points is the winner. “The rules and play format self-handicap game play, providing a fun and fair challenge for players of any skill level,” Inventor Richard Jensen told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 3/27/2007 (Price: $34.95)

Match Up Game + Puzzle – 12 Dancing Princesses by PEACEABLE KINGDOM

This set includes 24 sturdy game cards plus a 14” x 30” floor puzzle in a flip-top box. It helps children learn how to count and have fun with numbers. Animals, Colors, Curious George Story Scenes, Construction Zone and other varieties are also available. “As the child grows, she will transition from playing the game portion of the product to the more complex puzzle part. From the outside in, the item takes into account … high-quality materials (to withstand use over the years), bold and appealing colors (to keep the child engaged and curious), and much more,” Donna Modrell of Peaceable Kingdom Press told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007. 3/22/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chain Reaction by UNCLES PUZZLES

Not for the patience impaired, this is one of the more difficult puzzles to solve. The puzzles are hand made from 1/4" (some connecting pieces are 3/16") high-quality steel that is capable of withstanding all usual and common proper hand manipulation, as well as "creative" attempts to make the solution easier. Each Uncles Puzzle is shipped in an attractive three-color gift box with the solution. Launch date: May 1997. 3/21/2007 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

When assembled, this 28-piece puzzle measures 10’ long. It is made of heavy-grade cardboard that is coated on both sides and is 20 percent thicker than the competition's material. The company’s colorful, detailed, value-priced floor puzzles are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and piece-counts, ranging from 24 to 100 pieces. The pieces of the Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle are self-correcting and the puzzle itself is an amazing 10’ long upon completion. Launch date: Re-launched January 2007 with revised graphics.
— “Our best seller is Melissa & Doug — their wooden floor puzzles are very popular,” said Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids in Columbia, S.C.
— Research conducted by TDmonthly indicated that sales of Melissa & Doug Floor Puzzles were strongest in the Southeast, where retailers averaged more than 30 units sold a month.
— Over 57 percent of retailers told TDmonthly in early 2008 that Melissa & Doug puzzles were the best-selling puzzles in their stores. 3/20/2007 (Price: $10.00)