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

Explorers Arriving in the New World by LIBERTY PUZZLES

This 14.75” by 17.5” puzzle is a replica of a vintage print and includes 557 pieces, 97 of which are figurals. 7/21/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buffalo Bill: The Farewell Shot by LIBERTY PUZZLES

Based on a vintage poster, this 468-piece wooden puzzle is made of 1/4" maple-veneer plywood. It is 12.75" by 19" and includes 81 figural pieces. 7/21/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Parlay by REAL DEAL GAMES

This game combines the creative challenge of a word game with the fast pace, excitement and variety of poker. The game challenges players to exchange cards with the goal of making a high-scoring word and winning poker hand with the added decision of whether to "Stay" to compete for big bonuses, or "Fold" for guaranteed points. Parlay also features "word-bluffing" as an added strategy and sure source of laughs.  This product is a 2006 Games Magazine Game of the Year Award winner. Launch date: January 2006. 7/7/2006 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Peek-a-boo Puzzles by elogIQ

These new patent pending graphically stunning puzzles will provide you with hours of fun. Each puzzle comes with a pair of glasses; one red and one blue to let you see the two separate images. To solve you must place the pieces correctly to match both the red and blue images.

Images include: Snakes (P005SS), Butterfly-Moth (P005BM), Gorilla-Hippo (P005GH), Wolf-Bear (P005WB), and Wolf-Fox (P005WF). 6/26/2006 (Price: $9)

Pro Sudoku by KID GALAXY INC.

This portable, handheld electronic Sudoku features over 12,000 puzzles, three skill levels, a check button, a hint button for help, a timer, a step counter and an adjustable contrast screen. According to retailers, any kind of Sudoku product will do, as they’ve been flying off the shelves.
— Victor Oliveira, operations manager of Henry Bear’s Park in Arlington, Mass., said these are “really hot.” For older kids, the handhelds are top sellers and for the younger ones, there is even a Sudoku book that involves putting in animals instead of numbers.
— “I don’t think it’s just kids [that like it]. I think mom and dad are willing to buy because they’ll play with it,” explained Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toy & Book Store in Scottsdale, Ariz., who mentioned the Kid Galaxy variety as a popular version.
— “I would have to say Sudoku books would be it,” said Jordan Walden, store manager at Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore., when it comes to most popular travel toy at her store. 6/22/2006 (Price: $15)

Tripod by elogIQ

Tripod is an exiting new puzzle that will make you scratch your head. Just a few twists and turns, and it is completely scrambled. This puzzle is sure to give you hours of fun! 6/21/2006 (Price: $14)

Cmetrick Cubicle by elogIQ

This one of a kind brain teaser is both a puzzle and a game! It can be p layed in many variations by 1-2 players and is great for any age. Solve color patterns by rolling the colored cubes systematically, or play an elimination game against another player. Guaranteed to become addictive! 6/21/2006 (Price: $12)

Cmetrick Too Hard by elogIQ

This version of Cmetrick Too is much harder to conquer! To solve the puzzle, you have to follow the rules of Cmetrick Too. In addition, the center colors must match on all sides. This puzzle is guarenteed to challenge the most sophisticated puzzle enthusiast. 6/21/2006 (Price: $14)

Cmetrick Classic Mini by elogIQ

This 2x2 version of Cmetrick Classic will provide you with tons of fun! While small in structure, this great puzzle is both challenging and stimulating. Available in different colored cases and great for travel. This puzzle is a must have! 6/21/2006 (Price: $9)

Boyz&Girlz Puzzles by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

Just 18 tiles let kids play over 190,000 puzzle games with billions of solutions. Kids can choose between 12 designated playing layouts. These unique square puzzles are 100% solvable. 6/20/2006 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sudoku Magnetic Solver by BATTLE ROAD PRESS

The board has a magnetic surface, which is also dry-erase. Two sets of magnetic numbered tiles is included, one black and white and the other coloured with each number a different colour. A black and white number is placed in the positions of the "given" numbers. The dry-erase pen (also included) is then used to test out and write in numbers, which may be used in the other squares. As the trial numbers are eliminated they are easily removed using the duster supplied. Once a number is finally determined a coloured magnetic number is placed in that position. And so on until the puzzle is completed. 6/15/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

3-D Dog Puzzles by ESCO TOYS

THREE INCH 3-D DOG PUZZLES. EACH IN ITS OWN CARRY CASE. SIX ASSORTED BREEDS: BULLDOG, ALASKAN MALAMUTE, GOLDEN RETRIEVER, SHAR PEI, BASSET HOUND, & ST. BERNARD. EACH PUZZLE IS 20-24 PCS, DEPENDING ON BREED. INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONS. PACKAGED 12 PUZZLES PER 12"X6" ILLUSTRATED DISPLAY. 6/12/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles Vol. 3 & 4 by MONKEYING AROUND

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles, volumes 3 and 4, are new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collections of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. These fun- packed books include difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with mind-bending twists. No clues are given to reveal the final forms! Beautifully drawn intricate images slowly emerge, surprising and delighting puzzlers of all ages. 6/8/2006 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Large Format 300pc by BUFFALO GAMES INC.

This collection features our best-selling properties and a new die-cutting process that allows for larger, easier to place pieces.  From the youngest to the more mature puzzler, every member of the family will want to lend a hand and watch the puzzle take shape.  Includes images from Norman Rockwell and the Hautman Brothers. 6/1/2006 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CyliPlex Wooden Puzzle by R&A MEDIA INC.

The object of this puzzle is to assemble 12 pieces into a cylinder shape. Few have done it in less than 10 minutes. Many others have danced around the solution. 6/1/2006 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Making Faces by TESSELLATIONS

Making Faces is a unique tessellation puzzle in which a face is formed where four square pieces fit together. There are three different types of pieces, allowing over 1,000 distinct faces. What's more, if a face is viewed upside down, a different right-side up face is seen. It is both weird and cool. The puzzle comes with instructions that include several brainteasers plus a game using the pieces. Four reproducible worksheets cover translational and rotational symmetry in tessellations, the mathematics of combinations, and drawing two-way faces. The 120 chipboard pieces come packaged in a plastic jar. 6/1/2006 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Glow Bones: Pterodactyl by CEACO

Artist Adrian Chesterman created the wonderful pterodactyl that graces the newest of the Glow Bones puzzles. Turn off the lights, and the ptero’s bones glow in the dark. This 100-piece puzzle is a perfect starter for dino-inclined kids. 6/1/2006 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

#1508 Tank by PUZZLED, INC.

This 3D wooden toy is both a puzzle and a plaything.  And, it’s very cool. 6/1/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Follow The Yellow Brick by SUNSOUT INC.

This 26” round jigsaw puzzle features a spiraling Yellow Brick Road motif with pictures of scenes from Oz by the renowned fantasy artist Greg Hildebrant. It is 1000 pieces of wonder. 6/1/2006 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Land of Dragons Puzzle Stacking Game by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This colorful, imaginative building game made of beech wood includes 27 pieces plus the frame and is designed to enhance children's motor response skills as they play. Older children may use the block in combination with their own bricks.  “This item is wholly manufactured in Germany at our own factories which are overseen by an independent testing lab, LGAJ,” Lea Culliton, vice president of sales and marketing for HABA, told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award and 2007 Dr. Toy 100 Best Products Award winner. Launch date: February 1, 2007. 5/22/2006 (Price: $60.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eleanor of Aquitaine by MASTERPIECES PUZZLE CO. INC.

This original Big Picture Box houses artist Kinuko Craft’s Eleanor of Aquitaine. Exciting new packaging means that by opening the flap the cover image can be showcased in an expanded view and looked at while building the puzzle.
— Breck Hewitt, co-owner of Dragon’s Toy Box in Seattle, said that tween girls in his store pick puzzles over most other toys.
— Tween girls like to be challenged, agreed most retailers.
— Masterpieces Puzzles offers six other designs by Kinuko Craft, Eleanor of Aquitaine’s artist, including four with glitter and glow. 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tad's Busy Board by MASTERPIECES PUZZLE CO. INC.

Tad’s Busy Board Wood Puzzle, is just one of our 19 Leap Frog offerings.  This 8 Piece Wood Puzzle, with learning and play activities for Ages 3+, is sure to be both a child and parent’s favorite. Button the buttons, snap and zip the pockets, and tie those shoes. It is both educational and fun for all participants! 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

USA Fun Facts w/ Decoder by MASTERPIECES PUZZLE CO. INC.

Travel across America with Masterpieces 48 Piece Leap Frog Puzzle. But Wait! There is more than meets the eye. Reveal Fun Facts, with the Secret Decoder, inside each box. Use this to sharpen School Skills in Geography, Social Studies, Language, Reading and More! Ages 5+ Years. 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bluebird Bed & Breakfast by MASTERPIECES PUZZLE CO. INC.

Our NEW Bird House Packaging makes a perfect home for Janene Grende’s Bluebird Bed and Breakfast. This 500 Piece Round Puzzle, manufactured on our Industry’s finest 72 Pt. Blue Board, is sure to have everyone singing. 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Safari Rush Hour by THINKFUN

In this wild and hairy version of Rush Hour set in the African savannah, you must maneuver your trapped Safari Rover around the animals and through the jungle, making it safely off the game board. 40 Beginner-to-Expert challenges plus an additional 10 Junior challenges await those who are feeling wild!

Features: 40 Beginner-to-Expert challenges plus an additional 10 Junior challenges, travel bag, solutions.

Awards:  2001 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classic Award Winner.

 4/26/2006 (Price: $20) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]