TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Arts & Crafts Product Category
To see more products in this category, please click on the Toy Product Search link in the upper right hand corner and click on 'Advanced Search' to search by category.
More products will be added weekly.
Make Your Own Lip Balm by
SABMATT CORPORATIONThis kit includes ingredients to make flavored lip balm that has an SPF of 15. 9/30/2008
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Hand-y Aprons - "Best Cook" Apron by
ACCESS COMPANIESMedium weight cotton apron with "Best Cook ... Hands Down" printed on the apron. Includes paints for handprints, directions, and a gift card. 9/26/2008 (Price: $10.50)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Hand-y Tees - "Best Mom" T-Shirt by
ACCESS COMPANIESQuality heavyweight 100-percent cotton t-shirt with "Best Mom .... Hands Down!" printed on the shirt. T-Shirt also includes paints to add handprints on the t-shirt, directions and a gift card.
( Watch Video) 9/26/2008 (Price: $12.95)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Hand-y Tees - "Best Dad" T-Shirt by
ACCESS COMPANIESQuality heavyweight 100% cotton t-shirt with "Best Dad .... Hands Down!" printed on the shirt. T-Shirt also includes paints to add handprints onto the t-shirt, directions, and a gift card. 9/26/2008 (Price: $12.95)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Imperial Roman Legionaries by
WARLORD GAMESThis set features 30 multi-part hard plastic Imperial Roman Legionaries that are 28mm tall. The unassembled unpainted figurines come with full-color waterslide shield transfers as well as extra helmets, shields, pila and more. 9/23/2008 (Price: $31.50)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Sweet Pea Chronicles: Pea Sweets & Poufs by
CLEVER HANDS PUBLISHINGThis 20-page book offers ideas for crafts using Puff Beadz, which are poms that have a hole through their middle so that they can be attached via pipe cleaners without glue. Kids can make playmates, trees and tree houses. 9/22/2008
Beading Loom Kit by
BEAD BAZAAR/KID JOURNEYSDesigned to allow girls to weave their own jewelry, this kit comes with a wooden loom, glass beads, a needle, thread and instructions.
- “Bead Bazaar is No. 1,” said Jenny Thomas, owner of Applause! Give Your Kids a Hand, in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, when discussing best-selling jewelry items.
- Six percent of retailers told
TDmonthly in September 2008 that Bead Bazaar is one of their top-selling lines. 9/19/2008
Fairies: Petal People You Make Yourself by
KLUTZThis book allows girls to create their own poseable fairy dolls that feature petal dresses and flowing floss hair. Supplies to make 12 posey pixies are included, and the book is written by Rachel Haab.
- “Girls love Klutz; [it] sells constantly,” Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, told
TDmonthly.
- “Klutz is No. 1 by far,” said Ron Banducci, co-owner of
Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when telling
TDmonthly about best-selling items for tweens in fall 2008.
- “[Tweens] want to make something,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass.
( Watch Video) 9/19/2008 (Price: $16.95)
CALAFANT Pirate Fortress by
CREATIVE TOYSHOPChildren can easily build this sturdy Pirate Fortress, decorate it, and play with it. This kit transforms from a crafting activity into a real toy, and, best of all, is recyclable. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched sturdy white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It's a great choice for parents who want to promote their children's creativity, and it is a wonderful, unique present for a kid that wants a cool toy," Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told
TDmonthly. It received the Spiel gut 2008 award in Germany. Launch date: September 8, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $24.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] CALAFANT Castle L2 by
CREATIVE TOYSHOPThis Calafant cardboard kit transforms into a sturdy castle that is fun to build and decorate. It comes with 12 washable, non-toxic markers and is easy to color. When the child has completed the castle, it is a great toy and ideal for play with 3" dolls. Best of all, it's recyclable. "It is made from very high-quality cardboard — unless you sit on it, it won't bend!" Martina McConnon, owner of distributor Creative Toyshop, told
TDmonthly. The product received a TOY Innovation award in the creativity category in 2006 (in Germany). Launch date: April 1, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $14.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] CALAFANT Palace L3 by
CREATIVE TOYSHOPThe Calafant Palace is easy to build and decorate with any craft materials, acrylic paint, watercolor, rhinestones, scrap paper, glitter and aluminum foil — anything that comes to the creative mind. The sturdy structure is the ideal size for play with 3" dolls. All pieces are made from pre-cut and pre-punched, high-quality white cardboard and can be put together without glue and scissors. "It is exactly what parents look for when they want to promote their child's creativity while making an eco-friendly purchase," Owner Martina McConnon of distributor Creative Toyshop told
TDmonthly. The product/line received the following awards in Germany: TOY Innovation 2006 and "spiel gut" 2008. Launch date: April 1, 2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $24.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Glowtastic!™ U-Draw Night Light Art Kit by
NIGHT LIGHT DESIGNSThis kit allows kids of all ages to design their own works of art that can then be displayed in a fun-to-see light. Children can simply design and/or color their picture with any markers and then place it into the night light. Each kit comes with four blank coloring sheets plus a promotional, preprinted butterfly design coloring sheet. Replacement insert pages for the GLOWTASTIC! U-Draw Light Kit are also available.
( Watch Video) 9/16/2008 (Price: $14.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] 6" Mini Taffy Reborning Kit by
SECRIST DOLL COMPANYThis 6” mini doll kit comes with all the supplies — paint, brushes, doll kit, tutorials and more — a person needs to reborn their first doll. Reborning can require days of work, but the starter kit makes it possible to reborn a doll in less than three hours. The kit includes a CD with a full tutorial plus a PC video that gives instruction on painting the dolls. Launch date: 2008. 9/12/2008 (Price: $49.95)
Picture your Pet in a Shadow Box Frame by
BOWWOWMEOWDecorate a shadow box picture frame to display treasured photos and small mementos of your favorite furry friend. Kit comes with a white wooden frame with glass window, magnetic closure, and easel back. Frame measures 5.5"x 7.5" x 1.75" deep. Personalizing materials also included: paint, brush, alphabet stickers, push pins, glue and wood heart and star shapes. 8/28/2008 (Price: $19.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] I Love Horses Scrapbook by
BOWWOWMEOWCreate a treasured memory album to celebrate the horses that you love. Keep photos and memories together in one special place. The scrapbook is an 8" x 8" fabric covered durable book with vinyl sleeves. All of the materials needed to get started are included: a variety of colorful papers, horse stickers, glue stick, double sided tape, deckled edge scissors, a set of markers and pages for you to fill in the blanks and tell fun facts about the horses you love. All of the materials are acid free to ensure that the scrapbook lasts for years to come. 8/28/2008 (Price: $21.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Color a Purse by
ALEX BRANDSWith this kit, kids can color a dragon and butterflies on purse that measures 10” W x 7.5” H x 3.5” D. It comes with six permanent markers in a pouch.
— The “Color a Purse and Backpack by Alex,” are popular girls’ gifts at
Pun’s Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Owner Joe Berardoni told
TDmonthly in July 2008.
— Four retailers of our 68 mentioned Alex craft kits as a best-selling product. 8/28/2008
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Sticky Mosaics Enchanted Forest by
THE ORB FACTORY LIMITEDNumbered templates and sticky foam allow kids to easily create beautiful mosaics. This particular kit includes 3000+ sticky foam and jewel pieces, four sparkling designs and four wall hangers.
— “Without a doubt, the Orb Sticky Mosaics” are a best-selling girl gift, said Joe Berardoni, owner of
Pun’s Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
— “Sticky Mosaics by The Orb Factory. Enchanted Forest in particular. We sold five dozen of that particular one last year,” Kai Rady, owner of
Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told
TDmonthly during a January 2010 survey regarding best-selling arts and crafts items.
— Eighteen of 48 retailers listed Sticky Mosaics as their best-selling arts and crafts item in early 2010. 8/28/2008 (Price: $16.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Springtime Arietta Beading Kit by
BEAD BAZAAR/KID JOURNEYSThis set includes glass and ceramic beads of various shapes and colors, and an instruction and design booklet, all in a wooden, hand-crafted case with a sliding top. The kit makes 8+ accessories.
— Jewelry-making kits are popular at
The Toy Store in Atlanta, Denis Hofstetter said, because “they are a good price point [and] something that lasts.”
— “Jewelry items from Bead Bazaar” are popular buys for girl gifts at Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., Co-Owner Diana Gisolfi said. “Girls wear more jewelry in the summer.”
— Four of 66 specialty toy retailers told
TDmonthly in summer 2008 that beading kits are top-selling gifts for girls. 8/28/2008 (Price: $22.00)
Shrinky Dinks Enchanted Kingdom Fun Pack by
JOOBLI STUDIOThis craft activity kit enables kids and adults to create handmade bag tags, key chains and more. The pack includes an Enchanted Kingdom poster, 32+ traceable images, oodles of Shrinky Dinks plastic, eight color ball chains, and a photo frame keepsake. Shrinky Dinks® is the amazing, shrinking plastic that you draw on, color in, cut out, and bake in the oven to create all kinds of crafty items such as jewelry, bag tags, charms, magnets and ornaments. Launch date: August 2008. Display Ideas: The product is designed to hang or sit on a shelf. 8/27/2008 (Price: $14.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Crayola 16 Ct. Trianglular Crayons by
CRAYOLA LLCCrayola 16 Ct. Triangular crayons combine anti-roll design and a writing grip that is developmentally appropriate for students ages 5 to 7. Launch date: 03/03/2008 8/25/2008 (Price: $3.99)
Bumblebee Scissors by
RICH FROG INDUSTRIESThese scissors come in two adorable varieties. One cuts zig-zags and the other cuts waves. They are distinctive in the market because they're "durable and in very bright colors," Manager John Gallagher of Rich Frog Industries told
TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004. 8/25/2008 (Price: $5.95)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Colorful Garden - A Feelings Coloring Book by BRIGHT SPARX
"Colorful Garden - A Feelings Coloring Book" takes the reader through several garden scenes with bugs and flowers displaying a variety of emotions to which children can relate. The rhyming verse and fun illustrations make the coloring book an entertaining product, but it also has great value in its ability to increase emotional intelligence and enhance a child's ability to express different feelings. It is ideal for developing communication skills, emotional vocabulary, creative expression, self esteem, and social skills in a fun and child-friendly manner. "This fun and engaging coloring book will help children recognize, identify, and talk about their feelings," said Lisa-Marie Arneson, Owner and Creator of Bright Spots. This product is a Dr Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Winner. Launch date: 09/18/2005 8/25/2008 (Price: $6.99)
Pet Ornaments by
BOWWOWMEOWKids can create miniature works of art that celebrate their four-legged family members. The kit contains four papier-maché shapes (star, rectangle, square and circle) and lots of colorful and shiny decorating materials (paint, brush, glitter glue, gem stones, gloss varnish, alphabet stickers). Kids can add their own photos and creativity to the included materials to personalize their pet ornaments. It is a fun and easy project that provides a creative way for kids to express their love for their pets. "Pet Ornaments are perfect for holidays or anytime," Co-President Mike Greenwald of BowWowMeow told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 20, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $17.99)
[Add to my Inquiry Basket][?] Cat & Dog, Kumon 3-D Paper Crafts by
KUMON PUBLISHING NORTH AMERICA INC.With this craft, children can have fun cutting, pasting and assembling their own personal pet (potty training not required). "Kumon 3-D Paper Craft workbooks are designed to help children develop problem-solving and spatial reasoning abilities, as well as fine motor skills," Adam Hennessy, in marketing and account management for Kumon Publishing, told TDmonthly. "Their extra-thick paper and colorful, engaging illustrations ensure that children will be able to create a sturdy and engaging paper toy that will provide an educational and entertaining experience." Launch date: January 10, 2006. 8/21/2008 (Price: $5.95)
Paper Toys by
LANGENSCHEIDT PUBLISHING GROUPHoused in a charming deluxe metal box, this construction kit contains eight different models you can build yourself—each with at least one moving part. Included are perforated construction sheets for each paper toy with additional materials designed to individualize and enhance each figure, including wooden sticks, rubber bands, plastic beads, string and wire. Each model can be built with ease using the detailed, step-by-step instruction manual and colored pre-punched motifs. From an amusing bunny to a pop-up monster to a plane with propeller, the models have been lovingly created and include ingenious mechanisms: push the car, and the driver and his luggage sway amusingly from side to side; turn the stick, and the clown’s facial expression changes. 8/21/2008 (Price: $29.95)
Search TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview