Fall Toy Preview: Vendors Keep Up Despite Challenging Year

This set of three different trucks includes a dump truck, fire engine and bulldozer. All have the same, popular, velvet-like flocking as the other Rubbabu vehicles, but have movable parts to encourage active play. Launch date: March 2009. (Product was formerly dist. by Plasmart)
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal.

Kids can celebrate the magic of music with this handcrafted guitar that can be used for guitar classes, private lessons and study, or for play in a child's first “amateur band.”  A quality instrument is always beneficial when beginning the study of music, especially when the student is young. "This guitar is easy to play, tunable, and will help to keep a child pursuing one of the most rewarding pastimes in history: making music," Manager Kristy Schaffer of Schoenhut told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

This kit includes high-quality ceramic magnets and 26 activities designed to develop a solid foundation for more advanced topics in electricity and magnetism, teaching children the fundamental principles of magnetism while they play. It includes how to build an electromagnet, how to flip the poles of an electromagnet, and how an electric motor works, and allows kids to go iron detecting, visualize the lines of force, craft a compass, and levitate and bounce ring magnets. "ScienceWiz Magnetism is the only product of its kind that teaches the concepts of magnetism through hands-on learning and play. Magnets are more fun when you know how they work!" Rachael Norman, sales manager for Norman & Globus Inc., told TDmonthly. This product has received a Creative Child Magazine Award. Launch date: July 1, 2008.

These building blocks have soft connectors so children can easily build with them. They are tactile and great for early spatial learning.
Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: March 2009. (Product was formerly dist. by PlaSmart)

When kids talk to a playfully interactive Nintendogs Bark Back puppy, he takes action, barking, shaking his head and wagging his tail. There are four lovable breeds to choose from. "Nintendogs Bark Back Playful Pups are realistic puppies that simulate life-like movements which are based the best-selling, popular Nintendogs Nintendo DS video game," Phillip-Michael Lee, product manager for Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

The HEXBUG Inchworm is the first Micro Robotic Creature in the HEXBUG line to feature a full-function IR remote control. Users drive the Inchworm forward, back, left and right. A and B control bands allow users to control two Inchworms at once or multiple Inchworms on the same band. The product features a unique crawling and pirouette motion around its center pod foot. "This unique HEXBUG Micro Robotic impulse item is offered in a five-pack impulse counter display with five-color variety assortment," Joel Carter, VP of marketing for Innovation First, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2008.
— The Inchworm has been a top seller at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., for at least a year, according to co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— The Hexbug Inchworm is a popular item at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly in late 2009.

The Beverly Hills Puppy Club© plush line of products is ready to be spoiled by little girls. The “toy” toy dogs are a realistic–looking group of four popular pampered pups — Pug, Shih-tzu, Yorkie and Chihuahua — that are designed for ultimate cuddling, coddling and unconditionally limitless imaginative play. Fashion outfits and accessories are sold separately. Launch date: September 2008.

This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is one in a collection of four prints from the canvases of landscapes and home portraits created by folk artist Art Poulin. Launch date: January 2009.

UbiPetz Catz are the only plush toys that can come to life on a favorite Nintendo DS Petz video game. These adorably soft characters come with a secret code that allows them to come alive right on a DS game screen. Kids can collect multiple characters and have them all interact on the Petz Catz Clan game. They can also name their exclusive characters on the Petz Website, print out their personal profile and download free stuff. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

Available in a variety of themes and sizes, Colorups pictures have raised lines that make it easy for children to stay in the lines while coloring, and the images are enhanced with colorful backgrounds featuring PERMAGLITTER, which provides a texture to the artwork and won't rub off.