Holiday Preview: Preschool

The Preschool Activity Pack for uses different textures to create activities.

Lilly Bean's play food line is made of super-soft fleece and velour, with stuffing made entirely from recycled soda bottles. The Market Sandwich Lunch is American made and features two slices of wheat bread, one slice of lunch meat, lettuce, cheese, tomato, a carrot and a cream-filled cookie. "Our play foods are more life-sized than play foods currently available in the market. We believe that it makes our product more fun, safe and easy for little hands to play with," Lilly Bean Owner Hilary Karnatz told TDmonthly.

Whether going to school, going to grandma's, going on a trip, or just going next door, the Take-Along-Teddy Backpack makes it easy for kids to tote their Take-Along-Teddy everywhere. Featuring comfy, adjustable straps, it has a place for Teddy to ride comfortably on the front, plus a large compartment in the back for books, clothes and more. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "This backpack is sized to fit preschool and Kindergarten children, is machine washable and made in the U.S." Launch date: July 2010.

The Grasshopper Preschool Prep Getting Our Hands Ready Kit is packed with playful games and an illustrated guidebook to get children ready for early writing and grasp. Children can feed bugs to Mr.Crunch, play with dozens of reusable stickers, dough stamps, stretchy dough, and more. The Grasshopper guidebook gives parents the tools they need to give their children a head start for school success. Rachel Rudman, President of Grasshopper Inc., told TDmonthly this is "the only product on the market to get kids ready for preschool without electronics and without workbooks ... all fun!"
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

These kid-powered flashlights are available in 104 designs with 88 popular names and eight color combinations.
— "We have sold a lot of those," Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly, listing this product as one of her best sellers in June 2010.
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that My Name Flashlights from John Hinde are her best selling personalized items. “[We sell] one a day, maybe more.”
— Of 44 retailers, two said John Hinde is a best-selling product line in a September 2010 survey of most-wanted personalized items.

This four-wheeled plush car features lights and sounds. Children can press the button on top for lights and a beeping sound or pull the tab on the back and watch as the car wiggles along. This item features Taggies vibrant "Colours" materials and ribbons and includes a mirror on the back, crinkly wheels, a rattle and a peek-a-boo pup in the window.

The bink'd collection of temporary tattoo earrings can be applied quickly and easily with water, in as little as 15 seconds. The tattoos are made in the USA with FDA-approved, vegetable-based inks and adhesive. When applied correctly to ears, bink'd tattoos are designed to last five or more days. Multiple designs are available.

This multi-paneled playscape folds into a book for easy portability and, with 21 feet of design on the interior and exterior, offers 42 feet of space for one or more children to enjoy while playing. The pictures are designed to spark a child's imagination and encourage creativity.

Yellow Label Kids play food is designed in knit or cloth. The Pizza Pie set includes six slices of pizza and one plate.

The Learn-To-Dress Knight helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip, all while encouraging hours of imaginative playtime. This Noble Knight can change to a Dark Knight with just a swoosh of his reversible cape. Outfits are completely removable and Floppy Bear is machine washable and guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Components are incorporated into the design, so the life and play of the product is longer." Launch date: July 2010.

The Greenzys promote green living and teach eco-friendly practices to young children through heartwarming stories and endearing plush toys that are environmentally safe and fun. All Greenzys toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes, with packaging made from recycled paperboard. A portion of every purchase benefits the Environmental Media Association and for every Greenzys purchase made in 2010, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant one tree in U.S. forests.

Restickables are designed to help kids put their own clothes away. Simply stick them on drawers, bins, closets, etc. Pictures with matching words will help kids of any age learn to get organized. These fabric, waterproof and tear-proof stickers are created to peel on and off without leaving any residue and can be used over and over again. They come in three colors so each child can have his or her own set. "Easy Daysies ReStickables are the only cloth stickers out there helping kids put clothes where they belong! No minimum order!" Elaine Comeau, Founder of Easy Daysies, told TDmonthly in spring 2010. Launch date: March 5, 2010.

The Calico Critters Country Tree House comes full of features for pretend play. The Country Tree House has four rooms and comes with two Mango Monkeys, a hot tub, pagoda, patio, water slide and lake. House measures 18" x 24" x 16".

StinkyKids Brand tees feature the colorful StinkyKids characters on the front of each shirt as well as the StinkyKids logo and motto, "Always be a leader of good," displayed on the back of the tee neckline. StinkyKids Brand tees are 100-percent cotton, and sizes range from infant to women's lX and come in white, light pink or baby blue. Each StinkyKids Brand tee comes with a matching trading card and collectible book mark. A portion of the profits is donated toward making cancer patients smile. Britt Menzies, CEO of StinkyKids told TDmonthly, "StinkyKids characters teach kids to 'Always be a leader of good' and learn from their childhood mistakes and mischievous little stinker behavior. Characters have an eye candy appeal and are very colorful and unique." Launch date: August 2006.

This fully insulated preschool lunch box has an easy to wipe clean interior. Kids can enjoy wearing it as a backpack or it can be carried with the padded carrying handle. Launch date: 2010.

The Keester is a cushion specifically invented, designed, and engineered for the comfort of child. The Keester is a practical solution for the discomfort and lack of back support experienced by children on most automobile booster seats. The Keester is more than 2 inches of polyurethane foam for added comfort. The rear of The Keester is a semi-circular cut out that suspends the tail bone and reduces pressure on child's sensitive nerves, preventing numbness.

Created for family game night, this bowling set features six hand-cut and sanded maple wood kitty pins with carved facial features and coated in non-toxic paints. It includes a 2"-diameter bowling ball, a game play sheet, four score sheets, and a handmade cotton canvas bag for storage. "We love that they function to help develop hand-eye coordination for a younger child but will last for years as the child grows older," Sara, co-owner of Kitty Baby Love, told TDmonthly. Launch date:

No More Monsters! A Light In the Night™, created by a mother to comfort her oldest son when he moved to his big boy bed, is a gift set which includes an adorable light-up creature and beautifully illustrated board book. Just one soft press of the tummy emits a bright glow which proves once and for all there’s nothing “going bump in the night.” Each nighttime guardian is available in bubble gum pink, mint green or ice blue. Each gift set includes a Light Up Creature, Children's Board Book, Display Box, and online access (register A Light In the Night online and receive an official "Certificate of Bravery").
Awards: Creative Child Magazine 2010 Preferred Choice Award, Storybooks With Character category

These 2-in-1 toys combine simple building with the excitement of pull back and go action. Each package includes five colorful chunky parts that are easy for little hands to construct. Comes in 2 assorted styles: Helicopter & Sports Car.