April Staff Picks

Watch how quickly this bamboo forest grows. Kids take turns planting it by putting the colored bamboo rings on the shoots to connect four rings of the same color. They want to connect their rings, but they need to block their opponent at the same time. Quattro is a strategy game.

Kaloo Bears are made from the softest cotton & microfiber for lasting comfort. The unique embroidered face will captivate little ones ensuring they are kept close at hand. Comes packaged in a round Kaloo keepsake box.

Can kids fit all the numbers back in? First, spill the ten digits (0-9) from the box and give them a scramble. Then, place the pieces back in the box so that the lid closes flat. There are over 4000 possible solutions.
Awards: 2011 Parents’ Choice Awards - Recommended

The Legends of MIMOBOT Series features icons, geniuses, and stars of the human race. Leading off the initiative, and in collaboration with the Albert Einstein Estate, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and GreenLight, is the Einstein™ x MIMOBOT line of up to 64GB flash drives. The Einstein™ x MIMOBOT drives come preloaded with bonus Mimory™ and the MimoDesk™ personalization suite of Einstein-themed wallpapers, icons, and avatars. With his signature bushy hair and mustache, Einstein™ MIMOBOT reveals his lighthearted side when you remove his cap, exposing the USB plug and Einstein's playful pose with tongue sticking out. Launch date: 2012.

If you can play business, you can learn business! Kids will have fun earning money while starting their first business with this unique mobile business stand. The Apprentice Kit includes a mobile business office, a fun illustrated activity book to get started, and customizable banner set. The business stand comes with wheels, dry/erase magnetic banner areas, built-in locking money tray, literature storage tray, solar-powered built-in calculator, hooks, keys, magnets, and dry erase marker set. Kids can choose a business from the book or come up with their own business to launch. The book is easy to read and teaches kids how to become young entrepreneurs. Launch date: November 2010.
Awards: 2011 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys; 2011 Oppenheim Toy Award; 2011 NAPPA Gold Award

Sillos are trendy, fashion-forward purses in the shape of an animal. There are many new styles: bird, elephant, owl, chihuahua, butterflies, and horses! They are sturdy working purses approximately 10" wide with shoulder straps and plastic zippers.  Lots of coordinating patterns and colors with that Douglas touch for "Everygirl!"

No one believes Larf exists, and he likes it that way. Larf, you see, is a sasquatch, the only sasquatch in the world (or so it seems). He has a very pleasant, and very private, life in the woods, where on any given day he might be found jogging, gardening or walking Eric, his pet bunny. But everything changes one morning when Larf discovers that another sasquatch is scheduled to make an appearance in the nearby city of Hunderfitz. What?! That must mean he's not the only sasquatch in the world! Excited by the prospect of having a friend to share hair grooming tips with (and let's face it, teeter-tottering alone is no fun), Larf disguises himself as a city slicker and heads for Hunderfitz — where he's in for a couple enormous surprises. Ashley Spires once again shows her chops for creating irresistible, quirky characters and laugh-aloud stories and illustrations. Readers with little feet and big feet will fall head over heels for Larf. Launch date: Spring 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The soothing aroma of the Slumber Scent Puppies will calm little ones to sleep. Each puppy contains a removable Slumber Scent pouch, available in one of four unique fragrances to match the color of the puppy. Launch date: February 2012.

A lively mix of party game fun and trivia challenge. It’s the game about putting famous and fun events into a timeline – though players don’t need to know any specific dates. Think mayonnaise was invented after the telephone - But was it before or after Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address? Was Seinfeld’s series finale before or after Dolly the sheep was cloned? Guess right about where the event falls and the timeline grows, but a bigger timeline means it’s tougher to correctly place the next event. It’s a simple premise that’s deviously challenging. The first player to create a timeline of 10 event cards wins, and with more than 850 events and facts, the combinations are endless. Launch date: June 30, 2012.

Toy Boarders are made just like the toy soldiers that have been around for decades, but why promote war to kids when you now can promote a positive image of fun and exercise with these authentic skateboarders? They are hand designed and molded with remarkable attention to detail and style. Launch date: 2012.

Brand new in the Green Start series, made from 98% post consumer recycled materials and printed with eco friendly inks, this extension brings earth-friendly messages and all natural materials to the joy of creating beautiful floor puzzles. Packaged in a reusable totebox, each of these floor puzzles reveals a unique, endearing scene that kids will love to build. A bright and bold shape parade contains seven basic shape pieces with fun patterned designs. Pieces are self-correcting and can fit only into one spot. Names of shapes are printed under each piece. Launch date: April 2012.

What happens when America’s favorite pastime and the best-selling card game in the country collide? The official MLB™ edition of Spot It! Whether the logo of a favorite team, a bitter rival, or another baseball related image, spot it and players will be running the bases to victory.
— In a May 2012 survey about licensed products, Elmer  Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., named Spot It as their best seller. They sell 24 copies each month.

This garage-themed playhouse is made of soft, durable 100% Cotton Canvas. A carry bag is included. Flame retardant, meets CPAI-84 & ASTM F963 safety standards. Dimensions: 52.5” x 42” x 64.5”. Launch date: August 2012.

SmartMax allows children to explore magnetism safely. The oversized pieces are specifically designed for handling by young kids as they learn about the effects of magnetic attraction and repulsion. Older children will have fun using the pieces to construct towers and bridges. The magnets are strong enough to carry up to 60 times their weight. Basic 36 includes long bars, short bars, large 1.8" diameter metal balls and a guide to build models. 25-piece and 42-piece sets are also available.

This two-in-one mini sleeping bag will keep kids' favorite stuffed toys warm and snuggly. Cushy and convertible, these durable sleeping bags serve as a perfect slipcover to keep plush toys ultra cozy and ultra clean. Launch date: November 2011.

31360/29 Maisto - Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Series 28. 1:18 scale diecast collectible model. These bikes are approximately 5" long and 2.5" high. Diecast metal, workable steering, workable/detailed suspension, kickstand. These Harley Davidson motor bikes are manufactured by Maisto. Individually packable window box. Box size: 7"L x 2.5"W x 7"H. 24 pcs per inner. Assortment includes: 1953 74FL Hydra Glide; 1966 FLH Electra Glide;  2001 FXSTS Springer Softail; 2004 FLSTFI Fat Boy; 2009 FXDFSE CVO Fat Bob; 2011 XR1200X. Launch date: February 18, 2012.

Kids love to role-play and the Shop and Learn Cash Register gives them the opportunity to play grown upShoppers. Three play modes encourage kids to shop, count, identify food and determine values. Thiselectronic talking register guides children through learning with encouraging words, amusing sounds and fun games. Kids can scan food, enter coins, slide the credit card and openthe cash drawer. The toy requires two “AA”
batteries (included).

Zjarr and The Kometen act as Olly Oogleberry's intergalactic reindeer taking he and his friends from one galaxy to another. They represent the burning desire in each of us to see/do/ be something great and can be seen flashing across the midnight sky to say hello. 12” Cosmically Cool Alien Plush Character. Zjarr is one of three Kometen characters featured in Olly Oogleberry's new book, 'The Fabulous Adventures of Olly Oogleberry: Mission to Save Earth.' Captures all of Zjarr's fiery flaming comet glow. Created and made by Earthlings from all over the world, including America, Wales, Persia and China. Launch date: January 2012.

This fun little game is especially designed to build children's recognition and matching skills using vivid colors, numbers and real objects to count. Includes 22 double-sided picture cards that make 11 complete puzzles. 4 puzzle sks available: 123s, ABCs, Animals, Shapes & Colors. 

Bag-O-Loot Junior is designed for 2-6 players ages 6 and up. Players compete to make as many Bags-O-Loot (five matching cards) as they can. The problem is, other players keep stealing your cards. Of course you are doing the same thing to them so the groans and laughter never stop as sets of cards are constantly shifting from one player to another. Very easy to learn. "Bag-O-Loot Junior is the only game on the market where players take turns making and stealing sets of matching cards from each other," John Shelley, president of Bag-O-Loot, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20

The Void is puzzling to comprehend because there’s a hole right in the middle of it. Consumers can literally put their finger right through the center of the Void. The object is to solve each side, much like one would a standard Rubik’s Cube, but that’s where the similarities end. The Void has different colors, rounded edges, and requires a different solution. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys For Kids Nominee

This Millennium Falcon shaped case is home for 23 LEGO Star Wars Minifigures, each in their own pocket and holds at least 200 LEGO bricks. The detailed artwork creates an awesome play experience and playmat on the inside and outside of the case. Race through space and dodge the pursuing Tie Fighters, all while keeping figurines neatly tucked away. Ages 3+. Weighs less than half a pound and wipes clean with a damp cloth.  ZipBin Products - Keep it Together™.  © 2012 The LEGO Group.© 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
— As of 03/16/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Makes organizing fun for kids; can be used for storage or as a toy; contains individual pockets to carry 23 minifigs and has a handle. Cons: A little too small for storage of other LEGO pieces.

Build and roll this Construction Toolbox around like a vehicle. 5 projects included; kids can use their imagination to build anything. Includes 11 Geometric Shapes, 4 Wheels, 12 Screws, 10 Nuts, 1 Screwdriver, and 1 Wrench. This Toolbox also provides easy storage for all the pieces. Develops imagination, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and problem solving and fine motor skills. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. "Unique design - the attractive colors, unique features, super play value, learning elements and cute character of this toolbox draws kids attention and become their best friend in no time," David To from Biokido/Georgeous Products Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.

The Blast is made specifically for pool play with its engineered design to be more controllable and not bounce as high as the Extreme and Pro. Since it's lightweight, softer, and easier to catch, it is suitable for the whole family.
— Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells "about a gross" (144) of Waboba skip balls each month, but it's usually a summer item.
— Michelle Deutschmann, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Falmouth, Mass., told TDmonthly in an August 2014 survey that Waboba is their best-selling toy. They sell over 100 each month between two styles of the ball.

Sleep and Play Anywhere. PRIMO’s PLAY YARD CABANA is for indoor and outdoor use. It comes complete with a removable sun-proof cabana cover and travel bag. It has waterproof fabric, a padded bottom, is lightweight, comes fully assembled, and is portable. Extra large size offers plenty of play room for up to 2 children. Great for home, park, beach, grandma’s house. For ages Newborn to 3 years. Launch date: February 2012.

16564 Seal – This small Seal Pup is from Trudi, the premier Italian plush maker. Her jet black eyes are alluring.  Measuring 11 in tall, the fur on this seal is snow white for protection in the wild. it normally would be an issue as a toy, but no worries here. This seal is made of an incredibly soft pile fabric that is machine-washable and comes with a lifetime warranty. The stitching is done twice and the fabric is double-woven for durability. Trudi has been making quality plush products for over fifty years. Available exclusively in America through Magicforest. Although safe for infants, this seal is recommended for children ages 1+.