International World of Toys’ Crazy Chums Talking
Soap
Bubbles and rubber ducky might seem like antiquated entertainment, but
International World of Toys’ Crazy Chums Talking Soap (ToyDirectory)
is here to make sure bath time is good, clean fun for ages 3 and up. The
company’s popular Crazy Chums series gives a cute face
to the talking soap ($7.99 each), including wacky characters like Frilly
Frieda and Bermuda Bob. The soaps come in a variety of fruity scents like
blueberry, watermelon and tutti frutti, and the non-toxic, hypoallergenic
bars can play two different sound effects; they even play under water.
Talking and singing utensils by Wee Talk, Inc. help
to motivate and educate kids, both in English and Spanish. Yummy
Yummy Talking Spoon and Fork makes mealtime fun for toddlers
ages 3 months and up. Brushy Brushy The Musical Talking Toothbrush
is for ages 18 months and up, and sings a tune to remind kids to brush
every day. Yucky Yucky The Singing Get-Well-Spoon sings
a tune for sick kids ages 6 months and up, encouraging them to take their
medicine and feel better soon. Groomy Groomy Singing Brush and
Comb is a hairbrush and comb that is designed to help children
ages 3 months and up to develop good grooming habits. ($7.99 each)
Expanding Shrinky Dinks
On the market since 1973, Shrinky Dinks by K
& B Innovations Inc. (ToyDirectory)has turned to new technology to make their popular shrinking
plastic toys. Now, kids can use an inkjet printer to transpose their favorite
photos or images onto Shrinky Dinks plastic. It’s as simple as choosing
a graphic, lightening it and then printing. Bake them and turn the pieces
into charms, jewelry, game pieces, etc. (six 8 x 10 sheets for $8.50)
Kids can safely make Shrinky Dinks pieces with Spin Master’s The
Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker ($28, ages 8 and up). With the
kitchen oven no longer needed (giving Mom a break), kids just heat up
the Maker, put colored pieces in, set the timer and soon have their very
own Shrinky Dinks creations.
Briarpatch (ToyDirectory)
has created another chapter of fun for fans of Shrinky Dinks with The
Incredible Shrinky Dinks Game ($17.50, ages 8 and up). Players
circle the board and collect Shrinky Dinks from the six different areas
of Shrinky Dinks Land. Plastic material is included with the game for
making your own game pieces.
Ooey Gooey Fun
Monster Eye
New products by Innovative Toys (ToyDirectory) will take goo-loving kids to heaven. GUTZ,
Icky Stuff and Smush for ages 8 and
up, and Monster Eye, Mystery Compound and
Blotto Ball for ages 4 and up, all live up to their squishy
names. They can be smashed, squeezed, bounced, thrown and stretched. You
can even insert a straw into GUTZ and make bubbles. Mystery Compound will
transfer images (think silly putty). Coming in a variety of bright and
fascinating colors, the goos range in price from 75 cents to $1.80.
Hayes Specialties Corporation (ToyShow Preview)
gives goo and putty a classic spin. The company’s new Slime with
Dino Fossils (approx. $1.00 each) and Putty with Fossils
(approx. $1.50 each) give kids an added incentive to play with such icky
material—getting to a treasure inside. The brightly colored, see-through
materials come complete with embedded “dino” bones.
Spintrix Discs
Spinners
You might feel hypnotized when you stare at Spintrix Discs
by Lightrix (ToyDirectory).
Coming in small (nearly 3-inch diameter, $3 each) and large (4 inches,
$4 each), the discs will spin for more than 5 minutes, creating a mesmerizing
display of light and color. There are several patterns available, and
players can compete to see whose will spin the longest.
Or kids can spin themselves silly playing with Spintrix Tops
($1.50 each), spinning the toys on any flat surface. The tops’ metallic
holographic foils create visual fun for all ages.
Marbles Gone Wild
If you thought marbles were basic toys, Mega Marbles (ToyDirectory)
has new creations that will quickly have you grabbing a handful. Their
newest marble creations include Blue Jay, Dragonfly,
Jungle, Mummy, Raven,
Rooster and Rustic ($2.49 set). Each
swirls with colors that will remind you of animals, the environment or
several other themes. Most marbles come in at least two to three sizes
(16, 25 and/or 35 mm). Add them to previously released nature-inspired
marbles for a wild collection.
Tin Boat Super Tug X Boat
Pop Goes the Boat
Pop-pop boats are making a comeback since their peak popularity in the
1920s through the 1940s. This refreshingly simple toy sold at Pop-PopBoats.com
(ToyDirectory) can outrun
most modern electric or fuel-driven toys by running on candles, alcohol,
or fuel pellets. Purchase their 5.5-inch, no-frills India-made Tin
Boat for just $5.00, available in five basic colors. The Super
Tug X Boat is 10 inches long with patriotic lithographs and has
the largest engine ($22.00).
Jungle Sand Art Kits
Inspired By the Sea
Forget about trekking to the beach to make sand creations. ALPI
International Ltd. has four new Sand Art Kits ($1.50
each) that will bring the beach home to your kids. The four selections,
Marine Life, Jungle, Magic Garden and Aquarium, each come with several
bright colors of sand that can fill animal-shaped adhesive paper like
a frog, butterfly, dolphin and tropical fish. Kids can proudly frame and
hang them as decoration when they’re finished.
Iraqi Freedom US Military Heroes Playing Cards Soft Stuffed Football
Let Freedom Play
You have probably seen or heard about the wildly popular Iraqi 55 Most
Wanted Playing Cards available from Orderbulk.com (ToyDirectory).
Now Lotto Fun Company (ToyDirectory)
has the only officially licensed companion deck of Iraqi Freedom
US Military Heroes Playing Cards ($5.99). With faces such as
President George W. Bush, the pack also includes two “wild cards” featuring
Special Forces operatives.
Rhode Island Novelty also goes patriotic with their new
Soft Stuffed Football. The 9-inch throw toy is painted
with a red, white and blue flag and the USA emblem.
