TDmonthly's Toy Videos

This patent-pending kit allows children to design and create their own pair of personalized boots. It comes with six distinctive, revolutionary rubber colors, 32 erasing pads, a palette for mixing colors, two paint brushes and instructions to help stimulate creativity. Accessories such as pompons, fur and stickers are optional. Three different packages — a backpack, a clear tote and a box — are available. “It’s a new ... kit that doesn’t exist in the market — both water-resistant and erasable. … You can design and redesign your boots multiple times,” Ran Schilo of My Design told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2007.

Part of Hagen-Renaker's new miniature lineup for 2007, 2.75"-high Silky Sullivan is a classic figurine designed by renowned sculptress Maureen Love. First issued from 1962 to 1971, Silky Sullivan has been reissued for 2007 in memory of Love, who recently passed away.
— Hagen-Renaker figurines were cited among the top-selling collectible items in the store of Lisa Bennett, owner of Peacock Feather in Needham, Mass.
— Bennett told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that she sells about 60 to 70 units a month of the line’s collectible items.
— Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that Hagen-Renaker glass animals were among her best selling collectible items.

Engage your gladiators with competition in the arena. Features include audience seating with trap doors to the lions cages, wide gate and large battle area. Also comes with eight figures, two lions, a double-harness chariot and lots of accessories for hours of fun. "Playmobil toys allow the child's imagination to soar, while playing and learning!" Michelle Winfrey, advertising and marketing manager of Playmobil Inc., told TDmonthly. This product is a winner of the 2007 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: August 2007.
— The Roman arena includes a lot of little pieces to assemble, but it’s also a lot of fun to play with, offering opportunities for creative play with characters and animals that come to life in a sizeable play space. It earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for its detailed figurines and accessories, its playful recreation of an historic landmark, as well as Playmobil’s widespread, positive reputation with specialty stores.
— This Roman arena and accompanying accessories are best sellers for Brain Station and Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., Owners Hans and Tricia Masing told TDmonthly in fall 2007.
— “I’m a big fan of Playmobil,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly, “especially in today’s environment of toy recalls.”

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

Kids are challenged to find their way out of these totally fun and crazy monster mazes. The book includes 20 mazes and teaches older children the concepts of problem solving and decision making.

As magnetized critters float around the tub, little ones use the fishing rod, also magnetized, to play the game. When the two magnets meet, they’ve caught the big one. Every catch is guaranteed, and the fishing is also good in swimming pools and at the beach. This game comes in Pond (frog, duck and fish) and Ocean (dolphin, octopus and turtle) varieties. “The magnets inside are sewn into a mesh bag first and then that mesh bag is sewn tightly inside the product, enhancing its safety factor. Also, the fishing rod is foam-filled, not rigid, so it is soft,” John Gallagher of Rich Frog Industries told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
—  “[The] Rich Frog line does well — the whole assortment. … [We] sell maybe 15 per month,” Susan Pruett, manager of Kilmarnock Toy Store in Kilmarnock, Va., told TDmonthly in 2008.
— One-fourth of the 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in March 2008 said their best-selling bath toys are animal-themed.
— In March 2008, five percent of 40 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out fishing sets as the best-selling bath toys in their stores.

This action figure comes complete with a translucent black armor and gray weapons. In the past, the knight rode into battle on a stallion, but this time, he's on his own. Orders are shipped in cases of 12. Launch date: July 2007.
— "SaiZon takes pride in supporting independent retailers with a high-quality product that is not available in the major retailers," said Martin New of Stikfas/SaiZon, when asked by TDmonthly about serving the American market.

This collection of “Wear to Learn” tattoos features a horse, a cow, a rooster, a pig and two letter dots. Created by two moms, an elementary school teacher and a graphic designer, the tattoos make great party favors, are cool to collect and trade, and come in different varieties. Each package contains two 3” x 4” sheets, and the tattoos contain only safe and non-toxic FDA-approved colors.
— “Our temporary tattoos are unique because they contain printed words with colorful graphics that encourage children to learn letters, sounds and words,” Jennifer Yamagishi, co-founder of Tattoos for Tots told TDmonthly. Launch date: Spring 2006.

Put side-by-side with a real, live cat, it would be hard to tell the difference from this puppet. True to its breed, this cat looks and feels like the living feline — floppy, relaxed and almost boneless. It is made of long, spiky plush in browns and tans with white paws and face, and has a long, fluffy tail.
— This relaxed feline garnered a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award for its realistic fur and overall appearance, as well as its friendly persona. It’s a loveable creature that kids can carry around while “speaking” to others by manipulating its mouth.
—  As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: One user said that the eyes looked "demented and pretty scary" and that "Its little mouth is red and open, as though ready to take little nips out of me while I sleep."

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

Sigikid's organic line, the Natural Friends, has received new additions this year. Meet the frog family, comprising snugglies, music boxes, rattles and play figures. They are made of organic cotton and are filled with organic lamb's wool. The plush are suitable for newborns and up.

Wind up the tin box and a cowboy will jump out, all accompanied by the song “Home on the Range.” The adorable cowboy is made of high-quality plush. Launch date: July 2007.

This new game puts a fun “spin” on paper-doll play, as girls use a spinner that tells them how to dress their dolls. The game includes five dolls of different nationalities that are characterized by distinctive outfits and individual hobbies. “This product is different because not only do children get to pick-out different outfits for their girls, but they also are encouraged to think about a hobby or work they want to do one day,” Devo Ihonde, director of sales at eeBoo corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007.

Mixis™ collectible play dolls have been delicately designed with varying skin tones, realistically painted eyes, unique facial characteristics, fully articulated body parts and a naturally proportioned body. The focus is on the blending and fusion of races, ethnicities and cultures, encouraging a dialogue between children and their families that explores the richness and diversity of their individual backgrounds.

Whether off to an imaginary safari in the wild or pretending to uncover an extinct dinosaur skeleton, this Jr. Explorer costume is perfect for any expedition. The one-piece jumpsuit has short sleeves and short pants with cargo pockets, custom patches and embroidery. A smart-looking, Indiana Jones-style floppy hat tops off the costume to completely outfit a child for any backyard adventure. The shovel is not included. “Quality fabric and construction” are the characteristics that set this costume apart, Chief Operating Officer Sean Schipper of Aeromax told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 1, 2007.
― Owner Linda Angel of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., told TDmonthly in spring 2007 that Aeromax is one of her favorite vendors.

Hyper Dash is a fast-paced electronic game, for one to eight players, that encourages physical activity while challenging speed, skill and agility. It’s easy to pick up and hard to put down, as players want to conquer the next level and beat their best time. The game’s five targets can be arranged in any way, and players dash among them based on what the electronic tagger calls out. Different modes focus on math skills, teamwork and timed tests. This product is a winner of numerous awards, including a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award, an iParenting Media Award, a 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, a 2007 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award and a 2007 BabyZone Amazing Toy Award. Launch date: Fall 2007.