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Scaled down for little hands, this briefcase-style carpenter’s carry case for kids includes 16 woodworking tools: model maker’s hammer, carpenter’s hammer, carpenter’s pencil, mallet, saw, set of pliers, screw cutting tool, carpenter’s square, ruler, spirit level, wood chisel, screwdriver, Philips screwdriver, clamp, plane, and sanding block. Launch date: October 28, 2008.

This Woodman kit includes durable beech wood components and the tools a child needs to build the toy. The pre-cut wood is slightly unfinished, allowing kids to sandpaper it for the finishing touches. The set includes a hammer, dowels and glue for old-fashioned assembly. It also features paints and paintbrushes for detail and personalization. Launch date: August 2007; stickers added to the kit in 2009.

This self-propelling, three-wheeled ride-on toy cruises smoothly and silently along the ground, similar to the movement of a snake. The rider simply sits in the seat, feet-first, and propels with an easy back-and-forth leg movement, demonstrating a special combination of physics properties that fascinates most first-time observers. There are no chains, no motor and no batteries. The product comes packaged with extendable axis rods (S, M, L), so it can grow with the child. “Awe-inspiring physics” and “the strong, long-lasting steel tube frame and overall quality construction” really set this product apart, according to EzyRoller President Denis Allais. Launch date: May 2007.
— Anyone can sit back and get a workout with this sleek and sporty, three-wheeled ride-on toy that moves fluidly with back-and-forth leg motion. Its long, low-set and adjustable design differentiates it from other ride-ons, as do the properties of physics that bring it to life. Such stats have garnered the Ezyroller a TDmonthly Innovations 2007 award.
— Jeanette Lauture of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in summer 2008 that the Ezyroller is a hot seller in her store. “This New Zealand outdoor ride-on toy is very innovative and has longevity for kids 3 to 14 years of age,” she said. “I’ve been selling it since October of ‘07.”

Where to buy:
SOUTH

Night Yackle is the newest addition to the USA made Yackle Ball product line. The glow in the dark stars take night time play to the X-treme! Night Yackle can be played both day and night and comes with rules to games that are played alone, with 2 to 3 kids, a small group or in teams. Two glow in the dark silicon wristbands are included as an added bonus!

Griddly Headz Baseball Game will hit a home run with any family. Dice rolling and sports-related challenges combined with strategy, alliances and a bit of luck make these games action-packed from the first roll of the dice to the final frenzied seconds. The game's strong and sturdy construction will make it last from one generation to the next. This game received a Dr. Toy Award for Best Products for Summer 2008. And the deluxe version is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: June 2007.

Six-inch size, 32 multi-color panels, pleasingly squeezable. A perfect choice for teachers, parents, and game lovers everywhere. Variations of play are endless and can be a simple tool for teaching the sounds each letter makes, or as advanced as creating a 10-word sentence with awesome aspects of alliteration.

Very stylish and full of mischievous charm, 16” Les Dollies toddler dolls, with their bright bold outfits — and hair — are sure to delight budding fashionistas. Les Dollies have soft cloth bodies, vinyl faces and hands, fixed eyes and rooted hair. Launch date: 2006.

The ZipBin Softie Train Depot is a soft-sided, train depot-shaped and decorated carrying case that converts to a village and train yard playscape. The tracks on the playscape match the popular wooden trains. A Country Stable bin is also available in the Softie line. This product was previously catalogued under the name ZipBin® Softie™ Train Depot Playscape (changed January 2009).
— “The manageably sized shape of the bin now conforms to the concept... and second, the products are soft-sided, adding a tactile sense of delight,” Gerry Linda, director of marketing for Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly about the product’s distinctiveness. “All ZipBin products are characterized by the unique convertibility from bin/storage form to playscape and back.” Launch date: February 2007. (Watch Spanish Video)