October Staff Picks

The original doll with a heart is back. Beautifully made with fine facial features in soft brown tones and yarn hair with the classic loop style. Has the traditional embroidered "I Love You" heart on her chest and features plastic button eyes.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award

These race cars can be used with other SmartMax race track sets. SmartMax is the magnetic discovery concept that allows children, even from a very early age, to experience both the wonders of magnetism and the fascinating world of construction in a safe way. The extra-large pieces make it easy for small children to manipulate them. The magnets have the ideal strength for easy assembly and breakdown of constructions. SmartMax is carefully designed to meet and exceed the world’s toughest safety requirements, including giant-sized, non-swallowable 1.8” diameter metal balls and inaccessible magnets encased in specially sonic-welded bars.

Step Ups! 4-In-A-Box puzzles area great “starter” puzzles and will help little hands develop their fine motor skills. Step Ups! Puzzle sets contain four puzzles depicting fun characters that young ones will easily recognize. The puzzles progress from 2 pieces to 4 pieces to 6 pieces to 8 pieces, giving children the opportunity to grow with the set as they grow and develop. The 8 piece puzzle brings the characters from the other three puzzles together in one animated scene with lots to discuss and talk about. Step Ups! Are a great way to help toddlers begin building their tactile and problem solving skills. Each puzzle measures approximately 12.5” X 8.5”. Launch date: 2012.

There is always one, and only one, matching letter between any two cards. Spot it to win. As they search for matches, preschoolers will learn to identify letters and colors, building essential skills for preschool and beyond. There are 3 ways to play with different challenge levels. The rule booklet includes advanced play tips for little learners ready to explore alphabetic order and basic spelling. Launch date: September 2012.

Googly eyes is not his only quality, but makes it more exciting for this out of this world creature. Guzly is super silly for a friendly monster, bright colors and an extra-long tongue makes kids smile just by looking at him. Turn playtime into Guzly time with the Googalops Guzly hand puppet.
— In a June 2014 survey, Joel Dinkins from Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that Manhattan Toy made their store's best-selling puppets.
— In a June 2015 survey, Ava Allen, owner of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in a June 2015 survey that Manhattan Toy was their best-selling plush/puppet brand.

We have combined our beloved, premium European-made art supplies with these easy-to-clean canvas travel cases (canvas coating is BPA free). Includes: 10 hexagon colored pencils, a pad of bright white paper & a playful carrying case.

Forget plain boring tape. In kids' next craft project, try Tapeffiti by Fashion Angels Enterprises. Wrap pencils, make tape bracelets and fashion accessories, or customize notebooks and just about anything. With these fabulous and fashionable patterned tapes the fun and possibilities are endless. This 30 Piece Tapeffiti Set includes 30 mini tape dispensers each filled with 9-feet of different patterns of Tapeffiti that will stick to just about any surface. The great thing about this tape: if kids need to reposition it, or remove it, Tapeffiti will come right off. The 30 rolls of Tapeffiti come in a fun desktop holder so kids can easily store all their decorative tape.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Includes three creative ways to play. Puzzle It: create a pattern and color wheel puzzle. Shape It: find and match the shape it cards. Build it: stack and build for colorful construction play. Encourages color/pattern recognition; matching, creativity & imagination, dexterity and collaboration.

The snap and match puzzle. Push the colored balls and snap them into empty spots to fit each one with its matching, colored ring. Mix them up again for a brand new challenge.
Awards: 2012 The National Parenting Centre – Seal of Approval, 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved – Best Product Media Seal of Approval

This brightly colored pegging game comes with 36 interchangeable pieces for endless playing configurations. Made from beech wood and colored with water-based, non-toxic stains.

Updated classic stacking toy with a twist. 4 vibrant wooden rings, teddy bear ball topper, and base. Facilitates hand-eye coordination, learning colors and size relationships. Appealing feel and look that keeps children coming back. Red ball topper screws neatly onto the top of the stack. Made of PlanWood - sustainable material from leftover sawdust.

Enhance the imaginary world of children and explore the outdoors with Yetitoy, a ride-on fantasy creature from a far-off land. Customize Yetitoy with additional accessories; horns, saddle or ears. (sold separately). Launch date: September 2012.

Every little girl likes to play dress-up. These memory tiles have fun outfits that can be matched and mixed. Dress-Up Memory Tiles come with 24 tiles (12 pairs) with a brightly colored clothing and accessories on one side and the Maple Landmark logo on the other. Each tile measures 2-1/2" square by 3/16" thick and is cut from high quality birch plywood. A cloth pouch for storage and instructions are included. Made in the USA. Launch date: June 2012.

Murphy is Amanda Clase's dreamy, solid, almost pure-white pit bull mix. Adopted at 9 weeks old, Murphy quickly demonstrated the sweet temperament of a therapy dog, and now pursues a career of comforting the patients of Martha Jefferson Hospital in Virginia. Murphy is 18" long and weighty at 3/4 pound. He's made with super-soft velour and satin, with child-safe embroidered eyes and nose. Unique to Murphy are his little striped socks, just like the socks the real-life Murphy wears on those slippery hospital floors. Like all CharlieDog toys, he wears a colorful collar embroidered with the word "Adopt". He has a serial number (from 1 to 2000) on his care tag, and his name embroidered on a patch on his leg. Five dollars of every Murphy is donated to Pit Bull Rescue Central.

The popular Planet Wise Snack Products are now available in a zipper closure. Replace disposable plastic baggies with these reusable, FDA food safe snack and sandwich bags. Patent Pending seam sealing keeps food fresh and with the large selection of colors and prints, there is sure to be one for every taste. Made in the USA. Launch date: 2012.

You don’t have to be an engineer to create with nanoblock. With these micro-sized building blocks, 3D structures are constructed like never before. Watch as the beautiful Lady Liberty takes shape with over 700 assorted size and colored pieces. Includes detailed color instructions. Launch date: September 2012.
— As of 10/01/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com.
— Joe Berardoni Jr., owner of Puns Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that nanoblocks are one of their top selling hobby items.
— Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that for older kids, nanoblocks were her best-selling construction toy.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award

The quality and solid construction of a Zither Heaven ukulele puts this instrument in a class of its own. While reasonably priced to appeal to beginners and children, experienced musicians of all ages enjoy playing the Zither Heaven ukulele. The precise action and proper placement of the bridge enables chords to be played at the bottom of the neck as well as the top of the neck without losing its tune. The red ukulele features a 15-inch vibrating string length. The neck is made of solid hard maple with nylon frets and nylon strings. Zither pins are used for the tuning keys. Launch date: February 2012.