How Babies Play

Infant playthings should nourish a young child's innate curiosity and encourage repeat play.

Käthe Kruse Waldorf Towel Doll - Blue by EUROPLAY CORP.

The 12” Waldorf Towel Doll is an old-fashioned European tradition for new mothers. Made from the finest cotton flannel, this soft towel doll absorbs the familiar scent of the mother, so when babies are alone in bed, the calming effect leaves them feeling safe and happy. Made in Germany of cotton flannel, the machine-washable doll has a hand-embroidered face.
— When asked about best-selling gifts, Jude Larene, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, replied, "The Käthe Kruse towel dolls. They're probably my single best selling category. They have 10 different styles. They just sell very, very well." He said he sells about 10 per month.
— Four of 45 retailers said the dolls and towel dolls from Germany are popular gift items.
— "Käthe Kruse Waldorf towel dolls are the first friend of a baby — something to cuddle and love. [They] are made of all natural fabrics," said Marion Hohmann of Käthe Kruse. 7/23/2007 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 0 and Up)

Reversible Plushie Blankets by TAGGIES INC.

Reversible Plushie Blankets by TAGGIES INC. Amazingly soft, these generously large, two-ply coral plush blankets offer kids double-sided comfort and fun. They're available in multiple styles that coordinate with the Taggies friends and the Sleep N’ Play apparel collection. These 30” x 40” blankets are available in Lion, Flower and Frog designs.
— Three of 54 retailers TDmonthly spoke with about baby items said Taggies blankets are something to look for during the 2007 holiday season. “All their blankets and products sell well,” said Connie Hall, owner of The Three Bears in Ruidoso, N.M.
— Six of 45 retailers said Taggies is a popular gift brand with their customers. In summer 2007, retailers reported to TDmonthly sales of one or two dozen Taggies items a month.
— "Taggies Reversible Plush Blankets utilize the company's patented tags, making the blankets not only soft and luxurious, but also soothing and comforting for baby. The colors are bright, the characters fun, and the tags interactive," said Danielle Signorelli, spokesperson for Taggies. 7/23/2007 (MSRP: $24.00; Age: All Ages)

Touchdown Taggies Football by TAGGIES INC.

Touchdown Taggies Football by TAGGIES INC. Little kids can huddle, hike, pass and snuggle with this soft, playful football featuring all-new ribbons. Launch date: February 2007. 2/21/2007 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: All Ages)

My First Taggies Book: Hey, Diddle, Diddle by TAGGIES INC.

This new board book series complements the Taggies best-selling soft cover series. Each cover has a snuggly soft insert with pages of singing and storytelling fun. 8/7/2006 (MSRP: $6.99; Age: 0 and Up)

Lamaze Dream Screen by LEARNING CURVE

Lamaze Dream Screen by LEARNING CURVE This crib soother is perfect for calming baby into a restful sleep. With an innovative dual motion screen that scrolls peaceful nature scenes, this soother plays soft music when activated by baby or mom. In addition, it allows mom the ability to customize music via an MP3 player port. Now mom can play baby's favorite music continuously as baby goes to sleep. Launch date: July 2007. 4/23/2007 (MSRP: $49.99; Age: 0 and Up)

Alphabet Blocks by UNCLE GOOSE TOYS

Alphabet Blocks by UNCLE GOOSE TOYS These classic 1-3/4" wooden alphabet blocks are made in the United States from basswood. Designed with cleverly detailed letters and pictures, they help children to spell and build while pleasing parents with their tasteful vintage decorations. The basic set comes in a wagon or box. Other variations include Braille, Braille math blocks or any of 15 different languages. There is even a version of nursery rhyme blocks.
— Owner Tom England of Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts in Frederick, Md., named ABC Blocks by Uncle Goose Toys as a best-seller in his store. 12/21/2004

Oball by RHINO TOYS INC.

Oball by RHINO TOYS INC. This rubbery, tri-colored ball is a staple for any child learning cognitive and social skills and developing fine- and gross-motor skills. Ideal for children with a special need, the ball is durable and has a skeletal structure that allows for easy catching. "Kids and teachers agree that Oballs are the easiest balls to catch and hold. The cool design already has won five awards for excellence and innovation, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award and a Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products Award,” said Suzanne Silverglate, owner of Rhino Toys.
— “Everybody buys it,” Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in 2007. “Right now it is head and shoulders above others [in the infant/toddler category]. It's probably been that way for two years.” Retailers reported average monthly sales of five to 25 a month.
— In summer 2008, four of 66 specialty retailers named the Oball as one of their top-selling gifts for babies. “We sell more of them because our store does gift wrapping and it makes a good topper,” said Jill Jernigan, owner of J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark.
― Ask retailers about top-selling balls and the Oball is an answer that’s sure to come up, winning the graspable toy a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award. Six of 64 retailers named the Oball as a best-selling baby toy in March 2009, and two of 39 said the same a year later. “[It] is definitely the best-selling gift for babies,” stated John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Del Mar, Calif., in June 2009. ( Watch Video) 9/1/2004 (MSRP: $7.00; Age: 1 and Up)

Wheely Bug by PRINCE LIONHEART INC.

Wheely Bug by PRINCE LIONHEART INC. Multi-award winning and multi-directional Wheely Bugs, distributed in the United States by Prince Lionheart, go backward, forward, sideways and 'round and 'round. These ride-on bugs have a magical mind of their own. Their bodies have a padded layer of sponge, which is covered with a tough polyurethane skin that can easily be wiped clean. Handmade and crafted from the highest quality materials, Wheely Bug features multi-directional casters and unlimited mobility on all level surfaces. “The fact that the Wheely Bug is multi-directional, encourages gross motor skills and at the same time is heaps of fun,” explains its appeal, said Sarah Eastman, sales and marketing associate at Prince Lionheart. “In addition,” she continued, “this is a great product for the specialty market because it is handmade and beautifully crafted. Now moms can let their kids play with bugs, worry-free.”
― Wheely Bug was a Toy Fair favorite spotted by Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas. It was voted Toy of the Year in BabyTalk's Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007 issue and received the 2007 Silver Award for Best Baby & Infant Product in The Netherlands.
— This handmade Australian toy earns gold stars for everything — wooden base, sturdy construction, simple design, adorable themes, easy-to-clean seat, multi-directional motion and two size options — all adding up to its receipt of a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award.
— Two of 60 retailers in a March 2009 survey listed Prince Lionheart Wheely Bugs as a best-selling ride-in in their stores. The Wheely Bug was a best seller at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., in summer 2009. ( Watch Video) 11/27/2006 (MSRP: $69.99; Age: 2 to 5)