November 21, 2024
Cowboys & Cowgirls Scramble Squares® by b. dazzle, inc.
This American-made Scramble Squares puzzle features nine cowboy-themed pieces that must be arranged into a 12" x 12" square so that the graphics match up edge to edge for every piece, forming a complete design. There exists only one solution. The packaging includes educational information relating to the puzzle theme, as well as a trivia quiz. Scramble Squares awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2009.
Where to Buy: LB Toys 7/30/2009 (MSRP: $8.95; Age: 4 and Up)
Motif Cubes by NEWARTIFACTS
Made up of nine wooden cubes with red patterning, this "anti-puzzle" has no right answer or winning move. It encourages exploration through assembling the blocks in various ways — and the patterns are a match at all times, no matter how the cubes are placed. Launch date: 2009. (
Watch Video) 7/15/2009
SphereXYZ by LA1PRODUCTS
Designed to challenge the mind, this puzzle ball features two rotating hemispheres and two sets of colored tiles that move within canals on the sphere. Once the tiles are scrambled, the goal is to get them back into their original configuration, with one white tile at the north pole and the other at the south. There are several different strategies and approaches for one or more players. 7/8/2009 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 8 and Up)
Caillou ABC by CHOUETTE PUBLISHING INC.
Featuring the main character from the Caillou television series, this board book showcases the ABC Train, which has removable puzzle pieces designed to help kids learn the letters of the alphabet. The pieces can be connected outside of the book to create a lengthy train puzzle. ( Watch Video) 6/9/2009 (MSRP: $12.95; Age: 3 to 5)
PlayGlo Pets Collection Glow-in-the-Dark puzzles by BRIGHTEC INC.
Brightec’s PlayGlo Pets Collection puzzles feature three 11” x 15”, 100 piece puzzles. These glow-in-the-dark puzzles feature photo-quality images and can be charged with a few minutes of exposure to light to allow for hours of glow. The puzzle pieces stay together after completion so that the completed puzzle can be hung directly on a wall to provide instant room décor by day and night. ( Watch Video) 2/16/2009 (MSRP: $9.99)
4D Cityscape - New York City by CITYSCAPE 4D PUZZLE
This 4D time puzzle of New York City includes 765 pieces and challenges participants to build a base map from 640 pieces as they learn about city streets, museums and more. Then, they continue to build the city by adding buildings and skycrapers as they are numbered in the included booklet, which details the city's evolution from 1812 to 2013. Launch date: February 2009. 2/15/2009 (MSRP: $45.00; Age: 15 and Up)
Puzzibits Megamix 1,250-Piece Set by MANHATTAN TOY
This set contains 1,250 Puzzibits pieces in 12 vibrant colors. It comes with building instructions and plenty of pieces to shape various creations. The "flexible interlocking pieces create flat and 3-D art," Julie Flann, manager of marketing and sales services for Manhattan Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 1/23/2009 (MSRP: $50.00; Age: 6 and Up)
Reflections of Yesteryear: Jodie's Antiques Barn by BUFFALO GAMES INC.
This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is one in a collection of four prints from the canvases of landscapes and home portraits created by folk artist Art Poulin. Launch date: January 2009. 9/9/2008 (MSRP: $7.50; Age: 12 and Up)
Pentago Cruise Edition by MINDTWISTER USA
This "cruise edition" of the quick-play, easy-to-learn strategy game Pentago is ideal for portability and travel. Launch date: 2007.
Awards: May 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: Not only is this game a proven best seller; it also earned a high rating from TDmonthly's panel of reviewers, as well as users on Amazon.com.
— Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toy Store in Mamoroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly in late fall 2009 that her store sells about 12 Pentago games per week. Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., estimated sales of about 8 to 12 units per month.
— As of 4/12/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 24 reviews on Amazon.com. 8/20/2008 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 6 and Up)
Inversé™ by FAMILY GAMES INC.
Players attempt to position all five of their playing pieces on the playing field, while blocking their opponents’ attempts to do the same. No same colored pieces may touch or stand on the same side or edge; at the same time, no two pieces of the same height can be positioned next to each other. The game is available in four languages. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2008.
Where to Buy: 1 Smart Noodle ( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (MSRP: $12.50; Age: 6 and Up)
Custom Puzzle by J.C. AYER & COMPANY
This picture shows the intricate design of a custom jigsaw puzzle by J.C. Ayer & Company. Customers can submit their own photos and specify names, dates or holidays to be part of the puzzle's shape. These puzzles stand out in the marketplace because of "the effort by me and also by the customer to make something specifically for the person who gets the puzzle," Founder Jim Ayer told TDmonthly. "Most puzzles are bought from me as gifts." 2/28/2008
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