Kids want to be outside in the summer, but mother nature can be unpredictable. That's why TDmonthly Magazinehas compiled this collection of toys that are perfect for parents looking for things to do with kids on rainy days. Check out the toys, games, and arts & crafts items below and consider stocking them in your store, so you can suggest them to parents who are peeved when it's pouring.
Are you the speediest bee in the hive? Then join in the fun with this ultimate word game! With 150 fun challenges and four alphabet dice, players race to find words containing or excluding the letters shown on the dice.
The variety of creative challenges and dice combinations make Speedeebee excitingly different every time you play. Launch date: May 2012.
Players give their brains a spin in the right direction and put all the twisted puzzle pieces on the game board. It looks easy until they realize that there are pegs that are in the way. And players can only put a playing piece over a peg if both are the same color. 100 challenges ranging from easy to extremely difficult. It's compact, so it's an ideal brain snack while on the go. — Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a February 2012 survey about best selling games that "Over Christmas time, IQTwist did well. Getting a big display of it and playing with it in the store helped."
Toy Boarders are made just like the toy soldiers that have been around for decades, but why promote war to kids when you now can promote a positive image of fun and exercise with these authentic skateboarders? They are hand designed and molded with remarkable attention to detail and style. Launch date: 2012.
Fishing Camp is a game where both children & adults can play & learn fun facts about Fishing. The game is designed to grow with the player, starting at level one questions, which are primarily identification of fish and fishing tackle. As the players increase in their knowledge about Fishing, they grow into the higher level questions. A fun & educational game where parents & children can play to see who catches the first fish and gets back to the docks. Game includes: 1 game board, 200 game cards(400 questions, and 100 fun facts), 1 decoder, 8 game characters, 1 die, 16 level cards, and 1 GPS card. Launch date: 2012.
Players must trap their opponents' pawns in one of two games of escape and capture. In Bright Got 'Em! players must outsmart and corner their opponents through savvy card play, sly movement, and clever placement of blocking walls. In the still-casual but even-trickier Brainy Got 'Em!™ players toss aside card actions in favor of a purely strategic challenge. Both games share the same goal, the same exciting intrigue, and the same social fun. Contents: One game board, The side with colored squares is used for Bright Got ’Em!, The side with white squares is used for Brainy Got ’Em!, 84 wall pieces, 55 Got ’Em!™ cards, 4 pawns. Awards: Major Fun Award; 2011 Creative Child’s Seal of Excellence
Codigo Cube is a socially interactive trivia game that uses players' web-enabled camera phone, a free app, and a patent-pending 2D bar-coded die. Codigo Cube is updated with new questions daily. Whenever breaking news happens Codigo Cube gets updated. Playing is fun and easy. Players simply download a free QR code reader for their phone, then scan any side of the cube. Roll the cube, scan the code, and answer the question from a list of four multiple choice answers. Guess correctly and re-roll. Guess wrong and the cube is passed to the next player. Launch date: October 2011. Awards:TDmonthly Top Toy Award, January 2012; 2011/2012 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; 2011/2012 The Toy Man eChoice Award; 2011 The Toy Man Top 50 Toy Of The Year Award. — Why it won: Codigo Cube is harnessing new technology for an innovative and inexpensive new game. Players simply scan the QR code on the die with their Smartphone to access a trivia question online. The trivia questions are constantly being updated, so the game never gets old. — As of 9/21/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Easy to use; more variety than a traditional trivia game because questions are always being updated. Cons: Needs to be played in a well-lit area or the QR code readers can scan the codes properly.
For Young Fashion Designers! Choose a border from transparency pages. Then place the trace paper over any of the hairstyles, shirts, skirts, shoes and accessories. Use the colored pencils (included) to create unique fashion styles. The possibilities are endless. Each spiral bound book includes 8 colored pencils in a re-sealable pouch, 16 pieces of trace paper with colorful borders and 10 pages of traceable clothes, shoes and accessories.
In Redneck Life, for two to six players, the winner is the player with the most teeth remaining at the end of the game. Teeth are lost through accidents and brawls, but players can buy some back at the end if they have money, or they have to lose a tooth for every $100 owed to Uncle Clem. A roll of two dice determines each player’s grade in school, setting them up for one of 11 fabulous careers, such as monster truck announcer or taxidermist. Debt is incurred by buying vehicles and a home, and trying to manage a family. Game play requires one to two hours.
This game is currently licensed to Spinmaster. Outwit your opponents by stomping their marbles before they stomp yours! Outmaneuver by leaving their Stomper trapped with no escape. For 2-6 Players.
The newest addition to the Shrinky Dinks line. This 6 sheet pack of Shrinky Dinks Sunshine Yellow allows you to brighten up your Shrinky Dinks projects without using a bright marker or paint. This sunny yellow can be used as a background with our other plastics or can be used to accent anything...or use it alone to make your own bright shining piece. Use Sunshine Yellow with Permanent Marker, Paint Pens or Alcohol based rubber stamping inks. Creative fun for more "BRIGHT" ideas.
The new SmArt Studio 3D Shrinky Dinks Build-a-bot kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets and tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and kids will be making their own 3D robots in no time in no time- up to 3000 combinations are possible. Smart Studios Shrinky Dinks are 100% Made in America. "These are the only Shrinky Dinks on the market that teach kids how to make real 3D figures," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development at BSW Toy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2011.
Flower Apron Set for Kids by SASSAFRAS ENTERPRISES INC.
This set includes an apron (size 4-8), an adjustable cotton chef's hat, and a silicone flower trivet. It is machine washable. "The included child-size hat and silicone trivet make this kit one-of-a-kind. Kids can really dress to play the part, and use the trivet to help in the kitchen or use for pretend play," Lisa Grass, Graphic Designer, Sassafras Enterprises Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2010.
It's a 7" long x 2-1/2" dia PVC tube with a resonant head at one end attached to a 17" long x 3/16" dia extension spring. Kids shake it, scrape it, wiggle it, use their palm to muffle it and they generate creaks, deep warbles, rumbles, weird heterodyne-ish gong effects, wa-wa's, rude noises, and, yes, realistic thunder. A perfect musical companion to a cuica and rain stick - and good, clean fun around the house.
Prince Lionheart Play Mat by PRINCE LIONHEART INC.
Finally, a well-designed play mat that lasts through the developmental stages of your child! Our play mats have been designed to cushion and delight babies during tummy time, entertain toddlers for play time, and encourage young learners of all ages to engage and explore. Search for the hidden characters, count the creatures, sound out letters, or master the road rules: the only limit is their imagination. Reversible: engaging art on both sides; Water-resistant, wipes clean; Soft & cushiony ; Non-toxic. "The play mat lasts through multiple developmental stages of a child - from baby to kindergarten," Lea Janowicz, marketing director for Prince Lionheart, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2012.
The JumpSport kids trampoline is a fun and engaging way for preschoolers to exercise and learn. Every iBounce also comes with the 12- minute exercise adventure video cartoon, “Hop-Along with RompyRoo™ - Where Is Mr. Fuzzy?” Preschoolers can bounce along with RompyRoo as they help him search for his lost teddy bear. This video introduces basic movement skills and counting concepts as children bounce through the woods, over logs and across lily pads. The iBounce uses a bungee cord system that gives a soft and lively bounce. Plus, the sturdy handle bar adds stability so little ones can safely develop their balance, coordination, endurance and motor skills. Parents that own iPads or other tablet devices can download the cartoon animation, then attach the iPad to the kid-tough, universal tablet mount that’s included. Or, kids can watch the DVD version on the TV. To keep exercise activities fresh, the company will introduce a new RompyRoo adventure every few months. Launch date: 2012. Awards: 2012 Creative Child Magazine Product of the Year, 2012 Dr Toy Best Vacation Product, 2012 Mom's Choice Gold Award, 2012 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, 2012 Parents Choice Approved Seal, 2012 Parent Tested Parent Approved Winner, 2012 Tillywig Top Fun Award. — As of 09/13/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Triangular platform helps prevent tipping; Great exercise option for the winter; Rompy Roo DVD is fun. Cons: Assembly is involved, but is doable with two adults.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
