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Age: All Ages
Price: All Prices
Category: Pretend Play
Name: Arena
Company: PLAYMOBIL INC.
Age: 5 and up
Price: $89.99
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
Learn more about Arena
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Name: Spider-Man Reversible Deluxe Action Suit
Company: DISGUISE INC.
Age: 4-8
Price: $24.99
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
Learn more about Spider-Man Reversible Deluxe Action Suit
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Name: Masquerade Cards
Company: PINX A CARD CO. INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $3.98
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
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Name: Space Module
Company: PACIFIC PLAY TENTS INC
Age: 3 and up
Price: Not Specified
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
Learn more about Space Module
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Name: Beauty Dress With Red Cloak
Company: LITTLE ADVENTURES LLC
Age: 3-5
Price: Not Specified
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
Learn more about Beauty Dress With Red Cloak
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Name: Chef Dramatic Dress Up
Company: BRAND NEW WORLD
Age: 3-6
Price: $29.95
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.
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Name: Cinderella
Company: AWESOME KIDS
Age: 3-8
Price: $25.95
Category: Pretend Play
What Is It?
The Cinderella in a Boxx play set from Awesome Kids has everything a little girl needs to recreate and embellish the Cinderella story, including tiny figurines of Cinderella, the Prince, the Ugly Stepmother and Sisters as well as various servants. And for every little girl who’s envisioned herself as a Fairy Godmother, there’s a feathered fairy tiara for her to wear and a wand for her to wave so that she can change the included four mice into four white horses and the lizard into a Coachman. Also included are a pair of child-sized acrylic “glass slippers” and a cardboard castle backdrop.
What We Thought
This amazing set lets little girls put together their own pumpkin coach, turn mice into men and back again, and otherwise have fun reliving the Cinderella story in whatever role they choose. Including costumes for both Cinderella (the shoes) and the Fairy Godmother (wand and tiara) was a smart move that should preclude real fights between real sisters battling for these must-have costume pieces.
Why They’ll Want It
The Cinderella in a Boxx play set is the kind of toy that sets little girls jumping up and down with feverish excitement as soon as they see it. It reaches out to them on a number of levels: First, they’ll feel a sense of accomplishment by assembling their own coach (with help, if they’re on the young side); second, they can play with the little doll characters; and third, they get to dress up and be part of the action, too! — Alison Marek, 9/25/06
Learn more about Cinderella
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Name: Wrap-n-Rides — Dragon
Company: AEROMAX INC.
Age: 3-5
Price: $39.95
Category: Pretend Play
What Is It?
This big goofy dragon with a pink smile is really a wrap-around costume for hot tots. Kids who’re ready to breathe fire can just slip into the adjustable shoulder straps and wrap the dragon’s soft blue and green plush body around their waists, sealing it closed with a Velcro strip. A tab on the dragon’s head lets kids pull him upright, make him look left and right for marauding knights, and gallop around, long green tail trailing behind, just as a tail should.
What We Thought
While we were all a bit too oversized to slip comfortably into the shoulder straps, this wrap-around-costume brought out the Little Kid in the TDmonthly staff members. One tester quickly located the elastic strips that attach the wings to the wrists and started flapping away. Most appreciated the vinyl paw pads and talons, which give this silly toy just the slightest air of realism. But nothing can beat having a tail for the day, especially when it’s lined with purple scales.
Why They’ll Want It
Kids who love dressing up and kids who love plush will want to wrap themselves up in these soft, cuddly costume/toys. Do you play with it, or be it? A little of both. And when play day is done, this Dragon and his companions, such as Flamingo and Duck, easily slip back off again and into bed for some serious nighttime snuggling. — Alison Marek, 8/17/06
Learn more about Wrap-n-Rides — Dragon
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Name: Reversible Princess Costume
Company: BDAY PARTIES LLC
Age: 3-7
Price: $15
Category: Pretend Play
Please click here to read this special TDmonthly´s Expert Mom review.
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Name: Pretend & Play School Set
Company: LEARNING RESOURCES INC.
Age: 4 and up
Price: $29.99
Category: Pretend Play
What is it?
The Pretend & Play School Set consists of a tri-fold, travel-ready case which folds out into the shape of an old-fashioned red schoolhouse. The set includes a dry-erase chalkboard and markers, maps of the United States and the world (including a weather map) calendar, clock with moveable hands for learning to tell time, crayons, “Hall Pass,” report cards, award certificates and even a brass school bell!
What we thought
The School Set creates a subtly empowered ownership of learning—a child can carry it with her just like a book bag—and the set includes everything but the classroom hamster.
Why they’ll want it
For 4-5 year olds who long to tag along with their older siblings to school, this toy is the next best thing. Everything needed for a parent to help a child learn his/her ABC’s, days of the week and other kindergarten essentials is here in one easily transported and durable package, ready to be brought along on family trips or to the doctor’s waiting room.
-- TDmonthly Staff, 9/26/2005
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Name: Yesteryears Star Horse
Company: MARY MEYER CORP.
Age: All Ages
Price: $15
Category: Pretend Play
What is it?
A stick horse with a retro design, he’s 33 inches long and made with a plastic riding stick fitted with a blue plush head. His eyes are embroidered, his face emblazoned with blue stars. He wears a bridle with a carrying loop so kids can teach him to “whoa!” His mane is made of dark blue plush. His nostrils and mouth are black appliqués.
What We Thought
He’s a perfect classic gift for a grandparent who wants to be sure the next generation knows something about the Pony Express. Kids have the freedom to interact however they want with this little steed, traveling across the continents or all the way to Mars. Little kids might be surprised to learn that horses were yesterday’s cars. Slightly bigger kids will probably just grab their cowboy or cowgirl hat and ride away.
Why They’ll Want It
Parents and grandparents will want this because it hearkens back to the days when kids were allowed to use their own imaginations when they played, rather than have the storyline spelled out for them in a video. Kids will love the soft colors and the plush, squishy head. And they’ll have their first taste of independence as they go galloping off into the future on this old-fashioned stick horse.
-- Alison Marek, 8/9/05
Learn more about Yesteryears Star Horse
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Name: Little Daydreamers Wizard With Dragon Hat
Company: ELOPE INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $19.99
Category: Pretend Play
What is it?
A stuffed green dragon with shiny wings, pointy teeth and fire-red nostrils has wrapped himself around the brim and cone of a star-spangled black wizard’s hat. Lined with polyurethane foam and fabric, the hat has a secret pocket to hide magical toys and fairy dust. Elasticized Velcro tabs adjust the hat to size without the bother of casting spells.
What We Thought
Little kids will probably want to pull the dragon off the hat, and they can! Velcro tabs are all that secure the beast to the hat. This feature makes the hat much more playable. The mottled green plush fabric gives the dragon an authentic look. The hat and dragon seem to be durable; the tiny white triangular teeth and scales are securely sewn to the dragon’s mouth and back. The extra-long tail makes the dragon great for swinging around or wearing on the shoulder like a well-trained familiar. The hat can even be used as a domicile cave in which to store the dragon when he needs a nap.
Why They’ll Want It
It’s a fashion rule: a detachable dragon makes the hat. Kids who are into witches, goblins, dragons and dungeons will want to add this chapeau to their wardrobe. The dragon, of course, will lend the little wizard an air of menace, which could greatly enhance play value.
Elope´s ToyDirectory Listing
-- Alison Marek, 6/15/05
Learn more about Little Daydreamers Wizard With Dragon Hat
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Name: Little Daydreamers Forest Princess Green Hat
Company: ELOPE INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $19.99
Category: Pretend Play
What is it?
A cone-shaped princess hat in bright green plush lined with polyurethane foam is encircled by a band of shiny green Mylar-like leaves and multicolored satin flowers. A sheer lime-green scarf cascades from the top, lined in dark green satin. The inside of the hat is capped in the shape of a beanie, so the hat sits securely on little heads. Velcro tabs allow quick and easy size adjustment. The lining opens up at the top so that the cone can be stuffed for support.
What We Thought
This pretty hat can transform a simple nightgown into a princess outfit. Little girls will be drawn to its bright colors and contrasting fabrics. It took two TDmonthly testers to find the secret pocket at the tip of the cone, but they were disappointed when the pocket was open at the bottom and no secret fortune could be found! Because it’s a solid, pale color, it might pick up dirt, so Princesses should be warned to stow their special hats carefully.
Why They’ll Want It
Princesses are beautiful. Princesses are good. And Princesses need fantasy hats to set them apart from the little people. Especially if they are little people themselves. This lovely hat will make any girl feel majestic and sweet. Since it’s adjustable, she’ll probably put it on the heads of her dolls and teddy bears, too.
Elope´s ToyDirectory Listing
-- Alison Marek, 6/15/05
Learn more about Little Daydreamers Forest Princess Green Hat
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Name: Little Daydreamers Royal King Hat
Company: ELOPE INC.
Age: 3 and up
Price: $19.99
Category: Pretend Play
What is it?
This fully lined crimson velvet plush hat is trimmed with fake ermine and bedecked with plastic jewels and gold filigree. A large plastic sapphire festoons the front. The hat is trimmed with intricate gold and blue ribbon and set with a jeweled golden knob. A secret pocket hidden in the lining holds a fortune for the King to read. Or, it can be used to hide state secrets from unruly contenders. Velcro tabs allow adjustment for almost any head size.
What We Thought
Elaborate, colorful and highly decorated, the crown confers instant royalty on its wearer – kid or adult. It’s great for funny photos, birthday parties and – most important – dressing up and pretending to rule the world. Even if a few of the doodads fall off over time, it’s well made enough to go through a few lives: dress-up toy & Halloween costume for little kids, then joke prop for the older set.
Why They’ll Want It
Why settle for Princess when you can be King? Kids will like its adjustability and the fact that no hard plastic or metal pieces will ever touch their heads. The secret pocket is a big plus and will probably get a lot of use. Kids may fight over who gets to wear the crown, but that’ll just make the play more realistic.
Elope´s ToyDirectory Listing
-- Alison Marek, 6/15/05
Learn more about Little Daydreamers Royal King Hat
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