Lincoln Logs Collector’s Edition
K’NEX Industries LincolnLogs Collector’s Edition Original Lincoln Logs in the original color palate, great green roof slats, and red chimneys are completely restored. The feeling of nostalgia for anyone who remembers the fun they had playing with their Lincoln logs. Everyone in the family can have fun putting buildings together. 1916 was year Frank Lloyd [...]
Dr. Toy’s Product Safety Tips
Dr. Toy outlines a dozen easy things to remember about toy safety, playing with children, and choosing new toys: Specifically for parents with children under the age of six: Observe what the child is currently playing with in the home. (Particularly if there is an older sibling in the home.) The younger child may want [...]
What Makes a Game a “Classic”?
by Arline Wall, contributor to DrToy.com Ask any toy industry veteran and you’ll get enough answers to fill several books, but the true test is staying power. Enduring games such as Monopoly, Life, and Candy Land (soon to be a motion picture) were invented many years ago and are still played today. I was [...]
Wee Waffle® Blocks
Little Tikes/MGA Entertainment Wee Waffle® Blocks Blocks help little builders grow their big imaginations, making anything from a castle to a launching pad! Includes 36 colorful interlocking blocks: 18 solid, 12 window and 6 door blocks. Convenient bucket for storage. Use holes on the lid as a stable building base for their big projects. www.littletikes.com
Dr. Toy’s Tips for Keeping Toys Clean and Safe
Watch for small parts, sharp edges, loose ties, or other possible dangers for small children under the age of 3. Be sure products are labeled “nontoxic.” Cover exposed electric sockets. Watch for loose electric wires and other potential household hazards. Toys that are handled frequently by infants and toddlers should be cleaned and disinfected daily [...]
LEGO Systems
LEGO Systems House Young architects can recreate the house of their dreams. Complete with roof bricks, windows, doors and fences, this house will have budding architects and designers living in style! Includes step-by-step instructions for building and rebuilding three structures in one box, plus photo inspiration for many more. 1174 pieces. www.LEGO.com
Meccano: Erector Sets
Erector Sets A staple of children’s development for over 90 years. Developed by A. C. Gilbert in 1913, many generations have benefited from the realistic building components and open-ended play that is encouraged by erector sets. In recent years Meccano has refreshed the Erector set principle with dozens of innovative kits that allow children [...]
Bamboo Contina
Hape International – Bamboo Contina The construction possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination with 120 lightweight tiles in 8 color, black and natural finishes. Eco-friendly bamboo was used to create this creative construction set. www.hapetoys.com
Doll (and Teddy Bears) Collectors Information
Virginia Davis, Doll Reader In the 1990s, Doll Collecting became the third hottest collectible in the United States: with stamps and coins taking the two top positions. Doll Reader was one of the first doll magazines for doll collectors, it debuted over thirty years ago, as just a newsletter and grew to be a bi-monthly [...]
Dr Toy Includes Canadian Products on 100 Best List
You know the fourth quarter is approaching when Dr. Stevanne Auerbach (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), North America’s favourite play expert, releases her annual 100 Best Children’s Products List. Always a well-researched compilation of items — from board games to robotics — this year’s list includes product from five Canadian companies. Sharing the spotlight with some of [...]
Toobers & Zots
Hands On Toys – Toobers & Zots Bright colored foam tubes from 2 to 4 feet long are easily bendable. Assorted shapes fit on the tubes like beads. Children will create to their hearts content. They will make head pieces, animals, or anything else young artists wants to create. This product offers many, fun tactile [...]
AirBlox
GreenHouse International AirBlox Inflatable block building and construction toy unique life sized construction toy allows children to build an almost unlimited number of structures easily, quickly and safely with clips. Ideal for both boys and girls geometrically shaped panels inflate in seconds, large yet lightweight, and safe with no sharp edges. Macro valve allows for [...]
Tekton™ Tower, A Girder & Panel® Building Set
Bridge Street Toys Tekton™ Tower, A Girder & Panel® Building Set Educational building set for design and construction of buildings. The pieces encourage architectural designs. Young builders can create many different kinds of buildings. The Girder and panel sets were originally introduced in the 1950’s by Kenner. 250 pieces with carrying case and full color [...]
Uncle Goose Toys
ABC Blocks The alphabet blocks are made from basewood as a 1-3/4 inch square. They come in a basic unit in a wagon or in a box. Other variations include Braille and Braille math blocks. There is a version of nursery rhyme blocks as well. They are used by the child’s imagination. Uncle Goose was [...]
Moving Along In the Toy Industry
by Celia Bechtel Bechtel Executive Search The toy industry, as with all the other industries, is moving along in a time of uncertainty and hesitation. Even the healthiest of companies are being very careful in all aspects of their business. The economy is forcing manufacturers to focus on the bottom line. They are being very [...]
Dado Cubes
Fat Brain Toy Dado Cubes Combine art and science as creatorexplores architectural principles including proportion, balance,structure and color. A new twist on classic building blocks, Dado engages imagination as slits on each cube are interlocked to create anunlimited number of three-dimensional structures. Constructed horizontally, vertically or nested together, Dado invites visual spatial development and problem [...]
United Federation of Doll Clubs Convention – 2009
by Virginia Davis, Doll Reader The sweltering temperatures nearing the 100 degree mark and the humidity did not wilt the enthusiasm of over 1200 members attending the 60th annual convention of The United Federation of Doll Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia July 12-17th. Members of the United Federation of Doll Clubs are united by their [...]
Dr. Toy Parents Magazine Interview
There's no magical toy that will turn your tot into a genius. But you can pick playthings that boost your baby's development at every stage. Dr. Toy Interview: Parents Magazine, May 2009. Download [PDF - opens in Acrobat]
Working With A Licensing Agent
by Andrew Berton Excel Development Group, Inc. Why Do I Need A Licensing Agent? No one willingly shares their potential royalties with someone else but many toy executives don’t have the time to work with new designers. Instead they look at these ideas through an inventor representative, e.g., a bona fide toy licensing agent. How [...]
Raggedy Ann Lives On!
Virginia Davis, Doll Reader It is with sadness that we learned in June of 2009, about the closing of the Raggedy Ann Doll Museum in Arcola, Illinois. Another tribute to history has felt the axe of the struggling economy. When I talked with Joni Wannamaker in 2002, she was very excited about opening a museum [...]
Toy History
by John Skakel Faire Tyme Toys Have you ever wondered about the first toy? How it came to be? What it was? Many people have often wondered about just that: I have seen numerous posts and been asked about those very questions many times. Take a moment here to relax gently and close your eyes [...]
The Reading Game: Developing Literacy Through Play
The Reading Game has just launched it’s 2nd, Enhanced Edition. The multiple-award winning learn to read game, The Reading Game, has just launched its 2nd, enhanced edition. Using play to teach need-to-know words and helping children build confidence and enjoyment with their first independent reading experience is what has made the game so successful. The [...]
The Reading Game’s Inspiring Literacy Campaign: Get A Game – Give A Game
To publish the 2nd edition of their award-winning learn to read program, “The Reading Game,” a San Diego based father/daughter business came up with an innovative way to raise funds for printing costs AND help children in need through a national literacy non-profit. Partnering with First Book, the “Give the Gift of Early Literacy” campaign [...]
