Posted in Hipsqueak blog by Martina Sheehan and Web Behrens on Nov 20, 2012 at 2:04pm
The tenth annual Chicago Toy and Game Fair at Navy Pier this weekend brought in plenty of new and exciting play things, and Chicago kids seemed eager to test drive them all. But among the hundreds of new products on display, these 10 caught our eyes for being especially fun, challenging, imaginative or just beautifully simplistic.
Chicago Toy and Game Fair | Best in Show Photos
PERPLEXUS TWIST These rotating 3D puzzles live somewhere between Labyrinth, Rube Goldberg device and hamster ball. Here’s how it works: Roll the small metal ball inside the plastic orb to one of the starting points, and then follow the numbers to flip, twist and spin the ball along different paths. If the ball falls off, you’re toast: Start over. $25 at Marbles the Brain Store, 55 E Grand Ave (312-494-7769, marblesthebrainstore.com).
Photo: Web Behrens018.tock.toygamefair.perplexusTwistWeb.JPG2142511
PLAYFOAM Small packs of these re-moldable sculpting beads went for a buck at the Toy & Game Fair. Kids went to town with the stuff at the provided craft tables, sculpting animals and monsters and fat little men with hats. Four-pack $5 at playfoam.com
Photo: Martina Sheehan018.tock.toygamefair.playfoamcrp.jpg2142562
PLASMA CAR No pedals, no gears, no batteries. So how does this little indoor/outdoor ride work? Kids use the steering wheel to oscillate the PlasmaCar via inertia, centrifugal force and friction. Easier done than said. $70 at Toys Et Cetera.
Photo: Max Herman018.tock.toyandgamefair.plasmacar.jpg2142363
GRAVITY BOARD GAMES The Danish minds behind Gravity decided simple games of strategy just weren’t challenging enough. Hence, they’ve placed a few new games, as well as some old classics such as backgammon and chess, on a seesaw board that requires the winner to amass enough weighted pieces to tilt the board in her favor. $55–$60 at gravityboardgames.com.
ALBERT'S INSOMNIA Math problems don't sound like a playtime hit, but this innovative new card game from independent gamemaker Richard John Buchner III of Georgia might be the exception. The brightly designed cards, with cartoons images of Einstein and sheep, can be tailored for different ages and skill sets. $10 at rjb3games.com.
Photo: Web Behrens018.tock.toygamefair.AlbertsInsomnia.jpg2142915
WORD WINDER This game by David L. Hoyt challenges wordsmiths to a game of winding words. Just lay down your chips to outrace your opponents and block their lines. $20 at Books-A-Million, 144 S Clark St (312-857-0613).
Photo: Max Herman018.tock.toyandgamefair.words.jpg2142416
KAPLA BLOCKS The sky’s the limit when it comes to Kapla blocks potential in the hands of imaginative little architects. All they need to do is organize a work crew of pals and let the construction on a life-sized Jenga-style tower begin. Prices vary at Marbles the Brain Store, 55 E Grand Ave (312-494-7769, marblesthebrainstore.com).
018.tock.toygamefair.kaplablockscrp.jpg2142467
DONKEY KONG JENGA Whether you're a Jenga or Donkey Kong fan, this fun twist on the wood-piece-stacking game is good news. Using a spinner, you race your own little Mario against other players' Italian plumbers, trying to rescue the lass atop the tower you're slowly deconstructing. So clever. $25 at ThinkGeek.com.
Photo: Web Behrens018.toc.toygamefair.DKjenga.JPG2142318
R KIDS WORLD CUSTOM PLAY TABLES We love this Wisconsin-based husband-wife duo’s custom activity tables, especially this one with two built-in toy storage cubbies and a chalk surface. $375–$525 from R Kids World (800-851-6030, rkidsworld.com).
TOYDOZER Clean up time? Lame. Unless your kid’s got this simple dustpan-like contraption that picks up big swaths of LEGOS and other small toys in one fell swoop. Now clean-up time’s suddenly fun. $15 at Twinkle Twinkle Little One.
PERPLEXUS TWIST These rotating 3D puzzles live somewhere between Labyrinth, Rube Goldberg device and hamster ball. Here’s how it works: Roll the small metal ball inside the plastic orb to one of the starting points, and then follow the numbers to flip, twist and spin the ball along different paths. If the ball falls off, you’re toast: Start over. $25 at Marbles the Brain Store, 55 E Grand Ave (312-494-7769, marblesthebrainstore.com).
