ASTRA MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY 2014 UNIVERSITY GAMES WizzWorx, from UNIVERSITY GAMES, allows kids to mold and bring their own toy creations to life. The line includes Alien Slime Jumpers, Wind-Up Walking Zombies, Wind-Up Walking Gobblers, and Wind-Up Walking Dinosaurs. The products are made of air-dry dough, which hardens in 24 hours, and they feature a wind-up function, which allows the creatures to walk. Kids ages 3 and up can put together the 36-piece Pete the Cat 2-Sided Floor Puzzle Suitcase. Based on the children’s book series, this puzzle features a fun shape and a carrying case for on-the-go play. Man Bites Dog Board Game has new words and is more outrageous than before. The object of the game is for players to create the craziest headline using the cards in their hand. Kids ages 8 and up can play with two to six players. In The Very Hungry Caterpillar Lunch with Friends game, players flip over cards one at a time and race to be the first one to place a token on the corresponding picture on the game board. The game comes in a lunchbox tin for easy travel. Kids ages 12 and up can play the Truth or Dare card game, which makes sleepovers and parties fun with embarrassing dares. The more questions players answer correctly, the quicker they can get rid of the Truth or Dare cards in their hand.
OUTSET MEDIA
Two to six players ages 7 and up can explore interesting and exciting places around the world with Explore the World, from OUTSET MEDIA. Players will learn facts about both the natural world and the man-made world in this family-friendly board game. For a twist of fun, action cards can advance a journey or steer players off course.
SPECIALTY TOYS & GIFTS
THINK FUN
Kids ages 4 and up can learn the basics of programming with THINKFUN’s Robot Turtles. This game requires one to four players, an adult, and no computers, as the grown-up acts as the computer, following the kids’ commands. The goal is for kids to get their turtle to a matching colored jewel, and to laugh along with all of the goofy bops and beeps along the way. Gravity Maze is a gravity-powered logic maze that challenges kids to build a path that will carry their marble to its target. This game tests visual perception, reasoning skills, and kids’ abilities to think carefully. With Move & Groove, toddlers are encouraged to move, laugh, and learn through game play without the pressure of competition. Kids toss the plush cube to determine color, choose a matching colored card, and then perform the given move on the card. Zingo Time-Telling teaches young players to tell time as they read the hour and minute hands on an analog clock and translate it to a digital time. There are two levels of play for kids who want even more of a challenge. Both beginner and experienced readers can play Zingo Word Builder. With two levels of play, kids can slide the Zinger and claim tiles to fill their Zingo card with threeletter words.
S44
MAY/JUNE 2014