eToys Helps Families Brave Winter With Its Top Toys for Creative Indoor Play

eToys Helps Families Brave Winter With Its Top Toys for Creative Indoor Play

DENVER, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter here, the days of outdoor activities under the warm sun are a distant memory for most kids. But there is much fun to have inside, say the experts at eToys, which today announced its list of top toys for creative indoor play. Featuring a wide range of activities designed to keep children engaged and entertained all winter long, the toys enable car enthusiasts to build an engine, aspiring teachers to lead a classroom and future investigators to solve crimes with a game based on the hit TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

"With more than 7,000 toys and video games in stock we feel it's important to help our customers make informed buying decisions," said Michael Wagner, CEO of eToys Direct. "This list highlights some of our unique toys for different ages and interests, and gives parents new ideas to encourage creative play during the long winter months."

The eToys 2005 Top Toys for Creative Indoor Play List

Trading Spaces: The Design Line - Three Story House (B-BEL INC.)


Kids can discover their inner designer as they decorate and transform this deluxe, three-story house inspired by the popular Trading Spaces show. The set includes paint and rollers, stencils, stickers, fabric, yarn and molding dough. Everything is removable, so kids can create and recreate their dream house. (Ages 8-12)

Disney Princess: 23-Piece Dress-Up Trunk (Creative Design, Inc)

Little princesses can dress up as Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty with the Disney Princess: 23-Piece Dress-Up Trunk. Mix and match, engage in hours of pretend play and create fairy tales with this treasure-filled trunk. Set also comes with three bracelets, three rings and a pair of earrings. (Ages 3-8)

Dino Pals Creatrix Story Strux Standard Set (Fisher Price)

With the help of the accompanying full-color storybook, the Creatrix Standard Set allows kids to create 3D characters with Dino Pals, re-arrange their pieces and then take the characters on endless adventures. The sets contain a full-color 10-page story book along with approximately 20 character pieces. (Ages 7+)

Thomas the Tank: Rheneas and Rock Crusher (Learning Curve Toys Intl, Inc.)

Haul rocks with this Thomas the Tank Rheneas and Rock Crusher 3-piece set. Put rocks on the conveyor belt, and watch them really shake. This 3-piece set is compatible with all Thomas and Friends wooden railway sets. (Ages 3-6)

Pretend and Play School Playset (Learning Resources Inc.)

Ring the bell...it's time to play school! The Pretend & Play School Playset lets kids set up a classroom and assume the roles of teacher and students. Fun and educational playset includes a two-sided map, tri-fold board, pointer, clock with movable hands, dry-erase board, two-sided calendar with weather, schools supplies pocket, eraser, note pad, hall passes, pencils, worksheets for Spelling and Math, crayons, awards, hand bell, "Good Job" stickers and report cards. (Ages 4-8)

Smithsonian Motor-Works Kit (Natural Science Industries, LTD)

For the child who loves cars and trucks, this comprehensive kit includes everything needed to build a working engine. Using the step-by-step instructions, a young car enthusiast can create a working model engine with four cylinders. Set includes: more than 100 parts, a custom screwdriver and instructions. Adult supervision recommended. (Ages 8-14)

CSI Forensic Lab (Planet Toys Worldwide, LTD)

Based on the hit CBS series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, this Forensic Lab Kit teaches young scientists how to secure the crime scene and solve the crime "CSI Style." Everything the young investigator needs to solve the case will be included, such as a microscope and fingerprinting kit -- just like the one used in the field. (Ages 10-15)

Undersea Encounter Aquarium and Viewing Scope (Uncle Milton Ind. Inc.)

Kids can look through the built-in underwater viewing scope and experience an up-close view of live fish swimming in a wondrous undersea environment. Great for Goldfish, Guppies and Bettas. (Ages 3-8)

Sesame Street Hopscotch Mat (Team Products Int)

Kids build coordination and improve their motor skills using this Sesame Street-themed hopscotch mat. Designed to resemble the classic playground game, kids can use this special mat indoors or out. The mat features favorite Sesame Street characters, including Big Bird, Ernie, Elmo, Cookie Monster and the Count. (Ages 18 months -- 6 Years)

Cranium Conga Family Game (Cranium, Inc.)

Cranium Conga is the fast-paced "guess what I'm thinking" game that will get your whole family acting, sculpting, guesstimating, and picking hilarious words. This delightful game offers giggles and laughs for everyone -- from 8-year-olds, to teenagers, to mom and dad -- so turn off the TV and share some high-flying fun. (Ages 8+)

Bella Ballerina Home Ballet Studio (Spin Master Toys)

Bella Ballerina Home Ballet Studio marries fantasy, role-play and education to literally transport little girls into the magical world of ballet. Join Bella and her friends as they sing and dance their way through ballet class and learn the five basic ballet positions, while singing their fun dancing songs. (Ages 3-8)

About eToys Direct

eToys Direct offers thousands of toys, custom dolls, video games and baby products to online and catalog shoppers through its popular web sites and its strategic retail partnerships. The company owns eToys (www.etoys.com) and the My Twinn doll company (www.mytwinn.com) and operates KBtoys.com (www.kbtoys.com) under a long-term licensing agreement. eToys Direct also provides a toy and video game solution to its online and catalog partners, supplying category management, full-featured content, inventory control, order fulfillment and customer support. The privately held company is based in Denver.


Source: eToys Direct

CONTACT: Alissa Pinck, apinck@schwartz.com, or Rick Pendrick, both of
G.S. Schwartz & Co., +1-212-725-4500, for eToys Direct

Web site: http://www.mytwinn.com/

Web site: http://www.kbtoys.com/

Web site: http://www.etoys.com/


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