Rainy Day Toys on WCIU’s The Jam

Just because it’s a rainy day doesn’t mean kids can’t still have fun. Toy Insider’s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht stopped by WCIU’s “The Jam” in Chicago to show off some of the best toys for indoor play on rainy days. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best toys of the spring and summer, be sure to check our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.

SQUEEZAMALS FREEZE ‘N’ SQUEEZE GAME (BIG G CREATIVE)

• The Squeezamals Freeze ‘N’ Squeeze Game is a fun swirl on the classic game of hot potato.
• Four to eight players will take turns making a sweet treat for their Squeezamal to eat. The player holding the plush when it’s time to eat must pay for the treat.
• Each game comes with an exclusive Squeezamal, a spinner, 24 coins, and five banana split tiles.
• Ages: 6+
• MSRP: $12.99
• Available: Target

PLAYFOAM PALS SERIES 4: FANTASY FRIENDS (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)

• Playfoam Pals return in Series 4 for some magical fun.
• Each pod has a new Fantasy Friend hidden inside three-tone sparkle Playfoam.
• Kids can collect all 12 Fantasy Friends from the non-toxic Playfoam that never dries for endless, magical fun.
• Ages: 5+
• MSRP: 2-Pack-$7.99; 6-Pack-$21.99; 12-Pack-$47.99
• Available: Amazon, educationalinsights.com

PUPPY PEN (SCHLEICH)

• This delightful dog-themed playset features adorable detailed puppy figures and accessories.
• Includes a dog house, water bowl and soft bed.
• Ages: 3 to 8
• MSRP: $17.99
• Available: schleich.com

COMPOUND KINGS FLUFFY CLOUDZ SLIME (WECOOL TOYS)

• The pre-made slimes come in all varieties, from Glitzi to Fluffy to Neon, and more.
• Glitzi slime has glitter infused, while fluffy feels like satin and the neon comes in vibrant colors.
• This slime is super stretchy, giving kids an amazingly tactile feel while they play.
• These slimes do not require any mess or glue to make, just open the tub and play.
• Compound Kings slime doesn’t leave any residue on your hands.
• The brand Compound Kings features all different compounds, from Fluffy and Glitzi to the candy-scented Fluffy Cloudz.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $9.99-$19.99
• Available: Walmart, Michael’s

ORANGUTWANG (PLAYMONSTER)

• A fun, suspenseful game, Orangutwang  willl have kids jumping and laughing for more!
• Just visually, Orangutwang is a super cool game with its two tall palm trees connected by a string, the colorful and quirky toucan lever, the bright playing pieces shaped like fruit or critters, and the giant, amused orangutan that hangs from the string!
• To play the game, simply roll the die to find out which play piece you get to hang on the orangutan (banana, pineapple, gecko, fruit bat or coconut).
• Be careful how you hang it…at some point it will be too much for the orangutan and he’ll leap and swing and go twaaaannng!
• The player who makes the orangutan go flying and throw his fruit and friends technically loses the game, but do they really lose?
• It’s fun and hilarious to see him go twang, so really all the players are winners!
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $19.99-24.99
• Available: Amazon

PLAYMOBIL MARS SPACE STATION (PLAYMOBIL)

• Explore the final frontier with the new Mars Space Station!  Part of a new Mars Mission line of playsets from PLAYMOBIL.
• Beautifully designed set features signature PLAYMOBIL design and attention to detail. Equipped with all the tools needed for space exploration, interactive components include a moveable laser gun and alarm.
• It features radio contact and jet propulsion sound effects.
• The roof can be removed to interact with all aspects of the space station including the research computer, fitness equipment, and central command.
• The 2 free docking stations allow the crew to connect with other play sets like the Mission Rocket with Launch Site!
• Set includes space station, robot with changing faces, two astronauts, research equipment, and tons of other accessories
• Ages: 6+
• MSRP: $79.99
• Available: Amazon and www.playmobil.us

AQUABEADS BEGINNERS STUDIO (EPOCH EVERLASTING PLAY)

• Kids can get started creating amazing bead designs with the Aquabeads Beginners Studio.
• They can create artwork even faster with the improved flip tray, which lets one creation dry while another one is in the works.
• The Beginners Studio comes with more than 840 jewels and solid beads in 16 colors, the case, a flip tray with a bead receiver, a sprayer, a bead pen, and template sheets.
• Ages: 4+
• MSRP: $19.95
• Available: Target, aquabeads.com

PENCIL NOSE (FAT BRAIN TOYS)

• Think you’ve got a nose for drawing? In this hilarious party game, players have to use their sniffers to try and sketch the prompt and then hope their teammates can correctly guess what they’re drawing.
• On your turn, draw a card and slide it into the slot on top of the drawing board so only you can see it.
• Then, with the special glasses and the “Pencil Nose” equipped, try to draw the object onto the clear screen of the board – USING ONLY YOUR NOSE! Can you draw a trout with your snout?
• How about a rose with your nose? Whichever team gets the most correct guesses wins a point.
• First team to win 7 points wins the game.
• Includes erasable drawing board, 2 pairs of pencil nose glasses (green, orange), erasable marker, eraser, 90 object cards with 6 objects each, sand timer.
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $24.95
• Available: Fat Brain Toys, Kohls, Amazon, Walmart

KOZO (WINNING MOVES USA)

• This 3 dimensional wooden stacking game first gained popularity in Asia. Players take turns adding a wooden polycube and balance cube to the structure.
• Polycubes must stay in the confines of the structure and cannot overlap the center “chimney” area.
• It takes a steady hand as balance is the key. Players score for each piece placed.
• The game includes 12 Wooden Polycubes, 12 Wooden Scoring Tiles, 12 Small Wooden Balance Cubes, 1 Wooden Base, and illustrated instructions.
• Ages: 8+
• MSRP: $19.95
• Available: winning-moves.com