More picks from the New York Toy Fair. In no particular order…

Playing Mantis
I mean no disrespect to the beloved, creaking, listing hulk of a wooden playscape that is slowly disintegrating in our yard, but this modular unit from Hills with its galvanized steel tube frame, modern layout and tent-like forts really caught my eye. The play action looks to be much closer to what you might find in a school playground. Would the tubing achieve volcanic heat in the Texas sun? Probably. Would the “Ground Socket” anchors require blasting into my limestone-pocked yard with nitro? Probably. Would it be the coolest playscape on your block? You get it.

Chuck-O Pro

Even the good-humored folks that brought you “Gassy Gus” are evidently a bit skittish about calling a cornhole a cornhole. I am astonished and delighted that this horseshoes-era family game is making a comeback, one tailgate at a time. As lots of manufacturers seemed to discover in 2007, this simple but addictive bean bag toss game works for everyone in the family, regardless of age. The classic folding design by Fundex was the best I saw, and they even used the word “cornhole” (in the brochure).

Let’s Play Shop and Match
What hasn’t been said about the genius of Cranium games? Hullaballoo has saved my ass on more rainy days than I’d care to think about – though now they’ve updated it with an advanced mode, so kids of a wider age range can play. Now they are coming up with a series of activity games for preschoolers that seem to fall right in line with past hits. Shop and Match keeps the tikes busy scratching items off the grocery list right along with you. Anything to keep them from wanting to get out of the cart.

Bill Nye Paper Recycling Factory
My weakness for science kits here counterbalances the ick factor of the kabillions of toys at the Fair trying to cash in on the “green” movement. I think having kids make their own recycled paper is a pretty cool idea – bringing the concept of reduce, reuse, recycle home for them. I’m sure you DIY dads will scoff at having a “kit” for this experiment (can you recycle the box?), but it seems worth the carbon release to get a kid jazzed about solving the world’s problems (it was 93 in Austin yesterday).

Animal Scramble

It’s not just for breakfast anymore. RFIDs can be fun! This game combines high-tech, gadgety appeal with tear-assing around the house like a lunatic. The giraffe/sensor asks a question, and the player has to dash around to find the corresponding figurine. The set is really appealing and the play looks very promising – physically active with a learning element – great for active boys. A rival for Craniums Hullabaloo?