SKU'd View

Manufacturers are tapping into a renewed spirit of patriotism with a host of offerings

The Spirit of America, a new game from Funosophy, is a trivia competition for ages 10 and up. The first team or player to reach Washington, D.C. via 'moves' throughout the United States is the winner.

Games inventor Richard Levy tells PLAYTHINGS he conceived the idea about a "week or so after the attacks on our World Trade Center and Pentagon."

The game contains 300 cards with 1,500 questions offering mental challenges about U.S. landmarks, institutions, heroes, history, parks and achievements in these categories: Birth of a Nation, Symbols of Freedom, States of the Union, The Best and the Brightest and America the Beautiful.

The player wearing the most red, white and blue gets to start the game. In addition to 'dressing' to play, contenders might also want to tune up their voices before start of the game: Ties are broken by having to sing the best rendition of America the Beautiful.

The game is currently shipping.

As part of its Authentic American Toys line, Channel Craft & Distribution has developed a jigsaw puzzle that depicts the evolution of the American flag.

The puzzle is crafted from greenboard and merchandised in a parchment-covered decorative tin (SRP $15). U.S. history, battles and heroes are noted in each of the 36 lithographs that comprise America's timeline.

The company has also created a series of American Flag puzzles (SRP $5) with the U.S. Postal Services release of 20 Stars and Stripes stamps. The 21^st stamp is featured as United We Stand, which was issued last month. Each stamp puzzle is created from a postage stamp on birch wood that is cut into a 20-piece jigsaw puzzle.

Another flag offering—this one from Accoutrements—features Old Glory on a tin litho lunchbox. The Stars and Stripes is featured on both sides of the box, which has metal fixtures and a black plastic handle (SRP $12).

Accoutrements is donating $1 from the sale of each lunchbox to the American Red Cross.

Yet another flag offering—this one sort of twisted—comes from Tangle, the company that seems to have mastered the art of twisting.

Designed as a key holder, which can double as one of those 'cool' things kids love to hang on their backpacks, this little tangle features a combination of solid red sections, white stars on blue sections and white sections stating "God Bless America" in red letters.

Chris Co., meanwhile, is offering Old Glory in the company's Whozy Woozy line of gemstone stickers. These 3-inch-by-5-inch stickers are suitable for mailboxes and cars, among other items. In addition to the U.S. flag replica, stickers depicting the red, white and blue USA initial and the popular red, white and blue lapel ribbon are also available.

My Red, White & Blue is the title of this children's offering from WJ Fantasy (SRP $5). Currently being reprinted, the book will be available next month, according to John McGrath, company president.

This six-leaf board book educates kids, ages 3 and up, with facts about the American flag such as the significance of its colors and the meaning behind the stars and stripes. A musical chip, securely fastened within the book, plays The Star Spangled Banner.