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On With The Show
(Playthings Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Talk about a casting call.
More than 1,500 toy, game and other childrens entertainment
product manufacturers, reps and importers from upwards of 30 countries will put
their best foot forward, so to speak, during the 2006 American International
Toy Fair. Theyll exhibit in hopes that one of their thousands of new
products will become the star of someones in-store
show, be it at Wal-Mart, the corner specialty store, Toys
R Us, online or elsewhere.
The good news for 2006 is that the chance of success for even the
smallest Toy Fair exhibitor continues to grow as retail opportunities expand
for manufacturers of all sizes. According to show organizers, there will be
more than 9,800 buyers at this years event, up 10 percent from 2005.
Among those who will walk the aisles of the Jacob K. Javits Center, the
International Toy Center and other showroom locations, are buyers from a host
of merchants not traditionally known for stocking toysretailers like
Gap, Best Buy and Urban Outfitters.
What theyll see is a diverse selection of childrens
entertainment options, from activity kits to xylophones, action figures to
video games, featuring the latest technology, the newest licenses and the
freshest ideas the most fertile minds in the toy business could conjure.
The following pages spotlight just a fraction of the products on display
at the show. Additional products can be found online at
www.playthings.com
. We hope you find what
youre looking for.
A
Keeping hands busy Action Products International
, Orlando, Fla.,
features new products from its Jay Jay the Jet Plane, I DIG, Curiosity Kits and
I Made That brands. Curiosity Kits is in for a brand re-launch in 2006 and will
introduce a variety of new products, including Junior Bureau of Investigation
kits and the Easi-Art Maker oven. The kits are designed for ages 6 and up and
range in price from $4.99$9.99. The newly acquired I Made That line
features build-it-yourself furniture kits. Four new kits will
be introduced in 2006, designed for ages 4 and up and ranging in price from
$25.99$49.99. I DIG Excavation Adventures kits feature ancient beasts,
prehistoric sharks, King Tut and new dinosaurs. The kits are designed for ages
6 and up, and range in price from $11.99$24.99. Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Tarrytown Bead Coaster, which retails for $39.99, was developed to build
hand-eye coordination and color recognition in toddlers ages 18 months and up.
Adora gives life Adora
, Edison, N.J., introduces new designs from both
its Name Your Own Baby collection and International Series. The Name Your Own
Baby collection offers a wide variety of dolls, with choices of hair color and
style, eye color, gender, skin tone and face design. Each doll is 2022
inches tall and weighs four pounds. Tyee is new from the International
Seriesa limited edition collection of dolls based on cultures from
around the world. Each doll is dressed in a costume representing its homeland
and heritage.
All Adora dolls retail between $80$180 and are designed for ages
3 and up.
Let there be light Outdoor play no longer ends when the sun goes down. The new Skylighter
flying disc, by Aerobie
, Palo Alto, Calif., lights up the
night sky with high-power LEDs that provide illumination to the disc and its
colorful, translucent rim. Skylighter flying disc is designed for ages 10 and
up, with a suggested retail price of $14.99.
Jump around! Jumparoo Anti-Gravity Frog Pogo stick from Air Kicks
Inc.
, Seattle, promotes kids fitness and retails for $79.99.
The pogo stick features rubber T-springs that allow kids ages 4 and up, between
2662 pounds, to jump up to 2-feet high. A wide base and high-traction
treads increase stability and balance and reduce the risk of falling off.
Motion-activated, electronic frog sounds can be switched off, and a non-marring
base can be used indoors or out. For older kids, Jumparoo Anti-Gravity Pogo,
also $79.99, comes in three sizes suitable for ages 4 and up, from
33176 pounds, and features an adjustable-height
joystick for steering.
Art is just the start Alex
, Northvale, N.J., introduces the Little Hands
line of art supplies, craft kits, and soft puzzles for preschoolers. New items
include chunky and chubby crayons, paints, chalks and markers in addition to I
Feel stampseight rubber stamps with faces representing different
emotions. Funky Artist is a 12-piece, textured brush set with poster
paints.
New introductions also include the Super Embroidery Kit, Sew Fun, EZ
Fleec-y, Ruggedy Rug Crochet, Knot A Quilt, Home Tweet Home, My Scrapbook Case,
Funky Felt Jewelry, Belt Loops, My Ballerina Stool and Butterfly Clip Strip.
Suggested retail prices run the gamut from $9.99$49.99.
LB Kids, New York, is launching an Alex publishing program that includes
arts and craft books packaged with Alexs art supplies, as well as other
book projects inspired by Alexs line. The first five books are set to
launch in the fall.
Dainty dolls Alexander Doll Company
, New York, has plenty of new
arrivals this year, including the Pampered Baby Huggums Gift Set, Say It with
Pink Gift Set and Baby Goes Potty Set, with suggested retail prices ranging
between $50$90. A new partnership with the American Ballet Theatre
inspired two 10-inch Cissette dollsSwan Lakes Odette and Swan
Lakes Odileeach for $89.95.
The French Kitty play doll line, based on the childrens book
collection, expands with Bon Voyage French Kitty, In the Pink French Kitty and
Muy Caliente Leticia retailing for $24.95 each.
New plush dolls with movie tie-ins include Wendy Loves Curious George
for $84.95, King Kong the 8th Wonder of the World for $149.95,
Charlottes Web and Wendy Loves Kermit the Frog, both for $79.95. Three
new Wizard of Oz
licensed dolls include the Wicked Witch
of the East, Off to Oz and Wendys Wicked Ways, all ranging between
$90$130.
Keep on truckin American Dimestore
, Castro Valley, Calif., continues
to roll out 1:43 scale plastic cars and trucks for collectors and O-gauge
railroad hobbyists, each retailing for about $6. New American Dimestore models
are designed by owner Bill Hanlon to recall vintage vehicles from the 1940s and
'50s with convertibles, sedans and service trucks.
Speed Racer revamped Art Asylum
, New York, has secured a license for the
Classic Speed Racer
TV series from Speed Racer
Enterprises, Santa Monica, Calif., to create an updated version of the racecar
franchise for toys, collectibles, animated promos and music. Art Asylum will
create all-new, animated, promotional webisodes that will be
launched this summer on the Web and also come packed with the new toy line
hitting retail stores in the fall. The first promotional episode will be
screened at Toy Fair, and a soundtrack with all-new music will hit stores in
the fourth quarter. Other new licenses for Art Asylum include
Madballs
from American Greetings, Battlestar
Galactica
, Clive Barkers Jump Tribe
,
and Advanced Play Systems Arc
Tiles.
Basketball babiesAthleticBaby
, Dallas, introduces its latest DVD
title, AthleticBaby Basketball, which features musician Eddie Coker. The
basketball-themed fitness workoutdesigned by NBA coach Don
Caseyis aimed at babies and toddlers 3 months and up, and retails for
$16.99.
Dog play by Aurora Based on the success of its toy pet carriers,
Aurora
, Pico Rivera, Calif., is introducing a line of pet
carriers and other products for real animals, retailing for
$3.99$44.99. Pet carriers, for small (8 pounds) and medium (15 pounds)
size dogs, feature a zipper closure, dual handles and a see-through mesh water
bottle holder. Real pet apparel includes adjustable bowtie collars and dress-up
outfits. All are available in leopard, dalmatian and pink heart designs. Plush
pet versions are also available with a jungle or sea life theme. Each doll
comes with a mini pet carrier.
B
Active babiesBabyPro
, Elizabethtown, Ky., introduces the latest
addition to its video series, developed by Lara Hayes Needham, Ph.D., to combat
childhood inactivity and obesity. The sports-themed series features short,
10-minute chapters in a no repeat format. The newest title,
Lets Dance & Tumble!
, features
introductions to cheerleading, dance and gymnastics. BabyPro DVDs retail for
$12.98$14.98.
Timeless Teddy Ruxpin Back Pack Toys
, Milford, N.H., offers a Teddy Ruxpin
boxed set that includes a program cartridge, read-along storybook and picture
book. Digital technology keeps Teddy Ruxpins eyes and mouth in sync as
he tells his many adventurous tales. Five stand-alone story/software titles
that run 2030 minutes and include two stories each will be sold
separately this year, with more titles to follow in 2007. Teddy Ruxpin retails
for $69.99, with additional music and adventure titles available for
$19.99.
BewitchingBandai Bandai America
, Cypress, Calif., is
introducing popular Japanese brand Magical DoReMi
to the
United States market, in a partnership with 4Kids Entertainment. The toy line
features a variety of dolls and role-play props debuting in the first quarter,
designed for children ages 4 and up. Suggested retail prices range from
$5.99$19.99. Bandai is expanding its Teen Titans
brand with miniatures that have a game component and collectible and deluxe
figures with accessories, vehicles and role-play items. An LCD game that
doubles as the Titans
battle communicator
interacts with specially packed game cards that come with each toy. For
preschoolers, Bandai introduces Firehouse Tales
vehicles,
playsets and bath toys based on the series from the Cartoon Network. In other
news, Bandai has increased its Web presence for a number of brands such as the
Power Rangers and Tamagotchi. A new line based on the Cartoon Network series,
Ben 10
, is also in the works.
Basic fun for all Basic Fun
, South Hampton, Pa., is introducing a
variety of new categories in addition to its new keychains. Highlights include
Atari 2600 games in a keychain plug-and-play, and licensed iPod skins featuring
the following licenses: Napoleon Dynamite
,
Family Guy
, Its Happy Bunny, Pirates of
the Caribbean
, Tinker Bell, Hello Kitty, the NBA, Andy Warhol and
Naruto.
Bathtime fun Big Boing LLC
, Emeryville, Calif., is expanding its
Tub Tunes, Super Fort and Get-Up lines.
In 2006, the Tub Tunes line will include a Water Piccolo ($4.99) and a
Water Trumpet ($14.99), while new Space and Castle Theme Sets increase the
Super Fort line. The new kits stand alone or can be mixed and matched with the
original dynamic fort building system.
The Waterslide is the first entry in Big Boings newest line of
bathtime products. It features interchangeable pieces that allow kids to design
their own slides.
Beads for tweensThe Bead Shop
, Milwaukee, Wis., debuts Expose the
Toes! Barefoot Sandals Kit, which helps tweens design beaded ankle bracelets
with toe loop extensions. Each set makes 12 pair of barefoot sandals and 14
matching bracelets.
The Love to Knit! Hug This Shrug Kit helps tweens make a shrug in less
than four hours, and comes with a free Shrug Pin Kit with decorative beads.
Indearrings Interchangeable Magnetic Jewelry lets users make
necklaces, bracelets and rings that have interchangeable magnetic inlays, so
wearers can swap daisies, hearts, etc. from finger to wrist to throat. The Pom
Pom Jewelry Kit Glass comes with enough glass beads and sequins to make five
rings, five pairs of earrings, three necklaces and lots of bracelets.
Card games The year is A.D. 1348, and workers and servants are dropping like flies.
Gong Fermer works 16-hour days. His small plot of land is overgrown, and he
cant tend to it. If that isnt enough, this lowly servant is
sick and tired of being ridiculed while he works. All he has is his shovel,
bucket and his pride. Gong has chariots, horsemen and weapons
of destruction to support his kingdom. Is revolt conceivable? Can and will Gong
Fermer get revenge, or will the Black Plague do the dirty work for him? Make
history by playing this fast-paced strategy card game introduced by
Beckin Marketing Concepts
, Burnsville, Minn. Designed for
ages 8 and up, the game retails for $34.99. Booster packs will also be
available.
Pose and re-pose Wiggle Wonder ($4.99) is a shape-memory interactive toy from
Bendable Plastic
, West Hills, Calif. Toy figures can be
posed in 3-D positions and will hold their shape until exposed to warm water or
strong sunlight, both of which will transform the figures back to their
original 2-D shape. Wiggle Wonder is available in 20 package styles, each
containing six to nine figures such as bees, beetles, butterflies, spiders,
flowers or people. The product is recommended for ages 515, retailing
for $4.99.
Healthy plush In a twist on the phrase play with your food,
Biltmore World Trade
, Tempe, Ariz., introduces Soy Silk
Palsa line of plush toys with exteriors made of all-natural soy silk
fiber derived from tofu. Characters include the 16-inch Tofu Bear, 14-inch
SOYnia Bunny and 7-inch Little EDamame Bear, each retailing for $40.
Making tracksBox Train Express
, Scottsdale, Ariz., introduces its
wearable corrugated box train cars. The trains come in a
variety of styles including a steam engine, two different box cars and a
caboose. Also available is the Coloring Playset, a black-and-white version that
allows children to color, decorate and personalize their own train. Each
Creative Playset, for kids 18 months and up, retails for $29.95.
Brainy babies The Brainy Baby Company
, Alpharetta, Ga., targets
children ages 25 with the 6-disc DVD collection Brainy Baby Preschool
Learning Pack for $79.95. The series includes ABCs, 123s, Art, Music, Animals
and Shapes & Colors, with each disc designed to heighten the
viewers knowledge of the topic.
Horsing around Breyer Animal Creations
, Pequannock, N.J., introduces
Baby Breyer Plush, a baby-safe line for a new generation of collectors. Nickers
is a Lullaby Horse that plays soothing music and features a gentle, rocking
motion that will convince even the toughest sleeper to nod off quietly. The
Wrist Rattle Horse features a velcro closure to fit even the smallest of baby
wrists, and Squishy Horse features jingle bells in its belly to entertain the
youngest of horse lovers.
Characters in cardsBriarpatch
, Millburn, N.J., introduces preschool
card games featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Hulk and other Marvel
characters like Storm, Wolverine and Spider-Girl.
Spider-Man & Friends Gotcha and Spider-Man & Friends Hide &
Seek are for ages 3 and up. Gotcha features see-through character cards, so
kids can change color backgrounds to create many variations for matching
($5.99). Hide & Seek uses 24 character cards plus 24 clue cards for two
ways to play: hide-and-seek or memory. Players take turns flipping over a clue
card, then turning over and peeking at a character card while trying to match
colors and shapes ($12.99). Also offered are Spider-Man Crime Stopper Card Game
for 24 players, ages 6 and up; Spider-Man Web Slinger Game, in which
players place see-through web cards atop villain cards; and Spider-Man Ultimate
Power, where Spidey moves across a game mat to defeat eight villains
($14.99).
Briarpatch also introduces a line of The DaVinci
Code
-inspired products for ages 8 and up. Offerings include
DaVincis Challenge Mancala ($17.99), DaVincis Challenge Card
Game and DaVincis Challenge board game ($6.99). Briarpatch will also be
marketing seven new games based on Disney licenses, including a Buzz Lightyear
Counting Game, The Little Mermaid Happily Ever After Card Game, Princess Wishes
Card Game, Thats SO Raven
Fortune Telling Card
Game, Thats SO Raven
Tell It Like It
Is Game, Pooh Tales of Adventure Card Game and Poohs Scavenger Hunt
Game.
Briarpatch adds I Spy Eagle Eye to its I Spy series of games, with a
bell that players ages 5 and up race to ring ($17.99). The NerdyWordy game
comes with two slotted crossword trays, a lift-up screen to prevent peeking and
letter cubes from AZ, including blanks. Players select letters that
both must use to spell out words by dropping them into their crossword trays.
Players create as many one-to-five letter words as possible, scoring bonus
points by spelling words within words ($14.99). For more math-oriented players
, Briarpatch now has a board game version of Sudoku, with 81 double-sided and
color-coded number tiles stored inside the board. A booklet of 50 puzzles is
included ($19.99).
Education hatches The R-Com three-egg digital incubator from Brinsea
Products
, Titusville, Fla., is menu-driven and easy to use. Just
choose between one of the five settings (chicken, duck, pheasant, quail or
mystery bird), and the micro-controller holds the correct temperature and
length of incubation with no further input from the user. The display counts
down each day to tell you when eggs are due to hatch. All users need to do is
periodically top with water. The product is set to retail for $99.
Bigger is better Super-sized is the order of the day from Buffalo
Games
, Buffalo, N.Y., with larger-sized puzzles for little hands. Six
designsBrooklyn Bridge, Old World Map, Neuschwanstein Castle, Birth of
Venus, The Last Supper and Washington Crossing the Delawarecomprise the
2,000-piece series. Each $18$20 puzzle measures 3 feet by 2 feet when
completed.
Artwork from Norman Rockwells Saturday
Evening Post
and paintings from the Hautman Brothers highlight
300-piece puzzles. Each $8.99 puzzle comes with a foldout poster.
Flying highButterwheels
, San Mateo, Calif., specializes in
heirloom-quality, wooden toys. Adventure Flyer and Air Racer are the latest new
products. Adventure Flyer is modeled after a 1930s, single-engine aircraft. Air
Racer mimics the classic teardrop shape of a 1930s racing airplane. Each
vehicle comes with a collectible card illustrating the story and the simple
concepts that go with it. The planes are designed for kids ages 3 and up and
retail for $19.95 each.
C
Buzztime continues for CadacoCadaco
, Chicago, expands on its Buzztime Home Trivia
System with Buzztime Head-on Trivia Challenge, a handheld trivia game where
players can compete against others by transmitting wireless signals to the
other players handsets. Players take turns sending questions, and
everyone answers simultaneously; up to four can play at once. Each game
includes 1,800 questions in three different trivia
categoriesEverything, Sports and Entertainmentdesigned for ages
10 and up.
Cadaco is also celebrating the 75th anniversary of Tripoley with a
special anniversary edition. The Tripoley 75th Anniversary edition is targeted
to ages 10 and up and retails for $24.99.
Asian dolls Carpatina Dolls
, Nashua, N.H., expands its Fantasy
Adventures line with the introduction of Ana Ming, an Asian girl. Ana Ming is
the fourth doll in the Fantasy Adventures line, joining Emma, Julia and
Isabella. Ana Ming, intended for ages 6 and up, will begin shipping in late
summer.
All Carpatina dolls retail for $69$74, with accessories and
dresses ranging from $24$38. Carpatina is also expanding the
Girlfriends Collection with more fantasy and historical costumes.
Carrera in Hot Pursuit Hot Pursuit PRO-X Deluxe digital racetrack system is the latest
introduction from Carrera
, Cranbury, N.J. The set combines
an extra large, 1:24 scale racetrack with 1:32 scale vehicles. The race
involves cops and robbers, as a Ford Mustang GT, in Highway Patrol colors with
a roof mounted light bar, takes off in hot pursuit of the Chevrolet Corvette
C6, both designed in original color schemes. Both of the digital cars come with
Xenon front and tail lights with built-in brake light function that goes on
when the vehicle slows down or stops. The new digital system lets you run
multiple cars on the same track.
Puzzled artists Ceaco
, Watertown, Mass., introduces a variety of new
and imaginative puzzles with unique and creative packaging, including tins and
baskets. Two new licensed assortments from award-winning artist Mary Engelbreit
are also in the lineup, with two new puzzles.
Also new on the list are oversized puzzles, glow-in-the-dark puzzles and
corkboard puzzles. All puzzles are designed for ages 12 and up and range in
price from $5.99$10.99.
Learn to drive Chicco
, Lancaster, Pa., debuts the 4-in-1 Ride-On
Car, featuring four different levels of play possibilities for children 9
months3 years old. The product includes an electronic activity panel, a
rocker, a push-and-walk and a sit 'n ride. Also look for the
Playgym Deluxe, featuring an electronic playgym and activity table. Both
products are set to retail for $59.99.
Very needy Needies, from Codependent Designs
, New York, are
interactive plush dolls inspired by codependent, high-maintenance
relationships. The attention-starved dolls compete with each other for human
affection, or getting touch, as they like to say. When you give
Needies touch by hugging and squeezing them, theyll
return your kindness with songs and flattery. Each Needie has a
custom-developed, wireless electronic nervous system that it uses to talk, sing
and feel hugs. Targeted to ages 1424, Needies have a retail price of
$59.99.
Crack the code Keep em guessing is the idea behind Codebreaker, a board game
by Cogno
, St. Louis, Mo., where players are stumped and
stump others.
Trying to match tile pairs, players write or draw their own codes on the
back of cards to help them remember a match. The game is easy until players are
forced to reveal their codes, and maybe even turn over a coveted pair.
Codebreaker is suitable for all ages.
Cranium covers all Cranium
, Seattle, is launching a whole new line of
products this year, ranging from games to activity products and books. In the
game arena, they have something for everyone. Cranium Sounds of the Seashore
($16.95) for ages 3 and up, is a matching and memory game that incorporates the
sights and sounds of a day by the sea. As for family games, Cranium introduces
Cranium Zooreka, Cranium Tune Twister and Cranium Doodle Tales, all for players
ages 8 and up ($16.95 each). For adults, the company offers its pop culture
party game Cranium Pop 5 ($34.95).
Cranium is taking fun on the go with its Grab & Go Games line, which
includes Grab & Go Jacks and Grab & Go Hoppity Winks, each for
46 players ages 6 and up ($9.95 each). Cranium attempts to encourage
creativity and imagination with the launch of its new WonderWorks line of
activity toys this fall. The line includes the Super Story Recorder, Talking
Picture Book ($19.99 each) and Picture Studio ($9.99). Cranium also presents
its new Giggle Gear line of quickly customizable, wearable creations such as
Mega Mask ($19.99), Crazy Cap ($14.99), and Giggle Goggles ($9.99). In
partnership with Little Brown publishers, four new Cranium Books of Outrageous
Fun ($14.99 each) and the FunFolio activity book ($12.99) are set to hit store
shelves this fall.
Corgi turns 50 Corgi USA
, Fort Lee, N.J., celebrates its 50th
birthday in style with new lines, extensions and twists on old favorites.
Twisterz is a new line of vehicles with interchangeable parts for kids ages
37, powered by pulling them apart and twisting the front and backs
together. Twisterz Twist N Launch Transporter is also new.
Corgis Comic Favorites category includes the Batman Bronze Age
Collection Set: 1970s Batmobile and 1980s Batmobile with Batman and Robin metal
figures. Marvel characters are also available in detailed spin-cast figures,
including Spider-Man and The Thing.
In creating Babys First Wheels, Corgi has encapsulated vehicles
in clear balls, so kids of all ages can play safely with toy cars. Go Go
Rollers come in clear, three-ball tubes with a suggested price of $4.99;
designed for ages 6 months3 years.
Corgi Wheelz is an all-new line of multi-scaled vehicles and play sets
that feature an assortment of licensed, small-scale versions of vehicles kids
see in their own neighborhoods, including sedans, wagons, police cars,
emergency vehicles, SUVs and mini-vans. Also included are a Car Wash, Service
Station and a Police and Fire Station. Corgi Wheelz are for ages 3 and up.
Also available are Streakerz, die-cast vehicles that can perform stunts
and tricks like racing upside down.
Corgi is adding six tools to its Heroes Under Fire line of limited
edition collectibles; the WWII Collection features highly detailed dioramas,
and the Vintage Bus Lines assortments 2006 replicas are highlighted by
The Flexible Clipper Greyhound Bus LinesDestination Cleveland.
Corolle revisits classic Corolle
, Grantsville, Md., is introducing its classic
Bb Do doll in a whole new way. Retailing for $75, the
soft-bodied, 14-inch doll is dressed in white velour pajamas, and comes in a
rattan Moses basket complete with a pink-and-white, ruffled liner. Featuring a
sculpted face and eyes that open and close, the dollfor ages 3 and
upcomes with a bunny, baby bottle and a small picture book with ideas
to help care for the doll.
A crafty dab Clarence J. Venne
, Levittown, Pa., adds to its Crafty
Dab line of school and craft products with Crafty Dab Kids Paint, Crafty Dab
Kids Shimmer Paint, Crafty Dab Tub Art Paint, Crafty Dab PushUp Face Paint
Crayons and Crafty Dab Stackable Face Paint Crayons. The products are designed
for ages 3 and up, and retail from $1.99$14.
D
From puzzles to plushDanawares
, Montreal, will offer a Dora the Explorer
Exploration Kit, Kaleidoscope Family Guy Adult Puzzle and Kaleidoscope
Simpsons Adult Puzzle, Im Learning ABC with Max and Ruby,
Im Learning Numbers, and Counting with Max and Ruby, as well as
Learning Max and Ruby Opposites puzzle. Max Practice Makes Perfect plush and
Ruby Practice Makes Perfect plush dolls that teach dressing skills will also be
available.
Dark Horse adds Snowtroopers Dark Horse
, Milwaukie, Ore., continues its import
program of Kotobukiya large vinyl Star Wars figures. Look for figures based on
The Empire Strikes Back
and the
Snowtroopers. The 11-inch vinyl model kits are targeted for ages 8 and up, with
a retail price of $99.99. An 8-inch Conan The Avenger bust will be available in
a limited edition of only 2,500 hand-numbered pieces.
Travel-friendly gamesDaron Worldwide Trading
, Fairfield, N.J., introduces
Back Pack Gamesgames that are packaged in clear vinyl back packs, and
designed for kids to use while traveling. With six different games to choose
from, the Daron Mini Back Pack Games are targeted to kids 5 and up, at a price
of $2.99 each.
Comic heroesIn anticipation of the Superman Returns
movie, DC
Direct, New York, offers a number of Superman statues, ranging from
$50$225, for fans and collectors. In the Gallery line, look for the
Shazam! Deluxe Statue ($295), and The Return of Supergirl
and The New Frontier
action figures. The 13-inch Green
Lantern and Hal Jordan with light-up battery join Lex Luther and Two Face
figures in the collectors category. A new Whos Who Mystery Box
series, inspired by classic DC Comics characters, offers collectible
mini-scenes in a blind mystery box with snap-together scenes
and a piece of the Batmobile in each box. Looney Tunes Golden Collection offers
a classic character figure such as Bugs Bunny or Daffy Duck from memorable
episodes from the animated series.
Fun with furniture The Dora the Explorer Restickable Table and Chair from Delta
Enterprise
, New York, lets toddlers decorate the furniture with
three pages of punch-out decals that can be used over and over to tell
ever-changing stories. A hidden compartment in the tabletop lets children keep
Restickables and supplies handy.
Figure this Diamond Select Toys
, Timonium, Md., introduces the
Marvel Select: Days of Future Past Wolverine action figure. Diamond also adds
to its Star Trek
collection with The Next
Generation
season seven Riker and Worf Action Figures and
Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise-E
starship replica.
Also look for the Buffy The Vampire Slayer
: Buffy
and Dawn action figures, Street Fighter
Minimates Series 1
and Stargate SG-1
Series 1 action figures. All products
range from $8.99$35.
Hello dolly! The Dolly Adventures
, Remsenburg, N.Y., offers a
series of illustrated, hardcover books that promote interaction and teach life
lessons. New titles are Dolly Goes to the Beach
and
Dolly Goes on Vacation
, and each includes
themed clothing that fits most dolls.
Sassy sacks Douglas Company
, Keene, N.H., is extending its
Lil Nugget Sassy Saks line with six new products, including the
Lil Nugget Sea Shell Saks for ages 26, which retail for $10.
New to the Sassy Pet Saks line are the Monkey Sassy Pet Sak and Western Sassy
Pet Sak. Each holds its own plush pet and is targeted to children ages
39, retailing for $22. Also new are Adventure Saks for ages 26,
priced at $20, and themed knapsacks for ages 39 for $28.
DuneCraft gets back to nature DuneCraft, Chagrin Hills, Ohio, debuts its
Mini Windowsill Greenhouse line, which includes the Banana Farm, the Princess
Garden, Dragons Lair, Dinosaur Park, the Desert Hothouse and the
Tropical Palm Oasis. DuneCrafts second line is an array of Smart Tubes,
including products called GobbledyGoop, Jelly Stones, Solar Beads, Space Sand,
Super Snow, Vice Versa Balls and the Touch-N-Glow Ball. All products come with
educational information and project and experiment ideas for home or the
classroom.
Dynatech in the candy aisle Taking a step into a new dimension, Dynatech Action
,
Toronto, has found a crossover toy for the candy aisle. Dynatechs new
Edibles are candy action figures with movable parts. Edibles have five
articulating joints that let kids pose their characters, and there are a number
of licensed characters to collect and eat. Staying in the candy aisle, Dynatech
is also introducing a licensed candy product called FizzHeads. These flavored
fizz tablets transform an ordinary glass of water into a soft drink.
Dynatech is also expanding its Atomic Blox line with its new Infinibuild
system which adds movement to the light-up blocks so kids can build working
creations.
E
Easytoys goes 3-D Easytoys
, Baldwin Park, Calif., is launching 3-D
Story Puzzle Painting Kits, 3-D Robot Puzzles, Cast It and Paint It Kits in
2006. The Story Puzzle Painting Kit includes puzzles, plaster figurines such as
Snow White
, Little Mermaid
,
Three Little Pigs
, Goldilocks
and
more for kids to paint and play. The Robodog and other robot puzzles come with
plastic connectors to connect the puzzle pieces and enable the puzzle robot to
strike multiple poses.
Additionally, the company jumps on the Sudoku craze with an electronic
handheld game featuring one million number puzzles.
Clean clay for play PlayFoam sculpting material ($9.99) from Educational
Insights
, Columbia, Tenn., lets users make shapes and figures over
and over, as the material doesnt dry out, wont stick to skin or
surfaces and requires no cleanup. There are six colors available in the
PlayFoam Remoldable Sculpting Beads line, targeted to kids ages 5 and up. The
PlayFoam Super-Duper Fun Factory ($49.99) includes six re-sealable bags of
productsix pounds in allin six colors. Educational Insights is
targeting players ages 5 and up with a variety of games. New this year are
Tetra Trax ($24.99), a puzzle game; Panda-Go-Round ($19.99), a memory and
matching game; and Blokus Trigon ($29.99), a variation of the original Blokus.
Lets Pretend Grill 'n Go Camp Stove, for ages 3 and up,
lets kids pretend to cook on a red light.
Off to see the wizardThe Wizard of Oz
characters are recreated by
Effanbee Doll Company
, Hurley, N.Y., in a collection of
vinyl dolls with detailed costumes and hand-painted faces. Effanbees
Patsyette dolldressed as Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion or the
Scarecrowcomes with a display stand, and retails for approximately
$79.99.
Turn on the learningElenco
, Wheeling, Ill., now distributes the Tree of
Knowledge ($6$17.50) and Logiblocs ($5$20) product lines.
The Tree of Knowledge line includes science, electronic, robot kits and
more. Logiblocs is a system of switch-on electronic building blocks that plug
together to make things happen.
Elenco also introduces its RC Snap Rover to the Snap Circuit product
line.
More PotterElope
, Colorado Springs, Colo., is moving to outfit
Harry Potter-philes with a new line of ties and scarves featuring the colors
and logos of each of the Hogwarts houses ($19.99 each). Fans of the
newest professor at Hogwarts, Mad Eye Moody, will also have a chance to
don a replica of his swiveling eye patch.
Elope is expanding its headwear offerings with a new Ocean Creature line
designed to hook young marine lovers with designs based on a puffer fish,
starfish, crab, lobster and octopus, each with a secret pocket containing a
printed fortune ($19.99$24.99).
Elope also introduces the Rainbow Birthday Princess Cone ($8.99), a
special party hat in rainbow colors with a sheer veil and marabou lining along
the edge. Large letters spell out Birthday Princess on the
front.
Updating TV classics Endless Games
, Jersey City, N.J., debuts new
DVD-centered games, including The Match Game
DVD Edition
($24.99), Password
DVD Edition ($24.99) and the
Open Season
board game ($19.99), based on Sony
Pictures 2006 animated feature of the same name.
F
Art of creation Creative Hands
gets busy in 2006, as the brand by
Fibre-Craft, Niles, Ill., offers six themed Wood Paints Kits, including kits
featuring Nickelodeons Dora the Explorer
and
SpongeBob SquarePants
, along with new Cool Foam Art
designs and Mini Nickelodeon kits. No glue is required with Cool Wax Art
twistable wax sticks that adorn the figures included in both 25- and 50-piece
sets. Reusable wax sticks come in both neon and primary colors, with eyes and
mouths for creating faces.
Makeover My Space Funky 4-Room Loft comes with a fold-and-go dollhouse,
posable foam doll and stickers to decorate the foam furniture. Retail price is
$14.99 for the dollhouse with accessory packs ranging from $6.99$7.99.
Scrapbook beginners can learn the basics with the Memory Keeper butterfly,
hearts and flowers kits. Everything needed to create a scrapbookglue
sticks, stickers and stampscome in the starter set.
Fibre-Craft celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Creativity for Kids
brand by introducing six new mini Creativity Kits ($5.99 each), including Race
Car Night Light, Wood Flower Hanger, Flip Flop Frame, Bitty Bobble Duo kit,
Petite Totes, Princess Crowns. The launch also includes Bobble Dinos
($14.99, ages 6 and up), with a large dinosaur and baby dinosaur in an egg to
decorate with markers and glitter, as well as 3-D diorama shapes;
Cooking Up Fun
($17.99, ages 5 and up), with a
chefs hat, apron, cookbook, menus and more; Monster Trucks
Custom Shop
($24.99, ages 5 and up), offering an opportunity to
customize four monster trucks with stickers and paint; Ancient Egypt Discovery
Crafts ($17.99, ages 8 and up), which allows crafters to wrap a mummy, paint a
sarcophagus and construct a pyramid-shaped bank. Awesome
Origami
($14.99, ages 8 and up) lets users transform traditional
origami designs into works of art, and make designs following step-by-step
instructions; then add jewels, feathers, wiggly eyes and other fun
embellishments.
Jungle fun Going wild with animal print plush this year is Fiesta
Toy
, Vernon, Calif., with Jungle Fun Purse and Hats from
$7.99$9.99. Jungle Fun Purses come in four animal print styles that
coordinate with Fiestas Animal Trolley Backpacks. The backpack unsnaps
from its trolley frame, and straps pull out for different over-the-shoulder
looks.
The jungle theme continues with Bendimals posable collection of cats,
dogs, and jungle and farm animals in 10- and 15-inch sizes, retailing from
$5.99$9.99.
Ruxpin revival Hard to believe its been 20 years since that talking teddy,
Teddy Ruxpin and his pals took kids on various TV adventures. To celebrate the
animated TV series, The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin
, is
available in DVD format from First National Pictures
,
Burbank, Calif.
The series debuts with The Journey Begins: Volume 1
and The Journey Continues: Volume 2
, each featuring the
first 10 episodes of the program. The two-hour DVDs include exclusive Baby
Felix music videos, trailers and a cartoon for $14.98.
First National Pictures plans to release the entire The
Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin
series over the next several years.
Flick it fun A lunchroom game favorite, flick football, went to the next level a few
years back with FIKI Sports
leather triangle FIKI
Football. The Torrance, Calif.-based toy maker now offers FIKI Baseball, with
leather game ball and a replica outfield fence. Players slide the baseball
along a tabletop to get it to hang off the edge without falling off for a grand
slam. If the baseball goes off the table, the opponent tries to
flick the ball over the fence for a solo home run. FIKI Sports is working with
Major League Baseball to license the game. Plans also include the release of
FIKI Soccer this year.
Making magic A little light is all it takes to make some illusions with Glow in the
Dark Magic by First For Magic
, Grantsville, Md. Magicians
can perform any of 18 tricks from an instructional DVD, or 40 tricks outlined
in a booklet. The $19.95 set, for children ages 5 and up, includes a black
light and performance table.
Water illusions are made simple for young magicians with the Magic Water
Hat. Using the secret compartment and frog assistant, more than 100 tricks can
be performed. Retail price is $29.99.
Growing up with toysFisher-Price Inc.
, East Aurora, N.Y., teams up with
ESPN to offer outdoor sports equipment for preschoolers ages 2 and up. ESPN
Grow To Pro Basketball matures with the child, as its backboard adjusts from 3
to 6 feet. It comes with a child-sized basketball and return chute ($39.99).
ESPN Grow To Pro Baseball can be used three ways: Beginners can hit the ball
from the tee; pop-up pitch play has balls that automatically pop up from the
base; and the trainer mode auto-pitches three balls from up to 10 feet away.
Sets include battery-powered trainer, bat and three balls ($24.99).
ESPN Grow To Pro Soccer has two levels of play. At the beginner level,
sounds are triggered whenever the ball is kicked into the net, while
pros have to hit an adjustable target to hear score sounds and
the announcers shout Goal! The soccer set includes goal, net,
adjustable target, two-player scorekeeper and ball ($19.99). For ages 5 and up,
ESPN Grow To Pro Skates are inline skates with removable training wheels that
help kids learn to balance. The skates include rear brakes and adjust to fit
childs sizes 9 through 13, and adult size 1 ($19.99). ESPN Grow
to Pro Switchboard has nothing to do with phones. Instead, it switches from
scooter to skateboard ($19.99). To start the active lifestyle early, Baby
Gymtastics Play System includes Play Wall, Activity Tunnel, Ball Toss, and
Monkey Chase for kids from birth36 months.
The 3-in-1 Rockin Gym converts to a rocking ride-on and travel
toy ($44.99). For children 12 months and up, Peek-A-Blocks Bucket O
Builders includes a set of 15 Peek-A-Blocks builder blocks. Bumpy building
surfaces on tops and bottoms allow them to stick and stack
together ($19.99). The Peek-A-Blocks Stack & Smile Crocodile Play Center
plays music when blocks are stacked on its folded tail. Unfolded,
theres another stacking and storage surface where babies can
feed the blocks into his storage tummy ($14.99). Laugh &
Learn Learning Piggy Bank, for kids 6 months and older, teaches baby to drop
coins in the slot to hear musical rewards as the bank counts, or press the
nose for sounds and songs about counting, colors, and more
($14.99).
New to Fisher-Prices Little People line are several products,
led by the Little People Pirate Ship, for ages 25, which features a
talking parrot, sleeping and eating quarters, hammock,
shooting cannon, crows nest, and walking plank as well as a
captains chair, table and two pirate figures ($20.99). Little People
Lil Kingdom Palace includes a kitchen with removable table and chairs,
a bedroom and a stairway that leads to the second floor sitting
room with a drawbridge that lowers. Sets include King and Queen figures, horse,
table, two chairs, bed and two fence pieces ($20.99). Little People Lil
Movers School Bus and Airplane feature sounds, lights and music ($14.99).
Little People Dinosaurs includes a Brontosaurus, T-Rex and Triceratops, mommy,
baby dinosaur, egg with a hatching feature, figure, and play food ($9.99).
Star Station On-the-Go Player ($19.99) and Microphone ($14.99) lets kids
ages 3 and up take their Kidz Bop music with them. One ROM cartridge featuring
three songs is included. Music Library includes nine ROM packs.
GeoTrax All About Trains Motorized Starter Set with DVD includes 20
pieces for ages 2 and older ($24.99). For girls 2 and up, My First
Dollhouse ($32.99) contains five rooms, plus sound effects, figures, and
removable accessories. Snap N Style Dolls let preschoolers dress up
their dolls ($9.99). For boys ages 4 and older, Imaginext Dinosaurs add
Spinosaurus and the Mammoth ($14.99) to the collection. Fisher Price celebrates
10 years of Tickle Me Elmo with T.M.X. ($34.99), debuting in September
'06. Other Sesame Street launches include Sing 'n Giggle
Tool Bench ($49.99) with 40 sound effects and an assortment of play tools and
Birds the Word Elmo ($19.99) has the character singing, dancing and
telling bird jokes.
The Winnie the Pooh line welcomes Turbo Tail Tigger ($24.99), an
animated plush toy; infant toy Magic Rattle 'n Ride Pooh
($29.99); a 4-in-1 Friendship Flip Phone ($9.99) and the singing Friendship
Radio ($12.99). The I Can Play Piano ($79.99) system hooks up to a TV to teach
music skills; eight optional game cartridges ($14.99) are based on popular
cartoon characters.
The Nickelodeon line expands to include: Sing & Spin Pablo ($29.99);
Diegos Talking Animal Center ($39.99); the Bad Breath Blaster SpongeBob
($19.99); the radio-controlled RC Boating School ($34.99); Doras
Talking Cash Register ($39.99); Fairy Wishes Dora ($39.99); the multi-lingual
Sing Around the World Dora ($19.99); and Air Launch Aang with Appa ($29.99),
based on the show Avatar.
Wild about the puppets Sierra Club licensee Folkmanis
, Emeryville, Calif.,
adds elephant, swan and flamingo puppets to its wildlife collection, all with
pull-ring animators for little fingers. The pull-ring device allows children
ages 3 and up to maneuver the puppet with simple finger movements for a
realistic appearance. The Elephant moves his trunk up and down, and retails for
$44, while the 14-inch long plush Swan can flap its wings freely or be brought
together with mini magnets at the tips for $33. A 22-inch plush Flamingo has a
moveable neck and retails for $30.
Front Porch got gamesFront Porch Classics
, Seattle, unveils six new
games. Planned for release in 2006 are: Liars Dice, a game of bluffing and
chance said to have been created by the ancient Incas; Bookshelf Edition
Raceway 57, featuring all the elements of the original game; Surakarta,
an ancient game of strategy direct from the Indonesian archipelago; League of
Pirates, a fast-pace game of cut throat action from the world of Dread Pirate;
Bookshelf Edition WordSpot; and Boneyard Dominoes.
Of magic and monsters Las Vegas magician Mac King shares some industry secrets with Magic in a
Minute, a line of 11 magic tricks by Fundex Games
,
Indianapolis. Make a finger come to life with the Mummified Monkey Finger, or
get into the mind of Mac with Mental Floss.
Monsters Under My Bed makes gross things fun, as kids reach under the
bed in this 3-D action game where players match disgusting
objects to their game card.
Fundex celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Phase 10 card game with a
brushed-aluminum tin and specially designed cards. Also for 2006, the company
brings European card games, Halli Galli Kidz and 8 to the American
market.
Non-stop bubble fun Imagine no end to the bubble making power kids can have with The One
and Only Gazillion Bubbles toys by Funrise Toys
, Woodland
Hills, Calif.
The Gazillion Typhoon and The Gazillion X-Stream Linkz are two new
bubble-making machines available this spring. Colorful bubbles come from The
Gazillion Micro Linkz, while two rotating wands control The Gazillion Gazapper.
Fans of Fan Yang, the Guinness World Record holder for bubble making,
can now make their own worlds greatest bubbles with the
Gazillion Fan Yang Bubbles blowers and solution. Kids ages 3 and up can create
bubble magic with toys like the IncrediBubble Wand, Micro Bubble Blaster and
Unbubblelievable Bubble Maker. Fan Yang toys retail for
$3.99$12.99.
Gazillion brings the fun to bath time with the Nemo Bath Tubbler in its
Disney Bubble Blower collection, along with the Tigger Bubble Blower.
Funrise is also partnering with Schylling, Rowley, Mass.s, to
re-introduce the 90s collectible POG with a new twist. POG will be
available in foil packs, containing five POG discs, and a Slammer (a heavier
game piece, used to flip the POG). Funrise is also offering POGs in Baseball,
Hockey, Basketball, POG Football, Soccer, Casino Night, and Word Builder themes
($3.99$14.99).
G
Whos game? Something for everyonefrom the preschooler with Feed the Kitty,
a cat and mouse dice game, to Luck of the Drawis available from
Gamewright
, Watertown, Mass.
Card games for the elementary school-age demographic include a Deluxe
10th Anniversary Edition of Rat-a-Tat Cat for $11.99; UglyDoll Card Game with
OX and Wedgehead and the gang and Match of the Penguins, all for $9.99; and
Thing-a-ma-Bot, a fast-paced memory card game for $5.99. Kids can feel like
race car drivers playing Top Speed, a card game that has players racing through
high-scoring car lanes. Zeus on the Loose, for two to five players, uses math
and strategy to get the Greek god back to Mt. Olympus while encountering other
mythic giants retails for $9.99.
For the older crowd, Combo King is a challenging dice game based on 60
combinations. For two to four players, the family game is $14.99. Luck of the
Draw requires little skill but a lot of drawing, as players draw the same
subject and vote on the best depiction in a category. The $19.99 family party
game comes with subject and category cards, timer, paper and pencils, voting
wheel and colored chips.
Getting dicey Its all about the number eight when playing Ocho!, a dice
and card game by Gameware Publishers
, Lubbock, Texas.
Players ages 8 (naturally) and up alternate rolling dice and dealing cards to
get 88 game-winning points. Ocho! comes in two versionsCasino
and Partyeach with a deck of cards with three colored suits, three dice
and rules. Unsurprisingly, the suggested retail price is $8.
Brad Pitt and who? Knowing whos who in pop culture will put players in good stead
during Fame & Fortune by Games For All Reasons
,
Arlington, Mass. Players act out clues for their partners to guess a famous
Hollywood or elite couple, or musical duo from nearly 500 cards before time
runs out. Switch partners throughout the party game to even out the score.
Additional points can be made by correctly guessing highlighted celebrity
pairs. Fame & Fortune is available as an expansion set for $9.99 or as a
set with Paired Up party game for $24.95 at specialty retailers.
Puzzles with personalityGeomag
, Rancate, Switzerland, introduces Dekopanels
($25$249), transparent, personalizable panels that add either a
structural or aesthetic elementor bothto the companys
magnetic rod construction toy system. Kids insert a photo or drawing into the
differently shaped panels, and add them to a structure built of Geomag pieces
for a 3-D puzzle. Dekopanels come with a CD-ROM of DekoImage software, to open,
rotate, resize, and copy images of any kind into the shape of the chosen panel.
Never forget a face? 'Bouta Face, from Grape Games
, N.Y., is a new
double-sided, matching game for two to four players ages 8 to adult ($7.99).
Cards in the deck have no fronts, backs, numbers, or suitsjust 11
faces. Players win cards by matching a face showing in a special row of cards
in front of each opponent called the match row. The matcher can
use only the face-down images on cards in their own match row to make a
successful match with face up cards in an opponents match row.
GreenLight builds muscleGreenLight Collectibles
, Indianapolis, introduces
its Muscle Car Garage Series 1, which includes six 1:64 scale model classic
cars from the late '60s and early '70s. The collection includes a
1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible, 1968 Chevy Impala SS, 1969 Mustang Boss 302, 1969
Mustang Boss 429, 1970 Mustang Convertible and a 1971 Chevy Camaro Z28. Each
limited-edition carofficially licensed by General Motors or
Fordis available in two colors.
Magnetic attraction Magneatos is a jumbo magnetic construction toy from Guidecraft
USA
, Englewood, N.J. Similar to sets made for older children, the
large pieces and bright colors of the magnetic balls and rods are designed for
younger builders ages 3 and up. Magneatos are available in 36-, 72-, and
144-piece sets and retail between $30 and $100.
Two by two Gund
, Edison, N.J., debuts Puppet Island finger
puppets. Some 12 different 5-inch puppets come in six boy-girl couples ($6 a
pair). These include turtles, piglets, lions, teddy bears, cows, and frogs.
Girl puppets have fluffy hula skirts with small, sparkly flowers attached to
the right sides and matching flowers on their heads. Boy puppets wear plaid
shirts with embroidered palm trees and coordinating Bermuda shorts.
H
A real action hero Moms get their own action figure in WorkingMom ($15) from
Happy Worker
, Toronto. The latest in the line of 6-inch,
posable everyday superheroes joins characters GeekMan, BossMan,
BossWoman and MoneyMan. WorkingMom comes with 10 accessories, including happy
and frazzled mom heads, baby with changeable moods, purse, cell phone, to-do
list, groceries, work heels and casual shoes.
Hasbros latest mission For 2006, Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro
s G.I.
Joe Sigma 6 line is all about the missions. This latest G.I. Joe product line
lets kids relive the action of 4Kids Entertainments
Sigma 6
animated series with versions of
G.I. Joe Sigma 6 Ninja Showdown and G.I. Joe Sigma 6 Dragonhawk.
Hasbro highlights Star Wars in 2006 with a series of Star Wars-themed
Transformers, new Star Wars Basic Figures, Star Wars Unleashed Battle Packs and
Star Wars Electronic Lightsabers.
Speaking of Transformers, for 2006 Hasbro brings the property to the
forefront. The company plans to introduce Transformers Cybertron Primus and six
new figures from the Transformers Cybertron Deluxe Assortment: Cybertron
Defense, Hot Shot, Downshift, Excellion Override GTS, Skywarp and Cannonball.
Transformers Alternators will add Jeep Wrangler/Rollbar, Subaru Impreza and
Dodge Ram SRT-10/Optimus Prime.
The Attacktix Battle Figure line expands in 2006 with new figures based
on the Star Wars saga and the addition of the Transformers property in the
fall.
Hasbros Battle B-Daman is a marble-shooting toy that combines
the strategy of trading card games, the skill and competition of sports and the
play pattern of traditional action figures into one. The product line, launched
in 2005, expands in 2006 with new figures, marble shooters and games, including
the B-Daman Target Challenge.
Prompted by the original I-Dog Interactive Music Companion,
Hasbros Tiger Electronics division expands the product line with the
introduction of a new black I-Dog and fashionable I-Dog accessories, including
colorful clothing and stylish bags to take I-Dog on the go. As I-Dog hears
music, its face will light up or its ears and head will wiggle and sway in sync
with the tune; ages 8 and up; $29.99.
Dont miss Hasbros new Titanium Series collectible
die-cast 3-inch Star Wars
vehicles, each featuring
micro-detailing and action features, each with its own display stand. The first
of several waves of 3-inch vehicles released throughout 2006 will be available
in January. Included in Wave 1 are: Speeder Bike, Republic Attack Cruiser,
Clone Turbo Tank and Titanium Limited White TIE Fighter.
Theres nothing worse than running out of ammo in the middle of a
water fight. Now, with the introduction of the Super Soaker Max Infusion System
from Hasbro, youll still be drenching your opponents while
theyre stuck at the hose refilling their blasters. The new system adds
an interchangeable, on-the-go water capacity system for non-stop action. There
are five super blasters to choose from: Max Infusion Overload, Max Infusion
Flash Flood, Max Infusion Arctic Shock, Max Infusion Helix and Max Infusion
Defender. Super Soaker Mt. Tiki-Soki water volcano combines all the wild and
wet action of Super Soaker with the fun of a sprinkler. Super Soaker also
introduces the Oozinator blaster in spring 2006.
Hasbros Playskool brand introduces the following for 2006: Busy
Ball Popper, Weebles Goldilocks Adventure Cottage, Wheel Pals Triple
Track Tower, Mr. Potato Head Parts & Pieces Assortment, Cool Crew Charlie
Coal The Grill and Electronic Shoot 'N Score Basketball.
In 2006, the My Little Pony brand introduces the Crystal Princess theme,
with new ponies and pony playsets. The Twist & Style Petal Parlor playset
gives girls favorite ponies a beautiful, stylish
pony-do, and the Balloon Flying assortment takes My Little Pony
on a high-flying adventure.
Dog charm High IntenCity!
, Fair Lawn, N.J., introduces Charm It
Dog Tagz. The pendants ($7) feature colorful enamel, Swarovski crystal and
dimensional dog icons designed to appeal to tween girls with themes such as
friends, fashion, rainbows, dance, crowns, Hello Kitty
,
Disney and more. Charm It Dog Tagz are paired with silver or anodized pink,
purple and blue ball-chain necklaces ($2) for mixing and matching.
Attention: young musiciansHohner
, Glen Allen, Va., is offering several new toy
musical instruments for toddlers and preschoolers. For children 12 months and
up, the company offers the Toddler Music Band ($29.99), the Toddler
Glockenspiel ($19.99) and Musical Shapes ($3). Targeting children ages 3 and
up, Hohner also offers another Glockenspiel ($29.99), Hand Drum ($8.99) and
Bandy Bells ($3.99).
Healthy plush From Hosung NY
, Brooklyn, N.Y., comes the
Blowin Wishes Magic Lantern, a plush bear with a lantern that really
lights up and extinguishes ($14.99). Suitable for ages 3 and up, the lantern
activates with a magic wand, and flickers realistically while
the toy plays a lullaby.
Also for ages 3 and up, Hosung introduces Curious Puppy Lost ($19.99), a
plush dog that sits up and lies down, barks, whimpers, sniffs, and gives his
right paw when asked. The toy comes alive when given a pat on the head or
scratch under the chin.
Hosungs miYim organic toys are made and stuffed with certified
organic cotton, grown without pesticides or herbicides, and dyed with natural
plants and minerals to reduce toxicity and allergy levels. The bright-colored,
European-style collection includes Storybook, Puppet Theater, Sleepy Time and
Peaceful Dreams themes.
I
First steps online Imaginative Minds
, Toronto, is introducing four
software titles ($19.99 each) for use with the Comfy EasyPC, a computer
keyboard designed for toddlers and preschoolers, ages 35. In
Comfy On-line
, children surf through the Internet,
accompanied by their friends from Comfyland. Animal World
teaches about animals in earth, forest, water and snow environments through
stories, games, creative arts and musical activities.
I Live Here
explores Comfyland, a familiar
neighborhood environment with the main character Comfy and his friends.
Children will visit his home, neighbors, playground and park, and learn to
drive various vehicles. Time Travel
visits different
cultures of the past. Children learn about dinosaurs and prehistoric man, visit
Native Americans in their village and enjoy an aliens visit from space
with main character Comfy. World of Colors
teaches
children to name colors, compare objects, and match colors to specific objects,
while enhancing observations and visual perception skills through the quest for
Jumpys lost bone.
Back to the gardenInsect Lore
, Shafter, Calif., capitalizes on the hot
trend of youth gardening by rolling out The Backyard Bunch, Tools for Budding
Gardeners. The new line of tools ($4.99$7.99) and tool kits ($19.99)
includes five charactersManny the Mantis, Webster the Spider, Flutter
the Butterfly, Buzzby the Bee and Dot the Ladybugwith child-sized
gardening equipment for each. Aprons, hoes, hand shovels, gloves, kneeling pads
and watering cans are made of durable materials and come in green, yellow, dark
brown and red themes.
Choppers, hot rods race into play Radio-controlled, foam-body indoor helicopter BladeRunner II ($99.99) by
Interactive Toy Concepts
, Toronto, zooms into the
marketplace, followed by another sequel, Boydster II ($129.99), an R/C hot rod
designed by Discovery Channels American Hot Rod
show host Boyd Coddington.
Interactive also brings out the Super B-2 Spirit ($99.99), a foam-body
R/C plane with a 40-inch wingspan based on a design licensed from Northrop
Grumman Systems Corp. The catapult-launched Jack Knife Jets ($14.99) are
gliders that once airborne allow the pilot on the ground to remotely adjust
wing configurations to change flight patterns.
Dolls, dance and dinos In the Earlyears line of developmental infant toys, Parsippany,
N.J.-based International Playthings Inc.
, a subsidiary of
Grand Toys Intl. Inc., debuts the Baby Dino Rocker ($99.99) and Lacing Beads.
The rocker features a padded, plush dinosaur body with several textures to
explore and a bell in its tail. Anti-tip, hardwood construction comes complete
with safety handles and foot rests, for children 12 months and up. Lacing Beads
($19.99) develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination for children 18 months
and up.
Also, iPlay Outdoor sand and water table ($69.99) breaks down into small
stacking pieces for storage. It includes a snap-tight cover with recessed
roadway for vehicle play, and comes with 10 accessories, including scoop, rake,
shovel and spinning mills; for children 18 months and up. iPlay Games
introductions include Bob the Builder in an action game called Tumbling Bob
($19.99). The player that can get all her paint cans to the top without
knocking Bob over wins; for two to four players, ages 4 and up. In another new
game, Jewel of Truth ($24.99), the magical crystal points to a
players colored jewel. This player reveals a secret like or dislike,
while others guess what they will say. If the answers match, players earn
fortune cards. The first to collect five different cards wins; for two to four
players, ages 8 and up.
Calico Critters of Cloverleaf Corners introduces a Baby Play House
($59.99). The bedroom and kitchen come with more than 20 furniture pieces and
accessories. A hot air balloon goes up and down and a windmill rotates, turning
the ceiling mobile inside as well. Other rooms can be added, such as the Baby
Bathroom ($14.99); for ages 3 and up.
Star Party by Smoby lighted dance mat, Dancer Duo Lights ($54.99.),
separates into two parts so a friend can play along. With four built-in
melodies and 11 sounds, girls can either dance to a melody and add different
lights and sound effects, or play a follow the lights game. The mat can be
connected to a stereo or microphone for children 5 and up.
Finally, Gtz dolls is introducing a 13-inch, ethnic, soft-bodied
Muffin doll ($29.99), and a new outfit on the 18-inch Precious Day Girl
Elisabeth ($59.99). Both are machine washable, and for children 3 and up.
J
Classic cars updatedJada Toys
, City of Industry, Calif., offers the
D-Rod line of classic Ford cars, with custom interiors,
engines, flames and graphic paint jobs to contemporary taste. D-Rods include
31, 34, and 47 Fords in 1:24 scale ($11.99); and
31, 32, 34, 40, and 47 Fords, as well
as a 37 Ford Pickup in 1:64 scale ($2.99). Jada is also promoting its
new 1:18 scale 2006 Dodge Magnum die-cast and 1:6 scale RC, plus a new
character and vehicle line, Chub City.
Beyond the mat Jakks Pacific
, Malibu, Calif., offers a variety of
new TV Games for ages 5 and up ($19.99 each).
SpongeBob SquarePants 2: The Fry Cook
games
features nine games from Dessert Highboard diving to Grill Skating, a
beat-catching game. In Power Rangers
TV Games, five
episodic games are tied together by an original storyline in which the Power
Rangers must stop the Evil Ruler, General Grumm, and his Krybots. Each one
includes a fighting, driving, and side-scrolling giant robot battle.
Scooby-Doo
TV Games offers new mystery games from driving
to side-scrolling platform challenges featuring Shaggy, Fred and Daphne.
In Disney 2 TV Games, Donald Duck, Goofy and Minnie Mouse are featured
in side-scrolling action, top down driving, puzzle-based games and more.
Jakks also introduces new WWE action figures ($9.99). Kids ages 8 and up
can play out finishing moves in Deluxe Aggression, and each comes with a
feature accessory item, such as a chair that shows a facial expression when
blasted over another figures head. The Classic
Superstars assortment shows famous wrestlers of the 70s, 80s,
and 90s as they looked in their heyday. Each Classic Superstar figure
will contain one WrestleMania ticket from the past 22 WrestleMania events. Once
fans collect all 22 tickets, they can turn them in for an exclusive Classic
Superstar action figure.
Jakks American Kennel Club pet line features plush, treats and
apparel for dogs. The Cat Fanciers Association pet line features toys,
collars, harnesses, leashes, beds, carriers, apparel, food and treats for cats.
Jakks Preschool Puppies focuses on puppys developmental needs.
The dog toy assortment includes Wobble Ball, Plush Newspaper, Rubber Hydrant,
Teether Pacifier, Plush Bone Rattle and Teething Ring. Deluxe assortment
includes Buck-wheat Soother, Toothbrush Shaped Chew Toy, Ticking Pillow,
Hide-A-Treat, and Chilly Bone. Preschool Puppies also features activity
blankets, apparel, critter plush, and beds. Finally, Hamster World introduces
licensed hamster living environments, including include Marvel and DC
Comics-themed spaces.
Potty training fun Toilet Buddies
, from Jeckida, Staten Island, N.Y.,
are designed to help create an early awareness of the toilet bowl, reduce fear
and anxiety and make toilet training a fun and positive experience. Gatago
Giraffe, Poo P. Bunny, Puddles Puppy and Ca Ca Cow all easily adhere with
Velcro-style fasteners onto a standard toilet bowl and are safe, non-toxic and
simple to clean. Each characters friendly head is displayed on the
toilets tank, and when the toilet lid is lifted, the animals
face appears with its eyes closedfor privacy, of course. In addition,
the animals feet and other features adorn the rest of the toilet;
retail price, $19.99.
What a joy! U.K.-based Joy Toys
is joining forces with
American-based Top Shelf Holdings for a product re-launch under the brand name
Heritage Playsets. New products from the Yorkshire,
England-based company will include a deluxe castle with underground dungeon and
a wildlife park complete with realistic animals.
K
Elf help Kthe Kruse Puppen GmbH/Europlay Corp.
, Troy,
N.Y., offers several new friends for children.
Strawberry Elf wears a red felt top and cotton skirt in a strawberry
print. On her arm, she carries a magic strawberry. Her hair is made of natural
fur. Elf Boy is dressed in a green felt vest, green cotton shirt and trousers,
and a green striped cap with a wishing star. He also has white wings, and his
red hair is made of mohair. The elves 7-inch bodies are stuffed with
100 percent sheeps wool, and covered with cotton stockinet. Both are
for children 3 years and up and retail for $33.80.
Also from Kthe Kruse is a Beanbag Unicorn ($24.90) for children 3
years and up. A vinyl doll, Nicky ($98) is dressed in a romper suit with a bear
head print, a cap and a white shirt trimmed with pink-checkered fabric. With a
movable head and hand-painted face, Nicky stands 13-inches tall and is
hand-washable.
Kids galaxy Morphibian Cobra ($25) rears its fang-bearing head from Kid
Galaxy
, Manchester, N.H. The radio-controlled, snake-themed vehicle
rolls in mud and sand and floats in water.
Also from Kid Galaxy, the Pixelator Strategy Game ($30) is a board game
that works via an electronic eye that responds to game cards, and lets children
ages 6 and up design strategies and defenses.
The radio-controlled DRV (Detachable Recreational Vehicle) Truck and
Snowmobile ($40) easily maneuver through the snowiest conditions.
Klutz Klutz
, Palo Alto, Calif., adds six titles to
its Chicken Socks line for 4- to 6-year-olds. Clothespin
Cuties ($9.95), Crayon Rubbings ($9.95), Magic
Painting ($12.95), Penny Games ($19.95), Pop
Bead People ($12.95) and Super Scissors Book ($12.95)
continue the Klutz tradition of books that develop curiosity and creativity
among young readers. Klutz is also adding titles to its 100% Klutz Certified
line of books for ages 7 to 14: Its All About Me
($14.95), a collection of personality quizzes; Paper Fashions
($19.95), do-it-yourself stationery outfits; and Ribbon Purses
($14.95), which let girls 9 and up create tiny purses from ribbon and
beads.
Chop chop! Knex Industries
, Hatfield, Pa., teams up
with custom motorcycle maker Orange County Choppers of American Choppers
to offer a line of officially
licensed building sets for ages 8 and up. Paul Sr.s After-Burner Bike
represents classic design from the 1970s. The bright red set comes with stretch
handlebars, chrome accents, a personalized paint job and a working headlight.
Paulies All-Star Bike has a red, white and blue star motif and comes
with custom rims, tire fenders, tank and a working headlight ($19.99).
Knex also introduces smaller versions of OCCs choppers, this
time in the form of 1:10 scale collectible, custom, multi-color bikes. New
models include the blue Raptor Bike, the red T-Rex Bike, the green Serpent Bike
and the purple Dragon Bike ($9.99 each).
For those who prefer freewheeling fun, Knex also adds magnetic
pieces to their 14- and 20-inch model-building sets to help kids create a wide
variety of vehicles, including cars, airplanes with spinning propellers, and
cranes with magnetized pick-up action, or to make their own designs. Both come
with four magnets and three metal balls. The sets are for ages 6 to 12 and
retail for $12.99$19.99.
The power of knowledgeKidz Delight
, Westchester, Ill., introduces The
Learning Library ($129.99), an electronic encyclopedia for kids ages 5 to 10.
The Learning Library includes five CDs with hours of audio and 40 plastic cards
on topics including the human body, nature and animals, the modern world,
Earth, the universe and history. Children can test their knowledge with more
than 40 games.
L
Learn a languageLanguage Littles
, New York, previously launched a
series of cloth dolls introducing foreign language to kids ages 3 and up using
interactive voices. Now, Teach-A-Tot cloth dolls, a brand extension of Language
Littles, encourages kids to tie their shoes, comb their hair, blow their nose,
go potty, etc. Each doll speaks the phrase, I can do it myself,
to engage their owner to try it. The Teach-A-Tot brand is expanding into other
toys and games for toddlers, including a book, building blocks, a car and
puzzle.
Lauri builds up Lauri Toys
, Smethport, Pa., introduces the Tall
Stacker Peg Building Set for children ages 3 and up. The set retails for $39.95
and is designed to expand the learning experience obtained from its Tall
Stacker Pegs & Pegboard, and take it to the next level. The 3-D stacking
set teaches children to t | | |
INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRIES
