In addition to visiting your tried-and-true vendors at Toy Fair 2009, you'll also want to catch the companies whose products are just making it onto the market. To help you plan your show schedule, below is a preview of toys and games from manufacturers who will be hitting Toy Fair for the first time ever in February. Even if you're not attending the show, check back for Toy Fair updates and coverage from the show floor in the coming months.
The Original djubi™ by ALIQUANTUM INTERNATIONAL INC
djubi™ (pronounced joo-bee) is played with specially designed racquets and a distinctive ball called “the djubi”. To play, place the rubber loop over the launch hook, pull back and aim. When the ball is released it flies through the air at varying degrees of speed, distance and height, depending on the launch trajectory. The djubi is then snagged out of the sky in the deep racquet pocket. Playing djubi undoubtedly will take the tried-and-true game of catch to a cool, new level of fun and excitement for all. See video of djubi in action at djubi.com. — Christine Osborne, owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2010 that her store sells 36 units per month of the djubi. — In a March 2012 survey, John Taylor, owner of O.P Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly that the djubi was one of his best selling outdoor toys.
With a name describing one's own appearance, k9 kritters Starbelly Stripes feature durable 100 percent cotton rope appendages and plush body. This toy also features a high-pitch squeaker for added enjoyment or to quickly get your dog's attention. Size: 7 inch.
My Smart Budget is a fun, parent-child interactive financial literacy program that trains kids as young as 8 to become Money Wise for Life™. Kids CREATE their budget; DECIDE to spend, save, share or invest; MANAGE their activity; and TRACK their results. Parents CREATE the budget; FUND the budget monthly; DELEGATE management and STAND BY to help. Professionally designed by Day Timer, the kits includes everything needed to get started. "Just like an adult, kids get to manage a real budget on expenses that are all about them while still under the tutelage of the parent. Well beyond an allowance program, the expenses the parent incurs for the child are delegated to the child to manage. No more kids asking for money everytime they want something. No more worried parents when they send their child off as a young adult," Creator Danielle Aguiar told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.
This kit allows kids of all ages to design their own works of art that can then be displayed in a fun-to-see light. Children can simply design and/or color their picture with any markers and then place it into the night light. Each kit comes with four blank coloring sheets plus a promotional, preprinted butterfly design coloring sheet. Replacement insert pages for the GLOWTASTIC! U-Draw Light Kit are also available.
Shape the World is a game for everyone, everywhere. Using the universal language of shapes and numbers, imagination and simple shapes are combined to create images of objects in the world around us, providing economical and intergenerational play with no drawing skills required, and no advantage with age. Just a little luck gives all players a chance to win. Easily customized, players can shape their own world. For one to six players, each player has one minute to draw up something to fit the designated category using the shapes available. Players decide if the drawing fits the category or not.
The cuddly Cozy Cookie is made of plush polar fleece and filled with gingerbread-scented rice. Pop it in the microwave for up to 30 seconds and it’ll come out warm and ready to soothe. Kids who need a hug late at night, adults with aches and pains, and even Grandma will benefit from the aromatherapy and cozy heat this fellow radiates. It comes with a storybook. "The gingerbread house box, together with the added value of the storybook together with the adorable Cozy Cookie makes for a potent retail combination," Sales Manager Isaac Wolman of Warm and Cozy Co. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 5, 2008.
Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills. Mini Zillio handles numbers up to 36, and measures 18" x 18" x 8", compared to Mega Zillio's 27" x 27" x 12.5". For up to 4 players at a time. Awards: 2010 Tillywig Brain Child
Teach My Toddler is the first all-in-one learning kit for toddlers. The kit contains 17 coordinated teaching tools to help toddlers master the basics: alphabet, numbers, colors and shapes. It has been awarded Best Bet for Toy Report 2009 by the Canadian Toy Testing Council and voted "latest and greatest" product for 2009 by Canada's Neighbourhood Toy Association. USA Launch date: February 2009.
Evolvems - Pakicetus-Squalodon by FLYING MONKEY LLC
Pakicetus-Squalodon is the first of Evolvems, evolutionary transforming plush toys, to be developed. Pakicetus-Squalodon represents an amazing evolutionary transition that led to all modern whales. Whales, which are mammals not fish, developed from land mammals that began to venture further and further into the ocean for a meal and protection from predators.
The object of this game is to toss -- or lob -- the most Lobster Bags into the Lobster Pot Target being the player or team of players to score the most points. Be sure to catch the Rare Blue Lobster to score additional points. Each player or team of players starts with 3 bags -- 2 of the same color and 1 rare colored lobster. Determine and measure the distance away from the target that is appropriate to the players age and ability and mark the toss line. Take turns tossing 1 lobster at a time behind the toss line. Collect lobsters and determine the points scored until a player or team reaches the winning score.
Children's Leather Craft Kits by TANDY LEATHER FACTORY INC.
Tandy Leather Factory offers a full range of children’s leather craft kits designed for all ages. The kits can teach kids pride and accomplishment by letting them create their own leather items. Kits include basic leathercrafting such as stamping and painting kits.
Shailie goes beyond “dress-ups,” allowing girls to design, create, and wear their own fashions. It includes a life-sized designer dress form and stand (girls' size medium). Shailie dresses come in pieces, and sleeves, skirts, tops and accessories come in various styles, colors and lengths. Using Velcro®, all pieces mix and match to create endless looks. The design easily comes off to wear and model with friends. "Shailie promotes interactive play among a variety of ages, and the possibilities for creativity and fashion fun are endless," President Kari Kawa of Style Paige LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
After years of research and worldly expeditions enough intangible facts have been constructed to prove the existence of the fictional species “weebeasts”. Captivating the imagination, this newly discovered specimen is a simple yet playful creature from the exciting book series Weebeasts by artist and author Micah Linton.
Let your little soldier get behind the wheel of their very own HumVee. This cute play tent is patterned after the ultimate 4x4 military vehicle, the Hummer. Woodland Camo blends in to almost any terrain and 2 doors let them get into “Action” fast. Multiple vents and windows for scanning for “Targets” and airflow, fiberglass poles set up easily and quickly. This play tent is perfect for indoors or outdoors and makes a perfect place for your little one to get away from the bugs as well. The HumVee is made from Fire Retardant coated polyester for years of “Patrolling”. The Giga Kid HumVee comes complete and ready for service with a carry bag, pole bag, stakes and instructions.
New York City Subway Wooden Railway 42 Street Shuttle Loop and Terminal Set by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.
Munipals' first train and track set is a great starter set for any subway fan. The set comprises two 42 Street Shuttle cars and 19 track pieces, enough to build ovals, loops, and straight shuttle runs over 6' long. Being the only IRT shuttle in the system, the real 42 Street Shuttle carries nearly a quarter million people every week. It runs on tracks only 20' beneath the street, with each of the three shuttle trains making an average of 360 runs each day.
Kiddimoto Superbike & Kiddimoto Scrambler by KIDDIMOTO USA
The hottest European trend for kids has arrived in the USA. The immensely popular Kiddimoto balance bikes have the unique look of real motorcycles and are hand crafted of 100-percent birch plywood. Kiddimoto bikes do not have pedals or training wheels; therefore children learn to balance and steer very quickly, improving motor skills, increasing strength, and developing confidence on two wheels earlier than they have been able to ever before. "Our unique, British-designed wooden balance bicycles look like real motorcycles," Liz Roth, for Kiddimoto USA, distributed by Rocat LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards won include a 2007 Practical Pre-School Award, a 2007 Right Start Best Toy Award, a 2006 Hamleys Toy Award and a 2005 Baby Gear Gold Award. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
The BRIK-A-BLOK™ toy system provides an easy means for any child to recreate the world that surrounds them, at their scale. Easy to assemble panels come together to give kids the power to build their own world. Creative freedom coupled with our toy system liberates kids to custom build the perfect fort, playhouse, or any other structure they care to imagine. (Product Image depicts two BRIK-A-BLOK-46 sets)
Shop: Coodoo Upgraded Magnetic Blocks Tough Tiles STEM Toys for 3+ Year Old Boys and Girls Learning by Playing Games for Toddlers Kids, Compatible with Major Brands Building Blocks:
Kimochis™ ... Toys with Feelings Inside by PLUSHY FEELY CORP.
Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a How-To Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" — of feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. "Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Associate Susan Schroeder of Plushy Feely Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008. — Amy of Coffee with the Mrs. reported that her son “loves his Kimochi Cloud doll and is already starting to use more words about feelings since he got the doll.” He has even improved his reading by identifying the words printed on the emotions. — Take It From Me’s Kristin used the emotions of her daughter’s Kimochi to help her deal with the complex emotions she was feeling about a recent move. The Kimochis were so successful, Kristin said, that: “Now every time my daughter starts to get upset, I refer to the Kimochis and looking for what she feels helps her to calm down and relax.” Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow – New Moon: Expansion #1 by ASMODEE EDITIONS
The tiny town of Millers Hollow is stunned by the discovery of Werewolves, who, under the cover of darkness, kidnap and devour townsfolk. To discover who the fiends are, a meeting is called, bringing together all of the townsfolk that, including such characters as a psychic, two lovers, a nosy little girl and more. This diverse group will lead the inquiry and decide the ultimate fate of the town. Launch date: August 2005.
InfiniTrax™ challenges you to a whole new level of imagination and building challenge courtesy of our next level of racing fun! With the 720 Burn, your driving champ will have one of our most powerful and flexible racetrack kits. The 720 Burn will keep them busy for hours dreaming up so many track configurations they may never get to actually racing their cars! Forget just the simple oval and drag racing configurations; it's time to step up to some hairpin racing turns and serious straight-a-ways designed for speed and control.
Consensus is not a trivia game or a strategy game. It is a game about opinions that allows its participants to express themselves as individuals or as part of a group. Ideal for parties or family settings, the game has a subtle, yet strong, educational component. Consensus consists of 300 Noun Cards, 100 Adjective Cards and 80 Voting cards. An average game lasts about 30 minutes. Although Consensus can be played with as few as three players, the greatest benefit can be derived when there are five or more players participating. The more players, the more opinions, and hence, the more debating and bonding that takes place. Launch date: August 2008. — "This fun and fast-paced social game takes about a minute to learn and requires no prior knowledge of anything whatsoever," Marshall Chrein, CEO of Mindlogic, told TDmonthly. "It is a game where you can learn how your friends and family view all sorts of things."
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
