No matter a child’s interests, there’s bound to be something to get them active in TDmonthly’s Holiday Preview of Sporting Goods — balance training boards, competitive sabers, a flying football with a tail, and even a classic toy to help throw the snow around.
My SportBEAR by ChalkTalkSPORTS
My SportBEAR line-up features handmade 15" jointed bears dressed in authentic sport apparel and accessories. ChalkTalkSPORTS offers add-ons that can make this special gift ideal for players, coaches and fans. Customization is also available. "With millions of childrens and their parents involved in organized sports, the My SportBEAR line is a perfect gift to celebrate the sport they love and are dedicated to," the marketing director for ChalkTalkSPORTS told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 20, 2008.
These clear display cases are suitable for baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bobble head dolls, die-cast cars and more. Each display has a beveled stackable edge and comes packed in a decorative retail box with either a cut-out grass image or basketball court floor image, or both, making the sports item look as if it's sitting in its natural environment. Each display is also available with a wood base. MSRP ranges from $.99 each to $18.50.
The KaZAM provides an alternative way to learn to ride a pedaled bicycle based on the concept of balance first, pedal last. It is a training bicycle that assists children to balance, increase coordination and ultimately ride a traditional bicycle for the first time with confidence. "This customized toddler bicycle has the steering and balancing challenges of a traditional bicycle but it has no pedals, chain or training wheels. Unlike all the competitors on the market, there is no more awkwardness with where to put your feet when gliding and cruising on a run bike — the KaZAM is uniquely designed with a foot rest area thereby making the transition onto a pedaled bicycle quicker and seamless! Because of its unique patented footrest and design, KaZAM appeals instantly to children and their parents," John Lugo, partner at KaZAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 15, 2008. Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 — "All colors are great,"Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010. — Glisyn Lewis Jarrells, manager of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Colo. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell around 10 Kazam balance bikes during the warm-weather months. — In a July 2013 survey Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly that Kazam balance bikes are her store's overall best-selling toy.
Designed for young golf players, this journal has colorful graphics and divided sections that allow kids or teens to keep track of their goals, lessons, statistics, practice, tournaments and more. It also includes a pocket for scorecards and quotes from famous golfers throughout.
Tail Wags Cat Helmet Cover by TAIL WAGS HELMET COVERS INC.
Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist and received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009.
The goal of this patent-pending, fast-paced game is for players to swing their ring onto their hook. One to four competitors frantically try to out-duel one another while tuning out the screams to focus on the perfect release. "Hookum is the first collapsible, multi-player Bimini Ring game," Joe Parrish, chief creative officer of 5mississippi, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. Watch Hookum: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010
Kids can add safety and style to their bike while riding. The Blue or Rainbow LED Skull Sparx screw onto a bicycle tire’s valve stem. When riding, the LEDs create a rainbow lighting effect around the bike’s wheels. Each sustainable package has “try me” so customers can see the LED function, brightness and color before they buy. The package comes complete with batteries and an extra set of replaceable batteries. "[The] patented rainbow LED also offers safety and fun to riders at a low price point," Karlie, in marketing at Buztronics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.
Have lariat fun like the a real cowpoke! Our high-quality lariats are perfect for children and big kids who want to become lasso pros. 13 colors provide the perfect choice for cowboys and cowgirls. Each lariat is made from 20 feet of 5/16” polypropylene blend rope.
Toss it in the air and watch the colors magically flip! Handheld, magical color-flipping balls make a fun, portable toy. Collect all four cool color combinations. Toss just one or try to juggle with three.
Duncan Toys adds new spin to their juggling line by introducing the Phoenix™ Diabolo. Duncan's Phoenix is balanced and well weighted for long lasting momentum, making it accessible to beginners and performers alike. Featuring customizable shell colors and an integrated axle that converts from a fixed position to a one way bearing for easy learning and long lasting spin. Customization is tools-free with Duncan's built in hand knobs making axle and shell changes quick and easy for every player.
The Spooner is a balance trainer that simulates board maneuvers associated with surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding but not limited to that. The Spooner helps to develop flexibility and strength in the legs as well as creating a better center of balance. The Spooner is a core trainer, a stabilizer and a pasteurizer because of the ability to work the muscles closest to the spine. Also, it's loads of fun and can be done on any surface indoors or out. Made of H.D.P.E. it is unbreakable. Our guarantee is "You break it, we replace it." Made by Hand in the USA. Launch date: 2006. — In a March 2012 survey about outdoor toys, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Spooner Boards were among their best sellers. — In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Spoonerboards were one of her best selling ride-on toys. — Alexander McPherson, toy supervisor at Little Dickens in Lynchburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Spooner Boards are their best selling item - they sell about 114 each year, with sales of the item concentrated in 4th quarter.
For the group that likes to have some competitive fun. Mashoonga!® Sabers by Revel King are new and unique sport toys for playing the new game of Mashoonga!. These are quality made products that will hold up to the intended abuse they will get. So, revel on!
This balance trainer can be used for both fun and serious workouts. It is designed to help develop balance, coordination and increased leg strength, while helping with core fitness. It’s may serve as a good cross trainer for a variety of sports. — The Indo Board was a best seller for Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in February 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “We got these balance boards in for the holidays because our local ski area just began this year allowing snowboarding, and these are great training tools,” she said. “They’re definitely for older kids and adults, but were a hit for the hard-to-buy preteens around.”
Force Play capsulizes the excitement and strategy of baseball: Run or hold up? Steal or play it safe? Pitch to the slugger or walk him? While taking only five minutes to learn and 20 minutes to play, Force Play is a fast and fun way to enjoy the game of baseball indoors. "Force Play is the funnest and easiest baseball board game ever made, incorporating real play-action decisions in a fluid format that allows for three exciting innings in only 20 minutes. This game has been tested extensively on baseball players and non-baseball players alike [and] on gamers and non-gamers alike, and the consensus is the same — it's exciting, easy and launches you into the thrill of baseball immediately," Riley Drake, president and inventor of Force Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 8, 2009.
The Snofling was invented in the ‘70s, on the Johnny Carson Show, and sold over 5,500,000 units in three winter seasons. Used for making and throwing snowballs further and faster and with warm hands, it now has a tether so it can be hung from the wrist and used while snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling. The Snofling also has a built-in horn for signaling and for sporting events. It comes in four bright colors and is more durable and longer lasting than ever.
The Wave Stealth® Board, a newly designed in-line casterboard, blends the motions of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding to the fast-growing and popular sport of Street Surfing. With a camouflaged design of Army green and brown colors, the Wave Stealth provides a fresh, fun ride for tweens or teens. It consists of two platforms with a sure grip-tape deckplate design, joined by an anodized torsion bar. The two “Street Tech” wheels have Abec 7 bearings and casters that spin 360 degrees while the swiveling base allows riders to self propel by going forward, downhill and even uphill by just bending their knees and twisting their hips and shoulders. This product was named a Greatest Product of 2008 for sporting goods by iParenting Media. Launch date: November 2008.
In this bean bag game of skill and accuracy, kids have the chance to choose their strategy — get three in a row to win or UPSET your opponent before they win. Launch date: 2009.
The Megatop is a perimeter-weighted, precision-built, high-performance throw top invented by Alan Adler, the famous inventor of Aerobie flying rings and other Aerobie high-performance sports toys. Using its quick launch accelerator, a skilled player can achieve 3,000+ RPM spin rates. Creative tricks and challenging games provide hours of fun. The Megatop is made in the USA. Launch date: October 2008.
The Fuzion Electron is great for cruising the neighborhood or going big in the park, and it's perfect for all ages. The Electron features an innovative new folding mechanism and ultra-light, compact design so it can be taken anywhere with ease. Although it is a new model, the Fuzion Electron still uses the same Fuzion Steering Technology (FST) as the original Fuzion scooters for maximum carving. "Fuzion scooters are the only four-wheeled carving scooter[s] on the market," Akiko Ezuka, marketing coordinator for Nextsport Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.
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.
The non-stop action of traditional tennis can now be served up whenever, wherever with Top Spin Table Tennis™, the ultimate active indoor game! Serve, smash and volley your way through a manic match in mere minutes. The set includes everything you need for high action tennis on any table and comes with a durable mesh bag for travel or storage.
PhD Flying Disk -Dowlrymple by PHD PRODUCTIONS LLC
The PhD flying disk is made with Fair Trade labor and is 100% cotton. An alternative to plastic and vinyl flying disks, it can be thrown indoors or out. "PhD" stands for "perfectly harmless device" because it "prevents home destruction." In other words, it won't knock over vases or lamps. It can even be stuffed in your pocket for easy portability.
The product allows a child to develop hand-eye coordination and tennis skills without a partner. An 8’ to 9’ elastic cord is connected at one end to the string bed of a tennis racket (by means of a novel vibration dampener), and at the other end to a slow-bouncing tennis ball (by means of a plastic connection disc that is adhesively-connected to the outer surface of the ball). The ball is preferably an 85 mm foam ball (for indoor use) or a 70 mm low compression tennis ball (for indoor or outdoor use). The product is also available with a racket. The actual product is sold using independently manufactured rackets and balls. Launch date: March 1, 2008.
This backpack is designed with special compartments to carry the world’s first and only portable skateboard, which comes apart and goes together in seconds without the use of any tools. It is also roomy enough to carry books or tools. The backpack is currently available on the company’s website. Launch date: January 2008.
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
