Manufacturers prepare all year to put their best foot - and best new products - forward at the New York International Toy Fair. TDmonthly Magazine's reportersgot the scoop from the floor of the Javits Center in New York on the hottest upcoming toys and games for girls in 2012.
Don't forget to check out our list of new Toy Fair toys for Boys and All Kids, too!
Barbie Photo Fashion by MATTEL INC.
This Barbie has a 5 megapixel camera and LED encase in her chest. When kids snap a picture, it appears on Barbie's t-shirt (the LED screen). This rechargeable Barbie can hold up to 100 pictures, and features 15 different effects to alter the photographs. To upload pictures to a computer, simply hook Barbie up via the mini USB port in her back. Launch date: 2012.
Kids can learn about colors, quantities, observation skill and more with Arthur’s Little TV. One infra-red remote and 4 double sided scene cards + 1 default scene card for 9 total fun scenes to interact with. Insert card into TV and start playing with fun discover and questions about each scene. Touch one of 6 Arthur characters on the remote to answer. Launch Date: September 2012.
Yippits are pets for Fijit Friends. The Yippits can learn tricks, and bark, growl, and dance along with their Fijit owner. They can work on their own, too. Launch date: June 2012.
Baby Alive is ready to walk — and she can really learn to do it with girls' help and loving care. She has lots to say with more than 40 fun phrases and sounds like "Hold on tight!" and "I did it!" Walking makes her happy, but she'll be happiest when girls scoop her up and give her lots of hugs to show her how proud they are. Launch date: 2012.
Groovy Girls® Sparkeltastic Jewelry™ by MANHATTAN TOY
The Groovy Girls Sparkeltastic Jewelry Set lets kids create their own personalized jewelry, show off their creative side and get shimmerin'. Kit includes 3 plastic bracelets, 3 plastic pendants, 6 tubes of sparkly glitter, 3 colored cords, 8 different glamtastic gem styles in plastic spin wheel dispenser, felt work mat and an instruction sheet. Each pendant and bracelet has a sticky texture once the protective sheathe is pulled off making it easy to adhere glitter and jewels. Launch date: January 2012.
This plush item is based on the real life Boo, a Westminster Dog Show champion who has more than 3 million Facebook fans. Launch date: April 2012. — In a May 2012 survey, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly that "Normally I would tell you a line of plush sells well rather than an item but this past month there has been a standout. We quickly sold out of a dozen of 'Boo' from Gund, the Westminster Dog Show winner. I have more on order." — Greg Larson, owner of Larson's Toys and Games in Columbus, Ohio, told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Boo from Gund is one of their top-two bestselling novelty items.
Doll outfit includes: Cranberry color corset, Black satin full skirt with black tulle, Tailor purple blazer with cranberry color cuff hem long sleeves, Black Leggings, Black felt boots, Black felt pirate hat with purple feather and Black Eye Patch.
There's a party tonight, and the players have been asked to bring the cupcakes. Be the first player to mix, bake, frost, and top the cupcake by visiting all 4 corners, and collect sprinkles along the way. The first player to reach the part with a completed cupcake and a sprinkle of each color wings the cherry to put on top. Launch date: June 2012. Watch Video from ASTRA 2012
Starshine Watchdogs™ are cuddly bedtime companions specifically made to empower kids to overcome fear at night. Each talking, light-up Watchdog comes with reassuring phrases to comfort your child, along with a Go-Anywhere Star Light night light kids can remotely illuminate with the touch of the Watchdog’s paw. Let Starshine Watchdogs help your child harness the courage and confidence all kids possess to overcome their fears. Each All-in-One Starshine Watchdog™ purchase comes with: (1) Cuddly, Talking, Light-UP Watchdog Plush with wireless technology; (1) Go-Anywhere Star Light night light with Auto-Off timer; (1) Embroidered cape with logo and your Watchdog’s name! And yes, batteries ARE included! Choose from Orion (blue) or Skye (pink). (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)
For Young Fashion Designers! Choose a border from transparency pages. Then place the trace paper over any of the hairstyles, shirts, skirts, shoes and accessories. Use the colored pencils (included) to create unique fashion styles. The possibilities are endless. Each spiral bound book includes 8 colored pencils in a re-sealable pouch, 16 pieces of trace paper with colorful borders and 10 pages of traceable clothes, shoes and accessories.
Hey, That’s My Fish! is an engaging, award-winning board game of strategic fish hunting, in which 2-4 players control determined penguins hungry for their next meal on a bustling Antarctic ice floe. Since Hey, That’s My Fish! was originally published in 2003, it has become widely popular as an engrossing and strategic board game for casual family and tactical play. Hey, That’s My Fish! includes 60 hexagons to create an ice floe with new artwork renditions of fish, 1 rules sheet, and 16 newly sculpted colorful and animated penguin miniatures.
This adorable NIBBLING MOUSE PUPPET sits coveting his wee wedge of cheese. His rotating head is always on the lookout for cheese thieves. NIBBLING MOUSE PUPPET measures 6-inches tall. Launch date: 2012.
Build-a-Bear Workshop Furry Friend Fun Packs - Friendship Hearts Series 1 by ENTERPLAY LLC
The Build-a-Bear experience in an all new mini format. A dozen BABW favorites come packed with T-shirt, customizer sticker set, heart and ceremony, trading cards and collector's activity guide with online code for items on bearville.com.
PLAY-DECO is a unique craft for home decor that combines wooden "bone" with paper "skin." Users can either use the skin as is or create their own original works. "You can also download new 'skins' and accessories from the website as well as templates to design your own," Shinya Fujimoto, CEO of Magnote, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2012. Awards: 2011 Good Design Award
In the game White Water each player directs the actions of four courageous rafters. Each raft in the race contains four crew, with two crew from one player and two from another player. Players control the crew within a raft, but also may use Energy cards to additionally help one raft or the other. Dice represent the effects of hazards they encounter, and even the best-laid plans can be spoiled by another raft pushing players in a direction they don't want to go. Launch date: May 2012.
Disney Princess Enchanted Cupcake Party Game by THE WONDER FORGE LLC
Kids must work together to make as many cupcakes as they can before it’s time for the party. Follow the recipe cards to pick the perfect fancy liner, frosting, and topper. Each cupcake creation is fit for a princess in this sweet game of matching and sharing. Launch date: 2012. — In a May 2012 survey, 25% of retailers told TDmonthly that Disney Princess was their best selling licensed brand.
Playhouse Carpet - Pink & Green by LUCA AND COMPANY
IVI three dimensional carpets encourage imaginative and creative play. These carpets are an alternative to today's fast-paced, technology-based toys. These unique carpets are designed by a Turkish architect and mother of two and were developed to promote independent thinking and a traditional process of discovery through play. Carpets are 100% polypropylene, hypo-allergenic, anti-static, stain resistant and made from non-flammable material. 3x5 feet.
Bobble Bots™ Moshi Monsters™ House by INNOVATION FIRST LABS, INC.
Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters House allows the ultimate collector to scurry their Moshlings home and cultivate their ever-growing gardens. Each Bobble Bots Moshi House comes with the ultra-rare Oddie #88 Moshling, four cobblestone building tiles, ten brick borders, nine grass pieces, one garden patch, one Scarecrow, one small bush, three flowers, two mushrooms, three weeds and two rocks. The house also includes one foundation building tile, one door, one roof, one shelf accessory, three different house walls featuring three wallpaper designs, and secret codes that unlock fresh, new content in the online virtual world of www.moshimonsters.com. Launch date: Spring 2012.
Create the hottest hair trend with these temporary hair coloring chalks. The uniquely designed Hair Chox and grips make applying color fun and mess-free. Wild color that washes out. Includes 5 temporary hair color chox, 5 grips, 24 beads, 24 rubber bands and bead threader. Launch date: February 2012.
Happy Homes™ backpacks are the perfect backpack and carrier for sleepovers, travel, and everyday use. Comes in 5 Colors: Pink, Green, Tan, Brown, Black.
Spread sweetness to any room with these super soft plush blanket and shams. These candy themed blankets and shams are 100% poly plush and are machine washable. Blanket measures 60" x 60". Sham fits a standard pillow size 26" x 20 and has an envelope closure. Launch date: January 2012.
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
