A picture is worth a thousand words - but a video is priceless! TDmonthly Magazine sent our videographers and reporters to the floor of the Javits Center for the New York International Toy Fair 2012, where they took videos of new products every day, giving you the extra insight you need to determine which products to pull into your store for 2012. To see videos of specialty toys, go here.
Mega Bloks Lil' Princess Twinkle Castle Tub by MEGA BRANDS
This is the first line of construction toys designed for preschool girls ages 1 and up. Features sparkly translucent blocks, princesses with sparkling tiaras, ponies, and more. This tub includes sparkly and regular blocks, two princesses, and a little pony. Launch date: Fall 2012.
What a blast kids will have when they can shoot aliens (or next-door buddies) with a 30-foot blast of water? This space pack holds a liter of water and can shoot water in two directions at once, or choose the more traditional single straight-on stream. Strap on the space pack – on top of other space gear or while still wearing pajamas -- and have a blast indoors or out. Like all Aeromax products, attention to detail is paramount with pretend pressure and instrument panels along with adjustable black straps. The modestly priced shooter can be played with or without water for priceless galactic role-playing. Watch more videos: Toy Fair 2012.
Monsuno Core™ and Transforming Action Figures by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.
Collect hundreds of favorite characters from the Monsuno Animated TV Series for amazing transformation reveal and controllable, fast-action battle play. Each 1-pack comes with 1 collectible Monsuno core, 1 transforming action figure and 3 collector game cards. Launch date: March 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.
The Kurio is a 7 inch children's tablet that runs on an Android OS. Techno Source has developed a kid-friendly user interface for the tablet, which boasts HD video playback capabilities, 4 GB of storage, Wi-Fi, and comes with apps like games, an e-book reader, a music player, and more. Launch date: 2012.
This smaller scale version of the original Butterscotch is an interactive pony that responds to touch, or when kids brush its mane. The legs are posable so kids can make it lie down. Launch date: 2012.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Power Sounds FX Figures by PLAYMATES TOYS INC.
Each of the figures stands 5.5 inches tall and features proprietary wire coil activation in the arms and legs that triggers heroic battle phrases. The longer kids pull back that limb, the longer the sound is activated, and will not end until released. Launch date: 2012.
Micro heroes, mega battles! Iconic STAR WARS characters get a collectible new gaming twist, as players use Fighter Pods to knock down as many figures as possible. Spin, Launch or Roll the Pod into battle…even connect the Pods together or place the figures on top or inside of them for extra “power.”More than 100 STAR WARS FIGHTER PODS figures available in a unique new style from all six STAR WARS films and The Clone Wars animated series. Each set sold separately. Launch date: 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.
This follow up to last year's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure features 8 Giant Skylanders, 4 Light Skylanders, 8 New Skylanders, and will also work with the 24 re-released Skylanders. Each Giant Skylanders is about twice as large as the originals. The toy can be used for Xbox 360, Wii, PS3, and Nintendo 3DS. Launch date: 2012.
The Malevolence is Genereral Grieveous' flagship and one of the Separatist military's most feared weapons. Unbeknownst to Grievous and his crew, Anakin and Padme have entered the giant craft in an attempt to rid the galaxy of this deadly curse. The Malevolence features a cargo bay with transport train, detailed interior with removable-opening sections for easy access and twin quick-fire missile launchers. Includes LEGO minifigures: Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, General Grievous, Count Dooku , Battle Droid Commander and Battle Droid. Launch date: June 2012.
LEGO DC Universe Super Heroes The Batcave 6860 by LEGO
This set consists of a large model of the Batcave, and is the second set to be based off of this location, the first being 7783 The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion. The Batcave playset is comprised of three sections, two vehicles - the Batcycle and Bane's drill - , as well as five redesigned minifigures, three of which are exclusive to the set; Batman in his blue Super Heroes suit with a cape, Robin, Bruce Wayne, Bane, and Poison Ivy. Launch date: 2012.
Pillow Pets Gives Back - Jake the St. Bernard by CJ PRODUCTS
Pillow Pets Gives Back line was inspired by pediatric cancer patient Jacob McConahay. He received a plush Pillow Pet as a gift, and decided that he wanted to provide his friends undergoing cancer treatment at the center with him a pillow pet, too. This comforting and cozy St. Bernard preserves his memory, and comes along with a heartwarming story book. Launch date: 2012.
Relive the opening scene of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in LEGO form. As Gandalf the Grey makes his way through the Shire on his horse and cart, he meets an excited young hobbit, Frodo Baggins. Includes 2 minifigures: Gandalf the Grey and Frodo Baggins. 83 pieces. Launch date: June 2012.
The set contains a ghost train with three ghosts, and a red plane with four flick-fire missiles for the two Monster Fighters. When the train moves, the ghost train wings move too. All the ghosts glow in the dark. 422 Pieces. Launch date: 2012.
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
Large Scale Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Train Set by BACHMANN TRAINS
The world-famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus has partnered with Bachmann Trains to let kids experience all the excitement of The Greatest Show On Earth® as it travels by rail with this vintage Large Scale ready-to-run electric train set (Item No. 90083) that comes complete with a 4-6-0 steam locomotive (with operating headlight, smoke, and speed-synchronized sound), coal tender, advertising car with lighted interior, elephant stock car, flat car with lion in cage wagon and tiger in cage wagon, 8' 2" x 4' 3" oval of track, and DVD-format video instructions. Launch date: February 2012.
Pillow Pets held a contest for kids to write about their Pillow Pets. They chose a winner, and this set includes her original, published story, along with a cozy elephant Pillow Pet. Launch date: 2012.
Toy Boarders are made just like the toy soldiers that have been around for decades, but why promote war to kids when you now can promote a positive image of fun and exercise with these authentic skateboarders? They are hand designed and molded with remarkable attention to detail and style. Launch date: 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
