TDmonthly's Retailer Reporters (meet them here!) are on the floor at Toy Fair, scouting out the best new toys in specialty. See their feedback below! You can also follow us on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for more up-to-date coverage, and you can see more Toy Fair articles and a live feed of our videos on the TDmonthlyhomepage.
NEAT-OH
Neat-Oh! is definitely on point with their latest offerings - Dinosaurs and Aqua, two of the trends named by the TIA, are well-represented at their booth (2667).
"The Neat-Oh Dino Stompin' Grounds has it's own environment, and slime," Kate from Kidstop Toys told us. "Their dinosaur product display lets our little customers know the dinosaurs can travel! Great retail pack."
For the bath, Neat-Oh has the Nici Bath Doll, and Splushies.
"Splushies softness is incredible, so these guys become best buddy in and OUT of the tub," Kate shared.
SENTOSPHERE
Sari from Dollhouse & Toy Store told us, "I love Sentosphere. The products are made in France - top quality." They are showing off their Aquarellum kits, along with soaps and perfume, at booth 6041.
BRAND 44
Priscilla from Mr. Fubs got to check out some new outdoor products from Brand 44 (Booth 5163). "Their products offer genuine athletic activities for kids," she told us, like the Sky Pogo, which hangs from a tree branch. Kids jump on the attached flashing disk to "pogo" without touching ground.
They have slack lines for beginners as young as 4. "Learning to walk a slack line is child's play! The new line is short, wide and 4" the ground. They can be used singly or connected - four will make a square. Footprints on line help kids as young as four learn balance and coordination," Priscilla disclosed.
Also keep an eye out for Slide & Surf, a water toy that is in keeping with the TIA's Aquatic trend. "It's a neon bright backyard water toy that's now 2x as long for smoother ride. Slide and Surf looks fun for adults too," she told us.
KOPLOW GAMES
Koplow is showing a variety of new and classic products at Booth 2803. Adorable, squishy Rubber Ducky is a game that teaches kids how to count. They're also showing everything from ever popular LCR to dice for fantasy role playing in polyhedral, opaque, glitter, glow in dark & scented versions. Dice dice everywhere! 4 to 20 or more sides per die. The newest is a 66-sided dice game for 5 players!
PLAY VISIONS
"There are more color-changing toys in the works at Play Visions (Booth 471)," Priscilla from Mr. Fubs told TDmonthly.
"The new glow in the dark Sands Alive gets a neon glow when you turn off lights and wave the included UV penlight across the sand. Hands-free glasses in each kit also spread the UV while you play.There are 5 new sets, plus molds and play mats that glow.
"Another venture here is color change toys made with heat-reactive materials. First out is duct tape. Kids can make a wallet in one color then warm it in their hands to change it to another color. Let it cool, and the original color returns," she told us.
In keeping with the TIA's "Aquatic" trend, Play Vision is introducing "Aqua Dragons: self contained environments for small organisms similar to brine shrimp. Aqua Dragons come with everything needed to hatch eggs, feed, grow and sustain them through their life cycle," Priscilla told us.
They're also featuring some new arts & crafts items, like "Weavy Loops, with safety-tested para cords to make jewelry. There are four sets: bracelet, necklace, keychain & superset. There's also a new machine to make multi-strand, multi-color cords using a variety of craft threads," Priscilla reported.
And, more tween fashion. "People at Toy fair have been sporting decorative little braids in their hair. They are easy to make with Twisties, 7-9" corkscrews made of moldable fired clay. Twist them into your hair for a new do," Priscilla explained.
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. 
