Toy Fair 2005: A to Z
By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 2/20/2005 7:05:00 AM
A- D// E - H // I - L // M - Q // R - V // W- ZA - D
Curiosity cool
Action Products International, based in Orlando, Fla., unveils its latest Curiosity Kits aiming at the room decorating craze. Cool Things Clothes Tree allows children to paint their own wooden clothes tree, complete with an attached stool. Cool Things Racks includes two white wooden racks for personalizing with paints.
Other new items in the arts and crafts line include: QuicKits, Goo Refill, Glitter Goo Refill and Air-Dry Clay Refill kits. Action Products International also will display the latest additions of Jay Jay, I DIG, Space Voyagers, Kidz Workshop, and Play and Store.
Adoring Adora
Three 25-inch toddler dolls from Adora, Edison, N.J., compose the All-American Girls collection new for 2005. Two of the dolls, Lauren and Emma, feature a new face sculpt. Both dolls display a smile that shows upper and lower baby teeth. Only 950 limited edition dolls are available for each design. Heather, the third 25-inch doll, is limited to 600. Each doll has a retail price of $170.
As part of the company’s limited edition collections, the International Series is comprised of seven new 22-inch dolls hailing from all over the world. They don clothing specific to their country of origin and range in price from $130 to $190. Finally, Adora’s Name Your Own Baby Collection boasts 34 new dolls and range from $100–$118.
Anime adventure
Houston-based ADV Films’ toys division is creating a line of anime merchandise from the company’s extensive library, including Excel Saga, Noir, Kaleido Star, Cromartie High School and more. Character-based Cosplay Caps are a way for the average anime fan to display love for anime. The products target consumers who love Japanese animation and younger age groups and will be sold at both specialty and mass retailers.
ADV will also introduce lunch boxes, plush toys, backpacks, T-shirts, playing cards and antenna toppers.
Ready for blast-off
Aeromax, Lake Barrington, Ill., is taking to the skies with space travel-themed items. The Jr. Astronaut Helmet ($44.95) features a push-button retractable tinted visor and recorded communications from mission control, including countdown and blastoff sounds. It also has a working speaker with sound chip and mock microphone, as well as air hoses and official NASA logo. There is also an Inflatable Space Shuttle ($33.95) which has opening cargo doors that reveal a control panel. This item works indoors or in the pool.
Minimates for action
Art Asylum, New York, is offering a Minimates line featuring collectable mini Marvel heroes and villains, including Spider-Man and Venom, each of which has 14 points of articulation and interchangeable parts. Minimates are compatible with other building block and figure systems.
Babies feel the burn
AthleticBaby, Dallas, All-Star, and AthleticBaby Golf use upbeat music and incorporate colorful footage of balls, puppets and young children engaged in energetic play to help introduce physically active lifestyles to the young and to promote that lifestyle throughout childhood and into adulthood.
Celebs inspire Aurora
If Reese Witherspoon, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie think it’s cool to carry their pets along with them in their purses, then it must be cool. Aurora World Inc., Pico Rivera, Calif., has available its Pet Carriers to carry a plush pet wherever you go. The price of $14.99 includes both purse and pet. These fully lined and functional purses are available in three citrus colors with 12 pet choices.
On the road again
Automoblox, Roseland, N.J., has three new models in its lineup of wooden, car-based construction sets: a sport van, an SUV and a compact car inspired by Daimler-Chrysler’s Smart Car. Automoblox’s design combines wooden pieces, translucent roofs and rubber tires.
Wooden wonders
Balitono, Princeton, N.J., expands its Paint the Wild wooden painting kits with four new additions. Included in each kit are acrylic paints, paintbrushes and stencil and painting guides.
My Star Box Kit ($17) lets kids personalize a star-shaped box with paints, gems, beads and other decorations, as well as their own photos. They can also brush on a glow-in-the-dark finish to create interesting gifts.
There is also the Pinball Game Kit ($20), which comes with built-in scoring and pins and steel balls, so once the paint has dried, the game can begin. Then there is My Dog House Kit ($20) for mini a plush pooch and the Four Frog Friends Kit ($17) makes it easy to be green. Once painted, these hand-carved wooden amphibians can be hung for display. Gift cards and frog facts are also included.
Power Rangers rave
Bandai America, Cypress, Calif., offers a new line of toys to support the new police-themed Power Rangers spin-off series—Power Rangers S.P.D.—set to debut on television this month. Toys like the 6 1/2-inch Mega Morphin Power Rangers ($10.99), the Deluxe Megazords ($39.99), Uni-Force Cycles ($10.99), the Deluxe Super Cannon ($29.99), and others will run the gamut of toy categories like action figures, vehicles, and role play to inspire play for Power Rangers enthusiasts.
The Strawberry Shortcake scented doll and toy line is heading to Seaberry Beach, a new tropical inspired theme. There will be play sets like Berry Tropical Places ($9.99) that come with a 2 1/2-inch doll and bunches of accessories from fashion and hair play toys like Berry Best Friends ($8.99) to plush Berry Soft Friends ($9.99).
These slugs can sing
Environmental stewardship is the theme in all Santa Cruz, Calif.-based Banana Slug String Band recordings and its latest by NewSound Kids, Wings of Slumber, proves no exception. The 14 original lullabies in varied musical styles, ranging from reggae rhythms to soothing Celtic sounds, and all re-emphasizing the importance of taking care of the earth by touching on ecological and scientific concepts in a way children can understand.
New licenses for ’05
Basic Fun, Southampton, Pa., is expanding its product line in a whole new direction for 2005, with new licensed product and as master toy licensee for Jim Benton’s Franny K. Stein book series.
The products for Franny K. Stein’s 10 book series include a plush doll featuring Franny’s pet snake. Other items in the product line include a vinyl doll, Franny’s Oozy Goo, bookmarks, door placards, stickers, a flashlight keychain, Franny Pontiki and more. Future products will include magnetic playsets, Freaky food and drink labs, water wigglers, and magnetic bookmarks.
Additionally, Basic Fun is taking XTS, the Expandable Train System, to the next level with new parts that allow expansion upward and outward. The Double-E Express Set includes the XTS Turbo Train with aerodynamic styling and a power system that pushes speeds to ultimate levels. The Multi-Level Transit Set includes unique ramps that allow expansion upward as well as outward.
Basic Fun will continue to expand its holiday ornament line with the addition of new licenses and is joining the Build-A-Bear phenomenon with two items: Build-A-Bear Key and Stuff and Clip Kit.
B-Bel takes action
B-Bel Inc., St. Adolphe, Canada, has a new line of action figures appropriately named Wild Ones Adventure Crew. The collection consists of eight thrill-seeking characters with unique identities. These risk-takers include a BMX racer, scuba diver, hang glider, ATV rider, skateboarder, rock climber, deep-sea diver and skier. All figures have 17-point articulation, realistic clothing and authentic accessories. There are also detailed vehicles and play sets with real working parts.
Family games
Family game night takes an interesting twist with DVD-based games from bEQUAL, Palo Alto, Calif. The newest title, Show Me The Wild-Presented by National Geographic ($39.99), quizzes players on all things animal via a whopping 1,600 questions. Players will be kept entertained by clips and footage courtesy of National Geographic as they try to answer as many questions correctly as possible.
A Lock on construction
Best-Lock of Minneapolis has building sets that include the new HUMMER H2 and Humvee vehicles, and two 500-piece pirate ships—a ghost ship and traditional pirate ship. The HUMMER comes with three family figurines and is available in three colors: bright yellow, silver and black. The well-known Humvee is an all-terrain military vehicle equipped with artillery and three soldier figurines. In keeping with the popularity of the pirate theme, Best Lock is offering pirate ships that are more than two feet long when fully assembled.
Monkey see and do
Big Kids Video’s, Thinkeroo brand, Austin, Texas, launches The Monkeydoos Movement and Learning Series to encourage kids to get up off the sofa and move to the music. Recommended for ages 2 and up, the initial titles, “Gallop, Hop & Stomp” and “Pedal, Paddle and Twirl” will be available at a suggested retail price of $14.95 for VHS or DVD. DVD Bonus extras include healthy nutritious snacks, backyard games and easy-to-do, hands-on craft projects based on the program theme.
Nighty night
The Shushybye toy line from Blue Box Toys, New York, is based on a book series by the same name. A cast of characters hailing from sleepy towns like Nap Valley, Snore Shore and Yawn Island aim to help parents prepare their preschoolers for bedtime. Toys bearing their likeness include plush playsets based on the Shushybye Lands and the Shushybye King’s Castle, the Shushybye Train and a Snoozles musical.
Soft and cuddly
Bobtail USA, has four items in the 10-inch line and include Otis the pig, Chester the teddy bear ($15), Tucker the dog, and Mason the ambitious elephant ($17). They are also available in 4-inch versions ($4) with a string loop so they can be attached to a backpack or zipper pulls, or removed for a more traditional stuffed animal look.
In addition, Zephyr, the winged horse, measures close to 23-inch from hoof to hoof and is priced at ($25). Ten-inch pieces are sold in minimums of three each, the 23-inch horse is available in pairs, and the 4-inch animals are sold in 6-packs, and include a free display with each 24-unit purchase.
Boosting brain power
Brainy Baby, Alpharetta, Ga., unveils three new lines of interactive DVDs. Brainy Kids aims to teach kids about a variety of subjects, from math to manners, via fast-paced short segments. The three titles in the series are: We’ve Got Your Number–Lots of Fun With Lots of Numbers, Mind Your Manners–Learning to be Polite, and That Makes Sense–Learning About Our Five Senses.
Emphasizing sportsmanship and skills like coordination and concentration is the focus of the Sporty Baby series. The line launches with Baby Golf, Baby Soccer and Baby Baseball.
A two-part DVD collection, Signs & Wonders features Growing in Faith, which concentrates on universal values like kindness, obedience and patience, and Growing in Knowledge, a primer on basics like the alphabet, numbers, shapes and colors. Finally, Mustard Seeds is two-part series with each DVD/VHS focused on different but critical aspects of childhood based on biblical principles. There will also be the new Infant Learning Pack, a specially designed four-pack of Right Brain, Left Brain, Peek-a-Boo and Laugh & Learn.
Equestrian excellence
For horse fanciers, Breyer Animal Creations introduces Wind Dancers, a line of butterfly horses, and Mini Whinnies micro mini horses. Breyer. Located in Pequannock, N.J., offers Mini Whinnies various equestrian adventure play sets: Chincoteague Island Play Set, BreyerFest Deluxe Play Set and Irish Countryside Play Set. Other animals such as the Search and Rescue Dog, are also available from Breyer.
The DaVinci “challenge”
Leonardo DaVinci knew that you are never too old to play a game that unravels a mystery – especially when that game draws upon ancient secret symbols that date back to the beginning of history.
With this is mind, Briarpatch, Millburn, N.J., is introducing DaVinci’s Challenge, a strategy game beckoning the wisdom of the ages that can be played by children of all ages.
The pattern of circles on the game board forms the ancient symbol called the Flower of Life. It was inscribed on pyramid walls by the Egyptians over 6,000 years ago. The symbol in DaVinci’s famous drawing has appeared in ancient temples and artwork, from Egypt, to India, Turkey, Spain and even Japan. Leonardo DaVinci studied its form in depth…explored its mysteries…and learned its secrets.
Created for players ages 8 and up, DaVinci’s Challenge (SRP $19.99) comes with a score pad, 144 game pieces and complete rules.
It’s trivial at Cadaco
Trivia buffs are able to experience the fun of head-to-head trivia competition with a fully integrated plug-and-play video game system for the home. Chicago-based Cadaco and Buzztime Entertainment Inc., Carlsbad, Calif., a subsidiary of NTN Communications Inc., have teamed up for Buzztime Trivia.
Consumers can play Buzztime on their TV the same way they do in their local restaurant and sports bar. Cadaco will initially launch this line with easy to carry and use Buzztime Trivia Card Packs, and will expand with a home game system in fall 2005. The Trivia Card Packs will retail for $4.99 each while the home game system will retail for $59.99. Cadaco has also designed a new line of multi-colored character plush sheep. Each sheep belongs to one of four family flocks that consist of 12 sheep for an initial line of 48 sheep, including Bumble, Angus, Dolly and Baa-Bee. A branded number patch with its name, personality traits, origin of birth and birthday identifies each sheep. Countin’ Sheep is expected to appeal to collectors of all ages. The sheep retail for $5.99 each.
In addition, Cadaco is introducing Tripoley Dominoes and Tripoley Criss-Cross Poker, an extension to the 70-year-old classic game Tripoley.
Cardinal’s got game
Game producer Cardinal Industries, Long Island City, N.Y., capitalizes on hot shows and gaming trends for its new 2005 games. Topping the list are games based on NBC’s critically acclaimed Law and Order series, NBC/FOX Sports Net’s popular Poker Superstars Invitational Tournament, Warner Bros.’ Batman, and Scholastic’s Maya & Miguel series.
For the Scholastic brand Maya and Miguel, Cardinal is also producing a line of children’s games including dominoes, bingo and hide and seek.
Cars for superheroes
Young car enthusiasts and Fantastic Four fans can enjoy the battle between good and evil on the Carrerra GO! Track with the new Corvette C5R “Doctor Doom” and Dodge Viper GTS-R Fantastic Four slot car set. The San Diego-based company offers an 18.7-foot-long basic track set that has two lane changing sections and a double loop for racing on the easy-to-assemble track.
Also Spider-Man squares off against his arch enemy, Doctor Octopus, on the road with the Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper slot. The 1:43 scale Spider-Man set comes with the same track configuration.
Everything’s roses
Charisma Brands, Lake Forest, Calif., offers a Lavender Rose doll ($169.95)—the latest addition to Marie Osmond’s Coming Up Roses collection—that sits atop a garden bench adorned with purple and lavender roses. Her dress features a lavender rose print on a light flowing voile, embellished with a dozen rosettes. The doll plays the tune Paper Roses.
Chicco goes bilingual
A child can drive to five different “destinations” using Chicco’s Bilingual Smart Driver ($24.99) using words, sound effects and short sentences. The Pennsylvania-based company’s interactive dashboard offers all the fun in both English and Spanish. Likewise, Chicco’s Bilingual Talking Cube ($24.99) is an educational, interactive toy that teaches children how to recognize letters, shapes, sounds, colors and numbers in both English and Spanish.
There is also the 4-in-1 Ride-On Car ($59.99). Its versatility includes: an electronic panel for the very young, rocker, push and walk and sit and ride features. The Deluxe Play Gym ($34.99) is both an electronic play gym and an activity table. Adding to the mix is the Ducati Superbike ($29.99), intended to be a child’s first remote control motorcycle, and Child’s First Radio Controlled Jeep ($24.99).
Pick your priority
If given the choice of being beautiful but having to serve five years in prison or living with plain looks but no prison time, which would it be? So asks If You Had To Choose…? a fantasy game about priorities for teens ages 16 and up by Choose Games Inc., Toronto.
Let it snow!
When a fresh coating of the white stuff falls, kids will be ready to break out the inflatable snow sleds from CoopSport, Carlsbad, Calif. Each sled features heavyweight outer shells and four easy-to-grip handles so riders can hang on safely. The line includes a delta-shaped Air Rocket ($59.95), a more traditionally shaped Air Sled ($39.95), and an old fashioned Air Tube ($49.95).
Bona-fide repros
Corgi USA, Chicago, takes things to a new level with its authentic replica vehicles. The Heroes Under Fire collection is finely detailed, authentically rendered and loaded with accessories. These emergency vehicle replicas focus on equipment that helps firefighters handle dangerous situations. Included in this line are The Florida Division of Forestry Cobra Helicopter ($47.99) and New Jersey Forest Fire Service M35 2.5 Ton Brush Truck ($36.99).
Simply delicious
Corolle, Grantsville, Md., introduces Doucette, its newest addition to the My First Doll ($24.95) line. Donning dresses in stripes, polka dots and flowers, these dolls feature a soft cloth body, sculpted vinyl face and, of course, Corolle’s signature vanilla scent. They come with blonde, brunette and black hair and Caucasian, African-American, and Asian faces. Girls who like the original Doucettes have an option in Mini Doucette dolls ($9.95), 8-inch miniature versions of the larger counterparts.
Designing with kids
Creativity for Kids, Cleveland, inspires young designers to delve into interior design with new room décor kits. With Words for your Walls ($17.99), designed so kids can embellish a dozen wooden letters to spell dozens of heartfelt words. There are also other design kits such as the Ribbon Memo Board ($19.99), Window Whimsy ($14.99), Beaded Dresser Set ($14.99), Room Light ($19.99), Fiber Fashion Studio ($24.99) and bobblehead poodles in Oodles of Poodles ($15.99), along with Princess Poodle ($15.99) that can be stuffed and decorated.
Lastly, the Puzz-A-Model, a series of woodcraft construction kits, combines the challenge of a puzzle with a model. The series launches with Legendary Dragon ($19.99) and Enchanted Unicorn ($14.99).
They’re baaaaack!
Trollz and Strawberry Shortcake are making their own respective comebacks, thanks to DIC Entertainment, Burbank, Calif. The company is also planning to re-launch the classic Trollz doll as a collector item.
In the meantime, Strawberry is busy with the forthcoming release of six new VHS/DVDs from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and a CD from Koch Entertainment entitled Seaberry Beach Party Music. DIC will also team up with American Greetings for the introduction of Baby Strawberry Shortcake. The program scheduled to launch in 2006, will target infants and 2-year olds.
Disney plans 'Cinderella' push
Cinderella will be leading the Disney Princess franchise this year in anticipation of the first-ever release of the original classic film Cinderella on DVD this October. This will also be the first time that Disney has created a comprehensive consumer products program for a DVD release with major integrated support from across the company’s divisions, namely Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE).
The new Cinderella products are scheduled to hit the market in the third quarter and play up key elements of the film such as the “light up theme” when Cinderella becomes a princess—from light up shoes, to a gown adorned with magical lights, to a life-size doll as well as bedding and home furnishings. Part of the integrated effort with BVHE gives Disney the opportunity to get “creative.” The DVD, for example, has a special interactive feature where viewers can create their own Cinderella room with products that are on the market.
Key toys include:
• Mattel (doll, horse and carriage and castle)
• CDI (interactive light up vanity)
• Toy Quest (musical instruments such as a piano with light up moving dancers)
• Playmates (large dolls)
• Spin Master (Bella Cinderella)
• Disguise (new Cinderella costume)
Another first for Disney will be a new character introduced to the Hundred Acre Wood with the February 2005 animated feature film release of Pooh’s Heffalump the Movie. The film will be supported by one of the largest licensing programs ever behind a Winnie the Pooh feature film. Key toys for the Winnie the Pooh franchise include Tumble Time Tigger from Fisher Price—this plush Tigger jumps and does cartwheels, as well as plush for new character Lumpy.
New wave
Get submerged in an alien ocean while learning about space exploration when playing Cogno: Deep Worlds ($29.99) by DoubleStar, LLC, St. Louis. The game includes Cogno’s Book of Y, which explains the science behind the game’s hundreds of answers in laymen’s terms.
Pups and ponies
Papillon Kohair Softie Pup and Kohair Softie Horses are new at Douglas Cuddle Toys, Keene, N.H. The 9-inch Kohair Papillon is just one of the breeds offered by Douglas. As always, the distinctive features of the breed are there alongside a special gesture or expression that labels it a Douglas Dog. The suggested retail is $8.99.
There are five new breeds of 9-inch Kohair horses. The horses retail for $8.99 each.
Learning with Dr. O
Dr. O’s Outstanding Educational Products, Alpharetta, Ga., a division of Fabricolor, LLC, offers its new Interactive Fabric Chart product line, featuring the solar system. This double-sided, full–color fabric chart and fabric manipulatives attach with double-hook strips, similar to Velcro, for fun with planets, phases of the moon and seasons of the Earth. The charts are available in both classroom size and a smaller home version. An activity guide is included.
Bug-eating plant
DuneCraft, Chagrin Falls, Ohio, offers Carnivorous Creations ($24.99)—a kit to grow more that 10 kinds of Carnivorous Plants that actually eat bugs and meat. The deluxe seed mixture contains Venus Fly Traps, Sundew Plants, Cobra Plants, Hooded Pitcher Plants, and more. The complete kit contains everything needed to create their own bog gardens with real meat-eating plant seeds, special planting mix, three Bog Buddies, a bag of Swamp Rocks, and three color decals of Carnivorous Plants.
There is also the Biblical Garden ($24.99), which features greenery from the Good Book. And lastly, Super Snow ($7.99) lets kids make snow instantly with this amazing polymer.
Lots of playin’ goin’ on
From wrestling to slot car racing, Dynatech Action, Mississauga, Canada, is ready to knock toy buyers socks off with a slew of new items.
Wubber Wrestlers ($3.99–$5.99), a popular action toy in Australia, is in the center ring. These 12 fighting characters are all vying to be the grand champion. A basic pack comes with two wrestlers, while the deluxe version also includes a wrestling ring.
Also hailing from Down Under are Power Flix characters ($3.99–$6.99), brought to life by pressing down on their backs. Atomic BloX is built on a conductor block (powered by batteries) that illuminates the construction. Fly by Wire ($59.99) places a track above a slot car, so racers can design their own track, via infrared technology. Micro Flight brand toys includes a helicopter, plane and UFO ($24.99) that can be charged and thrown it in the air.
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