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COME VISIT US AT
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BOOTH 2135
contents | 02/16 Volume 11, No. 1
Features
Departments
30 Diverse Opportunities at Hong Kong Shows
8 Observations & Opinions
by Christopher Byrne
10 Trending
32 Assessing the Specialty Toy Market in 2016
12 Industry News
by Nancy Lombardi
20 Brand Profile: Yo-Kai Watch
38 Toy Fair 2016
22 Industry Forum: Toy Industry Association
compiled by Nancy Lombardi and Jennifer Lynch
110 Specialty Emporium: LightUp
24 Industry Forum: ASTRA
26 Industry Forum: Design Edge
by Nancy Lombardi
28 Company Profile: Magformers 112 You’re Hired 114 Calendar of Events
On the Cover page 102
Design Edge created the 2016 Toy Fair poster. Pick one up at the aNb Media booth No. 2301 in The Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. TFE cover by Design Edge TFE Licensing cover by Jennifer Lynch
LICENSING
104 Networks Home in on Kids’ Programming by Jennifer Lynch
On this Page Cartoon Network’s Powerpuff Girls; Universal’s The Secret Life of Pets; Colorforms Pizza Creator; Moose Toys’ Shopkins Sweet Spot Food Fair; Blip Toys’ Yummy Nummies; Cogni Toys’ Dino
PlayMonster_TFE_ad.qxp_Layout 1 1/13/16 3:40 PM Page 1
Where Do Monster Hits Come From? Find out at booth # 435
1-800-524-4263, playmonster.com, Š 2016 PlayMonster, LLC.
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Observations & Opinions
Here’s to a Successful 2016
T
aNbMedia.com
by
Bob Glaser
he NPD Group announced in late January that “U.S. toy sales grew by 6.7 percent in 2015, according to retail sales data, generating $19.4 billion and marking one of the strongest performances the industry has seen in a number of years. Nine of the 11 super-categories posted gains in 2015. Games/Puzzles and Vehicles grew the fastest at 10.8 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, followed by Building Sets and Outdoor & Sports Toys. Outdoor & Sports Toys and Dolls had the largest dollar gains followed by Building Sets and Infant/Toddler/Preschool Toys. Star Wars was the No. 1 absolute dollar growth contributor to three of the super-categories: Action Figures, Vehicles, and All Other Toys,” according to the statement from NPD. Content from movies (Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, Minions, and Avengers), television (PAW Patrol), apps (Minecraft), and a strong YouTube following (Shopkins), all contributed to the growth, says NPD. It is also interesting to note that so many of the classic toy categories performed well in today’s high-tech world. As the industry gathers in New York City for Toy Fair—and the Toy Industry Association celebrates 100 years—there will be a renewed energy inside the Javits Center because of these positive gains. 2016 looks good as well. There is another strong slate of movies scheduled for release, with equally strong toy lines. There’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (March 25), Captain America: Civil War (May 6), Finding Dory (June 17), and The Secret Life of Pets (July 8). It’s a wide array of films, making for a wide array of toys appealing to kids of all ages. But films will be only part of it as TV, the internet, and streaming services contribute to the content options. Despite success, the industry had some issues to address in 2015. These will remain hot button issues in 2016. The labeling of toys by gender garnered much media attention. Target was at the forefront of this controversy, removing gender labels from its aisles. Will this new approach lead to increased sales or is it just a knee-jerk reaction in an age of heightened political correctness? Only time will tell. The lack of diversity in dolls is changing for the better. At the end of January, Mattel announced the new Barbie Fashionistas line now includes four body types—the original and the addition of tall, curvy, and petite. There are also seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, and 24 hairstyles. Mattel said that, “adding more diversity to the line continues the journey that Barbie started in 2015 when the brand added 23 dolls with new skin tones, hair colors and, most notably, a flat foot.” We certainly applaud these changes because the girls playing with these dolls are not all blondes with blue eyes. We hope these options make the play more fun for everyone. On the sales side, we hope it positively impacts the Barbie brand. One thing that’s for sure is that during this week’s Toy Fair, manufacturers will introduce great new products and the team at aNb Media looks forward to seeing the lines. We know that these products will entertain, teach, and excite kids—making lasting childhood memories. On a separate note, aNb Media, in conjunction with Design Edge, is distributing free copies of the 2016 Toy Fair poster. Turn to page 109 for a look at this year’s poster or simply look at the cover of this issue. Stop by booth No. 2301 to get a free poster while supplies last. We wish everyone safe travels and a successful Toy Fair.
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February 2016 • Volume 11, No. 1 Publisher Bob Glaser Bob@TTPM.com Associate Publisher Andy Krinner Andy@TTPM.com Advertising Director Donna Moore Donna@TTPM.com Advertising Manager Kim Anthony Jones Kimanthony@TTPM.com Controller Mary Grogan Mary@TTPM.com Editorial Director Nancy Lombardi Nancy@TTPM.com Creative/Editorial Manager Jennifer Lynch Jennifer@TTPM.com Web Developer Brendan Sanabria Brendan@TTPM.com Contributors Kristin Morency Goldman; Kimberly Mosley; Matt Nuccio; Public Relations Representative Josslynne Welch Litzky Public Relations, 320 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030 (201) 222–9118 ext. 13 • jwelch@litzkypr.com Interested in a Subscription? Contact Mary Grogan at Mary@TTPM.com aNb Media, Inc. 229 West 28th Street, Suite 401, New York, NY 10001 Phone: (646) 763–8710 • Fax: (646) 763–8727
Toys & Family Entertainment (TFE) is published three times per year by aNb Media. Copyright 2016 aNb Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. TFE, TFE Licensing, and Specialty Emporium are registered trademarks of aNb Media. Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by editors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of management.
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What’s Trending This trending list is taken from aNb Media’s consumer website, TTPM.com. TTPM’s Trending Review is a list of the most popular items on the site,
as determined by consumers. It’s generated by the number of page views for that item in the previous seven days, updated every
24 hours. Here is the list, in trending order, on January 21.
2
1 Disney Frozen Olaf’s in Trouble Game
Star Wars The Black Series Kylo Ren Force FX Lightsaber
Hasbro
Hasbro
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donnie Turtle Racer
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Wagon
MEGA Bloks
MEGA Bloks
Pee & Poo (2)
Shopkins Supermarket Scramble Game
Kiss & Bajs
Pressman Toy
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donnie Pizza Buggy
Cabbage Patch Kids Big Kids Sofia Lorraine
MEGA Bloks
Wicked Cool Toys
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mikey’s Pizzeria Showdown
Nerf Star Wars The Force Awakens Rey (Jakku) Blaster
MEGA Bloks
Hasbro
Star Wars Stormtropper Voice Changing Mask
mamaRoo (1)
The Disney Store
4moms
Thomas & Friends Hidden Treasure Adventure MEGA Bloks
Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Motorized Railway Shipwreck Rails Set Fisher-Price
The Amazing Spider-Man Mega Blaster Web Shooter Hasbro
Batman v Superman Batman Voice Changer Helmet Mattel
Star Wars Interactive R2-D2 Astromech Droid Hasbro
Starlily My Magical Unicorn Hasbro
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Industry News
Here’s a Recap of Industry Headlines
• For More News, Visit aNbMedia.com • Sign up to Receive FREE News Alerts on aNbMedia.com
I
Patch Products Becomes PlayMonster as Company Evolves
n the early 1970s, brothers Fran and Bryce Patch launched Patch Press, a commercial printing company that grew by printing products for others. By the mid-1980s, Patch Press evolved into Patch Products with its own line of children’s puzzles. In the 1990s, the success of the puzzles led the company to try its hand at board games. Patch signed the license for TriBond and later launched Blurt and Mad Gab. Since that time the company introduced many top games such as Malarky, Buzzword, and others. As the 2000s approached, the company ventured into licensed games as well as acquisitions, bringing Patch into completely new product categories.
Patch acquired Smethport and its Lauri brand in 2008. But 2013 marked an even bigger year for Patch. It became the exclusive specialty distributor for Perplexus and launched its infant and preschool line called Mirari. Then, in fall 2014, the Patch family sold the company to Topspin Partners, a private equity firm. In addition, private equity firm, Balance Point Capital Partners made a separate investment in Patch.
PlayMonster Acquires Roominate
PlayMonster (formerly Patch Products) announced in early January that it acquired Roominate, which is a line of building sets designed for girls in order to bridge the gender gap in STEM. Roominate currently consists of 12 sets, some of which are designed for ages 6 and up and others for ages 8 and up. Children can build interactive sets such as a school bus, amusement park, and more that come to life through the use of things such as motors and lights. An app allows kids to remotely control motors and lights, and get design ideas from other users. The Roominate founders will remain involved and play a vital role in the future of the brand, according to PlayMonster.
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Now, as part of the company’s next iteration, Patch Products becomes PlayMonster with the tagline Big on Fun. “Our product line has changed enough that we felt it was time to have another evolution to the company’s lifecycle,” says Bob Wann, CEO of PlayMonster. He says that after extensive successful testing with consumers of all ages across North America, the PlayMonster name, new character, and tagline becomes effective at the start of Toy Fair (February 13). That’s when the company’s new name and brand image will make its way into the market through traditional media, social media channels (as PlayMonsterFun), the company’s website, and over the next few months, across all of its packaging. But Wann explains this is not just a name
change for the company. The new name communicates that PlayMonster is bringing “highquality, sustainable time-proven play” to people of all ages, he says. It does this with product offerings spanning birth to adults. Since partnering with private equity firms, PlayMonster has larger budgets to communicate its message to consumers whether it is through TV advertising, digital marketing, or print advertising. That means marketing its brand message of high-quality play for all ages in addition to specific products. In 2015, PlayMonster advertised ChronoBomb on TV. It was the first time the company utilized TV advertising and the game was a top seller for any retailer that carried it, according to Wann. In 2016, the company will advertise four product lines on TV. ChronoBomb will continue on TV. My Fairy Garden, which is a new introduction, will be TV-promoted. There are two more lines, which will be announced at Toy Fair, that will be TV-promoted. “The PlayMonster character will appear in all ads,” says Wann. “We think there is also the opportunity to animate him with a voice and personality in our advertising.” PlayMonster tripled its sales in the past five years as it evolved from a game company into a multi-faceted toy and game company, according to Wann. Now it’s poised for further growth with the My Fairy Garden line, the recent acquisition of Roominate (see sidebar), its extensive introductions at Toy Fair, and its new companybranded messaging. This is the start of a year that may not only be Big on Fun but big on sales. —Nancy Lombardi
Š2016 Mattel
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Industry News
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Gund Announces Corporate Rebranding
Gund announced a new brand identity reflecting what the company statement said is, “the loveable personality of the company’s signature plush toys. This new look and feel encompasses Gund’s core values such as high-quality and huggability, while also highlighting a new brand message to a wider contemporary audience.” Gund says its new branding elements create a flexible identity system that will include animation across digital and social media platforms. “Gund’s brand is committed to creating genuine emotional connections through our products,” said Gund president Bruce Raiffe. “With a fresh, modern design, we look forward to introducing a new generation of customers to our award-winning stuffed toys.” The new branding will roll out across all products and platforms, starting with 200-plus new items in Gund’s product release this month.
Subway Station Now Open Near NYC’s Javits Center
Travel to The Jacob Javits Convention Center just got a bit easier for this week’s Toy Fair. A 34th Street-Hudson Yards Station opened in September. One-way fare is $2.75 and you’ll need a MetroCard, which can be purchased at subway stations or at authorized vendors around the city. There is a $1 fee to purchase the card. The Toy Industry Association also continues to run free shuttle buses to various locations around New York City.
Genius Brands Launches SpacePop
Genius Brands International, Inc., (GBI) announced that it is producing a new music and fashiondriven brand for tween girls called SpacePop. It will feature original music produced by Ron Fair; original character and fashion designs created by Han Lee; and stories developed by head writer Steve Banks. Created and developed by GBI to appeal to tween girls (ages 7–12), SpacePop is currently in production and features 100-plus animated shorts to be digitally distributed. GBI chairman and CEO, Andy Heyward, an Emmy Award-winning children’s content producer responsible for more than 5,000 episodes of children’s entertainment (Inspector Gadget, Strawberry Shortcake, Super Mario Bros., Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and more) spearheads production efforts; Emmy Award-nominated Steve Banks, head writer and story editor of SpongeBob SquarePants, serves as content writer; and producer of multiple Grammy Award winners and music veteran Ron Fair (Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera, and more) and singer/songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair, a founding member of RCA’s girl group Wild Orchid with Fergie, will deliver original music. Additionally, GBI is creating a comprehensive, fashion-driven line of consumer products. GBI has appointed SpacePop’s first licensing partner, Imprint, part of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, as the global master publisher. The first title, Not Your Average Princesses, is an original middle grade novel with graphic novel inserts written by author Erin Downing and illustrated by Jen Bartel. The first title will publish in July, with the second novel, Rocking the Resistance, to follow in January 2017. The story of SpacePop unfolds as the evil Empress Geela takes over the Planets of the Pentangle. Five teenage princesses disguise themselves as musicians and form a band called SpacePop. Their mission is to spread the message of freedom and joy through music and join the rebel resistance force to vanquish Geela, who has taken over their home planets and enslaved the inhabitants. For more information, turn to page 104.
February 2016 tfe 17
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Industry News
Here’s a Recap of Industry Headlines
• For More News, Visit aNbMedia.com • Sign up to Receive FREE News Alerts on aNbMedia.com
Consumer Toy Show Happening Now During Toy Fair
Play Fair, a new consumer event powered by Toy Industry Association (TIA) and LeftField Media, is happening now for the first time on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 in New York City’s Javits Center North. This event will bring toy and pop culture brands together in an event open to families, collectors, and media. Fans of all ages will experience toy reveals, photo ops, character interactions, stage performances, author readings, celebrity signings, live music, and giveaways. Retail areas will allow attendees to purchase show exclusives, limited-edition products, and rare variants of beloved toys and games. The inaugural Play Fair is timed and co-located with Toy Fair. However, Toy Fair remains a separate event for the trade only. A Toy Fair badge does not allow entry into Play Fair. Tickets must be purchased to attend Play Fair. Those attending Play Fair will not have access to Toy Fair. In addition, Play Fair will turn all of Manhattan into a giant “game board,” encouraging attendees to visit various iconic New York institutions and landmarks to make the most of their time in the city and unlock Play Fair discounts, exclusives, and rewards.
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One World Doll Project Merges with Tonner Doll
The One World Doll Project and Tonner Doll Company announced a merger creating Tonner One World. The organizations announced the merger following the success of their first collaboration, the Prettie Girls! Tween Scene collection, which launched in October at approximately 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide. The merger will be a stock-for-stock transaction in which 100 percent of Tonner Doll Company’s shares will be converted into an equal number of shares of One World Holdings (OTCQB: OWOO), the parent company of The One World Doll Project. The combined organization will have approximately 25 employees across Texas, New York, and California. Tonner One World will be led by president Robert Tonner, CEO Corinda Joanne Melton, and COO Jack Kralik. Tonner One World will utilize the complementary creative abilities of Robert Tonner and Stacey McBride-Irby, a former Mattel designer prior to launching the One World Doll Project’s Prettie Girls! collections.
TTPM Spring Showcase is Thursday, April 28 in the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. To exhibit at this one-day media event, contact Donna Moore at donna@ttpm.com or (646) 763–8718.
February 2016 tfe 19
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Brand Profile
Yo-kai Watch
I by
Nancy Lombardi
n October 2015, a new North American-headquartered global entertainment company called Level-5 abby, Inc., was formed to bring Japanese children’s entertainment to the continent. The announcement was made by Akihiro Hino, the newly formed company’s president and CEO. Level-5 abby is funded by Japan’s Level-5, Inc., and Dentsu, Inc. Hino is also the founder, president, and CEO of Level-5, Inc. The company spearheaded the North American rollout of the Yo-kai Watch brand. This included the U.S. premiere of Yo-kai Watch on Disney XD on October 5, 2015, as well as the premiere in Canada on Teletoon on October 10. VIZ Media launched its manga throughout North America on November 3. The North American video game launched exclusively on Nintendo 3DS on November 6. Hasbro, the master toy licensee, launched its toy line in North America last month. It encompasses an assortment of figures, playsets, roleplay, games, and trading cards. An extensive group of licensees will introduce product into retail this year. There’s a dedicated YouTube channel as well as Yo-Kai-World.com. Yo-kai Watch follows the misadventures of Nate Adams, an average 11-year-old boy (known as Keita Amano in the Japanese version) and his involvement with the mischievous Yo-kai. The Yo-kai are spirits, based in Japanese folklore, that are all around him. Nate obtains a special watch, empowering him to discover and summon the mysterious Yo-kai, befriend them, and then work together to solve everyday problems—problems that are often caused by other trouble-making Yo-kai. Yo-kai Watch started in Japan as a series of roleplaying video games developed and published by Level-5. The original game was released for Nintendo 3DS in Japan in July 2013. It was then released in North America by Nintendo in November 2015. Sequels and a spin-off were released in Japan in 2014 and 2015. A third title, Yo-kai Watch 3, is set to released this summer in Japan.
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Here is Nate Adams and Yo-kai Whisper, who acts as a guide to the Yo-kai world.
The concept for the Yo-kai Watch property comes from Japanese folklore. A Yōkai (defined as a ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) are a class of supernatural monsters and spirits. Yōkai can range from the malevolent to the mischievous. They can also occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them. Yōkai often possess animal features or they can appear mostly human. Some look like inanimate objects, and others have no discernible shape. Yōkai usually have a spiritual supernatural power, with shapeshifting being one of the most common.
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1. Just Toys is introducing Yo-kai Watch Fun Packs (single sheet stickers, pop-up character standees, collector checklist cards), button and pin badges, 2-D laser cut keychains, 2-D metallic keychains, 2-D acrylic keychains, and 3-D bust character keychains (image shown, concept subject to change). 2. KIDdesigns is introducing a line of youth electronics including speakers, earbuds and headphones (shown), karaoke and sing-along music players and microphones, walkie talkies, voice changers, portable CD players, and USB memory flash drives, among other items. 3. Pyramid is introducing classic paper posters (shown) as well as 3-D lenticular posters, canvas wall art (traditional and paper varieties), wood signs, and metal signs featuring key characters. 4. Freeze is introducing an extensive line of character T-shirts. One example is shown here. 5. Acco’s Mead brand is introducing notebooks, portfolios (shown), composition books, binders, and pencil pouches in a variety of formats, sizes, and bindings (some concepts subject to change). A host of licensees are introducing product into the market, which is not shown here. The Bridge Direct’s Good Stuff division is creating products for the amusement channel. Cra-Z-Art, Imperial, Little Buddy, MB Wolverine Holding/MB Studios, Redwood Ventures, Rubie’s Costume Company, Super Impulse, and Underground Toys round out the toy licensees. Publishing licensees include Little Brown Books, IDW Publishing, Scholastic, and VIZ Media. Video games and accessories are available from Nintendo and Hori USA, respectively.
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Industry Forum
Toy Safety: 365 Days a Year
D by
Kristin Morency Goldman, Toy Industry Association
espite the fact that toys are among the safest consumer products found in the home, myths about toy safety persist—leading to the spread of misinformation in the news media, causing confusion among families and toy purchasers, and even prompting legislators to create unnecessary and burdensome laws. To fight the spread of false information, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) ramped up its efforts in 2015 to educate government officials, consumers, and journalists about the safety of all toys sold in the U.S. These efforts paid off. In the fourth quarter, TIA’s positive messages and sound bites about toy safety were featured in 703 print/online articles and 241 broadcast segments nationwide, helping to combat false claims made by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in their annual toxic toys reports. “While NGOs typically wait for the crucial holiday shopping season to publish these reports that have proven in recent years to be scare tactics rather than fact, the toy industry remains relentlessly focused on toy safety every day of the year,” says Steve Pasierb, TIA president and CEO. “That also means we work to share toy safety facts with the media and detail all aspects of the toy industry’s commitment to safety. Educating the public on how to make safe and appropriate toy choices for their children, while also advocating for our members’ interests and all that they do to ensure safety, is a year-round priority for TIA.” Uncovering False Data in NGO Reports TIA has worked to review, analyze, and/or test the toys named in U.S. Public Interest Re-
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search Group’s (PIRG) 2014 Trouble in Toyland report, W.A.T.C.H’s 2014 10 Worst Toys list, and Clean and Healthy New York’s 2015 Toxic Toys in Monroe County report. Through careful analysis, it was revealed that the data provided by these groups is unreliable and consistently fails to support their allegations that the listed toys present any danger to children at play. In the case of PIRG, TIA’s analysis found that none of the toys listed in its report were recalled by the CPSC as a result of the group’s findings. In reviewing Clean and Healthy New York’s report, TIA used an accredited thirdparty testing lab to test the identified toys available at Monroe County retailers, and found that they all complied with federal toy safety standards and laws. And it was discovered that W.A.T.C.H. doesn’t even test the toys it claims to be unsafe—its allegations are based on pure conjecture and opinion. TIA was proactive in sharing these findings with media outlets in advance of the fourth quarter. When PIRG and W.A.T.C.H. released their latest reports in November, TIA spokespeople were front and center in the news to present viewers with factual information about toys and toy safety. Lobbying Against Unnecessary Local Laws 2015 also saw significant legislative activity at the local level, with many New York counties attempting to pass so-called toxic-free toys laws that effectively banned the sale of all toys in those areas—even though tough federal legislation is already in place to ensure the safety of toys. Thanks to strong lobbying efforts and effective partnerships with parallel industries, TIA was able to help prevent or delay enforcement of these unnecessary and illegal laws, en-
suring that local families will continue to have access to the safe, beneficial playthings that the toy industry provides. Sharing Toy Safety Facts Families Can Trust During summer 2015, TIA launched the website PlaySafe.org to share toy safety facts and tips with parents and caregivers well in advance of the holidays. The content-rich destination, which includes an age-by-age toy-buying guide, tips for new parents, toy safety Q&As, and more, provides families with accurate information vetted by TIA’s toy safety experts, who have worked for decades alongside pediatricians, scientists, government officials, and other safety professionals to ensure that kids’ playthings are safe. This site is an important resource not only for parents, but for any consumer or reporter who might have questions about the safety of the toy industry’s products. Looking ahead to this year, TIA will continue to analyze and debunk dubious claims made in “toy safety” reports, educate lawmakers about the rigorous tests that all toys must undergo before being placed on store shelves, and act as a resource for parents and caregivers who want accurate information about safe play. The Association’s cadre of public relations and toy safety experts is also available to provide counsel for companies whose products are named in any type of consumer report or in the media. Contact Adrienne Appell, TIA director of strategic communications, for assistance. She can be reached at aappell@toyassociation.org.
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Industry Forum
Play's the Thing, So Own It!
K by
Kimberly Mosley, ASTRA
indergarten is the new first grade—at least where play is concerned—says National Public Radio in a recent report that raised questions about the optimal ways for young children to learn. Kids need hands-on play and social interaction with others far more than they need screen time, says The American Academy of Pediatrics in its updated recommendations on media use by young children. No app can replace blocks and traditional toys, say child development experts at Scripps Coastal Medical Center. Millennial parents are listening. The momentum for ramping up the amount of healthy, constructive play in children’s lives is on the rise. Retailers who are members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), who have always served as “play ambassadors” in their communities, have an opportunity both to support and exploit this new interest in play.
ASTRA Resources for Promoting Play
ASTRA is here to help. With the introduction of its new Certified Play Expert program, ASTRA is supporting its independent store owners by taking their play expertise to the next level to become “playfessionals.” The curriculum includes 10 online or in-person courses full of research-based content about child development, the benefits of play, how kids play at different ages and stages, and more. ASTRA’s program and other resources like
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our Make Way for Play publication and its support of the Toy Industry Association’s The Genius of Play initiative responds to growing public interest in the value of play. It helps stores demonstrate that they are indeed the play experts in their community, and it promotes career paths for valuable store employees.
Spotlight Your Expertise
What else can you do to own play in your market? Here are some ideas: • Promote your play expertise. In all your instore, digital, and community outreach, position yourself as the neighborhood play expert. Earn the Certified Play Expert credential and let the world know you have it. Use research-based content about play on your website—check out ASTRA’s site for more information—and in tweets, Facebook posts, and in-store signage. Reach out to parent groups, preschools, child care centers, churches, and other community organizations and offer your services as a speaker on healthy, play-fueled child development. • Get to know reporters who write about family and education issues. Journalists are always looking for story ideas. They are frequently on tight deadlines and need dependable experts who can quickly get them the information they need. Some quick research will identify reporters or bloggers who cover family or education topics. Call a couple prominent ones to let them know you are available and would be pleased to share your expertise about toys
Kids need hands-on play and social
interaction with others far more than they need screen time, says The
American Academy of Pediatrics in its updated recommendations on media use by young children. No app can
replace blocks and traditional toys, say child development experts at Scripps Coastal Medical Center.
and play whenever they need it. • Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day, held on the second Saturday in November each year. This nationwide celebration of independent toy stores is supported by ASTRA with national media, outreach to leading mommy bloggers, and resources for local toy store owners. The event offers an opportunity to promote the specialty toy difference—i.e. the generally higher play value and higher quality of specialty toys. • Use Best Toys for Kids to promote healthy play. ASTRA’s Best Toys for Kids award program is a great way to show the public how and why specialty toys are special. Many media outlets feature stories about toys at this time of year, and “Top Toy” lists are popular hooks for those stories. The bottom line? Play is good business, and you can make your special, unique expertise valuable to parents, educators, and others who care about positive outcomes for kids. The role of local play expert is yours to own. Kimberly Mosley is president of The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. Visit astratoy.org for more information.
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Industry Forum
Defining the Word ‘Inventor’
W
by
Matt Nuccio, Design Edge
hat is an inventor? Maybe the better question to ask is, how does the toy industry define “inventor”? I have been fortunate to have met, worked with, and befriended many of the toy industry’s top inventors. For a while I served as the co-chairman of the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) associate panel representing the designers and inventors in the industry. Currently, I sit on the board of directors for the United Inventors Association of America (UIA). Being so deeply entrenched in the inventor community, I must admit, I’m not 100 percent sure that I could define “inventor.” While I wear many hats at Design Edge: designer, engineer, prototyper, salesman, sourcing agent, and overall businessman, I have always been particularly proud to call myself an inventor. The inventions created at Design Edge have sold millions of units and have been nominated for and won many awards. It is through this measure of success that I guess I can call myself an inventor. But I am not sure what that really means. In searching for a meaning to what an inventor is, I have come to notice that there are three major subsets of inventors. There is the
26 tfe February 2016
engineer, the tinker, and the white-space inventor. Of course, the traits of these groups can and do often overlap. For the sake of this column, I’ll break it down simply.
“One thing is for sure, being an
inventor isn’t a job, it’s a way of life.”
There are none as focused on solving a problem than that of the engineer inventor. This is the stereotype of the classic inventor. It’s the wild-haired, Back to the Future Doc Brown, mad- scientist stereotype. This breed of inventor is typically an outsider to the toy industry. They are focused with a religious-like conviction to create a solution to a problem. Their passion can take them years to reach an outcome (if any). Oftentimes they are fixated on mechanisms or emerging technologies. They challenge and beat themselves up trying to find a solution through research, observation, and trial and error. They may even be willing to risk it all to find that perfect solution. These types of inventors are few and far between in the toy industry, simply because their output is limited. The toy industry is a fashion-based business and their inventions need to be innovative enough to affect our market quickly. These are the people that bring us the hoverboards and Zoomers of our industry. The most prolific of the inventor community is the tinkers. These are the folks that are gluing things together on the kitchen table the morning of the presentation. The tinker typically prefers to experiment and find new product concepts by happenstance. Their concepts can sometimes be off-base with just enough genius for a toy company product manger to cull a solid product out
of the item. These are the guys strolling around Toy Fair with a giant suitcase full of prototypes. Lastly, there is the white-space inventor. This group comes from the inside of the toy industry. They either work with a company on a consistent basis or were part of a company at one point before going out on their own. They are familiar with the company’s line and work to find a hole in it. They then pitch concepts to expand upon the line. These inventors may be working with large inventor firms or working solo. Regardless, they are somewhat intimate with their licensors and work with them in more of a partnership than a silent deal. White space inventors are often supplied wish lists from manufacturers looking to expand existing lines, to capitalize on trends, or to grab new retail opportunity. It is all of these different types of inventors that keep the toy industry alive and vibrant. Our industry has a long and proud history of supporting the inventor community. The toy industry is considered inventor-friendly. Companies around the world invite segments of the inventor community to summits, retreats, line reviews, showroom walk-throughs, and parties. It is through these gatherings that many of these different types of inventors have become friends and, in some instances, teamed up. The pairing of tinkers, engineers, and white-space inventors may be creating a new type of inventor that I have yet to define. No matter what type of inventor you are, one thing is for sure, being an inventor isn’t a job, it’s a way of life. Design Edge is a New York-based graphic design and research development studio. Matt Nuccio can be reached at (516) 377–0500 or matt@designedge.net.
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Company Profile
Magformers: A Positive Attraction
L by Jennifer
Lynch
ess than a decade ago, magnetic toys had a scarlet letter on their back. The dangers associated with unsafe magnetic toys had become headline news, and by 2009 the Consumer Product Safety Commission had posed a ban of the sale of children’s toys that included super-strong magnets. At the time, many manufacturers were either reigning in their investments in magnetic toys or completely shuttering them. But for Magformers it was a different tale. While the company had started small, proving itself and its products in specialty, by 2010 it was ready to take on major players in the mass sector. The company had already partnered with major e-tailer Amazon and signed Toys “R” Us that year as its first major brick-and-mortar partner. “There were skeptics at the time, still questioning why we’d want to bring magnetic construction back,” says Chris Tidwell, CEO. “But the reality is magnetic toys are fantastic. They’ve just got to be so safe.” For Magformers, that’s the company’s No. 1 priority. Magformers fully encases its patent rotating magnets in the product and uses the highest quality plastics (HQABS) to ensure safety. “We test the heck out of everything,” says Tidwell. “And even within the last two years, we continue to retool and redesign to ensure we are putting out the safest magnetic toy product on the market.” Magformers uses a unique patent magnet technology that allows its magnets to be placed on every side of a shape and rotate so when a child connects the pieces, the magnetic attraction will always be positive. Needless to say, the company works tirelessly to ensure its
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products are more than up to snuff for safety and fun. But part of its quality assurance also comes down to the protection of its brand. And a side effect of its success means regularly dealing with counterfeits, especially regarding online distribution. “It’s easier with brick-and-mortar to Magformers will introduce 26 new SKUs in 2016, educate and communicate some of which will feature its new circular magnetic pieces. to the consumer, but with es. Examples of this can be seen in its 2016 the dot-coms it’s much more complex,” says Tidwell. “Sometimes, TOTY-nominated Magnets in Motion 61-piece not only is it a counterfeit but they actually set as well as its new Walking Robot 45-piece name the product Magformers, and we have set, which is powered by the company’s new to identify the small differences.” Sometimes S.T.E.A.M. motorized engine block. “The way this can come down to pointing out the sub- it’s designed, it’s not simply walking, but it’s tlest differences in packaging, most of which moving and lighting up,” says Freddie Jordan, is coming out of China and Japan. One tool marketing manager. “So, there are six to eight that is helping its fight is MAPP Trap. While play functions happening at once to make it the platform is more commonly known for en- complex and fun for a child.” In addition to new play patterns, Magformsuring the integrity of retail pricing, for companies such as Magformers, it also helps track ers is also focusing on its younger consumdown the sellers/resellers behind the counter- ers, ages 3 and up, with the My First line as well as expanding into licensing for the first feit product. “There’s real educational value to our prod- time. Walk over to the company’s booth at Toy ucts, especially when it comes to math and sci- Fair this year, and you’re likely to see a gience,” says Tidwell. “But all it takes is some- ant Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle made out of one to come out with an inferior product and Magformers, symbolizing its deal with Nickput it in the wrong hands to jeopardize what elodeon as well as the company’s potential as should be a great play experience for a child.” a major player in the space. “Are we where we are going to be two STEM/STEAM is a significant area of growth for the company as it heads into 2016. years from now?” says Tidwell. “No. But beMagformers puts its magnets into motion in tween what we are doing in the U.S. and inthe space by adding gears and motors to its 28 ternationally, from our design team and our geometrically shaped magnetic building piec- expansion at retail, the best days are ahead.”
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Diverse Opportunities Highlighted at Hong Kong Shows by
W
Christopher Byrne
hether dodging drones, perusing preschool product, or checking out the latest innovations targeting grown-up kids, the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair was the destination for the international toy industry last month. Run in conjunction with the Baby Products Fair, Stationery Show, and International Licensing Show, total attendance was up more than 5.5 percent over 2015, according to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). A total of 117,000 buyers from around the world visited the combined shows, with approximately 45,000 of those attending the Toys & Games Fair. More than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world presented new products. The mood was generally upbeat, as buyers from various countries reported strong holiday sales on carefully controlled inventories and anticipated buying equally carefully for 2016. One of the issues that was widely discussed was the recent relaxation of the one-child policy in China. In a statement, Benjamin Chau, executive director of the HKTDC, estimates that the relaxed child policy could result in a 20–30 percent growth in the toy market. Many manufacturers agree that this was feasible and represented a market potential not seen since the late 1970s when the one-child rule was established. However, they also note that it would take time for the demographic changes to be fully realized, noting that the economy, the one-child social norm, and an individual family’s situation would all play a role in the decision. As might be inferred, manufacturers of baby products and preschool toys were the most enthusiastic about the coming change, and that enthusiasm was reflected in extended and innovative products from companies on the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan. Tech toys were a highlight of the show. We counted more than 25 companies in one area of the show selling drones in one form or another—mostly the quad style—and ranging in sizes from just a couple of inches square to wingspans of several feet. Price points were likewise in a broad range with suggested retails going from under $50 to thousands of dollars and appealing to the casual player up to the serious hobbyist. According to several of the companies, decreasing technology prices has made it possible for more companies to enter the category, as well as high demand from retailers. One company in particular had a surprising solution to one of the most persistent
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The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
problems with drones—breakage. Rayline Technology from Germany developed a drone that could withstand punishing use and still fly. Company manager Sascha Nobel demonstrated crushing the arms and propellers of the drone without affecting its ability to fly. Nobel, who previously manufactured dental equipment, used his knowledge of materials to create a standout in a crowded category. Showy performance aside, there was plenty at the show to reinforce the appeal and demand for classic play. UK-based Orchard Toys showed a full line of colorful board puzzles, games, and a road set that allows kids to construct a road by connecting cards. Mary Watson, export sales manager for the company, notes that the company focuses on classic learning through play and that for the most part does not create licensed products. Although it will introduce some games and puzzles based on PBS shows and it does a strong private-label business. The line is distributed in the U.S. through The Original Toy Company. Licensing, of course, was a major feature at all four fairs. Warner Bros. made a huge splash with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and there is an almost mind-boggling array of characters throughout the world that many in the U.S. wouldn’t recognize. India, Korea, and Russia have thriving entertainment and licensing businesses. Masha and the Bear, Tayo the Little School Bus, and Pororo the Little Penguin are just three international properties beginning to get higher visibility in the U.S. via their strong YouTube followings.
On the left is a view of the show floor inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. aNb Media’s Christopher Byrne moderated a panel (above, right) called The Market Potential of Virtual Toys and Games. Participants included Cindy Chang, SVP, Consumer Products Group, NBCUniversal; Stephen Chan, general manager, Soap Studio; Josh Loerzel, VP of sales and marketing, Zing; Jim McCafferty, president and CEO, MJP Creative.
Entertainment licenses were well represented in all categories of toys, but so were classic brands. Winnie Tang, senior sales executive for the May Cheong Group, says her company acquired the Ferrari license worldwide after Mattel let it go in 2014. Today, it’s one of the best-selling licensed car brands worldwide, she says, driven in part by its tremendous popularity in Asia and the Middle East as well as its continued popularity in the U.S. The company produces cars in a variety of scales for both toy and high-end collector markets. Soap Studio, a new exhibitor at the show in 2016, also targets the higher-end market. The company showcased licensed products based on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice including a radio-controlled Batmobile, a speaker system, and an advanced brainwave game as well as collectibles that interact with apps. Designed for the serious collector, these
products are highly detailed and sophisticated—with price points to match, some nearing $800 or more. Targeting the luxury market and the serious collector, these limited-edition items drew crowds of fans to the Soap Studio booth at the show. The evolution of Hong Kong companies from OEM manufacturers to creators of their own brands continues. James Tsang, CEO of Global Manufacturing Partners Holdings Limited, says that for 25 years he produced products for other companies at four factories in Guangzhou. At the show he unveiled his first original lines, preschool collectibles with an interactive app as well as a fantasy line, targeting the older consumer. Tsang, like all the exhibitors interviewed, has high praise for the effectiveness of the show in reaching the international market. Traffic remained high throughout, and some exhibitors reported record orders, though
they declined to specify how much. Another first-time exhibitor, Michael Lin, CEO of Mirax Technology Corp., the show provided a launching platform for a technology driving a holographic board game, which he intends to introduce worldwide. In addition to providing an effective showcase for all exhibitors, HKTDC continues its commitment to supporting the industries these fairs serve through a comprehensive seminar program. The program brings together leading experts from around the world to provide the latest information on product safety, design, and critical issues facing the toy, baby, stationery, and licensing businesses. With all of the services, diverse companies, and international presence, Hong Kong and the HKTDC shows remain an unparalleled destination for exploring, establishing, and expanding business opportunities—the ideal start for the next business cycle.
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Assessing the Specialty Toy Market 2016 by
Nancy Lombardi
The toy industry continues to change, evolve, and grow. TFE spoke with key players in the specialty toy segment to get their take on the constant
challenges at retail, the continuing trends of the Maker Movement and STEM/STEAM toys, increased interest in the education market, and the continued popularity of classic games in this high-tech world. Here are their comments, listed alphabetically by company.
Alex Brands
Sally Lawrence, Manager of Marketing and Public Relations In 2014 and 2015 Alex Brands went through a complete transformation with multiple acquisitions, new management, and new headquarters. What is on tap for 2016? Is the company still in acquisition mode? We are always looking for new opportunities, whether it be in product or otherwise. However, we are very happy with our current brands, and are making updates and expansions across multiple product categories. 2016 will be a stellar year for Alex Brands, as we have more than 200 new product introductions across 12 brands. STEM/STEAM and The Maker Movement continue to be hot topics, especially for girls. What divisions of Alex speak to these trends? What additional trends do you see for 2016? Alex Brands continues our commitment to helping children develop their imagination and creativity, and several new concepts for 2016 fit into the STEM/STEAM learning. The Citiblocs line will see new packaging and product upgrades, including the introduction of Connectors. These six new connector pieces allow classic Citiblocs pieces to be joined, hinged, and rotated for more versatile, creative building. Both boys and girls can design and build their
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dream city like an urban planner. The Young Architect City Planner Kit by Scientific Explorer uses colored pencils, templates, and traceables to design and layout your city, then organize and modulate 3-D buildings. Each time kids start over, they can create a new and unique city. Space exploration continues in Zoob with two additional Galax-Z Kits for younger builders. Easy instructions and lower price points make these perfect for ages 6 and up, and for a value-minded consumer. In fall 2015, Alex Brands teamed up with MGA Entertainment in creating a smart and savvy science collection for Project Mc2, a Netflix original series and short form content on YouTube. We’re offering four additional Project Mc2 science kits for spring 2016 including a Circuit Board Night Light and Grow Crystal Chemistry set to extend the current collection. As the Maker Movement appeals to more and more consumers who want to create and customize their own unique products, Alex Brands makes it easy to get started. Traditional crafting activities continue to be popular, and we’ve created new jewelry, room décor, and accessory kits that promote “Skills for Life” involving sewing, needlepoint, knitting, and more. Our Shrinky Dinks brand maintains popularity in the Maker Movement by offering both activity kits and bulk sheets for the DIY consumer. Our 3-D jewelry kits allow kids to color and design bracelets, necklaces, and earrings with pre-
cut sheets and patent-pending 3-D molds, while several varieties of the bulk sheets allow complete customization for one-of-a-kind projects.
Asmodee North America Christian T. Petersen, CEO
Asmodee acquired Spot it! from Blue Orange Games in July 2015. What plans do you have to expand the game? To what do you attribute the success of the Spot it! brand? What does this acquisition do for the company globally? We have lots of great ideas for this amazing game’s future. You’ll see several new releases this year that we hope will expand the audience, and we intend to expand our feet-on-the-ground customer demonstrations for the game across the country in malls, stores, and family events. What’s made Spot it! so successful? Clearly the combination of a fun activity with a learning curve that only takes a few seconds have been the primary drivers. However, it is also a game that appeals to the whole family, from the grandchild to the grandparent, and can be had at a very affordable price. There are so many positives about this gem, and we’re proud to have it in our catalog. While Spot it! is new to our catalog in North America, the game (called Dobble overseas) has been one of the most successful mainstays of the Asmodee catalog for years, and we continue to
grow the game into new overseas markets. This year, for example, we hope that it will make a big splash in localized Scandinavian editions. In 2014, Asmodee agreed to mergers with Fantasy Flight Games and Days of Wonder. What do these mergers means for the company? Can we expect to see more of them in 2016? The combined business activity of merging Asmodee with these companies, will give us many behind-the-scenes benefits in the form of administration, production, marketing, international expansion, logistics, etc. On the creative end, however, the individual studios will remain independent in their operations and creative vision, it is important they have the ability to keep developing games that match their respective and evolving vision for playing games. You’ll see many great titles from these studios this year.
ASTRA
Kimberly Mosley, President You are taking the helm of The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) during an interesting time for the organization and its members. The organization and the Marketplace & Academy are growing. Yet there many challenges at retail, especially for small business. There’s continued competition from big box brick-and-mortar stores as well as online sellers. In addition, shoppers’ habits are evolving more quickly than ever. How will you help retailers navigate these challenges? Also, what specific challenges and opportunities are you seeing? Given that competition—in whatever form, in whatever new ways it comes at us—is a constant that will never go away, our challenge is how to
be quick and innovative enough to respond to the rapidly changing landscape while still maintaining our unique competitive advantages. ASTRA members understand the “people side” of retailing. Today’s consumers have so many options. So for them, it is more about the total experience of choosing what products they want in their lives and their children’s lives than about the product itself. Brick-and-mortar retailers, by their very nature, have an opportunity to “own” play and be the local experts on healthy play in their communities. They are uniquely positioned to engage customers, educate them on the importance of play, and develop a connection that makes customers feel heard and feel special. Most importantly, they will feel that they can do this in their community and among friends. Yet, even with that advantage, ASTRA members are using multi-channel retail strategies where online and in-store experiences complement one another. Research from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) shows that 73 percent of consumers want to touch merchandise before they make a purchase. It is no wonder that online retailers are beginning to open physical stores, says ICSC. ASTRA members are already perfectly positioned to provide multi-channel support. You are joining ASTRA from The American College of Healthcare Executives where you served as CIO. How will you leverage your technology background to help ASTRA members serve their customers? One specific charge that the ASTRA board of directors has given me is to provide tools and education that can help members adopt technology to improve their business. I bring many years of experience in diagnosing the need, applying the
right technology solutions, and using creativity to encourage adoption of those solutions. Right now we are in the diagnosing part of the process so we can build a plan quickly. Of course, our efforts to leverage technology also include our internal operations. We are working on online tools for getting information from members and for listening to the voice of the customer. We can use data analytics to determine member satisfaction and define member engagement. Technology can also help an organization grow, increase operational efficiency, and reduce costs. This allows us to use member dues more effectively and help our members be more successful. As someone joining the industry with a fresh perspective, what plans do you have for ASTRA? What are some of your immediate as well as long-term goals for the organization? My role is to bring a fresh perspective to implementing the strategic initiatives prioritized by ASTRA’s membership, which are to: • Increase cooperation among member segments • Increase ASTRA members’ professionalism through education and certification • Increase members’ understanding and use of technology • Increase the number of retail outlets through effective engagement of the next generation of owners These initiatives translate into growing the next generation of ASTRA leaders, increasing membership, supporting business skills that make small retailers more competitive, and attracting younger and more diverse store owners and other professionals. In 2015, ASTRA conducted a focus group with emerging leaders in the specialty toy industry who make us highly optimistic about the future of the specialty side
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of the business. We’ll continue to tap into this group of young leaders for their perspectives.
Bananagrams
Rena Nathanson, President Bananagrams is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2016. What are the plans for the trade as well as for consumers to celebrate this milestone? Are you creating specific anniversary sets? The whole bunch of us at Bananagrams (yes, we love our fruit puns!) is thrilled with our games’ continued success and our growing family of dedicated fans. We’re continually striving to ensure that Bananagrams is a staple for everyone’s game collection. We’re celebrating our 10th bananaversary this year and are releasing two new games to broaden the Bananagrams range in 2016. Since we tend to live on the lighter, sillier side of the gaming spectrum, we created our Bananagrams Party Edition to help celebrate the occasion. Arriving this fall as a Target exclusive, our party version includes chaos-inducing new tiles that bring a bevy of devilish interactive elements to the original game. And to further our passion for educationalbased wordplay, we’re very proud to be introducing MyFirst Bananagrams, packaged in a slightly greener, unripened banana pouch intended for the younger gamer. In addition to a collection of mini games that cater to a range of abilities, the tiles will feature lowercase letters as well as common letter pairs, which, from listening to countless educators and consumers, are difficult to find and are sought-after elements for games targeted at pre-readers and early readers. Today’s kids are living in such a high-tech world, yet Bananagrams’ low-tech games continue to
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thrive. To what do you attribute the popularity and success of the line? For us it’s all about friends, families, and portable play. Spending time together playing games is what inspired us to get into this business, and our games make connections between peers, parents, kids, and grandparents. You hear it a lot in this industry that table games battle for importance against a screen-obsessed society, but it’s not as much a low-tech vs. high-tech challenge for us; it’s making sure our games not only play great at home but can make the journey with you as you go out and connect with people. Bananagrams is now distributing Linkee. What does this game bring to your line? Is the company seeking additional, similar partnerships? By growing organically over the past 10 years (yes, that’s another fruit pun!), we’ve established a great foundation on which to expand our portfolio. We’re continuing to grow new games at our U.S.-based office in Providence, R.I., but being personally based in London, I’m continually meeting fresh new faces in our industry who may not have established distribution in the U.S. We see our partnership distributing Linkee for Big Potato as a tremendously important new venture for Bananagrams. They’re having great success in the UK market, and we can’t wait to help grow their Linkee brand in the U.S., which was off to a great start in 2015. And, I should also mention, the kinship Bananagrams feels with Big Potato; we’re bringing together the fruit and vegetables as we explore expanding our “Picked by Bananagrams” distribution portfolio in 2016.
Blue Orange Games Brandan Parsons, Marketing Associate
What changes are happening with Spot it!? Blue Orange Games sold the rights to Spot it! to The Asmodee Group. Spot it! is one of the best success stories in the U.S. game market in recent years, and we are confident that The Asmodee Group will successfully continue to develop and support Spot it! in the years to come. Blue Orange will continue distributing Spot it! until March 31, 2016, for the specialty stores channel. After that date, all commercial activity will be Asmodee North America’s responsibility. Consumers are enjoying the genre known as Eurogames, which often focus on strategy. Blue Orange Games has a European Collection. How is the company growing that line? What is being done to serve that niche consumer? The recent trend in hobby and Eurogames such as Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne has consumers enjoying a genre that emphasizes more complex strategies. Blue Orange Games has embraced this trend by creating our Europe Collection, which includes internationally acclaimed game designers, dedicated to creating simple games with intricate choices that engage families with slightly more complex games. We are working with some of the most respected designers from Europe and parts of Japan. These games are still straightforward to learn (like all of our games), but they come from respected designers focused on creating new experiences that still feel familiar. For example, last year our game New York 1901 took the hobby market by storm. New York 1901 is a big box family strategy game about building skyscrapers in downtown New York City. Players have to balance expanding the boundaries of their estate with building the most impressive real estate empire within those boundaries.
What can consumers expect to see from Blue Orange Games in 2016? This year Blue Orange Games is releasing three new hands-on games: Dr. Eureka, Fast Flip, and Top That. All three games focus on high-speed tactical play and fine motor skills. We are excited to release this new collection of simple, quick, and family-friendly games. Hands-on play is very important to us, and we strive to include toy-like components to engage players more deeply. By creating game components that are fun to look at and touch, we get our players to start having fun even before they start playing. We take pride in providing families with fun ways of engaging and interacting with each other. Blue Orange Games strives to make games that are quick to play so that families can fit them into their busy schedules.
Educational Insights Courtney Wachs, Marketing Director
STEM/STEAM remains a hot category. What new products can consumers expect to see from the Nancy B. science line in 2016? Educational Insights (EI) will be rolling out 16 new STEM and STEAM products across our Design & Drill, GeoSafari, GeoSafari Jr., and Nancy B’s Science Club lines, and will be introducing a new STEAM-focused craft line mid-year called IllumiCraft. For Nancy B specifically, we’re introducing four new SKUs: the Mighty Microbes Lab and Germ Journal, which introduces kids to bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and allows them to grow their own (harmless) microbe colonies. The Way to Grow Hydroponics Kit & Gardening Diary allows kids to grow
and measure plants without any dirt. The Bug Discovery Lab & Incredible Insects Journal allows kids to explore the fascinating world of insects with a portable terrarium, pit trap, and one-of-a-kind bug catcher. And the Garbage to Gardens Compost Kit & Decomposition Book, which introduces concepts of life cycles and decomposition, is the only transparent composting kit designed just for kids. And of course, each of the included journals is chock full of new experiments, creative writing activities, and more.
hind Bill was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which gives states and school districts new flexibility to tailor their strategies and interventions to meet the needs of local students and schools. The bill includes language that encourages use of funds for both high-quality Pre-K programs, and for technology. As a result, we could see a lift in interest in Pre-K learning toys and materials, as well as products that support an understanding of engineering and computer science for older children in the coming months.
What trends are happening in the school market? We’re seeing three trends in that market. • Shifting product mix: Many brick-and-mortar retailers, including school supply stores, were hit hard by the 2008 recession, and have been challenged to rebound. In an attempt to diversify and address the fact that a large number of resource materials are now available digitally, many brick and mortar school supply accounts have successfully integrated educational toys and games into their product mix. • Online purchases on the rise: Online purchases continue to be on the rise, partially due to the fact that the average age of today’s classroom teacher has dropped significantly, and the younger millennium demographic researches and purchases much more online than other generations. In addition to presenting mobile-friendly ways to buy, savvy accounts are also reaching this demographic through compelling social media offers, promotions, and content. • Potential growing interest in Pre-Kindergarten and technology: Finally, in December, the No Child Left Be-
The EI website has an interesting blog yet most of the topics have nothing to do with toys. How are you working to engage your consumers through the blog as well as through social media outlets? We know that EI fans have a diverse set of interests—most of our followers are parents, and are looking for tips and tricks to make each day a learning adventure with their kids. With social media and with our blog, we have an opportunity to connect with our fans directly and give them a little something extra that they might find valuable, or that simply keeps them entertained. Some weeks we might offer coloring pages for their kids, and other weeks we might offer parents tips for avoiding winter cabin fever. We aim to create fun, out-of-thebox learning experiences in everything we do, whether it’s through our great products or via a single post on our blog, and we try to encourage learning every day. With our blog and on social media, we always want to provide value and insight that goes beyond what you might expect from a toy manufacturer, because we care about and value our customers.
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Faber-Castell USA/ Creativity for Kids
Heather Lambert-Shemo, Director of Marketing for Children’s Brands Creativity for Kids is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. What are some of the plans for the trade as well as for consumers to celebrate this milestone? Will specific kits be created and/or relaunched for the anniversary? Creativity for Kids is celebrating 40 years and Faber-Castell, the parent company, is celebrating 255 years—big milestones for both brands. We kicked off our celebration at our National Sales meeting in December with our sales representatives, some of whom we’ve had a relationship with for more than 20-plus years. The celebration will continue at Toy Fair. Specifically there will be special events for our retailers. In addition to debuting 13 new products from Creativity for Kids and Faber-Castell Premium Children’s Art Products, we are unveiling an exciting new brand, as well as a new category of products under the Creativity for Kids brand. The Maker Movement continues to be popular. To what do you attribute this trend, especially when today’s kids are living in such a high-tech world? Our team has followed The Maker Movement for a long time now and while it’s become more mainstream in the public eye, the idea of “maker” is bigger than the actual movement. Parents are searching for hands-on activities that will develop the child’s skills to prepare them for the future. What’s really exciting for us is that our founders, Phyllis and Evelyn, launched into the market the original “maker” kit 40 years ago—the Creativity
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for Kids’ Burlap Bag was an open-ended, handson creative activity that let kids create whatever they wanted. Thus, inspiring kids to be “makers” is what we have done for 40 years.
Learning Resources
Rick Woldenberg, Chairman There is an extensive section on the Learning Resources website for the Common Core curriculum. How are you helping families and schools navigate Common Core with these products? What type of research went into developing these products? Common Core State Standards (CCSS) have had a bumpy start across the country, and many parents don’t understand how instruction changes under the new standards. They want to know how to help their kids in this new environment. Because our products are aligned to CCSS and target skills and deeper understanding in key subject areas, we are well-positioned to help. The Common Core area on our website is designed to help teachers and parents find just the right tools to address early childhood or elementary school needs. Our website enables consumers to review specific standards and find aligned hands-on products to build basic skills and work on greater challenges. Our product development mission demands rich educational content. Our team of former classroom teachers and educational specialists focus solely on bringing out the best hands-on educational products. We take full advantage of our team’s background and classroom experience, but also rely on field research, focus groups, and other market research. In fact, our entire company is in constant communication
with schools, administrators, and teachers, hearing first-hand what is happening and what is needed in schools. This helps us stay current with educational trends so we can create better products for home or school. Our laser-like focus on educational products is our greatest strength— it’s all we do and it’s all we want to do. What types of trends are you seeing in the education market? What types of trends are you seeing with consumers as we move into 2016? STEM and learning to program are growing trends and are helping students prepare for 21st century careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. An extension of this trend is Makerspaces, new spaces at schools where students use common materials and their own ingenuity to design, create, problem solve, and collaborate. Consumers are seeking out products that offer similar learning experiences at home—as evidenced by the continuing rise of construction, STEM, and DIY kits and toys. Finally, we see growing interest in handson learning toys because they encourage kids or families to have experiences together. Family game night is a good example of this trend. Development of social skills and emotional intelligence is critical for kids of all ages.
Little Kids
Jim Engle, President As Little Kids grows its Moji-Mi line, will licenses be added to the line or will the characters remain proprietary? Little Kids continues to explore all opportunities associated with the Moji-Mi line. Moji’s
unique styling has had a strong appeal with consumers and our line continues to grow with additional characters and playsets for fall 2016. What trends are you seeing at retail and with kids in 2016? Toys that get kids outside and active continue to be top of mind for parents this year. Parents continually struggle with balancing electronic use and keeping kids active and healthy.
Madame Alexander Doll Company Jamie Cygielman, General Manager
What can the trade and consumers expect to see from this new company as the brand undergoes a relaunch? To us, it truly is a new day at Madame Alexander, and we could not be more excited to communicate that to our industry partners and consumers. Our key objective is to refine our product portfolio across the Collector, Play, and Baby categories, with attention to quality and cultural relevance. For example, our Madame President dolls are clearly the best candidates going into our presidential election year. Also, in the collectible range, we have the DC Fashionistas—combining favorite DC Super Villains with couture runway fashion. Fans everywhere will be delighted with our new licensed 18-inch doll program featuring classic stories like The Wizard of Oz to fan favorite Disney Princesses, and our newest addition, NASCAR. Under a new leadership team (with executives hailing from Barbie, Thomas & Friends, and Godiva Chocolatier, among others), we are committed to clarifying the brand focus, while restoring the heritage of the Madame Alexander
brand. Madame Beatrice Alexander established the brand in 1923 under the mission that “love is in the details.” Our in-house design team are true artists and are paramount in keeping this vision at the forefront as we amp up the focus on sculpt and fashion. Going hand-in-hand with our relaunch, we will be debuting a new look with an updated logo, visuals, packaging, and a digital channel refresh. What is Madame Alexander doing to develop the next generation of doll collectors? Or is the company focusing more on play dolls for the future? While we pride ourselves on offering a range of dolls for girls of all ages, we really want to inspire and excite a new generation of consumers through a new brand narrative and a focus on innovation. Being represented where moms are shopping is an important focus for us. We want to ensure that the Madame Alexander experience is engaging, be it online, or at brick and mortar. The Collector, Play, and Baby categories are all a prime focus. We will be enriching our partnerships with existing licensors such as Disney, DC Comics, and Crayola, while venturing into new partnerships with entities such as NASCAR. As a nod to our loyal Collector community, we will be launching limited-edition Mystery Dolls inspired by an elusive 1951 set that recently sold for $38,000 at auction. Last, but certainly not least, we want to tap into the brand heritage by continuing to offer custom one-of-kind dolls, keeping that original magic of the brand alive.
The Orb Factory
Stephanie Carver, Marketing Coordinator
The Maker Movement continues to be popular. To what do you attribute this trend, especially when today’s kids are living in such a high-tech world? I think that the Maker Movement is, in fact, a reaction to the high-tech world we live in. In a high-tech world where parents, and kids, are constantly forced to keep up with the latest advances, there is something really reliable about giving a craft kit. Parents remember learning how to make these crafts as kids and love the idea of getting to pass that on to their own children. Craft kits create an opportunity for bonding and sharing between generations. We’re launching a new line at Toy Fair this year called Fuzzeez. Our designer, Tanya Holland, came up with idea while watching her grandmother make felted slippers for family each year. She figured out how to update this classic craft concept and make it exciting for kids. Using transforming wool, kids are able to use a mold and make their very own felted animals. It’s a craft that is very modern and original while also classic and timeless. What trends are you seeing at retail and with kids in 2016? Fabric crafts are still a huge trend with customers. Our PlushCraft kits are still our most popular line—these pillows, and now 3-D pets, allow kids to make beautiful fabric crafts without any sewing. Parents love that it’s something kids can make by themselves and children love that their finished product looks just like the example on the box. Collectible toys are also a big hit. Glitter Petz are tiny animals that children decorate with jewels. Each Pet comes with a backpack clip, so kids can easily display their collection.
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Toy Fair 2016 This year’s Toy Fair opens with a celebration of 100 years of the Toy Industry Association. During that time, the industry has introduced countless items that have helped children learn, grow, and understand the world around them—all under the guise of fun. We are sure that the products introduced at this year’s show will have that same positive and fun impact on today’s kids. Here is a sampling of what’s on display at this year’s Toy Fair. compiled by
Nancy Lombardi and Jennifer Lynch
Bananagrams
Bananagrams celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016 with a new line of products. Bananagrams Party is a new edition of the classic game featuring Party Power tiles. Players racing to complete their word grids are now faced with challenges and high jinks throughout the game. From My First racing around the table, to destroying an Bananagrams opponent’s word grid or tampering with their letters, the all-new Party Power tiles add a new dimension to the classic game. No two games will ever be the same as players mix up whichever Party Power tiles they like. This game will launch exclusively at Target this summer. My First Banangrams is a new title for the younger gamer. It contains colorful lower case letter tiles and a collection of fun games to cater to a wide range of reading skills and abilities. There are 10 curriculum-based mini games for early learners and word game challenges that grow in difficulty as the child’s skill level advances. This all culminates in a simplified version of Banangrams, introducing children to the classic game where they race to complete their own word grids. Unique to My First Banangrams, the game includes new double-tiles of vowel teams, word families, and digraphs, making it a perfect companion for children as they learn to read and spell. As previously announced, Bananagrams now leads North American distribution for the UK’s Linkee, a crowd-sourced table top trivia game for families. Linkee takes two minutes to learn, 30 minutes to play, and doesn’t make you wait for your turn because everyone plays at once. Players answer four questions and try to spot the link between the answers faster than the other teams. If they get it right, they win a letter. Collect enough letters to spell “Linkee” and win the game. Over a third of the cards are user-generated. Contributors to the game get their name on their card and a free game in the mail.
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Little Cosmetics
Little Cosmetics is a line of pretend toy makeup for preschoolers ages 3–5. It looks and feels just like real makeup, but is completely fake—no color transfers or applies to skin. This makes it a completely mess-free activity. The Little Cosmetics Little Makeup Artist Set includes all of the essenLittle Cosmetics Little tials girls need to feel like real makeup artMakeup Artist Set ists. Included in the portable makeup bag is a pretend compact (available in light, medium, or dark tones), pretend contour kit, pretend glitter pot, pretend eye shadow palette, pretend lipstick, pretend blush, and real mini makeup brush.
Aurora
Aurora showcase numerous new products at this year’s Toy Fair. Here is just a sampling of some key items in the line. Sewn and painted by hand, no two designs in the Miyoni line are exactly alike as they bring awareness to all types of animals. The Red Panda, the newest addition to the plush line, is an endanGnomes gered species and a cat-size cousin to the black-and-white giant panda that shares its name. Aurora’s Gnomes features five unique styles that come in three sizes. Made with soft fabrics, and featuring large fluffy beards, beady eyes, and large hats, these will appeal to kids and adults. Additionally, Sea Sparkles are colorful plush dolls that make the perfect companion for girls.
Toy Fair 2016 Sakar
Sakar International expands its line of Frozen karaoke machines to include a new karaoke system inspired by Disney’s Queen Elsa and her glistening ice castle. The Castle Karaoke System features a colorful lightshow and includes a CD+G and lyrics booklet with songs from Disney’s Frozen. Elsa’s performance of “Let It Go” takes place in front of her frozen ice castle, and now children can sing the iconic song in front of a backdrop just like Elsa’s in the film.
Endless Games
Disney’s Frozen Castle Karaoke System
Endless Games adds several new additions to its party games line for 2016. Best of the Worst is a new board game that celebrates some of life’s not-so-happy moments. In this game, a card is drawn revealing a Worst category (such as your “Worst Trip to the Dentist” or “Worst Day at Work,” “Worst Time Stuck in Traffic,” or “Worst First Date.”) Players then take turns telling their best stories to score points and to look back in laughter at their worst situations. Name 5: Pop Culture Edition is an all movies, TV, music, food, and all other things pop culture version of the best-selling Name 5 party game. Some pop culture examples include Name 5 Lands of Middle Earth, or Name 5 Bands from the British Invasion. Like its predecessor, this is a game where for most questions, you will know one answer or maybe even two. But the real challenge is, can you Name 5?
Folkmanis
EyeBlack Jr.
EyeBlack Jr. Athletic Strips (shown) feature Nickelodeon licenses such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Bella and the Bulldogs. These are self-adhesive themed strips that kids can safely wear under their eyes just like professional athletes on the field. Sold in a pack of 12, these use an easy-on, easy-peel-off gentle adhesive. Designed for ages 3 and up, these are thin, breathable, and latex-free.
The Folkmanis Black Dragon puppet (shown) is elaborately detailed with large eyes, serpentine skin, and reptilian accents. It comes to life with movement in the mouth, forked tongue, and arms. Pull the cord at the base of the tail to expand the wings.
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Toy Fair 2016 Audley Toys
Audley Toys introduces an extensive assortment of toys at this year’s Toy Fair, many of which feature the theme of flight. The Super Wings World Airport Playset, based on the Super Wings TV series, is a large 35-inch set that features lights and sounds and includes two mini-transforming characters Jett and Donnie. Attach them to the fly-around balance bar and spin them to circle the airport. Load a character into the elevator and lift it to the control tower, then launch it down the ramp. Flip open the base compartments to reveal a rotating luggage carousel and a cargo scale. Press the button to hear commands from the control tower. Transform Jett and Donnie from plane mode to bot mode in three steps. Super Wings Pack ’n Go Playset features the iconic special-delivery package featured in every Super Wings TV Super Wings Jett episode. It opens to reveal a full-featured New York-themed playset, with ramps, lifts, and turnstiles for mini-transforming Jerome to explore the sights and scenes of New York City. The Jerome character transforms from plane to bot mode in three steps. The playset folds into a take-along package with carrying handle. Both Super Wings items are for ages 3 and up. With the Sky Rover Voice Command Missile Launcher, speak into the included headset to fly the helicopter and launch missiles. It comes with eight missiles and has a gyro-balanced engine for easy and stable flying. Designed for ages 8 and up, it’s for indoor use only. The Sky Rover Voice Command Drone responds to 12 commands when spoken through the included headset. Simply say “take-off” and watch as the drone changes direction and does amazing stunts like 360-degree flips all in response to verbal commands. With four individual motors that are protected by propeller guards, it is for all levels of flyers, ages 8 and up.
DuneCraft
DuneCraft’s indoor/outdoor Self-Watering planter allows a plant to determine exactly when and how much water is needed by using the water in the built-in reservoir. The water reservoir gradually distributes water into the soil as needed and the vent holes on the inner pot allow for maximum air ventilation. This system enables a plant to not only grow, but thrive, keeping the plants lush and healthy, even during hot summers, according to the company. Under or over-watering plants is impossible with these planters, making them ideal for those who are new to gardening as well as the busy, on-the-go individuals. The self-watering planters come in a variety of colors and styles such as African Blue Lily, Fly Traps, Eucalyptus, Cactus, and Madagascar Palms. Also new to the DuneCraft glass line is the Tiny Terrarium. Only 1.5-inches wide, this new line comes in a selection of cacti varieties—Pincushion, Fishhook Barrel, Golden Barrel, Giant Saguaro, and Robust Hedgehog. Add character to any windowsill with Character Mini Domes. Eight new character-themed gardens include Franki Fly Trap and Robert Radish. The Flowing River Habitat features decorative accessories, plants, and the water pump, which generates the flowing river. This creates the proper environment for any small creature. It will be possible to create a comfortable habitat for raising tree frogs, hermit crabs, newts, lizards, turtles, or your choice of pet. It includes an offer to purchase frog(s). The Double Bubble Glass Terrariums require minimal watering and care. Plant, place on the windowsill, and watch them sprout to life. There are five different themes including the Exotic Escape, Desert Oasis, Color Explosion, Fragrant Flowers, and Tropical Trees.
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Toy Fair 2016 American Plastic Toys
American Plastic Toys offers an extensive new assortment for preschoolers. The Beauty Salon, for ages 3 and up, features a large, heart-shaped mirror adorned with working lights that sets off the bright pink and purple colors of the working space and built-in sink. The set comes complete with 15 salon essentials including a hair dryer, scissors, makeup, and more. The salon comes with a stool for sitting and playing. The included items can be stored in shelving along the sides. It is designed for easy assembly so no screws are needed. Trail Biters are rugged vehicles that feature fun shark and alligator characters with mouths that open and close for jaw-chomping fun. Big knobby tires make it easy for push-and-play action for toddlers. Gigantic Dump Truck and Gigantic Loader are each nearly two-feet long and feature steel axles, a working dump bed, Beach Basket and working loader arm. The Trail Biters and Gigantic vehicles are for ages 18 months and up. The Beach Basket comes with buckets, shovel, and tropical fish molds for ages 18 months and up. The top of the basket can also be used to sift through sand. When the day is done, pack everything back up in the basket for a quick cleanup.
Silverlit Toys
Nano Falcon Team Mission includes one Nano Falcon and one Remote Control Truck. Open the tailgate and the landing pad will slide out. Launch or land the heli and, with the press of a button, close the tailgate and drive on. The three-channel Nano Falcon is designed for the beginner or expert flyer, ages 8 and up. The truck is fully functional with an IR remote control.
Learning Resources
Learning Resources expands its line of educational products at this year’s Toy Fair with the following items. A to Z Alphabet Groceries is a line of colorful, realistic groceries that introduce early language skills and letter learning, for ages 3 and up. Each of the 26 groceries is labeled with a letter, word, and colorful picture. New Sprouts Puppy Play is a complete playset featuring a plush puppy with collar, dog bed, bowl, bone, brush, and a can of dog food. This is designed for ages 2 and up. Primary Science Shining Stars Projector allows kids, ages 3 and up, to beam images of space onto any Primary Science surface for a close-up view of stars, planets, and more. It features an easy-carry handle and stand for a projector Shining Stars mode. The projector measures five inches in diameter and it includes three discs with eight images on each disc. Projector It requires three AAA batteries, which are not included. The unit features an automatic shut-off to conserve battery life. Robot Mouse STEM Activity Set is for kids ages 5 and up. It’s an introduction to the concepts of coding, step programming, and logic by planning a maze for your mouse. This set includes 16 pieces to create a 20-inch by 20-inch board, 25 wall tiles to create paths that are straightforward, winding, and everything in between. Plus use sequence cards to plot your way to the cheese while tracking every step. The mouse measures approximately three inches. An additional mouse is available separately. Mental Blox P.O.V. is a point-of-view game that challenges players to complete 3-D puzzles from different visual perspectives. The set includes 15 colorful shapes and 40 puzzle cards. Players, ages 5 and up, use spatial, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. This is a follow-up game to the original Mental Blox critical-thinking game.
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Toy Fair 2016 Cloud b
Cloud b introduces a new collection of characters to help children sleep safely. The collection is highlighted with characters that have voice-activated interaction, Bluetooth technology, and plush cozy comfort. My Buddie Bernie, for ages 3 and up, is the first in the line to feature interactive, voice-activated, talk-back engagement to help children transition from playtime to sleep My Buddie Bernie time. This soft Saint Bernard can be set for playtime responses or sleep time. In playtime mode, when children talk to the plush, it responds with silly sayings. When it’s time for bed, it changes to sleepy phrases for about five minutes until it says “Goodnight” to the child. As Bernie begins to fall asleep, the plush starts to snore before playing a soothing lullaby. Cloud b Beebop Bluetooth is a cuddly green creature that plays songs from personal playlists, lighting up along with the beat. As music plays, lights glow and strobe in blue, green, or red to match the tempo of the tunes. Designed for all ages, this is for playtime and can also be used as a soothing companion as night falls. Rainbow Loom SuperMax, for ages 8 and up, has Cloud b partnering with Rainbow Loom to make SuperMax the Turtle even more special. Now children can create a Rainbow Loom cape for their little superhero. The new gift set includes the star-projecting SuperMax and all the materials needed in this special-edition Rainbow Loom kit to create a flowing cape to adorn SuperMax as he helps ease fear of the dark. SuperMax will continue to project a starry gaze onto the ceiling while cycling from blue to green and red. An included booklet features the story of SuperMax the Turtle for parents to read to their little ones.
Pacific Playtents
International Playthings
International Playthings expands its Calico Critters line with the Seaside Ice Cream Shop and Hot Dog Van. The Ice Cream Shop comes with more than 30 pieces including Sandra Sandy Cat, spinning ice cream scoops, counter with ice cream, cones, bowls, spoons, table, chairs, rocking bench, and more. The Hot Dog Van features a grill and counter with pretend food warmer. There are more than 30 pieces including hot dogs, pretzels, waffles, fries, drinks, and more. The tires and steering wheel rotate. The Calico Critters are sold separately from the Hot Dog Van. Also available from International Plaything is Aquabeads Beginners Studio, Aquabeads Ultimate Design Studio, Earlyears Baby Bowler, Earlyears Pop Up Puppy Ball Pit, and more across multiple brands.
Ice Cream Truck comes fully equipped with mesh windows, inside pockets, and an order counter with a rollup window. When the ice cream truck is not open, roll down the window. This playset is large enough for a few children to play inside. Wild Flowers Teepee features pink and white cotton lining inside the teepee with a roll-up window. It is made of durable cotton canvas and real bamboo poles. No floor is attached so a small table, chairs, or sleeping bag can fit inside. Four little flags adorn the top. Vintage Teepee (shown) is an orange, white, and blue colored teepee with chic graphics. The inside lining features stars. There is also one large entry point and a window for extra ventilation. It comes with four poles and four hanging flags at the top. No floor is attached so it’s easy to put a small table, chair, or sleeping bag inside. Vintage Teepee The Rocket Ship features large mesh windows and Velcro door allowing easy access to enter and exit. There is also a built-in, waterproof floor so this rocket ship can go outdoors. Low Profile Chairs are lightweight, foldable chairs that are for indoor or outdoor use. With bright colors and padded armrests, kids will sit comfortably. Whether they are playing video games or eating lunch in the backyard, these chairs can be used almost anywhere.
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Toy Fair 2016 Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products comes to Toy Fair with a lineup of global licensees in support of both new and classic properties. Leading the line-up is the latest franchise, DC Super Hero Girls with support from global partners such as master toy licensee Mattel and exclusive construction partner LEGO, and many more soon to be announced. Also on tap is the tentpole event of the year, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which is supported by master toy licensee Mattel, LEGO, Rubie’s, and many additional global partners. Toy Fair attendees can also expect to see offerings from DC Comics’ TV slate to franchise animation with Scooby-Doo, Looney Tunes, and Tom and Jerry, and fan-favorites including Harry Potter, The Big Bang Theory, The Wizard of Oz, and more.
Saban Brands Saban Brands continues its global growth as a company and across its brands, maintaining a diverse portfolio of properties. In early 2016, Saban’s Power Rangers Dino Super Charge premieres on Nickelodeon, marking the 23rd season for the franchise. This new season will unite 10 Power Rangers on the same team for the first time in franchise history. Products from Bandai’s new Power Rangers line launched at the end of 2015. The line includes the Deluxe Morpher collection, a large assortment of Dino Charger Power Packs, Deluxe Zords and Megazords, and a new collection of figures. This year’s toy line also includes the Ranger Battle Gear and Ranger Hero Sets. Bandai will premiere several new collectible segments in its Legacy line. In addition to the television series, Saban Brands has partnered with Lionsgate to develop and produce a Power Rangers live-action feature film franchise. The first film, which will re-envision the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, is slated to premiere January 13, 2017. Popples, the all-new Netflix original series for kids, premiered on October 30, 2015, and is available exclusively on Netflix worldwide. Based on the 1980s toy line and TV series, there is a full consumer products program.
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Glitter Force
Spin Master is the global master toy licensee and an international product rollout across multiple categories and channels is planned for fall 2016. Spin Master’s plush toys are currently available in the U.S. at Walmart, including the Bubbles and Lulu Talk & Pop Plush as well as the Pop Open Plush, available in all five characters, Bubbles, Lulu, Sunny, Izzy, and Yikes. Additional products are coming in 2016 from a variety of licensees. Saban Brands has also partnered with celebrity mom, Soleil Moon Frye, to serve as a Popples brand ambassador. Much like Popples, she rose to fame in the 1980s as the star of popular sitcom, Punky Brewster. Another new Netflix original series for kids from Saban Brands is Glitter Force, which premiered on December 18, 2015. Glitter Force is available on Netflix world-
wide, excluding Asia. The new animated series follows five preteen girls who learn that they are a legendary superhero squad known as the Glitter Force and must defend Earth from evil fairytale villains. As a part of the Glitter Force, these friends transform from ordinary schoolgirls into super-powered cool girls. Saban Brands has partnered with pop music girl group, Blush, for the series. Blush, which is made up of five female members from all different parts of Pan-Asia, has recorded the Glitter Force theme song as well as four additional new original tracks to appear throughout the animated series. Saban Brands and Cirque du Soleil Média announced their upcoming original preschool property, Cirque du Soleil—Luna Petunia, as a Netflix original series for kids. Eleven 22-minute episodes will premiere worldwide exclusively on Netflix in fall 2016 and will kick off a full franchise rollout, including a full consumer products line, interactive digital content, and a potential live tour. Inspired by the fantastical worlds of the Cirque du Soleil brand, the groundbreaking new series will chronicle the adventures of a little girl named Luna Petunia who lives in our world and plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible.
Toy Fair 2016 RedwoodVentures
The AtmosFlare 3D Drawing Pen (shown) from RedwoodVentures makes 3-D drawing accessible, affordable, and easy to use, for beginners and experts alike, ages 14 and up. AtmosFlare users enjoy precision design control, with multiple extrusion and curing options, in numerous colors of 3-D ink. AtmosFlare uses a combination of patent-pending 3-D printing technology, ink, and LED light to deliver a 3-D drawing experience.
SET Enterprises
SET Enterprises introduces an assortment of games at this year’s Toy Fair. Here is a sampling of what will be on display. SET Mini Round, for ages 6 and up, is a quicker, easier version of the original game that comes in a tin. Each round card has three features: color, shape, and number. There are no turns and no luck in this speed game. It’s perfect for on-the-go play because any surface becomes your board. The first to see a set, calls out “Set” and picks up the three cards that make the set. Race to find as many sets as fast as you can. Be the one who has the most sets when the cards are gone, and you win. Karma Mini Round is a grab-and-go version of the original game that comes in a tin. The goal is to get rid of all your cards. Karma, for ages 8 and up, is an elimination game where everyone wins, except for the last player holding cards. With each turn, play a card of equal or higher number to avoid picking up the entire discard pile. Move through your cards faster by playing doubles. There are four different Karma Cards in the deck. Karma Cards can get you out of a jam, but be careful because in this game, it’s all about Karma—what comes around, goes around. The Crowns and Quiddler are also available in mini versions, packaged in a tin.
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Tech 4 Kids
AtmosFlare 3D Drawing Pen
Tech 4 Kids introduces an extensive assortment of toys for this year’s Toy Fair. Gemmies is a new craft allowing girls to create their own 3-D crystal gem creations. Through the simple steps of “Clip and Connect” with gems and bands, girls can create their own crystal pets, animals, flowers, and more. Gemmies Design Studio, for ages 6 and up, includes storage for gems, light-up display stands for the creations, and a design mat to master the creations. The Storytime Theater Projector is an all-in-one bedtime and entertainment projector for children. Using a tablet and the Storytime Theater app, kids can unlock Disney stories by selecting Press N’ Play on the screen. Through a wireless connection to the projector, stories are magically brought to life on the bedroom wall with custom animation for each page. Children and families can collect eight Press N’ Plays featuring familiar characters from Disney’s Frozen, Tangled, Sofia the First, and Doc McStuffins, as well as from Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Cars. And now Storytime Theater Projector allows kids, ages 3 and up, to project their own photos and movies stored on a smart device. Using UV gel curing technology, the 3D Magic ImagiPen allows a child to design in mid-air. Create up and build out, resulting in 3-D creations. Designed for ages 8 and up, there is no heat and no mess. Fright Factory, for ages 6 and up, allows kids to create Gemmies frightening 3-D creations. Through the use of EwGoo UV curing gel, creepy molds, and the Fright Factory Creature Creator, kids can create insects, reptiles, bats, and more. Simply place the stencil into the chamber, spin the crank, and watch as the electricity bolt lights up. Before your eyes, the EwGoo turns from ooey gooey gel to a creepy creation. Squishy Pops are squishy, mini-sized collectible characters that pop. Turn them upside down and all around and they stay stuck. Then just pop them off. Each squishable, stickable character has a suction cup that will stick to any flat surface. Designs, for ages 4 and up, include solid characters and all-new crystal characters. Paired with the Squishy Pops Display Set, children can display and collect them all. These are available in My Little Pony, Finding Dory, and Despicable Me.
Toy Fair 2016 Diggin
Mega Rocket
Diggin will expand its Slimeball line. Slimeballs are squishy and look like slime but don’t make a mess or leave any marks. Launch Slimeballs up to 30 feet with the Slimeball Flingers. Kids can use the included launcher or fling it right from their fingertips. The soft and safe Slimeballs are perfect for flinging, dodging, and throwing. Additional Slimeball products for this line will be announced at Toy Fair. Throw a six foot rocket more than 100 feet with the Mega Rocket. It inflates to six feet in seconds. It is for the pool, backyard, or the beach. The fins are weighted for aerodynamic performance, making it easy to throw and easy to catch even over extreme distances. The Black Max Light Up Football has a light effect, high-performance flight, and is soft to catch. The Smart LED system knows when you catch and when you throw. The weighted spiral ring causes tighter spirals and longer throws.
The Haywire Group
Imported from Germany by The Haywire Group, Worry Eaters expand in 2016 with more colorful characters in large and small versions. Worry Eaters feature big eyes and a wide, zippered mouth so a child can write or draw their worry on a piece a paper and insert it into the character’s mouth. The character then “eats” the worry for the child. Wanda is 13-inches tall, Pomm is 11.4-inches tall, and Frula is 12.2-inches tall. Flint, which was available last year in only a large size, will now be offered in a smaller version of 9.8-inches. The newest character, Biff, is available in a large and small version. In addition, The Haywire Group is expanding its Jukem card game line beyond football to include basketball and soccer. Calafant, for ages 4 and up, is a cardboard building kit from Germany. Kids can construct the kit, color it, and then play. The Action Princesses is a cooperative game, for two to four players, ages 5 and up. Players perform fun and silly actions to make their way down the stone path to the castle while defeating the dragon.
Evolle
Worry Eaters
Evolle’s Ozobot Starter Pack, for ages 6 and up, comes in either Cool Blue or Lava Red as a starter pack. Inside each pack are more than 20 activities for the one-inch programmable robot to perform. Look inside for four code-creating markers, two clear play surface sheets, two sheets of reusable Ozobot code stickers, plus a DIY blank customizable Ozobot skin and DIY skin sticker sheet. Each pack comes with a charging USB cable. Instructions explain how to download free Android and iOS apps. Then take it to the next level with Ozobot Bit for ages 8 and up. Bit allows users to fully control movement and behavior using its custom block-based programming editor, OzoBlockly. Powered by Google’s Blockly, OzoBlockly will feel intuitive to the users of Scratch, Hopscotch, App Inventor, Tynker, or Tickle App. This simplified visual programming language enables children to learn programming while learning how to think creatively, reason logically, and work collaboratively.
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Toy Fair 2016 Super Impulse
Super Impulse introduces Precision RBS (Rubber Band System), which is a rubber band-launching line with three models to choose from. The lightweight Talos holds up to 20 rubber bands in two sizes, launches up to 30 feet, and includes a built-in extender for even more power when you need it. The Chiron has storage for up to 100 rubber bands. Other features include the quick-loading design and a release option to separate into two different RBS Shooters, including a hand launcher. The Hyperion offers accuracy 50 feet away, says Super Impulse. There are three different band sizes with capacity for 26 loaded bands, plus extra side storage. This launches 14 bands at once. This line is designed for ages 8 and up. The World’s Smallest Line is designed to work just like the original toys with all the included function and pieces but in a small size. There are four classic toys included in this line: the Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone, Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack, Doodletop, and Sock Monkey. This line is for ages 4 and up. Tap Bubbles let kids, ages 3 and up, blow little bubbles that they can touch, catch, and stack. Klippets, for ages 4 and up, now feature the Minions. Klippets attach directly to backpacks, clothing, luggage, and more. Currently available Klippets include My Little Pony, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Adventure Time, Rubik’s Cube, and Etch A Sketch.
Litiholo
Ten years ago, Litiholo created the Litiholo Hologram Kit, which lets kids create a singlecolor (red) hologram at home in less than an hour. Now, with the Full Color Hologram Kit, kids can make their own color holograms at home while learning the basic science of how they work. This kit includes step-bystep instructions. It comes with hologram-tested lasers in red, green, and blue; 20 plates of fullcolor hologram film to make up to 20 different holograms; and everything else needed to make full-color holograms.
Precision RBS Chiron
Playmobil Playmobil’s Porsche 911 Carrera S is fully equipped with the funcPirate Raiders’ Ship is a floating ship with three main sails that can tioning front, rear, and dashboard lights. This set, for ages 4 and up, be used in the bath for ages 4 and up. The set includes three pirate figincludes the Porsche, two figures, show wall, rear spoiler, front apron, ures, ship, functioning cannon with four projectiles, torch, barrels, flags, eight rims, car jack, tools, Lechuza planter, and other adswords, monkey, and lots of other accessories. To use it ditional accessories. on dry land, snap the included wheels into the base to Large African Safari, for ages 18 months and up, is allow it to roll on hard surfaces. Upgrade this set with part of the Playmobil 1.2.3 line. This set includes five figthe R/C Underwater Motor (sold separately) to remotely ures, bus, plane with spinning propeller, truck with trailer, guide the ship through water. landscapes with trees, bridge, luggage, monkey, crocoDeluxe Dollhouse is a multilevel house that has six dile, giraffe, elephant, zebra, lions, and other accessories. rooms and plenty of play space. The dollhouse includes Large City Zoo, for ages 4 and up, includes seven figtwo figures, three-level home, mailbox, window boxes ures, two adult lions and one cub, two adult and four baby with flowers, and other accessories. Designed for ages Large African Safari Set penguins, peacock, fish with bucket, wheelbarrow with 4 and up, there are homey touches and furnishings with meat, child stroller, mouse, postcards, cash register, camera, fencing, and the different add-on rooms (each sold separately). lots of other accessories. Furnished Children’s Hospital Set includes three adult figures, one Water Park with Slides includes two adult figures, one child figure, child figure, one baby figure, rolling beds, reclining exam table, respirator, multi-level structure with slides, tube, life ring, and lots of other acces- defibrillator, bandages, stethoscopes, medical charts and tools, baby doll, sories, for ages 4 and up. teddy bear, and lots of other accessories for ages 4 and up.
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Toy Fair 2016 Brush Buddies
Load your child’s favorite music, stories, lullabies, or your voice into Sleepin’ Buddies built-in audio recorder and then set the timer. It can be set to play for one to 60 minutes. Its eyes will slowly close while the volume gradually lowers until it shuts off guiding your child to sleep.
Lassig
Lassig introduces its new 4Kids Little Tree Collection featuring Little Tree Fawn and Little Tree Fox. Together they adorn a selection of products for children including the Mini Backpack, which is perfect for youngsters not yet big enough for a regular-sized pack but who want to carry around their things. For ages 2 and up, there is a variety of large zipper pockets, adjustable shoulder straps, and bright designs. All of the materials used to manufacture Lassig bags are free of PVC, AZO, Phthalates, Nickel, and Cadmium. Also available from Lassig’s 4Kids Little Tree Collection is the Mini Toiletry Bag, Mini Messenger Bag, and Mini Duffel Bag. Little Tree Fox Mini Backpack
The Doll Maker
The Doll Maker is a Precious Moments licensee and introduces a line of 12-inch vinyl dolls for 2016. The line includes Bear Hugs to You (shown), which come in two versions: blonde or brunette. With a pink ribbon in their hair, the dolls each carry a pink stuffed bear, wear pink shoes, and are dressed in a white lace collared pink top and a white skirt. Angelic Whispers from Heaven (blonde or brunette) wear a gold crown and a long white dress covered with gold swirl embellishments. Their gold angel wings complement their dresses. A Tu-Tu Gorgeous doll available with blonde, brunette, or auburn hair, is Bear Hugs to You also part of the line.
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Blip Toys
For spring 2016, Blip expands its Yummy Nummies line. Yummy Nummies are candy, snack, and meal making sets that come with everything kids need to create nobake, realistic-tasting mini foods. The activities require no oven or stove. Some of the sets require a microwave. The results are little foods that look and taste just like the real thing—a hamburger tastes like a real tiny hamburger, and the cupcakes smell freshly baked. For ages 6 and up, the newest sets for spring include Terrific Tacos Maker, Wonderful Waffles Maker, Fantastic Fries Maker, Mini Fair Donuts Maker, Teeny Cinni Rolls Maker, Worms in Dirt Dessert Maker, Fruity Ribbons Maker. Each set comes with a Kitchen Magic Tray, instructions, and packs to make the respective food or treat. All sets include disposable cooking utensils for easy cleanup. For fall 2016, Blip introduces Street Shots where blasters and vehicles unite for the ultimate in targeting and high-performance challenges. For ages 5 and up, Street Shots blasters fire the vehicles far and fast at scale speeds of more than 500 mph. The included accessories launch the vehicles up walls and over furniture. Based on the new Disney Junior animated short films, Whisker Haven: Tales with the Palace Pets, the Disney Palace Pets Sweetie Tails are dressed for the Confection Costume Contest. For ages 4 and up, Rouge, Slipper, and Daisy feature long rainbow tales, multi-colored candy stripes, and a three-piece treat-shaped headpiece. Also for fall 2016, Blip Toys, as a licensee of Russ, introduces plush.
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Toy Fair 2016 Micro Kickboard
The Micro Mini2Go, for ages 18 months to age 5, grows with the child in two stages. Toddlers can cruise around on this ride-on scooter with a seat and a drawer designed for carrying items. The drawer is completely removable. From age 2 to 3, simply remove the seat and drawer, and the Mini2Go converts to a stand-on scooter with an adjustable height T-bar. Designed with young children in mind, the Micro Mini2Go features soft edges; a stable upright three-wheeled design; and smooth-gliding, non-marking polyurethane wheels that can be used indoors and out. The Mini2Go has a rear step-on break and Micro’s feature lean-to steering, which children learn intuitively to help develop balance and coordination as they go. This is available in pink or blue. Micro Mini2Go
Ohio Art
Ohio Art’s Retro Toy Line will include a number of items from the 1960s, including the revamped AstroRay Blaster (shown), Bizzy Buzz Buzz, and Spudsie. The 2016 version of the AstroRay Blaster will look just like the original and will come with four safe foam darts, and include a light-up feature to replicate the original play pattern. Bizzy Buzz Buzz was originally described as, “The cordless, motor-driven magic drawing toy to make colorful scrolls, circles, and doodles.” The new version will work the same way and will include a four-color instruction pamphlet and three color ink pens. Spudsie, the Hot Potato Game, will feature a wind-up mechanism with a bell just like the original. Classic Etch A Sketch also remains a key part of Ohio Art’s line.
The New York Puzzle Company
AstroRay Blaster
The New York Puzzle Company introduces a line of puzzles featuring Harry Potter. The initial puzzles will range from 500–1,000 pieces. New puzzles will be released every six months in various piece counts, including puzzles of each of the original book covers in the collector’s series. The New York Puzzle Company is an eco-friendly company whose products are made in the U.S. The company uses recycled chipboard for all of its boxes and puzzles and the printing is done with soy inks. The bag that holds the puzzle pieces is made from biodegradable plastic. Everything is recyclable and compostable. In addition, they are a member of 1% for the Planet. This means it pledges one percent of the sale of each puzzle to environmental non-profits committed to creating a healthier planet.
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Toy Fair 2016 Peaceable Kingdom
In The Fairy Game, Mr. Winter is trying to freeze over the fairies’ treasured flowers. Players match Fairy Cards to gather the hidden Magic Gems before four snowflakes land on one flower. Special cards allow players to slow down Mr. Winter’s chill. Kids, ages 5 and up, work together to fill the fairies’ magic wand and banish Mr. Winter from the garden. This game, for two to four players, teaches strategy, shared decision making, and cooperation. There is no reading necessary. In the Memory Palace, players explore their imagination and test their memory while creating silly stories about 27 different animal tokens. Each player shares a wacky story as he/she places a token face down in a room. The wackier the story the better because Memory Monsters are lurking in the palace trying to confuse the players. Turn one of them over instead of the correct animal and the game is over. Successfully remember where each animal is on the board without turning over a Memory Monster and everyone wins. Kids, ages 5 and up, learn storytelling, imagination, memory, and cooperation in this no-reading game for one to four players. Friends and Neighbors: The Helping Game is a matching game that focuses on emotions. Can players help a little girl who’s sad because she’s standing out in the rain or a boy who’s afraid of the dark? Reach into the Helping Bag and pull out a token—can it help someone on the game board? If so, it’s a match! In playing the game and reading about the feelings and needs of the characters, parents can help their children recognize feelings in others, which is the first step to building empathy. This game helps kids learn empathy and read emotions. This is for two to four players, ages 6 and up. No reading is necessary.
Lionel
Lionel introduces Mega Tracks (shown), which is a new rail system allowing kids to design and build their own courses anywhere. This new system features TwisTrack so kids can build courses on the floor or by attaching it to furniture. Once the layout and stunts are built, kids can send the rail racer vehicle into high-speed action by using the handheld remote control to adjust the speed of the vehicle and keep it on track. The Mega Tracks Corkscrew Chaos pack includes 20 feet of track, 55 construction pieces to build different layouts (including track clamps and connectors), Rail Racer vehicle and charger, and handheld remote control. The Mega Tracks Stunt Pack includes 12 feet of additional track and more than 20 construction pieces to build additional stunts. This new system is designed for ages 8 and up. Also new are Lionel’s ready-to-play sets featuring some of kids’ favorite brands, including Disney, The Polar Express, and John Deere. The sets are battery powered and feature an easy-to-connect interlocking track with various layout options. This new system is for ages 4 and up. Separately, Mickey’s Holiday to Remember Disney Christmas Set includes a 4-4-0 general-style locomotive with wood tender, a boxcar, an animated gondola, a square-window caboose, eight curved O36 Fastrack track sections, three 10-inch straight Fastrack sections, and one Fastrack terminal track section. This set lays out to 40 inches by 60 inches. There is a wall pack power supply, and a LionChief remote for the locomotive. The electric locomotive is controlled by remote with operating headlight, puffing smoke, an on/off switch for smoke and sound, RailSounds R/C sound system with steam chuffing and background sounds, whistle, bell, and user-activated announcements. The chuffing sounds are in sync with puffing smoke. There is a maintenance-free motor, traction tires, and more. Freight Car features operating couplers and opening doors on the boxcar. Mickey and Minnie figures circle the gondola when the car is in motion. LionChief remote features a forward and reverse speed-control knob and three buttons to activate horn, bell, and special announcements. Lionel Mega Track It requires three AAA batteries, which are not included.
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Toy Fair 2016 Jakks Pacific
Nickelodeon’s Make It Pop is a live-action high school musical comedy for girls, ages 6–11. It follows Corki, Jodi, and Sun Hi who come together over their love of music to form a band. The line of products includes fashion dolls, plush, and a roleplay microphone. The Star Wars: The Force Awakens 48inch Figure First Order Stormtropper feaMake It Pop fashion dolls tures a motion-detection feature. Press the button on its chest or enter the room to hear iconic voice lines and sound effects from the Star Wars universe. The figure has six points of articulation and an additional elbow swivel for blaster-ready poses. Also available in this line is Star Wars: The Force Awakens 20-inch figures and 31-inch figures. There’s also the Star Wars Classic 20-inch figure assortment, Star Wars Classic 48-inch and 31-inch Darth Vader figures, a Yoda that stands 20-inches tall, and a basic and deluxe 20-inch version of R2-D2. Big-Figs are also available featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Halo, and Batman v Superman characters. From Disney’s Frozen comes Disney Frozen Musical sisters Anna and Elsa. Touch Anna’s necklace to hear the doll sing “Do You Want to Build Snowman?” or touch Elsa’s necklace to hear the doll sing “Let It Go”. Each necklace lights up and each doll is dressed in the iconic outfit from the movie. These dolls, which are each sold separately, are for ages 3 and up. In Disney Princess, there is the Belle Musical Tea Party Cart. Push the cart to hear the song “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast. For ages 3 and up, this tea cart comes with a tea pot with lid, two tea cups, two spoons, and an invitation. With Magical Wand Cinderella, girls can wave the Fairy Godmother’s wand to transform Cinderella’s look. A short wave gets things started. Wave the wand longer to create a colorful light show on her dress as the doll sings key songs from the movie. Cinderella says more than 20 phrases. The Tsum Tsum line is expanding with a three-pack that includes a small, medium, and large characters. There are 21 different sets to collect. The nine-pack includes three small, three medium, and three large characters. A Portable Play Case, mystery packs, holiday assortments, and an Advent calendar will also be available this year. New items are also available featuring Finding Dory, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, The Lion Guard, Star Darlings, Minnie Mouse, Black & Decker, Real Construction, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Max and Friends, and Maui Toys.
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Green Toys
Green Toys’ Cupcake Set is a 16-piece, mix-andmatch set that includes frosting, cakes, and cupcake liners for five complete cupcakes, plus a cake stand display. The cake stand is for presentation and storage, and can even be used to serve actual cupcakes. This set meets FDA food contact standards. The cupcake pieces are dishwasher safe. The Dump Truck, Garden, and Tea Time puzzles are four-piece starter-puzzles (shown) for preschoolers. These easy-to-hold 3-D pieces encourage imagination and pretend play as well as help with motor skill development. Rescue Boat & Helicopter is a two-in-one toy that’s just as fun on land as it is in water, with a bright yellow, full-size Helicopter nestled on the back deck of the red and white Rescue Boat. The set also includes two characters—Captain Duck and Pilot Bear. This set is specially designed to float in the water for use in the bathtub and also opens up to be cleaned in the dishwasher. The Green Toys Character Pack features a yellow Captain Duck, orange Pilot Bear, green Construction Dog, and blue Conductor Bear that fit with any Green Toys vehicles such as the Train, Rocket, Seacopter, Sport Boats, Construction Trucks, Helicopter, and more. All of the items from Green Toys are made in the U.S. from 100 percent recycled plastic with no BPA, Phthalates, or PVC. All of the pieces are dishwasher safe. Each product is packaged with recycled and recyclable materials printed with soy inks. These items are expected on shelf in the spring.
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Toy Fair 2016 CogniToys
Powered by IBM Watson and Elemental Path’s Friendgine technology, CogniToys engage in conversation-based educational play. While other tech toys rely on preprogrammed responses, CogniToys says its products listen to kids’ questions and adapt to their interests, creating a unique opportunity for interactive learning. The seven-inch dinos are cloud-based, Wi-Fi-enabled smart toys. They are capable of exploring a wide variety of topics during playtime and can participate in activities such as questions and answers, storytelling, games, and more. The toy explores favorite colors, animals, and more to customize engagement for the child.
Funko
Funko introduces characters from the horror video game, Five Nights at Freddy’s. The line will include 2.5-inch figural keychains, six-inch collectible plush, three-inch Mystery Minis, two-inch collectible vinyl four-packs, five-inch posable action figures with build-afigure accessories, and more.
Colorforms
Colorforms, for ages 3 and up, offers several new products and licenses for 2016 including the Learning Fun product line designed for preschoolers and their parents. These are larger pieces designed for smaller hands that have an educational focus that includes ABCs, 123s, shapes, puzzles, and roleplay. With the Shapes Creator Sets (zoo and vehicles), kids can use Colorforms restickable vinyl shapes to create and decorate animal and vehicle designs. The Pizza & Cake Creator sets let preschoolers create and decorate their very own pizza or birthday cake with Colorforms. The Record A Story Restickable Set lets kids create their own storybook adventures, add a recording of their own voice and sound effects, then share it with family and friends. And Colorforms takes roleplay to a whole new level with the Figure Fun Restickable PlayCase. This portable figural playset opens up to reveal a Colorforms restickable playset.
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Corolle
Corolle’s newest interactive doll Bébé Calin Bisou, for ages 18 months and up, is dressed in a mint outfit complete with cap. The doll has four functions that include saying Papa, Mama, Hi, and making a smacking noise while eating.
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Toy Fair 2016 Bandai America
Miraculous: Bandai America showcases its toy line for the new animated Nickelodeon series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Bandai is the master toy partner for Zag Heroez’ CGI-animated & Cat Noir TV series about a young girl who taps into her superhero powers and innocent optimism to save Paris from the evil Hawk Moth. Bandai will introduce an extensive assortment of toys centered on aspirational action play, transformation, and friendship. A complete line of toys bring the action of Miraculous Ladybug to life, including action dolls for girls, transformational roleplay, plush pets, and fashion dolls. Targeted to girls ages 4-8, the Miraculous toy line is set to launch in fall 2016 globally. Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir premiered this past fall in the U.S. on Nickelodeon and will roll out globally, in 120-plus markets, over the next three months. The series’ worldwide broadcast partners include Disney EMEA, TF1 France, ABC Australia, and EBS Korea. Zag, under its Zag Heroez’ label, produced the series with involvement from Method Animation (France), Disney Channel EMEA, Toei Animation (Japan), SamG Animation (Korea), SK Broadband (Korea), PGS Entertainment (France), and AB International Distribution (France).
Discovery Consumer Products Discovery Consumer Products features new product from an array of partners for both the Discovery Kids and Animal Planet brands at Toy Fair. Discovery Kids continues to expand with new product hitting retail shelves throughout 2016. Licensees such as Horizon Group USA, DGL’s Aww Industries, Merchsource, NKOK, and Explore Scientific will display product from the Discovery Kids line. Aww Industries, a division of DGL Group, developed a line that includes science kits, puzzle kits, multi-function solar kits, friction-powered puzzle dinosaurs, and vehicle puzzles. Each assortment allows children to build their kit while simultaneously engaging with the inner working of solar, mathematics, and friction power. NKOK will showcase a full range of Discovery Kids radio control animals, from deep sea sharks and clown fish to ferocious dinosaurs, creepy spiders, and exotic snakes. Additionally, an extensive line of tech and interactive gadgets will be displayed including the Laser Tag Blaster and Target sets. Rounding out the NKOK line will be various arts and craft items including the Discovery Kids Spin ’n Swirl Splatter Painter, Glow Art Drawing Boards, Trace and Draw projectors along with various Chainstitch and EZ-Stitch Sewing Machines. Explore Scientific showcases a new line of Discovery Kids science and optic products geared toward young kids. The product offering in-
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cludes a range of binoculars and telescopes, a periscope, night-vision scope, and a metal detector featuring tools and enhancements aimed at igniting curiosity. Horizon Group USA will display a broad array of science activity kits. The line will feature product offerings for Create Your Own, Build Your Own, and Learn and Discover sets including a 3-D shuttle launch, ancient relics excavation kit, crystal growing kit, and more. The line is targeted at children ages 6-11. Merchsource develops a wide array of toys and games from its extensive Discovery Kidsbranded line, including play tents and structures, seasonal summer toys, kids’ electronics such as toy tablets and lamps, arts and crafts kits, outdoor toys, science kits, and roleplay items. The Animal Planet children’s brand is inspired by the network, which immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom. Animal Planet toys have proven success led by a 15-plus year partnership with Toys “R” Us, which features 20 feet of dedicated product in all stores. The Animal Planet toy line continues to grow within the ocean, land, and dinosaur themes. At this year’s Toy Fair, licensees including Smart Play, Masterpieces, SCS Direct, and Wild Republic will display product from the Animal Planet children’s line.
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Toy Fair 2016 Kids Preferred
Galt
Galt’s Two in One Playnest (shown) is a fabric-covered inflatable ring that provides a soft resting area for baby on one side and a self-contained play environment for older babies on the reverse. This can be used from birth and up. Galt’s Fold and Bounce Trampoline is an ideal first trampoline with an easy-grip handle to hold. Designed for ages 18 months and up, it encourages coordination and balTwo in One Playnest ance and can make exercise fun.
Cuddle Barn
Cuddle Barn’s plush line includes classics for kids of all ages. The Big Brother Bear and Big Sister Bear, each sold separately, are soft, huggable bears that help kids make the transition to older sibling. Buttons the puppy has super soft fur, flapping ears, and a bright aqua bow. Miss Kit-tea is adorned in a green and purple party hat and teapot. It spins and dips to the classic children’s song “I’m a Little Teapot.”
Prime Time Toys
Big Brother and Big Sister Bear
Kids Preferred showcases a number of products from licenses such as Beatrix Potter, Guess How Much I Love You, and John Deere as well as from its proprietary lines for baby. Shown here are products for The World of Eric Carle, which is represented by The Joester Loria Group for licensing. The World of Eric Carle Little Artist collection includes a variety of arts and crafts kits. There’s The World of Eric Carle Sew-n-Stuff Caterpillar, for ages 5 and up, which includes soft, pre-cut fabric pieces; peel-and-stick decorations; a safe plastic needle; and yarn-sewing thread. Also in the line is The World of Eric Carle Tissue Collage and Color Kit (ages 3 and up), The World of Eric Carle Color Your Own Tote Bag (ages 4 and up), and The World of Eric Carle Make Your Own Caterpillar Pillow (ages 5 and up). For kids with an interest in art, there’s The World of Eric Carle Painting Set (ages 4 and up). The World of Eric Carle Mosaic Art (for ages 3 and up), The World of Eric Carle Little Artist Easel with Paint Cups (ages 3 and up), The World of Eric Carle Little Artist Floor Mat (ages 2 and up), and a variety of Super Dough sets featuring Carle’s characters.
Prime Time Toys expands its line of water activities. New in the line for 2016 are Hurricane Reusable Sharkpedo Water Balls, for ages 5 and up. Simply fill and seal with a quick squeeze and kids are ready to drench their friends. With a durable soft shell, they can be reused up to 1,000 splashes, says the company. The Hydro Stomp Splash Rocket, for ages 4 and up, uses a garden hose-powered geyser to send this rocket soaring up into the air with a single stomp and a splash. Simply connect the stomp pad to any garden hose for a column of water propelling the rocket up to 35 feet in the air. With Super Sharkpedo, for ages 6 and up, kids can navigate this foot-long shark through the water for up to 40 feet. Simply submerge Sharkpedo under water to quickly fill the tail fin that then launches like a dart to propel it through the pool with ease. A new twist on classic sprinkler fun, Hydro Swirl Spinning Sprinkler brings a new dimension to backyard water play with its Super Spin Water Whirl. The Hydro Swirl features a hydro-powered spinning dome on top, with six tidal storm wiggle tubes on the edge. These tubes wiggle and splash in all directions. This is for ages 4 and up. Hydro Twist Pipeline Sprinkler has an eight-foot pipeline that stretches across the ground shooting water in different directions. The Hydro Twist features two fountains blasting more water into the sky and six tidal storm wiggle tubes. This is for ages 4 and up.
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Toy Fair 2016 Little Kids
Moji Mis are characters that express their emotions through silly sounds. Tickle a Moji Mi’s hair to hear goofy gibberish. There are six new characters in the line. There’s Feelin’ Happy Go Lucky, Feelin’ Bold Moji Mis & Bratty, Feelin’ Pretty & Pouty, Feelin’ Abuzz with Excitement, Feelin’ Rock ‘n Roll, and Feelin’ Double Dog Daring. Candylicious are bubbles you can eat. They are available in four flavors: cherry, grape, bubble gum, and tutti frutti. There is a basic Candylicious Bubble Assortment that comes with an edible solution and a wand. There’s the character assortment that features the Candylicious Bubble Ninja, which is a soft, squeezable character on top of the bubbles container. The Candylicious Bubble Machine is shaped like the Bubble Ninja. Press the button to activate the bubbles and watch as they come out of the character’s mouth. Little Kids is also expanding its Nickelodeon line of products with the Flex Flyers assortment featuring PAW Patrol and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). The Nickelodeon Bubble Machine Assortment features PAW Patrol, TMNT, Bubble Guppies, and Dora the Explorer. There is also an extensive new line of PAW Patrol bubble items and water toys. There are extensions to the Peanuts bubbles line and new introductions in Junk Ball with the Junk Ball Pro-Pass Football and Junk Ball Accu-Strike Soccer Ball.
Spin Master Spin Master’s Kinetic Sand line now includes the Kinetic Sand Finding Dory Playset with which kids can create and play in Dory’s ocean environment. There are new characters and a multi-mold flex tool. There’s the Kinetic Sand Little Mermaid Playset in which kids can mold Little Mermaid Sea characters, use the multi-mold flex tool, and use the Standee characters to make footprints. Both sets are for this fall for ages 3 and up. New for this spring is Kinetic Sand Build, which is an all-new formula that holds its shape while kids play. The Kinetic Sand Build 2-Color Pack allows kids to build structures. The Kinetic Sand Build Bakery Boutique lets kids create an assortment of pretend bakery treats using seven different pieces and two colors of PAW Partrol’s Kinetic Sand. The playset opens to display the creZooming ations. Also available is the Kinetic Sand Build Crash Marshall ’ems Cars. New for fall is the Kinetic Sand Build Mix ’n Mash-Up Maker, with which kids can create, customize, and play with their own characters. It comes with the Mash-Up Maker Machine, the molds and accessories, and three, eight-ounce bags of Kinetic Sand. These Kinetic Sand products are for ages 5 and up. Also in the activity segment are line extensions in Sew Cool, Bunchems, and Bendaroos. Spin Master is the master toy licensee for The Secret Life of Pets, which opens on July 8. The product line will feature an extensive
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range including Walking Talking Pets, Deluxe Talking Plush, and Walking Max Feature Plush. There will also be basic plush, figures of various sizes, and playsets as well as retail exclusives featuring key characters from the film. The Powerpuff Girls line will feature Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup in a Deluxe Flip to Action Playset and a Vectron Flying Powerpuff Girls Assortment. For PAW Patrol, there’s new Themed Action Pack Pups, Action Pack Pup and Badge, Rescue Racers, Basic Vehicles with Pup, Themed Basic Vehicles with Pup, Farmer Al’s Roll Patrol Starter Set, Roll Patrol Deluxe Lookout Tower Playset, Zooming Marshall, and more for ages 3 and up. In the Zoomer brand, PAW Patrol’s Zooming Marshall features more than 80 missions and tricks, 200-plus PAW Patrol sounds, moves on its own, and can follow and react to kids’ movements. Also in the Zoomer brand is Zoomer Chimp, which can follow and react to a child’s movements, respond to voice commands with a variety of tricks and sounds, run on four legs, and stand up to balance on two legs. The fully animated face brings it to life with color-changing eyes that express its mood. Spin Master also has extensive introductions across its Air Hogs and Meccano lines and in its games division.
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Toy Fair 2016 Manhattan Toy
Mio is Manhattan Toy’s newest collection providing open-ended play to inspire any builder’s imagination, from age 3 and up. The Mio Playing Set: Eating • Sleeping • Working + 2 People is a 41-piece wooden set and the largest in the Mio collection. It includes one large room, one “grassy” patio, two rooms, a loft, two blocks, one hopscotch plank, one natural plank, two step pieces, four reversible tree/garden blocks, four pillars, one room divider plank, one graphic block, 15 cubes, one blanket, one pillow, two Mio beanbag people, and a drawstring storage bag. The pieces store inside the large room/storage box with built-in handle cut-outs and a fitted cover. Additional pieces and sets of various sizes are sold separately. Groovy Girls Special Edition Melissa Butterfly, for ages 3 and up, features the doll in ballerina slippers, an intricate blue and purple tutu, and removable butterfly wings. The Velcro-like backing allows for easy attachment. The Playful Dino, for ages 12 months and up, has multiple play surfaces, bead runs, peg mazes, and more. This teaches cause-and-effect learning while fostering fine motor skill development and hand-eye coordination. The Treehouse Stack-up, for ages 18 months and up, lets kids stack it up, knock it down, and start over again. Rearrange the pieces over again to create different stacking treehouse creations. The set includes 12 stackable wooden pieces. This item supports cause-and-effect learning and promotes fine and gross motor skill development.
Playful Dino
Zuru Toys Zuru’s line of toys continues to grow in 2016 with both proprietary items and licensed offerings. Fill and tie 100 water balloons in less than 60 seconds with the selftying Bunch O Balloons. Simply connect, fill, and make hundreds of water balloons and let the balloon warfare begin. X-Shot Excel Series unveils new blasters that can shoot darts approximately 55 feet, says Zuru. The line features two new items: Barrel Braker TK-3 and Reflex Revolver TK-6. Zuru features new characters from two upcoming films: Trolls and Ice Age: Collision Course. The characters from each movie will be available in key chains and mini figurines. From Zuru’s Robo line, comes Robo Jelly Fish. Simply place the jellyfish in water and watch it swim in multiple directions as it mimics a real jellyfish. It has flashing LED lights and a charging stand, which acts as a nightlight. Using micro robotic technology, Robo Turtle can walk on land and swim in water, just like a real turtle. Watch as it dives from a rock and
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splashes into the water, swimming in multiple speeds and directions. Collect all four unique turtle designs and place them in the Robo Turtle Playset. Robo Fish Recharge has the latest micro-robotic technology, is water-activated, and comes with a recharge pad for 16 hours of play. Simply drop them in water and watch them burst to life, swimming in five different directions. Another new addition to the line is the Deep Sea Angler and Wimple Fish. Robo Angler comes with new glow-in-water features. The Deep Sea Assortment comes with micro-robotic technology to swim in water with accurate lifelike movements. For the new film, Finding Dory, Zuru introduces wateractivated swimming fish featuring the characters from the movie. Lively Lizard is the newest addition to the new Robo Alive segment. Using the latest technology it moves in all directions with life-like movements. Pick it up by the tail or tickle its tummy and watch it shake its bum. Rest the head on your hand and it will take a break but put it back down and the chase starts again.
The Design Excellency for Your Outdoor Activity
HK Toys & Baby Product Awards 2016 (Merit Award) by HK Toys & Games Fair
Visit us Introducing the first riding experience :
Bike Ride-on Start the bike-riding experience with this Bike Ride-on! For super beginner bike riders, this helps children to first ride without pedals making it an easy transition to when they do have bikes with pedals. It features a stable base and sturdy handle grips.
Booth #5921 at NY Toy Fair Booth #713 at Toy Fest West Discover more at
www.PlanToys.com
PlanToys, Inc. Tel: 650.968.4783 Fax: 650.968.4947 Email: info@plantoysinc.com
Toy Fair 2016 HABA
HABA’s new introductions for 2016 continue to focus on the company’s mission of promoting open-ended play. Here are some highlights. The Pegging Game Bobble Caterpillar is a creative puzzle, for ages 2 and up, that fosters color recognition and fine motor skills. The shape and length change depending on how the nine pieces are assembled. Sand Monster Mold Set is a set of individual molds so kids, ages 3 and up, can create a variety of sand monsters in any configuration they want. Ball Track Bathing Bliss Water Course allows kids to design a course by arranging water track elements in a variety of ways. The balls can zip around the spiral curve, plop into the seesaw bucket, and tumble out the other side. Water can also be filled into the track with the ladle. This is designed for ages 3 and up.
Alex Brands
Sand Monster Mold Set
Alex Brands introduces more than 200 new products in 2016 covering multiple categories of play, including Shrinky Dinks, exploration, building sets, tween crafts and spa, infant and preschool, and more. Here are some of the highlights. For the first time, Shrinky Dinks allows kids to color, bake, and shrink wearable 3-D jewelry and 3-D room décor accessories out of the precut plastic sheets. With patentpending silicon bracelet, ring, and flower molds, children can infuse their personal style as they color and transform the flat sheets into three-dimensional works of art. New Poof items get kids outdoors and active while they throw the Poof Tunnel Ball and Fling Flyer. Alex expands the Buzz Bee Toys line with products that range from foam darts and water blasters, to flying toys and junior sports products. New for 2016 is the Ultra-Tek Destiny and Outlaw. The Ultra-Tek Destiny is a clip-fed, fully automatic dart blaster that will hit the target up to 72 feet away blasting 10 darts a second. The Outlaw is a high-performance air pressure water blaster that will drench the competition up to 42 feet away. Alex Toys continues to innovate by introducing new items in the spa category. New concepts in temporary tattoos include Layer & Wear Watercolor Tattoos and Show Your Glow Tattoos. Tweens can host their own nail and hair salon party with Sweet Scent Sprinkle Nails, Color Shift Nail Kit, and My Lites Custom Streaks for hair. Tweens can take string art to the next level, without the hassle of nails or pins. Alex Toys’ new Sweetheart String Art and 3D Stellar String Art kits contain unique plastic molds that allow girls to create a piece of art for their room. Alex Guy Gear Collection Sk8 Deck Wall Art is a new concept in skateboard art, allowing kids to color and display their own skate deck. It includes a display stand for wall or shelf. New Do-It-Yourself accessory kits incorporate embellished galaxy pendants, natural wood elements, and butterfly hair accents. New craft kits include Make-a-Statement Necklace, Stitch & Wear Wood Jewelry, and Paint & Sparkle Galaxy Jewelry. New Citiblocs building sets take play to the next level with patent-pending connector hardware found in four new building sets. These six new connector pieces allow classic Citibloc pieces to be joined, hinged, and rotated for more versatile, creative building. Space exploration continues in Zoob with two additional Galax-Z kits for younger builders. Alex Brands expands its licensed product offering with new activities for Shimmer & Shine, Blaze, Project Mc2, and for the upcoming movie, Secret Life of Pets.
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K E N DA M A I S A T I M E L E S S S P O RT T H AT E N G AG E S M I N D, B O DY + S P I R I T. P L AY I N G K E N DA M A I N C R E AS E S H A N D - E Y E C O O R D I N AT I O N , F O C U S + S E L F C O N F I D E N C E
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Toy Fair 2016 Smart Toys & Games
Smart Toys & Games introduces a full lineup of products at this year’s Toy Fair. Most of the products are designed for play at home. However, there are a few designed for on-the-go play. There’s Magnetic Travel: Deducktion for ages 5 and up. This magnetic game offers 48 challenges using deduction to find the position of each mallard. The challenge is simple but the solution is not: place the three duck families so all the ducklings follow their mother but the moms don’t stand next to each other. Parking Puzzler, for ages 7 and up, is a game of deduction where every car needs the right spot, including yours. Place all pieces on the board but make sure the cars are in position correctly—not in the driving lane or taking up two parallel spots. This game features 60 challenges. Penguin Pool Party, for ages 5 and up, is a compact game that holds 60 challenges. Place the penguins on the board game as shown in the challenge and then place the pieces with ice around them. This is a simple and clear concept using only four puzzle pieces, but it’s not as easy as it looks.
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Wild Republic
Wild Republic offers a varied assortment of products at this year’s Toy Fair. Light Blazers are light-up sabers that come with six different accessories to assemble a personalized toy. Motor Headz Garage is a new addition to the Motor Headz line of play vehicles. The company adds new designs and 18-piece custom building sets that come in bald eagle, tiger, rhino, skull, robot shark, and dragon varieties. In plush, Wild Republic introduces Little Biggies. These 30-inch plush animals provide realism in a huggable collection that can sit in an upright pose. The company’s Sweet & Sassy plush line will now be available in a 30-inch size. Also, Cuddlekins adds a five-inch size to the line.
VTech
VTech’s Go! Go! Smart Adventures continues to grow with new themes and extensions to the Friends, Wheels, and Animals lines. The Go! Go! Smart Friends line evolves with a new theme of princesses and kingdoms, and introduces a palace that expands to four-feet long. Go! Go! Smart Wheels will feature a Gold Mine Train Set with its first motorized train that can climb hills on its own. Go! Go! Smart Animals will include domestic animals and a three-story Pet Hotel. Also new this year is the Touch & Learn Activity Desk Deluxe, which is an expandable, three-in-one learning desk with interactive activity cards. It features an interactive desktop and five pages filled with content including letters, numbers, music, animals, and more. Eight expansion packs (each sold separately) focus on nursery rhymes, vocabulary, animals, and numbers. The desk also transforms into an easel and chalkboard with storage space for art supplies. VTech expands its infant, baby, and preschool lines with nearly 50 new products. Each is developed with critical insight from its Expert Panel, that specialize in reading, language arts, math, and science as well as the broader spectrum of childhood development. VTech will continue the growth of its online Milestones resource, specifically created to help parents select toys based on the individual needs of children. It offers expert-endorsed recommendations developed in collaboration with Dr. Lise Eliot, early brain development expert and member of VTech’s Expert Panel.
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Toy Fair 2016 Wicked Cool Toys
CPK Baby So Real has color, LCD-animated eyes; an accelerometer so the doll recognizes where CPK Baby it is positioned; sensors in the forehead, back, diaper area, and feet for play and response; vibration for So Real feedback; all relevant baby sounds; and Bluetooth capabilities. The Baby So Real app also allows users to nurture and care for the baby in the virtual world. With a simple touch, kids can interact with their baby in the virtual nursery with the Food, Play, Sleep, Health, and Change icons. Also included are Hungry, Play, Sleep, and Offline modes. The offline mode allows kids to play with the doll without using the app. Earn Mommy Points to open new features of the app, mini games, and more. The doll, for ages 3 and up, is 14-inches tall and comes with a bottle and free app. The Xtreme Cycle Moto-RC features a patented gyroscopic stabilization system. The system is made up of a flywheel mounted in the rear wheel as well as an all-four bar-linkage steering system. This system allows for ramp jumping, driving on various terrains, and even recovering from crashes. The cycle is designed to always right itself after it falls and it has front shocks to absorb bumps. The set includes the cycle, rider, and remote control. The Xtreme Cycle Moto-Cam features a built-in helmet camera so young cyclists can capture flips, tricks, and sharp turns just like they do in extreme cycling. The Moto-Cam has the same extreme features as Moto-RC but allows cycle enthusiasts to stop the video at any time—even in mid-jump. Moto-Cam has 640x480 VGA resolution and allows kids to record video at 30 frames per second and store 12–15 minutes of video. The set includes the cycle with Moto-Cam, rider, remote control, and a USB cable to download the video. Both Xtreme items are for ages 8 and up.
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Toy Fair 2016 Play Visions
Floof is a new compound that looks like snow, feels like a marshmallow, and molds like clay. Each set includes Floof, different molds, shapes, and pieces. New sets for 2016, for ages 3 and up, include Mr. & Mrs. Snowman, Polar Babies, Mini Snowball Maker, Sasquatch Target Game, S’mores Party, and Sunny Day Clouds. Turn the muddy outdoor fun kids love, into the tidy indoor play parents need. Play Dirt is the artificial play dirt that feels like real dirt, without the real mess. Kids can enjoy a personal garden, dig up a treasure, or pick at pretend bugs. The set, for ages 3 and up, comes with two pounds of play dirt sand and assorted garden tools. Sands Alive! is the indoor, no-mess play sand that never dries out. It comes in an assortment of colors. New for 2016, for ages 3 and up, is Sands Alive! Treasure Hunt, Sands Alive! Forest Friends Tea Party, Sands Alive! Color Candy Shoppe, and Sands Alive! Pizza Party. Sands Alive! Glow has a number of new sets in the line for this year. There is Sands Alive! Glow: Lunar Landing, Sands Alive! Glow: Volcano World, Sands Alive! Glow: Super Set, Sands Alive! Glow: Glow Moe, Sands Alive! Glow: Car Crashers, Sands Alive! Glow: Four Pound Box, and more. Snowtime Anytime indoor snowballs are for ages 3 and up. The snowballs are made of a soft material to feel like snow, but without the mess or slush. These fun, soft snowballs are machine washable and dryable on the gentle cycle. New this year is Snowtime Anytime Snowballs (six-pack, 15-pack, and 30-pack), Snowtime Anytime Mondo Snowballs, Snowtime Anytime Inflatable Snow Shield Set, Snowtime Anytime Inflatable Fortress, and Snowtime Anytime Snowball Launcher. Chameleon Skinz is an accessory tape that changes color right before your eyes. All Chameleon Skinz are temperature sensitive and transform into a new color as soon as they’re touched. Watch your skinz switch from blue to white, purple to pink, green to yellow, and more. This is for ages 5 and up. Cyber Fire Sets allow kids, ages 6 and up, experience their favorite sport in a glowing new way. Put on the special Cyber Fire frames and watch a basketball, football, or flying disc soar bright. Balls light up in day or night.
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2016 EVENTS These one-day events give exhibitors the opportunity to showcase products in front of key media, encompassing print, broadcast, and online news outlets as well as the most influential parenting and toy bloggers and vloggers. TTPM will also unveil its coveted Most Wanted Lists and the hottest trends and properties for each season.
SPRING SHOWCASE
HOLIDAY SHOWCASE
April 28 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion
October 6 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Metropolitan West
125 W 18th St, New York, NY
639 W 46th St, New York, NY
TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY, CONTACT Bob Glaser 646.763.8720 bob@ttpm.com
Donna Moore 646.763.8718 donna@ttpm.com
Toy Fair 2016 Ravensburger
Mobo
The Mobo Mity is a three-wheeled cruiser designed for children 2–5 years old. From the rear-wheel steering system to its ergonomic design, the Mobo Mity offers a number of features. It has a comfortable seat, chainless chassis, never-flat tires, and an adjustable frame that grows with the child. Mobo Tot Disney Princess, for ages 2–5, features an extendable frame and never-flat tires that grows with the child. It also includes the rear-wheel steering system with reversibility function. The adjustable frame fits heights up to 42 inches.
Mobo Mity
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Ravensburger’s 2016 lineup focuses on science, games, puzzles, crafts, and puzzle crafts. Here is just a sampling of what is included in the line. Buggaloop is the follow-up game to Bugs in the Kitchen. Designed for ages 6 and up, it features Hexbug Nano V2 from Innovation First, which burrows in the hidden places of the 3-D game board, popping out unexpectedly to interrupt regular gameplay. Monkey Beach is an adventure game of pirates and treasure-seeking for preschoolers, ages 3 and up. Pirate players must feel for the hidden treasures and move them to the correct opening in the fabric island. During each turn, select two cards to see which treasure to find and to which opening to guide your treasure. Quickly collect your treasures before the volcano erupts and the game ends. Thomas the Tank Engine Counting Train has Thomas pulling cars full of all kinds of things. Assemble this 21-piece shaped preschool puzzle, for ages 3 and up, to find out what Thomas is hauling. Sweetheart Storage Pencil Cup is a two-in-one plastic puzzle craft. Find and snap together the numbered pieces, then insert the included compartment to create a utility cup perfect for pens, pencils, art supplies, and more. For ages 7 and up, this 54-piece puzzle utilizes Easy-Click Technology and measures 3.7-inches when complete. Sweetheart Storage Box is a two-in-one plastic puzzle craft. Find and snap together the numbered pieces, then insert the included compartment and accessories to create a place to store letters, supplies, and special treasures. Designed for ages 9 and up, this 216-piece premium puzzle utilizes Easy-Click Technology and measures 23 inches by 16 inches by 13 inches when complete. Sweetheart Storage Jewelry Tree is a two-in-one plastic puzzle craft. Find and snap together the numbered pieces and attach the base and 21 included accessories. Kids, ages 8 and up, can hang everything from jewelry to hair ties from the included hooks and branches of the tree. This 108-piece premium puzzle utilizes Easy-Click technology and measures 14 inches by 4.9 inches by 6.7 inches when complete. With the Classic Mandala Designer My Deco Set, kids ages 6 and up, can create custom gift boxes. Simply set the guide on the included paper, pick a template, and trace your design. Color and then follow the instructions to fold your original gift box.
Blue Orange Games
In Dr. Eureka, kids pick a challenge card, three test tubes, and six colorful balls to solve the scientific formula. Carefully move the materials from tube to tube without dropping them and position them as illustrated on the challenge card. This brainteasing game is a challenge for the whole family. Designed for ages 8 and up, it’s for one to four players. It comes with four test tubes, 24 colorful balls, 54 challenge cards, and illustrated rules. From the inventor of Blue Orange’s Gobblet comes Brix, for ages 8 and up. In this new twist on Tic Tac Toe, players build a wall of bricks placing their pieces on top of each other. The first player to align four of their symbols or colors in a row wins the game and claims the wall. But be careful because each brick contains both your symbol and that of your opponent. So each time you add a new piece, you risk helping your opponent win the game. Designed for ages 6 and up, Kaboom is a game of construction and destruction. Players take turns as the master builder whose goal is to build as many wooden towers as possible. Meanwhile the other players act as saboteurs, trying to knock down the builder’s tower by launching their ammunition with their catapult. Both sides need to be quick and precise to complete their objectives before time runs out. Fast Flip is a high-speed matching card game where players race to grab the scoring token that matches the current round’s challenge. Each card has a series of different fruits on its front side, and either a number or a single fruit printed on its back. During each round, one card is flipped face up while one is kept face down. If a number is printed on the face down card, then players must race to identify which fruit is shown that many times on the faceup card, then players race to determine how many times that fruit is shown. The first player to grab the corresponding token, scores the face up card as a point. The distribution of fruit on the cards guarantees that there is always one correct answer. The trick is to be the fastest to find it. This is for two to eight players, ages 7 and up.
Future of Play
The Future of Play introduces MagicMeeMees. These tiny, collectible figures come to life using a proprietary technology allowing kids to discover their personalities in a completely new way. They are available as a single assortment, a playset assortment, and a surprise treat assortment. The Future of Play has partnered with Nickelodeon for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battlesnap Games. TMNT fans can play high-impact action games that brings their favorite TMNT heroes and villains to life in head-tohead battle. There’s the TMNT Sewer Slam Game and the TMNT Mutagen Magic MeeMees Mayhem Game.
Imperial Toy
Imperial Toy’s Monster Hands, for ages 3 and up, slide onto your hands like gloves, givD*lectables ing kids the power to instantly creep out friends. Available in green with red nails or purple with orange nails, these are designed for everyday roleplay. Star Wars Figural Bubble Toppers, for ages 3 and up, now feature new characters Captain Phasma, Kylo Renn, and Chewbacca from the Star Wars Universe. These eight-ounce bottles feature Imperial’s Super Miracle Bubble solution and a life-like sculpted topper of each Star Wars character. Disney Glow Pods, for ages 3 and up, are light-up badges and accessories featuring favorite Disney characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Elsa, and Olaf. From bracelets to necklaces, Glow Pods make any outfit pop with glow-in-thedark stickers, or wear a mask to light up the night in style. D*lectables feature favorite Disney characters such as Cinderella, Ariel, Mickey, and Minnie and others reinterpreted as desserts. Each may be featured as ice cream, donuts, or cupcakes. The Finding Nemo and Dory Bubble Blasters come complete with Super Miracle Bubble Solution and a shell-shaped dipping tray. R2-D2 Bubble Blaster lets kids blow bubbles endlessly. The bubble toys are for ages 3 and up.
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Toy Fair 2016 Entertainment One
Party Animal
The TeenyMates Locker Room Set includes three, oneinch tall NFL team figures and three lockers with DIY stickers. Designed for ages 4 and up, the lockers stack and snap together, and a locker room bench and cooler accessories are included in each pack. There are 32 different NFL TeenyMate figures and stickers in the collection. WWE Superstars are now pocket-sized. Collect all the action from the WWE with WWE TeenyMates, an all-new line of one-inch tall mini collectible figures. Series one includes 32 figures of WWE Superstars and Legends such as John Cena, The Rock, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Each pack contains two WWE figures and two double-sided puzzle pieces that feature a mini-collector poster on one side, and a wrestling ring on the other. The TeenyMates Big Sip 16-ounce BPA-free character cup features a 3-D NFL character design available in a variety of team uniforms.
The Irish Fairy Door Company
The Irish Fairy Toadstool Decal Pack are vinyl clings that can be applied and reapplied as often as kids like. Each pack contains a toadstool, four butterflies, four bees, and five flowers. The Irish Fairy Castle Decal Pack contains the main castle building, three towers and three flags, six toadstools, 10 blue flowers, and 10 red flowers. Both sets are designed and made in Ireland.
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Entertainment One’s Peppa Pig, airing on Nick Jr., continues to grow with the help of an assortment of licensees. Master toy licensee, Jazwares, extends its assortment of products for ages 2 and up. The Muddy Puddles Family Pack are plush characters featuring Peppa, her family, and friends. Preschoolers can squeeze the toys’ tummies for snorts of laughter, which is a signature sound from the characters in the series. The 39-piece Peppa Pig’s Treehouse Construction set includes Peppa Pig and Rebecca Rabbit figures, and the 97-piece Peppa Pig’s House Construction set includes Peppa Pig, George, Mummy, and Daddy Pig. Blind Bag Figures each contain one of 24 familiar character figures from the show. Each figure is compatible with all Peppa Pig construction sets. New to the Peppa Pig family of licensees is Parragon for publishing. The company introduces the Peppa Pig Happy Tin for ages 3 and up. It contains three books for coloring, sticker, and activity fun; four felt tip pens; and a double-sided poster to color. The Make It Together Peppa Pig Craft Tube, for ages 4 and up, includes an illustrated guide for transforming a simple sock into Peppa Pig. There’s also a color-in Peppa Pig mask for preschoolers to make. The set includes a sock, sewing threads, googly eyes, felt pieces, and a 32-page hardcover instruction and activity book. Montco’s Pop-Outz! Grab Bag (shown) features two coloring boards, three washable markers, and a sticker sheet with 25 paper stickers. Each character is die-cut to pop-out and stand up. Pop-Outz! Special Delivery features four coloring boards with 10 pop-out characters and icons die-cut with pop-out stands, a background scene in full color with stand-up feet, 10 washable markers, and a sticker sheet with 50 paper stickers. Both sets are designed for ages 3 and up. Kurt Adler was signed to create Blow Mold Disk Ornaments featuring an image of Peppa Pig adorned with a glitter trim. The Decoupage Ball Ornaments are printed ball ornaments featuring key characters from the series. These are for ages 2–5.
School Zone Publishing
School Zone Publishing introduced Little Scholar, which is a tablet designed for kids, ages 3–7. It comes fully loaded with 200-plus apps, books, songs, and videos. Now, the next iteration is called Littler Scholar. This seven-inch tablet includes Charlie & Company, School Zone’s preschool series designed for ages 3–5. There is less preloaded content on this device, which means a faster boot time and less waiting. There are 70-plus apps, games, videos, books, and songs that focus on early reading and math skills. The smaller tablet operates on Google Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. It comes with a textured, easy-grip green bumper with a white Charlie illustration on the back. There are larger app icons and an easier-to-read font. It features controls for setting time usage and turning sound effects off and on.
The Bridge Direct The Bridge Direct showcases a host of new products at this year’s Toy Fair. The Fisher-Price Classics Original Play Family Village Playset is a retro classic that offers lots of kid-powered play based on familiar destinations around town such as the fire station, post office, and café. Sliding doors, ringing siren, rolling fire truck, and multiple figures engage busy little hands. The playset includes a fire truck and firefighter figure that fit inside the fire station. The Fisher-Price Classics Tap ’n Turn, originally introduced in 1987, is a workbench that engages kids with colors and shapes as they work on hand-eye coordination. Kids, ages 2 and up, can use the included hammer to pound down the six colorful pegs, then flip it over to repeat the action on the other side. Two new characters join the Strawberry Shortcake Fashion Dolls with Pets line. There’s Raspberry Torte with her pet Chiffon and Plum Pudding with her pet Pitterpatch. Designed for ages 3 and up, each six-inch doll is scented and comes dressed in its iconic fashion and includes the pet and styling comb. The new line of Mini Arcade games features classic arcade games, Pac-Man and Space Invaders. These arcade games are mini-sized
versions with real-time gameplay. They are designed for ages 8 and up. Infinity Linx, for ages 5 and up, is a new activity for girls to spark their creative thinking and encourage hands-on and minds-on play. Girls can design and create their own wearable statement jewelry with a collection of interconnecting pieces in interesting shapes and designs. From simple to intricate pieces, girls can put together endless designs, then take them apart to create new ones over and over. The C3 Kinstructions line will feature Shopkins for ages 6 and up. In addition to building the playsets, all the Shopkins figures are also buildable characters. Shopkins C3 Mini Packs feature the Shopping Cart, Checkout Lane, and Frozen Treat Stand. These can be played with on
their own or can be added to larger sets to build a Shopkins world. The fall 2016 line includes the Shopping Cart with Patty Cake and Candy Cookie, the Checkout Lane with Kelly Calculator and Penny Pencil, and the Frozen Treat Stand with Snow Crush and Popsi Cool. Shopkins C3 Shopping Packs feature the Flower Shop or the Baby Shop. The sets come with 100-plus pieces and are designed for standalone play or to add to larger sets. New for fall 2016, the Shopkins C3 Food Fair Truck includes a mini table and chairs and mix-and-match figures Taco Terrie, Frank Furter, Millie Shake, and Ice Cream Dream. Complete the Shopkins world with new Shopkins C3 Scene Packs featuring the Fancy Boutique with Polly Perfume, Penny Purse, Prommy and Beverly Heels, and the Burger Bistro with Fiona Fries, Cheezy B, Soda Pops, and Millie Shake. The sets come with 120-plus pieces and are designed for stand-alone play or to add to larger sets. Shopkins C3 Deluxe Set Food Court completes the world of Shopkins and features a pizzeria and a sushi restaurant. The set includes Candy Apple, Candi Cotton, Suzie Sushi, Little Sipper, Banana Splitty, and Pretz-Elle.
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Toy Fair 2016 The Young Scientists Club
Zing
Wet Head is Zing’s all-new water roulette game. Grab some friends, fill the Wet Head with water, and strap on the hat. Players have the option to play with the included spinner or to download the free Wet Head Challenge mobile app, available on iOS and Android. The app includes an array of trivia questions and a special recording feature. Answer the question correctly and it’s the next person’s turn. If not, give the hat a spin, and pull a pin; you may get soaked. The record feature on the Wet Head Challenge app allows players to capture every moment and share their videos to YouTube or social media. Use #WetHeadChallenge to join in and to see what others are posting. Wet Head comes with one hat, eight pins and a spinner. It is for ages 4 and up, available this spring. Zing also introduces Stikbot Studio Pro this spring. With its green screen, users can upload their own photos, animated backdrops, or the images provided as the background for their stop-motion animation movies. The Stikbot Studio Pro set also includes a blue screen for green Stikbots. Stikbots are easy to pose and feature suction cup hands and feet to stick to most flat surfaces. The new Zing Animation Studios mobile app, which is available on iOS and Android, snaps individual photos and stitches them together into a film complete with built-in music and sound effect options.
Uncle Milton
With The Young Scientists Club’s Science-Art Fusion Bubbles kit, kids can perform 10 different experiments following the illustrated 24-by24-inch poster. Make a lava lamp, form bubble foam, blow funnel bubbles, create bubble sculptures, and use bubble paint. The Science-Art Fusion Rainbows kit explores the colors of the rainbow. Young scientists can craft a rainbow Science-Art Fusion bookmark, assemble a rainBubbles Kit bow flower bouquet, create a rainbow chromatography snake, or design a rainbow density test tube. The Science-Art Fusion Crystals kit comes with everything needed to do 10 experiments. Activities such as making a crystal flower are interspersed with experiments to construct a crystal mobile, develop sun catcher crystals, create sponge crystals, and more. In Science-Art Fusion Sculptures, the sculptures art gallery poster will be filled with photos of 10 experiments when completed, including constructing a DNA model, designing a colored ice sculpture, shaping a foil shadow sculpture, or making an atom. With the Science-Art Fusion Explosions kit, young scientists will get to create fizz tablet explosions, test tube explosions, volcanic eruptions, rainbow explosions, and something called a milk color burst. With the Science-Art Fusion Space kit, get ready to be intrigued with constructing a space rocket, drawing constellations, building a solar system, and performing Earth chromatography.
2016 marks Uncle Milton’s 70th anniversary and the 60th “ant-iversary” of the original Ant Farm. To celebrate, Uncle Milton is bringing a new look to the classic Ant Farm, featuring various ant worlds of the future. Uncle Milton will also launch its next big innovation, Virtual Explorer, which combines classic toys with unique virtual reality experiences. The Star Wars Science line expands with new toys that further connect the Star Wars universe to the real world, while inspiring kids to learn about science. Uncle Milton will introduce new licensed versions of the 20Q game, in which fans of all ages test their knowledge of their favorite licenses while also having a great light-up display item for their rooms.
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ThinkFun
Yoga Spinner offers an introduction to yoga that encourages teamwork and healthy physical activity. Give the spinner a whirl and perform the pose on the corresponding Yoga Pose Card. If you can hold the pose for 10 seconds, you keep the card. The first player to collect a card in each color wins. Memory Yoga helps preschoolers improve balance, flexibility, and coordination while boosting matching and memory skills. Learn and perform yoga poses while searching for Matching Pose Tiles over two levels of play. The player with the most matches wins. Improve flexibility and focus as you practice 48 yoga poses in the yoga game Yoga Cards. Each player starts with a Mission Card. The first player who correctly bends and stretches into the seven yoga poses on his Mission Card wins. Yoga Cards is designed to stretch your body while focusing your mind. Balance Beans is a logic and math game that introduces young learners to elementary algebra. Set up the red beans according to the Challenge Card. Then carefully place the colorful beans on the seesaw to keep it from teetering. As players balance the seesaw, they are balancing an equation. As the challenges get harder, rely less on trial-and-error and more on math and reasoning skills. Ignite your logic and sequential reasoning skills with Circuit Maze. The goal is to arrange the tokens to create a real circuit that lights up the different colored beacons. With 60 challenges ranging from beginner to expert, these circuit-building puzzles provide a boost of brainpower and an introduction to electrical engineering. Stratos Spheres take four-in-a-row to a new dimension. It loses the 2-D board and lets players build the game—and boost logic skills—as they go. To start, add one colored sphere to the white neutral sphere and pass it to the opponent. The opponent then adds a sphere of his color. The two-player game goes back and forth until one player gets four of his spheres in a row in any dimension. Escape the Room games began as digital adventures and quickly turned into real-life events all around the world where players are locked in a room and must uncover clues and hidden objects to escape. ThinkFun’s version of Escape the Room allows players to bring the excitement of these experiences into their home.
Crayola Creations Jewel Maker Design Studio
Crayola
The Crayola Air Marker Sprayer, launching in July, turns Crayola markers into spray art, just like an airbrush. The Air Marker Sprayer is electric-powered so kids can airbrush just like a professional artist, without the mess of paint. Simply plug in the unit, secure a Crayola broad line marker into the easy twist-and-load nozzle, and release the trigger to spray. The sprayer works with most Crayola broad line markers, and has a compact design for everyday use. It is for ages 8 and up. Create custom gel jewelry, charms, key chains, room décor, and more with Jewel Maker Design Studio. Simply pick a mold, mix the gel, and add some glitter, confetti, or pictures to the mix. Your creations are ready to wear or share in 30 minutes, according to Crayola. It is for ages 8 and up, available this August. With the Crayola Crayon Factory, use the included crayons, or recycle old Crayola crayon bits to make melted creations. Mix, melt, and mold to make colorful car, heart, and puppy crayons for playing and doodling. It is for ages 8 and up. Create colorful designs and patterns with a few twists of the wrist with Crayola Spin Out. Insert a paper disc, choose a marker color, crank the handle, and watch art happen. Connect up to three Crayola Pip Skinny Markers at once and adjust the gear arms for different outcomes. It is for ages 6 and up. Create your own custom color emoji stampers with the Crayola Emoji Maker. It comes with everything needed to make 16 custom color emoji markers for creating and sharing unique emoji messages with friends. It is for ages 6 and up. My First Crayola Sand Scribbler lets toddlers, ages 2 and up, draw in the sand—wherever they go. Place the magnetic easy-grip stylus over the metal peg under the clear board and scribble away. Shake to erase and start again. The background lights up in 12 different colors.
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Toy Fair 2016 Reeves
Reeves’ specialty line PaulinSuper Dough da introduces Super Dough modCool Dragon eling compound. Super Dough is lightweight, soft, smooth, and can be refreshed by just adding water. In addition, the dough is elastic, mixable, can be painted when wet or dry. It is gluten-free, non-allergenic, and complies with all U.S. safety regulations. Kits in the line include Cool Dragon and Racing Time for ages 4 and up. In the infant and preschool aisle, under the Tolo brand comes the Activity Ball for ages 6 months and up. The ball is easy to hold and grip, and offers a wealth of clicking, turning, and squeaking activities. It features mirrored surfaces. Pull the handle and watch the ball spin. It promotes understanding of cause-and-effect and encourages the development of manual dexterity. Pop Up Puppies, also for ages 6 months and up, are two pop-up puppies that entertain and encourage an understanding of cause-and-effect. Push the tab and one pops out; twist the dial and the other pops out. It also features mirrored surfaces. In the WOW line, for ages 18 months and up, is Charlotte’s Princess Parade. The royal carriage makes a “clippety-clop” sound as Charlotte and Prince Percy travel to the Royal Ball driven by their horse, Lucy. Jurassic Jimmy is a friction-powered truck with detachable trailer. The trailer features a magnetic hook, while the dino buggy moves from side-to-side with rocking action. Also included are a two-piece hatching egg, caveman figure, and two dinosaur figures. In Danny’s Diving Adventure, flip open the top of the boat to reveal a diving board and secret cabin. Fill the boat with water and pour it out of Danny’s mouth. It includes a speedboat, diving board, two figures, and dolphin.
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Winning Moves
Winning Moves’ new card games for 2016 include Brainspin, Moose Caboose, and Waterworks Classic. In Brainspin, two to 10 players open up their minds and write down everything they see based on the card in play. No answer is too crazy as long as you can convince your opponents of what you see. It comes with a deck of 54 Brainspin cards and instructions. It’s for ages 7 and up. In Moose Caboose, four trains full of happy animals are chugging off on an adventure. The player who collects the most animal cards, by matching colors, wins this game. It comes with 60 oversized, heavy-duty cards and illustrated instructions. It’s for two to four players, ages 6 and up. Waterworks Classic is a classic 1970s game. Be the first player to complete a pipeline from valve to spout without a leak to win. It has 110 pipe cards, eight metal wrenches, and illustrated instructions. It is for two to four players, ages 8 and up. In addition, the company also launched multiple family games last month. In Brynk, will you be able to place your pieces on the teeter-tottering base and get it to stay? Or will you upset the balance and watch it come crashing down in front of you? This two-plus player game is for ages 7 and up. The Velveteen Rabbit Game captures the spirit of the classic children’s story as players’ rabbits venture around the board, collecting cards along the way in a quest to become real. It is for ages 4 and up. Additional games include Pass the Pigs Big Pigs and new iterations of classics such as Chutes and Ladders Classic, Scrabble to Go, and Upwords Classic.
Thames & Kosmos
Learn programming through gaming with Code Gamer, an Arduino-compatible gamepad that connects wirelessly to your tablet. Using the gamepad and four interchangeable sensor modules, play through a video game app on your tablet. In each level of the game, learn a piece of the Arduino programming language and how to use it in order to solve puzzles and challenges, and move forward in the game. Soon you will be able to write programs on your computer using the four sensors and invent new applications. Following instructions in the 64-page, full-color experiment manual, create projects such as a light-sensitive drawer alarm and an LED disco that reacts to the movements of your fingers. It is for ages 10 and up. Happy Atoms is a digital and physical chemistry set that lets kids discover the world of molecules in an intuitive, hands-on way. Using a set of 52 atom models representing 16 different elements, assemble your own molecular models. The atoms stick together easily with magnets: metal tips on the ends of rubbery arms, which represent free electrons, snap onto magnetic bonding sites on the atom spheres, which represent empty spots for electrons in the atom’s outermost electron shell. Then, use the included iPad app to snap its picture, which uses image-recognition technology to identify the molecule. The app recognizes tens of thousands of molecules. It presents detailed information about more than 120 of the most important molecules, such as a molecule’s usage, properties, hazards, formula, and structure. The app also takes kids on guided quests to discover new molecules, track progress, collect sets of molecules, and learn more about them. Happy Atoms will officially launch with an Indiegogo campaign this year. It is for ages 8 and up. Geckobot is a create-your-own, wall-climbing robot. It features a motorized air suction system that enables it to walk vertically up and down perfectly smooth surfaces. The battery-powered motor drives a gear system that produces a rotating motion making the legs move back and forth and up and down, mimicking a real gecko. Build six other models and conduct experiments with suction to learn about air pressure and the mechanical physics of this unique device.
Plan Toys
Plan Toys’ Floating Island includes the sea, sand, a coconut tree, a shell, a turtle, and a crab. It is for ages 18 months and up. Sensory Tumbling, for ages 6 months and up, features three different sensory toys rolled into one product to engage baby through sight, sound, and texture. And for older kids, ages 2 and up, there is the Jumping Acrobat. Push the blue bar down to make the acrobat jump up to the top. This toy helps enhance observational and experiential skills, says Plan.
Rubba Ducks
Rubba Ducks builds its core line of themed Rubba Ducks collectibles with new Get Lucky Blind Bags available in small bags or foil boxes with a two-inch Rubba Duck keychain inside. The line will feature 24 Rubba Ducks, as well as a bonus Lucky Duck. If a bonus, rare, mystery Lucky Duck is in the bag, the owner can visit rubbaducks.net, and enter the Lucky Duck code to win a prize. The original 5.5-inch Rubba Ducks line is also available in more than 46 varieties. Designed with numerous professions and interests, each duck is created to communicate its individual personality and character traits with details and designs. Each features a weighted bottom to float upright at all times. There are holes so mold will not accumulate, according to the company. Additionally, each Rubba Duck is adorned with a tattoo on its tail-feathers and comes with a bio found on a trading card. Rubba Ducks are for ages 3 and up.
Floating Island
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Toy Fair 2016 Hedstrom
Hedstrom’s Duraball, for ages 6 and up, is made from a new formula of super bouncing vinyl. The squishy, soft and lightweight Duraball comes in two sizes and can be inflated to 20 or 36 inches. Kick it, throw it, and bounce it, it’s made for indoor and outdoor use. Kids, ages 4 and up, can kick a goal, complete a pass, or score a slam-dunk with Hedstrom’s Jr. Athletic Balls. The smaller sizes makes controlling the ball easy for little hands and feet, while encouraging physical activity indoors and outside. These licensed Jr. Athletic Balls feature bright, colorful, and detailed images of popular characters. Also new for 2016 is Hedstrom’s Emoti line, which include everything from classic play balls to slope racing sleds. Kids can play with glitter-filled balls that smile back at them or hop around the yard on a yellow Emoti Hopper.
K’NEX
Griddly Games
Last year, Griddly Games entered the STEM category with its Just Add Milk science activity craft kit. This year, the company adds two more STEM style kits as well as a new family game, Rocket Lander. Just Add Sun, for ages 5 and up, is a new solar oven that uses the sun’s energy to heat up tasty treats. The product includes directions to melt s’mores, make nachos, cook an egg, and more. Learn how solar energy works and learn about eco-friendly energy alternatives as you heat, cook, and experiment with light, heat transfer, reflection, and more. The kit also includes upcycle items to art projects. With Just Add Glue, create different forms of super stretchy polymers and make them bounce. Create gluey gooey putties that can be picked up, stretched, and rolled into a ball that bounces. The product teaches about states of matter including liquids and polymers as well as acts as a basic introduction to chemistry and material engineering for ages 6 and up. Rocket Lander is a new family game, for ages 7 and up, that challenges players to travels through space and around the globe as they escort their ships, search and overtake opponents, and defend a home turf.
K’NEX Mighty Makers and K-Force continue to be a focus as the company moves into 2016. The new 320-piece Mighty Makers: Director’s Cut Building Set brings the art of filmmaking to life. Follow the interactive, story-based building instructions and learn about the science behind making a movie. Bonus online instructions show how you can incorporate a mobile device into the set to make your own movie. It will be available this fall for ages 7 and up. K-Force also expands for fall with two new items. With the new K-Force K-25X RotoShot Blaster Building Set, construct the blaster and blast off five shots without reloading. In the K-Force Flash Fire Motorized Blaster Building Set, build the blaster and load the clip with up to 10 darts. The new motorized rapid fire chamber will fire darts as fast as you can pull the trigger. Sets are compatible with the entire K-Force Build and Blast line, which is for ages 8 and up. K’NEX celebrates the centennial of Lincoln Logs this year with the Lincoln Logs: 100th Anniversary Tin. The set includes 111 real wood logs and is made in the U.S. It is available now for ages 3 and up. And bringing new thrills for 2016 is the new K’NEX Thrills: Classic Ferris Wheel Building Set. The set includes Mighty Makers: Director’s Cut 744 rods and connectors, a motor, and a detailed instruction booklet that offers two additional building ideas. Models can be built one at a time. It will be available this fall.
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Magformers Walking Robot
Magformers
Design and build organic structures with curved 3-D magnetic shapes with the all-new 30-Piece Unique Set from Magformers. Use arches, cones, and sphere sectors to build balls and towers. The Walking Robot 45-Piece Set features a step-by-step idea booklet to build eight walking characters using Magformers’ S.T.E.A.M engine block and walking accessories. The 14-Piece Rainbow Solid Clear Set serves as an introductory construction set for ages 3 and up. It features two geometric shapes to work with, while enhancing children’s fine motor skills. Or experience the fun of creating the My First Buggy featuring six different magnetic shapes. Available in four different colors, each set includes 16 play cards that can be copied to create unique roadsters, cars, and trucks. All sets feature neodymium rare-earth magnets, BPA-free HQABS plastic, and are compatible with one another.
TOMY Based on the new Disney film Zootopia, comes a line of figures, plush, and playsets based on the film’s characters. Launching this spring is Judy’s Police Cruiser featuring Judy and Law-Breaking Mouse figures as well as core collectible figures with articulation. Small plush for Zootopia fans will include Officer Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Mr. Otterton, Finnick, Mr. Big, and Assistant Mayor Bellwether. In fall, the line will add the Police Station Playset featuring Clawhauser, Safety Squirrel, and Helicopter Figures. The playset will project images on the Police Station computer screen and feature electronic lights and sounds. Expanding The Good Dinosaur line for 2016 comes two new additions. Motion Dinosaurs will feature stylized, battery-operated dinosaurs that walk. Or recreate the special bond between Arlo and Spot from the film with Ultimate Arlo. Arlo Zootopia Nick Wilde plush and Spot interact with each other by using infrared receivers and transmitters. Thirteen-inch Arlo walks towards three-inch Spot no matter where Spot is around him. They also communicate with each other when Spot is on Arlo’s back, and when Spot bites Arlo’s tail. TOMY celebrates the 25th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog this year with new Sonic Boom toys. With Sonic vs. Dr. Eggman, battle head-to-head against Dr. Eggman. It includes an articulated Sonic figure and his hoverboard launcher along with a Dr. Eggman figure and his vehicle. Launch Sonic’s hoverboard into Dr. Eggman’s vehicle at the right spot and it will burst open. Or control Sonics tricks and spins with the R/C Sonic, featuring a Sonic figure, hoverboard, and J-turn remote control. Both items are for ages 4 and up. To celebrate Pokémon’s 20th anniversary, TOMY will release one rare Pokémon character each month from now through December. Characters will be released as eight-inch plush and two-inch figures. Figures will also feature a unique Poké Ball. In addition, various limited-edition Pikachu products will be featured as retail exclusives throughout the year. Feature toys include Throw ‘n’ Pop Poké Ball, which includes two-inch figures and a Poké Ball that pops open on impact, and the Pikachu Feature Plush. Give this Pikachu a hug and its ears move, its cheeks light up, and it makes sound effects. This line is for ages 3 and up. New Miles from Tomorrowland feature toys include the Mission Rover with lights and sounds; Rapscallion with Daschel figure; the three-in-one Galactech Stellosphere with XVR System, lights, sounds, and phrases; Galactech Basic Figures; Galactech Maximum Miles & Maximum Merc; and Galactech Exo-Flex Arm with lights and bends. 2016 John Deere feature toy introductions include the Monster Treads 2X Scoop Tractor, a monster-sized tractor featuring oversized tires, suspension, and heavy duty lever for front and rear loaders. John Deere Seven-Inch Plush Johnny Tractor & Friends include characters Johnny Tractor, Correy Combine, and Callie Gator, which feature lenticular eyes, detailed stitching and graphics, and they connect together for pull-along play. New for the Lamaze infant line comes the Mix & Match Caterpillar with eight different stuffed plush segments that can be rearranged in any order or arranged in the correct order, by matching Velcro color. The segments feature chime ball, squeaker, rattle, and crinkle for ages 6 months and up. Or help the Flip Flap Dragon find its fire in this soft discovery book featuring colors, textures, and crinkle for babies ages 6 months and up.
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Toy Fair 2016 PlayMonster (formerly Patch Products)
Now you can play Celebrity Name Game just like they do on TV with this new game. Get the names of celebrities, characters, famous places, and more, and then make up clues to get your team to guess the names before the timer runs out. This party game is for four or more players in teams, ages 13 and up. PlayMonster, the exclusive specialty distributor of the Perplexus line of 3-D maze games, has an all-new, smaller line of Perplexus—Perplexus Micro. The new collectible line, for ages 8 and up, debuts with two themes. Q-Bot is a 3.5-inch by four-inch cube with an inner robot that makes up the shifting, tricky maze. Drakko’s 4.5-inch by fourinch egg shape contains a slithery dragon as its maze. Prove It is a betting game to see who can do the task best. It features four categories: Mad Skills, Know-How, Fingers Crossed, and Buddy System. Two competitors bet back and forth until one person ends the betting by saying “Prove it!”, and then the other player must perform the task to get the point. It’s a three to eight player game for ages 6 and up. In Popalotsy, put the colorful dice in the popper and let them fly. It’s a race to match the color and/or number of the ring cards to the dice and place the cards around the dice. A color match is good, but a number match is better, and a number plus a color match beats all. Be the first player to get rid of your ring cards to win. Qubosity is a think-fast party game. Roll the big cubes to get nine categories, such as Reasons You Call in Sick, Buffet Foods, or Hotties or Colors. Then press the timer to get a letter. Take turns naming things in a category that start with that letter. Grab the cube when naming something, but if the random timer stops on your turn, you lose that round. There are 54 categories and 24 letters. It’s for two to six players, ages 14 and up. The My Fairy Garden line debuts at Toy Fair, which lets kids plant the quick-germinating seeds, and care for their miniature gardens as they play with fairies, woodland friends, and accessories. The line, for ages 4 and up, includes three versions: Willow’s Tree Hollow, Calla’s Lily Pond, and Freya’s Magical Cottage. The Mirari and OK to Wake! lines add two new products. The new OK to Wake! Owl with Night-Light & Music is a huggable sleep buddy that acts as a nightlight. It emits a soft glow that changes color to let children know when it’s OK to get out of bed. The six-inch owl also speaks to children and plays soothing lullabies. The Mirari Glow to Sleep helps calm baby with its included music and sounds, or customize it with your own songs, stories, and messages with a Bluetooth-compatible device or SD card.
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Friends for All Moments Carlo Monkey
Kathe Kruse
Kathe Kruse launches Friends for All Moments, a collection of instantly-giftable toys. The premium range of grabbing toys, towel dolls, musical toys, play animals, and warming pillows are available in lamb, puppy, monkey, and bunny themes. Each item comes in a white soft-touch gift box with the Kathe Kruse-stitched heart and logo. The red stitching is carried through on all items in the range across kerchiefs and the foot of each animal. Carlo Monkey features a soft gray velour covering with contrasting redand-white checkered ears and feet. It is available as a grabbing toy with a soft rattle sound, towel doll, musical toy, and 13.5-inch dangle or play animal. Mojo the Lamb is offered as a grabbing toy, pastel towel dolls in pink or light blue, musical toy, a mini mobile with pink and light blue stars, a rye-and-spelt warming pillow, and a 13.5-inch dangle or play animal. Additional characters include Sammy the Dog and Pino the Bunny. Thirty-seven-inch play animals of all the characters are also available.
FoxMind Games
FoxMind Games demonstrates its new Maze Racers at Toy Fair. To play, teams of two to four players use the enclosed magnetic walls to build a maze and opponents must then find their way out. Once the maze is built, each side swaps their board and races the clock to steer a ball through the maze before their opponents win.
Jazwares
For 2016, Jazware’s new Lil’ Chuck & Friends Mini Vehicles are now available in mini versions. The 20 trucks are joined by a line of Marvel-licensed vehicles. The Chuck & Friends Talkin’ Spider-Man Vehicle is a new talking vehicle featuring phrases and sounds from Spider-Man. Press the Spider-Man logo to activate sounds, and watch as its eyes light up. It is made of a soft, chunky plastic. The line is for ages 2 and up. Animal Jam, in association with National Geographic, is an online social game for kids. With the Animal Jam 2016 line of collectibles and playsets from Jazwares, collect Animal Jam characters such as Penguin, Bunny, Monkey, and more. Each comes with matching accessories to dress up, trade, and show off Chuck & Friends Animal Jam avatars and pets. A limited-edition Light Up Ring also reveals a secret pattern on select characters. Then, Talkin’ Spider-Man Vehicle decorate the dens or have a dance party in the Club Geoz Ultimate Dance Party playset. The line is for ages 5 and up. The Weebles brand returns this year with a new line of unique friends who share similar values, learning the qualities of friendship together. All six Weebles friends feature a weighted round base and 3-D heads and arms. Drive them in their wobbly connecting cars and play in the Wobble Around Treehouse. They are for ages 18 months and up. Jazwares rolls out all-new Peppa Pig product this year with new collectibles, plush, and construction playsets. Roll around with Peppa and the whole family in the Muddy Puddles Family Pack, or add the ultra-soft, ultra-squishy plush characters to any playroom. Large and small Peppa Pig construction sets include a Tree House set, Peppa’s House set, and more. Twenty-four blind bag figures are also compatible with all construction sets. Bring your favorite YouTube stars to life in action figure form as Tube Heroes, for ages 8 and up. Featuring the biggest influencers in the digital universe, Tube Heroes resonate with a generation whose role models live on the internet. New for 2016, the next wave of collectible Tube Heroes includes DanTDM (8.2 million YouTube subscribers) in the Diamond Dimension Pack, which comes with a 2.75-inch posable action figure of DanTDM, his best buddy and scientist Dr. Trayaurus, a moving mine cart that fits both characters, and DanTDM’s arsenal of removable weapons.
Orb Factory
Orb Factory launches a new plush craft line with no sewing required. With Fuzzeez Bear, for ages 6 and up, fill reusable mold with wool and use the spray bottle to wet the wool. Snap on the back of the wool and place it in the dryer. Once it’s dry, pop open the mold to reveal your brand new Fuzzeez friend. Also new in 2016 is Sew Softies Jumbo Hamster, for ages 7 and up. Sew pre-cut pieces of fabric together, insert a beach ball, and inflate for jumbo fun.
Moulin Roty
Moulin Roty unveils its new Les Papoum line for 2016, made up of toys and accessories featuring one or all three animal pals including Lion Doll with Ring Rattle, Elephant Baby Slippers, and a Blue Hippo Square Lovey. Les Papoum offers sensory surprises to enhance cognitive skills and memory recall for baby. Additionally, a Souvenir Box has a spot for all of baby’s firsts and a Storybook Torch flashlight highlighting all of Les Papoum animals for older siblings to enjoy or as baby grows and continues the nursery animal theme.
Les Papoum Elephant Rattle
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Toy Fair 2016 Klutz
Moose Toys
Moose Toys expands Shopkins with new Season 4 collectibles for spring. In the Food Fair Sweet Spot Playset, kids can send their Shopkins on a ride down the gumball machine, on a roll in the candy cart, or stick them around the lollipop stand. Each playset includes two exclusive candy bags and two exclusive Shopkins. In the Food Fair Cupcake Queen Café, kids can display their Shopkins or box up their favorite cakes for a take-home treat. The playset includes two exclusive cake boxes and two exclusive Shopkins. The Little Live Pets line expands with new animals for 2016 including Ducks and Mice. The Little Live Pets Duck and Baby is a mother and ducking pair that sing and talk to each other. The mother duck even teaches her baby how to sing. Kids can also help the mother feed and nurture the baby. There are three duck families to collect. In the Little Live Pets Mouse Track Season 2, kids can place their Lil’ Mouse on the Lil’ Mouse House Trail and watch the fun begin. Mice roll in the wheel and squeal with delight as they drop down the ramp, and enter the Spin Around Playzone. Kids will love seeing the mice scamper through the obstacle courses and race around the trail. With the Beados Season 4 Color Pen, load up your pen with neon beads and pop it onto the template. The beads magically join with water to make Beados creations. Qixels also expands with Season 2 this spring. All-new themed refill packs include space dinos and ocean creatures. The line also includes a Design Creator that glows in the dark and a Mega Pack refill with more than 1,200 Qixel cubes. Qixels are for ages 5 and up.
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New from Klutz this spring comes an assortment of craft kits for ages 8 and up. Stitch and stuff your favorite felted pretend foods with Sew Mini Treats. Instructions, patterns, and materials are included for 18 itty-bitty food items as well as tips and tricks to customize your own designs. Use Create Your Own Quote Art to color and decorate 11 quote art prints with a customizable collection of inspirational phrases. Each board has a special sticker surface to add sparkle with glittery foil. Shimmer Art also brings the sparkle to Klutz’s cardboardand-pins string art system. Choose from 12 designs including a unicorn, hot air balloon, sea horse, peacock, and more. Then use Klutz’s proprietary double-tipped tool to push pins and sort sequins into different color schemes. Make your mark with a rainbow of mini markers and a hands-on guide to drawing and doodling in Marker Everything. Master more than 30 techniques, such as making patterns, masking, and tie dying to bring a little color into your world. Design a dream fashion collection with My Fashion Portfolio. Create more than 40 unique looks, styled your way. Choose a model, pick swatches, and cut and tape them under the cut-out illustration to create one-of-a-kind outfits—from formal dresses to beach-ready bikinis and street styles. In Smash Bot Battle, build eight action-packed, 3-D paper craft robots that work on pullback motors. Then create an entire city and prepare for ultimate mayhem. Coloring Crush is a new, intricate coloring book featuring introductory how-to guides in coloring, which includes a crash course in using colored pencils, blending and layering, as well as color scheme inspirations. Also new for fall are Make Your Own Mini Erasers, Nail Charms, Decorate Your Dream Room, Paper Lantern Animals, Grow Your Own Crystal Jewelry, Glitter Face Painting, Watercolor Crush, Draw It 3D, and Neon Chalk Lettering.
Hexbug
There’s a new school of underwater deep-sea divers joining the Hexbug AquaBot family of robotic fish in 2016. This new sea creature swims, dives, and spins through the water. It features a twist to turn on/off features. Equipped with a high-speed propeller, the aquatic swimmer explores its environment at various depths. It is for ages 3 and up. Take flight with the VEX Robotics Zip Flyer, as you send the propellers more than 30 feet into the air. The faster Hexbug you pull the zip stick, the faster and higher the propeller flyers go. Build this model in two different ways, and see how nano Junior high and how far it can travel. Or build your own handheld blaster for the next sneak attack. The VEX Robotics Snap Shot by Hexbug fires four plastic balls more than 10 feet, features open internals to see the planetary gears, and has real-working shock absorber style springs. Learn how gear ratios and spring energy ensures no one down range is safe. These items are for ages 14 and up. For 2016, Hexbug joins the toddler toy space with Hexbug nano Junior for ages 18–36 months. The new line is a macro-sized version of the Hexbug nano featuring 12 legs and a soft body style to get toddlers up and crawling. Hexbug nano Nitro innovates the nano V2 line of creepy-crawly gravity-defying bugs with bugs that are twice as fast when on the ground. Just when you think you’ve caught them they’ll escape through one of their vertical tubes. They are available in multiple colors for ages 3 and up. Hexbug Battle Bots also take stage for 2016 in an ultimate showdown. Wage combat on friends with Ripsaw and Rhino. Activate Ripsaw’s spinning horizontal blade and Rhino’s flipping lifting arm from the I/R remote control to send parts flying. After each match, the robots can be reassembled in preparation for another match. They are for ages 8 and up.
LEGO LEGO expands across all its lines for 2016 from But beware of the hostile mobs gathering in the surStar Wars to Duplo and more. The following is a rounding forest. sampling of what will be on display at Toy Fair. Now available in the LEGO Super Heroes line is Following the theatrical debut of Star Wars: The the 523-piece Avenjet Space Mission set. Mighty ThaForce Awakens, LEGO rolls out new sets based on nos and Hyperion are preparing to attack Earth. Help the film. Buildable, posable Rey and Kylo Ren sets Iron Man, Captain Marvel, and Captain America stop launched last month. Turn the wheel on either figure them with the Avenjet. Additional sets ready to launch to swing their arm as they yield their weapons of next month include the 224-piece Batman: Gotham choice—staff, pistol, or lightsaber. Launching next City Cycle Chase set, Mighty Micros: Batman vs. Catmonth are the 76-piece AT-DP, 234-piece Kanan’s woman 79-piece set, and the Mighty Micros: Hulk vs. LEGO Minecraft Jungle Tree House Speeder Bike, and Homing Spider Droid. Seat an ATUltron 80-piece set. DP driver in the cockpit, help Kanan sneak past the Stormtrooper on a The LEGO Friends’ Heartlake City also offers new settings for play speeder bike or arm the rapid stud shooter in the Spider Droid to battle the in 2016, including the 313-piece Heartlake Supermarket. Join Mia at Galactic Republic. Heartlake Supermarket and explore the aisles. Pick up some fresh fruit LEGO Minecraft adds two new sets for March with the 559-piece End and vegetables, breakfast cereals, and sushi before you head to the bakery Portal and the 706-piece Jungle Tree House. In the End Portal, battle the corner where Daniel is offering fresh cookies. Additional sets include the cave spider and seize the chest containing diamonds, redstone, and an iron 439-piece Heartlake Cupcake Cafe, the 320-piece Adventure Camp Raftingot. Then defeat the endermen to retrieve the eyes of ender and activate ing, and the 726-piece Adventure Camp Tree House. the End Portal. In the Jungle Tree House, build a treehouse with Alex for Additional line expansions include Ninjago, NEXO Knights, Disney farming sheep, harvesting cocoa pods and wheat, and crafting cookies. Princess, Elves, Juniors, Mixels, and more.
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Toy Fair 2016 Kick-It Trainer
Kick-It Trainer is an innovative piece of sporting equipment that allows aspiring athletes to kick a soccer ball more efficiently without the need of a large field, a coach, or even a teammate. KickIt Trainer provides any soccer player with the ability to practice kicking over and over, without having to chase after the ball. By continuously repeating the kicking motion, it helps build muscle memory while also helping the player perfect their kicking style. Kick-It with your right foot, or build your performance in your left foot. Kick-It Trainer works with any size ball and is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to set up. It folds into a convenient carrying size. It is for ages 9 and up.
Kick-It Trainer
Edge Brands
Edge Brands’ Kore Trixter Pro Multi-Directional Scooter features a brake cable through the front pole for 360-degree rotation and a reinforced steel peg beside the front wheel for tricks. There is a switch lock folding mechanism to take the Trixter Pro anywhere. It features patented bi-directional functionality for an extreme ride on the street or in a park. It is for ages 12 and up. The Kore Double Edge Flexboard features a unique Flexboard technology and a high-density polypropylene deck with fiber glass rods for the perfect ride. It offers quad wheels for extra stable drop-and-ride play to conquer the half-pipe while riding on the edge. It’s for ages 12 and up. Also new for 2016 is the Kore Black Mini BMX Bike, a BMX stunt bike, and Narly Noggins HelNarly Noggins Helmet Gear met Gear helmet accessories, pictured.
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Geo Safari Adventure Tool Wrist Band
Educational Insights
Educational Insights expands its GeoSafari line. The GeoSafari Jr. My First Telescope is a real-working telescope that lets little ones explore the moon and gives them a kickstart into beginner astronomy. The two-eye goggle and nose cut-out guides keep eyes focused on the right spot, and the built-in finder scope makes it easy to find the moon without adjusting. The 6x magnification provides views of the moon, while keeping the field of vision wide. The telescope stands at child’s height on a fully adjustable tripod, and the legs can also be easily folded for tabletop viewing. It is for ages 4 and up. The versatile GeoSafari Adventure Tool Wrist Band boasts a collection and display dome and a working compass, plus five additional inspired features for science-fueled fun. It is made for camping trips, hiking, bird watching, backyard exploration, and more. It is for ages 6 and up. Become Cinderella for a day in a fairy tale-inspired, color-matching game. Race to the palace with a flick of the Cinderella Magical Wand Shaker, and match the colored tokens on your castle card. The first princess to fill her castle with tokens wins the game and earns the glass slipper. The game reinforces color-learning and practicing strategic-thinking skills. This is a two to four player game for ages 3 and up. The Dino Construction Company Rescue Crew is growing with three new dino vehicles—Turbo the Triceratops Police SUV, Cyclone the Pteranodon Helicopter, and Blaze the Plesiosaurus Fireboat—for indoor and outdoor play on dirt, sand, snow, and water. All dino vehicles are for ages 3 and up. Uncover some facts and encourage an early interest in science with Hot Dots Jr. Ultimate Science Facts Interactive Book Set. This set features three illustrated non-fiction books: Dinosaurs, Sharks, and Space. It is for ages 3 and up.
MGA Entertainment
MGA’s Project Mc2 is a live-action series that airs on Netflix and is produced by AwesomenessTV, a division of DreamWorks Animation SKG. It was released on August 7, 2015, and the first season consisted of three episodes. It revolves around the fields of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and has the slogan “Smart Is the New Cool.” The first dolls in the line were introduced in fall 2015, and include both basic, unarticulated dolls as well as deluxe, articulated dolls that come with their own science experiments, such as a lava lamp, volcano, glowstick, and skateboard building set. This year’s doll-with-experiment assortment includes Adrienne’s Perfume, McKeyla’s Invisible Ink Pen, Bryden’s Light-Up Bracelet, Camryn’s Wind-Up Pet Robot, all of which are designed for kids ages 6 and up. Project Mc2 Circuit Beats A number of science kits are also available under the Project Mc2 brand. There’s the Project Mc2 Circuit Beats (shown) for kids to make music out of almost anything. Complete an electrical circuit to turn bananas into a piano, for example. Select from five different sound options: piano, drums, guitar, cat sounds, or record your own. Kids can wear the cat ear speaker headband to broadcast the music. Additional science projects are also available.
Playmates Toys
Playmates Toys, the company behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) toy line for decades, is showcasing its spring 2016 line, which is inspired by Nickelodeon’s TV series. Here is a sampling of what’s available. T-Sprints Single Pack Figure and Vehicle Assortment are highly stylized figures that feature a flywheel so kids can rev them up, release, and watch them go. The figures also powers the vehicles, just rev the T-Sprints figures, drop them into the vehicle shell, and send them racing into action. The collection includes Lickety Split T-Sprints Mad Motion Leo with Shellraiser, Mad Motion Mikey with Party Van (shown), Rapid Assault Raph with Stealth Bike, Dasher Donnie with Mikey with Patrol Buggy, Supersonic Shredder with Shreddermobile, Splinter with Rat Attack, and Triceraton with Destroyer. A T-Sprints Party Van 2-Pack Figure and Vehicle Assortment is also available. The T-Sprints Sewer Duel Playset includes an exclusive Leo T-Sprint and a Shellraiser vehicle. The playset is compatible with all T-Sprints figures and vehicles. This segment is designed for ages 4 and up. In the T-Blasts segment, there’s the Double Barrel and Cross Bow Blaster Assortment. Each blaster fires up to 40 feet and comes with two Ninja Turtles character darts, which are oversized and made of soft foam. The collection includes Double Barrel Leonardo, Double Barrel Donatello, Double Barrel Raphael, and Cross Bow Michelangelo. Each is designed for ages 4 and up. With the Quad-Blaster Assortment, each blaster fires up to 40 feet and comes with four Ninja Turtles character darts, which are oversized and made of soft foam. Kids, ages 4 and up, can press the trigger to rotate the barrel then simply pull back and release to launch the next Turtle character dart. This collection includes the Quad Blaster Leonardo, Quad Blaster Michelangelo, and Quad Blaster Raphael. There’s also the Talking Shell Cannon Assortment and the Ninja Turtles Dart Refill Packs. In addition, there’s the Mutations segment where the TMNT mutate from action figures into vehicles that are seen in the Nickelodeon series. In the Half Shell Heroes Preschool segment, for ages 3 and up, there is a dino-themed 2.5-inch figure two-pack assortment, a dino-themed vehicle with figures assortment, and a T-Rex Vehicle with Donatello.
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Toy Fair 2016 Hasbro Hasbro introduces an extensive assortment of products for 2016 covering a range properties. Here is a sampling of what will be on display. The Playskool Friends My Little Pony line introduces new figures, plush, and playsets. With the Applejack Activity Barn Playset, for ages 18 months and up, little ones can use the tractor to take Pinkie Pie and Applejack figures for a ride around the farm, or send them sliding down the ramp attached to the barn. The figures are sized to fit anywhere within the playset, including the swing built for two. Based on the new animated series, Yo-Kai Watch products for spring include the Yo-Kai Watch, which fans can use to imagine summoning Yo-Kai characters (each sold separately). Slide a Yo-Kai medal into the watch and it can recognize each medal, play their character’s name, and tribe song. The set comes with two exclusive Yo-Kai medals. The Furreal Friends line adds the Furreal Friends Pax, My Poopin’ Pup pet. Feed Pax his treats one at a time and
OYO Sports
Furreal Friends Pax, My Poopin’ Pup
then take him for a walk. Pull back on the leash to make him sit, and then release the leash to see what Pax has left behind. It includes a detachable two-part leash, nine treats, and a clean-up bag. With the Baby Alive Better Now Bailey doll, nurse this under-the-weather doll back to health. Pretend to check Bailey’s temperature with the thermometer and check the doll’s ears with the scope. Put the stethoscope up to its chest and pretend to listen to its heart as it shows how Bailey is feeling with different faces—happy, sad, or sleepy. Feed Bailey her bottle and she wets her diaper.
Timed to Super Bowl 2016, OYO Sports launched NFL Super Bowl 50 Participant Minifigures, followed by NFL Super Bowl 50 Champions Minifigures. The special-edition minifigures will represent the AFC and NFC Champions sold in premium packaging. For the NHL there is the NHL StadiSuper Bowl 50 um Series Minifigures, Zamboni, Backyard minifigure Rink, 2016 Draft Minifigures, as well as the NHL Stanley Cup Champions Minifigures and Zamboni. The special edition 73-piece buildable Zamboni vehicle will feature the yet-to-be-determined 2016 Stanley Cup Champions branding. Additional minifigures and buildable models for the NFL, NHL, MLS, MLB are available.
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Hape
As the new master toy partner for Disney Princess, Hasbro will roll out new Disney Frozen toys for spring, including the Disney Frozen Anna and Elsa Classic Fashion Dolls and the Disney Frozen Little Kingdom Elsa’s Frozen Castle Playset. Elsa’s castle is fit for a queen with hidden features throughout. Flip the floor to reveal a luxurious bed, flip the curtains to reveal an armoire for Elsa’s dresses, or flip the window panels to reveal images of Anna, Olaf, and Marshmallow. Kids can also switch Elsa’s look with two movie-inspired styles, her snow queen gown and her coronation outfit. Hasbro adds Nerf N-Strike Elite and Modulous blasters for spring. The Nerf N-Strike Modulous Recon MKII Blaster can be configured for almost every mission. Simply load the blaster with the six-dart clip and head into action, firing darts up to 90 feet. Customize the blaster with the stock and barrel extension to create four different blaster configurations. Girls also can grab the Nerf Rebelle Epic Action Bow to take aim.
Hape celebrates its 30th anniversary with a range of new products for 2016. The following is a sampling of those items. Hape rolls out four anniversary items including a 30th Anniversary Block Set of 30 red and natural wood unit blocks. Underwater Escapades Learn important sorting skills with the silly sea creatures of the nine-piece Underwater Escapades. Then over land, sea, sky, and the great beyond, sort and stack to help the critters in the 13-piece All Terrain Adventure puzzle get back on track. Ages 18 months and up can practice spatial awareness with this puzzle. Young walkers can pull themselves up and be in charge of their own adventures with Step & Stroll. Adjust the tension-setting front wheel to safely control the speed of little ones. The Step & Stroll walker helps toddlers ages 1 and up develop an understanding of their body, momentum, and speed.
TPF Toys
TPF Toys introduces Splashings, from Pound Puppies creator Mike Bowling. The line, which will launch exclusively at Toys “R” Us, centers around a group of mermaids and shells along with more than 100 pets, underwater gems, treasures, and playsets for kids to play with and collect. Upper Deck is expected to introduce a collectible card line this year. In addition, Shaftesbury (creator and producer of Life with Derek) is simultaneously launching a digital series. Pride Land Play Set
Just Play
Cardinal Industries
Cardinal Industries, a division of Spin Master, is introducing a host of new products for 2016 featuring properties such as Shopkins, Star Wars, PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, and more. Key items that continue to be featured in the line include HedBanz, Toss Across, Giant Uno, and Shark Tank. Additionally, the Top Trumps line of games will feature the latest children’s brands such as Secret Life of Pets, Finding Dory, Captain America: Civil War, Tsum Tsum, Star Wars: Rogue One, and others. Cardinal’s puzzle offerings range from wood to lenticular to foil to puzz 3-D. The newest version for this year is Pixel Puzzles. These puzzles combine character pixel art with a puzzle built of plastic bits and pieces.
The Disney Junior series, The Lion Guard, comes to life with the new toy collection from Just Play. Kids can pretend to help the leader Kion as he and his friends protect the Pride Lands with the new Pride Land Play Set, which includes an exclusive Kion figure. Additional three-inch collectible figures, including limited-edition chaser figures, and small playsets such as Bunga’s Coconut Launcher and Beshte’s Boulder Catapult are sold separately and can build out the world of The Lion Guard. The larger-scale eight-inch figures called the Pride Land Brawlers feature Kion, Bunga, and Beshte as interactive friends who say multiple phrases—the more characters that are together, the more phrases that are unlocked. The soft plush characters come in three sizes and assorted characters, as well as Kion and Bunga as light-up talking plush. Kion lets out a roar and Bunga toots, and both feature the Mark of the Guard emblem on their arms. This line is for ages 3 and up. Mermaid Magic Princess Sofia, based on the Disney Junior series, Sofia the First, is a bath toy that sings, lights up, and sparkles. The doll’s tail also flutters through the waters. Designed for ages 3 and up, it comes with a removable seashell tiara and hairbrush for hair play. The Glow-A-Lot Care Bears, for ages 2 and up, glow in the dark. Just hold the Care Bears up to a light to activate the feature, then turn off the lights and watch the Care Bears glow. No batteries needed, the magic is in the fabric. Collect all the Glow-A-Lot Care Bears: Love-a-lot, Bedtime Bear, Wish Bear, and Sweet Dreams Bear.
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Toy Fair 2016 Geomag
Geomag Black and White 104 Piece Set represents the original, classic Geomag product with magnetic rods and nonmagnetic steel spheres that combine to create an unlimited amount of structures. Thanks to the new platforms kids, ages 5 and up, can create bigger and more stable constructions in black and white.
American Greetings Entertainment
American Greetings Entertainment’s Care Bears is a classic with more than 30 years of brand equity. This year, Care Bears has several licensing partners with new product including master toy licensee Just Play. The company showcases Glow-A-Lot Care Bears with the following characters: Love-A-Lot, Wish Bear, Sweet Dreams Bear, and Bedtime Bear. The Care Bears’ fur actually glows from energy provided by lighting or the sun. Sliding into 2016 is Wonder Forge with the Care Bears Surprise Slides Game, taking kids down a colorful path through the sweet world of Care-A-Lot. Designed for ages 3 and up, it promotes color recognition, turntaking, and playing together. The Care Bears Matching Game is a classic game of picture matching that promotes memory, matching, and turn-taking designed for ages 3 and up. The Care Bears 3D Fabric Pillow from Cra-Z-Art lets kids design and decorate with no sewing or stuffing required. The Care Bears Color & Shimmer Messenger Bag with sparkling glitter accents comes complete with markers and gemstones. For the Care Bears collector comes Care Bears Crystal Surprise with OptiArt Gems to create fun Care Bears Belly Badges. Cra-Z-Art’s items are for ages 6 and up. Montco Crafts introduces Care Bears Grab Bag, Foil Bag, Special Delivery, and Fun Pack Pop-Outz! coloring kits and color in character kits for ages 3 and up.
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WowWee
WowWee’s CHiP is the ultimate AI Robotic Dog. CHiP recognizes its master, responds to commands using the Smartband, plays fetch with its Smartball, and more using its app. After a day of playing, CHiP knows it’s time to head to its special dog bed and recharge. REV Air is WowWee’s latest addition to the Robotic Enhanced Vehicle battle/game platform. Featuring the latest technologies in both Artificial Intelligence and Flight Control Systems, the app-based flight experience allows players to engage in battle using the flying quadcopter down to an AI car, or, conversely be chased in the real world by an AI quadcopter with the capability to attack, fire virtual missiles, and swarm at your vehicle. Lumi combines drone gaming along with taking some of the fuss out of flying an indoor quadcopter. The app-based gameplay in this quadcopter can literally fly itself while users play, direct, and command it. Using a free app on any smart device, select motions, stunts, and fly it around with ease. Once users get the hang of it, various game modes challenge users to follow sequences of lights and music while Lumi flies and dances in the air, reacting to the performance. Then, choreograph flight moves to record and share.
Universal Brand Development
Universal Brand Development oversees NBCUniversal’s consumer product and digital licensing for Universal Pictures, NBC Television, Focus Features, and Sprout Channel. This dedicated division is also responsible for film, home entertainment, and television promotions. At Toy Fair 2016, Universal will showcase Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s The Secret Life of Pets (July 8, 2016), a comedy about the lives our pets lead after we leave for work each day, and the latest film from the humans behind Despicable Me. Universal will unveil a first look at global master toy partner Spin Master’s line, including traditional plush and figurines as well as interactive and motorized toys that bring the Pets characters to life. Universal will also offer a sneak peek at the full range of consumer products for the film, including apparel and accessories, back to school, home, stationery, and more.
The Secret of Life Pets
Cartoon Network Cartoon Network Studios is producing an all-new animated series Cannon. Vectron Flying Powerpuff Girls Assortment, for ages 5 and up, for The Powerpuff Girls this year and is launching a global licensing includes all three girls and heart-shaped charging bases for each. program for the brand. Since their debut in 1998, Blossom, Bubbles, Cardinal Industries, now a division of Spin Master, is a new partner and Buttercup have been ambassadors of girl power, juggling school- joining The Powerpuff Girls roster in 2016 with a full range of puzzles work, fighting bad guys, and always saving the world based on the characters and stories from the all-new series. before bedtime. Now they will be introduced to a new In addition to its full assortment of Halloween cosgeneration of kids. tumes for kids, teens, and adults, Disguise will offer a Anchoring the licensing program from Cartoon Netline of roleplay items focused on dress-up apparel and work is Spin Master, which will serve as the global masaccessories inspired by The Powerpuff Girls. Available ter toy partner for The Powerpuff Girls with a full range across all retail channels this fall, the collection includes of products debuting in the U.S. this fall. Additional new dress sets, jewelry, makeup, wigs, and more. partners in the toy category signed on to launch in 2016 Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup will make their vinyl and 2017 include A&A Global, Cardinal Industries, Distoy debut with Funko. Included in the line are Pop! Vinyl guise, Funko, Pressman Toy, and Toy Factory. figures, Mystery Minis blind box series, My Mojis colSpin Master will feature a line of plush, figures and lectible line, Dorbz figures, and more. The line will debut The Powerpuff Girls playsets, dolls, roleplay items, and more. Some of the key at Comic-Con International in July and be featured at addrivers in the line include the Deluxe Flip to Action Playset, which trans- ditional conventions prior to its wide release beginning in 2017. forms from the girls’ bedroom to their superhero lab. It comes complete Pressman Toy Corp. will produce a line of original board games, with a two-inch Bubbles and Professor Utonium figure, for ages 3 and card games, and puzzles based on the franchise, which will be available up. The Powerpuff Girls’ new Aura powers are at the center of this two- throughout North America beginning in the fall. inch doll assortment, as each pack of Aura Powerpods includes a transIn spring 2017, A&A Global will add an assortment of products for lucent aura power vehicle and two-inch figure of each girl, along with a vending machines including stickers, temporary tattoos, toys, and other 2-D villain character. Each vehicle has a pullback feature that lets it zip novelty items, and Toy Factory will launch products including plush around or break through walls. Available for fans ages 3 and up, each is toys, pillows, rubber balls, novelty hats, and more for outdoor amuseoffered in three styles: Bubbles/Bunny, Blossom/Stapler, or Buttercup/ ments, family entertainment centers, and traveling amusement venues.
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Networks Home in on Kids’ Programming The Changing Landscape of Children’s Programming
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Networks Home in on Kids’ Programming by Jennifer
I
Lynch
f you’ve been tuning into the award shows this season, then you know just how visible the shift in viewing habits has become. Shut out from the list of Golden Globe television nominees last month were many broadcast programs, while nominees and winners among streaming channels Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu grew. So, what does this have to do with children’s programming? Everything. In the world of children’s entertainment—be it toys, games, or programming—we often talk about the trickle-down effect. And for these streaming networks, an increased interest and investment in this audience simply makes sense. Last month, Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos announced that it will invest a large portion of the company’s $5-6 billion budget for 2016 programming exclusively to content for children and families, including 35 new shows. “The beauty of an internet television network as opposed to a traditional television network is that we don’t have an advertising infrastructure and we don’t need to ever target a specific demo,” says Jenny McCabe, director of global media relations at Netflix. “This gives us the freedom to program super broad and kids just fits in that spectrum.” As both a mom and a content producer, for Halle Stanford, executive vice-president of children’s entertainment for The Jim Henson Company, this idea was summed up in a question someone recently posed her preschooler: What was his favorite network?—an admittedly odd question for a preschooler, but his response was what shocked her more. Netflix, he said. “Netflix is carrying all kinds of programming from all kinds of networks, but that’s not how kids
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InPulse and Mattel teamed up for the creation of a short-form stop-motion series on YouTube to promote the American Girl brand and engage with fans.
perceive it,” says Stanford. “Kids perceive it as where is my content, and that is their destination.” Kids born today won’t know a world in which they couldn’t access any program they wanted on any device in just a few clicks, taps, or swipes. “Kids today are consuming content in completely new ways,” says Marcy George, vice-president of global consumer products, Saban Brands. “They now have infinite choices and expect instant gratification when it comes to content.” Call it the Little Mermaid effect, but content providers need to be where the people are, or more specifically where the kids are. And that means extending no longer just to linear, but to streaming networks as well as to digital channels and multi-channel networks (MCNs).
Open Skies of Opportunities
Opportunities have widened on the side of the content creators. The pros of working with these alternative channels is that they no longer need to cater to specific demographics, work around set programming blocks, and with a partner like Netflix, have access to an immediate global audience. For content creators, this space offers more creative freedom. One example is the new Netflix original kids’ series Kong: King of the Apes, set for release
this April. The show was originally scheduled to roll out as a 13-episode series but its creators felt there wouldn’t be enough time in the first 30-minute episode to fully establish a whole new world for Kong. Netflix gave them the green light to open with a 90-minute mini-movie, followed by 12 episodes instead. “It represents a format shift,” says McCabe, one that linear programming simply could not accommodate without making concessions. “It’s creating opportunity for content creators because there are simply more options,” says Andrew Berman, senior vice-president of global sales for Genius Brands International (GBI). “You have the traditional linear options but you also have digital opportunities. Netflix has become probably the most important broadcaster in worldwide kids TV. Look back two to three years ago and you couldn’t say that. I wouldn’t have even thought that was possible.” But that doesn’t mean traditional kids content producers aren’t investing in these new areas as well. Not only relying on linear and streaming to offer content, many producers are also creating their own branded channels through streaming devices, SVOD services, and digital networks. While Nickelodeon is still often viewed as a linear network, today the company has multiple touchpoints across its ecosystem of TV, apps, and digital as well as marketing and events. “The content we offer is social-specific and custom-produced for each platform,” says Ron Geraci, executive vice-president of research and planning, Nickelodeon. “The Nick App serves as our creative sandbox, incubating new original animated and live-action content.” And its first animated short-form digital series, Welcome to the Wayne, to launch on the app gained such a
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positive response it was green lit for television last year. Disney and DreamWorks are prime examples of those seizing opportunity in the YouTube space with their multi-channel networks (MCNs) Maker Studio and AwesomenessTV respectively. Both Roku and Google’s Chromecast also feature an assortment of branded channels from kids’ content creators such as PBS Kids, Disney, Nick, Sesame, Hasbro, and more. Even cable providers are jumping into the water—perhaps as a means to aggregate content and combat the cord-cutting trend—through their own SVOD services. Last fall, GBI teamed with Comcast for the launch of its Kid Genius channel offering a one-stop shop home for all its content. The decision followed the company’s proven success at launching its Baby Genius content on Comcast’s existing Baby Boost SVOD channel. One factor that is still driving content creation in this new landscape is fan engagement. YouTube, specifically is providing a unique, and most often, cheap way of achieving this. Last year, YouTube’s family entertainment business increased 200 percent compared to the previous year’s average 50 percent growth, according to the company, which was in part a result of the launch of YouTube Kids and its companion app. Like Nick’s proprietary app, YouTube on a broader scale serves as a testing-ground for new content as well as a way to supplement existing content for brands. “YouTube and the mobile space are so important when it comes to reaching kids,” says Saban’s George. “We strive to create shows that are not only successful on their own but can also go beyond content into licensing and digital.” In addition to the Netflix original series, Popples, Saban has added stand-alone digital shorts to live solely on YouTube. And similarly, MGA Entertainment has done the same for its Netflix original series Project Mc2 through AwesomenessTV. MGA Entertainment’s CEO Isaac Larian was unable to go into details as of presstime, but the two companies have new content currently in the works. For toy brands in general, these kinds of distribution channels can offer new avenues for storytelling for their physical brands and characters that go beyond popular unboxing videos without needing to rely on traditional TV content to back them. Last year, Mattel entered a unique partnership with InPulse Digital, an independent digital content marketing firm, to create short-form video content to support the American Girl brand. Z’s Crew launched last October as a 10-episode stop-motion animated series, encouraging fans to create and share their own original stop-motion stories featuring their own American Girl dolls.
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Both DreamWorks and Disney recognize the overlapping viewing habits of millennial moms and their kids and are responding accordingly. Disney’s Maker Studios announced the launch of a new MCN, Revelmode, last month which teams the MCN giant with No. 1 YouTube star PewDiePie. Meanwhile, DreamWorks expands on the success of its MCN AwesomenessTV with MCN Awestruck, hoping to feed the content needs of millennial moms where past broadcasters have failed. What differentiates Awestruck from say Nickelodeon’s now defunct Nick Mom block is the understanding of needing to be where today’s mom is—on-the-go. “We have seen studies from the CDC showing that millennial moms are spending an average of six hours a day on their mobile devices. This generation of moms is watching more online video than TV, and with Awestruck, we are providing entertaining and informative on-demand content that is shareable, stackable, and just the right fit for their busy lives,” says Sarah Penna, head of Awestruck.
Licensing Without Numbers
If there is still one complicating factor for streaming networks, it’s licensing. Streaming networks like Netflix and Amazon still do not share their data on a program’s performance. And while this may not be a problem for viewers, for those hoping to license new programming here it is. “Ratings companies are playing catch-up in terms of creating measurement tools that accurately report engagement across all platforms,” Nick’s Geraci says. “We continue to work with existing partners to find solutions and we’re also working internally to come up with complementary tools that will help give a better overall view of traffic across our linear and digital platforms.” Some say it just comes down to a strong strategy out of the gate to back the property, while others say it’s too soon to say what will work best. MGA timed the release to the coordinating doll line from the company to its Netflix debut. Thus far, the company has seen success both with the program, which was renewed for a second season this year, and its licensing. Both Alex Brands and the Horizon Group are on-board as additional product partners for Project Mc2. Mattel responded similiarly for its Ever After High programming on the channel, gaining new deals annually. “In terms of statistics—for retailers—it’s all they ask for,” says GBI’s Berman. “It’s ingrained in their minds and that comes from linear. The children’s programming landscape is changing. And it’s changing for the better. We all just have to get used to it and adapt to it.”
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Content Providers A Changing Landscape of Children’s Programming by Jennifer
Lynch
To say the landscape of how today’s kids consume content is changing would be an understatement. Below is just a small sampling of the deals taking place within this new landscape. In December, DHX Media and Mattel announced a new, long-term partnership for the development, production, and distribution of a range of new, multi-platform content inspired by key Mattel properties Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, Little People, and Polly Pocket. Mattel and DHX Media will jointly fund, co-develop, and co-produce new episodic, short-form, and long-form content for the Mattel properties, designed for a variety of traditional and digital platforms.
Netflix, Saban Brands, and Cirque du Soleil Média announced Cirque du Soleil Luna Petunia as a new Netflix original series for kids. Eleven 22-minute episodes will premiere worldwide exclusively on Netflix this fall and will kick off a full franchise rollout, including a comprehensive consumer products line, interactive digital content, and a potential live tour. The series chronicles the adventures of a little girl named Luna Petunia, who lives in our world and plays in a dreamland where she learns how to make the impossible possible.
Corus Entertainment entered an agreement with Canadian upstart shomi for multiple Nickelodeon series. Programs heading to shomi exclusively include Penguins of Madagascar, Rabbids Invasion, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bubble Guppies, and more. Additional new titles to the service include Dora & Friends, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness, Ren & Stimpy, and Victorious. shomi is owned by the Rogers Media- and Shaw Media-owned service.
Endemol Shine Group and AwesomenessTV entered a strategic partnership to extend the international reach of AwesomenessTV to key markets outside the U.S., including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Brazil. Endemol Beyond will also support and further grow the existing AwesomenessTV roster of talent led channels in these markets, as well as incubate new talent and verticals across the network.
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Specialty Emporium Profile
STEM Toys:
A by
the Future
Nancy Lombardi
professor at Stanford University thought it would be a good idea for two students with diverse educational backgrounds to meet. That meeting between educator Josh Chan and electrical engineer Tarun Pondicherry quickly led to the creation of LightUp. The company’s product line introduces key STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) concepts to kids by teaching them how to explore their world using electronics and code. The company has two kits on the market: Edison (ages 5 and up) and Tesla (ages 7 and up). Chan says that sometimes kids want to learn about technology but they are intimidated and don’t know where to start. LightUp’s modular block system helps kids—and, perhaps, adults too—overcome that fear. Working in unison with the blocks is the LightUp Learning iOS app, which is a free iPad download. It acts as an interactive tutor for the kits, says Chan. There is a library of projects to try, and kids can get interactive guidance through the Smart Lens technology in the app. The kits are “different magnetic blocks that snap together so kids can build a first circuit, which could be a flashlight,” says Chan. “Kids can then wave their iPad over what they are building and the app [with Smart Lens Technology] shows the electricity flowing around it. It gives kids a sort of x-ray vision and explains if something isn’t working quite right and how to fix it.” In fall 2015, LightUp launched the Tesla Kit Bluetooth Edition, which allows kids to program their creation right from their iPad. The Bluetooth link is what makes this possible, Chan says. Kids can code in the app using dragand-drop blocks. Tap a button on the app and it
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programs wirelessly. They are programming in a visual, guided environment.
Origin Story
The meeting at Stanford showed Chan and Pondicherry that they both shared a passion for teaching kids. At that point, they started brainstorming product ideas. From there they applied to be part of the HAX Accelerator Hardware Program that takes place in Shenzhen, China. In 2013, the pair found themselves living in China for four months to partake in the program. Chan says it was a big step, and it helped them realize they were serious about launching the company. “We went to China in January 2013,” Chan says. “We returned to the States in May 2013, and we decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign that same week in May. At that point, we had a few handmade prototypes, yet we didn’t have the capital or the know-how to produce it in a larger quantity, so Kickstarter was an amazing help.” They were hoping to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter but ended up raising $120,000. The money was used for tooling and other start-up costs, but more than money, Kickstarter gave them “the signal that there is interest, understanding, and demand for the ideas we have,” Chan says. “It gave us the push to realize that we should pursue this wholeheartedly.” Shortly after the 2013 Kickstarter campaign, they returned to China for a few more months and became immersed in the Design for Manufacturing community. From there, they worked on getting the kits into retail. Amazon was LightUp’s first retail partner, and the products were placed in the retailer’s newly created STEM Store. LightUp’s line was featured prominently on Amazon during the 2015 holiday season. In addition to Amazon.com, LightUp’s products
LightUp’s free app offers a library of projects to try. In addition, kids get interactive guidance through Smart Lens Technology, which is illustrated above.
are in Barnes & Noble as part of the retailer’s focus on the Maker Movement. LightUp also sells to the independent, specialty toy retailer and is making a further push into that realm in 2016. The Bluetooth Kit will have its first official showing at Toy Fair because it is still a very new product for the company. In addition, Chan says that they will be showing prototypes of blocks as well as some expansion packs for the Edison and Tesla kits. This is the company’s second Toy Fair. LightUp also exhibited at ASTRA and Fall Toy Preview for the first time in 2015.
National Science Foundation Grant
LightUp recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to further develop its core technology, which it calls the LightUp Engine. “The idea, when we submitted the grant application, was that this had the potential in a more formal education setting,” says Chan. “It is too early to give concrete details, but we see a big opportunity to become successful in the formal education system.” Chan envisions products and concepts blending in-school learning and at-home play in a way that is seamless fun for children. If kids can be initially reached in school—in a fun way—the impact will be much greater and the possibilities for kids—and for society—will be endless. LightUp wants to blend fun with learning to teach kids the principles behind what fuels daily life—coding, programming, engineering. Next on the agenda for LightUp is augmented reality. Now that would be a fun afternoon in school.
DENVER + ASTRA’S MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY + YOU: From its Old West heritage to its picturesque mountain views, Denver will inspire awe. The many vendors, exceptional deals, 4th quarter buying opportunities, and rich educational programming will INSPIRE YOU! THE YEAR’S
BIGGEST
GATHERING OF THE
SPECIALTY
ASTRA’S MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY FEATURES:
> Two days’ worth of business-building educational content from leading INDUSTRY EXPERTS > A well-curated, ENERGETIC FREE TRADE SHOW where specialty toy retailers can MEET MANUFACTURERS > A place to SHARE EXPERTISE, and ideas that will inspire your world of play
TOY
INDUSTRY
COME DISCOVER ADVENTURE IN DENVER
Register at www.astramarketplace.org or 1-800-591-0490
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You’re Hired
Nickelodeon
Jennifer Caveza, Senior VP Toys & Business Development Jon Roman, Senior VP, Boys’ Toys & Business Development
Nickelodeon announced the promotions of Jennifer Caveza and Jon Roman in early January who will assume leadership for the company’s toys and business development group. Caveza has been promoted to senior vice-president, toys and business development and Roman to senior vice-president, boys’ toys and business development. The announcement was made by Pam Kaufman, chief marketing officer and president of Consumer Products for Nickelodeon, to whom Caveza and Roman will report. Caveza, formerly vice-president, toys and games, has managed the global master toy license for Mattel, which includes a multi-year multi-property preschool portfolio with Fisher-Price and several construction lines with MEGA Brands. She also oversees all master toy partnerships for Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants property and manages many aspects of the business for the preschool series PAW Patrol. Based in Burbank, Calif., Caveza is also responsible for the growth of arts and crafts, ELAs, plush, ride-ons, vehicles, and games. Prior to Nickelodeon, Caveza held several senior management roles at Mattel, Fisher-Price, and Jakks Pacific. Most recently, she served as vice-president, global hardlines at Mattel. Roman, formerly vice-president, boys’ toys and business development, has managed the global master toy license for Playmates Toys for the series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Roman currently oversees the product development relationship with MEGA Brands for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles construction toys and is also responsible for the growth of the sporting goods and consumer electronics categories. Prior to Nickelodeon, he served as vice-president, divisional merchandise manager, core toy division at Toys “R” Us where he was responsible for the U.S. Core Toy merchandising division. Roman has also held senior level positions at Playmobil and Meccano.
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Spin Master
Nancy Zwiers, CMO
Spin Master announced that Nancy Zwiers joined the company as chief marketing officer in November 2015. Zwiers has worked with Spin Master as a consultant since 2002. She is founder and CEO of the consulting firm Funosophy, Inc., where she spent the past 16 years helping over 200 clients—from industry leaders to start-ups in toys, youth entertainment, and interactive games—build and expand their brands.
Target
Janna Potts, EVP, Chief Stores Officer
Target Corporation promoted Janna Potts to executive vice-president, chief stores officer in early January. Potts will be responsible for the leadership of Target’s 1,805 stores across the United States. Potts immediately replaces Tina Tyler. She will serve as a member of Target’s leadership team and will report to Target’s COO, John Mulligan. Potts has been with the company since 1989 when she joined Mervyn’s. Since that time, she has held a variety of leadership positions in stores, operations, and human resources. Most recently, she was Target’s senior vicepresident of human resources focused on stores and distribution.
ASTRA
Kimberly Mosley, President
Kimberly Mosley was appointed president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) in September 2015. Mosley is coming to ASTRA from The American College of Healthcare Executives. “It is with great excitement that I have accepted the role of ASTRA’s president,” said Mosley. “ASTRA is a fiscally and programmatically strong organization with a long tradition of responsiveness to the business needs of its members. I will continue that important tradition. I am eager to work with members to strengthen the segment of the toy industry that is committed to quality toys with high play value, and to bring specialty toy professionals together to help each other succeed.”
9 Story Media Group
Warner Bros. Consumer Products
9 Story Media Group announced the appointment of Geraldine Laybourne to its board of directors in November 2015. She was a cable programming pioneer in the 1980s and 1990s, leading the team that created Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite. Laybourne then went on to serve as president of Disney/ABC Cable Networks and later founded Oxygen Media, where she served as chairman and CEO until she sold the company to NBC Universal in 2007. Currently, Laybourne is the chairman and co-founder of Kandu, a kid’s technology company. Laybourne’s appointment follows 9 Story’s 2015 acquisition of Brown Bag Films.
Pam Lifford has been named president of Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Her role began on February 1 and she will report directly to Diane Nelson, president, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products and president and chief content officer, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. In her new role, Lifford will oversee all Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) business functions, including domestic and international licensing, worldwide marketing, business and legal affairs, finance, and retail business development. WBCP’s portfolio of licensing properties includes DC Comics’ Batman and Superman, Harry Potter, The Hobbit Trilogy, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo, among many others. Lifford succeeds Brad Globe who steps down this month after more than a decade overseeing WBCP. Lifford will work directly with Nelson and the WBCP executive team to optimize Warner Bros.’ upcoming slate of film, television, and animation properties driven by the characters of DC Entertainment; the stories and characters from J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World; and classic animation favorites. She will continue to build WBCP’s global themed entertainment business, which includes The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as well as identify new opportunities within the Studio’s vast content library. Lifford will also work with colleagues at Turner via Cartoon Network and Boomerang to support and build the company’s overall kids’ businesses. Lifford has more than 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry. She spent 12 years at Disney, rising through the ranks to become a member of the consumer products executive leadership team where, as executive vice-president, she oversaw the global home, fashion, and infant category. Lifford joins WBCP from Quiksilver, Inc., where she served as executive vice-president, global licensing. Earlier in her career, she held positions at Road Runner Sports and Nike.
Geraldine Laybourne, Board of Directors
Hires at Saban Brands
Saban Brands announced the appointment of five new executives across multiple departments in late October 2015. The newly appointed group includes: • Tori Cook, senior vice-president of global retail business development • Marcy George, vice-president of global consumer products • Jennifer Wexler, senior vice-president of marketing • Stan Wan, creative director of Saban Brands Lifestyle Group • Scott Rosenbaum, senior vice-president of business and legal affairs
Warner Bros. Entertainment
Barry Ziehl, Senior Vice-President, Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives
Barry Ziehl has been named senior vice-president, public affairs and strategic initiatives for Warner Bros. Entertainment. In this new role, he will assume oversight of Warner Bros.’ public affairs team, including corporate responsibility and the further integration of philanthropy and sustainability initiatives into the company’s corporate values and business interests. Ziehl will also be responsible for state and local government and community relations efforts, representing Warner Bros.’ interests on key industry-related legislative, regulatory, and production issues. Ziehl has served as senior vice-president, worldwide public relations and marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products the last 10 years, where he oversaw the development and execution of global marketing campaigns. Ziehl joined WBCP in 1999, holding successive positions for the studio. Prior to WBCP, Ziehl worked for the U.S. Postal Service at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. where he led public relations and marketing communications programs.
Pam Lifford, President
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Calendar of Events
March 6–8
ToyFest West
19–22
Australian Toy, Hobby, & Nursery Fair austoy.com.au
Melbourne Convention Centre Melbourne
4–7
MIPTV
Palais des Festivals Cannes
6–7
Kazachok Licensing Forum
17–22
April 4–7 12–14 27–30 28
Halloween & Attractions Show
toyfestwest.com haashow.com
miptv.com
South Point Hotel Las Vegas America’s Center St. Louis
Bologna Children’s Book Fair
bookfair.bolognafiere.it
Bologna Fair Centre
London Book Fair
londonbookfair.co.uk
London Olympia London
forumlicence.kazachok.com
Hong Kong Gifts & Premier Fair hkgiftspremiumfair.com
Bologna
Porte De La Villette Paris
Hong Kong Convention Centre Hong Kong
TTPM Spring Showcase
anbmedia.com/showcases
2–4
PlayCon
toyassociation.org
Miami Beach Edition Hotel Miami
11–13
CES Asia
sniec.net
Shanghai New Int’l Exhibition Center Shanghai
15–18
National Stationery Show
nationalstationeryshow.com
May 10–12 15–17 24–26
June
All Baby & Child Edu. Conference allbabyandchildsec.com
SURTEX
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Tampa Convention Center Tampa
surtex.com
Jacob Javits Convention Center New York City
sweetsandsnacks.com
McCormick Place Chicago
5–8
ASTRA Marketplace
astramarketplace.com
21–23
14–16
Metropolitan Pavilion New York City
Jacob Javits Convention Center New York City
Denver Convention Center Denver
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) e3expo.com
Licensing International Expo
licensingexpo.com
Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles
Comic-Con International
comic-con.org
San Diego Convention Center San Diego
New York NOW
nynow.com
Jacob Javits Convention Center New York City
Fall Toy Preview
toyassociation.org
Dallas Market Center Dallas
6
TTPM Holiday Showcase
anbmedia.com/showcases
Metropolitan West New York City
6–9
New York Comic-Con
newyorkcomiccon.com
Jacob Javits Convention Center New York City
July 21–24
August 20–24
September 27–29
October
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Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas
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