TFE/TFE Licensing, February 2017 by aNb Media

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contents | 02/17 Volume 12, No. 1

Features

Departments

36 Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair Drives the Industry

by Christopher Byrne

10 Trending

38 Crowdfunding: The Roar of the Crowd, Potentially

by Christopher Byrne

42 VR vs. AR: Toys Race into a New Reality

Observations & Opinions

by Jennifer Lynch

Industry News

Industry Forum: Toy Industry Association

Industry Forum: ASTRA

46 Defying Gender Labels in the Toy Aisle

26 Industry Forum: Design Edge

28 Industry Forum: All Baby & Child Corp.

by Jennifer Lynch

34 Brand Profile: Little Kids

30 Industry Forum: JWB&A Business Consultants

by Chris Butera

32 Industry Forum: KidStuff PR 18

On the Cover Design Edge created the 2017 Toy Fair poster. Pick one up at the aNb Media booth 2301 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. TFE cover by Design Edge TFE Licensing cover by Jennifer Lynch

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Brand Profile: SpacePOP

110 Company Profile: TPF Toys 112 You’re Hired page 104

LICENSING

106 Engaging Today’s Media-Savvy Kids by Jennifer Lynch

On this Page PlayMonster’s Wonder Crew; Alex Brands’ Happy Little Loom

BOOTH 1769

Over 200 million views on

#stikbot

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TFE OBSERVATIONS & Opinions

The Changing of the Guard

emember VHS? How about the DVD player? iTunes was first launched in 2001, and 16 years later, the CD is almost extinct. Over the last five years, we’ve talked about the changing ways people shop. Most significantly, it can be seen with people in their 20s, especially those without kids. They grew up with the digital age and the emergence of online shopping. Many people in the toy business thought that online toy sales would be capped at 20 percent. Through the aisles of Toy Fair, we would hear, “It’s never going to get much bigger than that.” Well, not only is it bigger, but it’s just in its infancy Bob Glaser, Publisher of growth. The toy industry doesn’t parallel other product categories in respect to online shopping. Seventy percent of all toy sales are for the holidays, for which the recipient, a child, is receiving a surprise. Close to another 20 percent are for birthday gifts, also a surprise. Ninety percent of all recipients will be kept out of the shopping experience. Compared to categories such as apparel, for which you want to bring your child along to try on the product, the percentage of consumers buying toys online is out-pacing other categories. Many small and mid-size companies now claim Amazon is their largest retail partner, when only two years ago it wasn’t even in their top four. Amazon is now part of the Big 4 in the toy business; the others being Toys “R” Us (TRU), Walmart, and Target. Walmart bought Jet.com to enhance its online business, while TRU has invested heavily to improve its online consumer experience. Bottom line, the toy industry now sees 25-plus percent of its sales via online purchasing. If you don’t think that number is going to continue to skyrocket, you’re probably still listening to your CDs. Our own consumer website, TTPM.com, has seen consumer visits catapult the last two years. Over the past five years, we’ve had 427 million views of our video reviews. Whether it be clicking through to buy or just researching, people are turning to online in an accelerated capacity. Every year a parent that grew up in the non-digital age is replaced by a digitally savvy parent, the number of online purchases will advance significantly. Are bricks-and-mortar stores dead? No. But the experience is changing and store traffic is down year-over-year. Buy online and in-store pickup has grown significantly for those who need or want product on the same day. This change makes it harder to promote to the consumer. The old formula was simple: TV advertising and traditional PR. Today, those who are successful have an integrated multi-channel platform. They are combining TV with PR, promotions, social media, and digital marketing. To make matters even more complicated, the demographics of your target audience changes how and where they consume their content. You’ve heard the motto KISS: keep it simple stupid. I’m sorry to tell you, the world is changing, and it’s more complicated and sophisticated than ever before. Welcome to the Revolution!

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aNbMedia.com

February 2017 • Volume 12, 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 Editor in Chief Jim Silver Jim@TTPM.com Editorial & Creative Manager Jennifer Lynch Jennifer@TTPM.com Web Developer Brendan Sanabria Brendan@TTPM.com Contributors John Brady; Christopher Byrne; Kristin Morency Goldman; Kimberly Mosley; Matt Nuccio; Lisa Orman; Larry Schur 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 2017 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.

What’s Trending? These trending lists are based on aNb Media’s consumer website, TTPM.com. TTPM’s Top Trending Lists are generated by the number of views for that item across toy, baby, and pet categories. Here are the lists, in trending order, for the month of February.

TOP 10 Trending Toys

Disney Moana Feature Maui The Disney Store

Star Wars Bop It! BB-8 Hasbro

Meccano Meccanoid 2.0 Spin Master

Despicable Me Pie Face!

TOP 5 Baby Products

TOP 5 Pet Products

BabyBackups (3)

Breathable Mesh Tank & Blanket

Sienabena

Insect Shield

Net Stroller

Purrfect Scent Catnip Massage Toy

Hasbro

Barbie Video Game Hero Match Game Princess Doll (2) Mattel

Star Wars Deluxe R/C BB-8 The Disney Store

Barbie Video Game Hero Light-Up Skates Barbie Doll Mattel

Disney Moana Projection Boat Playset

Inglesina

Petlinks

Arrington Tote Diaper Bag JJ Cole

ZeroShock Leash EzyDog

Pee-Pee Teepee Wiener Dog Cello

Eco Mouser

Beba Bean

Honest Pet Products

ergoCocoon 2-in-1 Swaddle Sleep Bag

iFetch Frenzy iFetch

ergoPouch

The Disney Store

Call of Duty Dragonfly Drone DGL Toys

Toilet Trouble (1) Hasbro

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HERE’S A RECAP OF INDUSTRY HEADLINES • For more up-to-date news, visit aNbMedia.com • Sign up to receive FREE News Alerts on aNbMedia.com

Mattel, Sakar Expand Licensing Deal

Sakar International announced an expanded licensing agreement with Mattel to include Barbie and Thomas & Friends. Sakar’s new line of Thomas and Friends consumer electronics includes waterproof molded bathtub speakers and pillow speakers as well as adventure kits, walkie talkies, molded kid-friendly headphones, piano dance mats, karaoke microphone stands, karaoke systems, glow pads, flashlights, and music kits. Products within these lines will feature refreshed designs in keeping with Mattel’s relaunch of Thomas. A new Barbie lineup will be made exclusive to the value channel and will include a variety of products tailored toward young fans. The items include interactive products such as piano dance mats and karaoke microphone stands. Both lines will be available this spring.

Avalanche Studios Re-Opens Under Warner Bros.

Avalanche Software, the former Disney game development subsidiary, has re-opened after Warner Bros. acquired the studio. Under the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment umbrella, the studio will be led by John Blackburn. Warner Bros. has also acquired the rights to the Octane engine technology, previously developed by Avalanche Software, which it will use to develop a Cars 3 video game based on the upcoming Disney/Pixar film. The Utah-based studio was shuttered last year following Disney’s announcement to close shop on its proprietary toys-to-life franchise Disney Infinity.

PBS Kids Launches 24/7 Channel

PBS began rolling out its free round-the-clock PBS Kids channel last month. The channel, which is provided by member stations and via live streaming on digital platforms, is expected to reach all 108 PBS member stations by year’s end. The live stream will also introduce an integrated games feature, enabling children to toggle between a PBS Kids show and an activity that extends learning. The games will align with the learning goals of each TV series. The PBS KIDS 24/7 channel’s launch schedule includes 21 PBS Kids series, such as Arthur, Bob the Builder, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Wild Kratts, and more. Beginning April 21, the new channel will debut PBS Kids Family Night, weekly family viewing events featuring movie specials or themed programming every Friday, and repeating on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Family Night will kick off with films such as Odd Squad: The Movie; Splash and Bubbles: One Big Ocean; and Sesame Street: The Cookie Thief, and will include world premiere movie events such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Tiger Family Trip, Wild Kratts Alaska: Hero’s Journey (working title), Ready Jet Go!: Return to Bortron 7, and Arthur and the Haunted Treehouse. Stations will provide the PBS Kids 24/7 channel in addition to their current primary PBS channel, which will continue with their current schedules.

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Amazon Rolls Out STEM Club

Last month, Amazon launched STEM Club, a new monthly subscription service for STEM-related toys. Each month, families will get a different, age-appropriate science, technology, engineering, and math toy handpicked by the retailer delivered straight to their door. Subscriptions are based on three age ranges: ages 3–4, ages 5–7, and ages 8–13. A STEM Club toy subscription costs $19.99/month, and can be canceled at any time. It is currently only available in the U.S.

Walmart Launches Free Two-Day Shipping

Walmart rolled out free two-day shipping to home and stores on more than two million items, without a membership fee. The announcement coincided with a lower minimum purchase requirement for free shipping to home at $35, from $50. Not including freight and marketplace, items being shipped to stores continue to have no price threshold. Free two-day shipping will be available on the items customers shop the most, including household essentials such as baby necessities, pet products, foods such as cereal and peanut butter, cleaning supplies, and beauty favorites as well as top toys and electronics. The program is currently available in the contiguous U.S.

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BRAND PROFILE

SpacePOP from GBI by

Chris butera

hat do you get when you combine royalty, rock and roll, and intergalactic battles? A YouTube series called SpacePOP. Created and developed by Genius Brands International (GBI), the web series chronicles the adventures of five teenage princesses: Rhea, Luna, Athena, Juno, and Hera. Together, they disguise themselves as musicians and form a band to fight in a secret revolution against the evil Empress Geela, who plans to take over their universe known as the Planets of the Pentangle. Each princess rules a different planet and features a unique fashion style to match her personality. Through the power of music, they inspire their enslaved people to join the rebel resistance and put an end to Geela’s hostle takeover. They might seem like ordinary teenage royalty by day, but when the stars align at night they become their rock star personas. The tween girl-targeted YouTube series launched in June 2016 on the digital streaming platform, and began airing on the VOD channels Kabillion Girls Rule! and GBI’s Kid Genius in mid-August. The series uploads several short three-minute episodes every week to the SpacePOP channel as well as other digital platforms such as Toon Goggles, batteryPOP, and PopJam. GBI plans to digitally release more than 100 serialized episodes with original music and stories. As of press time, the YouTube channel had garnered more than 41,000 subscribers with more than 13 million total views. According to GBI, the series’ digital distribution is more likely to appeal to the fast-paced, mobile-driven world tweens are growing up in, as opposed to linear television. To expand SpacePOP’s nationwide presence, GBI partnered with promotional partners Six Flags, Dippin’ Dots, and Camplified, which produces rock concerts for children’s summer camps. Created and developed by Emmy Award-winning GBI Chairman and CEO Andy Heyward (The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Inspector Gadget), SpacePOP features original music from Grammy Award-winning producer Ron Fair (The Black Eyed Peas, Christina Aguilera) and singer/songwriter spouse Stefanie Fair. The show also features original songs by veteran music composer John Loeffler (Kidz Bop, Pokémon). Sony’s Legacy Recordings released SpacePOP music as a single, EP, and full-length album across physical and digital platforms, including iTunes and Spotify. Each song from the show is also distributed through Legacy. Since its launched, SpacePOP has partnered with more than 20 companies for product, promotion, and distribution. Imprint, a division of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, is the global master publisher and released Not Your Average Princesses in July 2016, and Rocking the Resistance in January, the first two books in a series based on the show. Additional SpacePOP products currently rolling out at retail includes a collection of fashion dolls from Madame Alexander and a clothing line from Jaya Apparel, as well as product from KIDdesigns, Canal Toys, Pressman Toy, and Taste Beauty.

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Fast Facts: • SpacePOP is among the first YouTube-born animated series with a merchandising program.

• Each princess is named after one of the many goddesses from Greek and Roman mythology.

• Rhea

is the guitarist of the group and her home is the water planet Rhealo.

Pictured from left: Rhea, Luna, Athena, Juno, and Hera

• The lead singer and songwriter Luna is the fashionista of the bunch. She also has an eight-octave vocal range.

• Like

the Greek goddess her name derives from, the SpacePOP leader Athena is a smart and talented keyboardist.

• Punk

rock princess Juno’s fashion sense matches her intensity on the drums. She plays so aggressive, her drum kit has to be repaired after every show.

• The jungle planet princess Hera is a free spir-

it with a bohemian fashion sense. The bassist from Herala enjoys “comet country” music and always looks on the bright side of life.

Clockwise from top left: Get to the gig before you get caught by the evil Empress Geela in the SpacePOP Galactic Glam Game from Pressman Toy. In this SpacePOP-inspired board game, up to five players, ages 5 and up, traverse the galaxy while combining beauty, friendship, music, fashion, and fun into a SpacePOP-inspired adventure. • Draw and color SpacePOP characters with the SpacePOP Sketch Portfolio from Canal Toys, a hardcover portfolio that features 30 drawing pages, three stencils, five colored markers, and 100 stickers. • SpacePOP apparel from Jaya Apparel includes SpacePOP-themed shirts, hoodies, dresses, a metallic bomber jacket, and more. • The SpacePOP Cosmic Beauty Set from Taste Beauty includes three lip balms, two lip glosses, three scented nail polishes, one eye shadow palette, 12 nail wraps, one nail file, one nail decal sheet, and one cosmetic bag. • SpacePOP headphones from KIDdesigns feature a built-in volume limiter and a free digital download of one SpacePOP songs from the Not Your Average Princesses album. • For ages 6 and up, SpacePOP fashion dolls from Madame Alexander are 11.5-inch fashion dolls based on the SpacePOP princesses that feature brushable hair, removable clothing, unique accessories, a SpacePOP pet figurine, and a sneek peek into the SpacePOP: Not Your Average Princesses graphic novel.

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INDUSTRY FORUM TIA

Evolving the Toy Safety Conversation by

Kristin Morency Goldman, Toy Industry Association

n 2016, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) reached new levels of success in effectively and proactively educating consumers, government, and the media about the strict standards and regulations that are in place to ensure the safety of all toys. The following is an overview of TIA’s ongoing efforts to steer the toy safety conversation from fiction to fact. No “Trouble” in Toyland TIA’s intensive, year-round efforts to raise awareness about the toy industry’s commitment to safety likely influenced the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)’s 2016 Trouble in Toyland report, which was released during the holiday shopping season. Instead of simply perpetuating myths and mistruths about toy safety, PIRG’s latest report focused almost exclusively on highlighting existing regulatory standards, and then questioned the effectiveness of the recall system, finding some recalled toys potentially still for sale online. This was a major coup for the toy industry, with PIRG correctly stating at the outset of its report that “toys are safer than ever before.” The negative aspects of PIRG’s announcement— supported by a weak argument about the recall system and accusations about consumer products that are not even toys—received far less media coverage than in past years. “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 commitment that we take very seriously at TIA,” says Steve Pasierb, TIA president and CEO. “While NGOs typically wait for the crucial holiday

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shopping season to publish their misleading reports, the toy industry remains relentlessly focused on toy safety every day of the year. This is upheld by the fact that toys are consistently ranked among the safest consumer product categories found in the home.” TIA’s public statement, which was included in broadcast, online, and print coverage in 65 unique outlets nationwide (not including syndication), reminded parents and caregivers to shop only at reputable stores and online retailers, and to stay up-to-date on toy recalls announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. TIA’s positive messaging about the intrinsic safety of toys and the flawed accusations made by NGOs was also included in more than 450 media placements in response to another, lesser-known group’s false list of “10 Worst Toys,” released the week before PIRG’s announcement. TIA capped off 2016 with a special holiday broadcast media tour that featured messaging about safe play in interviews throughout November and December, including a live segment on FOX Chicago with a viewership of more than 83,000. The segments featured TIA’s Toy Safety Mom, Joan Lawrence, who offered tips for choosing age-appropriate playthings in the leadup to the holidays. Additionally, TIA participated in a satellite media tour on December 28 that reached more than 20 markets. Lawrence shared tips for ensuring safe play “once the gifts are unwrapped,” and emphasized the importance of following toy and game labels and instructions, adult supervision during play, safe toy storage, and more. Lobbying Successfully for TSCA Reform 2016 also saw a significant victory for the toy

community when President Obama signed the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) into law. TIA spent several years advocating for an update to the long-outdated TSCA legislation, in the hopes of creating a strong and uniform national standard for chemical regulations that would prevent states and counties from creating their own requirements. TSCA reform has helped to shine a spotlight on the tough federal legislation that is in place to ensure the safety of all toys and games sold in the United States. TIA will continue its work to ensure the industry’s interests are considered as the Environmental Protection Agency begins implementing the new law. Looking Ahead In the coming year, TIA will continue to dispel toy safety myths and mistruths circulated by uninformed groups, advocate for the industry’s best interests, highlight everything that toy companies do to ensure safety, lobby against unnecessary laws, and offer www.PlaySafe.org as a trusted resource for parents and caregivers who want accurate, helpful information about safe play. The Association’s cadre of PR 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. Kristin Morency Goldman is the senior communications specialist for the TIA. For assistance, please contact Adrienne Appell, TIA director of strategic communications, at aappell@toyassociation.org.

INDUSTRY FORUM ASTRA

25 Years A New Strategic Plan for ASTRA’s

young: Next Quarter Century

o here we are: 2017. That means we are marking the 25th anniversary of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)—a milestone that seemed so far away when our founders and early members started sharing business tips and experiences in 1992. Get ready for the Mighty Together celebration at ASTRA’s 2017 Marketplace & Academy in Philadelphia (June 25–28). There, we will honor all the ways ASTRA members help each other succeed in the toy industry. While you’re at it, prep for ASTRA’s new strategic goals that will launch our next 25 years. The quick version? ASTRA’s work will be organized around four main work areas that we are calling our strategic pillars: Marketplace & Academy, Market Expansion, Industry Viability, and Member Value. We’ll get to more specific goals in a moment, but first a bit about the philosophy that went into building this plan: • ASTRA is defined by its members. ASTRA is you. Our priorities are developed by the ASTRA members who volunteer for service on your board of directors—a mix of experienced and highly committed specialty toy retailers, sales representatives, and manufacturers. Your board takes the lead in developing our strategic goals and tracking our progress on achieving them. • ASTRA is 100 percent behind its members. ASTRA board and staff leadership sees ourselves as your partners. We are behind you every morning when you unlock your doors and welcome your customers. Our commitment is to give you relevant, useful, affordable programs

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and resources that can help your business grow, while we also tend to the work of protecting and nurturing the specialty toy industry as a whole. • ASTRA leads and supports necessary change. Finally, the ASTRA Board and staff leadership team accepts continual change and evolution as part of what you do and what you need us to do. Business does not sit still, nor do you and nor do we. Built into our mission is the requirement that we monitor the evolving specialty toy industry so we can address member needs—and beyond that, be a change agent when the situation demands that leadership. With these philosophies in mind, the board of directors drew on multiple sources to shape the 2017–2019 ASTRA Strategic Plan, including a review of toy industry trends, several years of ASTRA profit surveys, personal interviews with ASTRA members and nonmembers, focus groups, and an online survey. Using all this input, the Board of Directors developed the four pillars of ASTRA’s work and designed them to be complementary, mutually supporting areas in which ASTRA will invest resources for advancement of the membership and the organization. ASTRA’s overarching strategic goals for 2017–2019 are: Marketplace Excellence To reinforce Marketplace & Academy as the premier event for the independent toy retailing industry, ASTRA will: • Optimize the attendee experience • Expand technology adoption Market Expansion To expand the reach of ASTRA to include other markets that recognize and value the importance

Kimberly Mosley

of toys and play, ASTRA will: • Develop new strategic partnerships • Expand the ASTRA community • Develop philanthropic alliances Industry Viability To ensure the long-term viability of the industry, ASTRA will: • Cultivate industry interest and talent • Support healthy industry transitions and evolutions Member Value To ensure ongoing value to our members, ASTRA will: • Expand educational programming • Enhance educational programs Many thanks to all ASTRA members for the insights and feedback you gave the ASTRA Board and staff in shaping out strategic priorities. ASTRA exists to help members share strengths even as you find the resources you need to fill gaps in your own knowledge base, set your strategic direction, and define operations. If you are inspired by the same vision that drives us here at ASTRA—to change the world through the power of play—I invite you to make this the year you tap even more of ASTRA’s resources for growing your retail business. Let’s make the most of our 25th anniversary year, and indeed, the full three year time frame for the new strategic plan, by showing the industry how ASTRA members truly are mighty together.

Kimberly Mosley is president of the American Specialty Toy Retailers Association (ASTRA). For more information, visit www.astratoy.org

INDUSTRY FORUM DESIGN EDGE

Importing Toys in the New Political Climate by

Matt Nuccio, Design Edge

am not a politician. I am a toy developer. I vote and pay my taxes. I stay informed so that I can make the right decisions and have no party affiliation. I do, however, take a keen interest in any issue that may affect the industry that I love—toys. When my father, Mark, started in this industry in 1969, almost everything was made in the U.S. What little imports there were came from Japan, Taiwan, and, in the case of some quality toys, Europe. But once Nixon opened the doors to China, Chinese imports increased steadily. At first it was small parts that were tying up molding machines for more complex and difficult parts. Many of these were parts of bigger toys and were imported and then assembled stateside. Companies such as Marx, Aurora, and H-G Toys became masters at this. By the mid-1980s, more and more toys, and other products, were being sourced out to China as labor prices in the U.S. rose and became untenable. Jobs that were lost by manufacturing exits were, in some ways, absorbed by the burgeoning computer and software companies, but not entirely. Meanwhile, entire molding and manufacturing businesses went to the Far East and, for the most part, company profits rose.

The United States government actually encouraged the use of offshore manufacturing with trade deals, trade zones (NAFTA), and treaties that, at first, seemed to benefit the U.S. economy as its global trading image grew. By the time Clinton left office, global trade seemed to be humming. Companies were making big profits. Unemployment

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numbers were generally down. The stock market was up, and we had eliminated deficit spending. Everything looked great. But a word to the wise: When everything looks great, it isn’t.

“So, where does this leave us in the toy industry, an industry dependent on imported product?” The unemployment numbers didn’t take into account that former factory workers could not replace their jobs. Two tech jobs may have been created for every factory job lost, but the former factory worker that was the backbone of the 20th century economy had no place to go. Eventually, that person fell off the unemployed statistics. The next 16 years proved to be trying as two simultaneous wars and a financial collapse crushed the economy and exploded the deficit. It was, and is, a scary scenario and this past election was as unique as it was tumultuous. The battle cries became “Make America Great Again” and “Made in America.” A large portion of the American public are staking their futures on promises made to bring back pride and manufacturing, establish new factories, and reduce imports. There is talk of punishing tariffs and penalties on imported goods. So where does this leave us in the toy

industry, an industry now so dependent on imported product? How does one even start

to answer such a question? The possibility of bringing back a sizable amount of toy manufacturing to the U.S. is doubtful. We are in a new global economic age. I read Thomas Friedman’s book, The World Is Flat, a few years ago. It explained the complex inter-relationships of all the countries of the world. It proposed that countries must work to make trade, communications, environmental concerns, and even security work for all. Isolationism, threats, and trade wars will hurt—if not mortally wound—the American toy industry. What will help is for our government to sit down intelligently and figure out what works best for all parties concerned. We must keep our doors and minds open, and, of course, toys on the shelves. Matt Nuccio is president of Design Edge, a New York-based graphic design and research development studio. For more information, contact Nuccio at (516) 377–0500 or email him at matt@designedge.net

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INDUSTRY FORUM ALL BABY & CHILD

Why ABC is Important to the Industry

s you may know, the parent company of the ABC Kids Expo and spring educational conference and trade show is the All Baby & Child Corpo-

ration (ABC). Now in its 14th year, this non-profit organization has provided vital funding for industry initiatives on both the manufacturer and retailer sides of the industry. On the manufacturer side, ABC has provided millions of dollars to JPMA over the years to help improve industry-wide communications, continue important safety and certification programs, and provide dollars for a sustained presence and voice in Washington. ABC continues to provide a powerful forum for manufacturers and retailers to exchange ideas, learn and conduct business at one location at the same time, while subsidizing exhibitor booth pricing. It’s not an accident that the ABC Kids Expo has been at the top of trade show magazine rankings as one of the lower-cost trade shows in the trade show industry. The organization also provides a tremendous opportunity for manufacturers to expand

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their distribution overseas by producing pavilions in international destinations. Medium- and small-sized companies especially benefit from the hand-holding in exploring new ventures overseas, as ABC helps to make the experience rewarding in terms of introduction to the international markets, potential product distributors, and a lower cost of entry to the event. The ABC brand has rapidly established itself as the premier North American trade show brand internationally, which has attracted retailers from 75 international destinations as well as contingents of exhibitors that are strategically placed on the trade show floor in pavilions. Most recent pavilions include Turkey and South Korea as well as China and the UK. On the retailer side, ABC has, since its inception, provided essential funding to help independent retailers compete on a more level playing field, with hundreds of thousands of dollars targeted toward independent retail initiatives, programs, and a dedicated event that combines important networking, hands-on education sessions, and a trade show that focuses completely on the independent retailer and their suppliers. This event, the All Baby & Child Spring Educational Conference (SEC) & Trade Show, is completely free to independent retailers and encourages independent retailers to talk with their peers and suppliers, learn what is or isn’t working in today’s fast-paced electronic environment, and formulate a plan to conduct profitable business together moving forward. Educational sessions provide essential survival skills, best practices, and a basis to improve their operation and customer services skills and offerings. The trade show portion of the event allows the independent retailers unique one-on-one time with their suppliers, an opportunity to learn about

Larry Schur

new and innovative products, and a chance to take advantage of special and exclusive promotional offerings and discounts only available during the event. Currently, ABC provides substantial annual funding to its affiliated Brixy retailer organization to cover the costs of independent retail initiatives and programs. Brixy retailers fully support this annual event by incorporating their annual meeting into the event. ABC also provides annual funding and/or inkind product donations to select industry charities to benefit families with children in need. Some of its recipients include Our Military Kids, Kids in Distressed Situations, Cribs For Kids, First Candle, and The Cancer Pediatric Research Foundation. The All Baby & Child Board of Directors is comprised of an equal number of retail and manufacturer members, in order to fairly represent all industry constituents. As industry stakeholders, we highly encourage you to participate in your annual ABC Kids Expo on October 15–18 in Las Vegas and the All Baby & Child Educational Conference & Trade Show on May 1–3 in San Antonio, Texas. Our best wishes to each of you for a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Details ABC Kids Expo Las Vegas October 15–18

ABC SEC & Trade Show San Antonio May 1–3

Larry Schur is president of All Baby & Child Corporation. For more information, contact John Garcia, social media and communications coordinator, at johng@theabcshow.com.

INDUSTRY FORUM JWB&A

Toy Industry: Easier to Enter, Still a Rocky Path by John

Brady

n October, my last TFE column talked about the changes and growth I see coming for the world of juvenile products. In much the same manner, we’ve all seen the very tangible results on the toy side of the children’s products business, as evidenced at Toy Fair. The growth in toy sales for 2015 and 2016 is undeniable. Seven percent in 2015 and when the smoke clears—despite a slowing of the growth pace in the final quarter—we should see another four or five percent lift for 2016. It would appear that the flat results we had experienced for so long are now behind us, barring any radical changes to the tax code or tariff status by the new Congress and Administration. Now, we are seeing another phenomenon as a direct result, in my opinion, of the upward spike in sales: the growth of new Toy Fair exhibitors. Last year, there were about 1,200 exhibitors, and of those, about 280 were first-time exhibitors. That means about one in every four exhibitors was a new toy company. Most are built around one, or a handful of products. These are companies that have a 10-by-10-foot booth and a game, non-licensed plush line, or new construction system sitting on their table as the owners flag down buyers.

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Many fail, but a reasonable percentage succeed. They will establish themselves, most likely among the specialty trade in the beginning, and slowly grow the product line with an eye toward mass retail. Down the road, they may incorporate a character license or two, continue to diversify with girls and boys toys, make growth spurts through acquisition, and finally turn into a genuine, multi-dimensional toy company. Or, they may reach a plateau where they gain enough notoriety and consumer awareness that someone notices and offers to buy them out. This is the circle of life in the toy biz.

“It isn’t rocket science, but it is tricky.” —Brady on the challenges newcomers face entering the toy business The neat thing is that it isn’t nearly as difficult to get into the toy business these days. You need a product, preferably something new, less expensive, or incorporating some fun tech that will catch the eye of a buyer and/or a consumer. If you employ soft goods or wood, you don’t even have to invest in expensive tooling. If you structure your sales right, you can even minimize the risk of building mountains of inventory in the early goings. Then, with the help of internet retailers, you can manage the flow of goods and keep your product line lean, thereby keeping your investment low and turning inventory into sales volume quickly and efficiently. Veterans of this business have encountered many people who are talented, smart, resource-

ful, experienced, but totally incapable of dealing with the challenges of the toy business. They haven’t taken products, product lines, or companies from a standing start to full-speed in a single season, and the task is daunting. Despite their other accomplishments, they either don’t know the market, the trade, the logistics, the suppliers, the consumer, or what product ideas are good from which are bad. Nor are they equipped to handle the pace, which can be overwhelming. It isn’t rocket science, but it is tricky. I’ve been a consultant for new toy and juvenile products companies and helped entrepreneurs develop a plan, find suppliers, manage their sales and marketing efforts, plan and turn inventory, and maximize the effectiveness of their supply chain. These are skills you can learn, and fortunately there are a number of pros that can put you on the fast track to gaining those skills—or renting them until you figure it out. But there is one rock-hard requirement for any newcomer: first and foremost you must have a good product idea. I would never warn newcomers away from the children’s marketplace—the numbers say that now may be the best time to break into this business. But, I would caution against under-estimating the challenges or the competition. If you can, find a way to buy or rent the talent and expertise of this marketplace so that you don’t have to learn through trial-and-error what those peculiarities and unique traits are. You will cut down on costs, time, and effort, while lowering the risk and increasing the odds of success dramatically. John Brady is manager partner of JWB&A Business Consultants. He can be reached at john@jwbradyassociates.com.

TM&©CROWN CREATIVE CO., LTD.

TIME FOR ACTION & ATTITUDE!

Jennifer Coleman • jcoleman@4kmedia.com • +1.212.590.2120 yugioh.com • iloverebeccabonbon.com

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INDUSTRY FORUM KIDSTUFF PR

Toy Fair’s Lower Level Evolves to Must-Stop Shop by

Lisa Orman, KidStuff PR

emember how the lower level of New York Toy Fair at the Jacob Javits Center was “the basement” for cast-offs and companies who couldn’t afford the rent upstairs, or didn’t have the clout in the lottery system to get a booth in prime space? Those days are gone. Today’s lower level is full of vendors who epitomize the term specialty, such as Plan Toys, Fat Brain Toys, Skip Hop, and more. My PR agency has always had clients on both levels, so I have watched this evolution with great interest. Instead of being a mess of poor to high-quality companies in one big space categorized simply as Games and Specialty, now there are numerous categories that make it easier for buyers to find booths that fit their needs. “We used to joke about the lower level, saying it’s where the ‘I’ve got 5,000 units of my new game in my garage, wanna try it out?’ people lived,” says Tom Rushton, vice-president of sales, Revenew. “I love walking through now, and I see all of my buyers down there. With all the competition from not just

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the blockbuster bestsellers but toys and games that genuinely set our retailers apart from Walmart and TRU, downstairs has become the place to treasure hunt for that breakout, unique item. It’s the first place I saw Happy Salmon from North Star Games, Crabs Adjust Humidity from Vampire Squid Cards, and all the licensed collectible figures from The Loyal Subjects. Walk to the other side and there’s Funko. Being downstairs is now a badge of honor, a true destination at Toy Fair.” I agree, and so do my clients who have had booths on the lower level for years. “I think the first level is better in many ways for the smaller companies as they receive more visibility,” says Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club. “We were upstairs many years ago, and it was always hard when we were placed next to large booths that were walled in. I also think buyers come downstairs to search for new and special items and it is less corporate-oriented.” Another client, Robert Leuchtner, president of Magicforest, an importer of European toys, has the added perspective of being a buyer in the past. “Indeed, the lower floor did have a less than sterling appeal,” Leuchtner says. “As a buyer 15–20 years ago, I remember saving the downstairs for the last day. You would blast through looking for that quirky new brand or product. An unintended consequence of the multi-year renovation at Javits was to cause a shakeup, both upstairs and downstairs. Now, we enjoy being downstairs as the upstairs tends to be dominated by the really large booths.” Haywire Group agrees: “The lower level of Javits has definitely seen an increase in traffic

Level 1 Toy Fair Product Zones • Games • Educational • Children’s Books & Music Toys • Action Figures • Launch Pad (new) • Pop Stop • Outdoor • Modern Design • Infant Preschool

over the last several years of Toy Fair. I agree with Robert Leuchtner that it began with the renovations at Javits, causing some companies to move to the lower level and their customers seeking them out and increasing foot traffic,” said Tami Murphy, marketing manager. “I think two other things were happening simultaneously–small manufacturers, who have always exhibited in the lower level, were seeing growth in their businesses [with] a larger customer base seeking them out at Toy Fair, and the growth of new exhibitors and innovative entrepreneurs seeing the value of the Toy Fair expense to expose the industry to their product.” I hope to see continued growth and innovation in the lower level at Javits. Orman is president of KidStuff Public Relations, an agency that has specialized in promoting toys, games and juvenile products and services for 23 years; and TechStuff Public Relations, its two-year-old division which promotes tech toys and apps for families. She can be reached at lisa@kidstuffpr.com.

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COMPANY PROFILE

Little Kids Fetes No-Spill Brand’s 25 Years Chris Butera

I by

n 1992, Little Kids, Inc., developed a spillproof drinking tumbler for toddlers. Little did president and founder Jim Engle know at the time that a simple tweak to its design would bring the company into the toy aisles. Twenty-five years later, its bubble tumbler and the No-Spill brand are celebrating their bubble-blowing silver anniversary at Toy Fair. “We took something that was simple and we made it amazing,” says Engle, who founded the company in 1989 after working in Hasbro’s sales and marketing department for 12 years. It was there that he also met John Lindsay, now president of the business, marketing, and product development consulting firm Minds, Inc. At Toy Fair 1992, it was Lindsay who, eyeing the No-Spill Drinking Cup when visiting Engle, poised the question: what else do kids spill all the time? “He said, ‘Bubbles. What if you turn the No-Spill Drinking Cup into a NoSpill bubble container?,’” says Engle. “And a light went on.” Lindsay then worked with Little Kids to repurpose its device into the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler, which would debut at Dallas’ JPMA show that same year. Originally called the NoSpill Bubble Cup, the repurposed tumbler allows kids to blow No-Spill Bubbles with the included wand without making a mess if the container tipped over. The No-Spill Bubble Tumbler was a hit from the start, receiving JPMA’s Best in Show award that year. By the mid-1990s, Little Kids was out of the juvenile feeding business and into the toy business. The success of No-Spill grew as Little Kids experimented with different sizes and licensed products, with each expansion benefiting the brand in its own way. To date, there have been more than five sizes in the No-Spill line.

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In smaller sizes, the Mini Bubble Company turned the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler into a winning impulse buy at a lower price point. When its marketing team first pitched the idea, Engle says he feared it would take away sales from the original tumbler but a year later, “It was like selling popcorn.” Larger versions of the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler, such as the Fubbles Bubble Bucket and Big Bubble Bucket expanded on the social elements of bubble play. By including multiple bubble wands, items like the Big Bubble Bucket allow more children to blow bubbles at once without having to take turns.

“We took something that was simple and we made it amazing.” –Jim Engle, president of Little Kids

Adding licenses into the mix, beginning with Nickelodeon’s Blues Clues, has helped further establish No-Spill as a solid niche in the bubble category, says Engle. Today, Nickelodeon remains a key partner for the line. By tapping into its preschool demographic, these licenses complement the brand’s simple play patterns with favorite characters. This year, the company expands its roster of partners with eOne’s PJ Masks as well as grows existing licenses, such as Shimmer and Shine, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol, and more, with new product offerings. Although No-Spill tech is known to cross into Little Kids’ other brands, you won’t see that

A prototype for the original No-Spill Bubble Tumbler

happening with its 2016 edible bubble solution line, Candylicious Bubbles, which Engle says targets an older age group. At Toy Fair, there will be a blind-taste test in which attendees can try to guess the new Candylicious bubble flavors, which include Green Apple and Cotton Candy. Little Kids will also host a celebration of No-Spill’s milestone at Toy Fair with special events that includes a cake-cutting celebration as well as opportunities for in-store events with participating specialty retailers, providing them with No-Spill demonstration kits. The No-Spill Bubble line will do a limited run of updated packaging featuring a No-Spill Bubbles 25th anniversary logo. The anniversary comes at a time where classic toys are making a resurgence in response to parents encouraging kids to unplug from technology and get active outside. Moving forward, Little Kids looks to continue to meet that need. “You need the balance of running around and simple play,” says Engle. “Is there really a simpler play pattern than blowing bubbles?” For more on Little Kids 2017 products that will be on display at Toy Fair, turn to page 79.

HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR Drives The Industry

ith customary—and colorful—fanfare, the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair opened last month with renewed excitement for the industry, record-breaking attendance, and expanded exhibits. Over the four-day show, more than 46,000 buyers visited the toy fair. Running concurrently with the Hong Kong Baby Products Fair, the Hong Kong Stationery Fair and the Hong Kong Licensing Show, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center was bustling as some 3,300 exhibitors filled the space. The mood throughout, from both buyers and attendees, was upbeat and forward-looking as the record crowds for the toy fair came mainly from Mainland China, the United States, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Thailand. Emerging markets were well represented as buyer turnout from Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, Russia and Turkey increased by 20–60 percent over last year, according to Benjamin Chau, HKTDC deputy executive director. According to buyers from different countries, they were still buying despite some carryover inventory issues from 2016. Exhibitors expanded as well, particularly from other parts of Asia. The Korean Pavilion boasted a nearly 80-percent increase in participation from companies in 2017 versus the previous year. There were more companies from Mainland China and Europe as well as throughout Asia. In addition to significant expansion in

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Christopher Byrne

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from the world-famous Star Ferry

the sporting goods categories, particularly in casual sports and ride-ons, show management introduced two completely new areas—fireworks and pet products. Exhibitors in both areas were enthusiastic about the show. Particularly in the pet area, for example, representatives of Asder Electronic Co. from Taiwan noted that the worldwide growth in pet ownership and increase in spending on pets by consumers around the world created significant potential opportunities for them. Other dedicated areas of the show that had been introduced in previous years grew notice-

ably. In particular, the Smart Tech Toys area and the Kidult World (toys designed to appeal to older consumers) had more exhibitors than previously and a wider variety of products.

Design Takes Center Stage

If there was one distinguishing characteristic of the show as a whole, it was the growing sophistication of design from all types of manufacturers. Led in part by Hong Kong and its distinctive design sensibility and evolution observed first-hand over the past 20 years, it was clear walking the show that more companies

are using design to position themselves for the global marketplace. Whether in basic preschool products, highly technical and high-performance drones at all price points and doll sculpts, there were more products that appeared ready to play on the world stage than ever before. In addition, outstanding applications of licenses from Disney, Mattel, and others represented a big step forward in product and packaging sophistication virtually across the board. According to exhibitors, much of this had been done without significantly increasing costs and in response to requests from buyers in different countries and pointing toward a more design-savvy consumer worldwide.

EducationAll Group’s STEM toys for preschoolers

Booming Product Categories

STEM toys were high visibility throughout the fair. Though, to be perfectly blunt, the STEM acronym is often merely a current way of talking about traditional educational toys, the focus on STEM’s components—science, technology, engineering, and math—has provided a new platform for merchandising. In some cases manufacturers have simply repackaged existing products, but in others, they have committed to creating dedicated products

for each of the disciplines and merchandising them as such. China-based EducationAll Group showed simple, elegant STEM toys for preschoolers. Based on established, constructive educational theory, the company’s lines focus on experiential learning that are the foundations of future STEM learning. Representatives of the company said that they were hoping to expand international distribution at the show, particularly within the U.S. Johnny Sze, director and vice-general manager of Hong Kong-based Eastcolight, says that an emphasis on dedicated STEM curricula in many countries led them to develop a line that gives kids engaging, hands-on projects that will reinforce school lessons without feeling like homework. Eastcolight also showed one of the best applications of augmented reality (AR) we saw. The company’s Galaxy Tracker Nova 175 telescope has been designed to work with an app that helps kids identify stars and provides information about them as well as current positioning and more. The app works in concert with star viewing to provide context and information to users in real time. Virtual reality (VR) was also featured in many exhibits, mostly with respect to gaming and drone flying. [Editor’s Note: See our article on VR starting on page 42 for more on this growing topic.]

Innovations in Licensing

While there were plenty of traditional playsets and toys using leading brands such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more, a growing number of companies were addressing the older collector in the Kidult market. Interpreting familiar char-

Soap Studio’s b.wing x Justice League figures

acters in new guises and some non-traditional materials continues to be a growing trend as consumers age out of traditional toys but aren’t quite ready to give up on their favorite characters. One of the most innovative companies in this space, Soap Studio, made a splash at the 2016 show with its highly detailed, interactive Batmobile. For 2017, the company has introduced a line of DC’s superheroes imagined as children. Produced in an urban vinyl style, these characters interpreted by Chinese artist b.wing, drew eager crowds throughout the show.

A Commitment to Development

Concurrent with the exhibits, the HKTDC continued its tradition of supporting trade growth through its comprehensive seminar program covering a wide range of industry topics, all designed to enhance the industry this year— and in the years ahead. For more than three decades, the Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair has helped establish new products, open new markets and distribution channels, and support ongoing innovation. That’s what keeps the industry vibrant—as vibrant as the city of Hong Kong itself, the perfect setting for this dynamic show.

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FEATURED CONTENT

The Roar of the Crowd, Potentially Crowdfunding in the Toy Business by

Christopher Byrne or inventors trying to get toys on shelves to manufacturers looking for new ways to promote, there’s a (relatively) new game in town: crowdfunding. Begun in the mid-2000s with sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter, they have provided an opportunity for people to raise money from friends, family and fans to manufacture and sell their great toy ideas. When it’s successful, it can be a viable alternative to the traditional way of bringing toys to market involving agents, inventors, licensing agreements, and so forth. For the past several years, the toy industry has been buzzing with tales of crowdfunded success stories like Cards Against Humanity and the girl-targeted construction system Roominate, acquired by Play Monster last year. Moreover, as consumers become increasingly aware of the power of crowdfunding, the tactic is no longer exclusively for the small inventor with one product. Major companies are using crowdfunding as a promotional strategy, and even retailers like Target are promoting crowdfunded toys. Inspiring though these stories may be, however, there are many more failures than successes. In fact, Kickstarter says that only 36 percent of its offerings end up being fully funded.

It’s a Social Thing

Bean Bag Bucketz was crowdfunded via Kickstarter last year, and is now available on Amazon.

“Crowdfunding helps tell a story to investors.” JP Stoops, founder of Pixel Toys

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Phillip Elliott, co-founder of Creative Brainworks, which completed a successful Kickstarter campaign for its Bean Bag Bucketz game last year, notes that crowdfunding has much more in common with a social media promotion than a traditional toy merchandising program. “It’s about leveraging a network,” he says. Beyond having a solid product concept, Elliott says that you have to be able to create a compelling story and a vision that you can share and that will inspire people to want to contribute, no matter at what level. Moreover, you have to find a way to expand beyond your personal network. As he says, “If I reach out to a thousand people in my network and each of them reaches out to 300 in his or her network, the word starts to spread.” To get to that point, however, there’s a lot of upfront work—and investment above and beyond the product itself. Elliott and his partner, the game creator Anthony Esposito, made a video that introduced the concept; the game has buckets of different sizes attached to a collapsible pole. Players toss beanbags into buckets that have different point values. The video told the story of how the game was created, showcased it in action, highlighted features such as its fun factor and portability and, most importantly, asked people for their support. Elliott and

Esposito reached out to their networks through email, resulting in an article about the company in the local paper and generating as much buzz as possible on social media. Being fast out of the gate is essential for Kickstarter. Like YouTube or other social media platforms that push posts and videos that demonstrate their appeal, Kickstarter does the same, sending out newsletters featuring fast-moving products and putting projects on the site’s home page once they’ve demonstrated interest. As Elliott says, if you wait until your campaign is listed, you’ll miss that early opportunity. The goal has to be to stand out in the more than 336,000 Kickstarter projects posted since the site’s inception in 2009. And the network is powerful because of the more than 12 million backers of Kickstarter projects to date and nearly 4 million of those have supported more than one project. People who back projects indicate that they do it for friends and to feel as though they’re part of something, perhaps “the next big thing.” In that way, this is a truly social platform with a very low barrier to entry. In addition to joining a community, Kickstarter supporters also get swag. Many get discounts on games, access to otherwise paid forums or other rewards acknowledging participation, which helps build the community, advocacy and sharing. Campaigns need to calculate the costs of these into their targets as they create their campaigns. Elliott says that Bean Bag Bucketz supporters got everything from a “Thank you” for their contributions of a dollar to a hand-delivered, autographed special-edition copy of the game for their biggest contributors. The average contribution was $75, he says.

sionate, audiences; they are eager to feel a deeper connection to the game and its creative process. As in all social media, that personal connection is powerful. Crowdfunded products need to be unique, and there needs to be an audience who wants it, whether pre-existing or one you create through aggressive promotion. It can’t be another thing that you’d find at your big box store. WobbleWorks found its audience and was able to change its 3Doodler 3-D printing pen based on the suggestions of backers. Providing something that was a “wow” for crafters, its first 2013 campaign raised $2.3 million, well above the company’s $30,000 goal, and opened the door to wider distribution. Pixl Toys is launching a crowdfunding campaign around Toy Fair to fund a smartphone-powered kids camera. JP Stoops, founder of the company, wants to use crowdfunding to fund production and demonstrate market demand. “Traditional fundraising is hard for a start up when you don’t have traction. Crowdfunding helps tell a story to investors,” Stoops says. If a toy proves viable in crowdfunding—a big “if”—the ideal would be to expand production and distribution as WobbleWorks did. As Elliott notes, a one-product company might be easily overlooked by major retail buyers, but a one-product company with an engaged audience of 50,000 fans can get that product taken much more seriously. Bean Bag Bucketz is now available on Amazon, and orders are coming in from other major retailers.

It’s a Product Thing

Hasbro certainly doesn’t need to raise money to fund a board game. But what it can do is use a platform as a marketing tool to

Finding the right product for a crowdfunding campaign is critical. Board games have consistently been among the top performing campaigns on Kickstarter, according to the site. Since many of these games have narrow but loyal, even pas-

engage its fans. That’s the thinking behind the Hasbro Gaming Lab’s Next Great Game Challenge. Run in concert with Indiegogo, submissions are narrowed down to a pool of finalists that are rewarded an Indiegogo campaign, which then lets fans determine the winner. The 2015 winner—The Mr. Toast Game—hit the mainstream market as a Target exclusive last fall. “We believe that innovative game ideas can come from anywhere, and that’s one of the main reasons we turn to the crowd to find the next face-to-face game,” says Angus Walker, director of global marketing for Hasbro. There’s much more to successful crowdfunding than having a great idea and putting it online. The Kickstarter and Indiegogo sites have complete information on how to launch projects, what works, and fees. Smaller sites, such as ToyBacker, focus on specific industries or sectors. The most important thing to realize about crowdfunding is that for most people, it’s a whole new discipline that, for all its appeal, requires a very different approach than traditional toy merchandising. Like so much of new media, it’s not for the faint of heart. [Editor’s Note: Chris Butera contributed to this report.]

Game inventor Dan Goodsell with The Mr. Toast Game, winner of the first Hasbro Next Great Game Challenge

It’s a Marketing Thing

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FEATURED CONTENT

Crowdfunded by

Chris Butera

Thanks to Kickstarter and Indiegogo, crowdfunding has given independent toy and game inventors the opportunity to break into retail without relying on traditional toy merchandising. Below is a sampling of some of the latest crowdfunded products.

Funded via Kickstarter last May, Primo Toys’ Cubetto is a wooden coding toy for ages 3 and up. Cubetto teaches kids computer programming through a block-based coding language. Kids can program Cubetto’s movements by arranging the coding blocks in different patterns on the control panel. The playset includes Cubetto, a programming console, coding blocks, a world map, and an activity book. It’s available with or without an adventure pack.

Hasbro’s spring 2016 winner of its Next Great Game Challenge, The Plot Thickens, is currently fulfilling its Indiegogo campaign orders, which will ship in July. The Plot Thickens is a card game in which players tell a story using key words on each other’s cards, as well as cards of their own, to “thicken the plot.” The Detective and Sci-Fi sets are for ages 10 and up. The Romance set is for ages 17 and up. Hasbro will announce the winner of its fall 2016 contest in March.

After introducing its 3Doodler 3-D printing pen with two successful Kickstarter campaigns in 2013, WobbleWorks will launch several new sets this year, including the 3Doodler Start Robotics pen set. This kit includes a motor and battery pack to add movement to kids’ 3Doodler creations. This kit is for ages 8 and up.

Bean Bag Bucketz from Creative Brainworks was successfully funded on Kickstarter last year and is now available on Amazon. The set features a collapsible stand with seven removable buckets, which represent different point values. Players divide into two teams and compete to throw the bean bags into the buckets. Be the first team to reach 21 points to win.

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Roominate originally launched on Kickstarter in 2012 and was acquired by PlayMonster after two successful campaigns and an appearance on Shark Tank. For 2017, its STEM line expands with Alice’s Mansion. Girls, ages 8 and up, can build their custom dollhouse and design working elements that include an opening garage door, moving elevator, and more. “Without Kickstarter, we would have had a much slower and harder road to launching Roominate,” says co-founder Alice Brooks. “Kickstarter helped us accelerate our progress and get the support of such an amazing community.”

Fisher-Price teamed with Indiegogo to crowdfund an app-controlled nightlight and sound machine. The Smart Connect Deluxe Soother incorporates Fisher-Price’s Smart Connect technology, which allows parents to control the device through their smartphones and tablets. The product features a range of light and sound settings that can be adjusted through the Smart Connect app, including soothing music, nature sounds, and pink noise as well as the ability to create personalized Sleep Stages for newborns and children. The campaign, which was fully funded, closed in late January. A June product shipment is estimated for backers.

The Bears vs Babies card game, from Cards Against Humanity co-creator Elan Lee and The Oatmeal’s Matthew Inman, reached its funding goal on Kickstarter in November. In the game, which exceeded its goal of $10,000 to hit $3.2 million, players create monsters with body part cards to make an army of creatures. Baby cards are played immediately to form a baby army that must be stopped. Go to war by playing Provoke cards. If your creatures are stronger than the babies, you win that battle. If not, your army is discarded from the game. The one who defeats the most babies wins. It is for ages 7 and up.

Leka is a robotic ball that offers children with special needs learning, play, and educational games that encourage social activity; boost motor, cognitive, and emotional skills; and stimulates autonomy. The project was funded via Indiegogo last year. Product is expected to ship in fall. It is for ages 3–6, but the company says it can age-grade up.

LightUp launched its magnetic circuit-based STEM product on Kickstarter in 2013, teaching kids how to code projects with circuit blocks that connect to make projects light up, spin, and more. Last year, LightUp introduced wireless coding to the line with the Bluetooth Edition of the Tesla Kit. Kids learn electrical engineering skills by coding projects. If they’re stuck, the LightUp app tells them how to fix the issue and ensures that their creations work properly. Additional sets include the standard Tesla and Edison Kit. They are for ages 5–15.

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FEATURED CONTENT

Toys Race into a New Reality

hen Steve Jobs stood on stage in 2001 and introduced the iPod, it wasn’t exactly something consumers clamored for immediately. Was it innovative? Yes. Did it change the music industry? Absolutely. But sometimes it simply takes a while for things to catch fire. For the iPod, that was mid-2003. For augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), that time is now. AR and VR are nothing new, however, like the original iPod, these technologies were at first costly, marketed toward more niche audiences, and most importantly not well understood by the general public.

The Pokémon Go Effect

Only a few years ago, AR and VR experiences required specialized and expensive equipment that was either unsought or unattainable by the average consumer. Smartphones and tablets have revolutionized all that. The major cost in incorporating the technology into products has been removed, thus allowing today’s toy makers to focus on creating products around the tech at price points that are consumer-friendly. “It’s become a huge entry point,” says Nick Beliaeff, vice-president of production at Spin Master Studios. “And it’s increased educational awareness.” For AR, this is thanks in part to a little game called Pokémon Go. On a 10-point scale of technological difficulty, Beliaeff says Pokémon Go is a one, but it still got the word out and educated the consumer about what AR is and what makes it interesting. “That rising tide raised all ships for everyone else,” he says. Just last winter, he was even preparing to give a presentation on the topic of AR, but when Pokémon Go dropped a week before his presentation, he scratched his speech and started over. “The initial challenge is always, how do you explain something experiential in a succinct manner?” says Beliaeff. “This comes with any new technology and people learning about any VR Real new techFeel Racing nology. But once people become immi-

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by Jennifer

Lynch

nently familiar with it, that experiential part of it becomes much easier to deal with.” With a large presence at CES 2017 earlier this year, this is starting to take shape for VR tech as well, as companies such as Samsung, PlayStation, and Google make a stronger push to help consumers grasp its potential. But VR still has more barriers to market.

The AR vs. VR Debate

In the current conversation around AR and VR, it is common to group the two applications together, but it’s important to understand the differences between them, specifically how they apply to the toy aisle. AR acts as a filter or layer imposed on our reality. For example, in Spin Master’s Air Hogs Connect: Mission Drone, a sci-fi universe is imposed, via the lens of a child’s smart device, onto their room. But look away and it’s just a normal room. Putting on a VR headset, however, closes off the real world and drops users entirely inside a manufactured experience. This difference has resulted in many—within the industry, at retail, and at home—questioning whether one can be applied more easily and safely to the toy aisle. As it currently stands, AR and VR products for kids are still under the electronics umbrella and often not sought out by toy buyers. Right now, AR seems to be taking the lead. Fourth quarter 2016 gave way to multiple AR toys topping holiday toy lists, including Hasbro’s PlayDoh Touch, Hot Wheel’s AI Racing Set, and Mission Drone, among others. “If you look at AR, the core of the interaction is you are playing with this real toy in your room in your house,” Spin Master’s Beliaeff says. “For us, when we spin up the world, there’s big tall buildings we hide stuff behind. How do you see what’s behind a building? You walk to see what’s behind it. It’s not a passive activity. You are actually playing, moving around, and interacting with the world about you. With VR, it’s taking over the room. You have to sit down because you are going to fall and it’s not only because you can’t see anything but because it’s disorienting.” This is one of the biggest issues users have with VR versus AR: the disorientation. If you’ve ever worn a VR headset, you’ve likely experienced it. Warning labels on many suggest limiting wear-time and taking breaks between uses. Alex Fleetwood, founder of Sensible Object and creator of the toys-tolife game Beasts of Balance, says there might be some boundaries to consider with VR. “I’m really unconvinced that we want to wear a computer on our faces,” he says. Citing Pokémon Go as well as Amazon Echo as

The New Wave of Toys-to-Life

Previously, toys-to-life has been thought of through the lens of high-visibility gaming platforms such as Activision’s Skylanders, LEGO Dimensions, or the now-defunct Disney Infinity. But toy makers say the definition of toys-to-life is changing. “I see toys-to-life as a terminology which is right up there with a horseless carriage,” says Sensible Object’s Fleetwood. “It’s a description of something that’s coming, but it’s putting it in the terms of the old generation of technology, where we saw these static character toys sitting on some pretty cool technology that then unlocked different elements of video games. What we’re doing and a bunch of other companies are doing now is starting to say, ‘We can look at what the physical game experience is, we can look at what the technology is, we can look at what the digital experience is, and we can be inventive and creative in ways that take us well beyond those initial toy RFID video game components.’” New toys, such as Beasts of Balance, also appear to be designing with a keener awareness of what parents are cautious about: screen time. Some of the most interesting toys emerging in this area are focusing much more on merging physical and digital play, as opposed to an unbalanced emphasis on one over the other. Play-Doh Touch is one example, which brings kids’ Play-Doh creations to life in a place in which they are already spending more time. “That’s where the magic is of what the technology can do from an app standpoint for Play-Doh,” says Greg Lombardo, vice-president of global brand strategy and marketing for Play-Doh. “It wasn’t about forcing Play-Doh into the digital space. It was about finding a way for the digital space to enhance the magic of Play-Doh in general.” well-made applications for AR, Fleetwood goes on to say that “both of these things represent a kind of augmented reality that is a bit more sensitive to the way we actually live our lives, and the kind of experiences we want to have as families and as individuals. I think the companies that will succeed in the next 10 years are the ones who can be empathetic in how to relate these technologies into the experience of people.” But those in the industry that are applying VR to toys say that this problem has more to do with proper implementation of the technology with kids in mind. One such company is VR Entertainment Ltd., which launched its VR Real Feel Racing set this winter. Ned Ward, head of sales and marketing at VR Entertainment, says that his prior work at Mattel coupled with the knowledge about vision he gleaned from his own mother, an orthoptist (eye muscle therapist), aided in the development of its VR headset. While the larger field of view of more expensive VR headsets can create a very immersive experience, for kids it results in more dizziness than fun. Unlike adults, kids have a fixed focal length so VR Entertainment recognized that there wasn’t a need for the usual adjustable focus for

a kids’ headset. “We’re not shooting for PlayStation, we’re shooting for the Wii,” says Ward. “It’s all about the gameplay and it’s about the fun and the experience. So if that means limiting the field of view so that you’re looking straight ahead in racing, but it’s more fun and you can play longer, then we feel that that’s the right decision.” VR Real Feel Racing also works to combat the issue of sensory deprivation, which is sometimes touted as a side effect of VR, through the use of a kid-friendly controller as a tactile element and a rumble feature so that if users drive off course or hit a wall, they’ll feel a vibration. The company is also working with Debit Limited, which will be releasing a study on recommended VR screen-time limits for kids. “It’s much more intuitive,” Ward says. “Having played pretty much all the VR racing games that are out on iOS and even some on Android, it gets really tiring after a while just tilting your head left and right to steer. Whereas as soon as you put that steering wheel in kids’ hands, they know what to do. And again, it sort of brings you back to the real world of physically turning your hands and seeing results on the screen, which is also super empowering for younger kids.”

The Reality of Play

There is however one commonality between the two techs that all parties agreed on—it needs to make sense for the product and not just be added for the sake of an AR or VR label. When we look back to the rise of app gaming a few years ago, the toy aisles saw an influx of products that sought to incorporate apps into play. Many quickly fell by the wayside, adding little value or creating a disconnect to the play. The same will likely be said for some products that make their way into these categories. “Success potential for any of these products absolutely hinges on the product execution, target consumer demographic, trends, and adoption,” says Jared Wolfson, senior vice-president, marketing and media at Skyrocket Toys, which is unveiling its own VR experience at Toy Fair that incorporates top brands Batman and Jurassic World. “There is no doubt that the younger generations have grown up with rapidly evolving technology and a constant connectedness. As a designer, developer, manufacturer, distributor, and marketer, we must pay attention to how people are spending their leisure time and the best way to deliver intuitive and engaging product and experiences.”

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Virtual Tech Toys Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality by Jennifer

Lynch

Thanks to smartphones and tablets, toy makers are now able to incorporate once costly AR/VR technologies into products in ways that merge and immerse kids in the physical and digital worlds at consumer-friendly price points. And with a better understanding of how these technologies work, consumers are more interested than ever to buy into these types of play. Below is a sampling of what’s happening in this emerging toy space.

Play-Doh Touch

With Hasbro’s Play-Doh Touch Shape to Life Studio, kids can turn their Play-Doh creations into digital creations. Kids get a traditional Play-Doh experience using the tools and Play-Doh that come with the set, but they can also scan their creations into the free iOS Play-Doh Touch app to play with their creations whenever they want in the virtual Play-Doh Touch world. Shape a Play-Doh creation, place it on the platform, and use a smart device to scan a creation into the Play-Doh Touch app.

Beasts of Balance

Pokémon Go has become the preeminent example of AR, and Niantic Labs continues to roll out new initiatives and updates. The game recently passed the $1 billion mark, outpacing other top-grossing app games. Last fall, The Pokémon Company and Nintendo introduced Pokémon Go Plus, a small companion device designed to notify players whenever a Pokémon or a PokéStop is nearby. Following its successful launch, The Pokémon Company President Tsunekazu Ishihara hinted at a follow-up, saying, “Together with Nintendo, we are thinking of developing a new device that can be played more safely.”

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Sensible Object brought to life, via Kickstarter, a new kind of toys-to-life game that bridges the tactile play of tabletop gaming with the digital world. Beasts of Balance is a stacking board game with a digital twist. Players take on the role of gods and goddesses overseeing and caring for a land of mythical creatures. Take turns placing, stacking, and balancing the animal game pieces, called Artefacts, on top of a connected platform, called a Plith. Each Artefact is scanned into the digital game before it’s placed. Unlike an average stacking game in which your focus is on rearranging pieces to prevent your tower from falling, in Beasts of Balance you are also building a world of digital beasts— the six that are included plus the cross-breeds created within the game to earn more points. But watch out, if the tower falls, it’s game over.

(1) In Seedling’s Virtual Reality Design Your Own Marble Maze, place walls onto the grid, create traps, choose start and end points, and drop the marble into your maze to play. Download the free Maze app to scan your maze and play in virtual reality. Transform your maze into a spaceship, a kingdom, or an ancient ruin. Customize it further by adding photos, sounds, riddles, and more. Sync over Bluetooth to play with friends and family in virtual reality. (2) VR Entertainment’s VR Real Feel Racing is a virtual reality gaming system that gives kids control with a real steering wheel to be able to accelerate, brake, and steer with Max Force Feedback to feel the vibrations in the wheel when you bump other racers or the wall. (3) With Sphero’s Special Edition Battle-Worn BB-8 with Force Band, kids can channel the force like a jedi to control their own BB-8. Using the AR app, kids can collect digital holocrons in the real world and record AR holographic messages. (4) With Uncle Milton’s Virtual Explorer Prehistoric Safari, kids can excavate “bones” to piece together a Tyrannosaurus rex in the real world, then use the included VR goggles with a smart phone and free app to go on 360-degree journeys through a prehistoric jungle. The company will expand the line this year with a new underwater-themed set. (5) Mattel continues to reinvent its classic View-Master, now with the View-Master Deluxe VR Viewer. This new headset uses Google Cardboard technology to let kids experience 3-D worlds and virtual reality. (6) This year Spin Master will release Air Hogs AR Nitro Boost. With the AR Nitro Boost Rival Edition (not pictured), kids can take on missions and challenge friends across six different AR games and worlds.

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FEATURED CONTENT

Defying Gender Labels in the Toy Aisle

hanks in part to the political circus that occupied the American dialogue throughout 2016, the issue of gender equality has become an everyday topic of conversation—including in the toy aisles. The topic has been humming for years— from a 1980s LEGO ad that went viral in 2014 to the UK-based campaign Let Toys Be Toys— but Target’s move to phase out gender labels from its toy aisles in late 2015 brought the debate prominently to the forefront. But while on paper, changes are taking shape, a walk through any toy store might still make a consumer think otherwise. The colors still speak for themselves.

The Role of the Toy Maker

The “pinking” of the toy aisle has more to do with toy makers than toy retailers. After all, retailers can only display what they are supplied. Otherwise neutral products are being fixed with simple tweaks in packaging, but most of the change is working its way up from the bottom. It began with small companies such as GoldieBlox, Roominate, and Build & Imagine pushing the boundaries in categories (STEM) traditionally seen as play patterns for boys. It is moving into the doll aisles with more empowering female superheros. And, now the focus is shifting toward gender-bucking toys for boys. PlayMonster’s new line The Wonder Crew, mixes doll play and action figure play to help boys build empathy and nurturing skills, traditionally viewed as girls’ play patterns. “It made sense to think about gender stereotypes in relation to toys,” says Lisa Wuenneman, master marketing monster at PlayMonster.

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by Jennifer

Lynch

“Studies show that many boys play with dolls as it is, so why not cater a doll specifically to them? What made up our minds about taking on Wonder Crew was that retailers are now open to breaking gender stereotypes and featuring items like Wonder Crew on their shelves. Without that willingness, it would have been difficult to bring this brand to market.”

The Role of the Retailer

One might assume specialty would be a go-to partner for gender-bucking toys, but many are seeing more opportunities at mass. Just as Target is working to promote inclusion through its business practices, Walmart had also made efforts through its Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative, which gives female entrepreneurs better access to the marketplace. It’s through this program that Jodi Norgaard, founder of Go! Go! Sports Girls got her product to mass. “There were so many toy buyers that initially told me my product would never sell,” she says. “My response was always the same: I’m positive girls like more than just fashion. There’s other options we need to give them.”

The Next Move

Last spring, Sacremento State sociologist Elizabeth Sweet spoke on the topic at a White House conference about breaking down gender stereotypes in media and toys. It was attended by toy representatives from companies big (LEGO, Mattel, Disney, etc.) and small (Build & Imagine, Roominate, Go! Go! Sports Girls, etc.). Sweet says she was encouraged to see toy makers actively working for change, but still sees most of the change focused on broadening existing gender-defined toy lines (e.g. a wider

range of social roles in dolls for girls) rather than shifting away from gender definition entirely. “Larger toy companies are indeed interested in creating positive change, but only as far as that change fits within their existing business models,” she says. Laurie Peterson, founder of Build & Imagine describes this current state as “Trojan Horsing” these alternative play patterns into the toy aisles. “We need to evolve from this approach where we’re essentially sneaking these skills into the kinds of toys that appeal to girls, or boys. It’s just the first step and at least right now we’re getting consumers to think differently.” This year the TOTY Awards nixed its Girls Toy of the Year and Boys Toy of the Year categories. “With the introduction of new categories and a more straightforward judging process, we are ensuring that the awards program remains relevant and representative of the ingenious creations that originate from toy companies of all sizes,” says Ken Seiter, Toy Industry Association (TIA) vice-president of communications. A petition from DadDoes.com founder Dan Nessel calling on the TIA to do away with the gender-specific categories last year garnered national media coverage. The TIA did not comment on what specifically led to its decision, but Nessel says whatever the reason, it’s a move in the right direction. “There is still plenty of work that needs to be done to remove gender stereotypes in toys, but eliminating awards that celebrated gender stereotypical toys is a great start,” he says. “It is time for manufacturers and retailers to stop telling kids what toy is appropriate for their gender. Put boys and girls on the package, sort toys by the type of toy, and let kids decide what they want to play with.”

Toys That Buck Stereotypes

The fun factor has always played a central role in the design of toys. But today’s toy aisles are working toward being more inclusive than ever before, nixing gender labels and offering products that resist the stereotypes associated with certain toy categories. Below is a sampling of some of the toy lines breaking barriers, and inviting all kids to play in new ways.

PlayMonster acquired the global license for Wonder Crew last fall, and will help grow the line for 2017. The line mixes doll and action figure play to empower boys to connect, nurture, and build empathy through friendship, imagination, and adventure. New product features four buddies of different races each wearing superhero gear, and packaged with a matching cape and mask for the child.

3 JazWings, the brand development arm of Jazwares, acquired Go! Go! Sports Girls last fall and plans to help grow the property at specialty this year. The brand promotes self-appreciation and healthy life skills and currently comprises dolls, books, and apps.

MGA Entertainment continues to expand its line of Project MC2 dolls and activity kits based on the STEM-focused Netflix Original Series. Camryn’s R/C Hoverboard is one of the latest additions to the line. The hoverboard can speed forward, go backward, and do 360-degree spins. It features real-working lights and a built-in stand to hold the doll in place while in motion.

(1) Last year, Mattel and Warner Bros. teamed for the DC Super Hero Girls. This year Mattel exapnds the line with the Blaster Action Batgirl Doll, armed with her blaster, three projectiles, and a target. (2) Build & Imagine’s newest building set, Creativity Castle, is a castle-themed magnetic building set featuring 14 illustrated magnetic building panels, two wooden dress-up characters, and 40 magnetic accessories to spark new storylines each time kids play. (3) IAMElemental expanded its line of female action figures with Series 2/Wisdom, inspired by ancient Alexandrian STEM pioneer Hypatia as its muse. The figures include Creativity, Ingenuity, Curiosity, Logic, Exploration, Mastery, and Oblivion.

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TOY FAIR/2017 The following companies represent just a sampling of what will be on display at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City during Toy Fair 2017. Compiled by Jennifer Lynch and Chris Butera

tokidoki Unicornos

Aurora World

Aurora celebrates YooHoo & Friends’ 10th anniversary this year with the release of YooHoo & Friends eight-inch plush YooHoo with Sound. In the series, YooHoo loves to go on adventures with his friends. Squeeze YooHoo to replicate the experience and listen to the sound YooHoo makes. Aurora has collaborated with Tokidoki to bring some of its characters to life in plush form. The Unicorno line features Cleo, Zamba, Bowie, and Pixie, each with its signature design at 8.5-inches tall. The Donutella line also introduces three products, each in their original designs. Both lines will be available for spring. The five-inch Rolly Pets palm-sized plush is adding new designs to the line including tigers, an elephant, giraffe, panda, and cow.

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Pirate Pete

CuddleBarn

CuddleBarn’s Preston the Storytelling Pig recites the story of the Three Little Pigs with head-swaying and synchronized mouth movement. It also comes with four finger puppet pals representing the big bad wolf and the three little pigs. Preston is packaged in a colorful box with illustrated, perforated windows and doors that can be used as a stage for the finger puppets. Also available is Pirate Pete, a colorful one-eyed bulldog that sings and dances to “Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum.” New for April is Dalton the Storytelling Dragon, which recites five classic fairy tales. His book features soft color-changing lights as he recites the stories. His feet feature pause and play buttons, so kids can pause or skip to the next story. Each story ends with a critical thinking question from Dalton about the story.

Emojiez Poonicorn

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell is expanding its paint lines for 2017 with three new product highlights. With Do Art Fizzy Paint Mix & Make Colors, for ages 8 and up, add water to watch your fizzy paint bubble. Then use your brush to create watercolors. Hang and display art with the colorful frames, which are included. The Paint By Number Unicorn Foil Fun is an activity for unicorn fanatics ages 7 and up. The paint is in the pencils to create this foil display. Expanding the Paint By Number Deluxe Museum Series comes “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, for ages 8 and up. Follow the illustrated instructions to paint like the masters with its unique guided strokes printed on the canvas and color swatch system.

Fun 2 Play

Designed by Fun 2 Play Toys, the Emojiez line is made up of memorable characters, each with their own personality. Highlights include Poonicorn Plush, an exclusive Emojiez character available in a multi-colored assortment, with sizes ranging from three- to six- to 14-inches. With six assorted characters featuring Emojiez, Squishiez are for collecting, trading, displaying, and squishing. Packaged in a capsule that turns into a chair for the Emojiez, these mini squishy Emojiez double as pencil toppers. There is also a special Pile of Poo edition featuring the exclusive Poo Emojiez. Emojiez Buddiez are 1.25-inch collectible figurines with a personalized trading card available in one- or three-pack foil blind bags. Series one and series two currently feature 24 assorted characters. All products in the Emojiez line are for ages 4 and up.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Super Impulse

Shopkins Season 7 Party Game Arcade

Moose Toys

In 2017, Shopkins will introduce a new season, new ways to play, and new characters of Shopkins and Shoppies to collect with Shopkins Season 7: Join the Party. Season 7 brings new Party Teams, a limited-edition collection, and brandnew Party Shoppies, including Tiara Sparkles, Bridie, and Rosie Bloom, each packaged on a spinning base to show off their festive party outfits. Complete the world of Shopkins Party with playsets including Birthday Cake Surprise, Cotton Candy Party, and the Party Game Arcade. With Season 2 of Happy Places Shopkins, Happyville is expanding. Now kids can expand their Happy Home with the all-new Laundry and Games Room Studio Extension as well as the Patio and Pool playset. The world of Little Live Pets expands with Lil’ Hedgehogs and Lil’ Chicks. Touch a Lil’ Hedgehog’s nose and watch as it rolls into a ball. Watch these critters crawl back and hide away, then pop out their heads and continue to play. There are six hedgehogs to collect. Lil’ Chicks are hatching this spring. Kids won’t know what their Lil’ Chick looks like until the egg cracks open and their chick appears. When the egg opens, Lil’ Chicks will chirp, walk, and play. Kids can even watch their Lil’ Chick hatch and re-hatch repeatedly. Moose’s Grossery Gang is also growing with all-new teams and characters from Series 2 such as Gutter Butter and Mucus Milk. The Horrid Hot Dog Playset lets kids play and display their Grossery Gang on a hot dog stand.

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Originally introduced in 1970, Super Impulse is bringing back the Original Wiz-z-zer with a new look and line extensions. Spinning at 10,000 RPMs with balance and stability, Wizz-zer can spin on the tip of your finger, across pieces of string, or even on top of each other, says Super Impulse. The Original Wiz-z-zer, for ages 5 and up, is available in two styles, Rounder and Wedge, with eight new graphics. With Tiny Arcades, Super Impulse has brought the most iconic arcade video games back in a size that fits in the palm of your hand. Launching this year are Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaxian, and Space Invaders. Tiny Arcades feature the complete gameplay, full-color hi-resolution screens, authentic game sounds, joystick, and two control buttons in a backlit arcade-style cabinet. Super Impulse continues to grow its World’s Smallest collection to include more iconic retro brands in tiny working versions. New toys for 2017 feature Barbie, Hot Wheels, Stretch Armstrong, Gumby & Pokey, Pound Puppies, PEZ, and Silly Putty. The World’s Smallest Blind Box Series One will also roll out, featuring all 10 mini retro toys including two exclusive mystery items. The Precision RBS rubber band-launching system expands with the Eos and the Proteus. The Eos is a pocket-sized addition to your arsenal. Designed with an ultra-compact body, the Eos adds a new level of speed to Precision RBS with its ability to launch six No. 8 rubber bands as single shots or as an all-in-one burst. Or get pinpoint accuracy from up to 35 feet away with the Proteus, according the Super Impulse. The new mid-level Precision RBS launcher brings the range and accuracy of the larger models in a smaller body. The Proteus can fire two rubber band sizes and holds up to six bands of each. Super Impulse and The Jim Henson Company have also partnered to bring the characters from Fraggle Rock to life as plush and vinyl figures, for ages 3 and up. Fraggle Rock 10-inch Plush Characters include Gobo and Red, the leaders of the Fraggle Rock crew. Each features a poseable tail. Fans can also grab a four-inch Red or Gobo Fraggle Rock Backpack Clip to take the characters on the go. Vinyl figures and beanbag and feature plush will follow.

TOY FAIR/2017 Mattel In the doll category, Mattel continues to expand upon its top brands with new dolls and playsets for Barbie, DC Super Hero Girls, and Monster High, as well as introduce a brand new doll line. The Enchantimals are a group of girls who are part girl, part animal. Choose from Enchantimals dolls and animal friends themed to a bunny, fox, skunk, peacock, koala, or sheep. Each of the six-inch dolls wears an outfit with bright colors, floral prints, and furry details. Dolls also feature brightly colored hair, animal facial features, and unique accents such as feather-inspired wings for the peacock doll, a black-and-white striped fur tail for the skunk doll, and fox ears for the fox doll. Expanding the Barbie Dreamtopia line comes the Barbie Dreamtopia Bubbletastic Fairy Dolls for spring. These dolls from Barbie Dreamtopia’s Sweetville Kingdom feature bubble-making wings. Pour the included bubble solution into the butterfly-shaped tray, and dip Barbie doll’s wings into the solution. Pull the yellow bow on her belt, and watch as the fan connected to the wings spins out bubbles. The Barbie Camper transforms from a camping RV to a “glamping” playset that expands to more than two-feet long. The side opens to reveal a pool with water slide. A bathroom fills the back of the camper with a toilet, sink, and shower with curtain. With the DC Super Hero Girls Supergirl X-Ray Vision + Locker, a locker accessory highlights her super power. When the action doll comes near it, a child-activated mechanism lets her peek inside without opening the doors. The DC Super Hero Girls Blaster Action Batgirl Doll comes armed with her blaster, three projectiles, and a target to expand the storytelling fun, such as a bat-shaped arrow, bat-shaped wing-inspired grappling hook, and “energy burst.” New for Monster High, this spring, is the Electrified High Voltage Frankie Stein doll which, along with her beastie Znap from the movie, interacts with lights and sounds. Monster Sibling Packs are multipacks that include a fan-favorite Monster High character along with a sibling or two. Each doll wears a fashion that showcases her, or his, personality and an activity, such as swimsuits for the daughters of a sea monster and pajamas for the children of a werewolf. This fall, Hot Wheels will roll out the Roto Revolution Track set. Launch Hot Wheels cars into the rotating set with perfect timing, crashing and smashing into opponent’s cars. Hot Wheels will also offer a new Fast & Furious Basic Stunt Stars vehicle assortment for spring. Stunt Stars include a 1:32 scale vehicle and two-inch tall action figure based on characters from the Fast & Furious franchise.

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The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn First Words Smart Puppy, for ages 9–36 months, unlocks learning content for the entire First Words collection. It includes eight starter blocks to help teach baby everyday first words; Smart Stages technology that reads a word when baby swipes or places a block on the reader; and light-up buttons that teach shapes, colors, and more. Think & Learn Teach ’n Tag Movi, for ages 3–6 months, is an interactive learning buddy that gets kids up and moving while developing gross motor skills, listening skills, and the ability to follow directions. It features three modes of play with six interactive games and 360-degree mobility. Upgrading the DC Super Friends Batbot is the Batbot Xtreme. At more than two-feet tall, this Batman toy features everything from wings and punching fists to projectile launchers and a motorcycle. In the Thomas & Friends Adventures Shark Escape, Thomas rides the waves to escape a mighty shark. Help Thomas board a crate so Harold the helicopter can transport him above the waves. When Thomas breaks free from the crate, he goes on a ride through the waves and right into the chomping jaws of the shark. There is also a Thomas & Friends Super Station, which includes 10 Sodor locations. With the Fisher-Price Shimmer and Shine Genie Dance assortment, kids can slide Shimmer and Shine side-to-side to see them move to the music and learn dances like the “Shimmer Shuffle” and “Magic Carpet Slide.” They can also move them fast or slow to change the song’s tempo. As Shimmer and Shine move, the jewel in their headpieces will light up and sparkle to the music. There is also a Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Roadster Racers Garage, for ages 3 and up, to help Mickey get his roadster ready for racing, as well as the Disney Minnie’s Happy Helpers Headquarters Playset, which brings to life Minnie’s home and headquarters for her Happy Helpers business. Mega also expands lines for fall, including American Girl, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and preschool sets.

Fisher-Price Think & Learn Teach ‘n Tag Movi

TOY FAIR/2017 Spin Master Luvabella is a lifelike baby doll that responds to a child’s love and attention. Nurture and care for Luvabella by feeding her with her spoon, giving her a bottle to help her fall asleep, and soothing her when she is upset. Kids can also play games with her using her interactive teething ring and tickling her tummy and toes. The more interaction Luvabella receives the more she learns. It’s for ages 4 and up. Hatchimals expands for 2017 with new additions. Hatchimals CollEGGtibles feature 13 teams and 72 different characters. The speckles on the egg reveal the team and when the egg is warm, the heart in the middle changes color to reveal the gender of the fantasy creature waiting to be hatched. The Hatchimals CollEGGtibles 12 Pack Egg Carton features an exclusive character inside. Stack, play, and display all of the characters. The pack’s glitter carton décor has a translucent top for kids to showcase their characters in display nests. The Cloud Nursery Play Set comes with two Hatchimals and includes a tower perch, slide, and interactive fly wires. Children can take care of their Hatchimals CollEGGtibles in the nests and give them bubble baths. Additional new items in the collection include the CollEGGtibles Single Pack, Two-Pack with Nest, and Four-Pack with a bonus limited-edition creature. The ultimate lab in disturbingly delicious experiments, Doctor Dreadful, is back to give kids more terribly tasty treats. Lab kits include the Doctor Dreadful’s Zombie Lab, Doctor Dreadful’s Bug Lab, Doctor Dreadful’s Snot Shots, and Doctor Dreadful’s Zombie Lab Food Refill. They are for ages 5 and up. Air Hogs expands its line of AR experiences for 2017 with the new Air Hogs AR Nitro Boost Rival Edition racing set. Take on missions and challenge friends in an AR world with six different games and worlds. Using smart devices, players can battle, smash and race real or virtual competitors. New for Zoomer comes the Zoomer Pony, Meowzies Cattitude Collection, and Zupps. Groom, feed, and train Zoomer Pony as she responds differently to each of her treats. If she’s not hungry she’ll shake her head. But don’t feed her too many sugar cubes, or she’ll start spinning around in circles. Through sensors, sounds and LED eyes, Meowzies are personal kittens with life-like emotions. Zoomer Zupps are tiny pups. The more kids play with them, the happier they’ll be. Each one has a unique secret trick. Zoomer Magnicam Go is an advanced kids’ camera that Pony

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captures images and video anywhere at up to 80 times magnification. It features a high resolution screen, LED lights to brighten any expedition, and a flexible arm for hard to reach places. The new Meccano Mivo Robot is the most advanced Meccano robot to date. Drawing on advanced robotics technology, Mivo combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning and customizable programming to create a one-of-a-kind personal assistant. Infrared (IR) Navigation and customizable apps bring Mivo to life with personalization and interactivity. Mivo also includes a built-in gaming platform. Or kids can build the MeccaSpider. With app control and venom attack, MeccaSpider has an interactive personality and built-in games. Both are for ages 10 and up. Spin Master’s new Rube Goldberg building sets feature STEM-based principles of gravity, inertia, simple machines, spring force, and more. Arrange the contraptions in just the right place to trigger a chain reaction. Sets include the Rube Goldberg The Speeding Car Challenge, The Fly Trap Challenge, The Acrobat Challenge, The Castle Escape Challenge, The Trick Shot Challenge, and The Garden Challenge. All are for ages 8 and up. The Rusty Rivets preschool STEM line is based on a 21st Century kid hero who invents his way out of every jam by repurposing spare parts and objects into unqiue contraptions. The Rusty Rivets Botasaur features realistic lights and sounds, and 19 modular, open-ended reconfiguration. Other sets in the line include the Rusty Rivets Rivet Lab Playset, Rusty Rivets Mini Build Packs, Rusty Rivets Core Build Packs, Rusty Rivets Blaster Tank, Rusty Rivets Blaster Tank, and Rusty Rivets Rusty’s Multitool and Goggles. The line is for ages 3 and up. Spin Master ships out a new line of toys inspired by the latest film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The line will feature playsets and figure assortments, including the Pirates of the Caribbean Silent Mary Pirate Ship Playset. Kids can help Captain Jack take on Salazar and his ghostly vessel as it terrorizes the Bermuda Triangle with real wave-like movements, swashbuckling action, and ship-wide push button features. PAW Patrol is still on a roll with new playsets and characters. The PAW Patrol Life Sized Lookout Tower is a life-sized three-foot tower playset with a working elevator, lights and sounds, functioning periscope, and vehicle launcher. PAW Patrol also takes to the open waters with the new PAW Patrol Sea Patrol vehicle and basic and deluxe Sea Patroller figure assortments. Spin Master also grow its established lines: Teck Deck, Chubby Puppies, Kinetic Sand, Cool Maker, Power Puff Girls, Masha and The Bear, Teletubbies, and more.

TOY FAIR/2017 VTech/LeapFrog

VTech and LeapFrog build on VTech’s history of developmental toys and LeapFrog’s proprietary curriculum and learning experts. VTech’s Go! Go! Smart lines expands with new themes and playsets in the Friends and Wheels lines. The Go! Go! Smart Wheels line will feature a new monster truck theme, fire station, and adventure park. The Go! Go! Smart Friends line will offer new fantasy worlds, including a magical mermaid land and a sweet treat shop. VTech will introduce a smart device with content and robust features similar to those found in parents’ smartphones, but designed just for kids. VTech will also expand its Kidizoom Action Cam and Kidizoom Smartwatch DX lines with new models, designs, features, and licenses. VTech’s baby, infant, and preschool lines will introduce nearly 40 new products designed for each child’s developmental milestones. VTech’s learning products are developed with critical insight from its Expert Panel, which specialize in the subject and child development. New lines include Pop-a-balls, offering ball-popping action, and GearZooz, putting a new spin on gear play for toddlers. VTech’s new ride-on, the 4-in-1 Stroll & Grow Tek Trike, grows with a child through four stages: strolling mode, training mode, trike mode, and drifting mode. It also features adjustable handles and seat, along with games, lights, and sounds. LeapFrog will continue to expand its LeapPad and LeapStart platforms with updated products and expanded content featuring popular new licenses. Offering a full reading solution for children, new Learn to Read Box Sets for LeapStart will help kids build phonic and comprehension skills to foster reading skills. Wrapping core school curriculum and important 21st Century skills with play experiences, LeapFrog will also expand its infant and preschool toy collection with a dozen new introductions. The line will include the Stack & Tumble Elephant, offering early exploration of numbers and colors with a silly take on classic stacker play, as well as toys featuring LeapFrog characters Scout and Tad. The Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart also lets kids practice memory and sequencing skills through pretend play.

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Hasbro

Speak Out Kids vs. Parents

In Hasbro’s new Star Wars Simon Game, available this spring, remember the flashing light sequences on the game unit, which looks like Darth Vader’s mask. Then repeat the pattern back correctly to play to the beats of the “Imperial March.” The game also features Darth Vader’s iconic breathing sounds. The Beyblade Burst Epic Rivals Battle set includes everything Bladers need for competition: a square Beystadium, two tops, and two launchers. All Beyblade Burst top components are interchangeable with other Burst tops to allow for customization. The tops can “burst” into pieces during battle, making competition unpredictable. Beyblade Burst tops can also be scanned into into the Beyblade Burst app. Hasbro announced the Monopoly Token Madness Vote, which leaves the fate of the eight current Monopoly tokens, including the Scottie dog, top hat, race car, and cat, in the hands of the fans. The Monopoly Token Madness Edition Game includes the current eight silver tokens, as well as a selection of eight gold-colored tokens included in the vote, such as a penguin, rubber ducky, and bunny slipper. The final results of the vote will be unveiled on World Monopoly Day, March 19. The game will launch later this spring. In the Fantastic Gymnastics game, players need to time their speed and rhythm in this challenging game to stick the perfect landing. Gain momentum by pressing the yellow button repeatedly to flip the gymnastic figure around the high bar. When the right moment comes, press and hold the red release button to send the figure flying into the air—and attempt to stick the landing. Play solo or in a head-to-head challenge. In Toilet Trouble, players take turns spinning the toilet roll spinner, then flushing the handle the allotted number of times while looking down into the bowl to see if water will spray out. The last player to avoid the surprise toilet spray wins. With kid-sized and adult-sized mouthpieces, the Speak Out: Kids Vs. Parents Edition Game divides families as they attempt to say a whacky muffled phrase. The first player puts the mouthpiece in, draws a card, and tries to speak the phrase. Once the team guesses the phrase correctly, the player draws another card and keeps going until the timer runs out. If a player passes on a card, the other team will automatically earn that passed card.

TOY FAIR/2017 Jakks Pacific

Series 2 Gift ‘ems dolls are now available, featuring new countries, cities, and themes to choose from. Each Gift ‘ems box will open to reveal the doll’s name, city, and country and transforms to showcase iconic scenes from the doll’s home town, as well as an image of the country’s flag. Each Gift ‘ems ranges from common to rare, ultra rare, special edition, and limited edition with four main components to mix and match. They are available as a single-pack, a three-pack, and with mini playsets such as the Gift ‘ems Scooter, Speedboat, Sports Car, Private Jet, and Beach Playset. Gift ‘ems also introduces Gift ‘ems Pets. There are six different Gift ‘ems Girls and Pets from six different countries. Each Gift ‘ems doll comes with a regular Pet, or a colored Pet. Jakks also introduces Cuppatinis. These dolls love tea parties and they transform from dolls into teacups with the flip of their skirts. There are currently six 3.5-inch dolls to collect: Cha Cha Chai, Carmela la Crème, Rose Hippensip, Mocha Lisa, Lola Vander, and Jasmint. They are also available with accessories and the Spinning Tea Party Playset. A second collection will roll out for fall. Jakks continues to grow its line of collectible Disney Tsum Tsum with Wave 5/5SE (Monsters Inc., Finding Dory, and Jungle Book), Wave 6 (Beauty and the Beast and Disney Villains), Wave 7 (Moana, Muppets, and Finding Nemo) and Wave 8 (A Bug’s Life and Wall-E), available as three-packs, pastel limited-edition runs (Wave 5SE), and “Tsparkle” glitter finishes (Wave 6). There will also be a Valentine’s themed Mickey & Minnie Tsweeties set, new Tsum Tsum and Marvel Tsum Tsum Advent calendars, and new story packs. Story packs include one exclusive medium glitter figure, two small figures from their respective story, and a variety of themed accessories. Story packs include Lilo & Stitch’s Ohana, Aladdin’s The Palace of Agrabah, and Alice in Wonderland’s Through the Rabbit Hole. New display cases include the Disney Tsum Tsum Tsweet Boutique Display Set and the Tsum Tsum Spider-Man Stack ‘N Display Set. New activity kits include the Chocolate Egg Surprise Maker, a food activity kit that lets kids make their own chocolate surprise eggs; the Cookie Crafter, which uses graham crackers to shape and decorate custom cookies; the Eraser Creator, which lets kids create their own customized erasers; and the Unicone Rainbow Swirl Maker, a unicorn-shaped chilled treat maker. Mutant Stinkers are gross collectibles that absorb all of the smells in the world. Together, with the superhero, Captain Stinkus, these lovable but mischievous monsters fight crime by overpowering evil with their potent smells. The line will include a figure assortment, the Mutant Stinkers Gas Blaster, and the Smelly Factory playset. For roleplay, Jakks adds to its Elena of Avalor line with the Elena Royal Palace Tea & Chocolate Set, Elena Action Adventure Sword, Elena Lights of Enchantment Jewelry Box, and Elena Crown Princess Ponytail Set. For Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, kids can Sing Along with Daniel Tiger in this karaoke machine or play with the Musical Instrument Set. Little WWE fans can recreate their favorite matches and battle like a Superstar with the Championship Belt Buckles and WWE Jumbo Superstar Fists, which features John Cena’s new red, white, and blue U Can’t See Me armbands. There is also a Deluxe Muscle Suit launching for fall. Kids can also pretend to go camping with the Backyard Glamping Camper Play Tent. This pop-up tent features mesh windows and sunroof, a two-in-one Backyard Glamping Campfire with realistic lights and sounds that turns into a star light projector, a Backyard Glamping S’mores Kit for two with play graham crackers and roasted marshmallows, and a Backyard Glamping Firefly Lantern that lights up and plays cricket sounds. Blast Bands are new wristbands featuring favorite heroes from the DC, Marvel, TMNT, and WWE portfolios. Blast Bands straps come in a variety of styles and colors and can be launched at the included targets when not worn. The Smurfs are back in Smurfs: The Lost Village, a fully-animated feature film by Sony Pictures Animation. A mysterious map sets Smurfette and her friends Brainy, Clumsy, and Hefty on a race through the Forbidden Forest leading to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history. Jakks has partnered with Sony to create new Smurfs and Animal Friends Assortment figures, Smurf Mushroom House Playsets, and Smurfette and Clumsy Feature Plush.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Alex Brands

Alex Brands will introduce more than 200 new products covering multiple categories of play. Buzz Bee Blasters have a new look for 2017 with improved suction darts, new long-distance darts (up to 100 feet), and improved accuracy in its new PrecisePro Darts. The line introduces 15-plus products as well as updates to best-sellers, such as The Walking Dead Dwight’s Crossbow, Alpha’s Machete, and Rick’s Revolver blasters. New DIY crafts include the Alex Toys Happy Little Loom and Alex DIY KnotA-Unicorn and Knot-A-Zebra Hats. The Happy Little Loom is a portable hand-held loom that lets you weave in multiple widths to make belts, bracelets, scarves, headbands, purses, phone cases, and more. Or become a fizz whiz and make six colorful, scented bath bombs with the Alex Spa DIY Bath Bombs. In the new Shrinky Dinks 3D Heart Link Jewelry Kit, color the precut Shrinky Happy Little Loom Dinks sheets, bake them in the heart mold, and then link them together to make necklaces and bracelets. Also new is the Mini Artist Activity Set, in which kids color detailed art designs on pre-printed Shrinky Dinks sheets. Alex will also unveil a new STEM-based preschool line called Alex Future Coders, featuring toys and games that foster computing skills such as sequencing, problem-solving, estimation, and directional language. Products include Robot Race, Cube Stackers, and Bunny Bot. Other highlights include a makeover to Alex Brands’ Magic Kits Collection, where magic meets money and science; a new Janod roleplay collection full of French charm; a new Shimmer Slinky; and new family games from Ideal, including the memory game What did I step In? and the spelling challenge game 4-Way Spelldown.

eOne

For Peppa Pig, there are a host of new offerings from eOne partners for 2017. Cardinal rolls out the Peppa Pig Playing Cards Super Set, for ages 3 and up, featuring three jumbo playing card decks with all of the popular characters from the show. The set includes a four-card holder to help little hands hold the cards, and instructions for card games such as Crazy Eights, Go Fish, Rummy, Kidz Toys’ Peppa Pig musical set Snap, and more. Wonder Forge offers the Peppa Pig Matching Game, a game of picture matching in which kids flip over colorful tiles to reveal favorite characters from the series. Also new for 2017 is a Peppa-themed 12-inch girl’s bicycle from Kent International, a Peppa Pig Musical Set from Kidz Toyz, and the Peppa Pig Tumble and Spin electronic music match memory game from TCG. For PJ Masks, new partners means new product. The Discovery PJ Masks Ukulele from First Act features a PJ Masks-theme on a traditional soprano-size body shape with nylon strings and guitar-style tuning gears. Little Kids also gives its Bubble Blastin’ Machine the PJ Masks treatment. The battery-operated bubble machine is adorned with Catboy, Gekko, and Owlette. Playhut’s PJ Masks EZ Vehicle Gekko Mobile is a little vehicle with an open roof for peek-through play. The tunnel port in the back connects to other Playhut structures to further expand the PJ Masks world. Also new is a PJ Masks Swim Vest from Swimways and a PJ Masks indoor/outdoor bowling set from What Kids Want.

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TOY FAIR/2017 K’NEX

This fall, there’s a whole new way to control K’NEX with the K’NEX Rotor-Powered 10 Model Building System. Build 10 different models and make them move with the included remote control. A newly designed motor includes four rotor blades that allow you to build a tank, a ship, a car, and a flying quad copter. It’s for ages 7 and up. K’NEX expands its Thrill Rides line for fall with the Lunar Launch and Web Weaver Roller Coaster building sets. Build the 559-piece Lunar Launch and stomp on the launching mechanism to send the coaster car on an orbital journey around the track. The 399-piece Web Weaver features glow-in-the dark track and an air-propelled, spider-themed coaster car. Both sets are for ages 7 and up. Download building instructions for a second coaster at knex.com. K’NEX will celebrate its anniversary this fall with the re-launch of the classic K’NEX “suitcase,” the 25th Anniversary Ultimate Builder Case. The sturdy, portable storage case comes with 750 Made in the USA K’NEX pieces. It also includes instructions for 50 different models. Designed for builders ages 5 and up, the 400-piece Creation Zone Building Tub comes with 50 unique building ideas. Construct cars, planes, boats, or use your imagination to create your own model. Or power-up your creations with the more than 530-piece Power & Play Motorized Building Set. Most models can be built one at a time. K’NEX will also introduce six new My Little Pony-themed Tinkertoy building sets. Each features a buildable pony and a scene related to the character that can be constructed out of Tinkertoys. The current assortment will include Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. They are for ages 3 and up. Also new for Tinkertoy is a deluxe 100-piece wood set.

Tinkertoy’s My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle and Canterlot Castle

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D-Lectables

Imperial Toy

Imperial Toy has collaborated with Disney to create D-Lectables, a new collectible based on Disney characters. Each D-lectable separates into four interchangeable elements that snap together, creating hundreds of unique configurations to mix, match, build, trade, and collect. D-Lectables collection one features miniature sweet treats, such as ice cream, milk shakes, and cupcakes. They feature 12 Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Tinker Bell, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella, and more. Wave two of collection one with six all-new character treats will launch in spring. They are for ages 5 and up. Kiddy Up is a line of indoor and outdoor toys, games, equipment, and inflatables that promote growth and learning, says Imperial. Kiddy Up 100 Count Pit Balls are colorful balls that are soft and flexible for safety but tough enough to withstand all sorts of play. They are BPA-, phthalate-, lead-, and PVC-free. Kiddy Up Hopper Ball is a bouncy inflatable ball, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. With the Kiddy Up Pit Ball Cannon, load pit balls into the barrel, aim, and, with a stomp, send pit balls flying. The line is for ages 3 and up. Bubble Blitz line of premium bubble solution and bubble toys will add a 55-ounce bottle of Bubble Blitz in Cotton Candy and Red Apple scents and the Bubble Blitz Bubble Light-Up Bubble Blaster. The Bubble Blitz Light-Up Bubble Blaster is a high performance, no-spill motorized bubble blaster that shoots streams of endless bubbles. No dipping is required. It features multi-colored LED lights and includes an eight-ounce bottle of Bubble Blitz premium bubble solution. New for KAOS are the KAOS Color Bombs and Color Bombs Pump Station. Add the kid-safe Color Bomb tablets to water in the KAOS Pump Station for a colorful balloon battle. KAOS Color Bombs is a 250-count set featuring its proprietary filler and color tablets.

TOY FAIR/2017 Schleich

The Schleich DC Comics line will add three single classic figurines, including Hawkman, Catwoman, and Shazam. Two Wonder Woman movie figurines, launching in May, and four Justice League movie figurines, launching in September, will accompany the line. Schleich also expands its Wild Life, Farm World, and Horse Club lines. The Horse Club Mobile Vet is an on-the-go playset complete with a vet with moveDC Comics Shazam able arms, foal, Horse Club bandages, prescription tablet, and other vet accessories. The vehicle’s roof and sidewall can be folded open. The Mobile Vet attaches to the Horse Club trailer. Other highlights include the Croco Jungle Research Station and Large Red Barn with Animals & Accessories.

Zing

Primo Toys

Primo Toys’ Montessori-approved coding toy for children ages 3 and up, Cubetto is a screenless programming system powered by a coding language made of colorful blocks. The complete playset consists of a wooden robot named Cubetto, a physical programming console, a set of expandable coding blocks, a world map, and an illustrated activity book. By moving the blocks in different patterns on the control panel, children can create sequences of instructions that program the robot’s movement. In the process, they start to develop an early understanding of how coding works, in a very age-appropriate way. Kids can play with either a basic Cubetto or the Cubetto+Adventure Pack.

Thumb Chucks

New for 2017 comes Thumb Chucks, a skill toy made for “finger rollin‘ fun.” Twirl, flip, and twist Thumb Chucks around your fingers to perform tricks. Two high-bounce plastic ‘Chucks’ are connected with a ‘belt’ and fit right in your pocket. Kids can master a wide range of tricks, from intermediate to advanced. Thanks to the builtin motion-sensitive LED lights, the Chucks also glow in the dark. Thumb Chucks are for ages 5 and up. Kids can also download the free Thumb Chucks app, available on iOS and Android, which includes 20-plus trick tutorials. The app also includes an easy-to-use recording feature with built-in special effects to enhance and personalize your own Thumb Chucks videos. Thumb Chucks are available in red, orange, green, and blue. Zing is also expanding its Stikbot line with new themes and characters. For spring comes Skitbot Pets, which taps into the pop culture phenomenon of creating, watching, and sharing viral pet videos. Stikbot fans can now include their favorite four-legged friends in their Skitbot stop-motion films. Stikbot Pets are available now in StikBulldog, StikCat, StikDog, StikMonkey, StikCow, StikHorse, StikGorilla, and StikBear. Stikbot Pets will be available this summer. Each Stikbot Pet is available in brown, red, blue, and green. Skitbot also adds Skitbot Safari figures. Tigers can roam the savannas, rhinos can bask in the sun, and hippos can spend the day swimming in your stop-motion movies. Stikbot Safari figures are available in StikTiger, StikRhino, StikHippo, StikElephant, StikCroc, StikPython, and StikZebra. Stikbot Pets and Safari figures are easy to pose and feature built-in suction cup hands and feet that can stick to almost any flat surface. With the free Stikbot Studio app, available on iOS and Android, kids can snap individual photos and stitch them together into a film, complete with built-in music and sound effect options. Users can share their creations using #Stikbot and see what others are making all over the world. Skitbot is for ages 4 and up.

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TOY FAIR/2017 1-2-3 Build It! Plane

Learning Resources

Learning Resources offers a sampling of what will be on display at Toy Fair. The 1-2-3 Build It! CarPlane-Boat is a construction toy that can be built three different ways. Teach early STEM skills, such as engineering, with mix-and-match pieces that create a car, airplane, and tugboat (one at a time). Use the play screwdriver to put big, chunky parts into place. With the electronic Pretend and Play Teaching ATM Bank, children learn money skills as they deposit, withdraw, and save real and pretend money. Features include coin recognition, a mechanical bill feeder, play money, and a pretend ATM card. The Puzzle Globe’s matching posts and holes make it easy to put continents in place. The rotating globe features animals and landmarks, six continent puzzle pieces, six continent labels, and one sheet of blank label stickers. Or build your own robot friend with the Count & Build TotBot. Strengthen fine motor skills by twisting shape, number, and color pieces into place with the toy wrench.

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HABA

Roly Poly Chicken

HABA’s Rainmaker Wormy is a multi-colored worm with balls in its belly. Move Wormy and the balls move and make sounds. With Mouse Mix Up, builders can stack the 14 wooden pieces however they like. Stack them a certain way to make a tree, three animals, or one large creature. Liese is one of the newest additions to the HABA doll line. Its chenille hair is up in pigtails and it dons a fancy dress with removable pink tights and dark pink shoes. Liese is compatible with all HABA doll clothing for 12- and 13.75-inch dolls. The doll is also machine washable. With the Magnetic Game Flower Maze, guide the balls with the magnetic rod around the flower garden, or sort them by color to match the corresponding blossoms. The Zookeeper Sorting Box is just like a real zoo. Within every section there is a slide: If pushed down, only the half wooden shapes fit through the opening. If pushed upward, the opening is large enough for the whole wooden shape. As children engage in the pretend play of feeding the animals they become more familiar with color and shape recognition. It’s for ages 1 and up. Roly Poly Chicken is a soft, wobbly chicken that makes a jingle sound when nudged. Its sturdy plastic base allows the toy to wobble without falling over.

Magformers

Click, connect, create with the Magformers Walking Robot 45-piece set. Build eight walking characters using Magformers’ STEAM engine block and walking accessories. With the 64-piece Shimmer and Shine Carnival set, click Magformers together to build genie lamps, gondolas, and more. Add four double-sided Shimmer and Shine character card inserts into your ideas to bring them to life. Construct buildings from 2-D to 3-D with Magformers Build Up 50-piece set. Use Magformers pull-up building technique to create cabins, towers, and apartments. Clip in balconies, windows, and bricks and create your own stories. Each geometric shape contains Magformers’ patent magnets that never reject, so they’ll always click into place. All Magformers are interchangeable.

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TOY FAIR/2017

Coastline Sports’ Grip ‘n Rip Football

Mensch on a Bench assortment

The Mensch on a Bench

The Mensch on a Bench family has expanded with two new female characters. Hannah the Hanukkah Hero is a sequel to Mensch on a Bench. The soft doll-and-book combo pack features the story of Hannah, the girl who brings the oil back to the temple. Ask Bubbe is a Magic 8 Ball meets any Jewish grandmother. She features more than 12 humorous phrases, sounds just like a Jewish grandmother, and is for ages 3 and up.

Hedstrom The Coastline Sports water line is a line of footballs, volleyballs, and soccer balls you can kick, throw, and bounce, all while in the water. It also has skipper balls to do tricks and licensed assortments featuring characters from Finding Dory and Ultimate Spider-Man. This year, Hedstrom will also roll out new assortments of its classic volleyballs, soccer balls, footballs, bocce, and beanbag toss featuring beverage brands Mountain Dew and Corona. Corona-branded product is intended for those of legal drinking age, says the company.

Hunter Products

Shibajuku Girls by Hunter Products are fashion dolls inspired by Japanese culture, Harajuku style, and some of Japan’s most fashion-forward districts. Each doll has its own unique style, and includes accessories that kids can wear, too. Designed in Australia, Shibajuku Girls are already available in Russia, England, and France. Now, the dolls are making their U.S. debut. Wave one of the line includes Shizuka, Koe, Yoko, Suki, and Namika. They are for ages 3 and up.

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KidKraft

Wash and go with this multi-level car wash playset from KidKraft. With the Wash n Go Car Garage, vehicles can zoom up and down the ramps, whiz up the elevator, and roll through the car wash scrubbers. It comes with a helicopter and four vehicles as well as four wooden figures.

Razor

Razor’s PowerLite A is an ultra-light lithium-powered electric scooter. Using the kick-start high-torque motor, riders can go up to 10 mph for up to 45 minutes of continuous use, says Razor. PowerLite A launches this fall for riders ages 8 and up. The original RSF is now available in a smaller size this summer. The RSF350, for ages 13 and up, features custom 10-inch three-spoke mag wheels and street tires. The two 12V rechargeable batteries allow up to 30 minutes of continuous use at speeds up to 14 mph. Razor’s new line of lithium-powered electric skateboards bring skateboarding into the 21st century. There are two sizes to choose from: the RazorX Cruiser and the RazorX Longboard. RazorX’s geared rear-wheel drive means no need for alignment issues, chains, or belts, resulting in little to no maintenance. Riders can go up to 10 mph on both boards and the rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs provide up to 40 minutes of continuous use. Both boards are available this summer for ages 9 and up.

Razor RSF350

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TOY FAIR/2017 Peppy Pets

Killer Instinct

Ultimate Source

Ultimate Source’s Killer Instinct figures feature high level of precision details. Each sculpt is based on the real, in-game, 3-D models. Hand-painted weapons and accessories, custom articulation, and a base-themed to a unique in-game fighting environment add further detail to the line. Each Ultimate Source Killer Instinct figure also includes a Microsoft redemption code to unlock an exclusive 10th color for in-game play.

TPF Toys As the follow-up to last year’s Peppy Pups, TPF Toys introduces Peppy Pets. The new collection will include a Dalmatian, Pug, Bulldog, Unicorn, and Dinosaur. Like Peppy Pups, the new plush pals feature soft fur, a patented skeletal structure that emulates lifelike movements, and require no batteries. Each pet runs, jumps, wiggles, and waggles when walked on its accompanying leash. For ages 4 and up, the new Dalmatian Peppy Pets will be available this spring. The rest will launch for fall.

DuneCraft

DuneCraft’s new lineup for 2017 includes terrariums, sprouting kits, novelty, seasonal, habitats, and polymer science. New Halloween items include Blood & Guts, Eerie Eyeballs, Ghostly Glow Goo, Spirit Beans, and more. Each comes with a variety of POP options. There are also two new Glass Terrarium lines: the Triple Bubble, a passive air-cleaning terrarium, and the Terrarium within a Terrarium. Additional items include a Mosquito Beater Dome that repels mosquitoes, Fairy Seed Stones, a new Mushroom Mini Dome, a new Fun Science Header: Fantastic Frogs, and a hatching Sea-Saurus. Many of these items are 100-percent made in the U.S.

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Jax Games

In Flip’N Chips, pour out the chips on a flat surface. Players take turns flipping chips over to match the colors and shapes on the chips. Get seven matching chips to win. It’s for two to four players, ages 6 and up. In the action board game, Skatter, try to roll your Skazooms into your five holes. Land in your hole, and place a chip there. But land in an opponent’s hole and the chip goes to him. Be the first to land all five to win. It’s for two to four players, ages 7 and up.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Funrise

Blue Orange Games

For 2017, Blue Orange will highlight five new games for two to four players. In Tumble Tree, for ages 6 and up, players work to build their own baobab tree by placing cards carefully on the trunk. The leopards leap, the bats fly, the snakes slither, and the monkeys swing in this balancing card game. But beware of the stinging bees. Avoid penalties and be the player with the least amount of cards at the end to win. Become a mixing master in another game for ages 6 and up, Go Go Gelato. Using four scoops, three cones, two hands, and one challenge card, players work to fill customers’ orders as quickly as they can. Pass the scoops back and forth between the cones, without touching or dropping them. Be the first to fill the order exactly as it looks on the card, or loose the race. In the science-fueled game, Dr. Microbe, help Dr. Microbe complete her research with tweezers, a petri dish, and the colorful “microbes.” Using logic, race your fellow scientists to figure out which microbes are missing from the semi-complete challenge cards, and snatch them up fast. This is for ages 8 and up. In Flying Kiwis, the flight-less kiwis want to go on vacation. Help sneak them inside a fruit crate so they can catch a ride to paradise. Using a ramp, aim carefully and launch your kiwis into the crate to help disguise the birds. Group the kiwis by color to make sure they hitch a ride with their friends along the way. Less is more in the card game Zero. Group the cards in your hand by number and color to try canceling out their point values. Each turn, swap out cards, making sure to keep an eye on your opponents. Strategize carefully to achieve the ultimate combo: zero.

72 tfe February 2017

Serving as master toy licensee for the new Netflix show Luna Petunia, Funrise has created a preschool toy line that brings the world of Amazia to life. Featuring the main characters and key moments from the show, the toy line includes an assortment of figures, mini playsets, plush, large dolls, and signature roleplay items. Rounding out the line is the key driver, the Petunia Manor Playset, with exclusive figures and lights and sounds from the show. The series is a collaboration between Saban Brands and Cirque du Soleil Jr. Gazillion bubbles, the premium bubbles brand from Funrise, will debut a new Giant Bubble line for spring. The new Giant Gazillion Solution is a specially created formula that creates larger, more elasticized bubbles that works with new items from the Giant line. These items include the Giant Bubble Mill, a ferris wheeltype machine that will produce endless, large-scale bubbles and the Giant Power Wand, a hand-held item that will create a stream of larger bubbles. This year also marks the 70th anniversary of the Tonka brand. Tonka Tinys will continue to be a focus moving into spring and fall, with additional vehicle styles packaged in their signature blind box garages. The Tinys line will expand the Tonka play with new mini playsets launching in spring and the larger key driver Rescue Response Station playset for fall. The line is rounded out by an assortment of lights-andsounds vehicles within the Minis and Mighty Motorized segments as well as the brand’s classic range of Steel vehicles.

GeoSafari Jr Talking Telescope

Educational Insights

For 2017, Educational Insights expands its GeoSafari Jr. line with a celebrity product introduction. The new GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope is the only talking microscope for preschoolers, now featuring the voice of wildlife conservationist, Bindi Irwin. Little learners can investigate animals, plants, and household items up close. The microscope also features 20 slides, 100 facts, and quiz questions about each image. Pictured is the GeoSafari Jr. Talking Telescope.

Endless Games

Calliope Games

Calliope Games’ Tsuro: The Game of the Path is a family strategy game for ages 8 and up. Players place tiles and then slide their stone along the path created. But be careful, other players’ paths can lead you in the wrong direction—or off the board entirely. Paths will cross and connect, and the choices made may affect all players on the board. Be the last player left on the board to win. In the family game Hive Mind, player bees are trying to prove they should stay in the hive by thinking in harmony with the other bees. Players take turns rolling the die, moving the Queen Bee along the garden track, and asking and answering questions to assess their compatibility with the rest of the hive. The more answers they have in common with other players, the more points they get. Bees with the lowest point totals move closer to the hive door and when one or more bees leave the hive, the game is over. The bees remaining in the hive win. In Roll For It!, roll your dice, match a card, and score points. Be careful, though, other players may challenge you for the card you’re after. The first player to collect 40 points wins. Up to four people can play with either the Red or Purple Edition box, or combine the two for up to eight players. Roll For It! Deluxe is also available.

Endless Games introduces The Original Slappys: The Dare You Wear, a slap-bracelet party game featuring hundreds of dares and challenges to choose to pass around. Hit your unsuspecting friends with a Slappy, and they have to do what it says. Then, it’s their turn to pass it on. With challenges such as Shake someone’s hand without letting go, Sing ‘I’m A Little Teapot’ with all of the action; and Constantly interrupt everyone, Slappys are an instant party, says Endless Games. The Original Slappys will debut in three series of eight Slappys. Endless Games’ Fashion Sense is the game that asks players what to wear. Young fashionistas, ages 8 and up, select outfits for events such as a red carpet movie premier, dinner with the president, or a barnyard barbecue. Put some style in your selection and get voted “Best Dressed” to walk the runway and win the game. Remember the classic movies Framing Bottles and A Tinkle in Mindy? Or a timeless song like “Mary Be Goat Bank”? If not, that’s because they’re Out of Order. In Out of Order, players work to unscramble and identify out-oforder movie and song titles one clue at a time to reveal their true identity. Five steps later and the real titles, such as Blazing Saddles, A Wrinkle in Time, and “Baby Got Back” will emerge.

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TOY FAIR/2017

Animal Jam Adopt-a-Pet Series 2

Jazwares

The Bridge Direct

New for 2017 comes the Atari Classic Games Joystick, based on the iconic Atari 2600 gaming console. The Atari Classic Games Joystick plugs directly into any TV and offers ten different classic Atari games, including Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Missile Command, and more. The games feature retro graphics and all the original gameplay, without all the cartridges. It’s for ages 8 and up. It launches this fall. Also new for fall is the Fisher-Price Classics Tape Recorder, introducing the classic music player to a new generation. Kids, ages 2 and up, can sing and dance along to the built-in music, and then using the microphone to record their own voice with it.

The Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company

The Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company’s Übals are collectible stuffed creatures that feature “zoom-around” movements for added play. There are 24 to collect in series one. Squooshies are super soft and squishy plush characters. They are available in two sizes, four-inch and 8.5-inch plush. Surprizamals are collectible characters that come hidden in Surprizaballs. With more than 40 to collect, you never know which pet you’ll get. Series two and three Surprizamals now include sea-themed characters. Squooshies

74 tfe February 2017

Jazwares will add more than 65 new Peppa Pig items to the line in 2017, including plush, figures, vehicles, roleplay items, and playsets. The new three-level Lights and Sound Family Home features three character figures (Peppa, George, and a bonus figure) and 18 accessories that bring the house’s interactive features to life. The Peppa Pig Kitchen with Baking Accessories is a kitchen playset with 15-plus accessories included, such as a tea kettle that whistles, a frying pan that sizzles when placed on the stove, and a working oven light. Other products include the Interactive Muddy Puddles Play Mat as well as, for the first-time in the U.S., Princess Peppa-themed items, including the Princess Peppa Castle Playset, Princess Peppa Carriage, Little Castle Fort with George, and Royal Pig Family Pack. Jazwares will also debut a new toy line based on the new Nick Jr. series Hey Duggee. Join Duggee and other Squirrels Club members, Enid the Cat and Naughty Monkey, in the Hey Dugee Clubhouse playset as you play, make friends, and earn adventure badges. Additional products include the Large Duggee Feature Plush with sounds, Squirrel Club Multipack, Duggee’s Rescue Vehicle, Hey Duggee collectible figures, and small plush assortment. Chuggington is unveiling new episodes on Disney Jr., and Jazwares is bringing that world to life. The Little Chuggers in Garages are collectible stackable mini garages that connect to the train tracks. Create different track configurations with 10-track pieces and accessories with the Deluxe Track Pack. Then use the Chug Wash playset, with an exclusive Wilson figure, to give trains a cleaning. Additional products include the Chug Patrol HQ, Repair Shed, Starter Track Pack, and Motorized Train. Animal Jam’s Adopt-a-Pet Series 2 Igloos launch this spring, featuring 106 winter-themed collectible pets with ultra rare pets. Each toy comes with an exclusive online game code to unlock new game features. Series 2 Igloos are sold as singles and five-packs, and stack and display to build on Series 1 houses. Animal Jam, in association with National Geographic, is a leading online social game for kids.

Wonderhood

Wonderhood expands its building toys for girls, ages 5 and up, with two new products. The Wonderhood Pet Place features a spinning wheel, figurine named Izzy, pet figurines, 12 Wonderhood illustrated building panels, and an activity journal. Girls can build a full-service pet center complete with a veterinarian clinic, pet spa, and a pet store, and act out their adventures. The Wonderhood Town House building set is a starter set to get girls building and creating imaginary storylines. The Town House set features one figurine, eight Wonderhood illustrated building panels, and an activity journal. Both sets will be available this August at specialty retailers nationwide.

Cardinal

Cardinal, now a division of Spin Master, will offer new games and puzzles featuring hot properties for 2017. Hatchimals will be showcased in puzzles and games, including a 46-piece Mystery puzzle packaged in its iconic egg. The package wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reveal which creature is on the puzzle inside. The Hatchimals Eggventure Game includes four exclusive Hatchimals figures, with one Mystery Hatchimals in every game. Players travel the board collecting and hatching eggs. Cardinal has also launched a new line of challenging adult puzzle. These Milton Bradley puzzles, featuring the Big Ben and EZ Grasp brands, combine fine art and photography with bright colors and high-quality details. Packaging also features unique puzzle dies and add-ons. Also new for 2017 is a line of games and puzzles from Stephen Joseph, a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle brand best known for its bright colors and unique designs in backpacks, rain gear, toys, crafts, and more. The line will include cardboard, wood, and foam puzzles as well as playing cards and memory card games. Adding to its extensive range of licensed, wood, lenticular, foil and Puzz 3D puzzles comes Pixel Puzzles with a new package refresh, new concepts, and new constructions. Cardinal will also expand its line of classic and traditional games with new iterations and gameplay, including its relaunch of the classic game Othello, which will introduce the strategy game to a new generation.

Wonderhood Pet Place

Uncle Milton

Uncle Milton will launch a new STEM-based line of toys called Ever Wonder? The new line will encourage kids to wonder and ask questions about their world while inspiring and teaching kids about real science. Each toy will have a kid-friendly question associated with it that will be answered through play and educational content. The Ever Wonder? brand includes best-selling Uncle Milton products such as Moon In My Room, Rainbow In My Room, and 3D Star Theater as well as the following new items. In Pinball Arcade Circuit Lab and Robot Circuit Lab, connect real electronic circuits and activate lights and sounds from a pinball game or robot to learn how electronics make them work. In the Zero Gravity Lab, perform gravity experiments using real electrostatic energy while learning about positive and negative electrical charges. With Astro Rocket Launcher, perform flight experiments while launching a rocket to learn about aerodynamics. Double Rainbow in My Room projects a giant, double rainbow on your wall, with a brighter LED than the original, different auto programs and a unique base design as you learn about how double rainbows are created. With the Cosmic Nebula Globe, move light energy with your hands with real plasma energy to learn about cosmic nebulae in space. The line will launch this fall.

February 2017 tfe 75

TOY FAIR/2017 Little Cosmetics

Little Cosmetics’ Pretend Nail Polish Accessory Set is a pretend nail polish and lipstick duo that gives little ones an opportunity to engage in creative play without the mess. With Little Cosmetics’ Play-Flow technology, the pretend nail polish has sparkly liquid that flows through the bottle, but nothing pours out. A sturdy brush cap allows for pretend nail painting. Complete with a removable cap and a twistable tube, the pretend lipstick looks realistic in colors just like mom wears, but is completely fake and mess-free.

Discovery Consumer Products

MasterPieces The Spot it! Sports Edition available in NFL, MLB, NHL, and NCAA sports. Each version is offered as league and select team editions. The game includes 55 cards of famous symbols of team traditions, landmarks, and icons and comes in a collectible tin box. To win, be the quickest player to spot the matching symbol. There is only one match between any two cards.

Hatch ‘Ems Sea Creatures

Discovery Consumer Products (DCP) debuts products from an array of partners for the Animal Planet and Discovery brands. Animal Planet continues its 16-plus year partnership with Toys “R” Us, which dedicates 20 feet of space in its learning world section in all stores. The Animal Planet toy line continues to grow within the ocean, land, monsters, and dinosaur themes. Licensees, including Masterpieces, SCS Direct and Wild Republic, will display product from the line. MasterPieces adds new animal and wildlife images to its puzzle line by wildlife fine artist Carl Brenders. This includes jungle, ocean, forest, and safari life themes, along with focuses on specific animals such as giraffes, cheetahs, peacocks, lions, and more. SCS Direct spotlights its Animal Planet Hatch ’Ems eggs, featuring dinosaurs and safari, rain forest, and sea creatures that, when placed in water, grow up to 10 times their original size. Fun Fact Cards provide information on each species. A portion of the proceeds from consumer purchases benefit the principal partners of R.O.A.R., Animal Planet’s charitable campaign. Wild Republic continues to develop the Animal Planet plush with new designs debuting in 2017 as well as Discovery’s Shark Week plush. The Discovery (formerly Discovery Kids) brand focuses on “smart fun” and encouraging kids to explore the world around them. DCP licensees at Toy Fair include Horizon Group USA, Sakar, The Bridge Direct, and Merchsource. Horizon Group USA will display a broad array of science activity kits for ages 6–11, including the Discovery Extreme Weather Kit and the Discovery Glowing Science Kit about chemical reactions and compounds. Sakar will display a broad array of youth electronic products including camera, audio, and music products for ages 6–12. The Discovery Rugged Waterproof Speaker mounts to a bike to provide the perfect playlist for off-roading adventures. The Discovery Action Cam lets kids capture and share HD videos. It is enclosed in a waterproof case to keep your camera dry as you shoot. The Bridge Direct adds Discovery reel packets for Mattel’s View-Master. The range features marine life, dinosaurs, safari adventures, and space adventures. The Discovery brand is seeking additional partners in the following categories: ride-ons, board games, card games, outdoor, sporting goods, and preschool. DCP also seeks partners for Animal Planet in the following categories: arts and crafts, board games, card games, collectibles, seasonal, ride-ons, and vehicle toys.

76 tfe February 2017

Bloco Toys

Bloco Toys launches the new Animalia construction toy collection. Kids learn about animals as they build. Each Bloco box contains colorful high-density foam pieces, plastic twist-and-tilt connectors, and an educational instructions sheet. The first three releases are The Lion and the Meerkat; The Hyena and the Chimpanzee; and The Zebra, The Giraffe, and the Elephant sets.

Brackitz

The Hyena and the Chimpanzee

Brackitz introduces a new building system with its Pulleys Set. With the addition of pulleys, string, crank and a bucket, ages 4 and up can design and create zip-lines, cranes, elevators, draw-bridges, and more with this 88-piece set.

LEGO

Last month at CES, LEGO unveiled LEGO BOOST, a new supercharged building and coding set that lets kids bring LEGO creations to life by adding sound, movement, and personality. LEGO BOOST brings movement to any LEGO creation via its Move Hub, a LEGO stud-covered brick upon which children can add LEGO elements, motors, and a sensor that combines color and distance detection. The LEGO BOOST set includes instructions for five models: Vernie The Robot, Frankie The Cat, the Guitar 4000, the Multi-Tool Rover 4 (M.T.R.4), and the Autobuilder. Each is designed to allow children to personalize whatever they build. It is for ages 7–12. New for March, LEGO BrickHeadz sets offer new ways to collect, build, LEGO Batman Movie Batcave Break-in and display iconic characters from movies, TV, games, and comics. With the Iron Man BrickHeadz, kids can recreate the character’s signature details, including Iron Man’s red-and-yellow suit of armor. The figure also stands on a buildable baseplate with series number and BrickHeadz icon. The line is for ages 10 and up. Based on the new LEGO Batman Movie comes a lineup of buildable sets, including the Batmobile and Batcave Break-in. The Batmobile features a dual cockpit for Batman and Robin, two stud shooters, and multi-directional wheels for three different modes of play: race mode, monster truck mode, and parallel parking mode. Man-Bat is equipped with a dynamite element and the Kabuki Twins each have claws for roleplay battle action. Defend against The Penguin’s Duckmobile invasion with the Batcave Break-in set. The Batcave features a rotating transformation chamber for Bruce Wayne to transform into Batman, rotating Batcomputer control center with multi-screen elements, an elevating platform, and a prison with an “exploding” escape wall function. The Batcave also has a rotating wardrobe with alternative Scu-Batsuit, Raging Batsuit, and Bat-Pack Batsuit minifigure bodies for Batman. Use the Batboat’s spring-loaded missiles against the Duckmobile’s dual stud shooters and flick missiles. Both sets are for ages 8–14. Play out real-life scenarios in the LEGO DUPLO My Town Family House. With this easy-to-build house, ages 2–5 can practice activities and routines such as getting up in the morning, preparing and eating a meal, and washing the car. It includes three DUPLO figures. Celebrate the fifth anniversary of the LEGO mini-doll with the LEGO DC Super Hero Girls. In the LEGO DC Super Hero Girls world, Supergirl and Poison Ivy battle Lena Luthor. This set features three mini-doll figures, a three-level school building with swiveling classrooms, café, extending ramp, chain and disc shooters, Poison Ivy’s motorbike, Lena’s jet with rotating thrusters, and a gripping claw at the front, plus two purple Kryptomites. In the Batjet building set, the yellow Kryptomite has stolen Batgirl’s ePad and is speeding off on its buggy. Kids can build and help Batgirl chase Kryptomite down in her Batjet. Fire the stud shooters and release the net to stop Kryptomite in its tracks. This set features a Batgirl mini-doll figure; the Batjet with opening cockpit, stud shooters on the wings, and a net shooter at the front; plus Kryptomite buggy with an ePad and a yellow Kryptomite. This line is for ages 8–12.

February 2017 tfe 77

TOY FAIR/2017 Zuru

For Toy Fair, Zuru will highlight three new items in its line of self-tying water balloons. The Bunch O Balloons Filler/Soaker can fill up Bunch O Balloons or double as a water blaster. Just attach the balloons, place the Filler/Soaker into a body of water, and kids will have hundreds of balloons in minutes. Minions characters also come to life as Minions Bunch O Balloons water balloons. The collection uses the same patented water-fill technology as regular Bunch O Balloons. The new Minions Bunch O Balloons three-pack features Minion characters hidden amongst the balloons. There are also Original Rapid Fill Three-Packs, each featuring 35 water balloon bunches in assorted colors. The latest addition to the X-Shot Bug Attack arsenal is a lightweight X-Shot Bug Attack Crossbow with lifelike firing mechanisms that can make bugs tumble from 55 feet away. The X-Shot Bubble Ball takes contact sports to the extreme with its durable material and easy to inflate system. The X-Shot Bubble Ball is available in two team colors, blue and orange.

Dreamland Fairy

While a Tooth Fairy might visit a few times a year, a Dreamland Fairy might fly in from Fairyland on any given night. For this, there’s the Dreamland Fairy Kit. Kids can paint this little wooden home, which features a peaked roof that stands eight-inches tall. The final touch is a packet of glittery fairy dust. The fairy kit includes an illustrated book. There is also the Tooth Fairy Fort, featuring a miniature wooden tree fort with tooth chest. Keep it near the bed to give tooth fairies a place to visit. The kit also includes paint, craft supplies, and a storybook about Toozle the Tooth Fairy.

78 tfe February 2017

Regal Academy

Alpha Group

Alpha Group (formerly Audley) will unveil a full line of fashion dolls and playsets based on the animated Nickelodeon series Regal Academy this summer. Alpha is the North American master toy partner. The storyline follows Rose Cinderella, the granddaughter of Cinderella, as she enters the Regal Academy where she embarks on magical adventures with her classmates who also have fairy tale heritage and belong to the school’s founding families. Designed for girls age 5 and up, the line incorporates the colors and magical elements of Regal Academy and includes 14 SKUs across seven assortments. Drone Force is an all-new team of R/C creatures, each with different performance and battle features. Stinger is an alien drone with stable and intuitive flight control. It features a durable exoskeleton roll-cage for safe and strong indoor flying. Arachno Fury is a spider-themed drone that performs flips, dips, and dive bomb stunts indoors and outdoors. With an infrared-targeting system, the indoor/outdoor Raptor Strike takes aim and fires dual missiles in flight. Angler Attack features an electro-surge attack with luminescent LEDs and glow FX. It also features one-touch takeoff and landing for easy indoor and outdoor flight. Morph Zilla Surface to the sky. Drive in Ape Mode, morph into action and then fly in Drone Mode. It’s easy to morph, stunt, and fly. It’s for use both indoors and outdoors. Alpha’s new Super Wings line for 2017 includes Jett’s Super Robot. This large-scale robot, for ages 3 and up, transforms into a big rig vehicle for Jett to use in either mode on special missions. It also features lights and sounds and includes a Transforming Jett figure that transforms from plane to bot. It launches this fall.

Playmates Toys

As the global master toy partner for Cartoon Network’s relaunch of the Ben 10 animated series, Playmates Toys will roll out new items for fall. The Ben 10 Basic Action Figure Assortment includes Ben Tennyson, the 10 different heroic aliens that he transforms into, as well as additional adversary characters from the show. Ranging in height up to five-inches tall, each figure is highly detailed, articulated, and comes with themed accessories. The assortment features Ben & Grey Matter, Heatblast, Diamondhead, Four Arms, Cannonbolt, XLR8, Overflow, Wildvine, Stinkfly, Upgrade, Hex, Steam Smythe, and Dr. Animo. Transform into any of Ben’s 10 aliens, through the power of the Deluxe Omnitrix. The Deluxe Omnitrix features include more than 100 alien phrases and sound effects, including motion-activation for unique battle sound effects. The Rustbucket Vehicle & Playset is a two-in-one vehicle that transforms into a giant three-level playset standing at more than two feet tall. Playmates is the master toy licensee for DreamWorks Animation’s Voltron Legendary Defender. The Voltron Basic Action Figure Assortment lets kids collect heroes and villains from the Voltron universe. Each 5.5-inch figure is highly detailed and articulated, with accessories and play features, such as battling actions or firing projectiles. Also launching for spring is an assortment of combinable figures, including the Voltron Legendary Lion Assortment, Voltron Legendary Electronic Black Lion, and the Ultimate Voltron 14-Inch Electronic Figure. The Legendary Lions are fully articulated with projectile launchers for stand-alone play. Transform and combine all five Legendary Lions to form a 16inch fully articulated Voltron figure featuring more than 50 sound. As the longtime master toy licensee for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT), the all-new TMNT Micro Mutants line contains 1.15-inch, fully articulated figures with accessories, Turtles-themed micro vehicles, and playsets with multiple levels of play. With the Micro Mutants Pet Turtles Playset Assortment, transform your Pet Turtle figure into a Micro Mutant playset. Each playset has more than 10 features, such as battle platforms, false floors, ejection stairs, and multiple levels of play. Each Pet Turtles playset comes with two fully articulated micro action figures and accessories. With season five of the Nickelodeon series kicking off this spring, Playmates Ben 10 Deluxe will also roll out new additions to the Omnitrix TMNT Basic Figures and roleplay line as well as expand its line of co-branded action figures featuring Nickelodeon’s TMNT dressed as WWE superstars for fall.

Shimmer and Shine Jewel Water Pack

Little Kids

Little Kids celebrates the 25th anniversary of the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler, which since its launch has expanded to include the No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket, the No-Spill Bubble Tumbler Minis, and the No-Spill Bubblin’ Bucket. Little Kids has launched a limited run of products with 25th anniversary packaging and special celebrations are planned for Toy Fair 2017. The Little Kids spring line will debut the first bubble toys from a new licensing partnership with PJ Masks as well as returning Nickelodeon properties including PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Shimmer and Shine, and more. With the PAW Patrol Bubble Pup Tags, each bubble bottle is shaped like the characters’ pup tags on the show. Each features a break-away neck cord and a full-color graphic label. Or grab the PAW Patrol Marshall Action Bubble Blower and pull back on Marshall’s head to blow lots of bubbles. Blow bubbles with the Shimmer and Shine Magic Bubble Necklace, a sculpted bubble necklace that looks like Leah's necklace from Shimmer and Shine. Unscrew the top of the genie bottle to reveal the bubble wand inside. With your Shimmer & Shine Jewel Water Pack, fill the jewel pack with water, put it on, adjust the easy-slide straps, take aim, and blast away. The Fubbles Monster Bubble Maker featuring an expandable Monster Bubble Wand. Wave the wand through the air for monster-sized bubbles. Little Kids also unveiled new product and flavors (Green Apple, Cotton Candy, and Strawberry Pineapple) to its line of Candylicious Bubbles edible bubble products and expanded its Jelly Belly- and Peeps-branded products for Easter.

February 2017 tfe 79

TOY FAIR/2017

Vintage Little One & Me Backpacks

Stormy the Cat

GUND

Flappy the Elephant is a singing animated plush with two different play modes. Press the left foot to play an interactive game of peek-a-boo, and the right foot to hear the song “Do Your Ears Hang Low” in a child’s voice. Stormy the Cat is the little sister and super-soft sidekick to internet sensation Pusheen. This 6.5-inch Stormy plush is soft to the touch. The My Magical Sound & Lights Unicorn is a 17-inch animated plush featuring light-up wings and sparkling sounds when you pet its back. A rainbow mane and tail and sparkly accents on the harness, horn, and wings complete its look. GUND DC Comics Night Lights are eight-inch nightlights available as Batman and Superman, to protect against ghosts, ghouls. These plush pals glow softly from within and turn off automatically after 30 minutes. Teach Me Curious George Fisherman features his signature fishing hat as well as a functional vest that helps kids practice the following skills: buttoning buttons, tying laces, and snapping buttons.

80 tfe February 2017

Lassig

The Lassig Organic Cotton Knit Blanket is made of 100-percent organic cotton and offers multiple uses for baby. Use it as a place for a quick diaper change, for baby to crawl and play on, as a cot cover, or simply for snuggle time. The blanket is available in an assortment of styles including Stripes in Light Pink and Light Grey, Pebbles in Light Mint and Light Grey, and Sparkles in Light Peach and Light Blue. The Vintage Little One & Me Backpacks offers a matching look for parents and children. These canvas backpacks, with high quality appliqués made of imitation leather on the clasps, are available for parents, as well as in a smaller version for children. The Diaper Backpack comes with a full range of accessories, including a water-repellent changing mat, an insulated removable bottle holder, an accessory pouch, a removable baby food jar holder, and a water-repellent wet compartment. The backpack can be attached directly to the stroller with the included stroller hooks. The small backpack provides room for a lunch box in the main compartment and is equipped with side pockets for a water bottle or sunscreen. Inside, there is an accessories pouch and a snap hook to bring along extra items. The backpack also has a name badge on the back. Both backpack sizes have a drawstring closure. Backpacks are available in sizes big and small.

Haywire Group

Haywire Group introduces a line of four card games available exclusively at specialty brickand-mortar stores. Hey! Those Are My Glasses is a game of shapes, for ages 4 and up. Match the shapes of the glasses with the shapes on the die, and then collect every match made. Slow Poke is Haywire’s take on the classic game of Old Maid, featuring a colorful collection of nature’s slow-moving creatures including sea horses, koalas, basset hounds, and sloths. In Beekeeper, for ages 6 and up, handle the hives as your swarm of drones and queens is flipped and rearranged. Create two colonies before your opponents do to earn the title of “honey-harvesting hero.” In Mars Needs Heroes!, a Martian colony is under siege from galactic invaders. Use your team of allies (the Bot, the Doctor, the Technician, and two Squad Leaders) to outplay your opponents and capture as many evildoers as you can. This game is for ages 8 and up. All games will be available in March.

People Toy Company

Paper Punk

For ages 6 and up, the LEGO/Origami mash-up kits include a variety of punch-and-fold shapes, shape sheets, backdrops, and stickers. Paper Punk sets include the Color + Build Graffiti Blocks, Color + Build My Life as a Fashion Designer, and My Little Pony Figures and Castle Sets.

People Toy Company’s Brain Builders puts the focus on sensory toys designed for baby’s earliest months. With the Baby Senses Coordinator, for ages two months and up, baby can follow the colorful beads that move left and right. Then improve motor skills as he learns to grip the coordinator and watch as the beads roll back and forth. The Baby Yoga Exercise Ball, for ages 4 months and up, is a soft washable ball that features soothing rustling and bell sounds. The Educational EdBrain Builders die Rattle, for ages 5 months and up, is a 6.2-inch multi-sense rattle Baby Senses Coordinator with a variety of shapes and textures. Chewable rope, teething feet, hinged limbs, and a soft ripple hat stimulate the senses whether in the mouth or hand. The Lullaby Rattle, for ages birth and up, offers a calming jingle and features a sparkly applique. For ages 6 months and up, there is the Push and Pull UFO. It has eight colorful and interactive push-and-pull buttons. Push the landing button to hear melodies play. The Mochi toy series is created with rice harvested from Japan. Mochi, the Japanese word for rice cake, is a rice-plastic technology that’s 51 percent rice. The Mochi Blocks Premium Set is a 28-piece gift set that carries baby through milestones such as grasping blocks to stacking, sorting, and solving puzzles. The Mochi Teething Plate is made to look like a painter’s palette.

Lionel Download the free Lionel LionChief app and connect your 2017 Readyto-Run train set to your wireless device to run and operate. Using Bluetooth will also unlock additional features such as the ability to operate the train’s smoke, momentum, speed, volume (for background sounds, bell, whistle, and dialog), and pitch (for bell and whistle). New Ready-to-Run train sets include the Mickey & Friends Express, Polar Express, and Hogwarts Express. The Mickey & Friends set features a Mickey & Friends Express 2-4-2 Mickey and Minnie steam locomotive and tender, Donald Duck tank car, Goofy boxcar, Pluto caboose, 12 pieces of FasTrack, 54-watt wall-pack power supply, and LionChief remote. It also includes an operating headlight and Mickey ears that snap onto the locomotive cab. The Polar Express set includes a 2-8-4 locomotive and tender, two coach cars, observation car, four articulated movie characters, 12 pieces of FasTrack, LionChief remote, and The Polar Express bell. The locomotive features “All aboard the Polar Express” and “Tickets, please” movie sound clips, on/off switches for smoke and sound, operating headlight, puffing smoke unit, and more. The passenger car features interior lighting, decorated drumhead on observation car, rounded observation platform, and silhouettes in windows. Pretend to cross through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts Express. The set features a 4-6-0 locomotive, two passenger coaches, one combination car, 12 pieces of FasTrack, 54-watt wall-pack power supply, and LionChief remote. The train features a maintenance-free motor, operating headlight, puffing smoke, cab window “glass,” traction tires, die-cast metal locomotive body, and more. All these electric locomotives can be controlled by the LionChief remote or LionChief app. All locomotives feature RailSounds RC sound system with steam chuffing and background sounds, horn, whistle, bell, and user-activated announcements. They are for ages 14 and up.

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TOY FAIR/2017 The Legend of Wendigo

iello Games

The struggle to become the King of Tokyo just leveled up with the King of Tokyo: Power Up! 2017 expansion pack. This set comes with a set of evolution cards to power up your monsters, including evolutions for Kraken and Cyber Bunny from the original version. It’s compatible with the new and old version of King of Tokyo. The Cthulhu Monster Pack expands the King of Tokyo and King of New York board games. The pack comes with two sets of evolution cards; adds new mechanics to the game with Cultists, Temples, and Madness; and introduces a new monster for play. Steam Park: Play Dirty is a modular Steam Park expansion pack that lets players pick and choose what rules to change, and adds a fifth player to the game. Expansions include a new Extension Ride, new Stingy Visitors, the ability to play with the Park Director tiles, and new Espionage dice to spy on your opponents. There are also five new stands to play with: Fountain, Hall of Mirrors, Office, Shooting Gallery, and Incinerator. Steam Park: Robots is a mini expansion pack that allows players to upgrade the wooden Roboburgers from the Steam Park base game and the Play Dirty expansion with new plastic ones. It also introduces a new mechanic with V.I.R. and Stingy Visitors. The Legend of the Wendigo is part of the Little Monsters series, alongside Monster Chase. In the game, the Wendigo is a scary creature whose spirit still roams the forest attacking anyone who dares to speak its name. Players take on the roles of the Junior Chipmunk Scouts and must work together to find the Wendigo. One player plays as the Wendigo’s spirit, which has taken on the appearance of one of the scouts. Every night, it steals another scout. Each day, the other players can check the identity of a scout on the table. If they unmask the Wendigo before it’s too late, they win the game. Otherwise, the Wendigo player wins.

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Manhattan Toy Company

The Manhattan Toy Company’s Farmer’s Market Baby Beads Grapes is a grape-themed teething toy. It is made of wood beads strung together by an elastic cord to make a cluster of purple grapes with green wood leaves. New to the MiO collection comes the MiO Food Truck. The eight-piece set includes a food truck, small block, large block, four disks, and one MiO beanbag person. The truck has functioning wheels, a back door that loops shut, and a side window that opens for business. The Farmer’s Market Mother Hen Travel Toy jiggles with every pull of the teething ring. Its attached baby chick features crinkle paper and tucks away under the hen’s wing. Lift up mama hen’s other crinkle paper wing to reveal a discovery mirror. It also includes a plastic C-clip for easy attachment to strollers, carriers, diaper bags, and more. The Camp Acorn Play Map is a soft woodland-themed play mat for tummy time. Follow dashes to discover playful attachments and sensory features. It features a crinkle paper tree, squeaker, two teething rings that store in a fabric pouch, discovery mirror, colorful ribbons, and textured fabrics. It folds for storage and take-along play. The Atom Teether Toy features a plastic center sphere surrounded by 12 bendy arms for teething. Each arm features plastic clacking rings for added enjoyment. The Wee Baby Stella Snuggle Strawberry, for ages 6 months and up, features a peach Wee Baby Stella doll in pajamas, swaddled inside a strawberry sleeper. Go on a prehistoric journey with the Jurassic Adventure playset. It features five wooden dinosaur characters, two poseable wooden explorer figures, one wooden tree, a felt pond, and a fabric volcano carrier. The carrier has a Velcro-like closure and carrying handle for storage and take-along play. Groovy Girls Special Edition Velvet Equestrian Doll features a riding outfit with removable jacket, pants, and hat. The Luxe Liam Elephant is a large plush elephant made with extra soft fabrics. Baby Stella Sweet Dreams Sleeper is an ice cream cone-themed sleeping bag accessory for the Baby Stella soft doll collection. The sleeper has a built-in pillow and a zipper closure on the side.

Atom Teether

Wicked Cool Toys Teddy Ruxpin, the iconic best-selling toy from the 1980s, is making its comeback from Wicked Cool Toys this fall. After more than 25 years, the new 14-inch tall Teddy Ruxpin will have the core features and play patterns of the original, but also incorporate Bluetooth technology; LCD eyes with more than 40 animated expressions synced to the stories he reads; and touch sensors in the hands and vest that allow the child to start, pause, and fast-forward through stories and songs. Teddy will Teddy Ruxpin include three built-in stories with seven additional stories available for purchase through the free app. Kids can engage with Teddy with or without the app. Connect to the app to read along to the story Teddy is telling on a smart device. The app works in-sync with Teddy, flipping the pages as Teddy reads. It’s for ages 3 and up. Wicked Cool Toys expands its Cabbage Patch Kids with the introduction of Little Sprouts, a brand new segment of collectible kid, baby, and pet micro figures and playsets for fall. There are more than 120 items to collect. The Little Sprouts figure offerings are available as four- and eight-pack friends sets as well as blind boxes. All sets include a mix of kids, babies, pets, and accessories as well as surprise limited-edition pets. A Little Sprouts Playsets assortment lets kids build and play in an entire Cabbage Patch Kids universe, including the Lil’ Patch Vet Center, Cabbage Academy, and BabyLand General Hospital playsets. Each includes exclusive figures and accessories. The line is for ages 4 and up. For fall, Wicked Cool also adds to its CPK Baby So Real line, which launched last year, offering the same lifelike baby experience but complete with new fashions. The standard adoptable 14-inch Cabbage Patch Kids continue to be presented in a variety of skin tones and hair colors. The latest Kids feature nine new fashion themes, eight new girl fashions and one for boys. The Adoptimals nine-inch furry CPK companions are also back with four new styles: a French Bulldog, Dalmatian, Bengal Kitty, and Siamese Kitty. Each features pet sounds, phrases, and a special heart-shaped locket. Pair them with any 14-inch CPK’s heart key bracelet to unlock your pet’s locket for lights and a heartbeat. Additional items in the CPK line for 2017 include new Forest Friends Cuties, 18-inch limited-edition Big Kids Piper McKenzie the Equestrian and Tristan Marie the Ice Skater, five new BabyLand General Babies, and 11-inch Drink ‘N Wet Newborns featuring five new fashions for each.

Schylling Schylling has been named the exclusive distributor for Tiger Tribe products for North America. Tiger Tribe is a line of compact and portable activity sets. Tiger Tribe product lines include Oodle Doodles, Colouring Sets, How to Draw and Paper Doll Kits, stickers, flash cards, Magna Carry Playbooks, Magic Painting Worlds, Bath Stories, Paper Crowns, the Card Making Kit, and the Beat the Clock Stopwatch Set. Also available are new additions to its tin toy line: Polka Puppy Dancing Jack-in-theBox, Atomic Sparking Ray Gun, and Fairy Tale Tin Nesting Dolls. The Polka Puppy Jack-in-the-Box brings a new dancing feature to the traditional jack-in-the-box. The Polka Puppy pops up like a traditional jack-in-thebox, but then dances back and forth to the tune of “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The puppy dances for as long as the handle is turned. The Fairy Tale Nesting Dolls feature nesting characters from Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Schylling’s Fairy Tale Nesting Dolls are the first-ever to be made of tin, allowing for colorful lithographed printing over the entire surface of the toy creating detailed character designs on each doll. The Atomic Sparking Ray Gun captures the 6spirit of 1950s tin toys, producing a continuous stream of sparks and classic mechanical whirring sounds when the trigger is pulled.

Polka Puppy

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TOY FAIR/2017 DGL Group DGL Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Rangers Surfers take the Power Rangers to new heights as they hover atop a remote-controlled flying hover board. The Power Rangers Surfers can be flown in any direction using the duel-direction controller. It features a foam drone board for lightweight maneuverability, six-axis gyro system, and one key auto-takeoff and auto-hover. The line is currently includes the Red and Pink Power Ranger. Each comes equipped with its own Morpher, allowing the characters to transform instantly into their costumed forms. It is due to launch this fall.

Ben 10 Rustbucket Vehicle & Playset

Cartoon Network Enterprises

Power Rangers Surfers

Cartoon Network will introduce a fresh take on the Ben 10 animated series this year, along with a full-fledged licensing program for the brand. The reimagined series focuses on 10-year-old Ben Tennyson, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max as they travel the country during summer vacation. When Ben finds the Omnitrix, a mysterious watch that transforms him into 10 different friendly aliens, a world of extraterrestrial superpowers opens up to him. Playmates Toys is the global master toy partner for Ben 10, and will introduce figures, playsets, and roleplay items this fall. Key highlights in the new toy line include an assortment of highly detailed action figures that come equipped with themed accessories for added play. The assortment of figures includes Ben Tennyson, the 10 different heroic aliens that he transforms into as well as key villains from the show. The Deluxe Omnitrix lets kids transform into any one of Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10 aliens, opening up a world of alien superpowers. It features lights, sounds, and mechanical action, just like in the show. The Rustbucket is a vehicle that transforms into a three-level playset, packed with action features including an alien transformation chamber, alien lab, and more. When The Powerpuff Girls new series premiered globally last April, Cartoon Network launched a worldwide licensing program alongside the reimagined animated series. Since their original debut in 1998, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup have appealed to girls all ages as the original ambassadors of girl power, juggling schoolwork, fighting bad guys, and always saving the world by using their Powfactor. Anchoring The Powerpuff Girls licensing program is Spin Master, the global master toy partner. A range of product, from action dolls to playsets, was introduced in fall 2016 and will expand for 2017. Donny the Unicorn, who will be featured prominently in a new 30-minute linear special episode launching in Q1, will debut in the action doll line this spring along with the Storymaker Playset system, which allows girls to customize their own stories by mixing and matching the three different sets. Additional Powerpuff Girls ranges will be offered from Funko (POP figures), Bulls I (blind bags), Cardinal (puzzles), Pressman Toy (games), and Sunstaches (glasses). Additional Cartoon Network-licensed product will also be on display at Toy Fair. For Steven Universe, product includes Steven Universe playing cards, tins, and magnets from Aquarius; Funko POP figures; McFarlane construction sets; Phatmojo plush; co-branded games from USAopoly; blind bags from Zag Toys; and jewelry from High IntenCity. Gund will showcase plush from We Bare Bears. Adventure Time products include original games from Cryptozoic, Funko POP figures, and collectibles from Kidrobot.

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COOP Sports

COOP Sports’ new Reactorz line is made with Reactive Light Technology, so a kicked soccer ball or a tossed football becomes illuminated on contact. It features a long-lasting battery life built in each ball, and the micro prism core that refracts ultra-bright light. Reactorz are available in three color options: Atomic (lime), Ice (blue), and Lava (red). Covering the balls is a contrasting shield color. There are eight products in the line: 2.75-inch Micro Gripz, four-inch Gripz, Micro Football (size six), 9.25-inch football, eight-inch playground ball, soccer ball (size four), regulation size basketball, and disc. It is for ages 5 and up. COOP Scatter Dodgeball, for ages 5 and up, puts a new twist on the classic game of dodgeball. Gather two to six players and hand out wristbands of the same color. Players circle-up while one player rolls the dice ball. The player wearing the colored wristbands that match the color on the dice ball is the thrower for that turn. As the other players scatter, the thrower attempts to hit them with the dodgeball. Players that get hit must surrender a wristband to the thrower. If the targeted player catches the ball, the thrower must surrender a wristband. The first person to get all the wristbands wins the game. COOP Sports is a division of Swimways. Reactorz Football

TOMY

TOMY serves as the master toy partner for PlayFusion’s Lightseekers, a next-generation adventure, roleplay video game that connects smart-action figures, trading cards, and comics. Lightseekers toys deliver real-time, two-way interaction between your hero and the game. They talk, vibrate, and use different colored lights to show status and to help guide gameplay. A hero’s evolving in-game attributes, accomplishments, and lineage are stored within each toy. The Lightseekers trading card game is an added standalone physical game that includes 385-plus collectible cards. Each card displays an AR effect and is embedded with a one-time in-game bonus, which can be scanned by Lightseekers figures to unlock in-game effects, such as new spells, boosts, or pets that will fight alongside you. For Pokémon fans, the Pokémon My Friend Eevee, for ages 3 and up, is a feature plush that moves its ears and makes sound effects with every hug. Adding to its line of Pokémon Legendary Action Figures, for ages 4 and up, comes Solgaleo and Lunala. Both are highly detailed figures with multiple points of articulation. Kids can also become a Fire, Water, or Grass Poké Trainer with the Clip ‘n’ Carry Poké Ball Belt (pictured below). The set includes a belt, a Poké Ball, a dedicated Pokémon type two-inch figure, and its related Poké Ball. Lamaze’s Waddling Wade is filled with features that stimulate baby’s senses. Pull the white clip to make Wade’s duck feet waddle along. Baby can hear Wade quack when his tail is squeezed and a chime when shaken. The bright, contrasting patterns will fascinate baby as eyesight develops. His layered wings include a peek-a-boo mirror for interactive play and a squeaker. Hook the Lamaze clip to strollers, carriers, and diaper bags to take Wade along for on-the-go fun. Also new for Lamaze is Repeat Petey and the Cosimo Concerto plush zebra/piano for baby. The John Deere 1:16 Precision Elite 7800 Tractor is the fourth release in the Elite series. The 1:16 replica features removable diecast weights, opening doors, removable side panels, and real working cab and warning lights. It’s for ages 14 and up. For toddlers, the John Deere Deluxe Lightning Wheels adds new motion-activated sounds and colored lights. Roll the tractor forward or backward to activate the motion-specific engine sounds, and watch as the lights change color the faster it goes. The line also includes a 16-piece John Deere Build-a-Johnny Tractor with battery-powered driver drill. TOMY Toddler Toys expands bath-time play with the TOMY Toy Splash ‘n Spin Jellyfish. Dip the jellyfish underwater and watch it fill up. Then, hold the jellyfish up high and watch as it spins around, cascading water in every direction. Try it in the bath, in the pool, or by the sea. It’s for ages 1 and up. Based off Sonic’s vehicle in season two of the TV show is the Sonic’s Blue Force One. Transform it into three driving modes for use on the road, in the water, or in the air. Collector Large Plush, based off the new video game, is also available.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Corolle

Corolle’s Babibear Nightlight Pink expands the Mon Doudou collection for babies. With a press on its tummy, Babibear’s soft nightlight comes on for five minutes to soothe baby. A series of eight tunes lull baby to sleep and stop automatically. Babibear is also machine washable, with a removable battery casing. Babibear is for ages birth and up.

Fashion4u

Fashion4u is a fashion kit that allows young designers to imagine and create wearable fashion without scissors or glue. The included connectors make it safe to bring designs to life. The kit comes with patterns and textures so designers can create their own couture. Fashion4u is available in different design finishes, textures, and shapes such as oval, circle, hexagon, and triangle. It is for ages 8 and up.

HEXBUG

Perform death-defying tricks with Hexbug’s new line of Nitro Circus stuntmen. Attempt the “stunt of a lifetime” with the Nitro Circus Freestyle Ramp. Launch a stuntman with the Nitro Circus Capture it Playset. Or rip the cord and send characters down an incline with the Nitro Circus Mega Ramp. Collect all five characters, each equipped with a unique transport contraption. From season three of the hit TV series BattleBots comes the VEX BattleBots Tombstone the Grave Maker and Minotaur. Use STEM-based problem-solving skills to build HEXBUG Nitro Circus Mega Ramp your own version with snap together VEX IQ pieces. Both products result in realistic miniaturized versions of the fan-favorite robots. Venture to uncharted interplanetary terrain with the VEX Explorers. Using the VEX IQ snap-together robotics platform, each set comes with an astronaut and a variety of features. There is an arm that pivots and reaches, a tanker and rescue station with solar panels, and removable mini rover and astronaut figurine. Take missions from the command station and scout out the danger ahead. Assembly allows kids to learn the science behind a space mission. VEX Robotics adds two new launchers, Crossfire Airplane Launcher and Switch Grip Launcher. These STEM kits promote basic engineering skills through the process of snap-together assembly. Fire the working trigger of the Crossfire Airplane Launcher and watch it shoot more than 20 feet. Fill the Switch Grip Loader with ammo and perform the launcher’s signature pumping action to send projectile balls flying more than 30 feet. Expanding the Hexbug nano world comes the nano Space line. Climb the space training post, strap a jet pack onto your nano, and watch it zoom through the air using the nano Space Zip Line. Then watch them blast off with the nano Space Cosmic Command. Or step aboard the nano Space Discovery Station.

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Smart Toys and Games

With the 25-piece SmartMax My First Animal Train, babies ages 18 months and up, build and drive a train, play with the animals and the train driver, or mix and match to create new combinations. The extra-large train and animal parts click onto the bars. All parts are 100-percent compatible with all other SmartMax sets. With SmartGames Temple Connection, place the puzzle pieces with roads and bridges on the board to create paths that connect the temples. Find a way through the high bridges, low roads, and temples with ground and second floors, to solve the 80 challenges. It’s for ages 7 and up.

Fantasma Magic’s Retro Magic Wooden Table

Fantasma

Fantasma Magic’s Retro Magic Wooden Table is a deluxe wooden table that doubles as a carrying case for more than 150 tricks. Make coins vanish from one cup and appear in another with the Magic Coin Cups. Produce a mountain of candy from the Magic Production Box. Fool your eyes with the Baffling Boomerangs. Make three balls penetrate three cups with the Cups And Balls. Pass solid metal through solid metal with Linking Rings. Restore torn cards, vanish cards, and change one card into another with the Card Case. Learn how to perform each of these tricks with the included instructional video download. It’s for ages 6 and up. All Fantasma products are endorsed by the International Brotherhood Of Magicians.

SmartMax My First Animal Train

Universal Brand Development At Toy Fair, Universal Brand Development (UBD) will showcase an expanding roster of properties from the company’s film and television partners including Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, and DreamWorks Animation. Premiering in summer comes Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me 3, the next chapter in the Despicable Me franchise. During Toy Fair, UBD, along with key partners Thinkway, WowWee, Moose Toys, MEGA Brands, and Hasbro, will unveil allnew Despicable Me 3 toys. UBD will showcase a multi-category program for The Fate of the Furious, the eighth chapter in Universal Pictures’ Fast and Furious franchise, which is in theaters in April. Anchored by global master toy licensee, Mattel, The Fate of the Furious will be highlighted by partnerships with Jada Toys, among others.

For DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, UBD will showcase a special preview of the 2017 collection from global master toy licensee, Hasbro. UBD will also reveal a sneak peek at a select and curated program for Universal Pictures’ The Mummy, which debuts in June. Following the recent acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, UBD will introduce DreamWorks Animation Television’s Netflix Original Series, Spirit Riding Free, which will debut this year. Master toy licensee Just Play and book publishing partner Little, Brown and Company will be among the key programs supporting the show’s upcoming launch. Also as part of DreamWorks Animation Television’s portfolio, UBD will showcase new toy and consumer products offerings from master toy licensee, Playmates Toys, for the Netflix Original Series, Voltron Legendary Defender.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Prime Time Toys

Hydro Hoop Sprinkler Ring

Peaceable Kingdom

For Toy Fair, Prime Time Toys introduces a line of Walmart-exclusive water blasters dubbed Adventure Force, as well as a sprinkler ring that will be available this spring. For ages 6 and up, the Super Storm features a 68-ounce tank and pressurized water blaster-action that will send water up to 38 feet, according to Prime Time Toys. The Super Storm blaster nozzle has three adjustable nozzles with four water streams. Use the pump, located on the front end of the water blaster, to build pressure. Then press the trigger to blast a continuous stream of water. For ages 6 and up, the Hydro Blitz water blaster’s power pump-action launches water up to 35 feet with every pump. Slide forward to load the water and push back to blast the competition. The water reservoir holds up to 57 ounces. The Battle Blaster brings a tactical element for every battle. For ages 6 and up, this pump-action water blaster performs with precision aided by the detachable scope. Kids, ages 4 and up, can jump in and out of the Hydro Hoop Sprinkler Ring to get soaked every time. This new sprinkler shoots water straight up out of multiple spouts lining the circle.

In a space station, a team of Mole Rats are busy at work when a band of snakes infiltrates their station. In Mole Rats in Space, two to four players work together to help the Mole Rats gather their equipment and make it to their escape pod before time’s out. Climb the ladders, slip down air shafts, but don’t get bit by the snakes.

SmartX

Passback Sports

Available in Peewee (ages 4–8), Junior (ages 9–13), and Official (ages 14 and up) sizes, throw the Passback football against a hard surface and it comes spiraling back to you.

Galaxy ZEGA from SmartX lets parents and kids remotely control small tanks with a Bluetooth-connected smart device app and fight each other on or off the Galaxy ZEGA battlefield to gain points, skills, longer lives, and more. Players blast their opponents with lights to gain points and eventually earn up to 30 more skills to disable other ZEGAs with virtual ‘oil spills,’ by freezing an opponent’s speed, and more to win battles. The Galaxy ZEGA game comprises four ZEGA tanks (two come in the Galaxy ZEGA Starter Kit). Each has a name, personality, unique strengths, and weaknesses. Although ZEGAs can run on any surface, a magnetically connected, snap-together battlefield is included with the Starter Kit. An accessory, the X-base, adds an extra level of gameplay. When a ZEGA drives over the lit X-base, the player gains points, skills, or treasures.

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Diggin

Launch Slimeballs with the Slimeball Bow, which features a builtin recoil launch mechanism, contoured grip, and easy-to-use aiming system. The viewfinder helps line up shots for accuracy. Or there is the six-inch Slimeball Dodgeball. Each is soft and slimy, leaves no marks on any surface, and sticks only to the included poster, says Diggin. The Slimeball Bow is for ages 8 and up. There is also the six-inch Slimeball Dodgeball, which is for ages 6 and up. Test your aim with the Slimeball Splat Set, which launches the slimy Flinger Balls more than 30 feet. For ages 6 and up, Slimeball Flingers have a built-in launch mechanism to easily shoot. For more active play, kids and adults can catchand-release the Chuck Mouth bass fish. For ages 6 and up, this flying fish throws more than 100 feet. Made from durable but soft materials, the Chuck Mouth spins and floats through the air.

Bears for Humanity

Bears for Humanity presents new creatures known as Animal Pals. With 14 different personalities to choose from, they are available in zoos, museums, and gift shops. Choose from a shark, dog, giraffe, dinosaur, monkey, penguin, elephant, lion, cat, eagle, patriotic eagle, panda, turtle, and tiger. They are made from the same organic materials as Bears for Humanity teddy bears.

Slimeball Bow

PlayVisions

Standing at 10-inches tall, kids can control Xtrem Bots Smart Bot with simple hand signals. Smart Bot has more than 20 electronic facial expressions, 50 programmable mode actions, and makes robotic sounds. At 14-inches tall, the Xtrem Bots Trooperbot reacts to commands from 15â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 20 feet. Trooperbot can be programmed to perform 50 different actions. It also shoots foam darts. With Liqui-fuze, kids 5 and up use building blocks to design different creations. Current products available are the Liqui-Fuze Starter Set, Liqui-Fuze Cars, and Liqui-Fuze Playground. From the makers of Sands Alive, Floof looks like snow, feels like a marshmallow, and molds like clay. For ages 3 and up, available Floof products include Color Change Floof Ice Cream Dreams, Color Change Floof Bucket, Floof Snow Board Pack, Floof Play Ball, and Color Change Floof Big Xtrem Bots Smart Bot Bug World. Play Dirt is the artificial dirt that feels real, without the mess. Kids, ages 3 and up, can make a personal garden, dig up treasure, or pick at fake bugs. Available products include Bag O Dirt, Bugs in a Jar, Play Dirt Pig Pen, and Play Dirt Monster Truck Rally. Kids, ages 6 and up, experience sports in a new way with Cyber Fire. Put on the Cyber Fire frames and watch a basketball, football, or flying disc soar. The balls light up in day or night.

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TOY FAIR/2017 SmartZone

The Kenya doll brand celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017. SmartZone relaunched the brand last year with the introduction of the Original Beautiful Hair Styling Kenya 13-inch doll. The original hair play doll features “magic” hair and lotion. Her hair comes curly, but the lotion makes it straight. Wash out the lotion and her curls come back. Kenya dolls are available in three fashions, skin tones, and hair colors. Kenya’s baby sister Keyara also joined the Kenya family in 2016. This 12-inch baby doll comes with rooted “natural” curly hair so girls can put her hair in boxes, then create twists and cornrows, adding bubbles and clips. Keyara includes a baby bottle for nurturing play. Teen Kenya, the 11-inch fashion doll, offers lots of hair play with accessories such as beads, a beading needle, rubber bands, and a pick comb. The new Kenya Princess Styling Head features hair play with gold beads, “magic” hair lotion, curlers, jewelry, a tiara, and more. Little girls can wear and share the play pieces. SmartZone has also introduced a Latina doll line. Korina is Kenya’s best friend and features all of the same hair play as Kenya. For 2017, the Kenya brand will feature its new line of Gold-N-Glitzy dolls. Also new for 2017, Kenya has joined the I Can Do It team featuring WNBA player Aerial Powers. Little girls can aspire to be a gymnast, prima ballerina, basketball star, soccer player, cheerleader, and tennis player along with Kenya and her friends. Each doll comes with its own play environment so girls can set it up and play along with their dolls.

Silver Anniversary Kenya

Pai Technology

Sassy Scents assortment

Wild Republic

Wild Republic will debut two new plush lines at Toy Fair. There’s Sassy Scents: stuffed animals that are fruit-scented to match their color. Choose from Strawberry Elephant, Grape Penguin, Blueberry Wolf, Cherry Red Panda, Tangerine Tiger, and Raspberry Snow Leopard. Huggers spread their arms and when you give their bellies a squeeze, the long plush arms wrap around and give you a hug. Huggers fit onto wrists, backpacks, strollers, and more.

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Pai Technology uses augmented reality (AR) technology to bring an undersea aquarium to life with Ocean Pets. Children create their own pets and watch them come to life on their screen with the Ocean Pets app. The puzzle cube meets AR with Cube-tastic. Pai Technology’s 3-D step-by-step app helps children solve this brain-teasing puzzle. The puzzle combinations help teach dexterity and cause-and-effect. PaiBand is an activity-tracking band with a corresponding free app, PaiBand Moves— City Run. The more kids run, jump, and duck, the more points they’ll collect. Parents can monitor their children’s heart rate, activity, and sleep. They can also encourage movement with games, and set alarms to help structure the day. There’s also a location detector.

Crayola

The Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light Brush & Drawing Pad lets kids create colorful art without the mess. Color Wonder paints are clear and only work on special paper. The Magic Light Brush lights up to match whatever color you’re using. Dip into green and the brush turns green. It comes with six classic colors and 30 sheets of Color Wonder Paper. The Crayola Fashion Superstar brings designs to life and lets kids create styles just like a real fashion designer with its free companion app. Create dresses, tops, and skirts, and then mix and match however you like. Build a virtual closet through the app and enter fashion challenges to unlock new levels, get rewards, and share designs with friends.

ASA Products

Packed with enhancements from steering to seating comes the three-wheeled Mobo Tot Disney Princess. This cruiser features an extendable, sturdy frame and never-flat tires that grow with a child. It also includes a new rear-wheel steering system with a reversibility function and an adjustable frame to fit heights up to 42-inches.

Whiffer Sniffers

Odyssey Toys With the Infinity NX’s G-Sensor Mode, gamers and pilots can use their smartphone as the controller, tilting to control the flight much as you would an on-screen race car. With the Odyssey Toys app, draw a course on your phone and put Infinity NX in autopilot for a custom flight experience. For a traditional flight experience, switch to conventional controls with the included controller. The Infinity NX also features one-key return and auto-takeoff and -landing. You can also take photos and videos.

Whiffer Sniffers Series 4 includes 11 new scented characters. Each offers its own personality. The line includes scented Backpack Clips, Super Sniffers, and Scratch ‘n Sniff Stickers. Part one of the new Series 4 characters includes Sour Saul, Izzy Sodalicious, Howie Rolls, Maci Macaron, Jay Bean, and the ultra-rare Minty Macaron. Part two includes Sonny Shine, May B Minty, Phil O’ Jelly, Mikey Milkshake, and the ultra-rare Bitsy B Shakin’.

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TOY FAIR/2017 AQI

Sumikko Gurashi

AQI’s Rilakkuma and its characters (Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma, and Kiiroitori) have become a part of Japanese culture. Each character is available in plush, apparel, accessories, electronics, and stationery. Each bear has its own qualities and characteristics. For 2017, Rilakkuma will be available in Panda, Tiger, and Cat. BuddyPhones are volume-limiting headphones that protect young ears. For ages 3 and up, BuddyPhones are for sharing. They use a built-in, always-on, sound control circuit that caps volume levels at 85+/-3 decibels, which is the recommended level for children. These durable headphones are made to withstand lots of play. With built-in audio splitters, they allow up to four BuddyPhones to share the same device. Kids can also customize their BuddyPhones with five sets of stickers. Combining traditional magic sets with the latest technology, Marvin’s iMagic Box Set offers illusions, interactive play, and entertainment. A bumper box collection of props combined with Marvin’s iMagic app unveils additional interactive magic tricks for smart devices. It is for ages 8 and up. In Japanese, Sumikko means corner and Gurashi means living. The plush Sumikko Gurashi characters each have their own characteristics.

Redwood Ventures

WowWee

Digiloom

WowWee’s Fingerlings baby monkeys hang onto your finger and know when they’re being touched, spoken to, and even hung upside down. These primate pets come to life with more than 50 animations to let you know how they’re feeling. Fingerlings feature monkey sounds, blinking eyes, a curly hanging tail, and various points of articulation. They will be available in six different colors and names. DigiLoom is an app-controlled custom bracelet-making machine. Users create custom bracelet designs on the app, which they can then weave with the DigiLoom machine. Both products will launch later this year.

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Redwood Ventures’ IDO3D 3-D Print Shop is a battery-operated 3-D printer experience for kids. By using its 3-D technology and a new “Formula 4D” system, the 3-D Print Shop builds, then forms objects in minutes without the need for 3-D modeling software. A light show, instructions, multiple color cartridges, mechanical design, and 3-D printing guides are included. It’s for ages 8 and up.

Set Enterprises

New from Set Enterprises, WordSpiel is a word game in which the end is just the beginning. Two to six players, ages 8 and up, compete to be the first to get rid of all 10 of their cards by making words. Each turn, start your word with the last card played. Each word spins off the last, so the game will never be the same twice. The second edition of Quiddler is now available with the Quiddler Short Word Dictionary. The dictionary includes more than 10,000 short (two to five letter) words and is arranged alphabetically and by the number of letters per word.

Maya Toys

Maya Toys Cutie Stix Cut & Create Station is an all-in-one activity to craft customizable bracelets, necklaces, nail art, animal figures and more out of colorful, two-sided beads that can be cut. Simply choose a Cutie Stix design, cut it and core out the center to make fashion-forward creations. It’s for ages 6 and up. Zorbeez Creature Chumpers are Orbeez for boys. The Zorbeez CreaZorbeez Creature Chumpers Big Ben ture Chumpers assortment features a gunk-spewing dragon named Big Ben. Simply load and crush Zorbeez into Big Ben’s back and pull the lever to launch a stream of oozing goo. It’s for ages 5 and up. Orbeez Super Fine Crush: Magic Chef Set features an arts and crafts compound, a new sub-segment of the Orbeez brand. With the Magic Chef Set, simply crush, grind, and form Orbeez to display culinary creations. It’s for ages 6 and up.

Irish Fairy Door

Irish Fairy Door uses “fairy magic” to take away children’s worries with just a touch. The Worry Plaque glows red when kids, ages 3 and up, place their hands on it and think of their worry. When the fairies have heard it, the plaque glows green, signifying your worries have transferred to the fairies successfully. The Worry Plaque also includes access to a collection of positive video affirmations, available for free on the Irish Fairy Door website to purchasers of the Worry Plaque. Select the kind of worry you’ve given away, and watch Fairy Clodagh reassure you that your worry has been heard and all is well.

ThinkFun

In Roller Coaster Challenge, players, ages 6 and up, build their own roller coasters. Choose a challenge card and set up the pieces to match. Players then use the remaining pieces to build a working roller coaster that meets the build conditions on their challenge card. Once each challenge is solved, you get to watch a real coaster car glide down the track, complete with dips, curves, and loops. Spin-a-roo is a counting and sorting game that offers young learners two ways to play. Players, ages 4–7, take turns cranking the spinner and watching the colorful tokens appear. The race is on to collect the most tokens as you sort numbers and colors, or count up and down from one to 10. Color Cube Sudoku is a re-imagining of the classic Sudoku puzzle using colors instead of numbers. Players, ages 8 and up, flip and arrange nine color cubes until no colors repeat in any row or column. Fidgitz, the 3-D mechanical puzzle, twists and turns in a fluid motion. The goal is to twist and manipulate the puzzle until one side is all blue and the other side is all white.

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TOY FAIR/2017 WobbleWorks

Tucker Toys

New product from Tucker Toys for 2017 includes a variety of sports- and music-related items. For ages 10 and up, the Kite-APult is a self-launching kite flying system that allows one person to fly a kite. It also doubles as a glider and is available in three different designs. The Disc Jock-e gets kids, ages 8 and up, active as they stream their music while playing outside. The Disc Jock-e is water-resistant and can sync any playlist from your smartphone to the disc via a Bluetooth connection. Tucker Toys also looks to expand on its line Trick Shot Sports for 2017. The line of sports figure characters with snap-action performance lets players perform tabletop action and freestyle play through Trick Shot combinations. Snap-action tabletop sports characters within the line include frisbee, golf, and football kicker Trick Shot Sports players. A website and video channel have also been established to allow the best Trick Shot Sports shots to be shared online. They are currently available for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hockey.

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WobbleWorks introduces five new starter kits and expands on the 3Doodler Create (for ages 14 and up) with five new pastel colors (Pearly White, Powder Blue, Rose Gold, Butterscotch, and a Hint of Lime). New starter kits comes with a 3Doodler Start pen, Eco-Plastic, themed DoodleBlocks, and an activity guide. Some sets also include Doodle Sheets, DoodleMolds, motors, battery packs, and USB-charging cables. The motors and battery packs are also 3Doodler Under the Sea available for purchase separately. Sets include the 3Doodler Start Essential Pen Set, the 3Doodler Start Super Mega Pen Set, the 3Doodler Start Robotics Pen Set, the 3Doodler Start Architecture Pen, and the 3Doodler Start Product Design Kit. WobbleWorks will also introduce new themes to the 3Doodler Start DoodleBlock Kits for spring, which include Bugs and Insects, Wild Birds, Wild Animals, Dinosaurs, and Under the Sea themes. Each kit comes with two packs of Eco-Plastic and two themed DoodleBlocks. They are for ages 8 and up, and can be purchased with or without the 3Doodler Start pen. Playmobil’s Pyramid

Playmobil

The Playmobil Ghostbusters Firehouse set is packed with accessories for hunting down ghosts, including a detachable proton pack and laser, ghost trap, PKE meter for measuring psychokinetic energy, silicone slime splatters that stick to smooth surfaces, and more. The Ecto-1 is sold separately. It’s for ages 6 and up. Join in on all the action of Dreamwork’s How to Train Your Dragon with the Hiccup and Toothless and Astrid and Stormfly sets. Reccomended for ages 4–12, the Hiccup and Toothless set includes Hiccup, Toothless, a blue fire dart, flame sword, helmet, and other accessories. Toothless’s illuminating back spikes require one AAA battery. The Astrid and Stormfly set is also recommended for ages 4–12. The set includes Astrid, Stormfly, a saddle, and battle axe. Kids ages 6 and up, can unlock ancient secrets and mysteries inside Pharaoh’s Pyramid. The set includes three figures, a tomb, one mummy, two skeletons, treasures, and other accessories. For ages 4–10, the Police Headquarters with Prison includes three figures, handcuffs, and more.

Thames & Kosmos

For summer, Thames & Kosmos (T&K) expands on its Kosmos game line with a new party game. EXIT: The Game is the at-home version of the Escape-Room experience. Up to six players, ages 12 and up, work to solve a series of riddles and puzzles to escape from a “room.” Each correct solution brings you to another riddle. Pharaoh’s Tomb, Secret Lab, and The Abandoned Cabin versions will be available in May. Building off of its Remote-Control Machines comes T&K’s Construction Vehicles. Build eight R/C Construction Vehicles and use a wireless remote to move the models around. Kids, ages 6 and up, can also control the models’ construction apparatuses (diggers, shovels, etc.) to move play construction materials. Instructions for two additional models are also available online.

PlayMonster PlayMonster offers a variety of new games for 2017. In the game 7 ATE 9, one to four players, ages 6 and up are challenged to add or subtract one, two, or three to match the numbers on the cards in their hands so they can discard. The first to play all his/her cards wins. Qwitch also dabbles in numbers, but adds letters to the mix. While one to five players, ages 7 and up, race to play matching cards on top of the pile, the letters and numbers can go up, down, stay the same, and switch at any time. In Accentuate, one player reads a movie quote, and then rereads it in a randomly chosen accent while their team tries to guess which accent he/she is trying to speak. Four or more players also get extra points for knowing the movie that’s quoted. It’s for ages 12 and up. Go BLEEP Yourself can get as wild, or stay as tame as players, ages 18 and up, want because they’re filling in the bleeps. One player reads a card such as, “I picked up bleep on the street today.” Then, everyone writes down a word to take the place of the bleep. Players either try to match what they think the reader will say or write the funniest answer because both earn points. A follow-up to the Hyper Dash game, Ultra Dash has kids race to match the color of the flashing light on their tagger to the color of the targets. Each time kids play, it’s a different game because of the random order of color flashes. Kids can also rearrange their target course however they want. Ultra Dash has three game modes: Beat the Clock, Target Tally, and Relay Race. It’s for ages 6 and up. Roominate expands its STEM line with Alice’s Mansion, the largest of the new sets featuring more unique building pieces and more modern dolls. Girls, ages 8 and up, can build a large home however they want, then decorate and play with it using the accessory pieces and dolls. Using motors, girls can design real-working aspects such as an opening

garage door, a moving elevator, a rotating pool, and a spinning fan. PlayMonster will also showcase its new Wonder Crew Buddies. The toy line is designed for boys ages 5 and up. The 15-inch Wonder The Roominate Alice’s Mansion Crew Buddies are available now. The crew includes Will (Caucasian), Marco (Hispanic), James (African American), and Erik (Asian). Each comes dressed in superhero gear, complete with a matching mask and cape for kids. Wonder Crew also has three Adventure Packs. Builder includes a construction outfit and hard hat for the buddy, and a matching vest for kids; Explorer features a safari-looking outfit and hat for the buddy, and a matching hat for the child; and Snuggler is a set of pajamas for the buddy, and a blanket for kids. Each is sold separately. For ages 5 and up, Sleepyhead Animated Alarm Clocks feature colors, motions, lights, sounds, and music. The clocks are available as a train and a carousel. Mirari adds new classic toys. Available now is Juballees, which are three 2.75-inch balls that pull apart into halves to mix and match, click together to make different color combination balls, or stack in various ways. Each ball rolls, or roll all three together when stacked. Plus, when babies ages 6 months and up shake them, they make noise. The new snail-themed Mirari pick-up/release ball toy, Shellby, is designed for ages 1 and up. It comes with six different colored balls that children drop into the shell, and then push on the head to watch them come popping back out.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Tech 4 Kids

The Tech 4 Kids Gemmies Sparkle Loom is a new craft activity that lets kids construct 3-D objects and wearables out of TPR bands and crystals on a loom. It’s for ages 6 and up, available this spring. Hatch’ems, for ages 4 and up, are hatchable collectibles that reveal squishy characters inside. Remove the lid and bop the top. Watch it burst and hatch, revealing an inflated surprise baby bird or baby dino. Mash’ems Blast’ems expands with Spider-Man for spring. Remove the lid, flip it over, and bob the top. Watch it blast off, revealing an inflated Surprise Character. Battle Bots is a build-and-battle system, launching this fall, that lets kids build their own robot and use the remote control to battle other robots. With a kill switch attached to each robot, the pieces fall off continuously until the kill switch is hit for a win. It’s for ages 8 and up. Also for fall comes Popcakes Surprise, a new collectible where kids pop the cake open to reveal the surprise character. There are 36 characters to collect. It is for ages 3 and up.

Snaptoys

OWI

OWI’s 155-piece Magnetic Levitation Express uses electromagnets, propulsion magnets, and levitation magnets to create propulsion. Magnetic strips are built in the side of the guideway to allow the Magnetic Levitation Express to hover and run smoothly at high speeds. After building the train and rail kit, kids, ages 10 and up, can learn the basic principles of how magnets repel and attract each other. OWI’s Solar Wild Boar is a solar kit that teaches mechanical transmission and electrical motor theory, says the company. With 47 assembly parts, it’s recommended for ages 8 and up. Detective BugSee will march its way to seeking valuable clues when activated by the power of the sun. With 51 assembly parts, BugSee is for ages 8 and up. Captain Roam-E-O is an all-terrain solar vehicle equipped with six-wheel mechanical suspension and a four-wheel drive system. It contains 67 assembly parts and is recommended for ages 8 and up.

For spring, Snaptoys will launch a variety of new toys while continuing its flagship line of Lil’ Butters product. As master toy partner of The Jim Henson Company’s Word Party, Snaptoys will launch a range of toys based on the Netflix Original Series for preschoolers. The show invites young viewers (ages 2–4) to help teach four baby animals new words and celebrate these achievements with a “Word Party.” Pajammies is a line of 12-inch plush dolls for girls ages 3–6. Each comes with stylish hair and a matching comb, animal-themed onesie, and removable hood. Accessories designed for sleepovers include hair clips, mini plush, sleeping bags, backpacks, and pop-up tents, as well as the Super Slumber Party Set. For ages 3–6, GlitterShine Dragons is a line of six 10-inch themed plush dragons: Glitter Fay, Sea Sparkle, Twinkle Luck, Shimmer Snow, Glimmer Flora, or Rainbow Glow. Pajammies Lil’ Butters is Snaptoys’ flagship line of collectible butterfly figurines. Each one is designed with wing patterns and its own emoji. There are two series currently available with six figures in each. Thunder Stompers are plush dinosaurs that come to life with roars and thundering stomping sound. The current assortment includes Mash, Slash, Crash, and Flash. The line is for ages 2–5. New this year is a 12-inch Gruff the Gorilla and 22-inch versions of Gruff, Slash, and Smash.

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Rubie’s

For 2017, Rubie’s brings a new collection of original and licensed costumes for kids, adults, and pets. Original costumes include a Donut Waitress, Kissing Booth, the two-robots Racket and Robbie, a Piece of Cake, Swift the Sloth, and toddler version, L’il Swift the Sloth. New kids costumes include Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy’s Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Star-Lord. Pets can also dress up as a Walking Teddy Bear, SpongeBob SquarePants, Pokémon’s Pikachu and a Pokéball, and Star Wars’ BB-8 and Chewbacca. A Deluxe Lion Mane is also available.

Sakar International

Pamson

Groot kids costume

Pamson’s You Are a Princess is a doll-and-storybook combo that allows girls, ages 3 and up, to create a unique character and identity for their doll. It features a DIY draw-and-design storybook. The 11.5-inch doll’s story and persona is made to grow and evolve as kids do.

Num Noms and Project MC2

Sakar International launched the Nerf Streaming Video Drone for holiday 2016 and will continue to roll it out through spring. The Nerf Streaming Video Drone features aerial acrobatics and includes the Nerf Streaming Video Drone Cam Copter with Wi-Fi. This full-size drone features a built-in HD video camera, transmitter, a full-size controller, and an app-based camera view. It also features hover, flip, and inversion capabilities, plus 32 built-in LED lights. The drone is powered by two batteries. The Nerf Streaming Video Drone includes six minutes of flight time per charge, a 200-meter transmission range, and fully charges in 110 minutes. It also features on-board Wi-Fi for real-time downloading of the footage captured by the on-board camera/camcorder to the device of the user’s choice. Sakar has also teamed with MGA Entertainment to launch new lines of products featuring characters from Num Noms and Project MC2 early this year. Sakar’s new Num Noms lineup includes walkie-talkies, smartwatch cameras, light-up Bluetooth speakers, fitness trackers, and headphones featuring characters from the line. The Project MC2 lineup includes a variety of tech toys and spy gear, including pen and bracelet walkie-talkies, a night-vision video spy, spy coders messenger pen and decoders, bio-metric scanners, and spy sonic listening kits. New additions to its speaker lineup include models that feature waterproof, bathtub, pillow, and light-up technologies. Dozens of new speaker models include Wonder Woman, DC Super Hero Girls, Shimmer and Shine, Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Powerpuff Girls, Thomas and Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Num Noms, Transformers, Miraculous, and more. Waterproof models include the Thomas and Friends Bathtub Speaker. The speaker is safe to use in water and can function after being submerged, according to Sakar. The Bluetooth technology adds connectivity to any portable smartphone or tablet device for hands-free control of your music. Pillow speakers feature a comfortable plush exterior of TV and movie characters.

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TOY FAIR/2017 American Plastic Toys

With American Plastic Toys’ My Very Own Ice Cream Cart, kids can get behind the counter of their own ice cream cart and start serving. This 24-piece set features ice cream scoops, cones, bowls, scoopers, serving spoons, coins, and a credit card to ring up orders. The new cart also features wheels to roll it around the house. The Gigantic Fire Truck is a two-foot long red engine that lets kids, ages 2 and up, roleplay with the moveable boom bucket, extension ladders, and storage compartment. The Gigantic Auto Hauler comes with one sports car and is equipped for more toy hauls. The tilting bed makes it easy to load, just like a real auto hauler. It’s for ages 2 and up. The new Character Vehicle Assortment includes airplanes, tug boats, and construction trucks. These vehicles feature character faces and colors to engage kids ages 18 months and up. The company also puts a twist on the classic beach shovel with the new Sea Creature collection. Dig with an octopus or a lobster to create patterns and shapes in the sand. For the big dig, American Plastic Toys offers the kid-sized construction scoop. This colorful shovel and scoop is ready for the sandbox or the beach.

Green Toys’ House Playset

Green Toys

The Green Toys House Playset features a multi-level house, a yellow convertible, two mouse characters, staircase, bed, bathtub, table, and two chairs. The moveable stairs can be placed anywhere along the second level. The bathtub, bed, table, and chairs can be set up in any room. The back and balconies of the house make arranging and rearranging all the accessories easy. It also encourages cooperative interactive play. All pieces fit inside the house, for easy clean-up and storage. The Green Toys Wagon is sturdy, durable, and features a 100-percent cotton rope handle that easily tucks inside for convenient storage. With chunky tires and a low-set bed, little ones can haul around their possessions, both indoors and outside. All Green Toys products are made in the U.S. from 100-percent recycled plastic and are BPA-, phthalates-, and PVC-free.

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Toydriver

Toydriver is a small, battery-operated screwdriver specifically designed for screws on all toy battery covers. Toydriver will introduce three new colors: blue, green, and pink. An all-in-one solution, Toydriver’s bits replace small to medium-sized screwdrivers.

Euro Edge Kitchen

InRoad Toys

InRoad Toys introduces the PlayTape Build System, an all-in-one vehicle play experience. Each PlayTape Build System kit includes instructions for build-and-play driving and racing adventures. Kits for 2017 include Speedway, Racetrack, Urban Street, Hot Wheels Mega Figure 8, and Hot Wheels Drag-n-Jump Kits. Each kit features two- to four-inch wide road tape and an assortment of stickers to customize tracks. All PlayTape Build System Kits are for ages 3 and up, and are fully compatible with other PlayTape roads, tracks, and curves.

Step2

Step2 introduces a European-style kitchen playset and a ride-on car. Pretend to whip up culinary creations with the Euro Edge Kitchen. Use the “glass cooktop” stove with real-working lights and sounds to “sauté” sauces. Season with spices from the “floating” shelf above. Open the oven with a clear window to see what’s warming up. After creating their culinary crafts, little ones can put their groceries in the refrigerator with working lights. Junior drivers can navigate their neighborhood roads and parks in the modern-designed Turbo Coupe Foot-to-Floor. This ride-on features a canopy top with handle for parental steering along with a removable floorboard for kids to push themselves around when their feet reach the ground. This toddler sports coupe features easy-spin, 360-degree turning, and quiet-ride wheels for a smoother ride around the neighborhood.

Mindware

Mindware expands its activity, crafts, and puzzle lines, plus more. The following is a sampling of what will be on display at Toy Fair. New to MindWare’s Rainbow Fish collection comes Shimmer Mosaics. Follow the numbered patterns to create colorful mosaics of rainbow fish using magnetic pieces. Four blank backgrounds let children create their own ocean friends. The pattern cards and magnets store inside the travel case with built-in handle and easel-backed play board. MindWare’s Secret Pixx is a jewelry craft with a secret message hidden inside the beaded bracelet. Select a design or create your own by using the template sheets provided. Then slide the template into the creation tray and place the beads according to the color pattern. String the beads on the Stretch Magic cord and tie off with a silicone clasp. When taken off and zig-zagged into a stack, a secret message is revealed. Conduct Dough Lights uses the power of science to turn soft dough designs into glowing art. Choose from 16 design options and use the included dough to complete the picture. Learn about basic circuitry and currents as you position custom-engineered LEDs onto your creations, plug in the wires, and watch them light up. It’s for ages 5 and up. Invisible Think is a drawing game in which players race against time to get their teammates to guess the word instructed on the drawing card. But, there are two twists: forbidden words and special red-lensed glasses that make the red-ink drawing appear invisible. The spinner will determine if the drawer, guessers, or the entire team will be required to wear the glasses for each round. The game is for four to eight players ages 10 and up.

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TOY FAIR/2017 Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) will reveal a portfolio of global licensees and partnerships during Toy Fair. Hitting theaters during the Toy Fair season, The LEGO Batman Movie will bring to life a global licensing program with an array of product from licensees in all key categories, including costumes, accessories, and more. For its 75th anniversary, and leading into the self-titled feature film premiering this June, Wonder Woman will have a licensing and merchandising program that includes a range of toy and collectible offerings for fans. Justice League will also inspire a global program that celebrates its characters as they team up for the first time on the big screen. WBCP will roll out a merchandise program that will feature the fan-favorite DC Super Heroes in a myriad of toy lines and programs. The DC Super Hero Girls continues its momentum with program and merchandising initiatives that span a range products, including toys, costumes, accessories, digital games, and more. It will expand into new categories this year.

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Playroom Prep

Winning Moves

The original version of Cranium Cadoo is back, and today’s kids will be puzzling, sketching, sculpting, acting, and code-cracking with this game. It is for two or more players ages 7 and up. In Game Of The States, kids, ages 8 and up, learn about the U.S. by racing their trucks across the country while buying and selling goods along the way. Two to four players will become familiar with the 50 states, their locations, capital cities, top products, and learn interesting STEM facts about each state. Nibbled is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn game that starts with two or more kids, ages 4 and up, clipping four plastic fish onto themselves. Guess a color, flip a card. If you guess correctly, unclip one fish and clip it onto an opponent. The winner is the first player to unclip all their fish. Sunk! is a social skill-and-action game in which two or more players, ages 10 and up, add water—one drop at a time—to the cup floating in the Sunk! tank without causing it to sink. Kids, ages 8 and up, can make their own Rubik’s Cube and learn how to solve it at the same time with the Rubik’s Build It, Solve It puzzle. Rubik’s Triamid is a triangular Rubik’s puzzle with a few differences. There are 10 individual pieces, four joining sections, and four colorful sides that need to be solved. It is for ages 8 and up. Like a training cube, the Rubik’s Junior Bear is simpler than the original Rubik’s Cube and for ages 4 and up. For ages 8 and up, Winning Moves has the Original Rubik’s Cube, which is now available in its original package from 1980.

Playroom Prep is a hands-on, dryerase activity book designed for one-onone use between an adult and a child. This activity book is easy to use and features simple instructions that reinforce discussion and practice. Each activity follows a set sequence: the adult demonstrates, the child and the adult try together, and the child repeats the steps alone. As a result, Playroom Prep helps cultivate concentration, fine motor skills, letter sounds, writing skills, and face-time with mom and dad.

Cupcake Surprise

Transform desserts into princesses with every Cupcake Surprise. For ages 3 and up, each cupcake flips open to reveal a princess doll with a topper that transforms into a bonnet, and a base that transforms into a gown. Cupcake Surprise is packaged in 12 different styles with six available scents (strawberry, vanilla, grape, chocolate, lemon, and peanut butter). Each includes a hair brush.

A New Show is Born! Plan now to attend the only juvenile products industry event in North America that combines an educational conference, trade show and consumer day into a single venue. Only at the JPMA Baby Show will you: » Explore top brands in sleep & furniture, mobility, feeding, child restraint systems, health & safety, gear, and soft goods under one roof » Learn about trends, millennial parents, regulatory updates and other important business topics in a variety of educational formats » Network at meals and parties- your registration includes the keynote lunch, breakfasts, industry party and opening reception on the show floor » Benefit from show specials and become better informed about the full landscape of products » Get the first look at the industry’s most compelling new products with the unveiling of the 2017 JPMA Innovation Award winners Whether buyer, seller, supplier, media influencer, consultant or other industry stakeholder, the JPMA Baby Show promises to deliver a value-packed energizing and enjoyable experience!

The Anaheim Convention Center ANAHEIM, CA

MAY 9-13, 2017

www.JPMA.org | #JPMABabyShow

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TOY FAIR/2017 PlaSmart

The Watermelon Ball looks and feels like a watermelon in water. Kids ages 8 and up, can dribble, kick, bounce, pass, and intercept the Watermelon Ball under water. A creativity mat with an edge, the Messmatz protects surfaces while the edge confines messes. It holds up to 32 ounces of spills and it won’t slip and slide on hard surfaces. It’s for all ages. With the Build Your Own Fort kits, kids, ages 3 and up, can attach PL-UG discs, clamps, rods, and more to almost anything. Then, plug the corners of their sheets into grips and hook, suction, clamp, or peg them into place. Three kits are available: Fort (basic), Canopy, and Ultimate. Build Your Own Fort

Fathom Company

Fathom Company’s Connects are cast, colored chain link pieces designed to allow precision linking. Connecting the units together by hand forms colorful chains. The patented link can create five different woven patterns. A simple bracelet can be made with 18 units. Pocket products contain 200 units. The Tall Pail contains 950 units and will make 50 bracelets. These creations can be used as jewelry, backpack accessories, room décor, or toys.

Sensible Objects

Young Scientists Club

The Young Scientists Club has designed four basic robot kits for kids ages 8 and up, in which they can build and then operate Hurdle, Sunny, Infra, or Metali. In each Funtastic Robotics kit, young scientists have the option of learning about light, infrared signals, metals, or steering their robot around obstacles. Look inside each kit and explore a double-sided 24-by 24inch instruction and activity poster. Also included are directions to discover an online tutorial video. Building components include a motor, computer module, chassis, and gears. The illustrated instruction sheet offers stimulating learning activities. Kits will be available in stores and online after March.

From Sensible Objects, Beasts of Balance is a new augmented reality game of strategy and skill that combines a tabletop format with an interactive, connected app for ages 7 and up. The gameplay requires you to select, stack, and strategize your beasts throughout the game. Pick an Artefact ( i.e. beast), touch it to the Plinth platform and stack it on the play-base. As connector pieces are added, watch your beasts evolve into new creatures through the Bluetooth-enabled app on your iOS or Android device. If you knock down the tower, it’s game over.

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Kids’ Entertainment: Engaging Today’s Media-Savvy Kids • New Deals, Programming

FEATURED CONTENT

Engaging Today’s Media-Savvy Kids

by Jennifer

or most adults growing up, there was only one way to get to Sesame Street: by tuning in to their local PBS channel. But times have changed and so have kids’ viewing habits. After HBO and Sesame Workshop inked a deal to move the evergreen preschool program to the subscription-based service, many wondered what it would mean for the show. But a year later, Sesame Street—like other programs—have more access points than ever before. Now, the move seems merely a sign of the times. What channel its on, what screen they are viewing it on—for kids, none of it matters. “The balance has shifted and streaming media is increasingly being seen as a real go-to source for quality content for kids and their families,” says Tara Sorenson, head of kids programming, Amazon Studios. “By making it possible for audiences to access this content whenever, wherever, and on whatever devices they choose, it is easier than ever to put kids in the driver’s seat, giving them more control on content decisions.” Today’s kids consume content truly on their demand. The idea that they might not be able to watch something is simply not in their vocabulary. “I have a 7-year-old and I first started seeing it with him individually when he was little,” says Stone Newman, Genius Brands president of worldwide content sales, global consumer products and marketing. “If we stayed at a hotel that didn’t have a good OnDemand service or WiFi, he just couldn’t

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comprehend it. So, for every generation going forward, the concept of what I want and when I want it is going to be a part of their lives. So for us, we’ve embraced that and bring our content to as many places as possible.”

Age Isn’t Just a Number

Having numerous touch points is a go-to approach in the new era of media consumption, but it’s the launch point where the strategy gets interesting. No longer a straight-forward point A to point B approach, content creators must now consider factors such as what platform works best to reach their programs’ target age demographics. Although kids might be watching wherever they can, their age still contributes to where they want to watch most. Last year, Genius Brands chose YouTube as its distribution path to launch its new tween series SpacePOP. It marked a first. For traditional content creators, YouTube has mostly been viewed as an extension of its linear programming. “Sometimes a brand owner will put a slide up that will feature YouTube, and it’s almost like a consolation slide,” says Newman. “That wasn’t us at all. It was a statement that this is where we want to be.” As the leading destination for watching music videos and as a top destination for its target audience, tween girls ages 8–12, YouTube was the right-fit launch partner for SpacePOP.

The company took a similar approach in selecting Netflix to launch its upcoming preschool series Llama Llama. With an already established audience through its New York Times best-selling book series, Llama Llama is a program Newman says not only resonates with preschoolers but the millennial parents who know it best. Millennials have played a major role in the shifting landscape of where kids are watching. As earlier adapters of cord-cutting and streaming, studies have already shown that millennial viewing habits offer a glimpse into what mainstream viewing patterns could become over the next five to 10 years. With more millennials becoming first-time parents, it makes sense that their viewing habits are directly impacting the youngest viewers first. “Millennials grew up with the internet and have a unique relationship with video,” says Jonás Ojeda, head of digital rights for Zinkia Entertainment, creator of the preschool series Pocoyo. “It only seems fitting that they parent their kids in a way that embraces video and the digital world as well.” Zinkia made the switch to debut the fourth series of Pocoyo on YouTube before launching on other channels last fall.

A Focused Approach

Just as age can help determine where to launch a program, so can a platform’s focus. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube have become rising stars in the entertainment space, each making a bigger push to attract younger audiences through partnerships and content. But each is doing so in its own way. Netflix is, as its chief content officer Ted Sarandos described “doubling down on kids and families” driven by entertainment content such as Saban Brand’s upcoming preschool series Luna Petunia. For Amazon’s kids programming, its main focus is on creative learning content, says Sorenson, which is why it was the right-fit partner

for PBS Kids. Amazon programming such as Creative Galaxy, which takes families through craft projects that were showcased during the episodes, also encourages parents and kids to extend viewing experiences beyond the screen. And for YouTube, it’s all about bite-sized viewing, which has made it ideal for interstitial length programs as well as for brands to experiment with supplemental content. YouTube is one of the channels most influenced by the viewing habits of today’s millennial parents. And it’s a channel that’s emerging as a real competitor within the space. As parents can attest—and brand owners know—kids can spend hours on the network watching anything and everything. And unlike most channels, which don’t share information on their viewership, YouTube’s viewership and subscription figures are visible to anyone who visits. Thus, it may offer a better indication of a program’s performance (a key to future brand-building and merchandising) as opposed to the only indicator of most streaming services, a series’ renewal.

Investing in the Future

“The real question is, how do we make content for linear, which still takes up well over 80 percent of kids viewing habits, but also capture that extra 20 percent with different formats, different types of content, different ways that continue to reinforce that property or brand that isn’t through your traditional half-hour episode?,” says Pam Westman, head of Nelvana Enterprises. “That’s what’s causing the disruption, especially for studios in how we make content and what additional content we do make.” Recognizing that these platforms can also offer studios the opportunity to discover as well as incubate existing content, Nelvana acquired the digital series Bravest Warriors (from Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward), which established itself on the former Frederator Studios channel, CartoonHangover, over two seasons.

Last fall, Cartoon Network (CN) launched Mighty Magiswords with 400 pieces of content, beginning with two-minute shorts on its Cartoon Network Anything app. But through promotion via its social channels, it transformed the show into a full-fledged series. “It was the first original programming for that app, a comedy-adventure in which your choice of a particular sword determined the outcome of the story,” says Pete Yoder, vice-president of CN Enterprises. “That developed into five-minute shorts, then into a full series and a gaming platform. It was born out of really looking at a connected-content ecosystem and truly being multi-platform. We have evolved into an agile content group with no separation between linear and digital, where, from its inception, content is developed organically with a multi-platform approach and not just linear.” Studios are also putting more long-term investments into new ways to utilize these platforms. Disney holds a 30 percent stake in Hulu and full-ownership of the multi-channel YouTube network Maker Studios. Mattel Creations expanded its partnership with the crowd-funding studio Tongal to leverage its network of more than 120,000 creators to develop new content based on Mattel’s brands. Tongal’s previous work for American Girl, Thomas & Friends, and Hot Wheels, through targeted video content, helped multiply the brands’ YouTube subscriber bases and social followings. As Mattel’s Chief Content Officer Catherine Balsam-Schwaber described at last year’s MIPJunior conference, “Kids are transforming the business we’re in, from a push business into something consumer-centric. Kids are the primary reason people are consumed with creating their own content. Most significantly, they’re turning media into less of a media defined by form into one defined by platform.” Content will always be important in gaining viewership, but it’s up to content creators to put the right content where viewers are watching.

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FEATURED CONTENT

What’s New in Entertainment? by Jennifer

Lynch

The landscape for children’s entertainment is shifting in response to where kids are watching. But while this shift toward SVOD only a few years ago left licensors and retailers hesistant to jump onboard programs that originated in this landscape, all that’s changing. Below is a sampling of just some of the most recent partnerships and programming taking shape in the new age of children’s entertainment.

Hasbro Studios Debuts First Digital Series

Earlier this year, Hasbro released its first animated digital series, Hanazuki: Full of Treasures. In the series, viewers will meet a girl named Hanazuki, who is gifted with powers that are tied to her many moods. In her orbit are bunny-like creatures called Hemkas, a sheriff of the moon named Dazzlessence Jones, and Kiazuki, who may or may not be a friend. Produced by Hasbro Studios, the series will launch on YouTube with nine, 11-minute episodes that are a mix of colorful psychedelia crossed with anime influences. A companion app will follow in April, and toys will begin to launch in June.

Jazwares, USP Studios in YouTube Content Partnership

Jazwares has obtained the licensing rights for the digital kids content producer USP Studios’ original YouTube-exclusive properties. JazWings, the idea incubation arm of Jazwares, and USP Studios will develop animated content based on new brands in the JazWings incubation program to air on YouTube.With billions of views and growing, animated shows by USP Studios are known by kids and parents worldwide. Beyond a traditional licensing program with Jazwares, JazWings and USP Studios are also looking at new ways to build brands from the ground up. Multiple projects are already in the works with new releases planned for as early as this spring.

WildBrain to Manage Moose Toys’ YouTube Channels

WildBrain was appointed the exclusive global manager of Moose Toys’ YouTube channels for Shopkins, Happy Places, Grossery Gang, and Twozies brands. WildBrain will focus on growing watch times, views, and revenue for the brands.WildBrain will also be responsible for channel optimization.

Sony Pictures Takes Stake in Genius Brands

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) has taken an equity stake in Genius Brands International as part of an expanded distribution agreement, in which it handles global home entertainment marketing and distribution of Kid Genius and Baby Genius. SPHE has been marketing and distributing the labels in North America since last February. At that time, the companies also forged a pact to co-develop, distribute, and merchandise future animated or live-action properties from their programming portfolios. Genius Brand properties covered in the expanded global deal include SpacePOP, Baby Genius, Warren Buffett’s Secret Millionaire’s Club, and Stan Lee’s Cosmic Crusaders. The news follows Sony Pictures Television’s other recently minority stake in the SVOD platform Hopster.

Nick Launches New Series Exclusively on Noggin

Nickelodeon launched a brand-new animated preschool series, Trucktown, in January, exclusively in the U.S. on Noggin, Nickelodeon’s video subscription service for preschoolers. Trucktown (40 half-hour episodes, produced by Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana), features a world populated by young trucks, and centers on Flat Bed Jack and his friends Dump Truck Dan, Monster Truck Max, and others. The show is based on a book series by children’s author Jon Scieszka (The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales).

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COMPANY PROFILE

Makes a Splash in the U.S. Market by

Splashlings Mermaid Medical Clinic

hen Robert Hilton and Simon Strapp formed The Promotional Factory (TPF) 28 years ago, their focus was on premiums and promotions for multinational corporations such as Coca-Cola and Volkswagen. Toys just weren’t on their radar. But when they inked a deal with 20th Century Fox for The Simpsons blind bags for a mass-market Australian retailer, it threw them head-first into the toy business. Since then, the company has expanded. Business was strong with distribution in more than 45 countries, and its TPF Toys division officially launched in 2007. By 2014, it had its sights set on cracking the North American toy market. When Andrew Kamondy, North American digital and social media coordinator, came on board with TPF Toys that year, he knew its licensed novelty products were not going to translate to the U.S. market. Despite being a licensing powerhouse in Australia, U.S. licensors already had long-established toy partners for the same properties. To make an impact in the U.S., TPF Toys needed to move in a new direction, one that focused on its own brands. To do so, TPF Toys “enlisted the services

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of the global toy invention crew, scoured the world, and looked for the best products we could possibly find,” Kamondy says. The company didn’t have a “wish list” of what it was looking for or what categories it was aiming at. It just knew it needed the best of the best, he adds. A year and a half later, its proprietary brands were ready for debut. If you’re going to jump into the collectibles arena, you need to have the right product to compete. Luckily for TPF Toys, Pound Puppies inventor Michael Bowling had a new idea brewing. While Pound Puppies was inspired by Bowling’s daughter, his new creation Splashlings emerged from a story he told his granddaughter about the tiny mermaids that lived in the seashells they found on the beach. Kamondy was first introduced to the line at a licensing show in 2014 and fell in love with it, he says. “Mermaids are cute and they already had a lot of development done, which was very attractive,” Kamondy adds. “With the success of The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and other water-based properties, it was a no-brainer.” Wave two of the collectibles line launched in late 2016 exclusively at Toys “R” Us, featuring ultra-rare color-changing characters. This year, waves three and four will showcase new features, characters, and storylines. The micro mermaids are also being marketed through social media and an animated web series, produced by the Toronto-based production company Smokebomb. The company marked its debut in the plush and activity categories at the same time with the launch of Cut it Out! and Peppy Pups, respectively. When Kamondy first spotted them, both were already garnering attention for their innovative qualities at trade shows. For Cut it Out!, it’s the unique twist it brings

Chris Butera

to the classic play patterns of coloring and cutting. At first glance, Cut it Out! looks like a bunch of markers and a design station, but each marker transforms into a kid-safe cutting tool to simultaneously cut and color paper creations when pressed down in a swivel. In 2017, TPF Toys will add new marker colors and types of materials to cut. The company also plans to integrate a new feature and metallic glitter to its Cut it Out! Design Studio. Peppy Pups likewise delivers a fresh approach to plush pet play without the need for any high-tech bells and whistles. It features a take-along play pattern that requires no batteries and has a patented skeletal structure that allows it to wiggle and waggle as it walks, just like a real dog. “It has this magical play pattern to it,” Kamondy says. “It’s gender-neutral, preschool-friendly, and everybody in that age demographic loves dogs.” The next phase in the line will be Peppy Pets, which incorporates these movements into a new dog breed as well as a pet unicorn and dinosaur. For 2017, the company shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to expanding its established lines, TPF Toys will introduce Loopables, the activity line that links soft plastic loops into bracelets, necklaces, and more using its special Loop-de-Loop tool. “If you have good product, buyers and sales representatives will gravitate, and they’ll want to be a part of it,” says Kamondy. “We have strong relationships with some of the top inventors in the world, and some of the best sales representatives in the industry. We’ve taken our time and we’ve built the company correctly. We didn’t rush to market. We took our time and made sure the product was as great as it was conceived, and we made sure it was executed properly.”

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Activision Blizzard

Funrise

Tim Kilpin, President & CEO

Kelly Woon,Vice-President

Activision Blizzard has announced the launch of a newly created consumer products division and appointed former Mattel and Disney executive Tim Kilpin as its CEO and president. The new division will further accelerate Activision Blizzard’s global growth strategy by leveraging its content and creating new ways for audiences to connect with the company’s franchises and characters. In his new role, Kilpin will lead the development of consumer products to expand and deepen audience engagement with Activision Blizzard’s franchises through long-term retail partnerships, products, and all-new consumer experiences. Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, and King Digital’s consumer product teams will join Kilpin in the new division. Most recently, Kilpin served as Mattel’s president and chief commercial officer, overseeing the company’s sales and marketing functions across all regions. Previously, he served as executive vice-president for Mattel’s boys and girls division, leading global brand strategy, marketing, product design and development, consumer products, and content development for the company’s brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Monster High. Prior, Kilpin was executive vice-president of franchise management at Disney, where he oversaw global cross-category franchise plans for Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and Pixar properties.

Haywire Group Tami Murphy, National Sales Manager

The Haywire Group has appointed Tami Murphy as national sales manager. In this newly created position, she will focus on sales throughout all domestic channels of Haywire’s distribution: specialty, catalog, online, mass market, and distributors. Murphy joined The Haywire Group in 2006, one year after the company was founded. She began as its office manager and moved into a sales and marketing role. Most recently, she served as the company’s marketing manager.

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Funrise Toy Corp. has named Kelly Woon as the company’s new vice-president. Woon began her career with Funrise in 2007 as director of sales in Canada and has since been promoted to various roles, with her most recent being general manager in Canada. Woon was first introduced to the toy industry in 1990 when she worked as an assistant buyer for Toys “R” Us Canada. She worked with the retailer for more than 17 years before joining Funrise. Since then, Woon has grown Funrise’s Canadian business market by 100 percent. She has secured promotional activities and events to build brand awareness in Canada, implemented core programs at various retailers, and opened a Canadian office and warehouse to ensure continued business growth.

Fox Consumer Products Jim Fielding, President

Jim Fielding was appointed president of Fox Consumer Products and innovation, where he will oversee licensing, product development, and new business opportunities in the consumer retail space across both businesses and FX Networks. Fielding has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the consumer retail space, having served as the CEO of Claire’s Stores, Inc., where he oversaw strategic growth and international development for the retail chain’s more than 3,000 stores worldwide. Previously he was president of Disney Stores Worldwide, a role in which he led a $1.2 billion global business that operated 360 stores in 12 countries, as well as the DisneyStore. com e-commerce business. Prior to his 11-year tenure at Disney, Fielding held key roles at Lands’ End, The Gap, The J. Peterman Company, and Dayton-Hudson. FCP also announced new additions to its leadership team: Kirk Bloomgarden, senior vice-president, international operations; Ann Buckingham, senior vice-president, global creative and product development; Tim Erickson, senior vice-president, global licensing and operations; Erin Morris, senior vice-president, global retail business development; and Eva Steortz, senior vice-president, global brand business development.

2017

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 23–25 Licensing International Expo Mandalay Bay Convention Center Las Vegas • licensingexpo.com 23–25 Sweets & Snacks Expo McCormick Place Chicago • sweetsandsnacks.com 31–6/2 BookExpo America Jacob Javits Center New York City • bookexpoamerica.com

/MARCH

5–7 5–8 14–16 23–26

ToyFest West

3–6 3–6 19–20 27–30 27

MIPTV

1–3 9–13 20–21 21–23 21–24

All Baby & Child Conference

/APRIL

/MAY

South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas • toyfestwest.com

Australian Toy, Hobby, & Licensing Fair Melbourne Convention Centre Melbourne • austoy.com.au

London Book Fair

Olympia London London • londonbookfair.co.uk

Halloween & Attractions Show America’s Center St. Louis • haashow.com

Palais des Festivals Cannes • miptv.com

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Bologna Fair Centre Bologna, Italy • bookfair.bolognafiere.it

Kazachok Licensing Forum

Paris Event Center Paris • forumlicence.kazachok.com

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair Hong Kong Convention Centre Hong Kong • hktdc.com

TTPM Spring Showcase

Metropolitan West New York City • anbmedia.com/showcases

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio • allbabyandchildsec.com

JPMA & Anaheim Baby Shows Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim • jpmababyshow.org

New York Baby Show

Pier 94 New York City • thebabyshowseries.com SURTEX Jacob Javits Center New York City • surtex.com

National Stationery Show

Jacob Javits Center New York City • nationalstationeryshow.com

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/JUNE

3–4 7–9 13–15 25–28

/JULY

BookCon

Jacob Javits Center New York City • bookexpoamerica.com

CES Asia

Shanghai New International Exhibition Centre Shanghai • cesasia.cn

e3 Expo

Los Angeles Convention Center Los Angeles • e3expo.com

ASTRA Marketplace

Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia • astramarketplace.com

20–23 Comic-Con International San Diego Convention Center San Diego • comic-con.org

/AUGUST

19–23 26–27

New York NOW

Jacob Javits Center New York City • nynow.com

Chicago Baby Show

Navy Pier Chicago • thebabyshowseries.com

/SEPTEMBER 26

TTPM Holiday Showcase

/OCTOBER 2–5

Fall Toy Preview

5–8 15–18

Metropolitan Pavilion New York City • anbmedia.com/showcases

Dallas Market Center Dallas • toyassociation.org

New York Comic-Con

Jacob Javits Center New York City • nynow.com

ABC Kids Expo

Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas • theabcshow.com