TFE/TFE Licensing, February 2023

On the Cover

tfe Observations & Opinions 2023 Optimism

BY BOB GLASER

We all know what a challenging year 2022 was for the United States, as well as the world overall. Food prices skyrocketing ( I’m a huge fruit lover, and paying $7.99 for a pound of strawberries is simply outrageous), interest rates on a meteoric rise, (can interest rates nd a chute from Chutes and Ladders and start over again?), to new variants of COVID threatening to shut everything down. As it always does, the toy industry persevered and came through 2022 OK.

According to the NPD Group, U.S. retail toy sales were down a mere 0.2% in 2022 compared to 2021. Basically a at year. I nd this news encouraging, since some manufacturers were complaining quietly that holiday sales were very slow to start. As in pre-pandemic years, when the bulk of holiday shopping is done in the last two weeks before Christmas, consumers ultimately delivered in spite of the aforementioned challenges they were faced with. Again, according to the NPD Group, the average selling price of $12.68 was 3% higher than in 2021. e cost of every other consumable increased, so it’s good to see that the same trend was present in the toy industry.

e NPD numbers had plush toys with the largest dollar gain and the fastest dollar growth, rising 31%. ank you very much Squishmallows!

Much like spring training in baseball where every team is optimistic about the upcoming season and the opportunity to win the World Series, we all look forward to the changing of the year and the promise of new beginnings. While 2023 will de nitely present some challenges, some currently known and some yet to be presented, the year is o to a good start. Manufacturers I spoke with who attended the Atlanta Gi Show were extremely happy with the results from this show and looking forward to other upcoming shows, such as NY, to keep the momentum going. 2023 will hopefully be the year where the movie industry returns to pre-pandemic operating as well. With people more comfortable going to a movie theatre, and more kids/licensed lms on the 2023 slate, this should bode well for toy industry sales.

Much to be optimistic about as we move further along into 2023.

February 2023 · Volume 18, No. 1

Publisher Bob Glaser Bob@TTPM.com

Vice President, Advertising & Sales

Donna Moore

Donna@TTPM.com

Controller

Eileen Palermo

Eileen@TTPM.com

Editor in Chief

Jim Silver Jim@TTPM.com

Editorial Manager

Nick Truss Nick@TTPM.com

Contributors

Chelsea Peabody Bohannon, Mary Couzin, Ed Desmond, Webb Knudsen, Jack Placidi, Matthew Nuccio, Sue War eld

Interested in a subscription? Contact Bob Glaser at Bob@TTPM.com.

aNb Media, Inc. 149, W. 36th St., 10th Floor, New York, NY, 10018 · Phone: (646)763-8710 · Fax: (646) 763-8727

Toys & Family Entertainment (TFE) is published three times per year by aNb Media. Copyright 2023 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 edtiors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of management

BOB GLASER, PUBLISHER

WELCOME T P W

What’s Trending?

These trending lists are based on aNb Media’s consumer website, TTPM.com, and related YouTube channels. 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 of top trenders as of February 1st, 2023.

Top 10 Trending Toys

Rukusfx Motion Controlled Music Mixer Electronic Game

Just Play

Disney Frozen iHome EZ Link

Bluetooth Karaoke Machine

eKids

Squishmallows Prehistoric Squad

Plush

Jazwares

Barbie Color Reveal Dolls Neon

Tie-Dye Series

Mattel

My Avastars Fashion Dolls

WowWee

Monster High 2022 Dolls

Mattel

Jumanji Deluxe

Spin Master

Barbie Dream House (2021)

Mattel

Sky Viper Force Drone

Skyrocket Toys

Got2Glow Fairy Finder

WowWee

Top 5 Trending Baby

Rub-a Dub Who’s in my Tub Gift Set

Tickle & Main

Cocoon Z Highchair

Oribel

Chicco Presto Self-Folding

Compact Stroller

Chicco

Tummy Time Water Play Mat

Splashin'kids

Lamaze Squeeze Beats First Drum Set and Soothing Heart Panda

Lamaze

Top 5 Trending Pet

Twirly Bird Snacker

Doc & Phoebe

Gator Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers

Cutiful Mabel's

100% Pure Wool Cat Mat

Sonoma Wool Company

Dawg-X XL and Small

Ruff Dawg

Jolly Soccer Ball

Jolly Pets

Moonbug Announces Global Launch of CoComelon Hugmees by Squishmallows

e CoComelon HugMees by Squishmallows will be the latest addition to the squad of high-quality plush toys with ultraso materials. Featuring the beloved CoComelon characters wearing their pajama onesies, the collection includes all the fan-favorite characters. “At Moonbug, we are always looking at ways to bring the best entertainment and storytelling to our fans. Providing them with lovable toys of their favorite characters to expand storylines and bring them to life at home is a fun way to do that,” said Duncan Tate, Global Head of Hardlines for Moonbug Entertainment. “Jazwares is uniquely positioned to bring our vision to life – with Squishmallows as the number one plush brand, and CoComelon as a leading preschool show, children everywhere will fall in love with these toys.”

ZAG Partners with Playmobil for 2024 Global Miraculous Toy Range

Award-winning global animation studio ZAG and Horst Brandstätter Group have signed a global agreement to develop and distribute a diverse PLAYMOBIL toy range for the beloved and multi-award winning Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir franchise. e announcement was made by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG, and Sibylle Gondolf, Managing Director (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) at leading licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, who represent the Miraculous brand in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and brokered the deal for ZAG. Planned for a 2024 launch, the PLAYMOBIL range will feature Miraculous superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir alongside their team of heroes and villains.

Mattel and Minecraft Partner on New Minecraft Creator Series Camp Enderwood DLC Map and Toy Line

Mattel, Inc and Minecra have announced a partnership to launch the new Minecra Creator Series Camp Enderwood DLC (downloadable content) Map. Introducing a host of new characters and a brand-new, immersive gameplay experience, Camp Enderwood is a digital destination developed in partnership between Mattel, Minecra , and Cyclone Designs, featuring an all-new downloadable map full of unique mini games, available for free download on the Minecra Marketplace. Camp Enderwood’s launch coincides with Mattel’s release of a bespoke Creator Series toy line full of characters, accessories, and stories from the DLC map. Action gure packs come with exclusive in-game items accessed via unique codes in each pack.

acific nnounces the aunch of i is o iest ollection of uties

JAKKS Paci c, Inc unveils a collectible world of knitted plush friends, Ami Amis, launching February 1, 2023 at Walmart nationwide. Every wave of the collection contains 30 friends that collectors of all ages will be excited to play with and display. e collection will range from Common to Rare to Ultra Rare designs. Each character comes with a tag (with a fun back story) and a collector guide for all the designs in the collection. Look out for the Ultra Rare characters featuring a special holographic sticker on their hangtag –because they’re that cool. “What’s most special about Ami Amis is how they make what’s ordinary, extraordinary. ey’re unexpectedly charming and full of positivity and optimism! ese characters are so unique, fans will quickly nd their favorites to add to their collection” said Tracy Warshauer, SVP of Marketing at JAKKS Paci c. “JAKKS will provide innovative new ways to display and interact with Ami Ami’s–look forward to seeing more throughout 2023!” Ami Amis Wave 2 is launching in April at major retailers and online.

Barbie Honors Bessie Coleman With Inspiring Women Series Doll

Barbie has o cially announced the launch of the Bessie Coleman Inspiring Women doll, recognizing the rst Black and Native American female pilot with a doll made in her likeness, in advance of her birthday, January 26th, and in celebration of Black History Month. To ensure Bessie’s legacy is truly represented, Barbie teamed up with Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s great-niece and President of e Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars, to celebrate this Inspiring Women Doll. A er a month of planning, Barbie is teaming up with American Airlines – the rst commercial airline to hire a Black pilot – on a surprising and delightful moment for passengers on a (one) ight operated by an all-Black female ight crew on January 26, 2023, Bessie’s birthday.

he rou to o e ericas ffice to oston in

e LEGO Group announced it has selected Boston for its future head o ce in the Americas, and will move its current o ce from En eld, Connecticut by the end of 2026. President of the LEGO Group in the Americas, Skip Kodak, said the move would support the business’s longterm growth ambitions to bring LEGO play to even more children in the US and the Americas region. Kodak said: “Boston is ranked one of the best cities in the world to attract and retain talent. is, along with its world-class academic institutions, skilled workforce and great quality of life makes it an ideal location for our US head o ce. We have exciting plans for the next phase of growth and hope we can retain many of our current team, as well as attract new colleagues.”

Discover the stunning array of hues and manifest focus and peace from the magical jewels in Birthstone Thinking Putt y ®

INDUSTRY FORUM TOY ASSOCIATION

Advocating for Your Business 365 Days a Year

By Ed Desmond

In 2022, toy companies turned to e Toy Association’s advocacy team for guidance and insight on a range of global and domestic regulatory, trade, sustainability, intellectual property, online privacy, and technical and safety issues impacting the business of toys and play.

is coming year will be no di erent, as the Association sets its sights on 28 priority actions and more than 150 speci c tasks designed to protect and promote the industry and in direct response to member needs.

Last year, the Association advocated for the passage of the INFORM Consumers Act, which was ultimately signed into law by President Biden as part of the Omnibus bill. As the sheer volume of bad actors selling dangerous and violative products continue to proliferate in the e-commerce space, the team will continue advocating for passage of the SHOP SAFE Act, which was excluded from the Omnibus.

Alongside this work, the Association will undertake e orts to help families build crucial media literacy skills, encompassing everything from how to identify counterfeit and imitation toys, to how to safely navigate everything from social media to online ads, scams, and more.

e Toy Association collaborated on proposed revisions to the ASTM F963 toy safety standard; balloting by ASTM will occur in early 2023 with publication of the new standard occurring soon a er. Proposed revisions include updates to the sections on acoustics, battery accessibility, expanding materials, heavy metals, projectiles, and alignment with the CPSIA on tracking labels and phthalates. As emerging issues take shape, e Toy Association will continue to address them with the F963 committee to ensure that the standard remains current with product developments and any safety issues that might arise.

On the global front, our team is expanding its involvement in the International Standards Organisation (ISO) technical committee 181, holding convenor positions for working groups covering mechanical & physical properties, age determination guidelines, interpretations and microbiological safety.

Across the U.S., our state team works day-in and day-out to defeat or amend measures related to priority issues. Last year, we

monitored 1,400 pieces of legislation potentially impacting toys, including nearly 100 chemical regulation bills in 22 states. We successfully amended a California measure regulating PFAS in textiles, to remove an onerous provision the would have required manufacturers of textile products to publish certi cates of compliance for each product on the manufacturer’s website.

We tracked 400+ privacy-related bills, and worked in Connecticut and Utah to ensure COPPA (the Children’s Online Protection Privacy Act) was included in broad consumer privacy measures in those states. We also secured amendments that our members requested to key de nitions in California’s Design Code Bill and other priority changes to increase industry input to the advisory committee and ensure privacy impact assessments are held con dential.

Concerning environmental issues, 30 states considered measures for new packaging and/or product Extended Producer Responsibility. Our team worked with coalition partners to improve the packaging EPR measures that passed in Colorado and California; we also secured key amendments to the “Responsible Battery Recycling Act of 2022” to ensure the battery manufacturer, not the product manufacturer, is responsible for the fees and participation in a stewardship program.

Our work and responsibilities extend far beyond U.S. borders as we tackle issues in 21 countries, including Canada, the European Union, Chile, the Gulf States (including UAE and Saudi Arabia), India, Indonesia, Israel, and several other nations important to the future of the industry.

is is far from an exhaustive list of our team’s aggressive role in pushing back on legislative threats and managing regulatory a airs on behalf of members and the industry at large. I encourage anyone with questions, insight, or in need of guidance to reach out. We welcome company participation in any one of our advocacy committees, which meet throughout the year to tackle the challenges, threats, and opportunities we all face. e more companies that participate, the more we can collectively accomplish for the betterment of all.

Ed Desmond is Executive Vice President of External A airs at the Toy Association. He can be reached at edesmond@toyassociation.org.

FORUM DESIGN EDGE

Matt Nuccio opines on the shortcuts to success as an inventor, or rather, the lack therof.

No Simple Steps to Inventing

by Matthew Nuccio

If you were to search the internet for information on how to bring your product idea to reality, you are bound to nd dozens upon dozens of companies, gurus, consultants and coaches o ering pay-toplay courses on how to make millions as an inventor. While some of them may indeed o er sage advice, others will sell you “simple steps” and “guideline method” programs to “ensure success”. Others will tout the merits of licensing as the golden ticket. However, even with all this help, the reality is that there is no simple method to nding success as an inventor. According to an Edison Nation poll, 78% of inventors believe that their invention will earn them a minimum of $1 million dollars, and 54% of them believe it will earn them over $5 million. Yet, only less than 3% of them will even sign a licensing agreement, let alone make any money! ese “gurus” o en tend to peddle false realities through cults of personality, oversimpli cations, and saccharine cheer-leading, all while playing up to the notion that your one idea will be life-changing. Most of you may remember the 90’s real estate guru, Tom Vu. Before the days of social media, Tom Vu would appear in low budget commercials, surrounded by luxury cars, mansions, and yachts. He o ered “free” seminars (which were thinly-veiled sales pitches) for why you needed to take his course to be as successful as him. His $16,000 course would teach you how to invest in “distressed properties” to make you an overnight millionaire. e problem was that no one became a millionaire! In fact, Tom Vu ended up being sued by his students and investigated by the government for alleged securities fraud and false advertising. e practice of preying on people’s hopes and dreams is nothing new in our society, and it doesn’t help that many folks believe themselves too smart to fall victim to scams. To make matters more treacherous, the advent of social media has ushered in the 21st century snake oil salesmen, providing them with more sophisticated tools and a greater reach and in uence than ever before. But, fear not...here’s a few things to look out for.

If you’re going to pay someone for advice, you should make sure that they are the real deal. Research them and ask yourself: “Are they now, or have they ever been able to be fully employed from the revenue of their inventions? Are they blowing hot air about their past success?” A success may be framed as such, even though it’s likely it never even recouped their small advance payment (if they even ever received one.) ey will likely anticipate this being issue, and instead focus on getting their licensing deal as the “big win”, and not the revenue earned (if any.) Unfortunately, getting a licensing deal is only one small milestone, and not something one should be bragging about in public forums. at alone does not guarantee success. But too many budding inventors have been hoodwinked into thinking they’re going to be a millionaire in a few short months. I get why you would be excited by that step and would want to share that. And

I’d like to point out that said “guru” will likely encourage you at this stage to promote the licensing deal “milestone” as a tremendous success as it looks good for them! Congratulations, you’ve just been exploited! It is essential to know that a lot can and will go wrong between the signing of a licensing agreement, and when, or if, your product even makes it to market. It is important to understand that a very large majority of licensed products are dropped and never get to see the light of day. So, if you are bragging now, at too early a stage, you may end up with egg on your face when your product fails to make it onto the shelves.

I want to conclude this article with a personal anecdote that brings a breath of reality to the points I made above. My grandfather was a US Marine-turned brick mason who instilled in me the merit of hard work and study. He was an excellent example of the “rule of 10,000 hours”, popularized in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers. In Outliers, Gladwell elaborates on the theory that it takes 10,000 hours of hyper-focused study to truly master a particular skill set. “ ere is no substitute for hard work” my grandfather would o en tell me. I learned that I needed to earn success step-by-step. My grandfather honed his cra over a lifetime to the point where even into his 80’s, he was sought a er by homeowners, churches, and institutions for his incredible masonry skills. What he learned over his lifetime cannot be taught by a handful of videos. Sure, some pitfalls and lessons learned through error can be shared, easing the path of anyone wanting to learn those same skills. But the reality is that you cannot learn to build a brick replace in 30 mins, just as you cannot become a professional inventor by just watching YouTube videos, or going to a get-rich-quick style “guru”. At minimum, you would have to have a solid understanding of how to create a “foundation” that can support 7 tons of bricks. Envision those bricks as your invention idea and path to success. As a new inventor, just knowing that you need a sell sheet, video, and a working prototype is not a solid foundation. Having a formula for how to create sell sheets, videos, and prototypes isn’t even a solid foundation. Just as a brick layer needs to know to dig beneath the frost layer, they also need to have an understanding of the ground itself. It’s quite di erent building upon bedrock than it is building upon sand, just as it is di erent to pitch your invention to a large company, versus a medium or small company. Each one has its own requirements, set of ways to successfully work with them, pitfalls, pluses, and minuses. Getting to know all of those variables is essential! So, don’t be sold on simple solutions. ey don’t exist.

Matt Nuccio is president of Design Edge, a New York-based toy and game development company. For more information, he can be reached at matt@ designedge.net.

A New Year and a New Logo for ASTRA!

by Sue Warfield, ASTRA President

We have hit the ground running! We’ve regrouped, refocused and reinvented our programs, o erings, bene ts, and gatherings. We are now a sta of 8 that is eager to work with our members and partners to be the guiding star of the specialty play industry.

Before we get into the details of our plans for the year, we want you to get to know our sta . Below is the listing of each of us, along with our email addresses and direct phone lines. We no longer have a physical o ce, and all work remotely, so we are able to truly connect individually with all of you! We look forward to working more closely with our members this year to better communicate our events and o erings, as well as get input on what o erings will be most bene cial to engage, educate, and promote the success of all in our specialty play industry.

President Sue War eld

Direct Line: 312-283-9393 | Email: swar eld@astratoy.org

Director of Operations Kathy Balogh

Direct Line: 773-261-8707 | Email: kbalogh@astratoy.org

Special Projects and Events Manager Michael Foldeak

Direct Line: 312-283-4255 | Email: mfoldeak@astratoy.org

Membership & Programs Specialist Jenna Stirling

Direct Line: 312-283-7144 | Email: jstirling@astratoy.org

Communications and Marketing Coordinator Briana White

Direct Line: 312-238-9845 | Email: bwhite@astratoy.org

Administrative and Membership Support Ashlee Cammack

Direct Line: 312-238-9887 | Email: acammack@astratoy.org

Education Coordinator Katie Cooley

Direct Line: 312-414-1546 | Email: kcooley@astratoy.org

Programs, Events & Membership Sales Dan Guzman

Direct Line: 773-536-9927 | Email: dguzman@astratoy.org

What will be working on speci cally? In January, we attended the Dallas, Atlanta, and Las Vegas Gi shows. It is imperative that we go out to where are members are to meet in-person, and have the opportunity to listen to what challenges and opportunities are out there in the play environment.

Nominations are open for our ASTRA Star Play Awards (formerly our Best Toys for Kids Awards). Anyone can nominate products – retailers, reps, and manufacturers! Simply snap a photo of the product, and text it along with your name and company name to Jenna Stirling at 312-283-7144! Nominations are open through February 28, 2023. Once nalists are chosen from the nominations by our retailer committee, voting will begin in late April. Only ASTRA retailers can vote, and the winners will be announced at our Marketplace & Academy in June.

In February, ASTRA will be attending the NY NOW show at Javits. Michael Foldeak will be there to answer questions and talk about all our events and o erings for 2023.

Something totally new in 2023 – ASTRA’s Toy Boat Experience. If we learned nothing else in the past two years, it is that we need to be innovative! Sticking with what we’ve always done, while at rst may seem the safest, in the long run makes for complacency. At ASTRA, we were inundated with requests to do something to ll the gap that was le when Toy Fair announced their move to September. Another trade show just wasn’t needed with the January gi shows, NY Now and Toy Fest already on the calendar. When we asked what was most important for our members and industry colleagues during the February time frame the top two answers were 1: Networking and 2: Seeing new product.

ASTRA took the bold move to do an entirely di erent kind of event, booking cabins, a conference room, and tabletops for vendors on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Innovative, exciting and new – this experience allows time for build ing relationships, having more relaxed conversations amongst retailers, reps, manufacturers, and a liates to learn from one another, sharing ideas, building year-round programs and seeing brand new items via a less overwhelming presentation than a large trade show. We sail on February 20 and will be sharing posts from the ship. Is this a risk? Perhaps, but all new things involve taking a chance, and for those that will be on board, it will be an amazing experience. Watch our Facebook and Instagram for snippets that will post from the ship!

ASTRA will be at Toy Fest! Stop by and see Sue War eld, ASTRA’s president, and share your ideas, sign up for Marketplace & Academy in Columbus, or just learn more about what ASTRA is planning for 2023 and beyond. ASTRA’s Star Event, Marketplace & Academy, is happening in Columbus, Ohio June 11th -14th, with receptions on the evening of Saturday the 10th. We have more than ever scheduled this year! With our mission to engage, elevate and promote the success of our members, the actual trade show is just one component of Marketplace & Academy. To Engage and Elevate, we are o ering educational tracks, our game and kit session, our opening night party, educational learning on the show oor each morning (with breakfast before the actual show oor opens), and our ever-popular toy sync battle. To allow all that attend to experience everything, we will only be o ering a free “show oor only” badge to children under 16. e full conference badge will allow all other attendees into all events, as well as provide vouchers for food at our numeorus scheduled meals. Attendees can register by going to www.astratoy.org. Event information can be found at: https://astra.glueup.com/event/astra-marketplace-academy-2023-columbus-ohio-64799/

If you are in the specialty play industry, you will want to become a Certi ed Play Expert! What is that? Earning the ASTRA Certi ed Play Expert credential will deepen your knowledge about child development and the importance of play – through all ages! We are o ering the in-person, 2 day classes throughout the year. Participants will get top-quality, research-based instruction in several core areas, including theories of child development, characteristics of major developmental stages, types of play and their bene ts, advocating for play, and making sense of play. Parents and buyers depend on the specialty toy industry for toys that are loads of fun for kids, and promote healthy, developmentally appropriate play at the same time. Becoming well-versed in the art and science of play is an important business strategy that leads to di erentiating your products or your store from the competition, and builds trust with your customers. Our Certi ed Play Expert program classes are at our website on events tab and “upcoming events”– or at this link: https://www.astratoy.org/events

Young inventors Challenge - e Young Inventor Challenge provides an opportunity for students to develop and pitch their original toy and game inventions to major companies, industry professionals, members of the media, and the general public. is unique and educational experience ignites imagination, creativity, and presentation skills, providing a means of taking these inventions to greater heights, via professional critiques and mentoring opportunities from our industry experts. ASTRA is partnering with People of Play on this incredible initiative for children in 2023.

ASTRA retailers will have the opportunity to sign up to have their stores serve as sign-up locations or summer camp/ workshop locations, guided by step-by-step curriculum for leading kids through this unique experience of becoming a game or toy inventor.

All ASTRA member types will have the opportunity to serve as mentors or volunteers in their local areas and via zoom. We are all so excited to expand the reach of the program that challenges kids to think creatively, dream big, and make those dreams a reality!

We will, once again, celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Month in November. Information and participation signups for both manufacturers and retailers will be ready at Marketplace & Academy. is initiative is designed to provide great specials, in-store activities, and PR to drive tra c for our retail members, and share the brilliant bene ts of toys with the communities they serve.

Watch for more exciting ASTRA news over the next few months! If you are not a member, we send our Toy Times Monthly Digital to all our contacts, and you can sign up on our website. It’s going to be a fabulous year!

Eco-Friendly Enthusiasm!

By Jack Placidi

In terms of planet-friendly practices, most of us grew up learning the virtue of recycling, and not much else. However, in recent years, the toy industry as a whole has stepped up to teach and encourage eco-sustainable living and products through example. ere has been a major push to cover a lot more aspects of eco-friendliness that go far beyond mere recycling. Along with the teachings, companies are adapting changes into their production process, and encouraging this boost of consciousness to the industry as a whole. In the past few years, there have been some stand out examples that I feel deserve mention and praise; they’re examples of what we can all strive for in the new year and beyond.

From Plastic to Play

One of my favorite ways that companies have been tackling the issue of plastic is turning it into toys! e most adorable example I’ve seen recently is from the company Shore Buddies, whose mission it is to “bring Sustainability into Play, to keep Plastics out of the Oceans.” Every one of their plushes is made from six plastic bottles. e bottles are turned into a cute animal that is super so and simultaneously teaches kids the importance of recycling, and keeping trash out of the ocean.

Another product that has transcended from plastic to play is the Monsterkins line of plush from Wild Republic. Each of these cute monster plush are also made from recycled plastic materials, and the monsters themselves have backstories where they feed on plastic bottles and can digest them within two hours. Even though in reality it takes almost ve hundred years for plastic bottles to decompose, these toys can be a nice accompaniment to teach kids the importance of recycling plastic bottles, and encourage them to do so at their household.

Eco-Education

While many companies are tackling the physical strategies of conservation with plushes and cute creatures made from recycled materials, one company in particular has stood out to

me in making sure kids are taught the practical skills of being environmentally conscious through the lens of fun games. Enter Adventerra Games! rough their games like Hungry Bins, PowerHaus, Recycle Rally, and Global Warning, they make children aware of environmental issues through fun gameplay and teach about waste reduction, recycling, renewable energy, and climate change.

Packaging Perfection

Whether it’s from the display window for an action gure, or the endless plastic found in unboxing toys, much of modern toy packing uses a lot of plastic that o en nds itself in the garbage, rather than the recycling bin. Companies are nding ways to circumvent this and create recycling-friendly packaging in the coming years. Hasbro has been keen on eliminating all plastic from new, single-use product packaging by 2023. While the results of this have drawn mixed reactions, the overall bene ts of reducing waste with a windowless gure package, and encouraging more creative package art is far and above worth it.

Mattel has also jumped on board with eco-friendly packaging, with a commitment to recycled paper packaging found on MEGA Bloks, certain Barbie dolls, and Matchbox vehicles.

Only time will tell the impact that these decisions have in the long run for protecting our planet, but in an industry that is highly in uential to the growth of children, it’s important to lead by example. With e orts being made by companies both large and small, I’m optimistic that the toy industry will continue to be a leading source of sustainable production methods, and help cra an eco-friendly mindset in generations of children moving forward.

Jack Placidi is the creative director at TTPM, whose expertise includes years of video content creation and promotion for various toy companies and in uencers. For more info, email at jack@ttpm. com.

Q&A with the Ullman Family

by Mary Couzin

ere are not many multi-generation inventor families, but if there were, the Ullman family would still be at the top of the list. I’ve had the good fortune of getting to know Don and Anne over the years as well as their boys, Al and Jack. Don has great stories (to start, ask him about owning an Italian Ice Shop and an Auto Detailing Shop) and has a playful soul… if you look closely, you’ll see the twinkle in his eyes that matches his mischievous grin. Enjoy reading about the Ullmans!

How did you and your family rst enter the toy industry?

I was the rst one in my family to enter the toy industry. My father was an engineer, and my mother was a crystallographer, both very scienti c. But they did recognize and understand the value of play, so we played lots of games and spent lots of time creating fun outdoor experiences. I had an idea for a board game when I was in my early 20’s and made a very crude prototype but didn’t’ know where to go with it. Somehow, I managed to get in touch with a famous New York agent and got bullied into telling him about the idea on the phone. He told me what a lousy idea it was and that I shouldn’t waste any of my time on it – welcome to the industry! But, then in the early 1990’s a friend of mine had an idea for a board game, raised money, and self-published it. He brought it to toy fair and, since he knew I was interested, invited me along.

Anyone who has been to NY Toy fair for the rst time knows what an eye-opening experience it is; I was hooked. People began asking if we had other product ideas, so naturally we said yes and began to work together trying to develop some new concepts. Over time, I began to learn how the industry worked and met people that could help. Fun fact – one of the rst games I ever worked on, made entirely out of wood, was optioned by Milton Bradley, so I thought I was o to the races. Sadly, it didn’t make it to the shelves, so I learned about one of the pitfalls of the business early, but I managed to keep a positive outlook and kept going. It took a long time to have some hit products, so I give my wife Anne a lot of credit for hanging in there and believing in me. With some great inventing partners, I eventually had some hits along the way like e Incredible Shrinky Dinks Maker, Soggy Doggy, Don’t Step In It, and Drone Home!

From le to right: Anne Ullman , Al Ullman, Jack Ullman, Don Ullman

Who has been involved and who is involved now?

In the beginning I had a partner, but we were not exactly on re, so he went on to pursue other interests – like a job. So, it was just me. Anne played a critical role though – having a steady income! Once we had kids, and they got to game playing age, they began to test games and be involved in video shoots. Of course, watching them play was inspirational! I started working with other partners, so even though my business was just me, it didn’t feel lonely. Fast forward to today and my oldest son Al is in the business. He was teaching Music in Boston and during the pandemic he decided to change careers. He came home to work with me and that was awesome – we created some great concepts together and I got to see he has a talent for the business. e plan was always for him to go out in the industry and get some experience and he has. He now works at GPI doing many of the same things that he did while working with me, but also learning the whole manufacturing side of the industry. It was super fun to see him at the 2022 POP event in Chicago as my competitor! Anne is more involved now too. She helps test games, providing great insights, is in a lot of my videos, records voice overs, and in general is a positive force for good! She enjoys going to the trade shows and loves the people in the industry and they love her back! My youngest son Jack has certainly been involved. He was an o cial play tester with his friends and was in a lot of my videos. He even co-invented a game that we licensed. He is now working in another industry and living in Brooklyn NY. He is a very playful type and plays a lot of games, so it will not surprise me if he gets involved someday.

Do you think the next generation will get involved?

at is hard to say but both Al and Jack love to play games so if they have their own kids, it is certainly a possibility!

How has business changed over the years?

I think things have changed for the good in a lot of ways for inventors just starting out. Technology has made it so much easier to meet companies to pitch to. Now with events like POP focused on making connections it is so easy for new inventors to meet companies from around the world. In the old days, that would involve a lot of travel and expense and even so, it was hard to meet that many companies. It’s now super easy to create compelling videos with just a phone, and 3D printers

have made prototyping much more accessible to everyone. And with platforms like Zoom you can shoot a video one day and be pitching it the next. ings are also better for people that want to self-publish because there are avenues other than the big retail chains, to sell direct to consumer. On the other side of the coin, I think certain things may be tougher. As the barriers to entry have fallen there are lots of games coming into the market from many di erent sources, so it is extremely di cult to make a game get noticed. Additionally, licenses play such a big role in what hits the shelves. Toy and game companies are looking for something to make their product stand out in a sea of product, and they o en turn to a license. Many of these games are invented in-house.

What advice do you have for others thinking of joining the family business?

I think joining a family business is great if you have a real passion for what you are doing. It must happen organically though – it can’t be forced with expectation, or it will never really work. It makes me happy that Al chose to join the industry. I hope that he feels the way I do about it, which is with a sense of wonder and belonging, knowing there are no limitations to the freedom and creativity to bring out products that make kids and adults come together and laugh.

Al Ullman Don Ullman (le ), Anne Ullman (right)

History

Goliath was founded in 1980 in Holland by Adi Golad. In 2008, Goliath made its way to the United States. From its humble beginnings, the North American headquarters has grown into a bustling office in Richardson, TX for over 50 employees, with a warehouse and an impressive dropshipping facility.

Globally, Goliath has created offices in 13 countries while their products are sold in over 75 different countries. Some of Goliath’s notable strategic acquisitions include Pressman Toy in 2014, JAX in 2017, and Wahu in 2018, expanding the brand even further.

Product Focus

Goliath is committed to creating products that help kids, families, and adults be clever together. They do this through skill and action games like Greedy Granny, Pop the Pig and Shark Bite. They also feature many well-loved games, including multigenerational favorites like Rummikub, Sequence, Mastermind and Tri-ominos.

Goliath is currently working on expanding their footprint into the realm of toys, and crime and strategy games. Thanks to their acquired brand Wahu, they are also venturing into outdoor products. Goliath has had great success working with podcasts, and is continuing to do so this year.

We are:

•One of the few remaining toy companies that is familyowned, family-operated.

•One of the world’s fastest growing independent toy companies.

•A top 5 game manufacturer in North America.

•Specializing in kids & family games, outdoor seasonal, and multi-generational classic titles.

Q&A with

Playper’s debut product, the Curious Kingdom Playset, which launched just recently in November of 2022.

Sustainability is a talking point that is thankfully garnering more and more attention in recent years. As an industry rich with creative minds who have their ngers on the pulse of culture, toys are o en at the forefront of new and innovative ideas. ese ideas, in turn, end up as drivers of wider culture, by educating and entertaining generations of future grown ups, (or “very very big kids” as we like to call them). Enter Playper, a young company founded by parents with professional backgrounds in a multitude of industries, who are looking to make a big impact with a small carbon footprint. In their own words, “Playper is a purpose-driven company that rst and foremost considers its responsibility to the world. Delivering a fantastic product that wows, educates, and fosters creativity for kids through toys that are better for the planet runs core to everything we do.” We had the very lucky opportunity to connect with Mr. Webb Knudsen, CEO of Playper, and ask him a few questions about the folks behind Playper, what drives the company, and how it feels to be a early rising star in the industry.

Interviewer: Nick Truss

|Interviewee: Webb Knudsen, CEO of Playper

Webb Knudsen, CEO of Playper

Q.) Who are the minds behind the company?

A.) We are a team of children’s entertainment experts with a passion for toys, storytelling and interactive learning. While our founders come from big names like Disney, Lucas lm, and Net ix, we launched this little company to create an amazing kids toy that was also good for the planet. We also happen to be parents and know rst-hand that balancing screen time can be a challenge, which inspired us to launch a product that blends imaginative play with technology and educational entertainment experiences.

Q.) Where did the idea for starting Playper come from?

A.) Our team was inspired to make high quality, premium toys that also have a positive impact on the planet and don’t create the plastic waste commonly seen around children’s products. Not only is Playper environmentally friendly, but we also spark children’s imagination and make learning fun with a healthy mix of augmented reality. As a team of parents, our primary focus has always been making toys that children nd fun, and parents can feel good about. From that focus came the launch of our rst product, the Curious Kingdom, an open play world where a child’s toy comes alive through their own imagination, and the associated Curious Kingdom app that leads them through animated content with interactive stories, learning games, music, and hidden surprises.

Q.) What would you say are Playper’s ethos and mission statement?

A.) Playper is a company that rst and foremost considers its responsibility to the world. Delivering a fantastic product that wows, educates, and fosters creativity for kids through toys that are better for the planet runs core to everything we do.

Q.) Playper has met with accolades and early success thus far. How does Playper plans to keep that strong momentum going?

A.) We couldn’t be prouder of the praise and recognition we’ve received thus far, such as a 2022 World Changing Ideas Award before our rst product even launched! Seeing the joy and enthusiasm from both kids and parents once the Curious Kingdom Playset launched only increased our never-ending passion to introduce fun and planet-friendly toys to the world. As for the future, the Curious Kingdom is only the beginning of Playper. We are always exploring new and exciting ways to reach our core consumers whether that be new characters, expanded storylines and playsets, licensed partners, or increased retail presence beyond Playper.com.

Q.) Are there any upcoming products or partnerships you’d like to share with us?

A.) To align our team goals of protecting the planet along with our own gi -giving practices, we decided to “talk the talk, and walk the walk” and make a pledge to go #PlasticFreeUnder eTree last holiday. We launched this initiative to help families and gi -givers nd planet-friendly gi s, from toys made of renewable resources to ideas for experiences. We hope to expand the initiative this holiday season and invite other eco-friendly brands to branch out and join our cause. Be sure to stay tuned and keep an eye out for Playper this year, you never know where we may pop up!

FEATURED CONTENT

What’s the Word in Specialty Toys?

by Nick Truss

Although there is no denying the broad in uence and importance of mass market toys, the specialty toy sphere is owed a great deal of gratitude for driving innovation in the industry. With a greater focus on ful lling a very particular consumer need, necessarily comes a greater level of scruitiny on every aspect of the product. is attention to detail, and incredibly high standard for concept and production, has helped earn specialty toy manufacturers their designation as such. For this issue, we reached out to leaders in the specialty toy market to get their thoughts on what their work means to them, the industry at large, and a few other topical questions.

When asked about the importance of specialty toys in the wider toy market, Annie Laurie Zomermaand, CCO of schleich had this to say, “Specialty toys focus on high quality vs. high performance, so they are built to foster kids’ imaginations, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in unique ways. schleich characters and playsets are powered by kids’ innate sense of storytelling, which enables them to continue nding new ways to play. Matched with hand-cra ed detail, design, and quality materials, our toys are not only meant to last and evolve with kids’ play patterns, but can also be handed down and shared, keeping them in kids’ hands even longer.”

She adds, “From a retail perspective, specialty toys provide independent, and specialty stores the opportunity to stand out from mass retailers and provide more unique shopping and discovery experiences, allowing them to become more of a destination for families and kids of all ages.”

Beth Allen, VP of Marketing at Nutt Heads, appreciates the deep speci city of consumer need that specialty toys can fulfull. “Specialty toys allow us to present options to important and underserved niches. For example, ‘Anxiety Attack!’ and ‘Anger Smash’ allow players to explore daily stressors, and ways to nd relief. ‘Paco Ŝako’ invites chess and strategy game enthusiasts to

take game play to a whole new level. ese games are especially well-suited for specialty retailers who can give them the proper context and attention they warrant.”

Some companies earn their specialty designation based on their mission statement, with all of their toys designed and manufactured to further a central goal. Vishnu Chandran, CEO of Wild Republic says, “Our specialty toys focus on connecting humans and animals and educating children of all ages on the wonders and beauty of nature. is is a message that needs to spread far and wide in order to achieve our ultimate vision of a world where humans and animals live in peace.”

Far and above, most higher-ups see specialty toys as a boon for retail outlets, having the potential to o er a unique experience to customers in the age of online sales and big box stores. Jim Seymour, VP and CTO at E-Blox, comments, “ e Specialty Toy business is a super critical sales channel for the Toy market. What makes a great toy is a great play experience, which you just can’t experience through online channels. Retail Toy stores realize this, and create personable, fun, in-person experiences from the moment you walk in the store. Many stores even have play areas so kids can play with the toys they are selling to get that fun play experience right there at the store. Many consumers will only buy toys at their local toy store because the employees know them by name when they walk in, and through the play experience at the store, they leave with con dence knowing they purchased the right toys for their kids.”

Andrew Quartin, CEO at ames & Kosmos adds, “For ames & Kosmos speci cally, specialty retailers are invaluable to the success of our business. Our products, whether they fall under the category of STEM toys, activity toys, board games, or one of our other main categories, are designed to provide hands-on learning and playtime experiences, and the best way to demonstrate how they do that is to do just that, demonstrate it!”

FEATURED CONTENT

Mr Quartin continues, “Specialty retailers provide a unique atmosphere for customers to learn about products; it’s an environment that you just can’t experience with online retailers or even larger chains. Additionally, placement at specialty retailers creates a sort of grassroots following that inherently produces a strong sense of overall brand loyalty. We appreciate the thoughtful and deliberate process that specialty retailers go through when determining which products to carry. ey do their research. We know that when an independent toy store decides to put our products on their shelves, it’s because they believe in it, and will advocate for it to their customers. You can’t ask for a better environment to get a product o the ground and into the hands of the children (and parents) we aim to serve.”

Ryan Rzeznik, VP of Sales at Choon’s Design, o ered, “Although we consider our products important across all retail channels, the specialty market remains a signi cant aspect of our business. We put an emphasis on creativity and inspiration in our assortment, with our specialty partners doing a tremendous job engaging customers with a hands-on experience. Specialty toys help provide the joy and in-store experience families are looking for that they can’t nd in big box retailers.”

Specialty Toys and In-Person Events

e toy industry has seen quite a number of rapid changes, many of which we’ve covered in last year’s issues. We’ve previously felt the pulse of many mass market companies on happenings such as Toy Fair’s move from winter to fall, ToyFest’s rebranding, and ASTRA’s inventive Toy Boat, but what does the specialty sector think?

Specialty Toys in particular bene t from a hands-on experience, so the return of face-to-face events is quite welcome. Andrew Quartin remarks, “Overall, we’re just thrilled to see these in-person events happening again! While the past several years have provided everyone in the toy industry (and the world, for that matter) the opportunity to practice being exible and being able to adjust to ever-changing circumstances, there’s no absolute alternative to face-to-face interactions with buyers and

retailers, particularly with the types of products we make.”

Freddie Jordan, Senior Marketing Manager at Hape, echos the enthusiasm for getting back to in-person shows. “Hape certainly takes great pride in its high standards to bring their toys to the specialty market. ere has already been a massive shi and change in how we connect and communicate with our potential buyers since 2020, however, it is always great when we can meet them face-to-face at these shows. ”

Toy Fair’s big seasonal shi will be a bene t to specialty manufacturers and events, so believes Larry Hotaling, President of Hotaling Imports. “Since Toy Fair is no longer taking place in February, ToyFest, ASTRA, and the regional gi shows are becoming more relevant. We have already seen retailers visiting the regional gi shows to replace their annual visit to Toy Fair. I really believe a specialty buyer can manage without Toy Fair in February by attending these other events.”

Choon’s Design’s Mr. Rzeznik, seeing the shi s of the past year, notices a particularly positive opportunity for ToyFest’s growth. He comments, “Rainbow Loom is happy to participate in the full line up of toy events, and the changes being made seem for the better. e rebranding of ToyFest should help the perception of the show for all retailers and toy companies to consider attending. e timing of the show is a great replacement to the traditional New York Toy Fair.”

schleich’s Ms. Zomermaand is pleased with the changes as they stand, taking note of the continued wealth of annual event options. “We are fortunate to be in an industry that has multiple shows in varied locations across North America, so that manufacturers, and specialty toy partners, can meet throughout the year. We participate in many of these events, including ToyFest and ASTRA. With the return of Toy Fair in September, we do not foresee the need for any changes.”

Others observe this malleable time as an opportunity to make even more adjustments to the traditional mold. Mr. Chandran opines on the possibility of smaller sub-events and quality of life

FEATURED CONTENT

changes to better build relationships between attendees. “We’d like to see the experience evolve to better connect customers and vendors before, during, and a er the event. More user-friendly pre-show appointment scheduling, at-show engagement, and post-show follow-up tools would enhance the value of shows, and help build customer and vendor relationships.”

Of course, with an abundance of events comes the possibility of spreading oneself thin. Nutt Head’s Ms. Allen o ers, “We would like to see a more streamlined annual schedule of larger events. For example, it would be great if there was only one large specialty market event falling in Q1, ToyFest, (also in Q1), only one ASTRA event falling in June, and then NY Toy Fair in Q3. While we are attending the ASTRA Toy Boat event, we do feel there are too many shows dividing our time and attention.”

E-Blox’s Mr. Seymour is witholding judgement, observing the need to feel out the new event landscape rst. “Last year’s announcement of Toy Fair NYC moving to Sept 2023 led to many other changes in the toy convention space, including the mentioned rebranding of ‘ToyFest West’ to ‘ToyFest’, and the introduction of ASTRA’s Toyboat. Since 2023 is the rst year with this new toy convention calendar of events, we really need to go through the year and see how well the new schedule works before suggesting speci c changes that may be bene cial. at said, the new schedule does have Toy Fair NYC (September 30th through October 3rd) occurring relatively soon a er ASTRA Marketplace (June 11th through 14th), so we will need to see how well that plays out.”

Special Challenges

With unique toys come unique challenges. Specialty toys and mass market toys face some overlapping hurdles, but each have a host of trials unique to their sphere. When we asked our interviewees what they think are the biggest challenges facing specialty toys to date, we received a wide variety of answers.

Mr. Hotaling recognizes the delicate balance inherent to purveying specialty toys, reckoning with the increasing

prevalance of online shopping, while trying not to forsake brick and mortar stores that have helped build their customer base. “Due to market attrition prior to the pandemic, the number of specialty stores was decreasing every year, so there were fewer stores to sell to. erefore, it is important to develop other channels without compromising our existing customer base. In general, the challenge is educating consumers on the value of purchasing a specialty toy.”

Ms. Zomermaand touches on specialty store strategies for attracting customers, explaining, “ e biggest challenge in the specialty toy market is also what makes it so special. Specialty stores are typically independent and locally owned, which makes each one unique and di erentiated for the consumers within that area. Owners must actively engage a marketing plan to bring customers in to speci cally shop just for toys, like ours. While our toys are designed to spark imaginations and tap into the storytelling powers of kids, it’s also incredibly important for us to help specialty store owners create stories and experiences of their own to ultimately reach our shared core consumers. At schleich, we value our partnerships with these owners, and have a dedicated team to work directly with them, creating programs for their stores, and xtures to showcase the product. Additionally, since 2019, we have partnered with more than 50 specialty stores across North America to create agship stores that showcase giant gurines, special displays, and in-store events.”

A mismatch of schedules between retailers and manufacturers can cause di culties, as Ms. Allen explains, “ e specialty toy market is important to Nutt Heads, and can be a challenge as well. We sometimes nd it di cult to accurately forecast volumes for this market because specialty retailers place their orders later in the year, a er our main manufacturing runs. Specialty retailers tend to have less shelf space and foot tra c, and consequently, sales volumes can be low on an individual retailer basis. To combat the challenge of shelf space, we develop niche products that stand out from the competition and help secure us placement in a crowded space. To help ensure we have the right amount of inventory to serve the specialty market, we gauge consumer and small retailer interest by displaying at events like Gen Con and Origins. Also, sometimes we just use historical data, plus our gut instincts, to guide our decisions.”

FEATURED CONTENT

A major sink-or-swim factor for any company in the toy industry is keeping abreast of current trends, and specialty manufacterers are certainly not immune to this. Mr. Rzeznik of Choon’s Design remarks, “Our biggest challenge in the specialty market is being able to chase what the customer is buying, and viewing current trends. We’ve put more emphasis on domestic inventory to truly chase sales, especially at the specialty level. Tools like MarketTime have allowed a much more streamlined approach to communication and purchasing.”

Recognizing trends is key, but so is developing products for needs that will always be around. Mr. Jordan of Hape says, “One challenge in the specialty toy market is the increasing need to match trends. However, Hape takes pride in developing products that are created for the fundamental life stages of children. Trends come and go, but our products deliver classic, essential toys for children as they learn through play. e necessity for these classic toys will never disappear.”

COVID dealt a devastating blow to shipping infrastructure globally, and the e ects have yet to dissapate for most industries. Mr. Seymour of E-Blox explains, “One of the biggest challenges in the specialty toy market is the high cost of shipping, a lingering e ect from COVID. e door-to-door cost to bring in product internationally to our warehouse is still three times what it was pre-COVID. Furthermore, domestic shipping costs to send product from our warehouse to toy stores has also increased signi cantly. All this had led to increased pricing to the end consumer, which toy stores need to overcome by creating that personal, fun, in-person experience at their store so that end consumers see value in paying more for the toys they buy. As a vendor, we have been, and continue to lower expenses wherever we can so that we can a ord the higher shipping costs, but the long term solution needs to be that freight & shipping costs come back down, close to where they were pre-COVID.”

Mr. Quartin, speaking on behalf of ames & Kosmos, adds, “Freight costs have been a major obstacle recently, and through discussions with retailers and sales reps, we know that this challenge is felt at all levels. To ensure that we can continue to

produce quality educational products at a ordable and accessible prices, we’ve explored options to slim down packaging across the board. Where possible, we made our boxes smaller. is is the easiest way to save on cost without removing real value from the kits. Consequently, sales per square foot increases as our products take up less square footage. Smaller boxes also mean less cardboard and air, which also helps us reach our sustainability goals.”

On the subject of sustainability, Mr. Chandran ties it all back to Wild Republic’s mission statement, and the importance of walking the walk, in addition to talking the talk. “We see the biggest challenge as the greatest opportunity for the industry and for our planet. Our niche with zoos and aquariums, and our focus on our mission has brought sustainable product development to the forefront. Customers are demanding this, and for those that are not, we are educating them on the importance of this endeavor. We continue to lead the category in sustainable development, and giving back to the animals that inspire us every day.”

Rising Sales, Rising Outlooks

e return of in-person events for the toy industry coincides with greater freedom of mobility for everyone. As restrictions continue to lower, have specialty toy sales seen an inversely proportional rise? Ms. Zomermaaand had good news to report on the schleich front, saying, “In 2022 schleich North America grew sales for the third straight year. When compared to prepandemic patterns, it delivered double-digit growth over 2019. As we head into 2023, schleich North America will continue to put a strong focus on specialty, which will include further expansion of our agship program.”

Hotaling Imports also saw a boost in the past year, and even during the pandemic, as Mr. Hotaling himself remarks, “ e past year was generally more pre-pandemic in terms of sales. I do believe that during the pandemic some of our brands actually gained more exposure, for example, puzzles, and arts and cra s, due to their popularity.”

FEATURED CONTENT

Wild Republic is also seeing higher sales now, in contrast to two years prior. Mr. Chandran o ers, “Sales in 2022 were still higher than pre-pandemic, as consumer demand in our specialty locations rose post-pandemic. “

Ms. Allen, commenting on the healthy status of Nutt Heads, says, “We have experienced tremendous growth during the pandemic because families were cooped up at home and looking for ways to spend engaging and meaningful time together. Sales growth has now normalized to pre-pandemic levels. As such, we are committed to bringing forth a good diversity of specialty games, rather than just relying on one or two mass-market blockbusters.”

In spite of lingering challenges, Choon’s Design also saw a successful year. Mr. Rzeznik explains, “2022 was a very successful year despite relatively high logistic costs, and labor shortages. We saw incredible year-over-year growth as we transformed from a perceived single “hot” product company, into a company that provides great innovation and value across various product categories. Our product innovations continue to support sales growth and retail penetration, and we are excited for 2023 and beyond!”

Although many companies saw growth during lockdown, others saw dips. ankfully E-Blox is starting to see their numbers go in the right direction. Mr. Seymour remarks, “From a net pro t perspective, 2022 was better than the previous 2 years, but still not on par with pre-pandemic performance. is goes back to the shipping cost issues discussed in the previous answer. We fully expect net pro ts in 2023 will show another incremental improvement over 2022, but it still may take another year or two to reach pre-pandemic patterns.”

Mr. Jordan maintains an air of optimism, and a healthy con dence for Hape and their opperations, whatever the future may bring. “For almost forty years, Hape has delivered highquality, meaningful products to families around the world. e global company has grown and adapted to many market changes year over year since its founding in 1986. Although these last

few years have been challenging for all, Hape will continue to grow because of its strategic forecasting, manufacturing, and shipping to its partners that still have a need for its premium educational toys.”

Something Special to Look Forward to

When prompted to share new and exciting plans on the horizon for schleich, Ms. Zomermaand enthusastically o ers, “A er a few years o due to COVID, we are so happy to be back in person at shows! You can visit us at ToyFest, the Toronto Gi Show, NY Toy Fair, and more. 2023 is shaping up to be a very exciting year for schleich! Each of our play worlds will welcome new characters and playsets. Within Horse Club, we are particularly excited to continue expanding our So a’s Beauties line, which launched in 2022, combining a love of horses and fashion to reach an even broader audience. But perhaps our biggest news will be the unveiling of a whole new play world later this year, as schleich captures the enchantment and wonders of Wizarding World through a licensing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. e authenticity of detail captured in the rst 12 characters will cast a spell on Harry Potter fans of all ages, inviting them into the schleich world of storytelling, and imaginative play.”

Teasing Choon’s Design show appearances for 2023, Mr. Rzeznik says, “We are happy to have attended the Nuremberg Toy Show for the rst time earlier this month. We will also be at ToyFest, ASTRA, Learning Express, and New York Toy Fair. We’ve got some great new products hitting stores this fall, focused on new play patterns, and innovating our existing jewelry making sets.”

ames and Kosmos’s Mr. Quartin elaborates, “We’re thrilled to be signed on as an exhibitor for several trade and consumer shows this year. ames & Kosmos was at Nuremberg, and will be at NY Now, ToyFest, ASTRA, and NY Toy Fair, as well as several regional gi shows and consumer board game shows like Gen Con and Pax Unplugged. Our 2023 line-up consists of lots of new and exciting o erings, including the roll-out of activity toys in our all-new Spy Labs Incorporated line. Spy Labs is your one-stop shop for the best detective gear! We’re also excited about the new release of KAI: e Arti cial Intelligence Robot.”

FEATURED CONTENT

“ is robot that kids build themselves is easily the most technologically advanced kit we’ve released, and it provides kids with a comprehensive introduction to this incredibly cuttingedge and on-trend topic: arti cial intelligence and its realworld applications. On the board game side of things, we have four new releases in our at-home escape room series, ‘EXIT: e Game’, including an EXIT game for kids as young as ve! Additionally, we’re releasing a fun (mostly) cooperative social deduction game this summer called ‘Inside Job’. It’s a tricktaking card game where players act as secret agents who need to complete missions, all while an unknown insider “hides” among them. Lastly, our Creatto line of Light-Up 3D Puzzle kits also continues with the release of four new titles with unique themes: Puppy Pals, Dino Planet, Rainbow Butter y, and American Bald Eagle. e Creatto line launched just as the pandemic hit in 2020 and is a specialty store staple.”

On Wild Republic, Mr. Chandran o ers, “We will be exhibiting at ASD Market in Vegas, ToyFest, ATL Summer Market, ASD Market in August, Surf Expo, NY Toy Fair, IGES, IAAPA, Grand Strand, as well as other invite-only or regional shows. We will be highlighting our new line of ASPCA Rescue Dogs with authentic sound. We are excited to be partnering with ASPCA on this line to support their mission of rescuing homeless pets. Squeeze these super realistic plush dogs to hear the authentic bark of each breed, tying into ASPCA’s tagline ‘We Are eir Voice.’ Snuggleluvs are another key line for 2023. ese large, loveable plush are weighted for extra cuddliness to provide comfort and anxiety-relief to snugglers of all ages. Each has a name and personality about their supportive and quirky nature. Our Artist Collection is the most realistic plush on the market.”

O ering a window into Nutt Head’s plans for 2023, Ms. Allen reveals, “We are exhibiting at Toy Fest West, GAMA, New York Toy Fair, and a number of regional specialty shows. Nutt Heads is introducing over a dozen new products in 2023. We are excited about our new agreements with Oblong Yellow, who created ‘How Am I Weird’ and ‘Anger Smash’, as well as our new partnership with Jabuka Games. We are especially delighted to introduce 3 of our new games developed in-house. ‘Rock, Paper, Saurus!’ is a spin on Rock, Paper, Scissors wherein players aged 5-65 million battle each other while learning

about the creatures and events of the di erent mesozoic eras. ‘Sumo Rumble’ is an action-packed dice game played right in the box top which is designed as a dohyo, or sumo wrestling ring. In ‘Hello My Name Is Steve’, players disguise their aliens in costumes ranging from hipsters to goths in an attempt to avoid detection and blend in with the humans, aka, ‘ e Steves’. ese new products combined with our popular ‘Kids Against Maturity’ and ‘Awkward Yeti’ games promise a great 2023 for Nutt Heads Brands!”

Mr. Seymour elaborated on E-Blox’s plans for 2023, explaining, “Speci c to the toy industry, the main trade shows where E-Blox will be exhibiting are ASTRA Toy Boat, ToyFest, ASTRA MarketPlace, and ToyFair NYC. We will also be exhibiting at gi shows in Atlanta, Dallas, Seattle, and Minneapolis, educational shows like NSTA in Atlanta, and other retail shows like Do It Best in Indianapolis. At these shows, we will be highlighting our newest products such as the Circuit Blox BYO DJ Set, and Power Blox BYO Glowing & Rotating Night Light. Also, we are very excited to be announcing that we have a licensing agreement with Crayola to sell our products under the Crayola brand. We will be focusing on our LED technologies & solutions that will introduce new light arts & cra s products to the Crayola line.”

With regard to Hotaling Imports, Mr. Hotaling says, “We will continue to exhibit at the same shows as usual; ASTRA, Toy Fest, regional gi shows, etc. I am not sure that Toy Fair in September will be bene cial for specialty retailers, but we will see. Lot’s of new product introductions this year among all our brands, which is very exciting!”

Keeping Hape’s cards close to the chest, Mr. Jordan hints, “Hape looks forward to showcasing our new products in a few shows this upcoming year. We look forward to reinforcing our relationships with our buyers, and introducing our exciting lines to prospective clients in the future!”

PLAY AWARDS ST

INTRODUCING THE ASTRA STAR PLAY AWARDS

BECAUSE PLAY IS INSPIRED BY ALL KINDS OF PRODUCTS!

To enter your favorite product(s) text a picture of the product, your name and your company name to: Jenna Stirling at (312) 283-7144.

Deadline is February 28th. Samples may be required.

NOMINATE NOW!

Primed for Exploration:

Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market Flourish Post Pandemic

by Chelsea Peabody Bohannon

Con dence and excitement for new opportunities are guiding the gi industry as it kicks o the 2023 retail year at markets across the nation. Atlanta Market, presented in mid-January at AmericasMart Atlanta, was bustling with buyers from all 50 states and nearly 60 countries. Las Vegas Market, staged the last week of January at World Market Center Las Vegas, continued the trend.

e consensus from buyers and sellers is the feeling of a return to a “normal” market season this Winter with new product introductions, brand debuts and packed event calendars. Even crowded aisles and elevators were a welcomed sight as indicators of an industry once again gathering to fuel the small business economy.

For the many attendees returning to markets this Winter for the rst time since before the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was business as usual. ose who have ventured out before have witnessed the resilience of the industry. e reimagined events and new tools introduced to support buying and selling have laid the groundwork for the strong markets of 2023.

Coming Together Safely

e successful Winter 2023 Markets continue International Market Centers’ (IMC) post-pandemic recovery trajectory. While trade show events were disrupted during COVID-19-related shutdowns, IMC’s hybrid Markets – with permanent showrooms and trade show exhibits – were able to continue (IMC resumed hosting Markets in June of 2020). Precautions and protocols enabled customers to convene and conduct commerce during the pandemic. e Markets lled an important role for cross-category buyers during industry disruption, allowing retailers to continue to source when their traditional shows were unavailable.

Jumpstarting 2023 Buying and Selling

Some three years a er the last “normal” market cycle, the Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market buying events are thriving. Brand resources are back to pre-pandemic levels with steady growth in new exhibitors, o ering opportunities for toy and children’s retailers to explore complementary gi and lifestyle products. Inspirational displays showcased trendsetting merchandise for retailers looking to discover the next must-have brand. Buyers were able to see, smell, hear, and taste new products as they learned brand stories from makers, founders and representatives.

In Atlanta, buyers explored new gi introductions in permanent showrooms on 19 oors in three AmericasMart buildings. In addition to general gi brands found throughout the showroom collection, dedicated neighborhoods o ered easy sourcing of kids and toys, gourmet and tabletop, outdoor living, and seasonal/ holiday merchandise. Atlanta Market’s 1,100+ temporary exhibitors –staged like a traditional trade show – presented children’s and toy, artisan products, apparel, gourmet, jewelry, outdoor living, stationery, spa products, tabletop, and more.

Las Vegas Market o ered unmatched cross-category sourcing. e permanent gi showroom collection – presenting toys and games, baby and children’s, books, fashion accessories, garden gi , general gi , gourmet foods, housewares, personal care, pet, seasonal, souvenirs, stationery and paper goods, tabletop, and more – was augmented by 350+ brands over six categories in the Gi & Home Temporaries housed in the connected Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas.

Beyond product discovery, buyers were at market for the experiences. Standing-room-only educational seminars provided practical business-building information and opportunities to hear from tastemakers and thought leaders. Trends came to life through IMC’s proprietary trend forecasting program, FIRST LOOK, that showcased must-have merchandise available for order at the Markets. Industry parties hosted by the Markets and exhibitors – complete with signature cocktails and entertainment – allowed retailers to network and celebrate being together again.

A sign of major recovery, industry associations and buying groups were keen to get back to Market for the Winter 2023 buying season. Leaders like American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), e Good Toy Group (TGTG), Fair Trade Federation, Museum Store Association and Zoo, Aquarium & Garden Buyers Group (ZAG) and many more hosted member-only meetings, vendor forums, and private gatherings for groups.

More Discovery Opportunities in 2023

As one market seasons wraps, the teams at Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market are already looking to the next staging in Summer 2023 and beyond to Winter 2024.

e Summer 2023 Markets - July 11-17, 2023 in Atlanta and July 30 – August 3, 2023 in Las Vegas – are the ultimate destinations to prepare for the fourth quarter holiday shopping season. e summer timeframe allows for placing orders for the special items that will complement retailers’ must-have toy o erings to grow sales. Discovery opportunities will continue to increase with even more new brands set to join the marketplaces. Packed programming schedules will prepare retailers with the business education they need as they prepare for the most important selling season of the year.

In the digital realm, IMC is reimaging the trade show app with a new tool to encourage sourcing all year long. Guided by feedback from buyers and launching this summer, the @Market app allows retailers and designers to discover new brands, capture and catalog product information and interact with sellers.

Looking forward, the Winter 2024 Atlanta Market is January 16 – 22, 2024 and Winter 2024 Las Vegas Market is January 28 –February 1, 2024. Like the 2023 season, these markets are set to kickstart the next year’s selling. e early rst-quarter-staging is an opportunity for retailers to start the year o refreshed with new ideas as they use fourth-quarter pro ts to invest for the coming year.

Atlanta Market is a dynamic and immersive wholesale sourcing destination housing the nation’s largest product mix for gi complemented by a broad selection of home décor, furnishings and apparel and home to the nation’s largest outdoor living presentation. It features three buildings with 51 oors and thousands of brands that attracts retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. e Summer 2023 Atlanta Market is July 11-17, 2023 and the Winter 2024 Atlanta Market is January 16 – 22, 2024 at AmericasMart Atlanta. For information, visit AtlantaMarket.com.

Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gi market in the western U.S., presenting thousands of furniture, home décor and gi resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market’s diverse product o erings allow for cross-category commerce among these industries. e Summer 2023 Las Vegas Market is July 30 – August 3, 2023 and the Winter 2024 Las Vegas Market is January 28 – February 1, 2024 at World Market Center Las Vegas. For information, visit LasVegasMarket.com.

International Market Centers (IMC) serves as the center of commerce for the wholesale furniture, gi , home decor and apparel industries. IMC has more than 60 years of relationships and experience creating scalable business platforms for wholesale commerce. Our premium showroom spaces spanning more than 20 million square feet in High Point, N.C., Las Vegas and Atlanta, paired with our digital tools connect the wholesale industries we serve. For information, visit IMCenters.com.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Abacus

Professor Maxwell’s VR Atlas Updated Edition features new countries, added populations, new experiences much more! Discover cities, cultures, and continents as we travel the world in virtual reality. 200+ VR AR experiences and 15 hands-on projects and activities. The 30 piece set includes complete set of physical projects and experiments, including VR goggles so that you can engage in hands-on activities right out of the box. Ages 8+, Available now.

Penn & Teller Magic Lab VR Discover an on-stage magic experience with Penn Teller! Learn new magic tricks, gain confidence and a creative edge by learning and performing a selection of popular tricks! This virtual reality kit includes 46-page interactive book from Penn Teller, along with VR goggles, and step-by-step instructions on how to complete magic tricks from the best! Includes dozens of experiences in VR to promote an immersive learning environment! Ages 8+, Available May 2023.

Bill Nye’sTM Rocket Lab VR Immerse yourself in the world of space with Bill Nye. Launch your own rockets to outer space in virtual reality! Discover the science behind how rockets fly, orbit the earth, land on the moon and more! Learn from never-before-seen NASA footage from the latest moon launch and then take your own trip in customizeable rocket built from the materials included inside! This virtual reality kit includes 32-page interactive book, along with VR goggles, and dozens of experiences in VR to promote an immersive learning environment! Ages 8+, Available June 2023.

Aquabeads

Aquabeads just leveled up with the Super Mario Character Set Aquabeads is the original water-activated fuse bead craft activity for children ages and older, with fun Super Mario Character twist! Complete set includes everything your child needs to design and create Super Mario bead creations like Mario, Luigi, Peach, Bowser and more! This set includes over 600 solid, jewel and star beads in 17 vibrant colors, layout tray, water dropper and template sheets. Ages 4+, Available now.

Bababoo and Friends

Bababoo and Friends is more than beautifully crafted wooden toy line from Europe, it opens the door to an entirely new play concept: merging the power of storytelling with traditional playtime! With the new Bababoo and friends Tree House Play World both children and adults can let their imaginations take over as they bring to life new adventures right in their own living room. Our play world encourages sensory development, touch, problem solving, fine motor skills, and more. Plus, our innovative PlayTales concept ignites storytelling with fun activities, providing additional learning values such as imaginative play, verbal communication, and socialization between kids and caretakers. Ages 2+, Available now.

Apply to exhibit today. Contact your Account Executive with any questions.

Company names beginning with

A–G contact: Simon Yung (syung@toyassociation.org)

H–P contact: Stacy Liebensohn (sliebensohn@toyassociation.org)

Q–Z contact: Michael Lynch (mlynch@toyassociation.org)

General registration will open in April 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Basic Fun

My Little Pony Anniversary Original Ponies

Since the 1980s, My Little Pony has delighted children and fans around the world with the magic of friendship. In celebration of the 40th anniversary, everyone’s favorite retro Ponies are back with the My Little Pony 4-inch figures! Styled after the original Earth Ponies from 1983, this collection of Ponies includes friends like Blossom, Blue Belle, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Minty, and Snuzzle. ach figure comes with a special 40th anniversary comb that you can use to brush and braid your Pony’s hair! Also look out for the 2-inch My Little Pony Surprise Figures! Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

My Little Pony is celebrating 40 years of play! Now you can join the celebration with the new 40th Anniversary Unicorn and Pegasus plush toys! Designed after the retro Ponies you know and love, these beautiful Ponies are made with soft, huggable material and have long shiny hair that you can brush and braid. Each Pony stands about . -inches tall and comes with a special 40th anniversary comb! There are three to collect, including Firefly, Moondancer, and lory. A must-have for any MLP fans and collectors! Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

Cuddle up with the latest cuties from Cutetitos the all-new Cutetitos Sleepitos! These soft, sleepy animalitos are dressed in snuggly pajamas and are ready to wish you some sweet dreamitos! With 10 to collect, each wrapped up in their own colorful hooded sleeping bags, the sleepover fun has just begun. And don’t forget to check out the inside of your Sleepitos packaging, as it features one of three unique custom beds for your Sleepito to snuggle into! Collect them all! Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

Care Bears Little Besties Surprise Figures and Play Cubbies Assortments - et ready to jump into the big world of Care Bears at micro scale with the all-new Care Bears Lil’ Besties Line. That’s right! All your Care Bear friends are now in a 1.2 ” micro scale and are ready to play! Build out the newest Care Bears world right in front of your eyes with 30+ unique styles to collect, 0+ accessories to mix and match across your Care Bears friends, and new environments to play in!

Care Bears Lil’ Besties offer the best in play, store, and go fun! Collect them all! Ages 4+, Available May 2023.

Blip

Zoom-O Turbo Disc Launcher - Launch into action-packed,outdoor fun with the new Zoom-O Turbo Disc Launcher from Blip Toys! Blast these mini flying plastic discs up to100 feet in the air with this simple to use, hand-held disc launcher! The harder you pull the rip cord, the higher it will fly! Thanks to its portable and lightweight design,take the Zoom-O Turbo Disc Launcher with you on your travels to the beach or the park for some high-flying fun! Challenge your friends! See who can launch their disc their farthest! Raceand chase theZoom-O discs as they descend from great heights! Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

The tiny, squishy TOT Award - winning collectible Squinkies are back in 2023 for a new generation of fans to join the collecting craze!

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Bright Stripes

Art on the Go! Nature Friends Snap-in art station with activity pages for artists to to make Art on the Go! Includes chunky crayons, stencil, sticker sheets, 24 activity pages, and 26 blank drawing pages in an all-in-one take-along book. Charming artwork features friendly trees, owls, squirrels and other woodland creatures! Activities include coloring, drawing, tracing and stenciling. Draw funny faces on bears, make a “fox-tastic” outfit and give a hedgehog spikes and so much more! Ages 3+, Available now.

Art on the Go! Going Dotty Ocean Snap-in art station with activity pages for artists to to make Art on the Go! Includes chunky crayons, tons of dot stickers, 24 activity pages, and 26 blank drawing pages in an all-in-one take-along book. Charming artwork features whales, sea lions, sharks and other sea creatures to fill in with crayons and colorful dot stickers! Activities include coloring, drawing, tracing and stickering. Color a peanut butter and jelly fish, add dots to a starfish, draw the other half of a sandcastle, and so much more! Ages 3+, Available now.

Art on the Go! Collage Fun Jungle Snap-in art station with activity pages for artists to to make Art on the Go! Includes chunky crayons, tons of sticky papers, 24 activity pages, and 26 blank drawing pages in an all-in-one takealong book. Charming artwork features monkeys, giraffes, elephants and other wild animals to fill in with crayons and colorful collage sticky papers! Activities include coloring, drawing, tracing and collaging with sticky papers. Give tiger sticker stripes, feed panda bamboo, collage lion’s mane, and so much more! Ages 3+, Available now.

Paint By Numbers Tropical Jungle Classic Paint By Numbers, elevated for kids 8+. Beautiful artwork features jaguar, monkey, and frog in lush jungle. Deep 1.25”” canvas can hang or stand. 16 colors of paint and brushes. Tray pulls out to become your work station. Ages 8+, Available now.

Cra-Z-Art

Shimmer ‘n Sparkle Ultimate Beauty Studio Glam it, record it, and post your own beauty stories with this awesome kit. This all-in-one beauty center features 28 real, vibrant and super stylish lip, cheek, and eye colors plus accessories, including ring light and built-in phone stand. Also comes with illustrated cards to help kids narrate their own beauty “story”. Create so many different trendy beauty looks over and over for the ultimate make-over experience. Our Light Up Beauty Studio offers kids their own stage to show off their individual and unique style and how they define their own beauty. While having fun, they gain the confidence to both verbally and visually express this style to their friends, peers and family through technology via recording on their smartphone (quality ring light included) Available now.

Cra-Z-Art cont.

Shimmer ‘n Sparkle Nail Airbrush - Design and create cool airbrush effects. Create amazing shimmering nail art - it’s salon style nails at home! Create 100’s of cool nail designs, just polish, spray and design. reat to do with friends or individually. Show off your own cool style and personality. Comes with everything you need including nail polish, glue, glitter, sequins, gems, stickers etc. So fun to use and no batteries required, air pump is build into the activity set. Available now.

Cra-Z Slimy by Cra-Z-Art! et this ooey, gooey, flavorful and colorful slime today! All you need to do is stretch it, squeeze it, and ooze it for hours of endless fun! Comes in new, fun and exciting varieties such as rainbow glow, 4 in 1 glitter, tie dye and more!! Super cool, pre-made, perfect consistency slime is packaged in a plastic jar/bucket for convenient storage. reat for at home slime fun, birthday parties and favors, to take on the go, little gifts, and more.

Ages 6+.

nleash your child’s creativity with this CoComelon Multicolor Softee Dough School Bus Dough Kit by Cra-ZArt! Mold and shape your favorite CoComelon characters with this awesome Softee Dough set! Includes a portable School Bus shaped case to store your Softee Dough and adorable Dough molds! Create , Cody and more! Includes a play mat scene of ’s favorite playground, create real-life scenes with your dough creations! Through pulling, twisting and rolling Softee Dough, children are able to develop their dexterity and motor skills while also improving color recognition and self-expression. Ages 3+.

Crazy Aaron’s Putty Pets Thinking Putty - Meet your new best friends! Putty Pets Thinking Putty will be your favorite companions for fidget and focus. Collect them all! Pets include Putty Pets Happy Hedgehog, Putty Pets Curious Kitten and Putty Pets Playful Puppy. Available now.

Happy Earth Magnetic Storms Thinking Putty You’ll be happy camper knowing our Thinking Putty tins are made of food grade material that can be reused for crafts and projects or recycled with other metals like soup cans! When charged with the rainbow magnet, Happy Earth Thinking Putty will gleefully dance around showing off its sparkling, mineral earth blue color. Available now.

Land of Dough Glitter Rolls - Collection Description Dough on-the-go! ntwist these adorable Land of Dough litter Rolls to open creativity anywhere. Replace the dough in the bag to squish, smash, and sculpt again and again! arieties include Happy Hearts, Stellar Stars, Enchanted Forest and Fabulous Flowers. Available now.

Little Big Friends: Musical Friends - These adorable Musical Friends are perfect for little ones and will quickly become their favorite playtime toy and bedtime companion. ach animal plays a different melody that will help soothe and prepare them for sleep. They are an ideal gift and complement the baby’s room beautifully. The unique material is soft, hypoallergenic, and easily cleaned providing parents peace of mind. Available Now.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Creativity for Kids

The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Puppets The magical world of Eric Carle comes to life with their exciting collaboration with Creativity for Kids! Children and up will delight in transforming super-soft socks into their very own ery ungry Caterpillar inspired puppets! Let them practice their fine motor skills with this no-mess craft as the peel-and-stick felt shapes makes it easy. “Feed” the ery ungry Caterpillar using the 10 foam finger puppets included. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar My Book Tote Join the magical world of Eric Carle with the endless possibilities of crafting with the Creativity for Kids Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar My Book Tote! Embellish this high-quality canvas bag with colorful peel-and-stick fabric shapes to make your very own book tote. quick and easy craft for little hands. This product features no-sewing, no-scissors and no messy glue. Just follow the pre-printed design as you layer the peel-and-press embellishments. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar Fun Felt Play Preschoolers will delight in this open-ended art activity that comes with an array of colorful felt shapes, and sturdy felt story board, in partnership with the iconic The World of Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Create your favorite characters as you layer the shapes and colors, all while telling their version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar story again and again! Portable storage bag keeps everything organized and is perfect for travel and independent, quiet time play. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Dolce

Dolce launches its newest theme, Ocean and Earth lineup at the end of February. Twelve items make up the focus towards the wonders of nature. The age range continues to provide play experience from newborn until three years of age. Each set highlights educational learning experiences as accredited by STEM.org. Dolce now offers over 50 items to select. Featured new items include the Earth Activity Cube which includes mirror, chime, beads, silicone teether, textured fabrics, carry handle, even removable owl. Sandy the Sea Lions promotes the ocean, with play experiences including those of the Earth Activity Cube, and some uniqueness having bell sound and textured chord, ribbons, and woven tabs. Available February 2023.

Engino

Engino brings exciting new offerings into the North American market, combining 10 building series which total over 60 sets to collect. Mega Builds sets have added key new set with its Space Shuttle This premium design and build showcases size and complexity of the models. All building instructions are provided in virtual interactive format, available through Engino’s free-to-download kidCAD app for iOs and Android. Ages 9+, Available March 2023.

The new Qboidz system combines the award-winning snap-fit connectivity of ngino system with the effortless building feature of stackable blocks! The system encourages preschool children to develop their cognitive, social and motor skills through fun and creative play. The Qboidz development is based on the latest pedagogical principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), aiming to provide children the necessary experience, skills and knowledge to work with the technological advancements of the future. The parts are recommended for Ages 7. Available March 2023.

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell Young Artist Texture Painting Set

The Experience the joy of creative artistic expression. This set has everything you need to experiment with color, texture, paint and patterns. Perfect for kids, this texture paint experience features: colors of tempera paint, new texture tools, texture pads, rollers, paint tray, 20 sheets of paper and reusable carrying case. Illustrated instructions teach color mixing and texture painting techniques. Updates include new brushes, brighter paints, rollers and texture sheets. The plastic bag packaging has been upgraded to an eco-friendly corrugated box. Great for storage and for the environment! Ages 5+, Available now.

Available January 2023. Faber-Castell Paint by Number Fairy Friends Wall Art Featuring Faber-Castell watercolor pencils. Children can experience the joy of coloring along with the fun of painting in one activity! The paint is in the pencils. Along with the printed canvas, each theme includes separate printed color guide. This allows the young artist to follow the guide or color paint in their own creative way. Each set includes Faber-Castell watercolor pencils, paint brush, two pictures to paint, stickers and printed wooden hanger. Ages 6+, Available now.

Fireside Games

Castle Panic Second Edition is the latest version of the hit cooperative tower defense board game for to players. The co-op element makes Castle Panic great family game and the perfect kick-off for your weekly game night. You and your friends must work together to defend your Castle, in the center of the board, from Monsters that attack out of the forest, at the edges of the board. Trade cards, hit and slay Monsters, and plan strategies together to keep your Castle towers intact. You either win or lose together, but only the player with the most victory points is declared the Master Slayer. Also look out for the Castle Panic: Crowns and Quests Expansion set, and the Castle Panic Big Box, which includes all the expansions!

Fun in Motion

WILD series from Shashibo Introducing the new WILD series from Shashibo. Nature’s secrets can be puzzling and what better way to explore the natural world than through our newest Shashibo series WILD! Discover four of the earth’s unique environments Arctic, Forest, Jungle, and Savanna and be amazed at the diversity of zoological wonders within. funinmotiontoys.com

Shashibo Artist Series: Jumbie Imagine the most beautiful colors of the spectrum in whole new light dazzling, delicious hues that vibrate with vibrancy. Jumbie’s incredible palette of RGB light reactive pixels has transformed the art world, and now, Shashibo! His creative designs will amaze you from the moment you open your cube and mind to Jumbie’s artistic vision. Artist Spotlight: Jumbie Jumbie is world-renowned visionary artist in LA who established the unique art movement known as “Spectral Art” where artwork animates in the presence of color-changing lighting. His unparalleled design aesthetic and color theory are revered in the art community. funinmotiontoys.com

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Funormous

The Funormous Minions Bounce House Water Slide is a fun-filled residential bounce house that features your favorite Minion characters. Features of the Water Inflatable include a bouncing area, basketball hoop, high quality print, climb and slide, water misting system, large pool area and water cannon. p to 3 riders at a time can bounce with the Minions in this bounce house water slide. Ages 3- , Available now.

Funormous presents the f cial isney Star Wars Bounce and Slide nflatable. Kids will go on an adventure to a galaxy far far away with this one-of-a-kind inflatable attraction. oin the rebel forces or the dark side as they face head to head in this lightsaber-inspired inflatable design. Bounce and slide with your favorite characters for a fun-filled good time. Features of the Star Wars Bounce and Slide Inflatable include a spacious bouncing area, a basketball hoop, and a slide. p to 3 riders at a time can bounce around with the Star Wars characters. Ages 3- , Available now.

Introducing our Licensed reamworks Trolls Bounce House Water Slide with Pool! oin Poppy, Branch, uy Diamond, and the rest of the Trolls friends in this fun inflatable bounce house water slide. nter into the colorful and imaginative world of Dreamworks’ iconic Trolls as you bounce and slide to your hearts content. With beautiful clouds, colorful rainbows, high quality prints and a water misting system, your kids are sure to have a great time with this bounce house waterslide. Ages 3- , Available now. Also look out for the urassic World Bounce ouse Water Slide with Pool, available spring 2023.

GelBlaster

The Gel Blaster Surge is the hottest new toy on the market and gets your kids outside and off their devices. It blasts an eco friendly water based gel pellet called ellets that are safe for people, pets, and the environment. ellets are colorful absorbent beads that disintegrate on contact that dehydrate, leaving no stain, no mess and no clean up. The el Blaster Surge packs a real punch too with ellet speeds from100 feet per second all the way up to 1 0 fpscreating never before stakes of fun in your backyard. Available now.

Surge XL - New Long Range Blaster! 3 ways to blast Features 3 blasting modes, including full auto which launches up to 12 gellets per second.Never run out of gelets. Running out of battery while playing is the ultimate buzzkill. With our new L D battery indicator system you’ll know exactly how much juice you have left in the tank. Available now.

Surge Star re - el Blaster’s biggest and most powerful glow in the dark blaster yet! The Starfire XL’s adjustable velocity lets you shoot from 1 FPS (feet per second) to an amazing 2 0+ FPS letting you hit targets further away and with even greater accuracy. The Starfire XL comes with a removable buttstock for more flexible gameplay, and you’ll never be left in the dark with the onboard battery display. Blasts co-Safe, low in the Dark ellets. L D Feedneck Instantly Activates low. This product is recommended for ages 14+. Available now.

Genius Games

Dive deep to build your own ecological network in Ecosystem: Coral Reef card-drafting game of marine competition. Players choose, pass, and arrange cards representing diversity of organisms found in the Great Barrier Reef, including coral, clownfish, sea turtles, and sharks. arn points by aligning animals with the habitats and food sources where they most flourish. Diversify your food web to maximize your bonuses. ach time you play, you build one-of-a-kind ecosystem as you strive to balance the delicate connections between all living things. Players 6, Ages 10+, Available now.

Haba

Logic! GAMES: Splash Labyrinth Milo the Marble is ready to roll in his labyrinth style waterpark! It’s up to you to keep things moving so Milo can splash in an ever-changing waterslide. In this innovative Logic! AM S Splash Labyrinth, the aim is to move the brightly colored pieces of the slide so that Milo the Marble can whiz down. First, you will need a good overview and then a steady hand to roll the marble. With each round, the 60 tasks get increasingly more challenging. Will you manage to solve them all? This smart logic puzzle and dexterity game will encourage creative thinking, spatial awareness, and quick thinking. Ages 5+.

Guardian Angel Mini Doll Mara Mara is here to protect your precious angel right from the start! Children can put this adorable Guardian Angel Mini Doll in their pocket, their backpack, or keep her in their hand to hold wherever they may go. This adorable angel doll is made out of the softest plush for endless snuggles. HABA’s new guardian angel collection makes an ideal gift for birth, birthday, or when friend is needed. Recommended for all ages from birth and up. Doll play promotes role playing, storytelling and communication skills, and develops empathy. Also look out for Guardian Angel Mini Doll Nora Ages 0+.

Logic! CASE Starter Sets - Stretch, flex, and challenge your brain with these innovative logic puzzle sets. isually compelling, the Logic! CAS Starter Set includes challenging puzzles that are specifically designed for learners ages and up to decipher and solve. The Logic Puzzle Sets are created for independent problem solving. All puzzles are designed without words to encourage inferential thinking. Kids can check if they got the correct answer by plugging in the included wooden peg into one of the puzzle case’s bottom four holes. If the card can pull out of the case, then the answer is correct, if not, keep thinking! Designed for on-the-go learning and travel. Designed for ages +. Also look out for Logic! CAS Starter Sets for ages 6+ and 4+.

Hubelino Mega Building Box Set - This brand new ubelino set is not just big, it’s M A! et ready for incredible building adventures with the ubelino Mega Building Box Set which includes -pieces. This set includes six different extensions and is the largest set in the history of Hubelino. In addition to huge amount of building blocks, run elements, base plates, marbles and special components, this mega construction set also includes detailed and comprehensive instruction book with three giant assembly ideas including how to build an amazing race track. Also look out for the ubelino Piece Starter Set, ubelino White Building Block 60 Piece Set, ubelino ravity ammer SK , and ubelino Slide Accessory.Suitable for ages 4+. Ideal for ages -12.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Hape

Little ones can explore the wonders of nature right from their windows with the Window Bird Feeder Made from eco-friendly bamboo and plant-based plastic, this Audubon-friendly feeder is the perfect way to introduce little ones to nature as they explore close-up interactions with birds from the window! The eco-friendly bird feeder attaches securely to the outside of the window using three suction cups and comes equipped with notebook to document what kids see! The unique shape of the feeder provides drainage gutters so water will flow safely away from the feeder while small birds are happily perched to feed. The Window Bird Feeder is great for encouraging love of birds and the natural world! Ages 4+ Available Spring 2023.

The newest green ideation to come to Hape’s line of beautifully crafted wooden toys, Green Planet Explorers introduces sustainability to families in accessible, child-friendly and fun ways! The Green Planet Explorers line teaches children how to care about the environment through play as they learn to look after our planet not only for themselves, but for generations to come!

Welcome home to Pandas’ Bamboo House The three-story bamboo playhouse set comes complete with four poseable pandas (also made of bamboo!) bustling about the busy playhouse that “generates electricity through solar power!” Explore each unique level of the house and enjoy eco-friendly living with accessories like suspension bridge, slide, rope ladder, hammocks, bed and dressing table, sofa, sun umbrella, fireplace, kitchen accessories and more! The beautifully painted open-floor-plan house and panda figures are made from wood and eco-friendly, renewable materials including Green PE (made from sugar cane plant), FSC certified wood and bamboo, one of the fastest growing plants on earth. Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

Hasbro

The new Transformers Rise of the Beasts Beast ode Bumblebee action gure inspired by the new movie, takes on the popular character’s new beast alt mode and stands at 10” tall. The figure converts between 3 modes robot, vehicle, and beast; and can go from robot to licensed off-road Camaro in 19 steps before squeezing the figure’s legs together to reveal the new eagle beast mode. The new toy features button-activated lights and 15 sound effects and phrases, and includes sword accessory that can attach in each mode. Ages Available July 2023.

Who killed Boddy Black? Solve the mystery in this suspenseful and reimagined Clue board game! This Clue game combines classic Clue gameplay with richly reimagined takes on the original murder mystery storyline, intriguing cast of characters, and glamorous Tudor Mansion. When guests arrive at Boden Black’s mansion, none are certain what to expect. But when their host turns up dead after revealing sinister blackmail scheme, the pressure is on. Play as Miss Scarlett, Colonel Mustard, Mayor Green, Chef White, Solicitor Peacock, or Professor Plum and race against the other players to crack the case by gathering clues and narrowing down choices. This Clue murder mystery game is beautifully reimagined with dazzling cast of characters, luxurious setting, and fresh storyline. It includes textured, gold-plated zinc tokens representing the weapons; sculpted character movers; and detailed illustrated gameboard and Clue cards. Ages 8+, Available now.

Hasbro cont.

NERF Elite Junior Ultimate Starter Set NERF Elite Junior easy-play NERF blasters are designed for boys and girls who are blasting into N RF battles for the first time. Special features make them easy to play with, so kids can enjoy N RF indoor and outdoor games in no time. N RF lite unior blasters are sized to fit comfortably in small hands and lightweight for easy carrying. The front-loading design makes it easy to insert darts, while the blaster design allows for easy handling. yewear recommended (not included). Additional blasters each sold separately. Ages 6+, Available now.

The Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Magical Mixer Playset lets kids create Play-Doh versions of their favorite desserts! Aspiring pastry chefs can fill each mold with Play-Doh and pull the lever to stamp cookie shapes, pretend cakes, and more - now makes two at a time! se the half-molds on the side of the mixer, the spatula, and the extruder tool to create crazy fun toppings for your pretend treats. This playset includes 10 ounces of non-toxic Play-Doh in assorted colors and makes a fun activity or gift for kids 3 years and up who love to cook and use their imaginations. Available now.

Hey Buddy Hey Pal

ey Buddy ey Pal’s aster phenomenon continues with the addition of the new EggMini / DinoMini 2-Pack Deluxe! All styles still let you be a part of the decorating process instead of simply “watching and waiting” for those messy dyes to work!The ggMini / DinoMini 2-Pack Deluxe Kids can either decorate hard-boiled eggs or the included Dino ggs or Stikbot ggs! Dino ggs are filled with one of six collectible dinosaurs and fun slime while the Stikbot ggs are filled with festive, aster figures such as a Chick and a Bunny! Comes with 1 ggMini Decorator, 1 DinoMini Decorator, 4 Dino ggs, 4 Stikbot ggs, Stikbot Accessories and 20 colorful non-toxic markers! ach machine requires 3 AA batteries, not included. Ages 3+.

Hog Wild

Blast into fun this Spring with og Wild’s Atomic Power Popper + Sticky Target!The Atomic Power Popper + Sticky Target features the classic design of the Atomic Power Popper with a brand-new sticky target that rocks back and forth for more Popper fun! se the Atomic Power Popper’s pump-to-launch handle to propel soft foam balls into the air–or towards the target--up to 20 feet! The included 13-inch-high rocking sticky target is made of board with a sticky coating. Sporting a range of point values from 10 to 100, compete against friends and family to see who gets the highest score! Ages 4+, Available Summer 2023.

Introducing Jelly Squish from og Wild Toys! Players select one of the handheld ellyfish playing pieces and then toss the dozens of colorful foam balls across your playing surface. ach ellyfish can pick balls up into its clear plastic dome head through an opening on the bottom. Since the dome is clear, you can keep track of how many balls you’ve collected! But be quick. The other players might just snatch up the ball you need! Ages 4+, Available April / May 2023.

With Mush Blooms,spring has sprung with a totally unique squishy sensation. New from og Wild Toys! These hand-held, super squishy play things are look like a fanciful mushroom, designed with a colorful stem and clear cap. ust squeeze the stem and the squishy bud made of glow in the dark P C and the colorful, pearlescent slime blooms’ inside the cap! It’s a totally tactile, squish-full sensory experience! Squeeze the body and the bud inside will blossom to reveal a surprise charm. These handheld Mush Blooms come in 3 different styles and a variety of vibrant colors. Collect them all! Ages 4+, Available May / une 2023

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

IMC

Another addition to the all new Tropical World are the Shiny Shells with 8+ characters to collect! Each comes in their own special pearlescent capsule! Open it up and dig in the sand compound to find the surprise accessories just like if you were at the beach! Each character has their own unique seashell designs. They also cry magical sea foam tears! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Meet Little Changers by Cry Babies the eco-friendly toy made with zero plastic and all recycled material! The Little Changers help teach the Magic Tears babies to turn small everyday acts into habits that will create more environmentally friendly routine and help save the planet! There are six, 1.18” tall characters to collect reeny, Sparky, Aqua, Sunny, Moon and Windy. ach comes in their own sustainable mini flower capsule that opens up to personalized world with four unique activations and fun water reveal!

Bloopies Fairies Moonlight are the new collection of fairies that live in world full of magic! Each of the 6+ characters comes inside fairy wing-shaped glitter vessel that includes 5+ surprises! Open the vessel to discover your surprise fairy character, place the doll on top of the vessel and watch as her wings magically move! Take the fairy off the flower petal and her wings will continue to flutter! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

BFF by Cry Babies are back with series two There are six new collectible fashion dolls to collect Ella, Lala, Daisy, Jassy, Bruny and Hannah! Each doll is grown up version of your favorite Cry Babies Magic Tears character and comes dressed in a trendy outfit! Twist the three segments of the unique packaging and see the character strike various poses! Unbox the doll and discover seven surprise accessories in her wardrobe! Each doll has multiple points of articulation and six inches of silky nylon hair for endless posing and styling fun! Ages 5+, Available Spring 2023.

VIP Pets Bow Power are as trendy as ever! Each of the characters to collect comes with colorful ribbon to create bows and bold accessories! Open up the vessel and you’ll find + surprises, including a brush, ribbon, styling accessory, decoration accessory, sunglasses and tiara for endless styling fun! With the all-new packaging, you’ll be able to choose your characters! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

S Paci c

akks Paci c Goodnight aniel Tiger Now kids can join Daniel Tiger as he prepares for bed. They can model his tigertastic bedtime routine while he washes up, puts on his pajamas, and prepares for sleep. This -piece set includes a -inch Daniel Tiger figure, pajama set, red sweater, shoes, and blanket. Available Fall 2023.

iPlay iLearn

Duck Spray and Play bath toy contains white main unit duck, spraying ducks, changeable shower heads, wind up ducks, water hose and shower head holder. Place the spraying ducks on top of the main unit to spray water, connect the hose and add the shower heads for more fun water play, or wind-up the self-swimming ducks and watch them swim! Plenty in this bath set to keep kids entertained during bath time!

RC Baby Plane - njoy fun music and sound effects by pressing/pulling the different levers and buttons on this airplane. Two included figurines add to the fun and can be placed into the plane for more sound effects and interaction. RC Baby plane has modes, Automatic mode and Remote-Control mode. Use RC mode to move the plane forwards and backwards, or set to Automatic mode and watch it run on its own!

This Dinosaur Monster Truck set combines things young children love construction vehicles, dinosaurs, and monster trucks! Push the button on top of the truck to watch these dino trucks open their mouths. With an excavator bucket and dump truck, these trucks are also great for sand or outdoor play.

Jazwares

Pokémon x Squishmallows This ultra-squeezable Pikachu and Gengar Pokémon Squishmallows plush are made with soft, high-quality materials and features Pikachu’s iconic yellow tail and ears and Gengar’s iconic purple spikes and devious grin. It’s perfect for snuggling in the car, on the plane, or at home during Pokémon movie marathon. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

The Adopt Me! Squishmallows Queen Bee is the ultra-collectible, ultra-squeezable Adopt Me! plush is made with soft, high-quality materials. Add this detailed Queen Bee plush with adorable sparkly gold wings and stripes to your Squishmallows Squad. This Squishmallows collectible is perfect to snuggle with during long car rides, and sleepovers, and can bring some Adopt Me! fun to your Squad. This authentic Squishmallows plush is easy to clean: hand wash, then air dry. This lovable and squeezable Squishmallows plush is the softest and cutest plush from the #1 game, Adopt Me! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

BFY x Squishmallows Accessory Kit (Fashion Set) - Take on a finger knitting project to make your own accessories for your ” and 10” Squishmallows! Introducing the Big Fat arn finger knitting craft kit that makes yarn fun. This is a unique, modern knitting experience that is inspiring and customizable with irresistibly soft yarn. The yarn is so soft you must feel it to believe it! This kit is designed specially to create fun accessories for your favorite Squishmallows! Ages 6+, Available Spring 2023.

Bum Bumz are super-soft, uniquely trendy, collectible plush! Once you pick them up you can’t put them down! BumBumz are as diverse and unique as the people who collect them! When it comes to this trendy, soft, super-sensory plush, anything and everything can become BumBumz. Whether you’re retro-rocker, a football superfan, or a veggie-aficionado, there is a BumBumz for everyone! Ages 2+, Available Spring 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Just Play

Disney Doorables Squish’alots Series 1 Behind every door, tiny surprises are in store with Disney Doorables Squish’Alots Series 1 collectible figures. Open the front door to find the first blind bag. Then, twist the roof of the tower-shaped capsule to find additional figures. Series 1 includes 0 squishy characters from beloved Disney and Pixar films. ach stands approximately 1 inch tall and features stylized detailing with sparkly glitter eyes. Ages +, Available now.

Disney Doorables Multi Peek Series 9 - Look for a variety of special figures soulful pearlized translucent, eye-catching metallic, and unique 2 th Anniversary characters from the story of Disney’s Mulan. Some will even find limited-edition versions of favorite characters. ach figure stands approximately 1. inches tall and features Doorables’ stylized detailing with sparkly glitter eyes. They’re perfect for recreating classic Disney tales or inventing new adventures. The stories are endlessly fun – and get better as additional kids toy figures & playsets are collected, displayed, and shared. Ages +, Available now.

Sesame Street Elmo’s Learning Letters - lmo loves helping kids learn! With the Sesame Street lmo’s Learning Letters, kids can practice their ABCs and spelling with lmo. This interactive, busshaped activity board features an lmo button that plays fun Sesame Street phrases to teach kids the alphabet. “O is for Oscar. Oscar loves trash!” There’s a different phrase for every letter. Pressing the button also plays the “Alphabet Song.” Kids will love singing along with lmo! Open the board to discover 26 removable letters that reveal Sesame Street friends. Ages 2+, Available now.

Sesame Street Learn with Elmo Phone - Learn with your favorite friends from Sesame Street! The Sesame Street Learn with lmo Phone toy lets kids interact with lmo to learn letters, numbers, colors, shapes, music, and more from 12 Sesame Street characters. This fun, lmo-themed toy phone features 12 colorful buttons and over 0 learning phrases, songs, and sounds to keep preschoolers engaged and entertained for hours. Slide the Tango switch to turn on the phone, and then press any button to learn with lmo. ear jokes with the rnie button, practice Spanish with Rosita, and learn about recycling with Oscar. Sesame Street and associated characters, trademarks, and design elements are owned and licensed by Sesame Workshop. Ages 2+, Available now.

Cocomelon Lots to Learn Game Controller - Learn and play with ! Inspired by the CoComelon animated series, the CoComelon Lots to Learn ame Controller lets kids engage in their own early learning adventures with . This interactive learning and education toy for toddlers features colorful buttons, music, and phrases to help teach numbers, shapes, colors, and more! Preschoolers will be entertained by sound effects, lights, and the CoComelon “Finger Family” song, while they develop motor skills and core learning through play. Press the arrow buttons to hear video game sound effects, song, and learning phrases. Press the number keys to count along and hear phrases about shapes and colors. The number keys also activate the “Finger Family” song, so kids will have lots of chances to sing along with and pals. The top of the controller features a chunky switch that kids can push. Requires 3 x A 13 button-cell batteries (included). Ages 1 months+, Available now.

Kess

This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle features official artwork from the hit anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. These frame-worthy designs will help consumers unplug and de-stress allowing them to de.bored their life! This 1000-piece puzzle is 2 . 6 x 19.69 in ( 0 x 0 cm) when assembled. Printout of art included. Ages 12+, Available Spring 2023.

Get into the groove with Kess’s groovy Tie Dye Hoop Max! The Tie Dye hoop is a lightweight hoop made with material ideal for exercise - no matter one’s skill level. Each Tie Dye Hoop has several colors playfully swirled together for unique visual effect. Watch the colors blend together as the Tie Dye Hoop spins. Ideal for indoor and outdoor play. Ages 6+, Available now.

Successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2022, Drop Dot 20 Jumbo Dice are lightweight yet jumbo, making them great for rolling, bouncing and even tossing to other players. Made with Kess’ patented silicone Drop Dot material, the colorful assortment of Drop Dot D20 Jumbo Dice appear spiky but are soft to the touch. Measuring at . inches tall, Drop Dot D20 umbo Dice are available in six variations - ungle Pool, Crimson Cinder, Rose Mystique, Winter’s Orb, Toxic Friend and Lighting Blast. Ages 6+, Available June 2023.

Take game play to the next level with D20 Jumbo Dice from Kess! These lightweight, foam jumbo dice are great for rolling, bouncing, and even tossing to your players. Ages 6+, Available June 2023.

Leap Frog

Take smoothie break while your little one explores the Fruit Colors Learning Smoothie! Learning is delicious with this cute, colorful cup. Swivel the straw to choose from five fruit flavors, and the cup will change color to match—this smoothie is bananas! Meet Crystal the Cup plus five funny fruits like Sherry Strawberry and Oliver Orange who introduce themselves and their colors. The straw is also teething toy for kids to nibble as they listen to fruit-themed sing-along songs and music in reggae, pop, punk rock and country styles. Shake up the toy smoothie cup to hear the bubble beads bounce. Ages months+, Available Spring 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

The Loyal Subjects

TMNT BST AXN Wave 4

The Loyal Subjects crushed it in 2021 with their breakout BST AXN TMNT 80’s comic inspired action figures. Following up in early Spring 2023, TLS is bringing April O’Neill into the BST AXN character universe, along with the villain Slash, and new looks on Rocksteady, and Krang w/ Walker (a crazy purple metallic color edition). ach TMNT BST AXN item will include more enhanced sculpt details, and the killer signature crisp deco, multiple head portraits, several hand grips, 31 points of articulation, apan inspired 1 1 th scale, and signature accessories fans love, and associate with the TLS BST AXN lines. All Wave 4 items will include a collector card. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

TMNT BST AXN “XL” 8” Series with Comic book

The Loyal Subjects is super stoked to continue our partnership with IDW. The first collaboration with IDW were a set of collector items that hit Walmart last year which included a “Best of…” Comic book focusing on the 4 Turtles. The comic books themselves were/are highly collectible. Most fetching north of 60 on bay. Following up on this success TLS and IDW are hitting it hard with the next Figure + Comic book offering which will center around the BST AXN 8” Krang with Android. Not only does the ” Krang open from the waste to house the brilliant “Krang” steering his pin-headed robot in search of chaos and destruction but also includes quite a few weapons/grips, and a mind-blowing 31 pts of articulation with double knee joints, double elbow joints, butterfly shoulder joints, a foil collector card, and now an IDW “Best of Krang” comic book! This thing is loaded! Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

TMNT Comic with Motorcycle: Raphael and Leonardo - Coming late spring! The Loyal Subjects expands their TMNT offerings with a fresh new look inspired by the fan favorite IDW TMNT Comic book series (with the illustration prowess of Brazilian comic book artist, Matteus Santolouco). ach figure will include 31 points of articulation, several hand grips, signature weapons, and two different head portraits, including one with a motorcycle helmet with a flip up face shield. Both Michelangelo (Target), and Donatello (Walmart) with coinciding Purple, and Orange bikes to follow in Fall. Ages +, Available late Spring 2023.

Little Kids, Inc.

We’re all in for Ballz’n! It’s an all-in ball-bouncing race to the highest score! It’s a fast-paced game of offense and defense. Bounce your balls in the top two bowls to score the most points and collect your opponents’ balls as they miss and bounce them in the bottom bowl to take their points away. asily stacks and stores with a lid for portability and on-the-go fun. ach game comes with three stacking bowls, 12 balls (6 teal, 6 green), lid, and instructions. Ages +.

The Fubbles Light up Bubble Torch is an instant bubble party! ust press the button, shine a dazzling light show on your ceiling and watch as a wild flurry of bubbles comes jetting out! It’s two-in-one – lights and bubbles for twice the fun! Includes 4 fl oz of premium bubble solution and requires 3”AAA” batteries, not included. Ages 3+.

Blowing bubbles just got easier! With our Fubbles Dippin’ Bubbler even the littlest bubblers can make loads of bubbles on their own! ust pull back the tube, dip the wand and pump for bubbles! ach Dippin’ Bubbler includes 2.2 fl oz of bubble solution and dip tray. Solution bottle attaches to the handle of the bubbler for easy portability and storage. Ages 3+.

Little Kids, Inc. cont.

Dippin’ Designs Enchanted Egg Wrap Kit - Dippin Designs is an innovative, mess-free way to decorate aster eggs – with no dyes and ST NNIN results! This trendy technique uses a new hydro-dipping technology to produce beautiful, detailed designs that you can’t create with any other egg-decorating kit! It’s your magical start to hydro art! There are just three simple steps Stick it! Dip it! Twirl it! ach kit comes with 14 hydro-dip sheets,12 egg stands, 2 dipping tools and 2 smoothing tools. Ages +.

Junk Ball Umpire Strike Zone - Wanna play like the pros? Perfect and track your game with the junk ball umpire strike zone! It does it all! It’s your ump – pitch anywhere in the gray zone without your batter making the hit. It’s your scoreboard – track strikes, balls, outs, the score, and ghost runners with sliding tracker clips. It’s even your coach – reference the pitch guides to see how to throw the perfect screwball, fastball, curveball, or riser! Whether you’re playing a backyard game with friends or practicing your pitching solo – the umpire strike zone has you covered. Includes 1 strike zone, 9 tracking clips, and 1 collectible wild pitch ball with sticker. Also look out for Wild Pitch Collectible Balls! Ages +.

Magformers

Rise to the challenge with the Challenger 14 piece set Invigorate imagination with the new mini octagon and mini hexagon pieces! Elevate your builds and create new and intricate 2D models like a butterfly or a rocket and 3D models like a bell, tent or even a spaceship! Original and authentic Magformers. This set includes 4 triangles, 4 squares, 4 mini hexagons and 2 mini octagons. Perfect for brain development, critical thinking and education. Step-by-step educational idea booklet with follow along ideas and instructions. Neodymium rare-earth magnets for guaranteed connectivity. ach geometric shape contains magnets that never reject, so you’ll always hear the Magformers click. When playtime is over, use the magnetic power to simply stack and store. Also look out for the Basic 42 piece set! Ages 3 years and up.

Take it to the next level with the Challenger 30 piece set! The new mini octagon and mini hexagon pieces connect on every other side, to encourage out of the box thinking and stimulate creativity! levate your builds and create new and intricate models like a ukulele or even a dinosaur! Ages 3 years and up.

Click! Connect! Create! Watch as your ideas come to life with the Magformers Giant Wheel 42 piece set! We’ve created new, bigger wheels so you can build exciting new cars and trucks! xplore your imagination and make your own monster truck with the new headlight piece. We’ve even given the figure a new look too! Ages 3 years and up.

Bring your imagination to life with the Stick-O Peekaboo Bear 27 pc set! Build your own little world with large, colorful pieces made especially for little hands. Create fun animals with the new curved body and mask pieces! Pop the mask onto a face sphere and transform your build to a cute little dog or cat, pop it back off and P KABOO, another face for even more fun! arly start for toddlers in ST M education, powers of magnetic attraction and building. reat for toddlers to explore tactile learning through hands on magnetic play, each Stick-O piece uses magnets that rotate so your creations always stick together, making for a frustration free play experience. Discover the joy of play time with rainbow- colored magnetic shapes. Toddlers develop color and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. Also keep your eyes open for the 10 piece set! Ages 1 months+.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Mattel

Minecraft Creator Series Camp Enderwood Figures Camp Enderwood, the digital island summer camp of your dreams…and your nightmares. Visit the Camp Enderwood DLC Map at Minecraft Marketplace from an 31st 2023. ach Camp nderwood 3.2 -inch scale camper figure comes with accessories to mix and match for multiple looks! Accessories work with almost all other Minecraft 3.2 inch scale figures! ach figure comes with 2 DLC codes -- 1 for a Camp nderwood DLC map and 1 for an exclusive and unique ingame Character Creator accessory item players can’t find anywhere else! Ages 6+, Available Spring 2023.

This unique and intimidating Track ‘N Attack Indoraptor inspired by the urassic World franchise has 3 attack features, all with light and sound effects! It’s a striking figure that comes with removable tracker headgear. Makes great gift for dinosaur fans ages years and up. Bring dinosaurs “to life” using Augmented Reality! Scan the hidden Tracking Code in the free urassic World Facts App with a compatible smart device (Android or iOS, not included) to unlock AR experiences and games! Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

The Linkimals Counting & Colors Peacock toy from Fisher-Price is an interactive feathery friend who introduces your baby to numbers and counting, colors, shapes, and kindness through engaging handson play. Babies can squeeze the colorful tail feathers or spin the wheel to activate fun songs, sounds, phrases and multi-color lights. When this proud peacock gets together with other Linkimals toys, they light up, talk, sing and play together! Ages 9 months+, Available Spring 2023.

Kids can experience epic Monster Truck-style demolition in the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker Ultimate Crush Yard. Drive up the tower of crushed cars and smash it down to dominate the ltimate Crush yard. The earth shakers on the base generate sensory feedback so kids can feel the destruction as they play. Five smash spots direct kids to the action that includes a smash-down mallet and giant scrap saw. Includes one 1 64th scale Bone Shaker Monster Truck and 3 crushable cars. Connects to other Arena Smashers playsets to build out a Monster Trucks Arena World. Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

The Hot Wheels Skate Taco Truck Play Case is on the move and loaded with spicy stunt areas to slide, grind and ride. Kids can pull out the grind rail, set up the vertical ramp or use the picnic table for additional skate tricks. All the included accessories fit conveniently in or on the truck for simple storage. It comes with one fully assembled, exclusive fingerboard that was designed in collaboration with skateboarding legend Tony awk and removable skate shoes that can be stored on the truck itself. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Matchbox 70th Anniversary Series Featuring Moving Parts - Matchbox fans will love this new -vehicle, limited edition series featuring Moving Parts die-cast. The series is made up of globally licensed vehicles, with realistic articulating features, chosen to represent the best of Matchbox over the last 0 years! ach vehicle in the series is decorated in iconic Matchbox orange with detailed 0th Anniversary livery graphics. Individually packed out in specialized, collectible packaging to commemorate the platinum anniversary. Ages 3+, Available April 2023.

MGA

Meet MGA’s Miniverse, Make It Mini Food

Each package comes with surprise ingredients and kitchen accessories to make your mini food. Each package is blind so you won’t know which mini food you get until you unbox it! Compare the contents of your package with the collectors guide that comes with it, to see which mini food you got. Follow the recipe card on the back to make your mini food. Once you’ve finished creating your mini food, set you finished dish in direct sunlight for about minutes until the resin has hardened. Once it’s set, you’ve got your finished mini food! Not only will you want to collect and display your finished mini food creation, the ingredients and mini packaging are just as cute and collectible too! Collect all 36 Series Make It Mini Foods! Also look out for Make It Mini Food Ages 8+ Available now.

Let them explore with Big Adventures These toy vehicles combine play, fun and learning with real, working STEM tools. Put kids in the driver’s seat of their own adventures, enabling them to stretch their imagination, discover new worlds and get outside. Adventure awaits! Ages 3+, Available now.

The Safari SUV includes three detachable tools binoculars, flashlight and compass. The spinning wheels detach from the Safari S to become binoculars with 3x magnification. The Safari S ’s headlights become a working flashlight. And the Safari S ’s back tire is a true north compass.”

The Space Rover includes three tools: 3x microscope, magnetic crane and extending grabber. The included magnetic cannister can be moved witthe crane or extending grabber. Leaves or flowers can be placed onto the specimen tray for detailed inspection with the 3x magnifying microscope. The Submarine includes three tools: underwater viewer, water suction sprayer and sifting net. Look beneath the waves with the underwater viewer. Use the water sprayer to suction water and spray it out for pure water play fun. And kids can collect and examine all the treasures they find with the sifting net.”

Rainbow High 2023 The new students include fashion-forward dolls representing more shades of the rainbow. They each have a unique style showcased in their outfit, hair and accessories! And when lined up together they create stunning rainbow. Each new Rainbow High™ fashion doll series includes characters with range of unique and beautiful features, skin tones, and fashion choices that represent diversity we see all around us; and this line is no different. Ages 4+, Available now.

L.O.L. Surprise! Sunshine Makeover Dolls Introducing the Spring 2023 Tentpole theme: Sunshine Makeover! Unbox fan favorite dolls in all new theme! Each doll has unique, UV color change transformation, along with surprises to unbox! Ages 4+, Available now.

The Sunshine Makeover segment is introducing a top-performing feature in an all-new way. For the first time ever, LOL fans will be able to explore color change transformations with our fan-favorite OMG fashion dolls that reveal complete hair and fashion metamorphoses. By taking the dolls outside, during any time of day whether it’s sunny or cloudy, or inside by window, kids can discover new hair and fashion look with new OMG characters. Ages 4+, Available now.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Miniland

Miniland Emotiblocks One of Miniland’s best selling classroom toys, Miniland is proud to introduce this iconic set to the toy industry: the delightful, colorful and engaging “Emotiblocks.” This set of basic emotions comes with blocks to mix, match and mash-up interchangeable pieces to create 3D Emoticons. Young imaginations can conjure up to 100 possible combinations using the included Activity Cards with real life pictures. An easy teaching guide is included. Ages 2-6, Available now.

Miniland Family Diversity Blocks This Family Diversity Blocks set offers children playful way to learn respect and acceptance of their own families and the families of others that might look “different” tan their won. With 33 pieces included and 12 Activity Cards,, you can create an array of families with different skin tones. Ages 3-6, Available now.

Miniland Sensorial Reef - Stimulating the senses is beneficial and fun for babies, who will have a great time touching, biting, looking at and listening to this soft coral reef while it promotes their development. Contains multiple element for developing the baby’s senses: different textures, pleasant to the touch, ideal teethers for their gyms, soft removable rattle, great color contrasts and mirror for developing the sight. Babies will love exploring its secrets and shaking its removable baby octopus rattle. The ultimate play center for the baby’s first few years! Ages 0+, Available now.

Miniland Mystery Castle - This castle contains 11 building cups decorated with fine drawings that can be stacked together to achieve tall tower. It includes soft little mouse to have endless adventures with: children can invent as many stories as their imagination can reach, hiding the little mouse between the blocks or throwing it to knock the tower down. The building cups fit inside each other and the biggest one has a handle, making it easy to take the castle anywhere. Ages 1 months+, Available now.

Moose Toys

The best thing since sliced bread, new Cookeez Makery is an oven-themed playset that lets kids mix, make and “bake” their new sweet-scented plush best friend. And, in “history in the baking” moment, the plush comes out of the oven warm. Using the included recipe card, water measure and sachets with pretend flour and yeast, kids mix the ingredients to create a dough ball. The dough mold and included dough tool are used to shape their animal friend and give it eyes, smiling mouth, paws and tail, before it’s popped in the oven. Turn the dial to set the temperature, listen for the ticking sound and wait for the DIN ! After 90 seconds, open the oven door and there’s plush puppy, bunny or kitten to take out and cuddle warm from the oven, and it’s deliciously scented either bread or cinnamon. Ages 4-8 years, Availability July 2023.

Real Littles Micro Crafts is the whole craft kit and caboodles. There are six themed DIY craft kits with colorful caboodles for storing, carrying and stacking. Each craft kit includes everything needed to create micro versions of popular crafting items. Kids can use that handy green thumb to make terrarium with mini trees, moss rocks, pebbles, crystals and other mini surprises, plus turn the lights out and the garden glows. The lightbox craft kit lets kids get their message across with removable letters and multicolor LED lights. Ages 6-8 years old, Available now.

Moose Toys cont.

Prepare to enjoy all the excitement of bringing home new puppy with Little Live Pets My Puppy’s Home one-of-a-kind playset that kids and parents assemble together. It comes with kid-safe plastic hammer and plastic screws, plus a flat pack of four walls with a door, floor and roof – everything needed to build a new home for a lifelike interactive plush puppy. When construction is complete, fill the water bowl and watch as paw prints appear at the entry. As a finishing touch add the name plate above the door, then look inside to find that the adorable puppy has magically found its way to a loving home. Feed, nurture and play with the puppy and be delighted by the more than 25 sounds and reactions it makes, including playful growl when the toy bone is placed in its mouth for lively game of tug of war. Ages 4- years, Availability uly 2023.

Hug N Hang Zoogooz, the newest innovation in the Little Live Pets brand, is a bit of a s-t-r-e-t-c-h —in the best way. The cute and colorful Zoogooz bring the classic Little Live Pets nurturing play pattern of action, reaction and interactivity, and adds squish and stretch to create the must loveable, huggable pets. There are three Zoogooz Sloth, Monkey and Koala, all with linking hands and a tactile texture, but it’s the gooey material that fills their arms that makes them so huggable. Their arms stretch out wide to hug and hang just about everywhere — home, school, with friends and out and about. When they’re not hanging around, Zoogooz love to play and show their delight with more than 60 sounds and reactions. Pat their heads and hear them sing. ive them a shake and they giggle. Twist and turn them and their eyes blink. Their stretchability and linking hands make these adorable pets super fun collectible, because the more Zoogooz, the bigger the hugs. Ages 4- years, Availability uly 2023.

Neopets

Neopets, petpets, faeries, and more, rejoice eo ets The f cial Cookbook is here This nostalgic and colorful cookbook is jam-packed (or should we say, jelly-packed?) with 40 delicious recipes, including tons of omelets, asparagus, and Faerieland-flavored fare that would satisfy even King Skarl himself. With 40+ fantastic recipes, easy-to-follow steps, and eye-catching photography, this cookbook is the ultimate collector’s item for any Neopets fan. ou’ll learn how to assemble Neopia’s finest feasts, from omelets to jellies to cupcakes and maybe even the occasional Iced Fish Cake. Take a Meepit uice Break with a refreshing Meepit uice Break Ice Lolly, visit the Soup Faerie at the Soup Kitchen, and journey to the iant Omelette (if you manage to take a slice). There’s even an exclusive code in the back of the book for an ALL-N W avatar that you can redeem and use on the Neoboards! This delightful cookbook includes gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and vegetarian recipes, so it’s perfect for the whole family—from Lupes to Kacheeks to even your pickiest friends. ou’ll become a master at Neopian cooking faster than your Neopet can die of hunger . . . or so we hope! Ages +, Available Summer 2023.

eo ets Tarot and racle eck Set - Whether you’re pondering the mysteries of the universe, curious about your love life, or just want to know whether you’re getting that raise at work, now you can flex your intuitive muscles with this official Neopets Tarot deck. Featuring a full set of unique cards and a diverse cast of Neopian heroes, villains, and inhabitants, this Tarot deck is packed with gorgeous art, familiar landscapes, and deep-rooted meanings and symbolism for helping to reframe and understand your queries and give new insight into what’s on your mind. ach deck comes with a guidebook to assist in interpreting the cards and explore their deeper meanings. eekifyinc.com. Ages 6+, Available 1 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Playmates

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4” Original Classic Storage Shell Turtle Basic Action Figures and Mutants Authentically sculpted and decorated as they appeared in the hit 1980’s animated TV show, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Original Classic Turtle Basic Action Figures include Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. Each stand 4” high with seven points of articulation, and boast storage shells and their signature accessories. Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

Playmates is taking TMNT fans back to the beginning with Original Classic Giant Figures. The 12” Giant Turtles come with their signature accessories and tower above all others. Each is articulated in the arms, legs, and head, and authentically sculpted and decorated to match the original release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 1989.

Straight from the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action blockbuster film and hit 1980s–1990s animated TV show, come the Classic Ninja Elite 6” Figures Leo and Mikey come dressed in disguise with iconic fedora hat and removable fabric trench coat with buttons, belted waist, and buckle details, just like in the film. Standing 6” tall, each is highly poseable with 34 points of articulation for realistic super Ninja action! Leo comes with his legendary twin katanas, while Mikey comes with his legendary twin nunchucks; both are ready for battle.

Ninja Elite Shredder and Triceraton each stand 6” tall and are highly detailed and decorated as he appeared in the hit 1980’s-1990’s animated TV show. Boasting 18 points of articulation for realistic bad guy action posing, Shredder comes with his removable sword, hook sword, kunai, and two hand knives; Triceraton comes with his two powerful blaster weapons. Comes in highly collectible window box package with the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles logo and branding. Available now.

Miraculous Magic Heroez Transformation Surprise Reveal Marinette’s super-secret hero identity!

Place Marinette and the magical pink packet in the Miraculous tube, add water, and swirl to reveal one of three Miraculous hero possibilities to collect. Each Magic Heroez Transformation doll includes doll, and three accessory surprises! Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

Playmobil

Introducing a new and exciting supercar into the Playmobil car fleet: the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. Feel the inimitable Ferrari vehicle look come to life in this unique Playmobil model. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale from Playmobil fascinates with sleek, aerodynamic lines, the iconic bright red color typical of Ferrari sports cars, authentic interior design, and realistic light functions. Remove the roof to reveal the detailed interior that includes an illuminated dashboard, steering wheel with Ferrari logo, and enough space to seat two Playmobil figures. Inside the trunk you will find the V8 engine. Ages 0 - 99.

Set sail on an adventure with the Catamaran! Use the binoculars to scope out sea animals, but be careful of the hungry seagull hunting for food on the boat. Be sure to use the side raft to float around for extra fun. Set includes three figures, side float, and other accessories. Ages 4-10.

It’s country living at its best at the Farmhouse with Outdoor Area. Help the family with their chores around the house and on the farm.Start the day by getting ready in the bedroom and then join the family for breakfast downstairs.Go outside to the shed to milk the cows. Set includes three figures, cow, calf, two cats, and other accessories. Ages 4-10.

PlayMonster

My Fairy Garden Hedgehog Haven - Join caring and thoughtful Tara the Earth Fairy and her adorable Plantimal friends Twigs, Quill, and Prickles, and grow & play in your own magical Fairy Garden! Sow the red cabbage seeds provided, nurture them and watch your plants grow! The mushroom house has space for the Hoglets to sit at the table, and have a nap in the rotating leaf beds. There’s even a little basket winch for a fun ride from the beds down to the seating area! Also in the pack is a special Fairy Field Guide which tells you all about Fairy Tara and includes other nature activities and projects. Also look out for My Fairy Garden Hop’s Hideaway and My Fairy Garden Fairy Wishes! Ages 4+, Available April 2023.

Craft Crush Plant Charms - Add some charm to your plants with Craft Crush Plant Charms! Use the metal frames to make beautiful faux stained-glass creations, then attach them to the stakes and decorate your indoor plants. This kit makes 4 plant charms, so they’re perfect for brightening up your home or for gifting the plant-lovers in your life! These Plant Charms come with 4 metal frames, 4 metal stakes, 5 metal rings, baking crystals, tweezers, and instructions. Ages 13+, Available now.

Fashion Plate Fashion Faces - See yourself in the faces of Fashion Faces! Make a fashion statement with mix-and-match faces and hairstyles and decorative stickers to show off your style! The variety of faces, hairstyles, and skin tones to choose from makes it easy for every child to express who they are or who they want to be! This kit includes a tablet frame, 4 double-sided outer plates, 4 double-sided face plates, crayon holder, rubbing crayons, coloring sticks, paper, sticker sheets, carrying tote, stencil, and an instruction booklet. Ages 6+, Available March 2023.

Plus Plus

Rocket Puzzle by Number 500 Piece - Plus-Plus is one shape with endless possibilities! Plus-Plus Puzzle By Number combines the artistry of a paint by number with the satisfaction of a puzzle into a unique creative experience. Using the enclosed pattern, fill in the design by matching each number with the corresponding color. When you are done, display it on a table or hang it up as room decorno glue or ironing required! Plus, all Plus-Plus sets encourage open-ended, creative play, are made using food-grade materials and manufactured in Denmark using 100% wind energy. Ages 5+, Available now.

Sports 240 Piece Tube - With 3 skin tones and 7 sports team colors, build Football, Basketball, Soccer and more players! Plus-Plus sets encourage open-ended, creative play, are made using food-grade materials and manufactured in Denmark using 100% wind energy. Ages 5+, Available now.

Flags of the World - Create flags from countries all around the globe! Contains 500 pieces, 2 baseplates, and an educational guide book. It’s a perfect STEM toy to develop fine motor skills, focus and patience. PLUS, all Plus-Plus sets encourage open-ended, creative play, are made using food-grade materials and manufactured in Denmark using 100% wind energy. Ages 5+, Available now.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

The Ground Force Elite combines racing/shifter kart-styling, indestructible blow molded construction with great maneuverability and enhanced steering engineered for performance. A strong 3 0-watt motor reaches speed up to 14 mph and variable speed foot pedal provides more realistic driving experience. It is Razor’s first 36v 4-wheel go-kart for kids that includes reverse and foot activated disc brake. Ages 13+, Available Spring 2023.

Schylling

Nice N’ Tidy Clean Up Kit The -piece mini cleaning kit for endless roleplay fun Including an extendable duster, wash cloths, an extendable broom, one squeegee sponge, 2-piece dustpan, and an extendable mop! Realistic cleaning tools motivate independent role play...and keep kids pretending for hours! Tools hang up neatly on the included stand, making for easy and compact storage. Nice N’ Tidy Clean Up Kit the complete role playing, confidence boosting, cleaning set! Available Spring 2023.

Fill your little one’s Easter baskets or switch up this year’s Easter egg hunt with NeeDoh’s ChickaDee Doos ChickaDee Doos are a lineup of 3 little squishy creatures that satisfy that irresistible need to squeeze. ach ChickaDee Doos comes with chick and removable egg, perfect for mixing and matching! The NeeDoh ChickaDee Doos come in 3 colors with “To and From ” packaging, ready for gifting! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

For even more basket stuffers, look out for NeeDoh’s Mellow Marble Eggs These Mellow Marble Eggs are lineup of 4 squishy and must have NeeDohs that satisfy that irresistible need to squeeze. ach Marble gg is unique, comes with glitter and marble swirled skin. ach is complete with “To and From ” packaging, ready for gifting! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023. Spread the love this season with The NeeDoh Squeeze Hearts Complete with printed sayings and 4 different color ways. xpress your love with the Squeeze earts line up! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Show your heart’s true colors with these four neon noodles Heart String NeeDohs You’ll be able to stretch your love, the NeeDoh way because each is complete with “To and From ” packaging, ready for gifting, loving stretching and squeezing! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Razor

Sky Castle

Sky Castle Toys introduces GooToobz SIPS! ach of these transparent, hand-held sensory mazes is filled with a super satisfying mix of goo, glitter and beads that rush and gush when squeezed side to side. But the triple sensory experience--you can hear the audible sound of the beads flowing through the maze, feel the squish of the oo being pumped in your hands, and see the oo flow through the channels--is now imaginatively recreated in the form of your favorite beverages! Styles include GooToobz SIPS Bubble Tea, GooToobz SIPS Milk Shake, and GooToobz SIPS Soda Pop. Ages 4+, Available Q3 2023. Also look out for GooToobz Gamers Each new style is designed to replicate classic video game controller! Stressed out waiting tore-spawn in the game? Need to keep your hands loose while the waiting room is filling up to start another match online? ooToobz amers has you covered! ust like classic ooToobz, these are transparent, hand-held sensory mazes filled with goo,glitter, and beads that rush and gush when squeezed side to side, delivering the unique GooToobz triple sensory experience. Available in three different styles, each with unique sound, touch, and look: GooToobz Gamers Hydro, GooToobz Gamers Stealth, and GooToobz Gamers Nuclear. Ages 4+, Available Q3 2023.

Spin Master

Monster Jam 1:64 El Toro Loco Big Air Challenge Recreate the epic World Finals XXI stunt with the Monster Jam El Toro Loco Big Air Challenge. The playset is over 20 inches tall and features an exclusive El Toro Loco truck, launcher, and panel target. With over positions on the launcher, aim your sights for the top to see the firework display. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Purse Pets Belt Bag Light up your look with the all-new Purse Pets Savannah Spotlight belt bag! She responds to your touch, has multicolor light-up cheetah spots, 30+ exciting sounds and light effects plus five new songs. Savannah Spotlight features beautiful details including pebbled faux leather accents, amped up expressive eyes, metal zipper, and an adjustable printed Purse Pets strap that can be worn as crossbody bag, over the shoulder or around the waist. Ages 5+, Available Spring 2023.

Mermaid Crystal Playset Dive in and discover the Mermaid Crystal Playset. Use the shell key to unlock the mermaid crystal lid and dig through purple Kinetic Sand to uncover hidden pearl and mermaid key. The mermaid key will unlock hidden treasure chest, with Kinetic Sand shimmer sand, hidden gems, and pearls! Use the crystal container as play space or pack it all up back into the container. Kinetic Sand sticks together for easy clean up! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

PAW Patrol Aqua Pups Whale Patroller - Featuring real working wheels, a Chase action figure and Chase’s rescue vehicle, the Whale Patroller is equipped with everything you need for your super-charged rescue missions on the imaginary seas. Team up with Chase and head up to the observation deck to keep an eye out for trouble. When someone is in danger, put Chase into the cockpit of his rescue vehicle and lower the Patroller’s tail ramp. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Steiff

Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends Jimmy Teddy Bear Love Welcome Jimmy Teddy Bear Birthday bear to Steiff’s newest Soft Cuddly Friends Collection: Gift Messenger Bears! Created to honor special occasions, this Jimmy has Love theme, perfect for Valentine’s Day! Children and adults alike will delight in hugging classic Jimmy with his red balloon and “Love” message embroidered on his paw. Ages 2+, Available Spring 2023.

Introducing Steiff’s unique Chinese Zodiac Bear collection! To kick off 2023, the year of the Water Rabbit, Steiff is proud to present the Chinese Zodiac Rabbit Hoody Teddy Bear. The sign of Rabbit is symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be year of hope! Steiff’s classic teddy bear is dressed in a white hooded Rabbit outfit, a perfect gift for anyone on your list. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Super Impulse

Super Impulse partners with Hasbro and variety of pop-culture IP’s to bring exciting mashups to new generation of Potato Head fans and collectors. Poptaters puts fun twist and mashup on two iconic classics and adds touch of playfulness in any space! In classic Potato Head fashion, each figure comes dressed in a removable outfit and features interchangeable parts including one surprise Potato Head original piece. Stack and display your entire collection! New for Spring 2023, collect Transformers Optimus Prime, Bob Ross, GPK, KISS Gene Simmons, Sonic The Hedgehog, The Office Dwight, The Big Lebowski “The Dude”, and ood Luck Trolls. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Minis-in-Minis Sugar Buzz Collectibles Series 2 Hershey Brands Minis-in-Minis is like no other mini collectible toy line, with tiny minis inside! Series features the most iconic, beloved confectionary brands from Hershey’s! Discover favorites like Hershey’s Miniatures, Reese’s Pieces, Twizzlers, olly Ranchers, Bubble um and more! What a rush! Collect 66 in Series 2 including rare colors! Discover inside – 2 Minis and 6 Minis-In-Minis! Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Super Impulse cont.

The incredibly popular line of World’s Smallest Games features classic games enjoyed by generations of kids and adults in a size that will fit in the palm of your hand! New this season, The World’s Smallest Sorry!, Trouble, Pogo Ball, Playing Cards, and the fastest growing game in America, Pickelball! ach game plays just like the original, full-sized version and offers hours of fun. All pieces fit inside, making for easy storage and take everywhere fun. Collect them all! Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Sunny Days Entertainment

Cutie Loos Series 2 - A new series of flocked animal characters with interchangeable hats and shoes! These mix and match friends are perfect for fashion play with accessory designs ranging from trendy and realistic to whimsical and fantasy. ach set comes with 2 characters, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 hats and 2 unique mystery accessories! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Hot Wheels Pop Up Tent - Take imaginations for a ride with the open floor design that allows little racers to pick up the tent and pretend to drive! Kids can crawl through the rear entrance and stand through the car’s top opening to imagine racing down the track to victory. For double the speed and double the fun, invite a friend to take a spin in your new ride and race your favorite ot Wheels cars with the attachable 10 feet of ot Wheels track! Simply attach the track into the front-facing clips, select your winning race cars, and watch them slide down the course to the finish line. ach tent includes two mystery hot wheels cars and 10ft of track. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Maxx Bubbles Dancing Crab Bubble Machine - Sing, dance, and play with the Dancing Crab Bubble Machine!

This cute “crabby” bubbler measures over 10 inches long and shoots a steady stream of bubbles while moving to music. With a colorful and innovative design, this automatic bubble machine activates a continuous blast of bubbles as it crawls and plays music for the ultimate outdoor experience! Built-in sensors even help this Dancing Crab avoid obstacles and ledges to prevent falls and spills. Simply fill the crab’s claws with 4oz of included bubble solution to watch it dance around and create a bubble blast. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Maxx Bubbles Bubble Barrage - Create an endless amount of bubbles with the Bubble Barrage by Maxx Bubbles. Designed with fun styling and bold colors, this is sure to be a bubble blowing hit this summer. It’s easy to use! ust screw in the bubble solution and pull the trigger to blow a continuous streak of bubbles. Children will love the fast bubble blowing action and parents will love the active outdoor play! Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Giggle Zone Color Change Stress Ball - Squeeze, stretch, and pull the ball to discover what color is hiding underneath while keeping hands busy and minds calm. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

Giggle Zone Expandable Ball - xpands from . ’’ to 13’’. se as a calming toy to relax your breathing or fun fidget toy as you retract and expand. Ages 3+, Available Spring 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

TCG Toys

Bend-Ems and WWE have long history dating back to the 90s, and now multi-brand toy company TCG Toys is reuniting the two iconic brands. TCG Toys will manufacture comprehensive line of bendable and collectible WWE Bend Ems gures featuring top WWE Superstars and Legends. The Bend-Ems WWE Superstars Series Assortment includes John Cena, Roman Reigns, Rey Mysterio and Seth Rollins while the Series 1 Legends include The Rock, ulk ogan, ndertaker and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The first wave will arrive at retail in Fall 2023. Ages 3+.

TCG Toys and Ubisoft Montreal are bringing the action-adventure game to life with the Bend-Ems ssassin’s Creed Wave ssortment including zio, Altair, dward and Basim. The first wave will arrive at retail in Fall 2023. Ages 17+.

The P W Patrol umbo egamat brings hours of fun to life in big way! This jumbo-sized foam mat is the perfect accompaniment to your child’s PAW Patrol toy collection, bedroom or play area. With Rescue Pup Chase in his police truck, Marshall In His Fire Truck, and featuring the newest character toy addition of Rubble in his Construction Digger, this engaging playmat will provide kids with hours of play zooming to the rescue all over Adventure Bay. Measures 47” wide 61” tall. Ages 3+, Available now.

The ittle Tikes Solid Wood nimal rk is an adorable playset and perfect first toy for babies and toddlers to discover and recreate the classic story! This early learning shape sorter can stimulate little one’s imagination, creativity and reasoning, improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, touch sensory and problem solving. The large, easy to grip chunky wood figures can help simplify their animal identifying abilities as they recognize colors, categorize shapes and have loads of fun as they match the animal pairs during play! Made of high-quality odor-free and non-toxic wood material, the toys have smooth edges without burrs, ensuring its safety for all children. Ages 18 months+, Available now.

The ittle Tikes Solid Wood Counting Worm is a fun-filled educational toy and perfect puzzle for toddlers! The chunky Counting Worm sorting toy is designed to stimulate learning while having hours of wiggly fun as it features rainbow colors and the early crucial counting numbers from to 10. Parents and teachers alike will love the variety of ways the easy to grasp color sorting pieces offer to entertain toddlers, including math counters, color games, building and STEM games, to name few.

Ages 2+, Available now.

Thames & Kosmos

In the first half of 2023, there will be three new additions to the EXIT: The Game series of at-home escape room games! EXIT: Kids - Jungle of Riddles - Ages - , Available Spring 2023 EXIT: The Professor’s Last Riddle - Ages 12+, Available March EXIT: The Disappearance of Sherlock Holmes - Ages 12+, Available Summer 2023.

My City Roll & Build - The roll of the dice shows everyone which building to draw on their game pad. From episode to episode you have to face new challenges. First the land is developed and later gold is found. This brings bandits into your city who must be surrounded and taken into custody. xperience the progress and development of your city through 12 varied episodes. Ages 10+, Available Spring 2023.

Newton’s Apple: Tightrope-Walking Gyrobot - Build a cute apple robot that walks along a tightrope. ow? Thanks to the robot’s main component, a motorized gyroscope, it can maintain its balance and perform this fun trick without falling over. Through five experiments, you can discover the astonishing powers of the motorized gyroscope and explore the physics behind its amazing behaviors. Ages + with help, 12+ solo, Available March 2023.

Trainbots: 2-in-1 Steam Maker Kit - ou can build your TrainBot in two different configurations a rolling train and a walking robot. Turn it on and watch it go, with cool water vapor “steam” billowing from its chimney, lit up in a fiery orange glow. This retro-futuristic model is packed with modern technology, including an electric motor, L D lights, circuit board, and an innovative ultrasonic atomizer that transforms tap water into the fine mist that rises from the chimney. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Code+Control Dinosaur Robot: Rex - Assemble your own robotic model of the giant, powerful, ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex. se the handheld controller to command your robot to move around in all directions, light up its eyes, and play sounds, including chowing down on food and even farting! The special Code+Control wireless unit enables you to either directly control Rex in real time or write and save sequences of commands for the robot to perform at the push of a button. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Dimension: the Brain Game to Go - In this brain-bending puzzle game, your goal is to place the stacking pieces on the board following a set of placement rules. With over 200 challenges in four difficulty levels and a compact case, this game provides hours of puzzle-solving fun, virtually anywhere. Play solo or pass the game around to challenge your family and friends. Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

Creatto is a simple yet versatile building system that consists of just two components that can be woven together into countless 3D creations. The flexible yet durable plastic tiles interlock quickly and easily for all skill levels; no additional materials or hardware required! Thames & Kosmos will be releasing four new full-size Creatto kits in spring 2023 Creatto Puppy Pals, Dino Planet, Rainbow Butterfly, and American Bald agle & Frontier Friends, Ages +, Available Spring 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

TOMY

Build-A-Buddy John Deere Dump Truck

The John Deere Build-A-Buddy Yellow Dump Truck features two great ways to play! Put together, this dump truck is great push along toy for lots of on-the-floor fun. This construction toy comes with a drill and one bit that lets kids take it apart and put it back together again. It also features a working dump bed to haul around all their favorite treasures. The dump truck toy comes complete with 2 AA batteries pre-installed so that the fun can start right away! Also keep your eyes open for the Build-A-Buddy Transformers Optimus Prime and Build-A Buddy Batmobile! Ages 1 months+, Available Fall 2023.

The Club Mocchi- Mocchi- mega plush line of favorite characters from popular video games are soft and huggable pillow toys with a squishy texture and sturdy construction. Whether gifting a travel pal, room decor, or surprising your favorite gamer, there’s a MocchiMocchi- sure to please. New plush this year include The Legend of Zelda (Spring), Cuphead (Spring), Super Mario (Spring & Fall), Kirby (Fall), Suya Suya (Fall), alo (Fall) and u iOh (Fall) Ages 3+, Available Spring and Fall 2023

YumiAmi, developed in-house by the S brand design team, brings more diversity into the TOM toy line. The five soft and sweet dolls, who come from varied cultural backgrounds, are designed for children three to five years old and will come packaged with a book and sold as a gift set. ach book will be paired with their respective doll and promote learning about and embracing each other’s cultures. Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

Peeky Pops - pping the cool factor for not yet tween kids is TOM ’s new, clip-on Peeky Pops line. Plush fun combined with fidget play are sure to be the new collection craze Fidget play and collectability align in this fun face array of 12 characters (launching with four). Fab and fun Peeky Pops hits shelves at price point of Ages +, Available Fall 2023.

Bebé Fuerte - The line launches with eight seven signature products co-designed by Robin Arz n, ice President of Fitness Programming and ead Instructor at Peloton. The fresh, colorful palette brings Robin’s Cuban-Puerto Rican roots and the rich heritage of LatinX culture to the products, which encourage parents and baby to move together. The line that will feature Spanish words and phrases parents can share as they play with baby, and the The product will come in bilingual packaging. Ages 0, 3 months+, and 6 months+ based on individual products. Available Fall 2023.

A Little Spot of Emotion - Based off of the best-selling book series by Diane Alber, A Little Spot of motion, the brand focuses on social-emotional learning. Launching with items from fidget poppers to Mix & Match items, was designed to helping children to acknowledge and learn about how to deal with their emotions in a fun way. Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

Top Secret Toys

SpinPop is one of kind, motorized, spinning lollipop! The hit novelty candy toy from the 90’s is back and better than ever! SpinPop is the one and only motorized spinning lollipop that makes enjoying this treat easier and more fun. SpinPop comes with gourmet lollipop. To activate SpinPop simply hold down on the orange button and experience the spinning sensation. SpinPop can hold most standard lollipops too! Made in the USA! Piranha, Salamander, Bat, and deluxe versions of the Frog which come with veins and arteries. Ages 4+, Available March 2023.

The Thumbler is a handheld fidget sphere that is the perfect combination of ST M learning and fidget spinning fun! Thumbler is the first ever handheld, spinning top, fidget sphere! It is the ultimate scientific fidget toy that demonstrates STEM principles. To activate, simply grasp the Thumbler and slowly rotate the device in your hand and soon you will be able feel the smooth gyroscopic resistance grow as the speed increases. Once the spinner is at maximum speed, you will experience mesmerizing display of swirling LEDs and an eye-catching spectacle of changing color! Piranha, Salamander, Bat, and deluxe versions of the Frog which come with veins and arteries. Ages, 6+ Available now.

ToyMonster

Celebrate Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary with the all new Jurassic World CAPTIVZ Build N Battle 30th Anniversary Surprise Egg by ToyMonster! Featuring super-sized species to collect from the original Jurassic Park movie, this collection will have fans roaring into Jurassic Park’ 30th Anniversary! dig through prehistoric sand, chip through amber sap gel and ooze through Biosyn Lab slime to discover which super-sized exclusive species you have unearthed! Ages 3+, Available now.

Triple the fun for three decades of Jurassic Park! Celebrate the 30th Anniversary with the exclusive release of CAPTIVZ Build N Battle 30th Anniversary Slime Egg 3-Pack by ToyMonster! Featuring species from the original movie and guaranteed rare baby dinosaur within the 3-pack, this collection will have fans roaring into Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary! Just crack your egg, ooze through the stretchy amber slime to reveal your collectible species, then build to BATTLE! Collect them all! Ages 3+, Available now.

Celebrate Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary with the exclusive release of CAPTIVZ Build N Battle dinos by ToyMonster The newest CAPTIVZ range will feature species from the original movie and rare dinosaurs to chase, including the gold baby velociraptor. This collection will be the most authentic release yet and will have fans roaring into Jurassic Park’s 30th Anniversary! Ages 3+, Available now.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

Trefl

The Trefl Wooden Craft line features unique, irregular and fun puzzle shapes to fit with the overall puzzle theme, along with beautiful patterns on the back of each piece, has extremely precise printing, as well as intense colors. Trefl’s WoodCraft Origin series is the thickest puzzle on the market and one can even roll the puzzle up after it’s done, and it stays intact. Crafted using eco-friendly materials, and wrapped in eco-friendly packaging, this high-quality puzzle features beautiful themes, thick pieces and once connected, turns into an incredible visual, perfect for display. New designs for 2023! Ages 12+, Available 1 2023.

Underdog Games

HerStory is a brand-new family-friendly game, featuring 120 iconic women of history. The creator of this game, nderdog ames saw a void in history books and wanted to correct it. That void was women and how they have contributed to our history. Only 1 woman for every 3 men are mentioned in K-12 standards, and erStory The Board ame wants to change this. In this unique board game, you are a writer, working on a book about incredible women in history. ou want to be the first person who writes eight chapters into their book, and if you have the most points, you win. nderdog ames will donate 1 of sales for erStory to the Malala Fund to help educate girls all over the world. Available now.

University Games

Look for a “big” release this March of Richard Scarry’s Busytown Seek and Find Game, an oversized seek-and-find play-on-the-floor board game. With all of the popular colors, characters and familiar places from the best-selling Richard Scarry book series, the Busytown game will be hours of busy time fun for preschoolers. Ages 3+, Available March 2023.

This Fall, niversity ames releases its Briarpatch Eric Carle Rainbow Picnic Game. Combining an interest for young foodies and the popular ric Carle color palette, players try to complete their rainbows with a food of every color. ducational elements are weaved into the game play for children to learn as they play. Ages 3+, Available Fall 2023.

University Games cont.

Irritable Vowels is word game full of vowel movement! An electronic tumbling die of vowels pauses and then rumbles to roll itself at various intervals. Each roll changes the task for players to think of new words that contain the vowel and the letters displayed. quick wit and little wordsmithing is all you need to have great time with this family appropriate party game. Irritable Vowels hits store shelves in the Fall of 2023. Ages 8+.

Happy Hour Hustle is the minute to swig it party game full of unique challenges. Be the first player or team to successfully complete challenges before you go over your Happy Hour Meter to win! This game comes with multiple challenges across different categories, cups, ping pong balls and kazoo! Adult beverage consumption is completely optional. The Happy Hour Hustle begins in Fall 2023. Ages 21+.

Drunk Ass Game is the classic team trivia game that keeps players laughing all night long. Loaded with 400 different questions and challenges to pour over, this game will test your wits before, during and after you toast with your favorite beverage and is available now. Ages 21+.

Vango

The world of hide ‘n’ seek busy bags is exploding on Etsy and social media. Enter BIZYBOO delightful new line of portable, mess-free, and did we mention adorable, busy bags reimagined as 12 different whimsical characters, each representing unique theme. Children simply prod and push the beads around searching for the hidden objects within each character and match them to those shown on the included card. With 12 adorable characters to collect and over 200 hidden objects to discover, BIZYBOO provides your little ones with hours of fun and entertainment while helping to develop their fine motor skills, problem solving abilities, and improving their concentration. Available March 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

VTech

What’s black and white and cute all over? It’s the Take Me With You Zebra! This cuddly critter invites little ones to explore their senses of touch, sound and sight. The soft plush, crinkly leaf, colorful patterns and ribbon tags encourage kids to explore textures. Give the zebra shake to hear silly sounds, giggles and tunes. Lift the fabric flap to find three peek- a-boo buttons that teach numbers, colors and sing-along songs. Babies are drawn to black-and-white patterns, and this little zebra is a treat to look at with a striped body, smiling face and flashing light. Who is that baby in the mirror? Kiddos love looking in the mirror even before they know that the face they see is their own. Keep baby entertained with this take-along toy while you take some time for yourself. Intended for ages 3 months+, Available Spring 2023.

Switch & Go Wolf Fire Chief - Race into a new world with the stealthy, speedy Switch & o Wolf Fire Chief! Take charge with a powerful fire chief car with realistic sound effects and cool lights. ear the siren sounding—that’s a five-alarm fire! One- touch transformation turns this rescue vehicle into a strong, growling wolf, ready to spring into action. Nose to the air! Do you smell trouble? This powerful wolf is on the prowl. Assemble the pack and go on the hunt for action. Ready to pick up speed? Three simple moves turn the wolf back into a fire chief car. Wolf to wheels! Let s roll out! Build a Switch & o world with more transforming vehicle creatures (sold separately). Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

Switch & Go Hatch & Roaaar Egg Velociraptor Racer - Create an egg-cellent dino world with the Switch & o atch & Roaaar gg elociraptor Racer! Open the egg and find all the pieces you need to build your 2-in-1 dinosaur racer. Zip your speedy racer around with roaring engine sounds and the voice of the race car driver. Then easily transform it into a ferocious velociraptor! Add fearsome raptor screeches with the push of a button to rev up imaginative play. Create a Switch & o world, then race or challenge other atch & Roaaar gg creatures (sold separately). Also look out for the Switch & o atch & Roaaar gg Triceratops Race Car!

Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

Turn back the clock and turn up the tunes with this retro musical toy, the Kiddie Cat Cassette Player. Bop to the music along with this head-bobbin kitty to jazz, country and rock-n-roll style melodies and the Alphabet Song. This take-along music toy may remind you of a small, iconic portable tape deck, but this lil player doesn t need cassettes to play music. The wheels do spin, which babies and toddlers will love to watch. As they press the buttons, kiddos can learn how their actions make the kitty bop up and down and side to side. Chill out with some musical moves and totally tubular tunes! Ages 9 – 36 months, Available Spring 2023.

Waloo

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Hop & Squeak Pogo Hopper Perfect for kids to play around inside or out. They will have hours of fun bouncing around in style while working on their balancing skills. The added comfort grip gives the child an -Z grip on the handles as well. Included is 1 op & Squeak Pogo opper. Available April 2023.

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Mini Bowling Set Children will love to set ‘em up and strike ‘em down. Daniel Tiger’s Mini Bowling Set is great for kids learning how to bowl! Keeps them active indoors or out! The set includes 6 Pins & 1 Ball. Available April 2023.

Wild Republic

Rescue: Dogs with Authentic Sound These furry friends have the best sublimation printing in the industry for ultimate realism and detail, along with the authentic bark specific to the breed! Ages 0+, Available Summer 2023

Snuggleluvs are meant to be snuggled and loved. These soft and whimsical stuffed animals are oversized and super fun with long fluffy hair. These super sweet plush pieces are sure to make any child smile. Snuggleluvs are also specifically designed to provide comfort and ease anxiety. With their added weight, extra softness, and optimal cuddling size, Snuggleluvs are a stress-relieving companion for all ages. Ages 0+, Available anuary 2023.

Mysteries of Atlantis: Mermaid Plush - Wild Republic’s new Mysteries of Atlantis line consists of Mermaids that serve as companions to one another. The Mermaids represent various races and are more detailed than any other mermaid on the market thanks to sublimation printing, foil tails and other fine details. ach mermaid has a unique personality/story related to an animal friend featured in the detail of their eye. The hair is designed for optimal playability. They are also made 100 from recycled materials. Ages 0+, Available 1 2023.

NEW PRODUCT PREVIEWS

WowWee

Introducing Dog-E the one-in-a-million robot dog, MINTiD just for you, by WowWee! As soon as you uncrate this pup, the minting process begins. The all-white Dog-E comes to life and reveals its unique combination of colorful lights, sounds and personality traits, so no two Dog- ’s are ever the same. Dog- ’s personality influences how it behaves and responds to you with over 200 sounds and reactions. Dog-E talks with its tail, using persistence of vision (POV) technology to communicate with you. For Ages 6+, Available Spring 2023.

Get splashed feeding Hungry Hungry Hippos Splash all-new from WowWee, this spin on Hasbro’s Hungry Hungry Hippos is loads of outdoor fun. Just like the classic Hungry Hungry Hippos game, players choose hippo to feed and race against friends to feed their hippo the fastest… but now, your favorite hippos spray water! Fun for 1-2 players ages 4+, kids will tap into their coordination skills by tossing snacks into their hippo’s mouth while it spins AND sprays for added difficulty! The closer you get to your hippo, the more you’ll be sprayed but the easier it is to land the snacks in your hippo’s mouth. Ages 4+, Available Spring 2023.

Push your luck… and get splashed with Hasbro Pie Face Splash Game all new from WowWee, Hasbro’s classic Pie Face game is now no-mess water sprinkler game. Fun for players ages 6+, Pie Face Splash Game is easy to set up in your backyard. Start playing in four easy steps: connect the hose, spin the spinner, push the handle, and try to complete your turn without getting sprayed. With each pump of the handle, there’s chance your turn can end in splash! Earn points by staying dry! Still dry? You earn point for each pump of the handle. The first player to 21 points wins! Ages 6+, Available Spring 2023.

Unleash the ultimate soak with the NERF Super Soaker - Soaker Blast Slider by WowWee. Slide and get soaked with this interactive, 16ft water slide! Kids ages 5-12 can take turns sliding on the Soaker Blast Slider OR soaking their friends with the built-in water blaster. Sit at the top of the Soaker Blast Slider and let the water whisk you into the splash zone! With durable construction, this Soaker Blast Slider can hold up to 110 lbs. Ages 5-12, Available Spring 2023.

YuMe

Enter the magical world of Disney with YuMe’s Disney 100 Surprise Capsules featuring Disney characters, from classic animations to recent theatrical releases. Each set comes with magical clues, scene cards, character figure, 1 sidekick, and 1 accessory. Series 1 has 14 characters, including 2 rare chase characters. Series will be available in Fall 2023. Ages 3+, Available Spring/Fall 2023.

DZNR (duh·zai·nr) is unique collection of plush, celebrating the heritage and artistry of the characters and story behind each through print, texture, form and feature. YuMe launches the DZNR plush line in 2023 with the Transformers featuring Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron. Each collectible plush comes in its own collector’s display box with character details. Ages 0+, Available now.

ZAG

The ZAG Heroez Miraculous Miraball is a “Tiny but Mighty” Surprise! These 2 ¾” diameter collectable metal balls reveal a larger hidden plush Kwami that is over 4” in diameter, thanks to the innovation of a new ultra-shrinkable memory foam plush. The pack also includes a variety of foil stickers and a “collectability sheet.” Plush Kwamis include Tikki, Plagg, Wayzz, Trixx, Nooroo, Pollen, and Duusu; 12 Zodiac inspired Kwamis—Mullo, Stompp, Roaar, Fluff, Longg, Sass, Kaalki, Ziggy, Xuppu, Orikko, Barkk, and Daizzi. Ages 3+, Available Fall/Winter 2023.

ZAG Heroez Miraculous Kwami - Mon Ami - In the globally popular animated series Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, the fairy-like Kwamis can transform those who hold a magic jewel known as “Miraculous” into animal-themed super beings with special powers! The “Mon Ami” (French for “my friend”) range of 9 ½” glossy and glittery-eyed Kwamis feature uniquely tooled 3D and 3-layer resin eyes. There are twelve Kwamis to collect in total. Ages 3+, Available Fall/Winter 2023.

ZAG Heroez Miraculous T&S Cash Register & Coffee Machine - Marinette (aka Ladybug) lives above her family owned Boulangerie Patisserie and regularly helps her parents, Tom and Sabine. And… she still has time to save Paris! Kids can play out the scenes from the famous Parisian bakery. Café Set includes coffee machine and cash register featuring lights and sound, and a bakery display case, along with bills and coins, bakery items, coffee cups/lids, creamer, sugar, and Miraculous credit card.

ZAG Heroez Miraculous T&S Macaron Stand - Fans can complement the Café Set with macarons and stand. The product includes a three-layer cake stand in gold and rose; six macarons with high quality gold T&S logo print on both sides, six colourful chocolate pralines, and four sugar and butter cookies. Ages 3+, Available Fall/Winter 2023.

ZAG Heroez Miraculous Who’s My Hero - In this classic two-player board game, players each guess the identity of the other’s chosen Miraculous hero. The objective of the game is to be the first to determine which Miraculous hero one’s opponent has selected. This is done by asking “yes or no” questions to eliminate possibilities. The only question not allowed in this game is “Does your hero wear a mask?” Flip a coin and choose if you play for Ladybug or Cat Noir. Other classic games include ZAG Heroez Miraculous GET 4 and ZAG Heroez Miraculous Pop Race. Ages 6+, Available Fall/Winter 2023.

Zing

Bring the adventure from the skies of Pandora to your own backyard with the new Avatar RC Deluxe Banshee and Avatar RC Classic Banshee from Zing, inspired by 20th Century Studios’ blockbuster film, Avatar! The new Avatar RC Banshees are the perfect blend of traditional remote-control and Zing’s drone toys, with altitude ranges of up to 200 feet and pre-programmed auto flying experiences. With the six-axis sensor, the Avatar RC Banshees can achieve smart take-off by hand to then fly through their environment. The sensor also allows the Banshees to maintain altitude, fly in a straight line, as well as prevent them from flying too high.

You’re Hired!

ZAG: Gaye Dean, VP of NA Retail Development

Award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG announced the appointment of Gaye Dean, a thirty-plus year veteran of Target Corporation, as Vice President, North America Retail Development. e announcement was made by Jeremy Zag, Founder and CEO, ZAG. Reporting to Lisa K. Foster, Sr. Vice President, Licensing, North America, Gaye Dean will manage strategic relationships for ZAG across all tiers of retail throughout North America for the roster of properties under the ZAG Heroez label—an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties.

Universal P&E: Rafael Macias, EVP, Global Commercial O cer, Consumer Products

As part of a strategic global expansion to deliver premium, fan- rst products and retail experiences worldwide, Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E), announced the appointment of Rafael “Rafa” Macias to the newly created position, EVP, Global Commercial O cer, Consumer Products. Reporting to Vince Klaseus, President, Universal Products & Experiences, Macias will lead UP&E’s global commercial strategies, overseeing the development and execution of the company’s consumer products, retail sales and marketing businesses around the world.

PlayMonster: Steve Adolph, CEO

“I’m thrilled to be assuming the role of Chief Executive O cer of PlayMonster,” says Steve Adolph. “I am grateful to Tim for his support and mentorship over the past few months, and to the entire organization for their con dence in my leadership. I look forward to ensuring that PlayMonster continues to amplify its strong global foothold in the toy and game industry.”

Brain Power: Jasmine Gard VP of Finance and Operations

Brain Power Studio, a global entertainment content creator and distributor, has appointed former Net ix and 9 Story Media Group exec, Jasmine Gard, as its new VP of Finance and Operations. In the role, Jasmine Gard will oversee all aspects of nance and accounting operations at Brain Power as well as provide strategic guidance around capital nancing options. Gard will manage production and corporate nance as well as risk management activities. She will lead consolidation e orts and manage relationships with third party lenders and auditors.

e Insights Family: Rachel Bardill SVP of Marketing & Partnerships

e Insights Family – the global leader in kids, teens, parents, and family market intelligence – has announced the appointment of former BBC Executive Rachel Bardill to lead their marketing and partnerships team as part of its future growth strategy. Former BBC executive, Rachel Bardill, is an industry expert in children, teens, parents, and families. She has led on digital product, app development, games, brand strategy and digital commissioning for some of the biggest media brands. Much has evolved in the digital landscape in the last twenty years, and Rachel has led with a progressive mindset to remain ahead of the curve.

Just Play: Shari Mann, Head of International

Just Play, a leading global play company behind several bestselling toy lines with partners including Disney, Moonbug Entertainment, Nickelodeon, and Sesame Workshop is adding to its leadership team with the appointment of Shari Mann as the company’s Head of International.  Mann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Just Play with almost 20 years in the toy industry focusing on international business. “I’m freshly inspired by the growth opportunities ahead, and look forward to spearheading Just Play’s international evolution, while continuing to deliver a high level of service to our customers and licensors,” said Mann.