ASTRA Toy Tips Calendar 2020

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 1 11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020 Calendar from the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

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My First Castle Panic from Fireside Games is a cooperative game that teaches preschoolers to work together to save the castle.

Cooperation teaches kids to be helpful, thoughtful and respectful to others – a skill that is important for adulthood. firesidegames.com 512-815-3473

11/22/19 3:41 PM

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Start the year off by launching a book club or game night in your store. Invite fellow local businesses and industry peers to join in on the fun and conversation. (Don’t forget about the snacks and drinks!)

Sunday

Monday

29

Tuesday

30

Wednesday

31

January 2020 Thursday

1

Friday

Saturday

2

3

4

9

10

11

New Year’s Day

5

6

7

8

Hong Kong Toy & Games Fair Consumer Electronics Show Dallas Gift Show

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

20

21

22

23

24

25

28

29

30

31

1

Dallas Gift Show

19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

26

27

Las Vegas Gift Show

Minneapolis Gift Show

11/22/19 3:41 PM

Spielwarenmesse: Walking Tour of Nuremberg – Jan. 31; ASTRA Member Dinner – Jan. 31

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Piccoli Plush Horses are classic stuffed animals that encourage pretend play and imagination. When kids engage in pretend play, they can work on social/ emotional skills like empathy and compassion to help them understand and relate to others. piccolihorses.com 606-485-8010

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 5

February 2020 Sunday

Monday

26

Tuesday

27

28

Bring back the art of writing a letter. Pick a pal – industry peer, favorite client, neighboring business owner – and write them a hand-written note (or two) this month and drop it in the mail. Surprises like this light up our brains and give us a boost of dopamine!

Wednesday

Thursday

29

Friday

30

Saturday

31

1

Minneapolis Gift Show Spielwarenmesse

2

Groundhog Day

3

4

5

6

7

8

11

12

13

14

15

21

22

Minneapolis Gift Show Spielwarenmesse

9

10

Valentine’s Day

16

17

18

19

20

Toy Fair New York

Presidents’ Day

23

11/22/19 3:41 PM

ASTRA’s Night in New York

24 Share the Fair

25

26

27

28

29

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 6

Do-A-Dot markers are perfect for fostering the joy of creativity and opening a world of original thought and exploration.

They also support fine motor skills like whole hand grasp and hand-eye coordination which are essential to developing muscles to help young children accomplish everyday tasks. dotart.com 11/22/19 3:41 PM

800-436-8278

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 7

March 2020 Sunday

Monday

Encourage right-brain activity! Roll out butcher paper, tape up poster board or get out some notebooks for doodling and coloring. Pick an inspirational word of the month for your staff to decorate and hang it in your staff area!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

18

19

20

21

Toy Fest West GAMA Trade Show

15

16

17

St. Patrick’s Day

22

23

Minneapolis Gift Show

24

25

26

27

28

2

3

4

Dallas Gift Show Minneapolis Gift Show

29

30

31

1

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 8

Baby dolls have an infinite amount of playtime and developmental possibilities!

La Newborn Boutique baby dolls from JC Toys encourage social/emotional skills like nurturing and responsibility. Pretend play allows kids to practice these skills while understanding others’ feelings. jctoys.com 800-422-2244

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 9

April Sunday

2020 Monday

Focus this month on reducing stress and sharing the love by giving out high fives, hugs or fist bumps. Better yet, create a team handshake that you do each time you want to celebrate one of your staffers. It’s guaranteed to reduce stress and inspire smiles!

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

29

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Good Friday

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

Easter Sunday

11/22/19 3:41 PM

Minneapolis Gift Show

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 10

“Purrfectly” suited for splashing around or hanging out poolside! Kids can expand imaginative pool play with the Toysmith exclusive Bobbin’ Buddies Mer Kitty inflatable. Gross motor skills including balance, weight shifting and core strength can be encouraged as kids get on and off the inflatable. toysmith.com 253-863-0896

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 11

Taste test time! Pick a food category like uniquely-flavored chips or different types of sodas. Invite staff to contribute their own snacks to the challenge and host your own blind taste test to match the food to the flavor as you embark on a multisensory experience.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

May 2020 Friday

Saturday

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Screen Free Week

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Mother’s Day

11/22/19 3:41 PM

31

Memorial Day

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With the foam Glider Plane from The Original Toy Company, kids can practice delayed gratification and perseverance as they assemble the plane and make it soar through the air. When it lands, kids can launch it again or rebuild if it has a crash, which teaches them to try again for success. theoriginaltoycompany.com 800-899-4258

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 13

June 2020 Sunday

Monday

Stop – it’s Hammer time! Blast a tune each day this month at the same time. When the music comes on, its time for everyone to bust a move. Boost memory and increase confidence while you show off your dancing skills.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

16

17

18

19

20

23

24

25

26

27

3

4

ASTRA Marketplace & Academy

14

15

Minneapolis Gift Show

21

22

Father’s Day

Dallas Gift Show

28

29

30

1

2

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 14

SOS Dino from IELLO is a cooperative game that teaches kids about working together towards a common goal through teamwork. The contents of the game allow for open-ended play as kids use the dino figures, mountains and volcanoes to imagine and create beyond game play. iellousa.com/products/sos-dino 702-818-1789

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 15

Set up quick games for ongoing play – tic tac toe, hangman, dots, puzzles. Encourage staff to make their moves when they pass by. Continued playful interactions give the brain a full-body workout.

Sunday

Monday

28

Tuesday

29

Wednesday

30

Thursday

1

July 2020 Friday

2

Saturday

3

4

Independence Day

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

1

11/22/19 3:41 PM

Las Vegas Gift Show

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The Musical Lili Llama activity toy from Manhattan Toy encourages musical exploration while fostering motor skill development.

Lili Llama becomes beautiful dĂŠcor in any playroom.

11/22/19 3:41 PM

manhattantoy.com 800-541-1345

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 17

Which letter is the coolest? Iced T. Lighten the mood and relieve stress by creating a “Haha Hideout� where your team can post funny jokes, pictures, articles and more. Add poetry magnets and letter magnets to the board for added fun!

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

August 2020

Thursday

26

27

28

29

2

3

4

5

Friday

Saturday

30

31

1

6

7

8

Minneapolis Gift Show

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Minneapolis Gift Show

11/22/19 3:41 PM

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

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The Ultimate Putty Challenge game from Crazy Aaron’s helps children develop the small muscles in their fingers and hands while improving strength and dexterity. Fine motor skills developed from pinching, rolling, squishing and squeezing putty are critical for writing, drawing, eating and more. crazyaarons.com 866-578-2845 x301

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 19

September 2020 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Incorporate a monthly event for the remainder of the year “Wine” Down Friday, Workout Wednesday, Aloha Friday, Trivia Tuesday. Make fun, personalized company t-shirts and wear them out in public to show off your camaraderie and team spirit.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

30

31

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Labor Day

Dallas Gift Show

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

1

2

3

11/22/19 3:41 PM

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Game play gives kids the opportunity for social interaction while they practice good sportsmanship, patience, negotiation and strategy. These skills take mental muscle which stimulate brain activity and support interpersonal relationships.

We’re Doomed! board game from Breaking Games breakinggames.com 11/22/19 3:41 PM

973-448-1766

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 21

Say the word! Post a “Word of the Day� for staff to incorporate into their conversations for the month. Keep a tally to designate the victor of vernacular. Our brains crave new and novel things.

Learning a new word helps regenerate brain cells!

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

October 2020

Thursday

27

28

29

30

4

5

6

Friday

Saturday

1

2

3

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

Toy Fair Dallas

11

12

13 ABC Kids Expo

Columbus Day

Minneapolis Gift Show

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

11/22/19 3:41 PM

Halloween

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 22

Give the gift of imagination with Melissa & Doug’s wooden activity center where kids can role play doctor visits! Pediatricians recommend toys that inspire creative thinking and promote language and social skills. Encourage children to be the patient, the doctor, the receptionist, and the nurse as they fill that prescription for play.

MelissaAndDoug.com 800-284-3948

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 23

Take a moment to inspire wonder during the busy holiday season. Snap a photo every day of something new before you come into work and share it with the team to encourage conversation and spark delight. Studies suggest that people are happier when they take time to appreciate meaningful things – all the more reason to take a moment to pause and reflect.

Sunday

Monday

1

Tuesday

2

Wednesday

November 2020 Thursday

3

4

10

11

Friday

Saturday

5

6

7

12

13

14

WeConnect School Supply Conference

8

9

, 2020

14 November

Veterans Day

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

CHICAGO TOY & GAME WEEK

Inventor & Innovation Conferences: Nov. 19-20 and 19-22 Toy & Game Innovation Awards: Nov. 20 • Young Inventor Challenge: Nov. 21 Play in Education (PIE) Conference: Nov. 21 • Design Student Showcase: Nov. 22

22

23

24

25

26

27

Small Business Saturday

Thanksgiving Day

29

30

1

2

28

3

4

5

11/22/19 3:41 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 24

Thank You

for all you do to inspire play in your communities!

Wishing you all of the best in the new year.

11/22/19 3:42 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 25

Increase happiness as you power through the end of the year!

Gather the team and try out laughter yoga. This yoga consists of breathing, clapping and – you guessed it – laughter.

Laughter yoga can change your mood in minutes, thanks to the release of endorphins, the “feel good” brain chemical.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

December 2020 Thursday

29

30

1

2

6

7

8

9

Friday

Saturday

3

4

5

10

11

12

Hanukkah begins

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

Christmas Day

27

28

29

30

31

Kwanzaa begins

1

2

11/22/19 3:42 PM

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 26

2 0 1 9

S

January M

T

W

T

February F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

M

T

3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26

M

T

W

7

1 8

2 9

3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13

T

F

S

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S

5

M

T

W

7

1 8

2 9

3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13

T

F

S

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

6

S

4

M

S

S

M

T

T

W

T

F

7

1 8

2 9

3 4 10 11

5

T

T

6

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

M

T

T

F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

S

2

M

3

T

4

W

5

T

6

F

S

7

1 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

September

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

7

1 8

2 9

3 10

1 8

2 9

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14

W

T

W

T

F

S

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

December

November F

W

June

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

October W

F

1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28

August

M

T

T

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

July

S

M

W

May

April

S

S

S

March

F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

11/22/19 3:42 PM

2 0 2 1

S

January M

T

W

T

February F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

4

4

5

T

T

6

T

F

S

7

1 8

2 9

3 10

S

M

5

T

6

T

F

S

T

4

W

5

6

F

S

7

1 8

3

10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31

M

T

F

S

S

M

T

7

1 8

2 9

3 10

1 8

2 9

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14

S

S

T

F

S

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

M

T

W

F

S

6

M

T

W

T

7

1 8

2 9

3 4 5 10 11 12

T

F

S

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S

5

M

6

T

W

T

F

7

1 8

2 9

3 4 10 11

S

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

November F

T

September

T

T

W

W

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

August

W

W

S

June T

2

October M

T

9 16 23 30

July M

W

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

May

W

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

S

M

April M

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S

S

March

December F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 27

Pledge Play TO

_____________________________________________________________________________________ [Company Name]

is committed to delivering the magic of play to ______________________________________________________________________________________ [Neighborhood/Town/City]

by ___________________________________________________________________________________ , [Describe an Action]

_____________________________________________________________________________________ , [Describe an Action]

and__________________________________________________________________________________ .

[Describe an Action]

Signed, _______________________________________________________________________________ [Names of Team Members] 11/22/19 3:42 PM

11/22/19 3:42 PM

Piccoli Plush Horses are classic stuffed animals that encourage pretend play and imagination. When kids engage in pretend play, they can work on social/ emotional skills like empathy and compassion to help them understand and relate to others. piccolihorses.com 606-485-8010

Baby dolls have an infinite amount of playtime and developmental possibilities!

La Newborn Boutique baby dolls from JC Toys encourage social/emotional skills like nurturing and responsibility. Pretend play allows kids to practice these skills while understanding others’ feelings.

My First Castle Panic from Fireside Games is a cooperative game that teaches preschoolers to work together to save the castle.

Cooperation teaches kids to be helpful, thoughtful and respectful to others – a skill that is important for adulthood.

jctoys.com 800-422-2244

firesidegames.com 512-815-3473

Do-A-Dot markers are perfect for fostering the joy of creativity and opening a world of original thought and exploration.

They also support fine motor skills like whole hand grasp and hand-eye coordination which are essential to developing muscles to help young children accomplish everyday tasks. dotart.com 800-436-8278

January 2020

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

“Purrfectly” suited for splashing around or hanging out poolside! Kids can expand imaginative pool play with the Toysmith exclusive Bobbin’ Buddies Mer Kitty inflatable. Gross motor skills including balance, weight shifting and core strength can be encouraged as kids get on and off the inflatable. toysmith.com 253-863-0896

SOS Dino from IELLO is a cooperative game that teaches kids about working together towards a common goal through teamwork. The contents of the game allow for open-ended play as kids use the dino figures, mountains and volcanoes to imagine and create beyond game play. iellousa.com/products/sos-dino 702-818-1789 With the foam Glider Plane from The Original Toy Company, kids can practice delayed gratification and perseverance as they assemble the plane and make it soar through the air. When it lands, kids can launch it again or rebuild if it has a crash, which teaches them to try again for success.

The Musical Lili Llama activity toy from Manhattan Toy encourages musical exploration while fostering motor skill development.

Lili Llama becomes beautiful décor in any playroom.

theoriginaltoycompany.com 800-899-4258

manhattantoy.com 800-541-1345

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

August 2020

Give the gift of imagination with Melissa & Doug’s wooden activity center where kids can role play doctor visits! Pediatricians recommend toys that inspire creative thinking and promote language and social skills. Encourage children to be the patient, the doctor, the receptionist, and the nurse as they fill that prescription for play.

The Ultimate Putty Challenge game from Crazy Aaron’s helps children develop the small muscles in their fingers and hands while improving strength and dexterity. Fine motor skills developed from pinching, rolling, squishing and squeezing putty are critical for writing, drawing, eating and more.

MelissaAndDoug.com 800-284-3948

crazyaarons.com 866-578-2845 x301

Thank You

for all you do to inspire play in your communities!

Wishing you all of the best in the new year.

We’re Doomed! board game from Breaking Games breakinggames.com 973-448-1766

September 2020

October 2020

November 2020

Produced by Fahy-Williams Publishing, Inc.

December 2020

2020_ASTRA_CalendarNEW.indd 28

Game play gives kids the opportunity for social interaction while they practice good sportsmanship, patience, negotiation and strategy. These skills take mental muscle which stimulate brain activity and support interpersonal relationships.