Trends Column - the U.S. Toy Association highlights four trends to watch for the festive season

By Michael Angel

TnP is sad to report that Malcolm Rose has passed away at the age of 81. Malcolm had a long and distinguished career in the toy trade, holding senior roles with several companies, starting with Angel Toys in the mid-1960s, followed by Illco and Mookie Toys, where he was sales director and - over a 10-year period - played an instrumental part in the growth of Mookie Toys and its establishment as a pre-eminent force in the outdoor toy market, both in the UK and internationally. He retired from Mookie Toys in 2005.

Affectionately known as ‘Grumps’ by his family and many of his colleagues, Malcolm is survived by his wife Sandra, children Simon and Jo, and grandchildren Sophie and Sam.

Dad’s Choice Awards: winners revealed

With weeks to go until Christmas Day, the Dads Choice Awards programme helps parents pick out presents with the confidence that they’ve already made the grade, offering creativity, fun, value for money and impressing a selection of Dad testers and their children.

Eleven products were deemed worthy of the highest award. A further eight got a Highly Commended Award and six received the Commended Award.

The 11 Winners are: Scalextric ARC AIR GT Challenge (Mercedes GT3 v Ford GT GTE); Little Tikes T-Rex Truck; Trends UK Science Mad Digital Metal Detector; Golden Bear Windy Bums Panda, Monkey and Unicorn; Orchard Toys Wiggly Words Game; Build Your Own Mini Build - Ladybird; HUE Animation Hue Animation Studio; Marvin’s Magic Marvin’s 30 Amazing Magic Pens; Viga Toys Balancing Game - Space; McMiller Entertainment UpRoar!; and Tig Tag’s Tig Tag.

Obituary: Harry Jondorf

By TnP founder Malcolm Naish

I am sad to announce the passing of Harry Jondorf at the age of 90. Harry spent most of his working life in the toy trade, originally working for Tower Press - a well-known jigsaw company.

I first met Harry in the mid-1960s when he, along with Harry Fryer and Peter Adby, created Arrow Games. Eventually bought by Milton Bradley, Harry left when the company wanted to move to Ireland. He then formed Falcon Games in the mid1970s with Peter as his art director.

Harry was most knowledgeable and a real gentleman. It was always a pleasure to conduct business with him, and he was a great supporter of Toys ‘n’ Playthings. He will be greatly missed.

Up until a fall hospitalised Harry, he was very fit and swam daily. Succumbing to Covid while in hospital meant no family visits. At the very end, his wife Jan was able to care for him along with his family.

Our sincere condolences go to Jan, his son Darrell, daughter-inlaw Marie and two granddaughters Alex and Tashie.

TRENDS: HOT TOYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The U.S. Toy Association’s trends team has unveiled the hottest toy trends for the Christmas holidays, says senior communications specialist Kirstin Morency Goldman

As a follow-up to the 2021 toy trends announced by the U.S. Toy Association’s trends team earlier this year, a recently announced Q4 Briefing has revealed four trends to watch for the festive season.

“Trends in the toy and youth entertainment space are evolving at lightning speeds and what’s hot now continues to evolve since we first convened earlier this year,” says Adrienne Appell, senior vice president of marketing communications at The U.S. Toy Association.

“From toys fuelled by the many ways that kids consume entertainment, to toys that can be enjoyed by all ages, today’s consumers are looking for variety in the toy aisles. That said, with shortages still expected to have a significant impact on holiday shopping, shopping early isn’t just a suggestion this year, it’s a necessity.”

The trends team will reconvene to present its 2022 toy trends briefing at Toy Fair New York, which takes place from 18 February to 22 February. FIDGET FEVER: Toys that promote sensory play while easing anxieties. These include slimes, putties, and other compounds as well as popit fidget toys - the latest viral fidget toys on every kid’s wish list. CATERING TO KIDULTS: Toys that prove you don’t need to be a kid to have fun playing. This trend includes relaunched retro toys, collector-driven action figures and games, and fan-driven toys. BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW: Toys made of more sustainably sourced materials, coupled with messaging that encourages kids to be more socially responsible. This trend also highlights toymakers’ commitments to going green and giving back to social causes that families care about. HOT FOR HOLIDAY: Toys inspired by how kids consume entertainment (such as via streaming services, hybrid film releases, social media, and online gaming) and the brands emerging in these channels. This trend also includes toys infused with innovative new play features.

Founded in 1916, The U.S. Toy Association is a not-for-profit trade association representing businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The U.S. toy industry has an annual U.S. economic impact of $97.2 billion and its 1,000-plus members drive the annual $27 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and the media. It has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on programmes to ensure safe and fun play. The organisation produces the world-renowned Toy Fair New York and Toy Fair Dallas; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America’s widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.