13 minute read
Q1 Preview what we’ll find on shelves after the festive season
The wipe stuff
EDUK8
01661 831080 www.eduk8worldwide.com
The new Colour and Wipe Play Mats are a welcome addition to Eduk8’s bestselling play mat range. Exceptionally eye-catching, these new mats add an exciting new dimension to children’s play. Including six triangular, easy-to-grip coloured pens, which are easily erasable using a wet wipe or damp cloth for continuous play, and an all-weather clear protective coating, also featuring a cushioned backing, these play mats have been designed with safety, durability, and quality in mind. Produced from 75% recycled materials and totally portable, when play has finished, just wipe clean, roll up and secure with the attached ribbon.
New year, new gear
Look beyond the Christmas rush to find out what’s going to be gracing your shelves in the first quarter of 2023…
It’s a busy time of year for the toy industry, but while retailers are hopefully busy fulfilling Christmas dreams for children across the country, you also need one eye on what’s going to happen after the last New Year’s Eve firework has fizzled out.
In the following pages we round up just some of the new ranges that are set to launch in the first quarter of 2023, from plush marking the celebrations of Disney’s 100th birthday, to treats for tots in the preschool sector.
A glowing Q1 preview
CHARACTER OPTIONS
0161 633 9800 sales@charactergroup.plc.uk
Guess what…
Character Options’ Q1 portfolio taps into popular play patterns, offering a host of brands to get 2023 off to an incredible start.
Heroes of Goo Jit Zu remains a priority in 2023, with continued investment and new themes to drive collectability. The latest series in the goo-volution are Goo Jit Zu Glow Shifters; kids crush each character’s hidden core to activate their glow-in-the-dark goo-transformation. There’s Blazagon, Tyro, Scorpius, Bengal, Tritops, as well as the Ultra Rare Gigatusk to collect; each has a unique Goo Orb to explore. The Glow Shifter theme continues across two Versus packs and a Primal Pack.
Get ready to put your fingers to work with TapTap, the palm-sized fidget toy that syncs play and learning. Whether players are just tap-tap-tapping or playing to win, this new gamer keeps fingers on the pulse. TapTap comes with five games installed. With Match-It!, players flip the white pixels by tapping them, in a bid to find matching colour pairs. With Sequence, the objective is to repeat the sequence displayed on the outer corners. The other games are Stop&Go, Raindrops and Eat Greens.
Kids can continue transforming their skirting boards, with new playsets
from Millie & Friends Mouse in the House. This collection, which brings to life the tiny town of Mouseville, benefits from the support of YouTube webisodes narrated by Helen Flanagan. Adding to a launch range, comprising micro-figures and food-themed playsets, cute Q1 lines include the baby bottle-shaped Little Paws Nursery, which is the perfect start for little bundles of squeaks. There’s also the Supa Scoops Ice Cream Van that has a two-scoop tub on the back that flips open to create a 50s-style parlour.
Character Options has unveiled the latest series of ChillFactor Slushy Maker, with fruit-inspired styles and refreshed packaging. There are five styles to collect: green and red Watermelon Crush; pink and purple Berry Burst; orange and purple Passion Fruit Party; Mango Mania; and the bright blue Blueberry Bonanza. The new series features a never seen before, brightly-coloured inner, and will be supported by a new TVC in the spring.
SIMBA SMOBY TOYS UK
01620 674 778 sales@simbasmoby.com
Simba Smoby Toys UK’s Q1 offering is sure to be widely sought-after, with its new Disney 100 Years of Wonder plush lines, its Street Fighter Deluxe Collector Figures from Jada Toys and its much-loved Smoby collection. 2023 is a special year for The Walt Disney Company, as the company marks its centenary. And with Simba Toys UK’s Disney 100 Years of Wonder master toy plush collection, fans can immerse themselves in a celebration of the past, present and future of Disney. The D100 Sparkly Mickey and Minnie 25cm lines will be must-haves. This iconic duo comes dressed in platinum outfits, made from sparkly fabric with embroidered polka dots or buttons. Fans will also be keen to collect the five characters in the D100 Platinum Colour Series. Grogu, Dumbo, Pooh, Simba and Stitch are available as 25cm plush pals, with shiny velour, satin and sparkly fabrics.
Meanwhile, Simba Toys UK’s Jada Toys portfolio will bring collectors more licensed lines in 2023. New to the range are the Street Fighter Deluxe Collector Figures. Street Fighter is the iconic Japanese game that first launched in 1987, amassing generations of fans along the way. And with Street Fighter 6 launching in 2023, there will no doubt be renewed enthusiasm for the much-loved game. To mark the occasion, Jada Toys is introducing three new six-inch Deluxe Collector Figures for fans to discover. The Ryu, Chun-Li, and Fei Long action figures come boxed in premium arcade game styled packaging. Each character features 20 points of articulation and comes with an alternate head and hands, as well as accessories.
The Smoby brand is a one-stop shop for tots, with its playhouses, ride-ons, activity toys and more. The Smoby Nature House is an existing favourite. Its cheery design features animal pictures embedded into plastic ‘brickwork’, and its shuttered windows and sliding panel open-up the playhouse to nature!, Budding restauranteurs will love the Smoby Chef House. It offers two separate spaces, representing a kitchen area and a table service section. And the Smoby House on Stilts is the popular treehouse-style playhouse, set on a 70cm platform. Children can climb the ladder to reach their hut and enjoy plenty of fun with the slide.
Did you know?
As The Walt Disney Company marks its 100th anniversary in 2023, Simba Toys UK’s Disney 100 Years of Wonder master toy plush collection will let fans immerse themselves in a celebration of the past, present and future of Disney
Did you know? Purrfect partner
The new Care Bear, Calming BASIC FUN! Heart Bear, has a soothing 0118 925 3270 scent. Calming Heart Tim.Ives@basicfun.com understands that from time Lynne.Swatton-Reed@basicfun.com to time everyone struggles www.basicfun.com with life’s ups and downs and is steadfast in her caring mission Collectable crazes and calming Care Bears are all to look forward to in the new spring season line-up from Basic Fun! UK. Misfittens are still making mischief, with a second wave of cute cats squeezed in cans pouncing into the world this spring. Following fantastic early reads for Season 1, in both the UK and US, with initial sell-out success, this new wave brings 12 new misfitting kittens to collect. Each comes squished inside a pun-tastic pack. And, like the big cats in small spaces that drove the #IFitsISits craze, these moggies require assistance in getting MEOWT. Kids will love watching their plush puss, sporting its unique bottom and bright tail, treble in size upon rescue from the can their stuck in. Spring will also see the evolution-ito of Cutetitos with a transformational makeover for these favourite collectables, with Fashion Puppyitos. Kids will be able to unbox the new showbox style packaging to discover 10 stylish puppies who are all about fashion. Fitting with the fashionista theme, each comes in a wrap that can be used as a bag, be it a clutch, duffle or wristlet design. After all, Fashion Puppyitos want their owners to look just as chic! As master toy partner for Care Bears, Basic Fun! will continue to drive positivity and inclusivity, with new bears to collect, each delivering a strong message. Not to be missed is Calming Heart Bear, who has a soothing scent. Calming Heart understands that from time to time everyone struggles with life’s ups and downs and is steadfast in her caring mission. Also new is Dare To Care Bear; bold, strong and fierce and nothing ever gets in her way. Her belly badge is smiling stars leaving a rainbow trail of kindness, compassion and acceptance around her. In the construction arena there’s a new, never-seen-before set from K’Nex. This item won’t disappoint; a 196-piece Cyborg Creatures kit, kids can build 15 biomechatronic creatures: gorilla, walrus, jaguar, scorpion and more. The darker-coloured build-pieces help to intensify the cyborg sci-fi designs. From construction sets to the construction site… there’s a new Tonka roleplay category for preschoolers to discover in Q1, launching with the Hard Hat & Building Blocks set. Aspiring builders can don their Tonka hat as they build with BIG blocks. Plus, fans will be able to add new Monster Truck designs to their Mighty Monster Metal Movers collections, following the line’s sellout success this year. And there’s also a new Fire Rescue truck to discover in the Steel Classics range, complete with detachable ladder.
Sparkles, squishy and STEM
VIVID GOLIATH
01483 449944 Vividtoysandgames.co.uk
Vivid Goliath is bursting into Spring/Summer with on-trend collectables, innovation in STEM and plenty of outdoor fun.
In the plush aisle, meet EyeLuvs, a range of trend-setting colourful cuddly characters with Shake and Sparkle eye technology filled with glitter, sparkly gems, and lots of love. When you shake your Eyeluv, watch their eyes sparkle with an amazing snow globe effect. Available in 5in and 8in versions with characters including Rosemary the Unicorn, and Cohen, the Welsh Corgi
Vivid Goliath is bringing all things scented and squishy to the collectable aisle – meet Squishy Squad, a range of cute squishable buddies who love to be hugged, squashed, and stretched. There are also Squashies to collect, squishy doll characters based on your favourite sweet treats with stretchy hair and a squishy skirt. The range also includes Stretch and Smoosh Desserts, a range of delectable desserts with irresistible squeezy features. And if squishing wasn’t enough, try Squeezing the soft, slow-rise foam cuddly characters from Squeezamals. This softest plush range has hundreds to collect and now features a new micro-sized version of Eenie Teenies to really drive collectability. Head from squishing and squeezing to the sky. Sky Dancers dolls were a sell-out success for A/W and will be joined by a new friend, Turquoise Twinkle, and continued to be supported by a full media mix across TV / VOD, Digital and Social.
From Goliath’s acquisition of STEM expert Colorific, comes Build a Bots, which offers next-level robotics and personalisation to boys and girls aged four to six. Expect a core range of bestsellers alongside Licensed Paw Patrol Build A Bots launching for Easter.
Once the weather warms up, Wahu comes out to play with a range of outdoor and garden toys including bestseller Phlat Ball and Wingblade. New to the range for Spring/ Summer is Lawn is Lava, a twist on the sell-out success Floor is Lava Game, which includes water balloons and challenges to enjoy outdoors.
Aqua Pals brings innovation to outdoor play with these ‘take anywhere’ aquatic buddies that have an aqua dry, fade resistant material and buoyancy beads to allow your buddies to play with you in puddles, the pool or playground. A quick wash and fast-drying material mean you can be back in action and ready to play again with your favourite characters. Fact! Crayola will be helping spread the love with packs of Colors of Kindness Crayons, Markers and Pencils. Packs include printed, special-edition inspirational phrases of kindness
Play in the sand
SINCO CREATIONS
07793 121 778 | daniel@sincocreations.com
Big news for Sinco is the launch of its Little Tikes collection, which lets kids mould play sand and dough to their hearts’ content. It’s sure to be a hit with preschoolers, who love both the trusted Little Tikes brand and compound play. The Surprise Cozy
Coupe Dough Capsules make a great entry point line. Each capsule is shaped as a
Cozy Coupe and opens to reveal a cutter and dough. For activity play on a grander scale there’s the Super Sand Construction Carry Case and the Play Sand Farmyard
Carry Case. The Super Sand set comes with play sand, moulds, tools and props to build sandcastles. Kids will love transforming the vehicle from digger to plough to steam roller. The Farmyard set comes with a Little Tikes Tractor & Trailer and allows children to make farm animals and hay from play sand. From spring, kids can glam up like their favourite gal pals from Rainbow High, the must-have fashion doll brand, with Sinco’s latest jewellery and accessory lines. The Rainbow High Shopper Locker offers kids a place to keep their style safe! Children will discover 20-plus fashion pieces inside, including a mini bag, hairbrush, fashion accessories and more. They can even customise their locker with the stickers included. Next, it’s time to have a sleepover in style, with the Rainbow High Did you know? Sleepover Set with Carry Case. This mini suitcase comes with sleep mask, fluffy socks, hair scrunchy, hairbrush/mirror and Sinco is adding another major gaming IP other accessories stored inside. to its portfolio with the Brawl Stars toy Following the firm’s success with Among Us, Sinco is adding another major gaming IP. line, based on Supercell’s battle royale Get ready to unlock the Brawl Stars toy line, based on Supercell’s battle royale for mobile. With the for mobile. This game has amassed over game’s huge fanbase and TVC support, demand for the range is assured. Fans will now be able to 2.5million UK downloads, since December collect 24 blind-boxed Collectable Figures, as well as blister packed and window boxed action figures.
2018, generating $12.6million in revenue
Finding your balance
ONE FOR FUN
For younger children, learning to ride a bike is a very important moment, and Ozbozz has two balance bikes to help them find their way. In two colourways - pink/purple and blue/green - they are the perfect transition between a ride-on toy and a stabilised bike. Each featuring strong, puncture-proof EVA tyres, soft-grip handles and a durable steel frame that makes them super lightweight to transport and move around. The adjustable seat means children won’t grow out of them any time soon. All aspects that will be popular with parents.
Older children are catered for with the Big Wheel Torq Ruff Scooter. This sturdy scooter is suitable for on road and off - with large, 200mm wheels at the front and back. The bigger wheels allow this scooter to more easily traverse rougher terrain, such as cobblestones, potholes and kerbs, making light work of even the roughest roads, paths and surfaces. It features a handy kickstand to keep itself upright when you reach your destination, as well as a convenient folding design that makes it easy to store and transport.
With slightly smaller wheels, the Vyper Folding Scooter has 145mm wheels at the front and back. The bigger wheels still give this scooter a slightly smoother ride over surfaces. As such, it’s ideal for scooting about and with a more cost-effective price point, giving the consumer a choice of larger-wheeled ride-on scooters from Ozbozz.
MOOKIE TOYS
help@mookie.co.uk www.mookie.co.uk
Mookie Toys has announced a new distribution deal with Falk Toys in the UK. Falk is known for its fun foot-to-floor and pedalled ride-ons that little ones can’t resist.
Falk is also committed to helping the environment; approximately 30% of the plastic used in most rideons is recycled.
The range includes tractors, bikes and diggers with many licensed options including JCB, Claas, New Holland and Massey Ferguson.
