Fresh

Each month Fresh sets out to find the latest products that will have toy retailers reaching for the phone. Here are new releases from: Asmodee, Creative Kids, Exploding Kittens, Golden Bear, Lego, Naylor, Panini, Plum Play & Red Toolbox

Ticket to Ride: San Francisco

Asmodee | 01420 593 593 | www.asmodee.co.uk

Since Ticket to Ride made its debut in 2004, the game has expanded beyond the table and now has digital versions available on iOS, Android, PC and home video game consoles. Overall, more than 10m copies of Ticket to Ride have been sold. An international phenomenon, the game has also been translated into 33 different languages and is distributed in more than 40 countries. Ticket to Ride is a franchise that is enjoyed by more than 80m players worldwide. It can be appreciated by new players and experts alike thanks to its easy-to-learn strategic gameplay, making it a staple in family board game nights.

Asmodee UK has now announced the fourth entry in Ticket to Ride’s popular city editions, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco. Launching in August in the UK, Ticket to Ride will be taking the Golden City by storm, with players given the opportunity to race around San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. The new game is designed for players over the age of eight and has easy-to-follow rules for the whole family. Despite the simple rules, Ticket to Ride: San Francisco is a uniquely strategic game that’s different every time it’s played.

Players have to race through iconic San Francisco landmarks in 15 minutes and collect souvenirs along the way to score points on a travel-friendly board perfect for hotel patios and dining room tables. Ticket to Ride: San Francisco showcases landmarks like The Golden Gate Bridge, The Painted Ladies, Alcatraz and more. The playing pieces are finely designed and sculpted mini–San Francisco Cable Cars, which fit perfectly into the theme of the game. The game comes in a nicely packaged, easy to stash carry-on bag box, making it the perfect summer travel companion.

Wave Springsafe

Plum Play | 0344 880 5302 | www.plumplay.co.uk

Plum has launched the world’s-first water trampoline, Wave Springsafe, just in time for the summer holidays. This ingenious product is the first-of-its-kind to feature an innovative misting system that keeps kids cool on warm days. It’s the ideal choice for parents wanting to keep their kids entertained and active over summer.

The gentle water play system will refresh kids during sunny play, whether they’re bouncing away the day or relaxing with friends. The mist nozzles simply hook up to a hose pipe and spray a soft and cooling mist onto the jump space.

The stylish yet safe trampoline features a blue and white colour finish creating a wave ripple look, while its galvanised steel frame and weatherproof materials give it protection against rust and ensure both longevity and safe play. Safety is always at the heart of Plum Play’s products, which is why the Wave Springsafe Trampoline has been professionally tested for slip resistance, keeping children safe whilst they play. The weatherproof material includes a UV treated mat as well as a soft protective safety pad, enclosure foam and 2G Springsafe enclosure with a zip for added safety.

Lego Transformers Optimus Prime

The Lego Group | 01753 495 000 | www.lego.com

The Lego Group and Hasbro have come together for the first time to turn the iconic Transformers Autobot Optimus Prime into Lego form.

The new Lego Transformers Optimus Prime set is a tribute to the heroic Autobot leader with over 1,500 detailed Lego pieces. Once assembled, the figure features 19 points of articulation that allow fans to convert it from robot to truck alt mode and back again without the need to rebuild.

Transformers first exploded into popular culture in 1984 with the original toy line and animated TV series. Modelled on the G1 Optimus Prime character, the new set includes such features as the ion blaster, Energon axe, an Energon Cube and the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, which can be stored in the chest chamber.

Once complete, fans can admire their 1508-piece build by adding the display plaque.

Black+Decker Constructor Engineering Sets

Red Toolbox | (972) 58 405 7966 | www.red-toolbox.com | anthony@red-toolbox.com

Scheduled to launch in September, Red Toolbox is gearing up for yet another successful year with its award-winning new Black+Decker Constructor Engineering Sets.

As reflected by many of the company’s other STEM-rich toys and DIY kits, Red Toolbox places a focus on creating products children will not only enjoy but also learn from. The Black+Decker constructor line helps develop STEM skills such as critical thinking, spatial awareness, problem-solving, innovation, creativity, hand-eye coordination, curiosity and more. The company’s goal is to make playtime a subconscious educational experience that refines vital skills in developing children and gives them a sense of accomplishment, elements offered by the completion of one of Red Toolbox’s exciting sets.

Ranging from 12- to 558-pieces, the Black+Decker Constructor Engineering Sets offer plenty of variety. From the intermediate learner to the advanced constructor and anyone in between, there is a set for every developmental stage. The 3+ sets for toddlers are great for sparking initial curiosity, and as children master the beginner skills and grow, learning will continue to be supported. Constructor Sets are available to fit the developmental needs of children up to 10+, including the impressive 558-piece Spaceship Engineering Set. The Black+Decker range also includes complex multi-model sets, such as the 12 Models in 1 Engineering Set. This set contains 152 pieces that are versatile enough to create 12 different and unique vehicles and aircrafts. The multi-model sets come in various sizes and difficulty levels.

Red Toolbox has developed a wide range of subject matters and themes, from dinosaurs and construction vehicles to robots and aircrafts. The metal and plastic contents that make up the Construction Engineering Sets may seem simple at first glance, but when put together by a determined child, there’s no limit to the creativity that comes to life through the finished products.

Curlimals

Golden Bear | 01952 608 308 | www.goldenbeartoys.com customerservices@goldenbeartoys.co.uk

Golden Bear has launched its own interactive plush, introducing a range of entry-level animatronic soft toys to the sub-category. Curlimals is the company’s latest plush IP and supports a long-term strategy to grow and develop its own brands to sit alongside an already strong business portfolio of licensed plush.

Curlimals are cute woodland creatures that respond to touch with over 50 sounds and reactions. The range launches with three colourful characters, each with unique sounds and phrases reflecting its individual personality. Higgle the hedgehog, Bibi the bunny and Blue the badger all awaken from slumber once they receive a gentle stroke on their head. Initially a little shy, they respond with more attention and then uncurl, ready to play. Each of the characters giggles, sneezes and talks, and some even sing or burp, until they tire, curl up into a sleepy ball and softly snore.

A dedicated website – www.curlimalstoys.com – has been launched in tandem with the product lines, providing content and activities to introduce the characters and their woodland adventures, engage children with nature and wildlife, and further enhance the overall brand experience. Robust marketing plans are also in place to fully support the brand launch.

A new 30” TVC has been created and will be aired from June, with further bursts throughout the Q3 and Q4 periods. June also sees the launch of a seven-week channel sponsorship with Pop and Tiny Pop, plus the implementation of digital, social and PR campaigns will continue throughout the year. Partnerships with top-tier Kidfluencers – Rhia Official and Gaby & Alex – have also been announced, bringing the collaborators’ unique product reveal to Gen Z and Alpha audiences.

UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Official Sticker Collection

Panini | 01604 877 888 | www.paninigroup.com

Panini has launched the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Official Sticker Collection. Dedicated to the women’s game and inspired by those who play it, this collection celebrates females in football and features all the teams competing in England this summer.

Consisting of 366 stickers and 40 pages, this jam-packed collection features some of the most successful players in the women’s game. Collectors can look out for 30 special stickers in the collection and keep their eyes peeled for their favourite footballing stars.

The collection will be backed by a multi-channel marketing campaign including a nationwide sampling campaign, investment in social, digital and print advertising, and activations with key retail partners.

Hand-To-Hand Wombat

Exploding Kittens | (31) 646 437 146 | www.explodingkittens.com | sales@explodingkittens.com

Exploding Kittens has announced the launch of Hand-To-Hand Wombat, a game of teamwork, towers and troublemakers. Following the success of a Kickstarter campaign which saw almost $1m pledged in 30 days, Exploding Kittens is making Hand-To-Hand Wombat available to the wider market on 31st July.

Hand-To-Hand Wombat is a social deduction party game in which each of the four players is assigned a secret identity: Good Wombat or a Bad Wombat. With their eyes closed, the Good Wombats work together to build towers while the Bad Wombats sabotage them. After the 90-second timer is up, everyone opens their eyes and discusses, argues and votes on who they think is a Bad Wombat. If players pick the wrong person, then the game continues, and the Good Wombats must try to complete the towers before the Bad Wombats ruin everything.

Perfect for pumping up the energy and lighting up game night, Hand-To-Hand Wombat will have players laughing and shouting the entire time. Best suited for players ages seven and up, the game includes 18 stacking bricks and three tower spindles. It also features the wombat character from The Oatmeal’s comic, which was the most popular comic in 2021.

To develop the game, Exploding Kittens Senior Game Designer Carol Mertz worked with designer Cory O’Brien on ideas for social deduction games. As they explored concepts, social interactions and team dynamics became particularly interesting. Solving one of the biggest pain points in bluffing games, Exploding Kittens was also keen to ensure that players can make decisions based on real information instead of arguing over guesswork. By leveraging a physical dexterity mechanic, Hand-to-Hand Wombat not only gives players a way of determining who is working with or against them, but also gives players who don’t typically enjoy social deduction mechanics something to focus their attention on. So, for those into the idea of building things, breaking things, benevolence, betrayal and wombats with bad intentions, Hand-To-Hand Wombat is a great addition to any game table.

For more information on the Exploding Kittens portfolio, contact Joeri Hoste: Joeri@explodingkittens.com.

Creative Kids UK

Creative Kids | 07827 880 159 | www.creativekids.comwww.creativekids.com

Science to the Max strives to inspire young learners through hypothesis-based, trial and error experimentation. Taking core principles and ideas, each kit explores real science – from chemistry to physics and polymers to plants – making learning through hands-on play both approachable and aspirational for budding scientists. The range’s packaging has been updated to create a cohesive new brand look. A hero item for 2022 is the 14” fully articulated human body, complete with skeleton, muscles and organs.

Flexible activity tunnels

Naylor Activity Tunnels | 01226 444 378 | www. nayloractivitytunnels.co.uk | nayloractivity@naylor.co.uk

Naylor’s range of colourful activity tunnels has been designed with the imaginations of kids in mind. Due to their robust construction, the company’s tunnels can withstand plenty of playtime fun and adventures, from crawling and hiding inside to enthusiastically rolling around. Their size and flexibility also allow the tunnels to be used alongside existing toys and play equipment, further encouraging kids to get active and step away from screens without even realising it.

Naylor tunnels are made from a medium PVC material which is up to four times thicker than alternatives on the market, while a spring steel wire coil, fully enclosed in a heavy-duty, hard-wearing cover strip, means they are also flexible and self-supportive. The use of PVC makes all Naylor tunnels suitable for indoor activities but also durable enough to withstand outdoor play whatever the weather: they are waterproof, easy to clean and concertina down for storage. The durability of Naylor tunnels means they will become part of playtime throughout kids’ developing years.

Naylor tunnels are available in a choice of six bright and eye-catching colours. Within the single colour range, tunnels of two lengths and diameters cater for children of all ages. A multi-coloured tunnel is also available in size small.

Child safety is paramount to Naylor: all the company’s tunnels are independently tested and fully meet the requirements of the European Child Safety Standard EN71.