Fresh

Marvel Crystal Art collection

Craft Buddy | 0203 417 6565 | www.craftbuddyltd.co.uk trade@craftbuddyltd.co.uk

Craft Buddy has announced the release of its eagerly anticipated Marvel Crystal Art collection. Crystal Art is based upon the on-trend hobby of diamond painting. Appealing to children aged six and over, this fun, rewarding and addictive hobby allows crafty children to create beautifully sparkly creations. Previewing extremely well at recent trade shows, and available now, the new collection features iconic superheroes from the Marvel Universe including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Captain Marvel, plus the Avengers. Each Crystal Art design has a numbered, adhesive template. Using the handy pick-up pen included in each Crystal Art Kit, kids simply lift up the coloured crystals and place them on the corresponding numbered adhesive dots on their project. The crystals affix instantly. Once they’ve finished adding all the crystals, the result is a gloriously sparkly piece of art. The entry price-point within this collection, the 18x18cm Crystal Art Card Kits lets fans make greeting cards featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain Marvel. These are perfect starter kits for newcomers to Crystal Art, with each card taking around an hour to complete. Iron Man and Spider-Man Crystal Art Notebooks are sure to be popular, with each inviting Marvel fans to make a notebook with a Crystal Art front cover. The Captain America and Iron Man Silver Frame Kits include a Crystal Art template and silver-effect frame for displaying the finished creation on a tabletop. The Marvel collection also includes Craft Buddy’s larger Crystal Art Canvas Kits. These longer crafting projects are more suitable for older children and teenagers, but once complete result in spectacular pieces of wall art. There are 30x30cm and 40x50cm Avengers Crystal Art Canvas Kits available, plus a cool Spider-Man 22x40cm Crystal Art Canvas Kit. The Iron Man and Spider-Man Crystal Art Foldable Storage Boxes complete the line-up. As well as being great fun to make and display, they double-up as storage units to be used around the home.

Lego Vespa 125

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

Inspired by the iconic Vespa Piaggio, the Lego Group’s elegant new 1,106-piece Vespa 125 set pays tribute to the original two-wheeled icon with its pastel pale blue colour, one of the first colours this Italian scooter was made in. Fans can further celebrate the heritage of the set by adding a classic 1960s Italian licence plate and the Vespa logo. Like the original, the model is full of beautiful details and sophisticated design touches. From a bunch of flowers in the bike’s basket and spare wheel to the removable engine cover, brick-built engine, kickstand and working steering, this model can be displayed with pride in any home or office.

Warhammer 40,000 Warriors of the Emperor

Panini | 01604 877 888 | www.paninigroup.com

Warhammer fans can now prepare for battle with Panini’s new launch, Warhammer 40,000: Warriors of the Emperor Sticker Collection. Launching in mid-April, Panini is bringing the first Warhammer sticker collection to the marketplace in the form of 204 stickers and 50 Hero cards. A double-sided pull-out Space Marines Armoury poster is also included. Driving the excitement and fuelling repeat purchase, the Warriors of the Emperor sticker collection includes five exclusive limitededition cards hidden across both the starter-packs and multi-packs. Panini and Warhammer fans have great synergy, with both displaying an inherent love of collecting. This new partnership will allow Warhammer fans to delve into the 41st Millennium via this beautifully illustrated collection, as they discover more about the supreme and devoted warriors that live each day in endless warfare. The collection will benefit from a targeted paid social and digital campaign. Sampling will also see Warhammer 40,000: Warriors of the Emperor albums find their way into as many collectors’ hands as possible.

Izipline

IZipline | www.iziplineinc.com | jonny@izipline.cn

Since 2004, Izipline has been bringing the fun of ziplines into gardens and playgrounds with its range of quality products at affordable prices. The company’s ziplines are specially designed to encourage kids to go outside and get active, and will make memories for the whole family that will last a lifetime. Safety lies at the heart of all product development. izipline kits include an innovative stainless steel braking system so the ride doesn’t come to a sudden stop, while rubber non-slip grips help kids keep a firm grip while playing. Consumers can choose from kits with hand grips only, or kits that include both hand grips and a sturdy, durable plastic seat. Harnesses, helmets and gloves are also available to further ensure zipline play is both fun and safe. The ziplines meets the international quality standards (RoHS & CE) and can easily hold riders aged 8+ and weighing up to 250lbs. The zipline kits come with full instructions and are easy for adults to set up, creating a family adventure space in the back garden. They can also be taken on holiday.

Kingmaker

Gibsons Games | 020 8661 8866 | www.gibsonsgames.co.uk

This year, following much anticipation, Gibsons has announced that it is relaunching its popular tabletop strategy game, Kingmaker. First launched in 1974, Kingmaker simulates the Wars of the Roses, the period of sporadic civil war in England between 1450 and 1490. Invented by the late Andrew Macneil, the game is based on the premise that the powerful noble families used the Lancastrian and Yorkist princes as pawns in a greater game of gaining control of England. Players oversee ‘factions’, using their military and political power to control and influence the royal heirs, and supporting the heir in their control as king while trying to take down all of the other heirs. Kingmaker is a game of manipulation, deception and unforeseeable incidents, making each game as unpredictable as they are fun. Although this game has been enjoyed by many for decades, the original game had some shortcomings and fans have long requested a new and improved version which sees these resolved. After taking everything on board, Gibsons is now able to report that a brand-new version of Kingmaker will arrive in autumn 2022. The company says it is ‘beyond excited’ to relaunch the game, which has retained its popularity over the last 45 years. Noting that fans have asked it countless times for a redesign, Gibsons’ aim is to improve upon the original version as well as streamline the gameplay of the much-loved classic. Gibsons is working with a Kingmaker expert, Alan Paull from Surprised Stare Games, to help develop the new and improved game. The biggest change is that Kingmaker II will now offer four games in one, and the board will be double-sided so that players can still enjoy the original game should they wish to. There will also be an extended version of the classic game, and a revised, shorter version. All versions will also benefit from physical changes that will significantly improve playability: for example, new coloured counters and a board with updated symbols will offer better visibility when playing. Retailers interested in stocking Kingmaker should contact their Gibsons representative for more information.

Junior High dolls

MGA Entertainment | 0845 0533 333 | www.mgae.com

MGA Entertainment has expanded its Rainbow High portfolio for spring/summer with the release of the all-new Junior High dolls. The original six characters from the Series 1 range - Ruby Anderson, Poppy Rowan, Sunny Madison, Jade Hunter, Skyler Bradshaw and Violet Willow - all feature in the range as younger versions of themselves, revealing their origin stories and how they found their creative passions which led them to Rainbow High. Fully articulated for maximum play, the dolls are 22cm tall, making them smaller versions of the original Rainbow High dolls, and feature a new younger face sculpt. Each of the dolls has long, brushable hair and comes complete with school accessories, including a soft, fashionable backpack and journal. MGA Entertainment will support the launch of the Junior High range with extensive TV, PR and influencer activity, each promoting the brand’s ethos about empowering children to be whatever they want to be when they grow up. Additionally, the new line is featured in Rainbow High’s Vi Life series on YouTube. The Junior High dolls range follows the February launch of another new addition to the Rainbow High portfolio, the all-new Pacific Coast range. The first summer themed collection from Rainbow High, the range features seven characters including a boy, all rocking the latest summer trends with poolside accessories. Along with the Pacific Coast range dolls, Rainbow High also launched the Colour Change Pool and Beach Club Playset with 7-in-1 LED colour changing lights.