Toy World Magazine August 2023

Teamsterz - HTIToys

01253 778 888

www.htigroup.co.uk

HTI Toys’ range of Teamsterz Colour Change vehicles has captured the imagination of children and parents alike by introducing an imaginative twist to traditional vehicle play. From the prehistoric Skull Mountain Colour Change playset to a multitude of stylish and sleek colour changing cars and bikes, every item boasts extraordinary features that will ignite a child's imagination. Swimming into the range, new for this season, is the Piranha Power Wash playset. This feature packed playset shows off everything the Teamsterz Colour Change range has to offer. A car can drive into the tail of the Piranha where it is then submerged under water, kids slide back the dorsal fin and watch the car launch out of the sharp jaws an assorted colour. The water chamber can be filled with warm or icy cold water, both in turn will activate the thrilling colour change metamorphosis.

Also new for autumn/winter 2023 are the Teamsterz Colour Change Street Kingz Die-Cast Speed Bikes. These four-inch, high-quality die cast bikes come in six different models and have plenty of features to provide hours of imaginative play. From moving handlebars, a kick stand for perfect parking, to the injection of colour change technology, this new addition has it all.

Other products available in the range include Skull Mountain and Teamsterz Street Machines and Street Kingz vehicles.

Chicken vs Hotdog - Big Potato Games

020 3620 9495    

www.bigpotato.co.uk

trade@bigpotato.co.uk

Throughout history there have been some great rivalries: Pepsi vs Coke, Batman vs Joker, and now - Chicken vs Hotdog. Big Potato released Chicken vs Hotdog in September last year, and it is now stocked in more than 80 indie retailers across the UK alone. A favourite on TikTok – with more than 5m views and counting – it seems that, although branded as a ‘family action game’,  it’s popular with Gen Zs and millennials too.

Players race to flip and stick a squeezy hotdog or chicken – quite bonkers but surprisingly addictive. Both characters have suckers on the bottom so when they do land, they make a satisfying sound. It’s a great game for players who just want to get straight into the action without learning lots of rules.

There are 30 flip n’ stick challenges: single flip, double-flips, eyes-closed flips, under-the-leg flips, left-hand flips and so on. Players (ideally 2-10 of them) get into two teams and someone turns over a challenge card. Both teams bid for it, and the winner takes it on. If a team sticks it, they get to turn over one of their character cards. Turn over all six, and that team wins.

Fun and frantic, Chicken vs Hotdog is ideal for a family gathering or a party with pals. It only takes 10 seconds to learn, but players will be flipping and sticking for hours.

Teenage MutantNinja Turtles - Funrise

01908 555 640

www.funrise.com

Funrise launched its muchanticipated TMNT vehicles range in July ahead of this month’s movie launch. The Sewer Shredders assortment has been a hit among young Turtle fans. These pull-back skateboards come with nondetachable TMNT figures with a weapon wielding action. At an attractive pocket money price point, Sewer Shredders will be a strong volume driver for retailers carrying TMNT ranges.

The Half Pipe RC assortment comprises powered skateboards with a TMNT figure attached. An innovative new RC line from Funrise, the skateboards come with a radically different controller compared to most standard RC toys. TMNT fans will be able to perform spins, pop wheelies and zip past obstacles with their favourite Ninja Turtle Half Pipe skater. Funrise’s cinema campaign kicked off at the start of August and will run through the end of October, airing the TVC before the Mutant Mayhem movie. Funrise will follow this with a TV campaign in October, alongside YouTube pre-roll.

Heelys BT Scollection - Shiner

01172 020 120

www.heelys.eu.com

sales@shiner.co.uk

Heelys, the original two-in-one wheeled shoe launched in 2000, is encouraging children to maximise the remaining summer holidays with its new BTS collection.

Launching alongside an influencer campaign that focuses on summer holiday activities on wheels, Heelys aims to promote active, outdoor play among kids whilst encouraging them to be true to their own unique style. The new range follows the introduction of #NationalHeelysDay on 21st July and comes in advance of the brand’s attendance at Gloworm Festival on 11th-13th August.

The collection consists of eight new SKUs, with the majority featuring a pink and/or black colour palette tapping into the current trend for all things pink. Ideal for those seeking something brighter, the Snazzy combines metallics, glitter, ombre laces and colour pop graphics.

The hero SKUs, Rezerve Ex and Rezerve Low, were first introduced in the spring range and have been redesigned in a new black and pink colourway. The Reserve Ex has a basketball shoe style, while the Reserve Low features an extra chunky sole popularised by Y2K fashion influencers.

Available in the UK and Europe on the Heelys website and retailers, the collection is available in sizes C11-5 for two-wheeled designs and C12-7 for single-wheel styles.

Toodles - Asmodee

01420 593 593

www.asmodee.co.uk

info@asmodee.co.uk

Toodles is the hilarious new title from Format Games, the brainchild of television and Sony Awardnominated radio presenter Matt Edmondson, along with his brother-in-law and business partner, Laurence Emmett. Set to launch this July, Toodles is described as the perfect game to take on family holidays or play at a summer BBQ.

Players work in teams to beat the game and score points (1 point for Easy, 2 points for Medium and 3 points for Hard). Two players select a card and roll the dice to select what to draw – they may be challenged to sketch a House, Boat or Dog (Easy), Crown, Burger or Sandals (Medium) or Snail, Alarm Clock or Zebra (Hard). With no direction, they then have 30 seconds to draw a picture together using their Toodle wands. When the time is up, the other players have to guess what has been drawn.

After ten Toodles have been drawn, players total up their points and measure how well they have done on the Toodle-O-Meter, finishing as a Top Toodle or a Tragic Toodle. Toodles is suitable for 3-10 players aged 7+.

QuickPops HunterPrice

0161 653 1306

www.hunterprice.co.uk

Hunter Price’s Toy Mania brand is continuing to expand its market share with its latest launch, which has brought a globally trending product to the UK market.

Toy Mania, a leading brand in pocket money, fidget and sensory toys, will bring Quick Pops to UK retailers for the first time since the push-and-pop themed game went viral across the world. Hunter Price’s Quick Pops will feature four games - Speed Mode, Memory Game, Mega Scorer and Multi Player – offering a wide variety of fun challenges for players.

The selection of activities offers great value for money, with users able to learn and develop the range of skills needed to master the games. Whether it’s testing speed and agility by pressing all the pops as fast as possible, remembering sequences, or racking up high scores and playing with friends, Toy Mania’s Quick Pops puts everyone to the test, appealing to children and adults alike. Launch retail partners for the first phase of Quick Pops include Smyths Toys, B&M, The Range, Morrisons, WHSmiths and Boyes, with more to be announced soon.

New interactive Curlimals - Golden Bear

01952 608 308

www.goldenbeartoys.com

customerservices@goldenbeartoys.co.uk

Golden Bear is expanding its award-winning interactive plush range, Curlimals, with Arctic Glow, an exciting new range of winter-themed Curlimals. Kids can uncurl the cuteness to discover Perry Polar Bear, Pip Penguin and Sia Seal Each has soft and sparkly fur, makes Arctic animal sounds and has a lightup belly which changes colour when they’re warm and happy.

A hit with UK retailers since launching in July 2022, and a global sell-out across several major territories, Curlimals are interactive creatures that use pattern recognition to respond to touch and communication with over 45 sounds and reactions. Each Curlimal has its own unique phrases such as ‘I love you’ and ‘Tickles, please’, to reflect their individual personalities. All characters in the range also uncurl to play and curl back into a ball to sleep. Lucie the Ladybird and Coco the Caterpillar launch in Q4.

New to the market is Flutter Wonders, an evolution of the traditional Curlimal. Following a dip into the enchanted pond, Curlimals have turned into Flutter Wonders, and Bella is the first in the range. This cute and cuddly 17cm Curlimal has sparkly wings that light up, change colour and flutter to show how she’s feeling. Kids can tickle her tummy, pat her head or stoke her nose : just like the original Curlimals, Bella will respond. There are over 100 different sounds, lights and movements to discover including phrases such as ‘Sparkle Brightly’ and ‘Swish, Swish let’s fly away’, plus, Bella Bear has a magical hidden sequence. There’s an off button for when it’s time for bed. Like all good Curlimals, Bella curls up into a ball when it’s time to say goodnight.

Designed for pre-schoolers aged three and over, Curlimals and Flutter Wonders promote emotional development through nurturing behaviour and inspire imaginative play and curiosity about creatures.

Mood Bears books

Mood Bears

www.moodbears.co.uk

Mood Bears has launched a series of children’s books to further its mission of providing mental health support to people around the UK and beyond. The business is known for producing colourful teddy bears designed to offer reassurance and comfort to consumers of all ages.

Four children’s books have now been launched, designed to accompany a selection of bears from the range, which further enhance the Mood Bears message: that everyone should notice and talk about their feelings more. The books have been written by author Martin Shubrook, who has worked across Disney and Pixar brands during his career, and are beautifully illustrated. The launch range includes books about Love Bear, Hope Bear, Happy Bear and Sad Bear. Underpinning every story is a subtle message to help children with their mental health. The books are the perfect accompaniment to Mood Bear toys and will help kids realise that they are not alone with their feelings.

The new series of books demonstrates Mood Bears continued commitment to expanding its product assortment and supporting more people. Along with the eight original Mood Bears - Happy Bear, Hope Bear, Angry Bear, Love Bear, Calm Bear, Nervous Bear, Silly Bear and Sad Bear - the business also introduced three talking bears this year: Hope Bear, Happy Bear and Calm Bear. While all Mood Bears come with an uplifting message and poem designed to help their owner cope with, and talk about, different emotional moments in life, the new Mood Bear Talking Bears go a step further, by reciting their supportive poem to their owner.

Fun-iki Haico

0161 457 8085

www.haico.co.uk

sales@haico.co.uk

The latest brand launch from Haico is Fun-iki, which is a sensory ASMR range made up of an abundance of different compounds in more than 50 colour variations and assorted textures. Its eyecatching packaging features pops of neon colours against pastel hues. This is a versatile range which incorporates a multitude of different themes, pack sizes and price points, creating an option for every consumer. It incorporates a unique blend of slime, sand, stretchy sand, crunchy slime and crackle clay, creating a mix n’ match style offer. Each type of texture has been designed in vibrant and colourful forms with its own distinct tactile sensation. Funiki’s inclusion of multiple texture compounds and colour variations adds a huge collectability element to this ASMR range.

The Fun-iki brand offers a wide range of products across multi price points, beginning with various mini mix n’ match starter packs which offer different compounds and accessories to drive through collectability.  All sets are equipped with packs of fidgets, foam squares, beads and more to create each user’s own sensory experience. Fun-iki has been designed as an affordable brand, with pocket money value being its central focus. Key lines include Mini Surprise Eggs, Mini Mash-Up Goos, Mystery Pot Collectibles and Cute Animal Putties. Haico’s larger sets consist of bouncing putty, large slime tubs and much more.

ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) products are growing in popularity throughout the toy sector. They often involve gentle sounds, textures or visual triggers that can provide sensory stimulation. Fun-iki combines these visual, tactile and auditory elements with striking shades, to help capture children's attention, whilst stimulating their visual senses. Manipulating slime can also help to relieve stress; whilst the stretching action encourages motor development and cognitive growth. Exploring all these elements provides a calming effect and helps children to be mindful, as well as assisting with focus and concentration.

Other products available in the range include Skull Mountain and Teamsterz Street Machines and Street Kingz vehicles.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Heroes

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V.

01753 271 737

www.yugioh-card.com/uk

The Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG annual tins are always among the most hotly anticipated sets and this year’s tin takes things up a notch. With the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game approaching its 25th birthday, September’s 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Heroes is billed as a must-have set for players.

Each 25th Anniversary Tin will include a Quarter Century Secret Rare version of one of the 16 monsters decorating the sides of the product. These include some of the most famous and iconic monsters used by the series’ Dueling Heroes.

The tin also has plenty to offer competitive duelists looking to bolster their decks with powerful cards. There are approximately 300 different cards available via the 25th Anniversary Tin, including ones from recently released sets including Battle of Chaos, Dimension Force, Darkwing Blast, Tactical Masters, The Grand Creators and more.

Each set of 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Heroes includes three Mega-Packs, each one containing 18 cards for a total of 54. That includes six Prismatic Secret Rares, six Ultra Rares, three Super Rares, three Rares and 36 Commons, not forgetting the bonus Quarter Century Secret Rare.

The 25th Anniversary Tin: Dueling Heroes is scheduled to release in the United Kingdom and across Europe on 7th September. For more information on the set and other upcoming Yu-Gi-Oh TCG products, visit the website.

Premier League Adrenalyn Xl 2024

Panini

01604 877 888

www.paninigroup.com

Panini’s Premier League Adrenalyn XL Official Trading Card Game is back for the 2023/24 season, bigger, better and more exciting than ever. The 2022/23 collection saw unprecedented +100% growth in RSV year on year, with further growth expected for this new season.

Benefitting from a full re-design, the collection features fresh new card categories, amazing new materials and even more real autographs for collectors to chase. For fans of rare cards, Panini has created eye-catching new sub-sets and increased the product lines featuring Limited Edition cards. Many of the Limited Edition cards feature printed and real autographs, from both current players and Premier League legends. The increasingly popular and sought-after Golden Baller cards have also been taken to a whole new level this season, with a new material and finish that will make them more desirable than ever for collectors.

Now the No.1 selling trading card collection in the UK, Premier League Adrenalyn XL 2024 trading card packets come with a QR code giving access to virtual cards for the online game. Collectors can download the free app, scan the code and play online.

The launch is supported with a heavyweight digital marketing campaign using new creative featuring the ‘GOAT of Swaps’ and reaching every touch point, from YouTube, TikTok and gaming platforms to targeted social media across all relevant channels to reach kidults, parents and gifters. Asking collectors ‘Are you the GOAT of swaps?’, the campaign will be supported with extensive PR and sampling. Partnering with world-renowned football talent and influencers, including Panini brand ambassador Declan Rice, the strength of the campaign, combined with the exciting new design, promises to make 2024 the biggest season yet for Premier League Adrenalyn XL.

Kinetic Sand Deluxe Beach Castle Playset - SpinMaster

01628 535 000

www.spinmastertoys.co.uk

Spin Master’s New Kinetic Sand Deluxe Beach Castle Playset is a portable, sandy play-space in a box that’s sure to be a hit with fans of ASMR everywhere.

This fun and engaging play set is perfect for kids aged three and over, allowing them to invent new sand creations every day. The Kinetic Sand Deluxe Castle Playset features 3lbs of Kinetic Beach Sand perfect for creating the world’s best sandcastles. Made from larger grain natural sand, Kinetic Beach Sand will provide kids with a unique sensory experience while developing fine motor skills through educational play. Equipped with two multi-use Kinetic Sand tools, nine castle-themed moulds and a two-tiered tray, kids will be able to create like never before: sandcastles, towers, walls, bridges, kingdoms and so much more.