Fresh

X-Shot Skins

Zuru | info@zuru.com

Zuru says that customisation is a driving force, enabling players to tout their personality and prowess. Seizing the $50b plus skins in-game consumer spending trend, the company is set to shake up the toy blaster category as it reveals X-Shot Skins, a new line which allows kids to customise their blasters with different skins. The X-Shot brand is growing exponentially with 45m blasters sold annually and the new line will be available from early July. As with some video games where players can purchase skins to change character appearances, colours, lighting and more, the first line of X-Shot Skins offers four different blasters of various sizes and price points, each with multiple skin designs to purchase. From street-art edgy, to gore and goo, to nostalgic video games, there are a total of 24 vibrant graphics to select across the four X-Shot Skins blasters. The new line includes X-Shot Skins Menace, a small blaster which packs enough power to take on targets 27m/90ft away. Available in seven Skin designs, it includes eight foam darts with single dart capacity, plus storage for two additional darts and includes eight foam darts. The X-Shot Skins Flux blaster offers six Skin designs and also includes eight foam darts and features single dart capacity with storage for two additional darts which shoot a distance of 27m/90ft, while the X-Shot Skins Dread brings double the excitement with its dual ammo system. Available in seven Skin designs, it includes 12 foam darts and features 12 dart capacity which shoot 27m/90ft. The X-Shot Skins Last Stand Graffiti is the largest blaster in the Skins range, combining epic fire power, speed in action and accuracy all in one blaster. With four Skin designs, it includes 16 foam darts, with a 14-dart capacity and a tactical grip for easy loading and unloading.

Chicco

020 8953 6627 | www.chicco.co.uk

Inspired by the art of balancing stones, Stone Balance is a new stackable toy from Chicco’s sustainably and responsibly sourced Eco+ range. Suitable from 6-36 months, kids can stack and play with the five stone-shaped pieces, stimulating their cognitive and manual coordination whilst using their imagination as they play. Made of recycled plastic from industrial residue, each stone has a different shape, size and colour and can be stacked from largest to smallest, or in a random order, keeping little ones entertained for hours.

Asterix and Obelix play sets

Playmobil | 01268 548 111 | www.playmobil.co.uk

A new collaboration with licensor Les Éditions Albert René will see Playmobil bring the adventures of the rebellious Gauls and comic legends Asterix and Obelix to life via a range of entertaining new play sets Gallic heroes Asterix and Obelix, alongside their motley village community, have been known and beloved worldwide since 1959. Translated into hundreds of languages, the French comics detail their adventures against Roman legionaries, from which they always emerge as unbeatable victors. Obelix and his trusty companion Dogmatix go through thick and thin with Asterix, always acting in friendship and brotherhood as they fight for their freedom. Known for his immense size and strength, Playmobil’s designers have developed a new figure shape that authentically recreates the unmistakable figure of Obelix. This figure is noticeably bigger than that of other Playmobil figures and the arms have also been adjusted, too, allowing Obelix to hold his standing stones. With the new play theme from Playmobil, Asterix fans of all ages can recreate the adventure of the famous comic heroes at home. The six richly detailed play sets - The Village Banquet, Hut of Vitalstatistix, Getafix with the Cauldron of Magic Potion, Roman Troop, Leader’s Tent with Generals, Cacofonix with Tree House, and Wild Boar Hunting - reflect characteristic scenes from the Gallic village and the Roman siege, as well as other characters from the comics.

Travel friendly games

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

With summer well and truly here, Asmodee, a leading UK distributor of tabletop games and accessories, has rounded up the top travel friendly games retailers should be stocking this year. A game that is open to all, being both easy to learn and easy to play, Catan has sold 32m copies worldwide. The easy-to-carry travel edition, Catan Traveller, lets players take the classic game of trading and development wherever they go, by packing all the same strategic gameplay (with a few limitations) onto a much smaller board. Catan Traveller is suitable for 2-4 players. Dobble Waterproof, a travel-friendly version of the now-classic observation game described by Holly Willoughby as the ‘best game ever’, is perfect for play on the beach, on riverside picnics and much more. Dobble is the smash-hit in which players race to match the identical symbol between cards. This version comes in a handy net bag that dries out quickly when wet. Noggin is the brainchild of Radio 1 DJ, Matt Edmondson. Perfect for fast-paced games junkies, this is a fastest-thinker-first frenzy in which players take turns to deal their playing cards - a combination of Letter Cards and Action Cards - down onto three piles of Letter Cards. This compact and hugely entertaining game is perfect for family get-togethers during the summer. Bananagrams is a fast and frantic game which sees players race against each other to build crossword grids. No pencil, no paper or board are required, and the tiles pack away into a handy banana-shaped zip up case that takes up hardly any precious room in a backpack or suitcase. Taco, Goat, Cheese & Pizza is the perfect simple, no fuss and easy-to-play card game. As unique as its name, this game comes in a compact and colourful box that will stand out on-shelf.

Baby born Storybook Fairies

Zapf Creation | 0845 0533 333 | www.mgae.com

Doll brand Baby born has introduced a new brand, Baby born Storybook, featuring six fairy dolls which allow children to combine play with storytelling and imagination. Suitable for children aged 3 plus, the Baby born Storybook Fairies, which launched in early June, have fluttering wings, which are activated with a swish of a wand across the tummy, colour changing face art when in sunlight and their very own adventure picture booklet, encouraging children to expand their imaginations by creating stories about their favourite fairy. Each Storybook fairy also includes a light-up stand, with colour changing lights and a double backdrop to add to the storytelling element, inspiring even more imaginative play with the dolls. There are six fairies to collect in the range - Ice, Poppy, Rainbow, Peach, Violet and Rose - each with her own style, personality, animal friend and home in the Storybook world. The packaging for each Storybook fairy is designed to look like a book which, when opened, reveals their new fairy friend. The book-style packaging is plastic free and fully recyclable as part of Zapf Creation’s on-going commitment to sustainability and implementing packaging materials that are easier to recycle. Zapf Creation is supporting the launch with a heavyweight PR and marketing campaign, including influencer and celebrity engagement, social media activity and TV, plus retailer activation.

Bworld Cow and Calf Barn with Farmer

Bruder | 00353 67 63800 | www.bruder.de

The bworld sets from Bruder complement the collection’s play vehicles to create entire play worlds, and new to the range in the agriculture sector is the cow and calf barn with farmer. The play set, which launched in June, has everything a modern dairy farm needs. In addition to the feeding trough and feed bucket, the spacious, free-range stable also comes with a massage brush, and a calf box to safely accommodated the calf. A farmer is also included in the set, and there is a wheelbarrow, broom and pitchfork. The cow and calf barn is suitable for budding farmers aged four years and up. As with all products, Bruder places particular emphasis on attention to detail and play value; a special feature of the bworld products is that the figures are fully functional while also looking realistic. The head, torso, arms and legs of the figures can be moved and turned in a naturalistic way to create lifelike poses. Bruder has figures in its portfolio across a variety of thematic areas: policemen, firefighters, construction workers, farmers, lifeguards or cyclists. Also available are scenery sets which expand the play worlds and allow kids to re-enact scenes from real life. Whether a fire station, hospital or police station, all sets are highly detailed and realistically equipped. There are also car, motorbike and bicycle workshops. The vehicle fleet can be refuelled in a modern petrol station with a car wash area and e-charging point. All modular background elements can be easily connected so that wider imaginative worlds can be created, and the back panels and figures are made of high-quality, recyclable plastic.

Toynamics UK & Ireland

0116 478 5230 | www.toynamics.co.uk | sales@toynamics.co.uk

Toynamics UK & Ireland’s range of wooden play sets offers retailers a high-quality collection of toys to encourage children’s imaginative play. Tipped as a best-seller for 2022 is the Hape Gear Head Stunt Garage. This three-storey wooden play set is a high-rise parking garage for fast vehicles and supercars. The set comes with two free-wheeling cars and features a variety of creative functions and racing action for hours of fun.Highlights include a boxcar elevator; children can place their cars in the lift and hand-wind the crank to transport them to the upper levels or back down again. The garage is equipped with two stunt tracks that let the toy vehicles either whizz down the spiral ramp for a high-speed race to the bottom or defy gravity with a 360° loop track that can be transformed into a launch ramp. The garage is also designed to simulate real-life with electric charge points and services.

Chicken Vs Hotdog

Big Potato | 020 3620 9495 | www.bigpotato.co.uk | trade@bigpotato.co.uk

Big Potato is inviting party game fans to settle once and for all who is the top dog (or chicken) with its new launch, Chicken Vs Hotdog. The brand-new ‘flip it and stick it’ party game has been described as ‘Throw, Throw Burrito meets Bottle Flip’. Players split into teams or opt for one-on-one competition, then grab their Chicken and Hotdog Sling’ems and prepare to bid and flip their way to victory.Opposing players turn over a Challenge Card, then secretly bid high if they think they can nail it or bid low to avoid it. If both bids match, it’s Flipperama time. Challenges include the super flip (completing at least two rotations), the one-eye-closed flip and the twin flip: landing both Sling’ems at the same time. Every time a player completes a challenge, they get to turn over one of their Character Cards. The first player (or team) to turn over all six Character Cards wins the game. The game also encourages players to invent their own challenges and add these to the 30 that come with the game.

Chicken Vs Hotdog is a great two-player game but is also fun to play in teams, making it perfect for date nights and parties alike. It’s simple to learn and quick to play. The game will appeal to kids, teenagers, students, flat mates, pub mates and anyone else who loves flipping things and hearing a satisfying ‘thunk’ when they land a pressure throw and the sucker grips the table. Chicken Vs Hotdog has been in development for four years, since 2018, and is one of Big Potato’s key games this year. Due to launch in September, the game will be heavily supported by a TikTok campaign that will feature key creators discussing their best trick shots. This will be backed up by a series of social ads that will run on the platform. To see a demo or to test your own flipping skills, get in touch with the Big Potato team.

BFF by Cry Babies

IMC Toys | 01904 720908 www.imctoys.com | info.uk@imctoys.com

IMC Toys is entering the fashion dolls market with the launch of BFF by Cry Babies: a 'grown-up' version of its popular best-selling Cry Babies nurture doll range. Making its on-shelf debut from July, the dolls range will offer consumers and retailers a natural transition and extended brand journey. Supporting the company’s long-term strategy to grow and develop its Cry Babies ‘ages and stages’ approach, the introduction of the BFFs is the culmination of a brand evolution from baby dolls to the smaller Cry Babies Magic Tears collectible dolls and ending with the BFF 20cm collectible fashion dolls to appeal to an older audience. From cute cry babies to empowered best friend teens, the ‘Best Friends Forever’ take on everyday challenges, tapping into their unique personalities, interests and friendships, to solve and reinforce any situation. Children can follow the BFF’s adventures during 13 x seven-minute animated episodes that will air from the summer across IMC Toys’ official Kitoons YouTube channel, streaming networks and Over-The Top platform. The new range of eight BFF by Cry Babies fashion dolls allows children to continue the BFF adventure. Each of the dolls comes complete with on-trend interchangeable outfits and accessories, each unique to their individual personalities and interests. They also boast 15cm silky, colourful hair for styling, six points of articulation, crystal eyes and an unboxing reveal. A special edition twin-pack concludes the collection, with BFF Coney and Sydney, along with over 20 accessories and an exclusive necklace for children to wear and match their dolls. A robust marketing campaign is in place to include TV, digital, social, PR and experiential activations.

Among Us Special Edition Collection

Sinco Creations | 0161 737 7464 | sales@sincocreations.com

Following the huge success of Among Us Series 1, Sinco Creations, in partnership with PMI, has announced the launch of a Special Edition collection available from the end of July. The popular online multiplayer game Among Us was the most downloaded game of 2020, with half a billion users and went on to win a Kid’s Choice award for favourite video game 2021. Among Us is currently available on iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch and PC, and was further boosted by its arrival on Xbox and Play Station formats in December 2021. This April, it was also announced that Among Us is coming to VR and will be released later this year – a move which will further cement its popularity. The Special Edition range will include four lines for fans to collect: two plush characters, a feature plush and a glow in the dark action figure. The Special Edition Cyborg Crew Mate plush features a glowing visor and original sound effects from the Among Us game, as well as a glowing eye, and comes with hats and accessories. The green ghost even has hands which are rarely seen in the game and will make bedtimes a whole lot more exciting as he spookily glows in the dark. There is also a red Imposter plush showing his teeth and tongue, which is available in two sizes.