TWM_Mattel Supplement 2023

LETTER FROM JON SPALDING

JON SPALDING

This time last year, I was about to undertake my first BLE with Mattel - I was just six months into the role as head of Consumer Products for UK & Ireland, Hardlines & FMCG EMEA. I can’t believe it’s already been 12 months since I wrote about my first impressions and my excitement at joining the company.

We now live in a post-Barbie-movie world, the first ever Mattel theatrical event. Barbie the Movie has been a jaw-dropping success, with over $1.2b at the global box office. At the time of writing, Barbie had become the 7th highest grossing film of all time in the UK & Ireland. The team at Mattel secured over 20 retail programmes in the UK alone, across all channels and all categories with staggering commercial success. It’s been a moment to celebrate for our company and we’re thankful for all our retailers, licensees and partnerships – and, of course, to Warner Bros. for delivering a world-class theatrical campaign.

Licensing is a relationship and community-based industry, and it has been wonderful to see our partners enjoy Barbie’s success with us in 2023.

The excitement I felt in my first six months at Mattel is now being felt by our partners. The Barbie movie is only the very beginning of our transformation into a ‘franchise-first’ company’: we have over 15 live action movies in the works as well as more than 30 animated series, and our franchises are accelerating at full throttle.

We’re preparing for another landmark year in 2024. In March, we kick off a year of celebrations to mark Barbie’s 65th anniversary, shortly followed by the unveiling of a major, top-secret programme on Hot Wheels, the brand to watch in 2024. As we move into the year, we’ll unveil significant launches for Monster High, witness Fireman Sam’s evolution and commence new programmes on Thomas & Friends, Uno, Fisher-Price and Scrabble. In addition to Barbie, we’ll also be celebrating an anniversary for Polly Pocket. Finally, as we wrap 2024, we will bring back Barney, an iconic 90s brand which has been reinvented for kids both young and old.

The growth in consumer products is rapid and will be matched by our best-in-class toys, live events and experiences, publishing and content slate.

The transformation of our company is moving up to Level 2, and during BLE 2023, we’ll be excited to talk to further to our partners about everything there is to look forward to from Mattel.

The year everyone was invited into Barbie’s world

An icon since 1959, the Barbie brand has never been bigger than it has been this year. A blockbuster summer saw the release of the Barbie movie in cinemas, from Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig and starring Oscarnominees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The film broke records, hitting ‘Barbillion’ – the first ever billion-dollar movie from a sole female director - while fans of all ages flocked to cinemas in looks inspired by the doll and #Barbiecore trends. Soundtrack hits rocked the charts from some of the biggest artists in the world, including Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Nicki Minaj, and social media and press went viral. With everyone wanting in on the action, Barbie became the pop culture moment of the year and broke the zeitgeist like never before.

The fun didn’t stop at the movies. Selfridges London hosted a Barbie pop-up across its prestigious Corner Shop, toy department and cinema, and displayed real-life costumes from the movie in its windows, while the Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience launched at Meadowhall Sheffield this autumn, inspiring younger children to try out different careers.

In 2024, consumers will get to visit more Barbie experiences than ever before as the first ever Mattel Adventure Park opens in Arizona, complete with a Barbie Dreamhouse attraction.

There will be more to come in the UK including world class Barbie events, meaning fans should buckle up for another year of pink!

I am Kenough

Since Ryan Gosling’s scenestealing turn as Ken, fans have been clamouring to show their Kenergy, with the I am Kenough hoody worn by Ryan’s Ken selling in ‘record breakken’ numbers.

Partners have already jumped on the expansion of the Barbie world, seeing the potential in exploring Ken’s character to build on the brand love and appeal. Expect to see lots more Ken-themed ranges and products debuting in 2024.

The Dreamhouse is also a treasure trove of inspiration. Fans can expect to see product ranges that drive sustainability from Bladez, whilst Danilo’s celebratory Dreamhouse calendar will be launching alongside a Dreamhouse light from Paladone and Stationery collections from Pyramid and Blueprint.

Celebrate Barbie’s 65th in 2024!

How do you follow a year like Barbie’s 2023? By celebrating a major anniversary, of course! Next year Barbie will turn 65, and the brand will have a full year of exciting birthday activities to mark the milestone –and celebrate the icon. Look out for even more Role Models, more purpose, more fashion, more retail and brand-new tentpoles. It’s Barbie’s birthday party and everyone’s invited.

Mattel has signed some truly world class partners for Barbie’s 65th across Apparel, Accessories, Home, Stationery, Arts & Crafts, FMCG and Hardlines to celebrate a true franchise-first activation in 2024.

Ultimate fashion icon

As a muse to the world's leading designers, Barbie has collaborated with over 75 global brands as well as up-and-coming young designers and talent, partnering with Balmain, Moschino, Matty Bovan, Nasir Mazhar, Roksanda Ilincic, Karl Lagerfeld, Comme Des Garçons and many more to create oneof-a-kind dolls and exciting fashion collaborations. Barbie’s appeal ranges from high fashion to high street. 2023 saw over 100 different global CP partners roll out Barbie-inspired ranges including everything from Impala skates inspired by the movie to sellout collections in Primark stores up and down the UK. Boohoo launched a collection for Gen Z and millennial fans, whilst Asos, Lush and Zara delivered some incredible fashion-forward collections.

The Barbie logo is as iconic as the doll, but many of the brands’ partners are creating ranges beyond the label, featuring character artwork that draws inspiration from both the archives and modern dolls.

Barbie has also firmly established itself in the luxury space through a pyjama collaboration with Karen Mabon, signature pens from Montegrappa and clothing from Chinti & Parker.

Next year, fans can look forward to even more fashion and partnerships across Lifestyle, Home and Accessories.

Inspiring the limitless potential

“MywholephilosophyofBarbiewasthatthroughthedoll,thelittle girlcouldbeanythingshewantedtobe.Barbiealwaysrepresented thefactthatawomanhaschoices.”-RuthHandler

Since 1959, Barbie has inspired girls to be anything. From princess to president and astronaut to zoologist, there isn’t a plastic ceiling Barbie hasn’t broken. Today, with over 250 careers and counting, she continues to inspire the limitless potential in every girl.

Barbie represents a broader view of society for the next generation of girls by showcasing careers typically underrepresented by women and by highlighting diverse role models and careers.

For the past five years, Barbie has been working to close the Dream Gap: the critical time between the ages of 5-7 when girls start to believe they are less brilliant than boys. To combat this, Barbie has launched a campaign dedicated to providing research and resources for parents on how to help girls transcend this Dream Gap. The brand has also raised over a million dollars to benefit girls.

One of the ways to help girls continue to believe they are brilliant is through role modelling – showing them women from diverse backgrounds and fields who are breaking boundaries by creating one-of-a-kind dolls in their likenesses. Since 2015, the Barbie brand has committed to showing girls more role models to help them imagine what they could become in the future.

Some of the amazing women that Barbie has honoured as part of the Role Models programme in recent years include Space Scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock; vaccine creator Dame Professor Sarah Gilbert; presenter and activist Clara Amfo; the fastest woman in British History, Dina Asher-Smith; activist and model Adwoa Aboah, and UK Olympian boxer Nicola Adams. Barbie also creates dolls of historical role models through the Inspiring Women line. To date, this has included Dr Jane Goodall, Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Billie Jean King, Amelia Earhart, Florence Nightingale, Sally Ride and Katherine Johnson.

In her role as confidante to a generation of girls, Barbie empowers kids to shatter the glass ceiling by enjoying a huge variety of careers - over 200 so far. Barbie went to the moon before man, was a presidential candidate before an American woman ran for office (and has also been a president), and has held roles spanning everything from robotics engineer, architect, vet, dentist and astronaut to palaeontologist, video game developer and CEO. To

try a wide range of careers.

In 2020, Barbie released findings from a study with Cardiff University, a worldwide leader in neuroscience research, that found playing with dolls allows children to develop empathy and social information processing skills. The Benefits of Doll Play study shows that doll play activates brain regions associated with social information processing and empathy, indicating that it enables children to rehearse, use and perform these skills even when playing on their own. Other findings show that doll play allows children to develop empathy and social processing skills more so than solo tablet play, even when playing by themselves. The findings proved for the first time the real, tangible benefits of doll play. A Doll Can Help Change the World - a complementary hub for parents and caregivers - shows families how to nurture and build empathy.

The Barbie Fashionistas line is where the Barbie brand delivers the most diversity and inclusion, offering children a variety of skin tones, eye colours, hair colours and textures, body types and fashions to choose from. The variety is designed to inspire girls to tell more stories and find a doll that speaks to them. Over the past five years, the line has evolved to be more reflective of the world girls see around them by introducing more than 170+ new looks, including more skin tones, hair colours and textures, eye colours and facial structures, including a doll with vitiligo and a doll without hair. Body diversity includes Tall, Petite and Curvy figures.

Barbie has also introduced dolls reflecting disabilities, including a doll with a prosthetic limb and doll with a wheelchair and ramp. Barbie has further evolved to offer its first Barbie doll with Down’s Syndrome via a partnership with advocate Ellie Goldstein, and its first doll with a hearing aid, meaningfully brought to life in a collaboration with actress and deaf advocate, Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Hot Wheels a global brand powerhouse

Hot Wheels die cast cars are the No. 1 selling toy in the world. 8b cars have been sold since 1968 – that’s 16.5 cars per second - and 10m cars are made each week.

In 2021, Hot Wheels surpassed $1b in sales for the first time, marking the company’s fourth-consecutive year of global growth. For over three generations, Hot Wheels has provided exhilarating vehicle play that challenges kids to develop new skills while having fun with the most outrageous and innovative cars and track systems on the market.

Hot Wheels’ ethos, ‘Challenge Accepted’, ignites and nurtures the challenger spirit that lives within every kid and lies at the heart of the new Hot Wheels City range. More than just a toy, the brand has evolved into a franchise and multi-channel play experience with segments in everything from gaming, digital and automobile parts to licensed apparel, merchandise, content and live events.

Back by popular demand: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live in 2024!

Live Nation and Raycom-Legacy Content Company, in partnership with Mattel, are bringing Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live back to the UK following hugely successful sell-out shows earlier this year.

As the No. 1 Monster Truck die cast toy brand in the world, the Monster Trucks tour ensured the brand got off to a very strong start in 2023. This immersive experience offers audiences the only opportunity to see real-life versions of the famous Hot Wheels monster truck toys up close and personal in a thrilling arena-based event for the whole family.

The 2023 UK tour introduced audiences an incredible new twist, as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party brought a whole new level of fun and excitement to arenas across the UK and ignited the challenger spirit in all who attended. The Glow Party themed tour kicked off its international leg with new trucks in a 10 stop tour across Europe.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party will return in the first half of 2024, debuting a new truck - '5-alarm' – in 29 markets in North America and 10 markets across Europe. Starting in Madrid, Spain, the tour will, for the first time ever, include dates in Australia.

The Hot Wheels Legends Tour revs up!

Hot Wheels has expanded its position in the custom car builder community by creating the world’s largest annual international custom car show tour. Now spanning 13 countries and five continents, The Hot Wheels Legends Tour sees thousands of global Hot Wheels fans compete each year to have their custom car builds immortalised as the next 1:64-scale piece of Hot Wheels history.

The UK winner of this year’s event, (insert winner and car here), was announced on 2nd September at Radwood Festival in the UK, with the Legends Tour Semi-Final taking place virtually on 2nd November. The overall winner of the tour will get to witness their life-size vehicle become part of the Hot Wheels lineup as the brand transforms it into a scaled reproduction die cast toy.

Hot Wheels hits the big screen

Mattel and Warner Bros. Pictures have announced that J.J. Abrams’ film and television production company Bad Robot will produce ‘Hot Wheels’, a live-action motion picture featuring the iconic and timeless toy racing car. The high-throttle action film will bring to life this beloved, multi-generational franchise and showcase some of the world’s hottest and sleekest cars, monster trucks and motorcycles. vehicle become part of the Hot Wheels line-up as the brand transforms it into a scaled reproduction die cast toy.

Partnerships that fan the flames

Hot Wheels continues to expand its presence in every category where kids are, with success in digital gaming across mobile, console and PD platforms.

This October, the world’s No. 1 action vehicle, Hot Wheels, and the UK’s biggest YouTube group, Sidemen, have teamed up to launch an exclusive capsule collection of co-branded apparel and accessories.

The co-branded collection includes 10 different styles including hoodies, bomber jackets, T-shirts and caps. Hot Wheels infused designs are present throughout, complete with checkerboard prints and flames combined with the SDMN lettering to create a sleek collection.

The entire collection will be available at a pop-up store in the Hoxton Railway Arches (Arch 402) from 23rd-25th October, followed by an online launch on the official Sidemen Clothing website the same month.

The new partnership will also be supported by a wider marketing campaign which will see the collection feature on UK petrol pumps during a month-long activation. It will also be fuelled by teaser posts on social media channels, while promotional boxes will be sent to influencer friends of the Sidemen.

As well as the exciting Sideman collection, Hot Wheels is also tapping into the adult fashion space this year by partnering with top brands to introduce collections from Boohoo, New Look and Pretty Little Thing that adult fans and consumers of all genders will love.

Hot Wheels is also expanding its toy range with exciting partners across Play (Puzzles, Outdoor, Arts & Crafts, Vehicles, Role-Play/ Dress-Up), Lifestyle and Promotions.

The biggest friend of all

For over 78 years, Thomas & Friends has introduced children to the bigger world around them through the wonder and awe of trains, providing a trusted friend for adventure and discovery. A purposeful brand with friendship and teamwork at its heart, the famous little blue engine has made hundreds of new friends since 1945, embarked on countless global adventures and visited a raft of new countries.

Thomas & Friends content, with its 2D animation look and updated style, is a favourite among the next generation of fans while still retaining the core characteristics of the property, its continuing characters and the Island of Sodor location kids know and love. Consistently refreshed content, in line with the changing times, keeps Thomas & Friends relevant with preschoolers and parents alike, who can relate to the journeys that Thomas embarks on. The new All Engines Go content is a huge ratings success and will be continuing into 2024. There are exciting new episodes to come, including a Christmas special set for autumn/winter 2024.

Thomas & Friends continues to partner with the National Autistic Society after teaming up to launch a successful autistic-friendly clothing range. Thomas & Friends also introduced its first ever autistic character, Bruno the Brake Car, voiced by 9-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia from Reading, Berkshire. Thomas & Friends continues to support the National Autistic Society and looks forward to more partnerships in the future.

Laying tracks to success

Thomas & Friends has embarked on a new journey that explores the effects of train play on child development. In autumn, Mattel announced the findings of a comprehensive review conducted with the Thomas & Friends brand that highlights the developmental benefits of train play. The study was carried out by researcher Dr. Salim Hashmi, from King's College London. Dr. Hashmi's findings highlight the positive impact that playing with toy trains can have on kids as they grow and develop.

One of the primary benefits Dr. Hashmi identified is that children who play with toy trains can develop improved thinking and social skills. This form of play provides valuable opportunities for children to learn and practise collaboration, cooperation and social understanding while interacting with others. Moreover, playing with toy trains allows children to develop and refine essential thinking skills, contributing to their problem-solving abilities.

Dr. Hashmi says: "The research findings emphasise that playing with toy trains, such as those offered by the Thomas & Friends brand, offers children a rich learning experience. Constructing tracks, arranging train cars and envisioning scenarios during train play can stimulate cognitive development and enhance critical thinking, spatial analysis and decision-making skills. Collaborative play with toy trains encourages teamwork, negotiation and turn-taking, as children share resources, ideas and responsibilities."

To bring the new Laying Tracks to Success study to life, Thomas & Friends is partnering with Netmums to create a series of engaging and informative articles and videos for parents showing the benefits of train play. The campaign includes social media, newsletters and editorial links, ensuring the campaign reaches parents at every step of their Netmums browsing journey.

Partnership opportunities

Mattel continues to partner with best-in-class licensees to expand the Thomas & Friends franchise across key categories including Toy, Apparel, Dress-Up, Publishing, Creative Play, Outdoor Play, Home Furnishings, Sporting Goods and more.

With the success of the Thomas National Autistic Society range and positive reception to the Bruno character, consumer products programmes will lean into this important segment across Softlines, Hardlines and Publishing.

bringing a smile to milestones

As the No. 1 Infant & Pre-School brand in the world, sold in 150 countries, Fisher-Price continues to amplify the power of childhood.

Fisher-Price launched its Smilestones campaign this year to help parents celebrate the little victories, let go of expectations and pick up more positivity. After more than 90 years of helping families, Fisher-Price has learnt that development happens naturally when fun leads the way. Fisher-Price knows every child learns in their own way – at their own pace. That’s the beauty of the Smilestones approach. It’s about finding the joy in every stage (big and small) for every kid. The Fisher-Price Smilestones campaign supports parents along the journey of reaching their baby’s milestones by celebrating every victory and giving top tips.

Fisher-Price toys have been carefully designed to help babies learn and develop, with each Smilestones toy being tested in the FisherPrice Play Lab by the real experts: kids. Over 2,500 babies and children and 1,800 parents put Fisher-Price toys to the test every year.

Barney is back!

Earlier this year, Mattel announced a relaunch of the iconic Barney franchise which will span television, film and YouTube content as well as music and a full range of kids’ products including toys, books, clothing and more.

Mattel will relaunch Barney for a new generation with a brandnew animated series, Barney’s World, slated to debut on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network in 2024.

Fisher-Price’s new partners break into the market

As an evergreen property, Fisher-Price is a focus for Mattel. The brand continues to benefit from worldclass existing partnerships across all categories, while a new style guide for 2024 will enable it to develop exciting new partnerships in fresh spaces. Major recent partnerships have been established with licensees including 8th Wonder, Eldohm, Sports Power, Dolu, Poetic Gem, and Bonnier on publishing, amongst others.

Created for pre-school kids, the series will feature the ubiquitous purple dinosaur and friends and introduce new audiences to the world of Barney through music-filled adventures centred on love, community and encouragement. The series will be co-produced by Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a leading international producer and distributor of children’s animated and live-action content, together with Mattel Television. It will be executive produced by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television, and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy and Pam Westman for Nelvana.

Apparel and accessories for adult fans, featuring classic Barney, are also in development.

Bringing a smile to milestones

Hello to happier parenting. We're here to help you celebrate the little victories, let go of expectations, and pick up more positivity. Because after more than 90 years of helping families, we've learned that development happens naturally when fun leads the way.

Fireman Sam fires up season 14 – and a Christmas special!

Fireman Sam has a strong new content programme in place. It kicks off with Season 14, launching across EMEA this year with 26x10mins episodes and an exciting Christmas special featuring more newness than ever before.

In 2024, Season 15 will air with 26x10mins episodes showcasing new characters, animals and vehicles to be introduced. There will also be a 20-minute Halloween special full of action and epic rescues.

Mattel is also excited to announce that Season 16 has been greenlit for 2025.

Fireman Sam celebrates over 30 years as an evergreen pre-school property

Based in Pontypandy, the most accident-prone place in Britain, Fireman Sam and his rescue team are pillars of the community and the heroes of everyday life.

This evergreen, fun and purposeful brand is the No. 5 pre-school character brand in EMEA. Its 360-degree integration spans content licensed to air in over 100 countries, 80+ licensed partners, a strong show-to-shelf toy line, 300+ live events across Europe, an extensive book and magazine portfolio, and more than 520m EMEA channel views and counting.

In 2023, Fireman Sam launched its Be a Hero brand campaign, which encourages kids to unveil the hero within. The campaign benefits from 360-degree marketing efforts across media and social, content and franchise, and retail and promotional activations.

As an evergreen property, Mattel continues to partner with best-in-class licensees to further expand the Fireman Sam franchise across key categories including Toy, Apparel, Health & Beauty, Food and Publishing. With Character Options and Simba Smoby Toys confirmed to extend the master toy programmes in 2024, the excitement continues.

Monster fangtasticHigh’s year

Monster High has enjoyed a fangtastic year since it returned in 2022 with refreshed characters that embrace what makes them unique. Since its return, Monster High has become the No.1 new dolls property, the No. 2 new dolls item and the No. 4 new total market property YTD.

Reimagining Monster High as a purpose-driven brand allows it to reach a multi-generational fanbase that includes both kids who are new to the fangdom and young adults who grew up with the original monsters. By reimagining the brand with new content and dolls, Monster High can better connect with, and make a greater impact on, issues that are core to the brand’s purpose: inclusion, diversity and community.

We scream for Monster High on screen!

Following the success of Monster High: The Movie, which became the No. 1 kids and family movie on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon during its launch week, the ghouls of Monster High are back for a sequel. Monster High: The Movie 2 is set to hit Nickelodeon and Paramount+ in October 2023, just in time for the new school year.

While the first movie followed Clawdeen’s story, the second film will focus on Draculaura. Nickelodeon released the official trailer for the sequel during this year’s Kids Choice Awards.

The Monster High animated series, meanwhile, is now available on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ and went free to air from 4th September on Pop. With content confirmed for 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Monster-mania will continue.

Claw-some partners

Monster High has a large fanbase and continues to connect with its fans through partnerships that create exciting fashion and play opportunities.

Mattel remains committed to partnering with best-in-class licensees to expand the Monster High franchise across key categories including Toy, Apparel, Dress-Up, Creative Play and more. A recently expanded partnership with Rubies will see the official licensed Monster High costume range arrive just in time for Halloween, much to the excitement of young fans.

Let’s hear it for the kid…ults

One of the biggest trends Mattel is tapping into is the rise of Kidults: fans aged 12 and over, which has become one of the fastest growing groups of toy purchasers. According to Time, Kidults bought 24% of all toys from June 2021 to June 2022, accounting for about two-thirds of the growth in that market.

Mattel has entered the fandom and collectible culture scene with licensed plush ranges, collectible Hot Wheels cars, signature Barbie dolls and special edition Monster High dolls, all of which are highly sought after by the most loyal and enthusiastic brand fans.

Mattel Creations is a dedicated platform showcasing the most exclusive pieces for Kidults: a premier collector destination where people from all over the world can explore (and get their hands on) the amazing toys and art on offer. This platform is a go-to source for bespoke collectibles created for, and often designed by, fans who share Mattel’s love and nostalgia for the amazing brands in its portfolio. It’s a chance for everyone to relive their obsession with a story, character or toy they love.

Mattel Creations is more than a marketplace - it’s a platform for community and content that can’t be found anywhere else.

Polly Pocket is a pocket-sized powerhouse

Polly’s pocket-size world is packed with big surprises and on-the-go fun. Perfect for portable play, kids love to engage in storytelling adventures with the dolls, playsets, compacts and other toys that support the brand. An animated series follows Polly’s adventures. She is often told she is ‘too little’ to do the things she wants to do, but Polly proves what every kid knows - that being little isn't a limitation, it’s her greatest strength. When Polly Pocket inherits a magic locket that allows her to shrink to 4" tall, she embraces her pocket-sized powers and finds the upside of shrinking; being small means big adventures and allows her to make a big difference for her and her best friends.

Polly celebrates its 35th anniversary next year. To celebrate, the brand will roll out a number of CP partners across lifestyle, play and stationery.

Polly will also shine on the big screen, with a movie starring Lily Collins and directed by Lena Dunham currently in development.

I have the power!

Combining swords-and-sorcery action with futuristic sci-fi tech, Masters of the Universe has delivered superheroic adventures since 1982 and continues to inspire generations of kids and adults alike.

Long a fan-favourite, the MOTU brand has been re-imagined for a new TV audience by Netflix. Season 4 of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, a Netflix animated series, premiered earlier this year.

Game on!

Mattel is the home of classic games such as Uno, Scrabble and Pictionary, plus new trending games and extensions that innovate and enhance play.

Gen Z fans and meme culture have made Uno a TikTok favourite. A classic card game of matching colours and numbers that is easy to pick up and impossible to put down, Uno now comes with customisable Wild Cards for added excitement.

Fans can explore all the exciting ways to play. In addition to the classic card game, there are fun new twists, special editions and themed decks featuring fanfavourite movies and characters.

A cult toy making a comeback this year, the Magic 8 Ball has the answers to everyone’s most pressing questions. Its unmistakably cool, retro-style will remind fans of the time when this novelty toy was first introduced, proving that there’s still plenty of fortune-telling fun to be had for all ages. Players start by asking the ball a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question, then turn it over to see the answer magically appear inside the window. Answers range from positive (‘It is certain’) to negative (‘Don’t count on it’) to neutral (‘Ask again later’). If you make a habit of seeking advice, then this toy is for you.

Here at Amscan we have to our licensed portfolio and characters, Barbie & Fireman celebrate with your favourite Sam! Available to order now, head to amscan.co.uk

Check out the latest arrivals something for everyone!

MV Sports & Leisure

01217 488 000 | www.mvsports.com | info@mvsports.com

MV Sports’ Barbie range of outdoor toys feature bright, vibrant colours, gorgeous character graphics and inspirational slogans over a variety of scooters, bikes, tents, skates and much more.

The 14-inch bike features detailed graphics of Barbie and friends, and a bespoke heart shaped plaque. At the rear, there is an integrated doll carrier, complete with character graphics. Suitable from 3+ years, this bike is ideal for children who are close to mastering riding on two wheels as it includes easy to remove stabilisers. The wheels and pneumatic deep tread tyres offer a strong yet comfortable ride with excellent grip.

Next, fans can dive into an aquatic adventure with the mermaid fixed inline scooter complete with a beautiful detachable mermaid tail doll carrier. Inspired by the shimmering underwater world, this scooter brings the allure of Barbie mermaid to the streets, with its vibrant colours, reversible sequin stem wrap and dazzling graphics. Kids can develop core coordination and balance in style, as the scooter comes ready with glitter moulded grips and wheels. A reactive rear footbrake and fully printed anti-slip footplate provide additional safety.

The Dreamhouse ‘Wendy House’ tent is the ultimate haven for Barbie fans. Suitable from 3+ years, this is the perfect den for children as they develop confidence in creating their own imaginary worlds. Designed for indoor and outdoor use with an integrated floor, water resistant coating, closed top and tie-back doors, this makes the perfect open play space or hideaway for young children.

In Thomas and Friends, MV Sports’ range of bobbles, ride-ons, scooters and bikes all incorporate authentic character graphics with bright and bold colours. Included in the range is the Thomas and Friends 2-in-1 training bike, which is the ideal beginner’s bike with its recently refreshed design. Quick release pedals and stabilisers make it easy to transform from a pedal to a balance bike as the child grows in confidence.

Theo Klein

www.klein-toys-shop.de/en

With Theo Klein’s Barbie Beauty Studio: Happy Vibes, fans can have their own salon in their room.

The Barbie Beauty Studio Happy Vibes is where future stylists can create beautiful looks. The dressing table is equipped with a rotating mirror so that little ones can look at themselves from all sides. They can create the perfect hairstyle with a comb, brush and hair clips. Nails can be groomed with a file and cuticle pusher and then embellished with pretend nail polish, before using the nail dryer with air and sound effects. Dummy lipstick adds the final touch.

The Barbie Beauty Studio consists of a table with swivelling shelves, a rotating mirror with a light and a stool. The numerous utensils also include two doll holders and three coat hangers.

This type of role play, involving brushing, styling and decorating nails, is not only fun but also trains motor skills and creativity.

Rubies

www.uk.rubiesmasquerade.com customerservices@rubiesuk.com

Mattel and Rubies have always held a strong heritage partnership when it comes to delivering superior play for kids of all ages. The most recent of their brands to become the latest dress-up craze is the welcome return of the new Monster High costume and accessory range.

With a recent explosion in popularity following new media releases, including YouTube videos and more, the dress-up includes favourite characters like Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura and Frankie Stein. The costumes come in both standard and deluxe editions with matching wigs also available, making them perfect for Halloween.

The officially licensed costumes will have mass appeal with young fans due to the strong fashion led franchise identity, as the teenage children of legendary monsters are back for a new generation. Hallways are filled with werewolves, vampires, sea creatures and more— at Monster High everyone is welcome. First debuted in 2010, Monster High has always encouraged kids to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate what makes them unique.

Rubies also has a fabulous array of Barbie costumes and accessories for fans of any age. From the in-demand Adult Exercise Barbie and Ken, taking inspiration from the 80s classic look, down to Barbie Princess, Ballerina and Astronaut dress-up for little ones, the summer Barbie obsession doesn’t look like it’s fading any time soon. It can be expected that the Adult Exercise Barbie and Ken will be one of the top couples’ costumes for Halloween 2023, and the children’s range to be top for Christmas gifting.

Sambro

08458 739 380 | www.sambro.co.uk sales@sambro.com

Sambro International prides itself on building longstanding, strong working relationships with world-renowned licensors. This includes new and innovative products across the Barbie and Monster High ranges for key licensor, Mattel.

Already one of the best-selling licences this year, Sambro and Mattel’s product development teams have worked together to create a range of toys that reflect the Barbie brand’s core DNA, trend-setting styles and fashionista status. The range is designed to inspire creative play, whether kids are crafting their own outfits and accessories or pampering themselves with a spa party for them and their favourite Barbie doll.

The Barbie & Me Pedi Spa Party, with a foot basin plus spa salts and a Barbie doll, features a playful yet sophisticated design that appeals to children aged six and over that are looking to enjoy a relaxing moment in true Barbie style. Other popular products include the Barbie Fashion Sew & Style Sewing Machine, Surprise Wardrobe and Dreamhouse Bead Case, with prices within the range starting from pocket money through to gifting.

Having sold over 150m dolls worldwide since launching in 2010, Mattel’s Monster High range has returned with new characters that encourage children to be their true selves and stand out from the crowd. New for autumn/winter 2023, Sambro will launch an exclusive range of Monster High products in partnership with Mattel, perfectly timed for the October release of the latest movie. Top products in the range include the Monster High Ghoul Station, the Decorate and Reveal Craft Coffin, and Scream Printer.

ecorate and Reveal Craft Coffin pocket money craft line is already proving popular with retailers. It comes as a blind pack, with eight crafty surprises and a secret Monster High character lurking inside. Packed full of monster makeover delights, such as ghoulish false nails, stickers and hair extensions, the Monster High Ghoul Station is scarily fun.

Sambro and Mattel have worked together since 2012 to deliver stand-out fashion toys with design at their heart. Sambro utilises its expertise in the creative play space to support Mattel’s focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity, and continue its mission to embrace every child in an everchanging world.

Ravensburger

01869 363 830 | www.ravensburger.com

New launches in 2023 continue to build on Ravensburger’s portfolio that demonstrates the company’s strength in creating exciting puzzle and game experiences for fans of hit Mattel brands.

With Barbie turning the headlines pink this year, an array of favourite Barbie dolls past and present are celebrated in the 1000-piece Barbie Challenge puzzle – an exciting addition to Ravensburger’s popular Challenge puzzle collection. Younger fans will enjoy piecing together the selection of Barbie children’s jigsaws including 3 x 49-piece, 35-piece and the autumn launch, 4-in-a-Box collection.

New Mattel properties joining the Ravensburger line-up include Monster High with a 3 x 49-piece puzzle set featuring the spooktacular students at the ghoulish high school, while the high-octane action and excitement synonymous with the Hot Wheels brand is also showcased with a 3 x 49-piece set.

Thomas & Friends mini memory game continues to be a best-selling item with its classic gameplay and value price-point, while new additions to the Ravensburger puzzle catalogue for this year include Thomas & Friends My First 4-in-a-Box puzzle. This puzzle set offers the youngest fans of the “number one engine” jigsaw fun with its four chunky puzzles featuring favourite characters and ranging from two to four pieces. For adventures on a bigger scale, the Thomas & Friends Giant Floor Puzzle measures around 70cm wide when pieced together by fans as young as two years old.

Character Options

0161

633 9800 | sales@charactergroup.plc.uk

Fireman Sam is one of Character Options’ leading pre-school brands. The collection is ideal for festive gifting and at its peak in the final quarter. The newest addition to the range – the Ultimate Hero Electronic Fireman Sam Figure - is expected to top many wish lists this December.

Fireman Sam is the ultimate action hero, ready to race to any emergency. Ultimate Hero Sam is a large scale, fully articulated action figure, packed with fun features.

Sam has over 30 sound effects and phrases. He comes with a working torch and L.E.D morse light, as well as a radio on which he can make and receive emergency calls.

Sam’s working helmet visor can be raised or lowered and it can change between ordinary day vision and special night vision.

Sam also has all the tools he needs to save the day; his gripping hand holds his fire axe while the action button makes his arm move up and down when pushed.

When he needs to reach something high up, Sam can use the climbing rope with grapple hook attached to his belt. The builtin winding wheel extends and retracts it.

Dolu

07877

443 733 / 07850 779 797

sales@sjr-associates.co.uk

Steve Richardson has been representing Dolu in UK for more than 12 years, while his daughter Ria has been representing the brand for six years – the same amount of time Dolu has been making Barbie, Fisher Price and Hot Wheels products for Mattel. Launching with an initial range of six products, there are now 57 licensed items within the line-up, and 21 of these are available in the UK.

The UK range includes playhouses, picnic tables, slides, sand and water tables, desks, easels and much more. Dolu’s Barbie and Fisher Price Playhouses are among the best playhouses parents can get their hands on in the UK. All products are made at Dolu’s factory in Turkey. With no MOQS per item, the full range can be mixed & matched within a container alongside Dolu Toys and Dolu Nursery items.

Lead times direct from Turkey are between 4-7 weeks. The majority of items land in UK warehouses for less than customers would pay for product from China, and in a shorter space of time. Dolu also works in a reactive, flexible way with its customers, including on loading dates and forecasts. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with garden and outdoor toys: those based in the UK know we do not have a guaranteed summer season and that unpredictable weather impacts demand. Dolu understands this and works closely with its partners to ensure the best results.

For more details, contact Steve or Ria on the numbers or email address above.

RMS International

www.rmsint.com

RMS International’s expansion of its Barbie Extra ranges this year has proved to be a success and its miniature Barbie bags, which launched in summer, have taken the toy market by storm. Barbie Extra Mini Beauty Handbag Surprise is flying off the shelves, with a choice of three unique designs. Beauty Handbag Surprise is available alongside Barbie Extra Mini Jewellery Suitcases and Barbie Extra Mini Stationary Backpacks. New designs will be available in 2024, further encouraging collectability.

Best-selling new lines include the Barbie Extra Stick-on Nails and the Barbie Beauty Bus, which contains an assortment of makeup and accessories, while the Barbie Extra Tattoos and Hair Accessories packs have further broadened RMS’s ranges, allowing it to cater to a wider range of retailers.

Stationery products continue to be a staple for RMS. Top performers this year include the Barbie Extra Fluffy Diary, containing stickers, a fluffy pen and clips, and the Barbie Extra Stationary Vending Machine. RMS has also introduced a range of Barbie Extra pocket money toys including bestie bracelets, hair clips, hairbrushes and glittery bouncy balls, plus much more. Readers are urged to keep a look out for new spring/summer 2024 Barbie inflatable lines. RMS can also make bespoke products tailored to the needs of individual customers.

Based on the success of Monster High, RMS has expanded its ranges by introducing miniature collectible bag ranges for this licence, plus unique stationery lines such as The Monster High Coffin Shaped Stationery Set. These join makeup lines such as hair chalks.

Due to the exponential growth of the Mattel portfolio, RMS - now one of Mattel’s biggest partners in the UK - has signed a new deal for next year which will see a range of Hot Wheels products available for 2024 alongside new lines based on some of the company’s other exciting brands.

Intek Toys

(+54) 911 3428 3225 | sales@intektoys.com

Intek began its relationship with Mattel 25 years ago and has been a continuous partner ever since, growing significantly alongside its brands.

All Intek products stem from ideas developed in-house. The company has its own product development team comprising professionals in graphic design, industrial design and marketing. In addition to developing the product itself, Intek also creates its own marketing material. Included in this are TVCs which promote the collection on TV and social networks.

Product design starts with SRP in mind, taking into account everything from the end consumer to factory costs. Intek ensures the entire commercial chain has margins in line with its expectations, meaning consumers enjoy excellent value for money.

With 16 Hot Wheels selling per second - more than 500m cars per year – Intek set out to answer the question: where will Hot Wheels-loving consumers keep all their die-cast cars? Its resulting line of licensed Hot Wheels car cases not only provides perfect storage solutions but also complements Hot Wheels tracks, enhancing the play value and value for money of every product and setting them apart from others on the market.

Intek’s Hot Wheels Fire Wheel Garage, for example, stores 29 cars in its handy internal grid system, giving fans of the brand and collectors of the die-cast cars the ability to neatly organise and store their collection. Featuring the iconic hot orange the brand is known for, the hinged case comes with a useful carry handle for on-the-go Hot Wheels play and stands up when open and closed.

The company sees plenty of room for the expansion of its Hot Wheels range. Hot Wheels cars are the best-selling product in the toy industry in terms of unit numbers, while their high quality and accuracy encourage fans to increase their collection year after year. In 2023/2024, Intek is launching more than six new products including the Fire Wheel Garage detailed above. Currently in development are a Car Case in the shape of one of the most popular Hot Wheels cars in the range, complete with internal ramps for launching vehicles, and, for the first time, a Car Case for Hot Wheels Monster Trucks.

Sinco Creations

01617

377 464 | sales@sincocreations.com

Barbie has always inspired imagination, creative play and storytelling. With the recent success of the Barbie movie, Mattel has built on and enhanced the Barbie universe for its ardent fans – as has its licensees. Sinco creations’ groundbreaking series of role-play toys and novelty items has been designed to bridge the gap between movie-watching and imaginative play. When a child watches Barbie embark on adventures in her movies, they can immediately step into her shoes afterwards thanks to Sinco’s role-play sets. This makes the movie experience more tangible and interactive.

The Sinco Creations line goes beyond traditional dress-up: innovative technology brings some of the role-play items to life. From enjoying a luxury sleepover with the Wellness & Beauty Set to making a tasty drink with the Smoothie Set, Sinco’s range is all about allowing children to recreate magical moments.

The Wellness & Beauty Set, for example, comes complete with a raft of accessories essential to any pamper session, either solo or with friends: a nail file, nail decals, a toe spacer, eye mask, fluffy headband, rings, and a bracelet with a Barbie charms. The lid of the handy pink and purple carry case has a built-in mirror and there’s even a seat for a Barbie doll (not included) to sit in.

Sinco Creations' Barbie role-play seamlessly ties the cinematic Barbie world with the physical one, providing children with a holistic experience. Parents who grew up playing with Barbie dolls, meanwhile, will find Sinco Creations’ role-play toys offer a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to bond with their children over shared interests. In a world where digital and physical play often remain separate, Sinco Creations bridges the gap to ensure the magic of Barbie content extends beyond the screen.

www.amscan.co.uk

Amscan has every reason to celebrate with its new portfolio of Mattel party and balloon supplies. The Mattel range comprises everything consumers need for a special occasion: they can choose from a variety of products across some of the licensor’s most popular characters and brands.

The new Barbie range is perfect for birthdays, with tableware, decorations and foil balloons all coordinating to create the best day ever. Available in a mix of pastel hues and featuring the icon herself, this range is definitely ready to party. Barbie fans can add a touch of luxe by incorporating colour coordinated décor too.

A new Fireman Sam range has also landed. With tableware and plenty of décor options to choose from, the range also features paper Fireman Sam hats, so kids can look just like the character himself, as well as favour packs comprising crayons, jigsaws, notebooks and stickers. Coordinating foil balloons mean Fireman Sam fans have everything they need to set the scene.

Coming to the Amscan range in 2024 is a new-look Thomas the Tank Engine ensemble, while Monster High also joins the party. These launch for pre-order in January and will be available to view at Toy Fair Olympia 2024.

020 3206 1397 | www.clementoni.com

Clementoni is proud to be part of the phenomenal Barbie franchise, not only due to its extraordinary heritage but also because of the success of the recent cinematic release. The company is therefore pleased to extend its licence into the STEM sector for 2023.

Tapping into the key ‘You can be Anything’ brand messaging, the Clementoni Barbie Space Explorer lets children explore the boundaries of outer space and shows what life might be like on another planet. At the core of the set is a vertical space station that can be built and rebuilt for various botany based experiments and activities. The set also includes a mini rover for space exploration as well as lots of fun stickers for personalising the models. Children can play out their space adventures with the Barbie astronaut figurine. The set comes with a manual which provides step-by-step guidance for experiments as well as giving interesting facts and insights into life in outer space.

Perfect for children who dream of becoming veterinarians, the Barbie Veterinary Set contains all the tools and information required to discover what the job of a vet involves. It is also packed with information about animals. The set includes moulds and plaster of Paris to make animals, a special paste for reproducing animal footprints, anatomical charts and information sheets.

The Barbie Terrarium kit has a unique design that invites kids to create a miniature ecosystem in perfect Barbie style. Children will have fun while they learn the importance of taking care of their plants, and can enjoy building the ecosystem using the seeds, soil, coloured sand and stones included. They can then decorate it using chalk, stencils, stickers and tempera colours.

Toyshock

Toyshock’s Barbie-licensed range of kitchens, vanities and supermarkets is designed to transport children into a world of imagination, fostering creativity and role-play experiences. The company’s interactive play sets offer a wide array of features and accessories that mimic real-life scenarios while enabling kids to take on various roles, from chefs to shoppers.

The Barbie kitchens are miniature culinary spaces equipped with stoves, sinks and countertops, encouraging children to concoct make-believe meals and explore the basics of cooking. These sets come with utensils, play food items and interactive features that simulate cooking processes, allowing kids to engage in role-play that imitates the actions of adults in the kitchen.

Similarly, Toyshock’s Barbie vanities provide a platform for kids to delve into the world of beauty and fashion. These sets typically include mirrors, stools and cosmetic accessories, allowing children to pretend they are getting ready for special occasions or going through their daily routines. By mimicking grooming rituals, kids can develop fine motor skills and express their own style through creative play.

The Barbie supermarket play set is an educational and entertaining addition to this line, introducing children to the concept of shopping and money exchange. Complete with shelves stocked with play food items and a cash register, this set enables kids to assume the roles of both shopper and cashier. As they play, children can practise counting, sorting and social interaction, all while experiencing the dynamics of a real supermarket.

Toyshock’s Barbie's line of kitchens, vanities and supermarkets goes beyond traditional play by providing an immersive experience that fosters various developmental advancements. From honing motor skills to enhancing social interactions and imaginative storytelling, these sets encourage holistic growth while sparking joy and curiosity in children. As technology evolves, these play sets may also integrate electronic components for enhanced interactivity, but the core principle remains the same: empowering children to learn, explore and have fun in their own make-believe worlds.

Lisciani

www.liscianigiochi.com

Lisciani offers children a new way to play with Barbie. A long-term Mattel licensee, the company is strengthening its partnership with the brand owner by expanding into new product categories.

Lisciani enters the Electronic Entertainment sector with the Barbie Print Cam, an instant camera that takes and prints photos with cool effects and frames. Kids can also take videos, or snap selfies thanks to the dual camera. Launched at Christmas 2022 in local Italian markets only, the Barbie Print Cam became the No. 2 Electronic Entertainment item in Circana’s Top 50 (Season 2022 - Italy). This year, distribution has expanded to all European countries including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Greece. Following the success of the Barbie Print Cam, new products will be launched in this category in 2024 that combine fun with child-friendly technology.

The company launched its Barbie Sketchbook range in summer 2023, comprising eight titles dedicated to core themes within the Barbie world: fantasy, cutie reveal, fashion and makeup. The sketchbooks let kids immerse themselves in activities related to the world of fashion and make-up, while having fun and giving full rein to their creativity. Also new this summer, Barbie beads in two different formats have joined the range. Kids can use the Butterfly- and Bag-themed beads to create bracelets and necklaces with colourful beads and lots of charms. An immediate success since first launching, Lisciani is now developing sketchbook and bead ranges for Monster High, arriving in 2024.

Also in Arts & Crafts, Lisciani’s Barbie Fashion Atelier lighting table lets kids bring their creations to life with gems, ribbons and coloured patterned paper. Best-selling cardboard kits include Barbie Dream Summer Villa, Barbie Fashion Boutique, Barbie Diary and Barbie Fashion School. The Summer Villa and Fashion sets come with a Barbie doll.

Other best-selling Lisciani products available under the Barbie licence include Colour Reveal, Nail Art and My Lipsticks, while new for Christmas is My Trendy Nail Art Colour Reveal. This set lets kids create nail polishes that change colour in the sunlight and glow in the dark. My Glitter Tattoo and two different styles of Make Up Trousse round out the collection.

All products are supported by an integrated marketing plan that includes television and YouTube campaigns, advertising in Barbie magazines, influencer marketing and in-store activities.

For more information, contact Cristiano Tonelli, export sales manager: cristianotonelli@ liscianigiochi.it.

Bladez Toyz

02392 658 255 |

www.bladeztoyz.co.uk |

sales@bladeztoyz.co.uk

Bladez Toyz is getting ready for another big year in 2024 following strong sales across its Mattel licensed portfolio in 2023, plus the launch of the Mini Maker Kitz Monster Trucks pocket money collectibles range and the Barbie Make Your Own Beach House.

Following the success of the Barbie Make Your Own range - which already includes a Dreamhouse, Boutique and Café - Bladez Toyz will be offering an extended range of sustainable, fully recyclable play sets in 2024. The Make Your Own Camper Van will launch in spring/summer, followed by new Dream Rooms later in the year. All use the same easy assembly system, are perfect for use with Barbie dolls and are customisable thanks to the included stickers.

Incorporating STEM principles, the Barbie Science Maker Kitz have been a best-seller throughout 2023. Off the back of this, Bladez Toyz will expand the range in 2024 to include other licences. The range, which includes the Barbie Crystal Ballgown Set and Make Your Own Bath Fizzers, encourages children to learn the basics of science whilst still creating a sense of magic and wonder.

The Hot Wheels range will be racing ahead in 2024 with new mega size play sets including a Hot Wheels Skate Ramp and the Ultimate Garage, which stands nearly a metre tall. All will be compatible with the 1:64 Mini Maker Kitz, which are easy to build and feature a super-fast pull-back motor. These assortments already include over 20 iconic street racers and Monster Trucks, with more of the famous vehicles to be added next year.

There will also be new vehicles within the Monster Trucks range and Custom Maker Kitz, all using the Maker Kitz renowned snap-fit construction and pull-back motor format. This increases the collectability of the Maker Kitz range, which has seen strong sales since its launch and encourages creative, openended play.

Bladez Toyz will also be launching a brand-new Mattel licensed range in 2024, which will be showcased at London Toy Fair.

Cra-Z-Art

consumeraffairs@cra-z-art.com

Cra-Z-Art, a leader in Toy, Art and School Supply products, recently announced a strategic licensing agreement with Mattel to market and distribute Barbie and Monster High branded items in the UK and globally. The company currently sells these items in the US. Merchandise will include items in the Make-Up, Compound and Activity categories. Based on the recent hit Barbie movie and the revitalisation of the popular brand, these items are expected to do very well at retail.

The Barbie All in One Glitter Nail Studio allows children to design and create amazing sparkling nails. Through interactive play, users will become creative artists as they paint, glitter and decorate their nails. A colour changing lightup dome, where glitter is added to create the finished nail look, adds to the excitement. The unit comes with nail polish and all the accessories kids need.

The Barbie Beauty Compact is perfect for on-the-go beauty thanks to its wide range of colours; it comes with over 45 colors for lips, cheeks and eyes including lip crème, gloss and eye shadow.

Monster High also continues to perform strongly: the fashion doll brand, created in 2010, benefits from new video content on Nickelodeon and other streaming outlets and will welcome a raft of new products from Cra-Z-Art in the months ahead.

Children can create their own ghoulish glam style and design hundreds of spooky nails with the Monster High Ghoulish Glam Nail Salon. An innovative ‘magic mist’ changes into six colours kids can use to decorate and show off their nails. The kit includes six special nail polishes, nail adhesive stickers and other accessories.

Cra-Z-Art's Barbie and Monster High products are expected to be available in the UK and global markets beginning in autumn 2023. For further enquiries, contact Cra-ZArt on the email above.

Carrera Revell UK

01296 660 291 | office.uk@carrera-revell.com

Hot Wheels and Carrera slot racing are the perfect partners, allowing kids to see their favourite Hot Wheels vehicles enlarged, electrified and racing around challenging circuits at speed with special features galore. Utilising the Carrera Go!!! 1:43 scale modular/expandable racetrack system for ages six plus (or much older), the sets pit fan favourites such as Night Shifter, in signature metalflake blue, against the bright red HW50 Concept for all out action. With three different sets to choose from, starting with the battery-operated 4.3 metre version followed by expanded mains-operated sets of 4.9 and 6.4 metres, racers will be spoilt for choice.

Hot Wheels 4.3 offers the perfect introduction to Carrera Go!!!, offering a lazy figure-8 circuit incorporating a flyover, signature-orange jump ramp, fire ring and Hot Wheels themed crash barriers. Being battery-operated, kids have the flexibility to set up their track anywhere convenient indoors.

Increasing in length and complexity, the mains-operated Hot Wheels 4.9 takes the jump ramp and fire ring and adds a fast-looping section plus a narrowing ‘chicane’ section to take out the unwary. Hot Wheels themed crash barriers are paired with a Hot Wheels: Challenge Accepted tunnel.

Perfect for racers looking for the ultimate set-up, the mains-powered Hot Wheels 6.4 offers even more track, all the features of the 4.9 set, plus a high-banked curve and crash-inducing crossover section for maximum fun. Ergonomically styled hand controllers regulate car speed, with those included in 4.9 and 6.4 metre sets featuring an additional turbo button that enables momentary bursts of additional speed when needed. Kids will need to strike a balance between all-out racing on the straights and the need to slow down momentarily for corners to take the chequered flag - and victory.

Additionally, they can expand their Carrera Go!!! Hot Wheels collection with separately available versions of Night Shifter and the HW50 Concept (in red and black respectively). This year also sees the introduction of hot rod classic Bone Shaker, with its skull motif, in red or black versions.

All Hot Wheels Carrera Go!!! track systems can be re-configured and further expanded in length and features using Carrera Go!!! accessories.