Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time to Play – Spring Showcase Highlights




On Tuesday I attended the Time to Play Spring Showcase in New York.  25 toy companies displayed what’s new and being featured in the stores right now.  I learned a great deal about what is hot and new and what is “new” but grandparents will remember a version of it.  In the next few months I will do a number of detailed reviews – some with giveaways – but today I want to quickly feature my favorites and highlights of the show. All the photos are mine from the show displays so that's my excuse for any less than perfect shots.

Sock Monkeys – From Patch Products
These are soooo cute. We all remember sock monkeys but these are not your grandma's sock monkey. That’s me with a life size “Magenta Beetsch."  There is a punk rocker, zombie, pirate and a nerd – my favorite.


All Six Sock Monkeys - In and Out of the Box


Dolls – From Mattel and WowWee
Remember when dolls for little girls were “pretty”?  Forget that.  What is popular today are ghouls, vampires and zombies.  They used to be more for the preteen set but now they are being featured for girls much younger.  Want to be a cool grandparent?  Check these out.  Monster High Ghouls Alive from Mattel will be marketed for girls 6 and up.

Monster High Ghouls Alive

Classic fairytale princesses now appear as zombies in these “Once Upon a Zombie Dolls from WowWee.

Once Upon a Zombie Dolls


The Lone Ranger – from LEGO
There is a new Lone Ranger movie coming out this summer and I can’t wait. I enjoyed the Lone Ranger as a little girl and I enjoyed role playing with my holster, hat, mask and silver bullet. Wish I still had that stuff.  I can picture watching the Lone Ranger as a family.  These Lone Ranger LEGO sets are a perfect way for grandparents to connect their grandchildren and their past.  Here are pictures of the stagecoach and Tonto’s tent from LEGO.

The Lone Ranger Stagecoach

Tonto's Tent

Outdoor Fun –  from Jakks Pacific, Razor and Crayola
There were lots of outdoor toys and here are some of my favorites. 

 
New SkyBouncer from Jakks Pacific – makers of the high jumping Skyball



My favorite is the new SkyBouncer from Jakks Pacific – makers of the high jumping skyball.


Also catching my eye from Razor is this scooter with a chalk holder on back. Draw while scooting – cool.

Check out the Chalk at the Back of this Razor Scribble Scooter


And sticking with the chalk…I am always amazed with how Crayola comes up with new products every year.  This year they are featuring washable chalk and this rainbow chalk.  You can have a rainbow with just one stroke.

Crayola Washable and Rainbow Chalk


For babies – From SASSY
If you are my age you remember the Sassy seat which was lightweight and hooked onto a table and provided a seat at the table for a baby.  We loved ours and took it everywhere.  Sassy doesn’t still make a Sassy Seat anymore but they do make lots of high quality, colorful items for babies – all with at least a bit if their black and white trademark.  I love these cute “nonsters” being featured this Spring.
Sassy "Nonsters - That's Short for Not Monsters"

Check out these soft cloth teethers.   Apparently the newest pediatrician recommended teether is soft cloth.  I particularly like the strawberry.  It’s cloth – just put it in your freezer. 

The Strawberry is a Teether too - Isn't It Cute?

There’s lots more.  Next I’ll be writing about toys based on new Movies and maybe technology oriented toys. Any requests?  Stay tuned……

 Some of these toys are not quite on the market yet.  I have links to the ones that are on Amazon below.

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