Maybe because it’s refreshingly not 10 degrees outside, but just the image of this saucer makes me think that Spring is really going to come….eventually. We’ve requested samples to try with our testers. The Ecosaucer from Green Toys is made from recycled plastic milk containers. Not sure why it’s green…other than the obvious green statement. We have given this company’s Indoor Gardening Kit an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award.
Pre-Toy Fair Buzz: Green Toys Ecosaucer Flying Disk
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Move over baby boomers, the iconic Fisher-Price Little People are turning 50 this year. The Little People Farm that seems like it’s been around forever, first hit the shelves in 1968…and the School House arrived in 1971.
We arrived at our offices a few days ago to be greeted by this moose, a bumble bee and a black bear- three of the new animals from Zoobie Pets. Here’s the great things about 
Part of LeapFrog’s new product line this year includes the Text & Learn that references the design of the adult BlackBerry. While there seems to be a lot of uproar about this latest grown-up device scaled down for the sandbox crowd, there’s really nothing very new about the concept. When fax machines were new (remember that?), Tyco had a really neat version for kids. The typical toy phone has gone through many variation that track the design and functions of the real thing. So it didn’t really seem that unusual to me that there would be a BlackBerry styled toy–given the adult dependence on their devices. In terms of play value, preschoolers love taking on grown up roles with literal props. Pretend kits for playing office, restaurant, firefighter, etc. are generally a huge hit with this age group. It’s developmentally right on target in terms of expanding their own sense of themselves in a larger community. Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean they need this particular electronic prop or any other. The proof will be in the game play – which is really hard to judge until we see a finished product and try it out with kids. There is another problem that every parent runs into at some point…even toddlers know the difference between your keys and some fake set of toy keys. Most kids will not accept the substitution! On the other hand, if this is a fun, easy to take along hand held device that has age appropriate content–it might be very appealing.
My mother just handed me this book across our desk. While it’s intended for babies and toddlers, it will make even the most cynical adult melt. The book features photographs of babies from all over the world. Each picture captures the beautiful essence of each featured nation including India, Fiji, South Africa, USA, Peru, Afghanistan. Part of the proceeds will be donated to The Global Fund for Children (www.globalfundforchildren.org). The book is published by Charlesbridge ($6.95).
I’m often asked for good truck recommendations–so I’m eager to see this new line of trucks from Sprig Toys. Their products are made from repurposed plastic milk cartons and saw dust–so there is a very nice green component to this line. We should have samples soon. Each of the three trucks (Dump Truck, Excavator and Loader) retail for $14.99 – making them competitive with the big guys in this category.
Move over Wii. LeapFrog is vying for that active plug in play experience for kids 3-5. Zippity is co-developed with Disney. While we haven’t tested it yet, we like the idea that kids are up and moving while playing games that require them to run, jump and hop on the play mat. Of course the big question will be the content. The price is $79.95 (comes with eight pre-loaded games)–additional games will be $24.99. Scheduled for a summer release.