Right before set up this afternoon
Just got back from set up at the studio. Always happy when the crew likes the toys we’ve selected. Segment is full of prototypes–of things we hope will be great toys for 2010. Hoping that everything that’s supposed to fly, flies and that everything that’s supposed to spin, spins. I’ll be on with Al, Natalie and Deidra- she won the Today Show Kid Reporter Contest.
Old Names, But New Games. One of the trends for the fall is familiar names (Monopoly, Scrabble, Twister, etc.) being used with all new game play.
U Build Monopoly
The new U-Build Monopoly (Parker Brothers $19.99) looks like an interesting concept, you build the board – allowing you to control how long your game will take. But the traditional game board is completely gone.
Scrabble Flash Cubes
Scrabble Flash Cubes (Hasbro $29.99), one of the coolest games we saw at Toy Fair, has electronic cubes that you use to build words, again no board, no little tiles…no double or triple word points. If you’re a purist about Twister and love the smell and feel of that mat, you may feel sad about Twister Hoopla (Hasbro $19.99) -where your body becomes the mat. We’ll have to see how these test with kids and their parents. All Available Fall 2010.
Brand new. We did find some new innovative games. Konexi (ZimZala Games $24.99) brings the fun of Jenga and word play together. Here you stack letters to create words-but watch out you don’t want the letters to come falling down. We loved the design and feel of this game – can’t wait to test with kids.
Konexi by ZimZala Games
We suggested that they could make one of games younger so that the age range of 10 plus could come down considerably. Available Fall 2010.
An anti-technology theme. Appealing to parents that would like the playroom to be more “real” – we found even more organic and recycled products than last year. A new approach – classic toys that now require no batteries – saving money, another bonus. We all grew up with Spin Art – one of my all time personal favorites! Innovative for this year, Crayola will roll out Crayola Color Twister Spin Art (Crayola $14.99) which uses an air pump to make the platform spin. Watch our video.
Crayola Color Twister Spin Art
We only got to to see the prototype–but look forward to testing the real toy later this season. Available July 2010.
LEGO RACER with Air Pump
The same “air” technology is now being used to propel certain LEGO RACERS ($12.99/ Available now).
Pure Whimsy.
Sing-a-ma-jigs
Sing-a-ma-jigs (Mattel $12.99 each) may turn out to be one of the hottest toys of the season if the real things work as well as the prototypes. Be sure to watch my video. Each of the dolls will chatter, sing and even harmonize together. To me they look like claymation characters come to life. We look forward to testing these as soon as they are ready. First collection available May 2010/ more to come for the holidays.
Hexbug Nanos. You either loves these little bugs that come in test tubes…or they’ll creep you out. I love them. Rolling out right now are habitats that you can put them in. Our testers enjoyed the portability of these little bugs that go like crazy! The bugs are each $9.99, the habitat starter set is $19.99.
Hexbug Nanos in their Habitat
They are to me the tech answer to Zhu Zhu Hamsters. If you’re shopping for that hard to buy for tween, these will be an interesting novelty. Available Now.
May the Force be with you. As a complete Star Wars fan, it makes me so happy that there is a whole new generation falling in love with the saga– thanks to the Clone Wars cartoon. For my LEGO builders, the Star Wars sets are always the number one request.
LEGO TIE Defender
LEGO has responded with many new models including the TIE Defender ($49.99). This is the Empire’s most advanced fighter, it comes with 304 pieces and includes two action figures. Available Now.
Star Wars Millenium Falcon
We also can’t wait to test, the Star Wars R/C Millennium Falcon (Hasbro $49.99/ Available Fall 2010) – watch our video; the Star Wars AT-AT (Hasbro $99.99/Available August 2010)- a pretty impressive play setting for your own battles against the Empire.
Star Wars AT-AT
It’s more than 2′ tall and 28″ long, comes with LED lights, sounds and phrases from the movie; the Star Wars General Grievous Lightsaber (Hasbro $34.99/Available August 2010) is fun to spin–with double lightsabers that come apart. The lights and sound effects will appeal to Star Wars fans young and old. Watch our video.
All of these toys will be tested and full reviews will appear on www.toyportfolio.com
Related videos:
Our video of General Grevious Lightsaber
Tefillin Barbie
One of our testers just made me aware of Tefillin Barbie. This was not one of the official new Barbie professions, but I love the concept. She is pricey: with tallit, tefillin and gemara she is $130…the Torah scrolls are an additional $40.
Sheep in a Jeep
Just received a board book edition of Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw and illustrated by Margot Apple. If there is a toddler in your life, this is must have for your own library. The story and illustrations are a treat! First published in 1986, it has been followed by many other sheep stories (my other favorite, Sheep Out to Eat). Both books are at Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Classics. You can also visit Nancy Shaw’s site and read more about Margot Apple at her publisher’s site.
Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track
Hot Wheels are always fun. This year the big track of the season is the relaunch of a classic…the Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Track (Mattel). This closed, clover leaf track is an opportunity to crash your favorite Hot Wheels. Watch our video from Toy Fair. Now if you’re really old school, you’ll remember that the fun of Hot Wheels was making your track as long as possible…down the staircase was always the best. There were a few loops – but making your own system was the point. Closed tracks are a novelty – since there isn’t much to do besides watch the cars go. This track is a little better in this department since you are always feeding the system with new cars. Stay tuned. We’ll have a complete review at www.toyportfolio.com once we receive a set
Mattel's Stinky Garbage Truck
Here’s some more video of Stinky Garbage Truck from Mattel–will be launched in the fall.
Hasbro's Tonka Rumblin' Chuck
Last year we’d have to say that Mattel’s Matchbox Rocky pretty much ran over Hasbro’s Tonka’s Talkin’ Chuck. Rocky just did so much more. (Watch the video of these two head to head.) This year we’ll have to see how the new Tonka Rumblin’ Chuck– who promises to do many more tricks (including moving side to side as if he’s ready to line dance)…will compare to the farting Stinky Garbage Truck from Mattel. We’ll be interested to test both of these interactive trucks when they arrive..for now you can check out their prototypes from Toy Fair. Click here to watch Rumblin’ Chuck.
Here’s Stinky…to watch him in action, click here to view our video.
Mattel's Stinky Garbage Truck
Paper Jamz from WowWee
Imagine a piece of paper that you can play like a guitar, a drum set…sounds pretty cool. WowWee, always on the cutting edge of fun tech toys, is bringing out a new line call Paper Jamz. The line will include paper thin instruments (six guitars, six drums and an amplifier) that uses what they call Active Graphic Technology. We didn’t get to play with the prototypes at toy fair, but we hope to have samples to try by early Spring. The products will retail from $14.99 for the amp and $24.99 for the drums and guitars.
What some parents may really love..there is volume control AND you can plug in earphones so that your rock-musician-in-training can rock out without driving you crazy!
In the middle of Toy Fair...a gentle bear.
If you’ve ever been at a big trade show, you know that after a day or two–you start craving real air, real food, real anything. Something about concrete floors (badly covered with carpeting), horrible concession food and the din of the crowds that makes you want to find a tree and hug it. So I was happy to have a little nature (albeit plastic) retreat in the miniature at Safari Ltd. – they are the masters of making really small animals. 
We visited briefly with Safari’s President, Ramona Pariente– who was very gracious even though we were in the final hours of the show and by our own admission a little slap happy to be approaching the finish line.
You’ve probably seen their line in museum, gift and specialty stores. I’m not sure why but this collection of super small animals makes me so happy. What is it about miniature things that seem so fun?
Of course these small animals are just right as props for dramatic play whether it’s in combination with blocks or just on their own. The line is so extensive, that you’re bound to be able to find the animals, fish, bugs or birds that capture your child’s interest. Designed for kids 3 & up, these are wonderful to collect and play with!
Nature (really tiny) from Safari Ltd.
Playmobil's Flamingos
We had a neighbor when I was growing up who was most proud of her plastic flamingos. Of course, some people (who shall remain nameless) had great fun moving those flamingos from time to time throughout the neighborhood. Hey, it’s more humane than tipping cows.
As a result, I’ve always had a fondness for the plastic flamingo. This pair is from Playmobil.