January 2009 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

This aquatic version of the old game “hot potato" is irresistibly fun for the whole family. Here’s how it works: Fill a balloon with water and set it inside the AQUA TIMEBOMB's “cage.” Wind up the timer spring and start passing the “bomb” around. But be quick! You don’t want to be the one caught holding it when it explodes and the water balloon splashes all over the unlucky player. "This game can be played right out of the box, since 10 water balloons are included. AQUA TIMEBOMB™ is a new twist on a familiar game concept that everyone will enjoy and instinctively know how to play," Aaron Ackert, sales manager for Geospace International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

LiddleLAX is the world's first 'liddle-size' lacrosse stick and ball set for great 'off-the-field' lacrosse fun and games. The lacrosse head is strung with 'stretchable stringing' to ensure maximum velocity of the mini elastic lax balls. Goalie target included for additional fun.

Blow The World’s Biggest Bubbles! This is the famous Bubble Thing that started the giant bubble sport. It blows gorgeous high-flying rainbow-colored bubbles the size of baby whales. Easy! A thrill for all ages. Great for outdoor parties. Graceful operation without compare. Keep dipping and opening and closing the flexible fabric loop to create a fantastic menagerie of bubble shapes and sizes. Package includes BIG Bubble Mix powder that makes 2.7 gallons of world class bubble solution. Just add water and dish soap.

Blow IMPOSSIBLY Big Bubbles! The Bubble Thing Deluxe set the first-ever Guinness soap bubble record in 1988. Length: 50 feet. Volume: 240 cubic feet. And it can blow much bigger. The Deluxe does all the fascinating tricks the smaller Bubble Thing does but more spectacular. The Deluxe is the one you should demonstrate outside your store to attract astonished happy crowds and free media attention. A sporting challenge for big kids and adults, it also adjusts easily in size so six-year-olds can play. (It uses the great BIG Bubble Mix which you can buy separately.)

Stir 2 tablespoons of this world class bubble powder into 16 cups of tap water, add a cup of dish soap, and you’ll blow gigantic soaring bubbles up to 8 feet in diameter! Even 50 feet long! It’s fun to mix. Nontoxic. Designed for the giant Bubble Thing wands (and other wands) and out-bubbles the competition at 1/4 the cost per gallon. The BIG Bubble Mix refill bottle seen here makes 5.4 gallons of solution.

4" pocket binoculars. Compact for easy carrying. Lens extends with a push of a button. Assorted colors. 5" x 7" card.

The 16" x 16" polymer panels are designed so that kids can safely build three-dimensional structures kids. Launch date: March 2009.
— Dave Taylor of The Attachment Parenting Blog said Brik-A-Blok was a huge hit with his kids (ages 6 and 9). He noted that his kids’ constructions took up a great deal of space, with Brik-A-Blok tunnels stretching throughout their home. Taylor called the building system “fabulously cool,” though he lamented the high price tag.
— Brik-A-blok was the "most funnest review ever!" for She Scribes’ Kimberley and her son. Her kids enjoyed creating new structures with the versatile panels. However, Kimberley also pointed out the large amount of space needed for the toy as well as the panels’ inability to support much weight.

Take to the skies with this high-flying jet kite. Stable and easy-to-fly with its built-in flame tail. Hand sewn with a tough ripstop nylon sail and durable fiberglass frame for years of use. Includes flying line and winder. Launch date: January 26, 2009.

The AquaAntics Skip ‘n’ Splash is a spinning sprinkler that creates exciting, whirlwind water sprays for cooling down on hot summer days. As soon as the Skip ‘n’ Splash is connected to a standard garden hose, it playfully spins and sprays, for a hoppin’, skippin’, jumpin’ good time. Children can jump over the rotating foam arms or run in circles with them while getting soaked. The speed can be easily adjusted by increasing or decreasing the water flow. "The spinning action makes this an interactive toy, encouraging healthy, active play," Elissa Pollack, media relations agent for Great American Merchandise & Events, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowDino Kit are instructions how to form a SnowDino, his eyes, nostrils, mouth, 12 claws and 11 spikes. Bonus-carving tool included. SnowDino can be built from 4' up to 7' high.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

Included in The SnowMan Kit are instructions on how to form a SnowMan anywhere from 3’ high to 7’ high, eyes and eyebrows, a nose, mouth, three buttons, a scarf, pair of mittens and a top hat. Bonus-carving tool included. The Snowman Kit is part of a family of Snow Kits: SnowMan, SnowBear and the Snow Dino. All these kits can be used when building a small character to a large character. All parts are made for the outdoors and can be used over and over in the winter.

The Whac-A-Mole for pool and backyard fun is a multi-action sprinkler game certain to generate giggles. The Whac-A-Mole Bop Action Sprinkler connects to a standard garden hose. Once powered, four spring-loaded moles pop up and down, spraying water from their boppin’ heads. An additional two spray points located in the center of the sprinkler create more water action. Two mallets are included. "GAME recently acquired a licence for the widely popular Whac-A-Mole brand," Elissa Pollack, media relations agent for Great American Merchandise & Events, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Kids can watch a Gazillion bubbles soar into the air with the Gazillion Bubble Rocket. They simply pour Gazillion Bubble solution into the tray of the launch pad, place the rocket on the launcher, and with stomping power, launch the bubble rocket for a bubble trail of sky-high fun. The product comes with a cool rocket, a launcher, a stomp pad and 6 oz. of Gazillion solution for continuous rocket-fueled action. No batteries are required. Launch date: 2009.

With the VIPER Radio Control Airplane with a patent-pending M.A.S.C. Controller, the user can tilt his wrist to the right or left and the plane follows the hand and turns the appropriate direction. M.A.S.C. puts the user in the pilot's seat. The throttle is controlled by squeezing the variable speed trigger for more altitude. The powerful twin motors and aerodynamic design add to the fun of M.A.S.C. as VIPER climbs and dives across the sky. The Estes VIPER is easy and intuitive for a beginner pilot to learn to fly and also delivers better maneuvers and is more fun for an advanced pilot. It requires six AA alkaline batteries (not included). Launch date: June 2008.

Estes introduces the revolutionary XENOX Radio Control Airplane with the new Patent Pending M.A.S.C. Controller - a breakthrough in R/C technology. The user just tilts his wrist to the right and the plane follows the hand and turns right. Tilt wrist to the left and the plane turns left. M.A.S.C. puts the user in the pilot's seat. The throttle is controlled by squeezing the variable speed trigger for more altitude. XENOX R/C twin motors and aerodynamic wings add to the fun of flying with M.A.S.C. The XENOX Airplane is easy and intuitive for a beginner pilot to learn to fly and cruise the sky; plus it also delivers lots of fun for an experienced pilot. It requires 6 AA alkaline batteries (not included). Launch date: June 2008.

The Fuzion Electron is great for cruising the neighborhood or going big in the park, and it's perfect for all ages. The Electron features an innovative new folding mechanism and ultra-light, compact design so it can be taken anywhere with ease. Although it is a new model, the Fuzion Electron still uses the same Fuzion Steering Technology (FST) as the original Fuzion scooters for maximum carving. "Fuzion scooters are the only four-wheeled carving scooter[s] on the market," Akiko Ezuka, marketing coordinator for Nextsport Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

These waterproof coveralls offer toddlers full-body coverage and protection from the rain and elements. The lightweight, breathable coveralls can be worn outdoors in the rain and dirt or worn indoors for messy arts and crafts. They keep kids dry, clean and comfortable, and come with handy waterproof bag for travel. The product has dual front zippers for quick changes, a generous fit for easy movement, extra-heavyweight nylon reinforcement on the seat and knees, sealed seams for waterproof coverage, elasticized wrist and ankle cuffs that fit over mitts and boots, and an elasticized hood with a brim to shed water. Launch date: 2007.

Kids can shoot, kick, throw and catch more easily than ever before. Spalding Rookie Gear is designed to weigh 25% less than standard Youth balls for kids 8 and under. A lighter ball creates a better playing experience for kids, allowing them to practice proper fundamentals more easily and build the confidence they need with a ball that is appropriate in size, and now, weight. Watch as your young athlete learns faster and performs better than ever. These technologically advanced, age-appropriate balls are available for basketball, soccer and football in a variety of colors and patterns. Launch date: 2008.