August 2010 Notable Toys — Outdoor Fun

Sea Squirts are lifejackets and swim assist vests designed to look like different fish. Designs include Killa Whale, Clown Fish, White Shark, Angel Fish, Blue Dolphin and Pink Dolphin. The jackets and vests actually have a flexible fin on the back. "Our mantra is, 'Fun follows function.' ... Our products have been designed in a way that kids want to wear them and aren't wearing them because they have to," Opa Cove President and CEO Richard Barbis told TDmonthly.

A blend between the T8-08 and the T78 air, it features the T8 style handlebars, black painted machined rims, animal free leather hand grips, upgraded brake cables, aluminum brake levers, bolted aluminum stem, and black foot decks. Available in two colors (green and pink).

Kids can play with all of their toys and stuffed animals with plenty of room left to move with this large tent. Because of the unique circular design, this large diameter tent can easily fit in one's house or be used outdoors. Easy to assemble and to clean.

Big enough to allow multiple children inside, kids can play with all of their toys and stuffed animals with plenty of room left to move. Because of the unique circular design, this large diameter tent can easily fit in one's house or be used outdoors. Easy to assemble and to clean.

This well-ventilated play tent for your child comes with 1½" removable soft pad w/ washable cover and completely washable polyethylene floor, which makes this tent a convenient shelter to change baby out of the sun. Two mesh side panels allow air to flow in. The mesh door secures with Velcro. Easy to set up and take down in minutes.

This lightweight stroller has a high-performance aluminum frame that weighs 14 lbs. It also includes a patent device on the main joints that helps avoid possible finger amputation hazards while folded or unfolded.

Kids can climb the wide platforms of this easy-to-climb, indoor-outdoor play gym to arrive at its gently sloping slide. The secret play area under the platform is designed for hide and seek or clubhouse games.
  — As of 8.16.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 67 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 45 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Sturdy and weather resistant, entertaining, easy to assemble.

This blaster's rotating nozzle has three different modes and a hidden nozzle for surprising opponents. Its high-powered streams of water can reach targets up to 35’ away.

This easy-to-assemble 38" kite is made from ripstop nylon and features the images of characters from Disney/Pixar's Toy Story films.
— Sue Hottel, co-owner of No Kidding in Mattapoisett, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2010 that her store sells 50 to 60 kites each month.
— In a July 2010 survey of 38 retailers, three cited kites as a top-selling product.

The Maverick blaster features a six-dart rotating barrel with easy flip loading, rapid launching action, a pullback mechanism and an auto-advancing barrel. The Maverick is a part of the N-Strike team, so it can snap onto the NERF Unity Power System. Six darts and instructions are included.
— As of 05/21/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 302 reviews on Amazon.com. PROS: Well-priced, easy to assemble and use, darts fly far. CONS: Darts lack durability.

This four-wheel drive, remote-controlled vehicle can be navigated over land and on water. It has working headlights and requires two AA batteries. The controller takes an additional two AAA batteries (not included).
— Grafton Stine from Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that R/C vehicles from Kid Galaxy were their best-selling electronic toy.
— In a November 2011 survey, Elmer Carranza, assistant manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Falls Church, Va., told TDmonthly that "The Morphibians are great. They can run through dirt, grass, puddle of water and look like sharks and frogs. We sell about 6-8 in a month."
—  As of August 2010, this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 40 reviews on Amazon.com. Parents liked that it is versatile and easy to use, but some complained that it required two types of batteries.

With a wingspan of 30” and height of 31”, this nylon jet stunt kite features a fiberglass airframe and includes Skytails, a line and a dual-control handle. The wind rating for this style is 7 to 15 mph.
— “A personal favorite of mine are the Blue Angels Kites. Our store is down the road from MCAS Miramar (formerly Miramar Naval Air Station). Many military people live in our community and we see military aircraft regularly, so this kite is really popular. In general, our Brainstorm kites outsell all our others. They’re priced well and have some really fun styles,” Cynthia Wyatt, president of Totally Thomas Toy Depot in San Diego, told TDmonthly in July 2010.

This 104" x 56" raft comfortably fits two people. It has a mesh bottom and built-in backrests and comes with a spacious cooler.

This 53" River Run inflatable tube has a mesh bottom and built-in backrests for easy cruising. It also includes a cup holder, rope and repair patch.

When kids stomp on the launch pad, a blast of air propels the Stomp Rocket over 100 feet into the air. This kit comes with four glow-in-the-dark foam rockets.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 291 reviews on Amazon.com. PROS: Simple to use, no assembly, rockets fly high, and foam construction of rockets doesn't damage people or property. CONS: Could use a sturdier base and wingnut/screw connection.
— In an August 2010 TDmonthly survey of 43 retailers, three cited Stomp Rockets as an overall top seller.
— Stephanie Dupuy of Playville in Covington, La., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 survey that their best selling flying toy is Stomp Rocket. They sell between 12 and 18 each month, depending on the weather.

Made from heat-attracting "Absorba" plastic, this giant solar airship needs only a small amount of sunlight to cause the air inside to expand and thus lift the airship into the sky. It measures 26' long. Awards: Tillywig Toy Awards Sterling Fun Winner

An inflatable base holds the bubble liquid around the perimeter, allowing people to stand inside while the bubble wand is moved up over their heads. This product aims to teach the physics behind bubbles. Full instructions for use, plus instructions on how to make bubble solution, are included. Awards: Tillywig Toy Awards Sterling Fun Winner

Kids can touch the wire to hear a buzz, and if unlucky, a very loud bang. Patented gearing means the balloon could burst on the first or 21st contact with the wire. Awards: Tillywig Toy Awards Sterling Fun Winner

Slip, slide and splash the days away with the Aviva Cosmic slide. Set up is simple: inflate and connect a hose to the Water Jet for sliding fun. Recommended ages 6-12. Recommended water depth: 5'.

Inflatable paddle boat allows the kids to navigate the waters onboard the challenger pedal boat. This single child inflatable boat operates easily in the pool or lake by simply pedaling and leaning left or right to steer. Recommended for ages 6-12.

This double lounger features a cool mesh lining that allows you to float comfortably in the water without completely submerging, relaxing head-rest pillows, and a center compartment for easy storage of beverages, magazines or sunglasses. Recommended for ages 9 and up. Recommended minimum water depth: 5'.

Play in the water or in the backyard with the Aviva Rocket Toss Inflatable Dart Game. The complete set of 6 inflatable darts in 2 contrasting colors has no sharp points so the whole family can play. Throw the darts at the inflatable dartboard and rack up the points to become the winner. Can be used on land or in the water. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

This plane can go from charger to flying in just 10 seconds with the easy-to-use, all in one hand-held charger/launcher. The plane is designed to fly for 30 seconds or more, and stand up to many back yard landings. It features a single-pull trigger, requires three AA batteries, and can fly up to 100 feet.
— The owner of Kid’s Center in Tucson, Ariz., told TDmonthly they ordered from ASTRA 2010 a Kid Galaxy “back yard flyer that we had not seen operational before” — one of their favorite products of the show.
— In a November 2011 survey Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., told TDmonthly that their "Top selling flying toy is Backyard Flyer by Kid Galaxy...Depends on the season, but in warm weather we sell maybe 10 per month."

The SplashJack set of cards allows for card play in the water. SplashJack is simply Slap Jack, but played in water. To play, distribute the deck of cards evenly among all of the players. The player holds their pile of cards face down. Each player takes a turn placing their card face up in the middle of the group on the water. When someone places a Jack down in the pile, the first player to splash the pile of cards wins the cards. Play continues until a player has acquired all of the cards from the deck. Splashing the cards may also happen if the same number is laid down twice in a row or the same number sandwiches only one other card.