November 2008 Notable Toys — Sporting Goods & Accessories

In this bean bag game of skill and accuracy, kids have the chance to choose their strategy — get three in a row to win or UPSET your opponent before they win. Launch date: 2009.

This is the first minigolf course to take away and play anywhere, indoor or outdoor. It was a finalist for the Golf Europe product award in 2008. The set includes 13 obstacles, one club, two balls and a scorepad. The game can be played on grass, tarmac, carpet, wood floors or ice. Launch date: 2008.

The Megatop is a perimeter-weighted, precision-built, high-performance throw top invented by Alan Adler, the famous inventor of Aerobie flying rings and other Aerobie high-performance sports toys. Using its quick launch accelerator, a skilled player can achieve 3,000+ RPM spin rates. Creative tricks and challenging games provide hours of fun. The Megatop is made in the USA. Launch date: October 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.

djubi™ (pronounced joo-bee) is played with specially designed racquets and a distinctive ball called “the djubi”.  To play, place the rubber loop over the launch hook, pull back and aim.  When the ball is released it flies through the air at varying degrees of speed, distance and height, depending on the launch trajectory. The djubi is then snagged out of the sky in the deep racquet pocket. Playing djubi undoubtedly will take the tried-and-true game of catch to a cool, new level of fun and excitement for all. See video of djubi in action at djubi.com.
— Christine Osborne, owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2010 that her store sells 36 units per month of the djubi.
— In a March 2012 survey, John Taylor, owner of O.P Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly that the djubi was one of his best selling outdoor toys.

Ladybugs are often considered a symbol of good luck! This delightful red with black spots ladybug will bring a smile to every child lucky enough to wear one. Fun and safety team up in the adorable helmet covers from Tail Wags, useful for biking, skating, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and equestrian riding. Tail Wags Helmet Covers increase visibility, especially in low-light conditions, and are themed to work for both children and adults. "Kids WANT to wear their safety helmet when they have a helmet cover that they love!" stressed Karyn Climans, owner and creator of Tail Wags Helmet Covers. MSRP ranges from $30 to $45. Tail Wags was selected as a JPMA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association) Innovation Award Finalist and was chosen as a “Best Product for Babies and Kids 2008” by Orca Communications. The ABC Kids Expo named Tail Wags one of the “Top 10 Innovative Companies in the Juvenile and Safety Products Industry Worldwide."Launch date: November 2008.

Protected by a worldwide patent, this aluminum-construction scooter features 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a bicycle-style hand brake, and a height-adjustable, folding-handle pole. Maximum rider height and weight are 6'5" and 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

This scooter features steel construction, no-foot-down propulsion, a bicycle-style handbrake, 7"-diameter urethane wheels, a paddle-actuated gear drive mechanism, and a folding handle pole. It is height adjustable and is protected by a worldwide patent. Maximum height: 6'5". Maximum weight: 300 lbs. Launch date: July 2008.

This sleek, smart (and always safe) shooter sends super durable, specially-designed bands flying in a snap! Load up a band and pull back the firing arm until the spin action release sends the soft ammo soaring. This shooter turns stretch power into super speed! It’s a souped-up, tricked-out rubber band gun with no trigger necessary.

Looking for realistic golf action on a smaller scale? This sized-down, top-performing mini-golf set includes a driver, iron and putter for your pint-sized golfer. Designed with durable construction and detailed workmanship, Li'l Tiger Golf™ features authentic bamboo shafts, leather-like handle grips and a heavy-duty travel bag. Set up a game straight away with the included flags!

The non-stop action of traditional tennis can now be served up whenever, wherever with Top Spin Table Tennis™, the ultimate active indoor game! Serve, smash and volley your way through a manic match in mere minutes. The set includes everything you need for high action tennis on any table and comes with a durable mesh bag for travel or storage.

Get prepared for some extreme bow action with the Surefire™ Compound Bow X2™! These safe, soft foam arrows fly over 100 feet. The guide wire provides easy, accurate aiming while the dual power cords add maximum distance! Just aim your arrow and let it fly! Set includes 1 bow, 3 arrows and 1 arrow holder. Patent pending.

This launch system features a flex tube that stretches to nearly 3’ and won’t restrict airflow. It only blasts vertically (9 degrees either way), using Metalix™ missiles (three included). The parts store in the base, and the product is also available in Electric Extra Terrestrial Green and Exploding Sun Yellow.
— Two of 66 retailers told TDmonthly in July 2008 that this product is one of their overall best sellers. Five of the 66 named it as a best-selling gift item for boys. Three of 39 retailers listed Blast Pads as their best-selling item for tween boys during an October 2009 survey. “I've been accused of giving them away with how fast I go through them,” Jude Larene, owner of Izilla Toys in Seattle, Wash., said in March 2009.
— “Blast Pads from Marky Sparky were our biggest sellers last year,” Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun’s Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in spring 2009. Of 47 retailers, two told TDmonthly in June 2009 that Blast Pads top their sales of boys' items, reporting figures of seven to 15 sold per month. "We sell that all year. Every time we get them in we sell out," reported Kim Haynes of Lollipop Toy Store in Dawsonville, Ga., in March 2010.
—‘’We sell at least one per week, sometimes more,’’ said manager Gwen Bowden of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in 1Q 2011.
AWARDS: 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

Leaning over to keep pushing off the ground only allows you to go so fast. Self-propulsion, on the other hand, has advantages. With a kick pedal centered on the rear of the deck, you are able to accelerate with ease while maintaining your balance. Plus, depending on how much thrust you give the kick pedal or how quickly you kick it, you are now truly able to control your speed.

The results of our scooter makeover are nothing short of amazing. Unlike those old scooters or other skating gimmicks out there, the Pulse Kick ‘N Go feels like it is part of you. No more leaning off the scooter and messing up your balance. Just kick down and get mad speed without giving up control. The engineers call the kick pedal a “single-action, dual-sided, ‘T’-bar self-propulsion mechanism.” You’ll call it awesome.

The Fuzion Cobalt features a lightweight aluminum frame design for enhanced durability. With an all-new 360-degree front hanger rotation and compact design, the Fuzion Cobalt brings riding to a whole new level. It also has a floating axle design, cast polyurethane wheels and a telescoping handle. The weight limit is 175 lbs. Launch date: May 2008.

Sky-high rocket action and cool plane performance take flight with the Rocket Glider. Launch the two together and let the airflow do the work as they split in mid-air. Get super gliding action and awesome rocket spinning all in one! Set in- cludes 1 Rocket Glider and 1 launcher. Patent pending.

The frenzied non-stop action fun of hockey rinks and boxing rings has collided into one fast-paced indoor table-top game of Knock-Out Hockey! So grab your gloves and be quick on the trigger as you blast your shots and make those blocks! Set includes 2 gloves, 2 pucks and 4 corner mounts with table straps. Patent pending.

Get ready for the new bow on the block! Line up your arrow with the dual power cords, lock it in place as the arms extend out, and pull back the trigger to let it rip—watch the swing-arm action at work as the bow snaps back and the arrow goes airborne! Set includes 1 Crossbow and 3 arrows. Patent pending.