TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Inflatable Toys

Rody Horse - Yellow by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Designed to help young children learn balance and coordination, the inflatable Rody Horse is made of strong, latex-free vinyl. Its ride-on qualities and softness make it suitable for therapy, too.
— “The Rody is good for little guys — definitely No. 1 there,” Linda Hamm, owner of Early Work Toy Station in Petaluma, Calif., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of the top-selling ride-on toys in her store.
— “People love them for the age range,” added Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noting that Rody’s high weight limit contributes to its status as a customer favorite. It’s been a best seller for a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— Of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009, seven named the Rody Horse as a best-selling ride-on. Three of 64 retailers named Rody as a top-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

 3/27/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

X-Wing and Jedi Star Fighters by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

Take the battle of good and evil into the pool! X-Wing and Jedi Star Fighters are 4' long and come equipped with front-mounted blasters. Children can sit behind the controls and become part of the action. 2/3/2009 (Price: $39.99)

Gyffy the Giraffe by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line's Gyffy the Giraffe is a favorite with children for learning balance and coordination while hopping. Made of heavy-duty, yet soft, latex-free vinyl, it inflates according to the size and weight of the child. Launch date: February 2009.
— As of 7/21/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. ( Watch Video) 11/24/2008 (Price: $49.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hop On Air Ball by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line’s Hop on Air ball is the very best quality in hopping balls!  Made of super strong, yet soft latex-free vinyl, for long lasting use and durability.  Great exercise product for indoors and smooth safe outdoor surfaces.  Promotes children’s body coordination, balance, lymph circulation and provides a fun workout while hopping on the ball.  Special patented handgrip safety handle.  Maximum sustainable weight up to 200 lbs based on the size of the ball.  Available in two sizes.  Inflates with a hand or foot pump (inflation by adult).  Surface washable with soap and water. 11/24/2008 (Price: $27) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rody Max by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Made in Italy, Gymnic’s Rody Max is a favorite with children and adults. It is the same as our popular Rody Horse, but for kids and adults (ages 5 years and up). It is used to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. Used in Therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of heavy duty, latex-free vinyl. Inflates according to size and weight of child. Is surface washable with soap and water. Rody Max is available in Orange, Red and Blue.

( Watch Video) 7/11/2008 (Price: $125.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pretty Poodle by TOY WONDERS INC.

This app. 6" high plush pink poodle walks, wags her tail, stretches, stops and barks. It requires 2 "AA" batteries, not included. It also comes in white.. 7/8/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hop! 45 (18") by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

This Hop Ball is the very best quality in hopping balls! Made from the super strong, yet soft latex-free vinyl material for long lasting use and durability. Great exercise product for indoors and smooth safe outoor surfaces. Promotes children's body coordination, balance, and lymph circulation. Special patented handgrip safety handle. Maximum sustainable weight up to 600 lbs based on the size of the ball. ( Watch Video) 9/28/2007 (Price: $26.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rody Horse - Green by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Ideal for learning balance and coordination, the Rody Horse allows children to hop around and can even be attached to a base that transforms it into a Rocking Rody Horse. The soft ride-on is often used in therapy for handicapped children, and is made of super-strong, latex-free vinyl. It inflates according to the size and weight of a child with a hand or foot pump. The maximum inflated height to “saddle” is 12".
— “Rodys have always sold well for us. Over and over, people tell us they were the hit of the party,” Elaine Hackney, owner of Boing! JP’s Toy Shop in Jamaica Plain, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2007.
— Nobody can resist a bounce or two on this high-quality rubber toy from Italy. Rody comes in assorted colors and has been a steady seller in specialty stores for more than a decade. The combination of high quality, great play value and universal appeal earned this toy a TDmonthly Classic Toy 2007 award.
— “We sell a ton of Rodys by TMI. This is one of the best sellers in the store,” Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids Ltd. in Madison, Wis., told TDmonthly in March 2008.

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

( Watch Video) 8/13/2007 (Price: $43.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Inflatable Skeleton Parts by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

This set of 15 inflatable skeleton parts fits together to form a 4’-tall skeleton that can be easily displayed. The backside of each part consists of an area where the name of the bone can be written. Snap fasteners, string, a hang tab and an activity guide are also included in the set.
―  “I like working with … Learning Resources … as I can order only what I can use for the time period,” Owner Patti Tepper-Rasmussen of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., told TDmonthly in spring 2007. 5/21/2007 (Price: $26.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Super Splash Water Park by LITTLE TIKES INC.

This huge inflatable water slide and play area measures over 16’ x 16’ x 12’. The play set includes water cannons that can shoot water up to 20 feet in the air, a bouncy obstacle course, a turtle trampoline, a play tunnel and more. The tall, strong and inflatable walls preserve the yard by keeping the water inside the pool, while the heavy-duty blower maintains continuous airflow.  "This is a mountain of fun for kids of all ages. It is durable and provides hours of entertainment," Reagan Holmes, Public Relations Coordinator at Little Tikes Inc., told TDmonthly. This product is a Spring 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. Launch date: March 2007. 2/27/2007 (Price: $599.99)

Adventure Bounce House by BOUNCELAND

What an adventure. Kids enter through a tunnel into a bounce area, climb up and over a wall into another bounce area and exit out the other end. Who said exercise can’t be fun?

• Inflated size 15’ x9’ x9’.
• Powered by strong UL blower (included).
• Heavy-duty puncture proof materials with double to quadruple stitches.
• Large pillars all around for a strong bounce structure.
• Long fill tube (6.5’) so blower can be placed farther away from the bouncer.
• Easy set up and take down. Inflates in less than a minute.

 1/23/2007 (Price: $159.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dual Water Slide by BOUNCELAND

A summer must for your backyard, this instant water park can be set up in minutes. Two kids can race down the slides with or without boogie boards (included). Comes with extended vinyl for 37’ total sliding path. No matter slides the fastest or farthest, this water slide is a sure winner.

• Inflated size 17’ (L) x7.5' (W) x9.5' (H)
• Powered by strong UL blower (included).
• Heavy-duty puncture proof materials with double to quadruple stitches.
• Long fill tube (6.5’) so blower can be placed farther away from the water slide.
• Easy set up and take down. Inflates in less than a minute.

 1/23/2007 (Price: $219.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bounce House with Slide and Obstacle by BOUNCELAND

This great value is packed with plenty of activities. The 6’ long slide has an extra vinyl surface for greater durability and sliding fun. There’s also a basketball hoop to shoot at and obstacle arms to get through.

• Inflated size 15’x9’x9’.
• Powered by strong UL blower (included).
• Heavy-duty puncture proof materials with double to quadruple stitches.
• Large pillars all around for a strong bounce structure.
• Long fill tube (6.5’) so blower can be placed farther away from the bouncer.
• Easy set up and take down. Inflates in less than a minute.

 1/23/2007 (Price: $239.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wild Reef Huge Bounce House by BOUNCELAND

This is our biggest bounce house – the inside jumping area is 11’x11’. Kids will have plenty of bouncing space to enjoy. The detachable roof and changeable theme option makes this bounce house our top seller.

• Huge inflated size 16’ x13’ x9.5’ (including 3' step).
• Velcro attached front panel allows theme to be changed.
• Detachable sunroof cover.
• Safe step to help kids entering and exiting.
• Powered by strong UL blower (included).
• Heavy-duty puncture proof materials with double to quadruple stitches.
• Large pillars all around for a strong bounce structure.
• Long fill tube (6.5’) so blower can be placed farther away from the bouncer.
• Easy set up and take down. Inflates in less than a minute.

 1/23/2007 (Price: $269.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Therapeutic Bop Bag by Phun From Phoenix ! Inc.

This 40" white, reusable, inflatable bag with a sand weighted base comes with five wet-erase markers so it can be used over and over. This product presents an opportunity for individuals who are reticent or unable to express themselves. They can write or draw anything that represents the anger they are feeling on the bop bag and then hit the bag to release the anger and aggression in healthy and safe ways. Bop Bag appeared on NBC television show "Outsourced". 10/27/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Ref Bop Bag by Phun From Phoenix ! Inc.

The Ref Bop Bag, a 40" vinyl inflatable bag, is suitable for all types of physical and verbal abuse. It is constructed of durable vinyl with a sand-weighted base and is used by child psychologists, clinics and other mental health professionals as part of the patients' therapy. Bop Bag appeared on TV on: MTV, ESPN, My Name is Earl, Everybody Loves Raymond, Outsourced, 20/20, The Today Show and in print in ESPN The Magazine and Sports Illustrated. 10/10/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]