TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Sporting Goods & Accessories

Mölkky Outdoor Lawn Game by MOLKKY USA

In this Finnish lawn game, players use a wooden pin (mölkky) to knock over pins numbered 1 to 12. Knocking over one pin scores the amount of points marked on the pin, and knocking over two or more scores the amount of pins knocked down. The first one to reach 50, without going over, wins. Each pack includes a handmade carrying case, a rule book and score cards. The company requires a minimum order of five units. It’s “a beautiful unique gift item for families that enjoy the outdoors games,” Patrick Page of Mölkky told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2008. 11/20/2006 (Price: $59.95)

Skki by TRIKKE TECH INC.

The Skki, a cambering snow vehicle designed for fun, fitness and sports/recreation, is enjoyed by people of all ages. The apparatus is equipped with three short carving skis — two at the back under each foot, and one at the front — connected to the handlebars. The steering design allows riders to turn and lean simultaneously, naturally and gracefully leading the rider across the slope. Because the direction and angles of all three skis are fluidly engineered by the Skki’s three-point cambering system, everything is kept in line as the machine tracks effortlessly across the snow. Skki makes carving like a professional made easy. Launch date: 2006.
— According to John Simpson and the folks at Trikke Tech, “The Trikke Skki is most of all a fun product. Riding the Skki brings a smile to your face, because you are in control, feeling  free and enjoying the ride.” 11/15/2006 (Price: $899.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Upper Deck King James LeBron Vinyl Sets by UPPER DECK ENTERTAINMENT

Upper Deck welcomes the new era of sports action figurines and collectibles, where urban aesthetics and iconic athletes meet to create hip All-Star vinyl figurines.  Urban vinyl is the hottest underground trend in the toy industry and Upper Deck has become the first to introduce it to the sports marketplace with the launch of the product line earlier this year.  Just in time for the holidays, Upper Deck will release the new King James vinyl set – a follow-up to the highly-successful Nike LeBron vinyl set released earlier this year.
 10/16/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Virtual Speed Baseball by SMALL WORLD TOYS

The Virtual Speed Baseball is just like a real baseball, with a leather cover and stitching. The difference is that it clocks the speed of a throw with an LCD display that’s powered by non-replaceable batteries. So, although you can throw it, you can’t hit it. It’s a specialty item that’s neat for all kids but can be used as a training tool for up-and-coming baseball players, too.
— “Small World Toys has a baseball that you can throw and it will tell you how fast you’re throwing. That’s been popular,” described Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorers Toys in Zionsville, Ind.
— “Virtual Speed Baseball,” was the answer given by Warren Brown, owner of French’s Toy Shop in Concord, N.H. when asked about top-selling fitness toys in his store.
— Lisa Orman, public relations rep for Small World Toys told TDmonthly, “Children love to challenge themselves, and the Virtual Speed Baseball allows them to challenge themselves again and again, and try to beat their ‘best throw.’ It lasts for more than 100,000 throws!” 9/21/2006 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dora the Explorer Playground Balls by FRANKLIN SPORTS INC.

The easy-grip rubber Dora the Explorer Playground Balls come in 5”, 8”, and 16” sizes. They can be used to play a variety of games. It’s part of the Dora the Explorer theme kids have come to love.
— “The kids are controlling it. It’s their game and their ball. ‘If I don’t like it. I’ll take my ball and go home,’” is how Greg Bonner of Heights Toy Center in Little Rock, Ark. explained the attraction of owning the ball for kids.
— “A lot of pitch-and-play stuff from Franklin Sports,” sells well, was the endorsement given by Rick Henry, owner of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass.
— The popularity of the “Dora the Explorer” universe continues as the kids TV network, Nick Jr., will air an hour-long movie special in Fall 2006. 9/21/2006 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SnoFling by SNOFLING

The Snofling was invented in the ‘70s, on the Johnny Carson Show, and sold over 5,500,000 units in three winter seasons. Used for making and throwing snowballs further and faster and with warm hands, it now has a tether so it can be hung from the wrist and used while snowboarding, skiing and snowmobiling. The Snofling also has a built-in horn for signaling and for sporting events. It comes in four bright colors and is more durable and longer lasting than ever. ( Watch Video) 9/5/2006 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]