TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Water Activities Product Category

Whac-A-Mole Bop Action Sprinkler by GREAT AMERICAN MERCHANDISE & EVENTS

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. 12/8/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animal Crackers Squirters by MUD PIE

Each water critter is adorably packaged and measures approximately 2-1/4” x 4-3/4”. 6/16/2008 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Original Rubber Duck by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

Bath time just isn’t complete without our classic rubber duck. Made in Spain of all-natural, phthalate-free latex, the Original Rubber Duck comes in 7 fun and goofy styles.
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that they sell 10 of the Original Rubber Duck each month, making it the store's best-selling bath toy.
— David Stelzer, owner of Shananigans Toys in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly in an April 2015 survey that Rubber Duckies by Rich Frog are their store's best-selling bath toys. "It's a cute item and the best rubber duck," he told us. 6/6/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Floating Ball Game by SCHYLLING

Kids simply blow through the pipe and the ball begins to float. The game comes with two balls.
— This game was listed as a top-10 best seller by Co-owner Jeff Gurley of the Lollipop Shop, in Jonesborough, Tenn., and Kiawah Island, S.C., in the spring of 2008. 6/4/2008 (Price: $2.99)

Kid Kleen Bath Blizzard Bubble Maker by SPIN MASTER TOYS

Kids can create fun, bubbly foam in the tub. The battery-powered bubble tank holds enough bubble solution for one or two baths. The tank can be securely hung on the tile wall or side of the tub, or securely positioned on the flat side of the tub using the included suction cups. Launch date: Fall 2008. 4/28/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kid Kleen Mold 'N Play Soap Activity Set by SPIN MASTER TOYS

The kit allows kids to mold their own soap in a variety of fun shapes and colors right in the bathtub. Kids can use the pre-made mold lids or roll, press and shape their own soaps. Mold ‘N Play soap comes in an assortment of colors and scents that are non-toxic, won’t cause tearing and is safe for sensitive skin. Each kit includes three 2 oz. tubs of soap in red, blue and purple, one extruder, one roller and one fun-shaped mold. Launch date: Fall 2008. 4/24/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sand & Water Cart by THE STEP2 COMPANY

The raised sandbox and water table brings the beach to kids, holding 40lbs of sand a half a gallon of water. The cart features two front wheels and a handle for easy moving, a durable protective lid keeps that debris and water out, a drain plug in the water tray, two boats, one water tower, a cup and a 42” tilting umbrella. Launch date: January 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $79.99)

Fun Flow Play Sink by THE STEP2 COMPANY

Batteries keep the water flowing through the sink’s gooseneck faucet. The faucet rotates to allow children to direct water flow and play creatively with a cup, strainer, spinning waterwheel and funnel. Accessory pieces have handles that allow them to hang on the sink’s outer rim. The water pump has built-in timer to save battery power. Launch date: January 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $49.99)

Blow Bubbles in the Tub - Mermaid by ALEX BRANDS

Kids can safely blow bubbles in the tub with this 4.5 fl oz tear-free bubble solution. Designed especially for the tub, the bottle comes with a suction cup bottle holder for preventing spills. The set comes with three bubble-blowing wands and a tray for dipping suction cups.  A diver theme is also available for boys. Launch date: February 2008.
—  Two of 64 specialty retailers named bubbles by Alex-Panline when asked about top-selling bath toys in March 2009. 4/17/2008 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tub Tunes Water Piano by ALEX BRANDS

The frog-shaped piano lets kids play music right in the tub. The piano floats on water and comes with four music sheets and a music holder. Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dunk and Score by ALEX BRANDS

The toy comes with a light-up scoreboard that automatically keeps score, crowd sound effects, three squirter balls and a hoop that attaches easily to walls with suction cups. The set folds, making it easy to store. Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tub Time Water Park Playset by TALENTOY FACTORY LTD.

The playset is easy to install and store and secures easily to most tubs with its sturdy suction cup design. The water wheel spins and pours water, while the water slide accommodates side-by-side or solo racing action. Launch date: June 2007. 4/11/2008 (Price: $14.99)

Little People® Sail 'n Float Boat™ by FISHER-PRICE INC.

The floating toy boat comes with a moveable fishing rod, a fish scoop, a Captain Michael figure and a life ring. Kids can catch fish with the movable fishing rod, then use the fish as a scoop to pour water. Additionally, kids can press down on the sitting captain in his seat to activate a fun tune. 3/17/2008 (Price: $10.00)

Bath-Tac-Toe by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

Instead of X’s and O’s, this version uses frogs and ducks. The foam-filled board and game pieces float in water and make for a great child-parent bath time interaction game. Launch date: January 2008. 12/3/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Battling Water Toys - Octopus by FROLICKING FLOATERS

The inflatable toy floats on water, with an open head cavity for swimmers to place their head. There are two handles under the toy for gripping the two squirt guns. Other available varieties include turtle, killer whale, helmet and more. Launch date: January 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/7/2007 (Price: $25.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WaterKiD™ by WATERKID INTL.

The infant carrier offers babies and caregivers ease of mind while playing in the water, whether at the pool, at the beach or in the shower. The easy-to-use, hands-free carrier is securely designed for babies and infants weighing between 12 and 25 pounds. The carrier can be adjusted to position the infant in front or on one’s hip. Six different carrier colors are available. 10/26/2007 (Price: $49.95)

Waterworks™ by GOLDBERGER DOLL MFG. CO. INC

Simply submerging these creatures in water will cause the lights on their body to immediately begin flashing. Each character is individually named and comes with its own unique back story. The toy is both waterproof and water-activated, and features a self shut-off to preserve battery life. Six creatures are available, each packaged in a try-me package that allows consumers to see the light-up effect right on the shelf. Launch date: June 2008. 10/26/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rubber Duck Large by SCHYLLING

Rub-a-dub-dub, there’s a big duck in your tub. Schylling Toy Company believes that bigger is better, which is why this duck is 12” long from beak to tail. The Large Rubber Duck comes with an assortment of hats for virtually any occasion a child might have in mind: rain hat, bonnet and sailor’s hat.
— "Rubber duckies by Schylling" were bath best-sellers according to Tristan Hewitt, manager of Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle. Another agreed.
— Both retailers noted that ducky sales are sporadic throughout the year.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys/Big Smile Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in an April 2013 survey that they sell about 5 of this toy each month, making it a best-seller in the bath toy category. ( Watch Video) 4/10/2007 (Price: $11.99)

Shaving in the Tub by ALEX BRANDS

This shaving set comes with a 7-oz. can of Foaming Body Soap, plastic play razor, shaving brush, comb and an unbreakable, child-safe mirror. Awards: iParenting Media Award; Parents Magazine Best Toys of the Year, 2004.
— Retailers have been telling TDmonthly that Shaving in the Tub is a best-selling bath toy since 2007. Other Alex bath toys have been best-sellers in their category for several years as well.
— Shaving in the Tub was specifically named as a best-selling bath toy by three of 39 specialty toy retailers in spring 2007. Only six of 37 retailers surveyed didn’t mention Alex when asked about best-selling bath toys. In March 2009, four of 64 retailers told TDmonthly this product is a best-selling bath item in their stores, selling anywhere from half a dozen to two dozen units each month. Nine of 39 retailers cited it as a best-selling bath product in March 2010.
— As of 4/19/2012, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Fun for younger kids; rinses easily; nice bonding activity for fathers and their kids. Cons: One reviewer said her child had fun with it once, but not a lot of creativity is involved and he lost interest the next time.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at My Imagination Station. ( Watch Video) 4/10/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Artist in the Tub Painting Set by ALEX BRANDS

This complete set of Alex super-bright bath paints and sponge painting supplies includes a chunky fish-shaped roller and sponge brush that are the perfect size for small hands. The unique sponge painters have handles that fold back and snap into place for easy use. The set also contains five bath paints, sponge roller, sponge brush and roller tray, as well as five sponge stampers.
— "Artist in the Tub by Alex is pretty good," was a pretty good endorsement by David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont.
— Eleven of 37 retailers that TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 agreed that the Alex bath paint sets are top-sellers.
— As of 4/19/2012, this product had 1.8 out of 5 stars from 10 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Paint is too thin and doesn't show up well; paint won't adhere to wet surfaces; Paint bottles are only filled with a small amount of paint and it gets used up in one bath time; paint can stain tile grout; one reviewer said the paint stained her child's skin. 4/10/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Banzai Double Drop Raceway by TOYQUEST

Kids can challenge a friend to a race, scale the climbing wall of this huge 21’3”-long slide, and slide down the two steep drops, through the cascading waterfalls into the giant splash pool. The Double Drop Raceway inflates in less than three minutes with the included continuous-airflow blower motor and easily attaches to any hose for a powerful water spray. The heavy-duty Dura-Tech construction ensures lasting strength and durability while the constant airflow helps resist small tears and punctures. The product was named one of Toy Wishes Hot Dozen toys for Summer 2007. Launch date: Spring 2007. 4/6/2007 (Price: $399.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Battle Blaster Hammerhead by DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Sharks are the coolest. And sharks that shoot water? Discovery Kids’ Battle Blaster Hammerhead is an inflatable pool shark complete with a 180-degree rotating water cannon (taking “ammo” right from the pool, so no need for refueling) and puts other water toys to shame. Discovery Kids reports good pre-orders for the summer season. This thing will turn any sunny day into Jaws: dum-dum ... dum-dum-dum-dum! 3/29/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Pirate Pip Theme Ring by THE LITTLE LITTLE LITTLE TOY COMPANY

Learning to swim and being comfortable in water is an essential part of growing up. Little ³’s swim line offers fun mermaid and pirate graphics to enhance five products each with Pirate Pip and Maisey Mermaid designs for children 3 years and up. The inflatable selection includes body boards, snorkel sets and armbands. The blue Pirate Pip Theme Ring backrest is the ship’s bridge. 3/12/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

AquaStruct XXL™ Ultimate Extreme Shower Adventure Construction Set™ by AquaStruct Inc.

This 44-piece set includes an assortment of valves, tubes, hoses, caps, suction mounts and a sprayhead, as well as the AquaStruct WaveRider OceanSpray Surfboard Tub Mat and the AquaStruct TubeWave OceanSpray Shower Curtain. It is designed to help tweens create a low-flow shower adventure, and it intuitively teaches circuit logic, problem solving and resource allocation. It also saves water with AquaStruct’s 2.5 gallons per minute earth-friendly AlphaValve. Launch date: August 2007. 3/1/2007 (Price: $95.00) [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)