TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Sporting Goods & Accessories Product Category

Hop! 66 (26") by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

The Hop! 66 is made from the super strong, yet soft, latex-free vinyl material for long-lasting use and durability. It is a great exercise product for indoors and smooth, safe outdoor surfaces. It promotes children’s body coordination, balance and lymph circulation, and provides a fun workout. It has a special patented handgrip safety handle, and the maximum sustainable weight is up to 600 lbs. based on the size of the ball. The Hop! 66 is available in three sizes and inflates with a hand or foot pump.
— “We’ve had them since we opened, [and they have] great nostalgic value for adults,” Elaine Hackney, owner of Boing! JP’s Toy Shop in Jamaica Plain, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2007 about this best seller in her store. “Kids love to exercise on them.”

 1/25/2006 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hop Fantasy by TMI TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Made in Italy, Gymnic’s Hop Balls are the very best quality in hopping balls! Made from super strong, yet soft latex-free vinyl material 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 work out while hopping on the ball. Special patented handgrip safety handle. Ages 5 years and up with adult supervision.
— “Hop Balls from Toymarketing International — I think it’s just a classic kids' toy. They’ve been around forever,” said Kim Duff, manager at Giggles Toys & More in Bozeman, Mont.
— “I sell a lot of those Hop Balls … They’re fun. Kids like to hop around,” noted Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont.
— TDmonthly spoke with Jennifer Blacklock, sales and marketing representative for Toymarketing International, about why the Hop Fantasy is popular: “They’re made of heavy-duty vinyl, which makes them long lasting. They’re latex-free. They’re very durable. They have a patented handgrip. They’re made in Italy. It’s a better-made, higher quality, European-made product. It’s a phenomenal product. It’s been around for more than 25 years.” 1/25/2006 (Price: $26.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hop! 55 (22") 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) 1/25/2006 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Junk Ball Bat and Ball Set by LITTLE KIDS INC.

This exclusive ball is designed with air baffles and a Program-A-Pitch ring to adjust airflow. When hit by the 32" Sweet Spot Bat, it rises, falls, curves and floats. It is based on air-resistance technology.
— “It’s easy to learn how to throw a curve ball, slider, etc,” using this set, said Rob Slye, owner of Toys Ahoy in Barrington, R.I. His primary customers for the product are 5- to 8-year old boys.
— Kids and their parents were stocking up on all kinds of outdoor ball games, noted Laura Brauer, manager of Cloud Nine Toys in Sudbury, Mass. “It really is the season.”
— Sales for the Junk Ball Bat and Ball Set have been “unbelievable!” Kirk Bozigian, vice president of marketing for Little Kids told TDmonthly. “It’s been incredibly well received in specialty toy shops and sporting goods stores.” It sells well, he said, because “it has this magic dial that gives anybody the opportunity to throw screwballs, curveballs and knuckle balls just by adjusting the airflow through the ball.” The accompanying bat has a 6-inch sweet spot that lets kids hit far. “They really like that!” he said. New for 2006 is a Homerun Challenge Set with a bat, four balls, home plate, pitcher’s mound, six marker cones and four different ways to play. 1/12/2006 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ring Thing by CAPTAIN SMILEY TOYS

The “Ring Thing” is a new take on using juggling sticks. By replacing the center stick with hoop, the object of the game is to rotate the ring around the end of the stick, then passing it to the other stick while trying to keep the ring constantly spinning. The basics are easy, but it can become quite challenging as you try to add tricks to your routine. Add a friend or friends and you can pass the ring around to each other.

The “Ring Thing” comes packaged with 1 hoop, 2 hand sticks, and instructions 1/10/2006

2005 Upper Deck MLB First Pitch Baseball Retail Trading Cards by UPPER DECK ENTERTAINMENT

Be sure to add Upper Deck’s 2005 MLB First Pitch Baseball to your trading card collection. The assortment includes 210 regular cards, 50 ‘’Star Rookies’’, 30 ‘’Team Leaders’’ and 100 ‘’Pennant Race’’ cards. Two special subsets - ‘’Star Rookies’’ (20 cards, 1:4 packs) and ‘’Opening Day Duos’’ featuring pitcher and catcher tandems (10 cards, 1:36 packs) - round out the collection. In addition, ‘’Signature Stars’’ autographed cards (1:720) and ‘’1st Pitch’’ fabric cards (1:180) provide the chase elements. Each retail box includes 36 packs, five cards per pack. Go for the First Pitch today! 1/10/2006 (Price: $35.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

2005 Upper Deck Reflections Football Retail Trading Card Pack by UPPER DECK ENTERTAINMENT

Upper Deck’s 2005 Reflections Football release boasts 100 regular player cards along with 200 ‘'Rookie Reflections’’ subset cards, each one numbered to 899 or less! A robust assortment of terrific cards is further enhanced by some superb inserts including: ‘’Fabric Reflections’’ jersey cards (1:12 packs); ‘’Fabric Reflections Patch’’ jersey cards (numbered to 30); and Dual Signature Reflections’’ autographed cards (numbered to 70). All cards, including autographs and memorabilia, are featured on rainbow foil board! Each retail pack of 2005 Reflections Football contains four cards. Place your order today! 1/10/2006 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

2005-06 NHL Be A Player Signature Retail Pack by UPPER DECK ENTERTAINMENT

Now you can get up close and personal with your favorite pro hockey players with Upper Deck Be A Player Hockey retail trading cards! The stylish product - known for capturing hockey greats with spectacular photography - returns to the Upper Deck hockey lineup, where it earned popular acclaim years ago. Through a magnificent regular set packed with high quality photos and information, Be A Player provides in-depth profiles of the best skaters around. And that's only the beginning to this great product. You'll also find one Be A Player Signature card in every pack, on average. These can be a single (inserted 1:2 packs, on average), dual (1:10 packs, on average), triple (1:90 packs, on average) or quadruple (1:180 packs, on average) version! Low-numbered parallels and themed inserts are also randomly inserted, making Be A Player a No. 1 star! Each pack is comprised of five cards. Order your pack now! 1/10/2006 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

2005-06 Upper Deck Basketball Retail Trading Cards by UPPER DECK ENTERTAINMENT

A perfect companion for the 2005-06 NBA season, this edition of Upper Deck Basketball features the same superb photography, player selection and high quality inserts that this brand has long been known for. First to grab collectors' attention are the array of memorabilia cards (inserted 1:12 packs, on average), led by the always popular UD Game Jersey cards (inserted 1:20 packs, on average). Plus, collect Star Rookies cards (inserted 1:4 packs, on average) of top names from the 2005-06 rookie class, like No. 1 pick Andrew Bogut of Milwaukee, New Orleans' talented point guard, Chris Paul, or University of North Carolina heroes Marvin Williams (Atlanta), Sean May and Raymond Felton (Charlotte). Of course there's much more to this product, like the one special “Rookie Scrapbook” bonus card found in each retail pack on average so order your retail box (comprised of 24 packs and nine cards per pack) now! 1/10/2006 (Price: $71.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kic-Tac-Toe by MONDI INC.

KIC-TAC-TOE is a revolutionary new backyard game for all ages, combining soccer ball kicking skills with the strategies of Tic-Tac-Toe. The brand new family game, introduced by Mondi Inc. of Boylston, Mass., gives the entire family the opportunity to actively enjoy aspects of the world's most popular sport, soccer, in its own backyard. 1/9/2006 (Price: $200.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JUMP ROCKET™ by GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL

Kids simply slide the safe foam Jump Rocket onto its launching pad, jump up and land on the hemisphere-shaped air pump, and watch it blast off to a height of up to 150 feet. A new patented Thrust Booster doubles the flight distance of previous versions. It is perfect for junior astronauts and parents who want to amaze all the neighbors. It includes an air pump, launch pad and three soft foam rockets. “The Jump Rocket is a very strong product for us,” Dennis Binkley, president of Geospace International, told TDmonthly.
— “We have great flying toys. In fact, I think I’m reincarnated from a 7-year-old boy. I just love them!” raved Harriet Story, owner of Leaping Lizards! In Mineral Point, Wis. “We have great rockets.”
— “Land rockets, all the types that you pump with your foot, are good,” affirmed Markie Carlson, owner of Children’s Gift Shop in Northfield, Ill.
— Toy City in Keene, N.H., sells about 50 to 70 Jump Rockets per month, Owner Steve Levy told TDmonthly in July 2008. 1/6/2006 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

JUMPAROO™ by GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL

Forget everything you've ever heard about Pogo Stick-type toys. JUMPAROOs™ rewrite the book on this classic, high-energy play. They use the same lively jumping technology as our fantastic AIR KICKS™ anti-gravity boots: patented, exceptionally rugged rubber T-Springs that bounce an astonishing 2 feet in the air! Unlike other pogos, JUMPAROO™ is stable and easy to balance on, thanks to its wide, high-traction base. Even first timers can bounce or travel nearly indefinitely without falling off. Which means more fun and exuberant exercise! And steering is a snap: users just move the adjustable-height "joystick" in the direction they wish to travel. Non-marring base won't mark floors, so it can be used indoors and out. Three different sizes cover everyone from 4-year-olds to adults.

More Information 1/6/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Boxing Punch Stand by AMBER BOXING GEAR

This unique toy gift item includes a stand and gloves. The set is easy to assemble. It's both great fun and a learning experience for little athletes. 1/4/2006 (Price: $39.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Footbag line: Daredevil by DUNCAN TOYS

Lauching in January 2006, Daredevil is an introductory-level footbag designed with the pro in mind. It features a synthetic-suede, 5-panel body with filler made of tiny plastic pellets. The low pellet count insures a pliable footbag that works great for stalls, kicks, and dexterity moves at the lowest possible price. The Daredevil is blister-packed on a full-color card, and include the Duncan Footbag CD-ROM. These skill based toys are a great source of exercise and fun. They are priced $4.99 to $12.99. 12/29/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Road Runner: Sand-Filled Footbag by DUNCAN TOYS

The Road Runner footbag is filled with sand for perfect play control and advanced tricks. The 32-panel bag allows for consistent kicks while keeping the original shape. The Road Runner also comes with a CD-Rom which contains expert tricks, music, player profiles and more. ( Watch Video) 12/29/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spider: Sand-Filled Footbag by DUNCAN TOYS

The Spider footbag is filled with sand for better control and advanced tricks. The 6 panel synthetic leather cover provides forgiving response and suppleness. The footbag comes with a tricks CD-Rom which contains advanced moves, music, player profiles and more. 12/29/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

XING Board by INVENTIST INC

3-D-like skating is now possible! The Xing Board is a brand new design concept for skateboards. The Xing Board is the first and only board to merge the excitement of skateboarding with in-line skating. The board works by transferring side-to-side skating-like action into forward motion. To turn, simply lean in the direction you want to go. It's smooth and effortless. You can go up inclines, spin and perform other tricks. One skater said, “The Xing Board is really fast and a lot of fun, very fluid and almost 3-D like in its motions.” Another rider said, “It anticipates what you want to do. You think and you turn. It’s really easy to come up with cool new tricks!” The Xing Board was developed and patented by Inventist. The company is well known for its innovative consumer products marketed on television and consumer catalogs. Distributor inquiries are welcomed. 12/29/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lady Bug Helmet Cover by NOGIN SOX INC.

This cute Ladybug helmet cover flashes red, yellow and green LEDs, while her antennae sway gracefully above her head. Designed to fit bicycle-style helmets, Nogin Sox make wearing a protective helmet fun for kids. Nogin Sox are a creative new series of soft-foam helmet covers that easily attach to customers' protective helmets with Velcro. 12/15/2005 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Surefire Compound Bow by MONKEY BUSINESS SPORTS

The Surefire Compound Bow X2 is an accurate‚ high-performance foam bow and arrow. It features dual power cords‚ guide-wire technology and super-safe soft foam arrows. It includes one Compound Bow and four soft foam arrows. The bow can be used indoors and out.
— Sarah Evers, owner of Dancing Bears in Rochester, Minn., said that she continually runs out of stock on this popular item. “Kids always want one, but I don’t have any.” “The Compound Bow’s been a phenomenal seller for us last year and this year,” verified Tracy Mumford of Monkey Business Sports. “We have a new Surefire Crossbow 2 that features a lot of the same elements that made the Compound Bow popular, like cool design. There’s a whole new mechanism and the arrows will go over 60'.”
— Colleen Nelson, owner of Goodie Gum Drops in Burien, Wash., listed Surefire Compound Bows as a best seller in a March 2009 survey of 60 retailers, reporting sales of between 10 and 15 per month. “They are consistent sellers, and within the birthday party price range,” commented Deborah Smith of  Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va.
— Eight percent of 60 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that Monkey Business manufactures their top-selling outdoor and sports toys. ( Watch Video) 12/7/2005 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electric Baseball by MIGGLE TOYS INC

Play baseball with this electronic real-like baseball game. No need for batteries. Just plug N' Play. 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Superbowl Electric Football by MIGGLE TOYS INC

Fun for he whole family! A game of strategy and skill for men, women and children ages 8 to 88! Loved by millions since 1947, this choice football game is again, exceedingly popular. It's the only 3-dimensional hands-on game where a player is both the quarterback and the coach. With the rookie and total team control bases, offensive and defensive players can be set to run in any direction. And, these players, look just like the real "Pros" in their hand-painted official uniforms. Game comes complete with everything to play real football including a portable and colorful NFL playing field, thsi year's Super Bowl teams in their official NFL hand-painted uniforms, two "triple threat" quarterbacks that kick, run AND pass, adjustable scoreboard, magnetic first down marker, 10 yard chain and 2 goal posts. Also included is a Rule Book and a NEW PLAYER/ROOKIE instruction sheet. Feel like a "Pro" when you play in an NFL Super Bowl! Some Assembly Required. 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electric International Soccer Challenge by MIGGLE TOYS INC

Finally, a soccer game with realistic action and motions! Set up plays and kicks for goals. The goalie can defend the goal as players move the ball along. Sculpted players are hand painted in their team colors. Soccer is “world football” and this game has all the thrills and excitement to make it fun and realistic. 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electric Football by MIGGLE TOYS INC

The return of a "classic" by popular request, and updated versionof the old Tudor #620 Game. Special magnetized goal posts and down marker and all new 10 yard chain. 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Speedway portable, battery operated, Car Racing game by MIGGLE TOYS INC

Cars move themselves torward the finish line on a vibrating track. Battery operated. (Portable Size: 22 3/8" x 13 3/8") 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sweepstakes Derby portable, battery operated, Horse Racing game by MIGGLE TOYS INC

Horses move on a vibrating track to the winner's circle. Batteries are not included. (Portable Size: 22 3/8" x 13 3/8") 11/21/2005 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]