The sun is shining, children are home from school, and your frazzled customers are looking for things to do outside with kids — anything to keep them entertained and occupied. TDmonthly Magazine selected the products below because they're fun, but, more importantly, they'll keep kids active during the long (for parents, at least!) summer months. Check out the list, then decide if any of these high quality items are a fit for your store.
The Waboba Surf "Bounces On The Water". Softer and smaller, and easier to throw and catch than the original Waboba balls that bounce on the water, the Waboba Surf is an excellent item for the toy industry. Perfect for the beach, lake, or river. — Mike Castor, owner of Pentwater Toybox in Pentwater, Mich., told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that they sold 200 Waboba Surf balls in three months this Summer.
This walk bike helps children as young as 2 get outside and learn about balance. Lets them learn to balance by "walking" at their own pace, reducing the number of falls and scrapes. They'll be ready for a pedal bike in no time. Features adjustable seat and handlebars. Unique frame allows even young children to easily mount and dismount. Pneumatic tires and ball bearings keep it rolling smoothly. Full 2 year warranty.
No batteries, gears, or pedals - just a fun, encouraging and progressive start to bicycle riding. PlasmaBike’s unique design encourages balance, coordination and motor skill development while offering a fun ride. Children as young as 18 months can enjoy the freedom or riding without the added complication of training wheels or anxiety of having to hold their balance too long, too early. Wide wheels ensure that PlasmaBike doesn't tip over in a stopped or stationary position, giving children added confidence and promoting self-esteem. The wide wheels and limited steering range enhance balancing capabilities and provide a smoother transition to a conventional 2 wheel ride. Awards: 2012 The Toy Insider – Top Summer Toys, 2012 The National Parenting Centre – Seal of Approval, 2012 Parenting Magazine – Recommended, 2012 Creative Child Awards – Preferred Choice Award, 2011 Parenting Best in Play – New York Toy Fair, 2011 Best Toys Guide
A hand trampoline for balls: throw, catch, bounce. RAQ combines the ease of the other OgoDisks with the added power of a handle. Features the new Flux ball, with adjustable speed, for tailored fun. Bounce any ball; for summer fun, try it in the pool with water balloons. Each set includes one yellow and one OgoOrange RAQ disk with one Flux ball. EVA foam ring. Nylon-spandex membrane center.
Made of 70 denier flame retardant polyester taffeta. Has eight sturdy handles so kids can get a good grip. Parachutes clean easily with a damp cloth and mild soap; carry bag included.
Enjoy the joy of skateboarding as a family with Zippy Flyer. Zippy Flyer comes in Blue or Orange. A fun and simple way to enjoy skateboarding with the whole family the way that skateboarding got started in 70’s, when everyone rode a plastic skateboarding with the newly invented urethane wheel, a special plastic that is uniquely perfect for a skateboard. Compact design makes it easy to store or throw in a bag. A perfect option for a first skateboard or a nice addition for any skateboard collection. Fun for kids of all ages. Includes: Reinforced injection molded propylene deck with hexagonal traction grooves; 59mm soft 80A durometer wheels for smooth riding on most surfaces; high quality diecast aluminum trucks; 90A durometer trucks bushing for easy turning; trucknut safety nylon locknuts; star patter steel deck bolts for maximu, support from board to trucks; and deck/truck safety nylon locknuts.
Practice your throwing, catching and juggling skills with the multi-color Funtrix Diabolo from Eolo Sport. Includes an instructional DVD that will help kids to learn and enhance their trick skills. "Diabolo involves throwing, catching and keep spinning a double cone with the help of 2 sticks linked with a string. Originality and difficulty are the most valued features when performing tricks," Sophia Georgeo, US Domestic Sales Executive for Eolo Sport, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
Adventure BanZ improve on our Original Baby Banz by adding an embedded silicone nose and brow piece for added comfort! Baby Banz were originally designed in Australia for one of the world's toughest UV environments. Clinically tested by one of the world's leading authorities on sunglasses, Baby Banz have passed the most stringent standards on sunglasses in the world. Launch date: 2011.
Jumbo Bananagrams features 144 waterproof, three-inch square tiles packaged in a funky giant yellow banana-shaped tote bag. Requiring no pencil, paper or board, Jumbo Bananagrams is addictive fun and educational play for kids age five to 105. Players race against each other to build giant crossword grids and use all their letter tiles. Launch date: Summer 2012.
Now kids can take their A-Game everywhere with the Go Sport™ Basketball Backpack. This backpack lets kids keep their mini arena and books neatly tucked away. Has padded pocket for MP3 player and a pass-through for headphones. It includes a fabric handle that fits over a door knob so kids can hang and shoot. The included net hoop packs flat under a clear cover. When unzipped, the clear cover acts as a ball return and zips up into the backpack when not being used. Rugged build, soft padding and a built in hoop brings out the student-athlete in all of us. Includes hoop, net and 3" basketball.
Makes ice cream or slushie in only 3 minutes. There will be a whole lot of shakin' going on with the the Ice Cream Mugz from Jupiter Creations. That's because a little bit of shaking results in frozen ice cream, juice, or yogurt in just 3 minutes...a mere 180 seconds. Simply place ice cubes and regular table salt in the mug bottom and milk, chocolate milk, juice, or yogurt in the aluminum cup. Then cover and shake, shake, shake. When the salt melts the ice cubes, the resulting ice water is actually colder than the frozen ice, and when this super cold water comes in contact with the aluminum cup, the aluminum gets cold enough to freeze the liquid. The result is both a yummy frozen treat and a science lesson, too.
XaXa (pronounced "Ksa·Ksa") is designed to stimulate the senses. It's for playful, curious people, jugglers, dancers, performers – for kids of all ages. The adaptable balls invite kids to experiment and explore: Fill them with different objects to change their sound or weight and mix or match colors to get the look they like. The core of XaXa is made of shock-resistant, clear plastic that is protected by a super-elastic rubber skin. This soft skin makes the balls pleasant to touch and easy to catch. It is so stretchy and durable that the core can easily be popped out of one of the holes.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 34256 (added 5/18/2012)
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Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Justina Huddleston graduated Magna Cum Laude from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing in 2009. After graduating she was the on-site director of the Boston Children's Museum gift store for a year, selling educational, developmental, and creative activity toys that tied in with the museum's exhibits. Justina also interned at children's book publisher Candlewick Press before moving from Boston to Los Angeles, where she is now Editorial Director of TDmonthly Magazine. 
