March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Vehicles - Riding

This lightweight running bike is designed to help children gain practice in balance and control as they ride without pedals. It features a steel frame and handlebars and has Launch Pad™ footrests. The handlebar and seat height are adjustable to accommodate riders from 30" to 44" tall. Rider weight limit is 50 lbs. The bike is available in green, red, blue, yellow, orange and pink.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
— As of 7/21/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 140 review on Amazon.com.
— "We've sold 10 of the 12 [bikes]," Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer's Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly of this new product in his store in April 2010.

The Aero Racer is described by Kettler as a “Racecar engineered to scale to kids.” The design is sporty and made for speed, but the dual hand brakes and oversized anti-slip pedals are made for safety. It also comes equipped with a lever to switch to freewheel coasting, and carries a one-year manufacturer's warranty. Launch date: January 2009.

The Pocket Mod is a classic rider with a new twist — the pink decoration and streamers. Just like the other Pocket Mods, this version carries up to 170 lbs., including the rider and the storage compartment in the seat. It can travel up to 10 miles on a single charge. Launch date: Spring 2009.

This American-made, child-powered ride-on toy features an injection-molded polyethylene seat. Kids simply put their feet on the handlebars and swing the handlebars side to side with their hands to generate movement. The Flying Turtle, which comes pre-assembled, may be used both indoors and out, and holds up to 150 lbs.
— Deborah Smith, owner of Toys That Teach in Richmond, Va., listed the Flying Turtle as her best-selling ride-on toy in a March 2009 survey. “In spring and summer, [we sell] at least a dozen per month,” she said.
— Five percent of 60 retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that Mason Corporation's Flying Turtle is a best seller in their stores.
— Three of 37 retailers named the Flying Turtle when discussing best-selling ride-on toys in spring 2010. Creative Kids Inc. in Columbia, S.C., sells about three dozen annually, Owner Melodie Ingwersen told TDmonthly in March 2010.

This brightly colored trike offers kids and parents a large array of features to adjust to various situations. The durable metal body supports an adjustable seat to accommodate the growing preschooler, and the tricycle easily goes from a kid-powered pedal-along to a push trike that the parent can easily steer. Patented internal gears allow the wide, stroller-style push bar to turn the front wheel of the trike, and free-wheeling pedals allow the rider to comfortably coast while the adult pushes. 
— “Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Trike. [We sell] four per month,” Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre Inc. in Paoli, Pa., said of his best-selling ride-on toy during TDmonthly's March 2009 survey.
— Seven percent of 60 retailers listed Radio Flyer as the manufacturer of their top-selling ride-on toys in spring 2009.
— Two of 37 retailers named a trike by Radio Flyer as a top-selling ride-on in spring 2010.

This sled is available in assorted colors and measures 22” x 14” x 2”.
— Sleds from ERA Group in Canada were good sellers at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M. in late 2008. “We had some great snow over the holidays!” Owner Molly McMullin told TDmonthly.

Now more than 10 years old, PlasmaCar continues to intrigue and fascinate with millions of units sole and multiple awards in over sixty countries worldwide. Just sit, put your feet up, and turn the steering wheel to propel yourself forward up to 6 mph on any smooth, flat surface. With a maximum weight capacity of 220 lbs., even parents and grandparents have experienced a giggle by taking it for a spin. Made from state-of-the-art, high-quality ABS plastics, this kid-powered, durable, ride-on vehicle comes in a variety of colors.
— “I can't believe how many of these I sell,” remarked Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas. In a March 2009 survey, Flagg reported sales of around 20 per month.
— In spring 2009, 41 percent of 60 retailers listed PlasmaCar as a best-selling ride-on in their stores, reporting sales of a dozen per month on average.
Awards: 2012 Parents Choice Awards Recommended, 2009 Green Parents List Check Mark, 2009 DisneyFamily.com Top Action Figures and Toys for Toddlers, 2009+2008+2005 The National Parenting Centre Seal of Approval, 2008 iParenting Media Toy Award, 2008 Fat Brain Toy Award Active Play, 2006 TIA Outdoor Toy of the Year - Specialty Toy of the Year, 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, 2005 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, 2005 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products, 2005 Creative Child Seal of Excellence, 2001 International Patent Fair, Hong Kong Gold Medal

The Kettrike Happy Plus Surfer features a four-position Quik-Adjust frame, a three-in-one auto-freewheel system for pedaling, braking and coasting, limited turn-radius steering, a handlebar mounted storage bag, a dual-wheel rear handbrake, and a chrome-plated pushbar. "The Surfer trike has a lifetime warranty on the main 'D' tube frame and a five- year warranty on the paint against fading or rusting," Heather McGlothlin, national sales manager for KETTLER International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 20, 2009.

The Kettrike Happy Plus Baustelle features a four-position Quik-Adjust frame, a three-in-one auto freewheel design to pedal, brake, and coast, four-position adjustable ergonomic highback seat, limited turn-radius steering, a handlebar-mounted storage bag, an LCD fender light and a dual-wheel rear handbrake. "The Baustelle has a lifetime warranty on the main "D" Tube Frame and a five-year warranty on the paint against fading or rusting," Heather McGlothlin, national sales manager for KETTLER International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 20, 2008.

The Kettrike Alana features a four-position telescoping frame, a four-position, adjustable, high-back seat, a high carbon steel frame with a fade-resistant polyester powder coat finish, limited turn-radius steering, and a low center of gravity to help prevent tipping. It also has synthetic MaxXtread™ tires for a smooth and quiet ride. "KETTLER German-made tricycles all have a five-step paint process with an anti-rust coating. [This] allows for the tricycles to have a five-year warranty against fading or rusting," Heather McGlothlin, national sales manager for KETTLER International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This scooter features an eight-position, adjustable handlebar, a synthetic MaxXtread™ front tire for a smooth and quiet ride, EVA foam rear tires, a rear footbrake and an extra-wide footplate. Weight capacity is 100 lbs. "The KETTLER® Scooter Prinzessin comes with a lifetime warranty on the main 'd' tube frame, [and] also has a five-year warranty on the paint against fading. It is coated inside and outside with an anti-rust coating," Heather McGlothlin, national sales manager for KETTLER International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 10, 2009.

The classic scooter design is kicked up a notch with a sparking mechanism to light up the ride. Riders can step on the refillable Spark Bar while riding to blaze a trail of sparks down the roadway. Launch date: Spring 2009.

Hobby-Bike, a learning bicycle for children with a removable drive system (crank, pedals,chain, etc.), allows for two modes of operation: learning and riding. The bicycle's primary purpose in the learning mode (without drive system) is to teach young children the basic skills (balancing, braking and control) needed to ride a bicycle without the use of training wheels.  Without the pedal system it is lighter and easier for a child to maintain balance and steer. Once these skills are mastered, the drive system is fastened and the bicycle is ready for use in the riding mode. The Hobby plush toy serves as the handlebars protective padding to protect the child from direct impact with the handlebar. Available in red, blue, yellow, and pink. Comes with a comfortable saddle and pneumatic rubber tires, making rough and bumpy paths comfortable for the rider. Awards: Mom's Best Award 2010

Hobby-Bike, a learning bicycle for children with a removable drive system (crank, pedals,chain, etc.), allows for two modes of operation: learning and riding. The bicycle's primary purpose in the learning mode (without drive system) is to teach young children the basic skills (balancing, braking and control) needed to ride a bicycle without the use of training wheels.  Without the pedal system it is lighter and easier for a child to maintain balance and steer. Once these skills are mastered, the drive system is fastened and the bicycle is ready for use in the riding mode. The Hobby plush toy serves as the handlebars protective padding to protect the child from direct impact with the handlebar. Available in red, blue, yellow, and pink. Comes with a comfortable saddle and pneumatic rubber tires, making rough and bumpy paths comfortable for the rider.

This girly scooter is one of five Razor rides designed for girls, featuring shades of pink and accents including bells, handlebar streamers and flower decals. Launch date: February 2009.

This is just like the scooters the boys have, but with the Sweet Pea pink coloration and streamers. Weighing only 6 lbs., it holds a rider up to 143 lbs. Launch date: Spring 2009.

Kids can make their own eco science lab and be a planet-saving sleuth. The kit covers hygometers, humidity, air and CO2, pH monitoring, water pollutants and more through step-by-step beginner activities and later challenges that build knowledge and exercise problem-solving skills. It includes a workbench young scientists can use to organize their methods and equipment. The Eco Forensic Lab was "designed by a world-leading children's science and technology edutainer and learning specialist with many global awards and over 30 years in the field," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This 4-wheel, dual-deck carve board makes it smoother and easier to start carving up the streets. Its fun and much easier to control than older 2-wheel generation boards. The 4-80mm polyurethane wheels and ABEC-5 Bearings are smoother and stronger and rarely need to be replaced. Due to the inline wheels, the Shred Sled offers the feel of snowboarding while skateboarding. Editor's Note: Effective September 2010, the recommended retail price for the Shred Sled is reduced from $119.99 to $59.99. According to a press release, "The affordably priced Shred Sled will offer all of its original features that have proven to be a major success, including 4 x 80mm polyurethane wheels and ABEC-5 bearings."

The Toot Scoot has no pedals or training wheels. Children sit on the seat while pushing off the ground with their feet, scooting themselves and the bike forward. By first learning balance, coordination and motor skills on the Toot Scoot, children as well as parents will find the transition to a traditional two wheel bike much easier than without a Toot Scoot. Available in Red, Blue, Black, and White.