May 2011 New Specialty Toys — Sporting Goods & Accessories

Beginning T-ball set includes an easy-to-use oversize bat, 2 oversize baseballs and Tee. Adjustable height “T” adapts to a child’s developing skills. Special “hang-on-the-wall” design for easy small-space storage. Helps improve batting skills, motor skills and coordination.
— As of 05/12/2011 this product was #1 in the Toy Sports category on Amazon.com and had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 50 reviews. Cons: One reviewer said that though the minimum age is listed at 2 years, her two year old had trouble with it; the base isn't very heavy so on the grass it's not very steady; the height only adjusts by about an inch.

The Mashoonga! Cadet is a foam saber for young children. It is made of premium materials that will provide months of fun and vigorous play.  It is constructed to be safe and has a play pattern that promotes eye hand coordination, strategic skills and builds stamina.  It teaches children good sportsmanship by following rules of play and how to safely play a contact sport. It is an all season toy that can also be used in and around water play. "The Mashoonga! Cadet is a premium product made to last.  We replace it if it brakes under normal use," Jim Bogner, president of Revel King, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2010.

Sunny SleeveZ are light-as-a-feather, 50+UPF fabric sun protection sleeves. They block 98% of UVA & UVB rays. No mess. No missed spots. No Fuss. Kids can wear Sunny Sleevez with a regular short sleeve & get instant, chemical-free sun block that never has to be reapplied. Slip them on in the sun, Slide them off when you're done. They provide sun protection "that never needs to be reapplied and won't get in babies eyes and mouths," Dashiel St. Damien, founder of Sunny SleeveZ, told TDmonthly. Available in 7 sizes (baby-adult), with a wide range of colors & designs, including 3D.

Zike's new freestyle scooters are a combination of both a scooter and a bicycle. Zike is the "World's first hybrid scooter marketed directly to children that can fight childhood obesity and is fun to ride," Nathan Scolari, owner of Zike, told TDmonthly. A unique foot pumping action propels the bike forward, while relying on the balance properties of a traditional bicycle. Launch date: February 2011