June 2009 New Specialty Toys — Sporting Goods & Accessories

"Boarding Basics" is designed as the perfect companion DVD for the award-winning Yo Baby Kick Flipper. The easy to follow DVD offers instruction on tricks such as the 180 and 360 Spin, Ollie, Peanut Flip, Caveman and lots more. It takes kids through each move, step by step, so they can follow along and learn. "It is the only step-by-step DVD that teaches kids how to do all the cool boarding tricks on a Yo Baby Kick Flipper (think 'skateboard without wheels') in the safety of their home," Bob Ellis, president of GarageCo Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 21, 2009.

Designed to combat boring kids' golf lessons, myminigolf employs obstacles the teacher can use to motivate kids in a playful way. "There is no competitor on market. myminigolf is the only product for this application," Hannes Weber, designer for defacto.GmbH, told TDmonthly. This product was a finalist of the "Golf Europe Product Award 2008."

The KaZAM provides an alternative way to learn to ride a pedaled bicycle based on the concept of balance first, pedal last. It is a training bicycle that assists children to balance, increase coordination and ultimately ride a traditional bicycle for the first time with confidence. "This customized toddler bicycle has the steering and balancing challenges of a traditional bicycle but it has no pedals, chain or training wheels. Unlike all the competitors on the market, there is no more awkwardness with where to put your feet when gliding and cruising on a run bike — the KaZAM is uniquely designed with a foot rest area thereby making the transition onto a pedaled bicycle quicker and seamless! Because of its unique patented footrest and design, KaZAM appeals instantly to children and their parents," John Lugo, partner at KaZAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 15, 2008.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
— "All colors are great,"Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.
— Glisyn Lewis Jarrells, manager of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Colo. in Blacksburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that they sell around 10 Kazam balance bikes during the warm-weather months.
— In a July 2013 survey Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly that Kazam balance bikes are her store's overall best-selling toy.

The Fuzion Spencer Hawk H4 builds on current Fuzion 4-wheel Steering Technology (FST). With four oversized cast urethane wheels and a floating axle design, the Spencer Hawk H4 offers the ultimate in road hugging, ground slicing, street carving abilities. Integrated pro rubber grips and 360° rotation are designed to allow for maximum trick potential for athletes of any caliber. "Spencer Hawk represents a new generation of participants in the action sports arena. The H2 and H4 products will shed new light on an up-and-coming genre and help exemplify the traditions and quality standards associated with the Fuzion brand and Hawk name," Darren Yuen, marketing manager for Nextsport, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

"The Fuzion Spencer Hawk H2 is the first freestyle scooter to hit the market," Darren Yuen, marketing manager at Nextsport, told TDmonthly. It has a lightweight aluminum frame and wide polymer deck, custom solid core wheel technology and one-piece alloy bars. "Driven by the performance and quality standards of Spencer Hawk and his family, the H2 and H4 were developed to provide the ultimate in next-generation scooters. With edgy new looks and superior materials, both scooters are guaranteed to outshine the average two-wheel scooter," Yuen said. Launch date: September 2009.

The goal of this patent-pending, fast-paced game is for players to swing their ring onto their hook. One to four competitors frantically try to out-duel one another while tuning out the screams to focus on the perfect release. "Hookum is the first collapsible, multi-player Bimini Ring game," Joe Parrish, chief creative officer of 5mississippi, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. Watch Hookum: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

Designed for young golf players, this journal has colorful graphics and divided sections that allow kids or teens to keep track of their goals, lessons, statistics, practice, tournaments and more. It also includes a pocket for scorecards and quotes from famous golfers throughout.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist and received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Parents may indulge their child’s imagination with this enchanting unicorn helmet cover, designed to encourage kids to wear their safety helmet. Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They are available in more than 35 animal character designs. "Tail Wags helmet covers uniquely fit over all safety helmets, thereby, making it an ideal all-year-round product," Karyn Climans, owner of Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to make it fun for kids to wear their safety helmets. They are made to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets, and come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA Finalist. Launch date: June 2009.

Tri-a-Puzzle College Edition consists of three puzzles in one. Players choose how they want to create their puzzle. Launch date: June 2009.

The Oball Stranz Football is made with yards of soft strands and may be used for any indoor or outdoor tossing activity. Just like the original Oball, it can be crushed, stomped or kicked, and it bounces right back to a perfectly formed sphere. It's an all-around ball that is designed to be soft, durable and super catchable. Launch date: August 2008.

This product offers hospital technology direct to oral appliance. It's designed to combat a growing fear of sickness, infection, and even death from antibiotic resistant germs recently found to thrive in micro-fissures and cracks in mouth guards, night guards, veneers, dentures and pacifiers. It also eliminates odors from used oral appliances. This battery operated product is portable and has an 8000-hour bulb life. "Incorporating ozone ions into the UV sanitizing process increases effective destruction of infectious germs that are harbored in and on oral appliances," Joseph Manzo, president of BRAIN-PAD, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Duncan Toys adds new spin to their juggling line by introducing the Phoenix™ Diabolo. Duncan's Phoenix is balanced and well weighted for long lasting momentum, making it accessible to beginners and performers alike. Featuring customizable shell colors and an integrated axle that converts from a fixed position to a one way bearing for easy learning and long lasting spin. Customization is tools-free with Duncan's built in hand knobs making axle and shell changes quick and easy for every player.

The Spooner is a balance trainer that simulates board maneuvers associated with surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding but not limited to that. The Spooner helps to develop flexibility and strength in the legs as well as creating a better center of balance. The Spooner is a core trainer, a stabilizer and a pasteurizer because of the ability to work the muscles closest to the spine. Also, it's loads of fun and can be done on any surface indoors or out. Made of H.D.P.E. it is unbreakable. Our guarantee is "You break it, we replace it."  Made by Hand in the USA. Launch date: 2006.
— In a March 2012 survey about outdoor toys, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Spooner Boards were among their best sellers.
— In a March 2012 survey, Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that Spoonerboards were one of her best selling ride-on toys.
— Alexander McPherson, toy supervisor at Little Dickens in Lynchburg, Va., told TDmonthly in a March 2013 survey that Spooner Boards are their best selling item - they sell about 114 each year, with sales of the item concentrated in 4th quarter.

This is a plastic, blow-molded skateboard deck only, NO WHEELS OR TRUCKS. Kids learn, practice, and get skills from balance and action sports moves indoors or out. The Yo Baby Kick Flipper is a great INDOOR sports toy. Whether it's too hot outside or the snow is coming down, children stay active and practice the fastest growing sport in the world indoors or outdoors. Parents love the product because children can learn boarding skills safely. The DVD that comes with it is mesmerizing for children and they watch it over and over hoping to master the same moves with their Yo Baby Kick Flipper.
Awards: 2007 TDmonthly Innovations Award; 2009 product of the year; 2008 preferred choice; ASTRA pick of the year; 2008 Seal of Excellence; Action Product Award ASR 2009
— “We're doing well with Yo Babys, [and] ordering a case a month,” said Connie Hoeft, owner of C R Toys in Kearney, N.E., when asked about her best-selling sports toys in spring 2009.

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009

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.

For the group that likes to have some competitive fun. Mashoonga!® Sabers by Revel King are new and unique sport toys for playing the new game of Mashoonga!. These are quality made products that will hold up to the intended abuse they will get. So, revel on!

This balance trainer can be used for both fun and serious workouts. It is designed to help develop balance, coordination and increased leg strength, while helping with core fitness. It’s may serve as a good cross trainer for a variety of sports.
— The Indo Board was a best seller for Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in February 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “We got these balance boards in for the holidays because our local ski area just began this year allowing snowboarding, and these are great training tools,” she said. “They’re definitely for older kids and adults, but were a hit for the hard-to-buy preteens around.”

Force Play capsulizes the excitement and strategy of baseball: Run or hold up? Steal or play it safe? Pitch to the slugger or walk him? While taking only five minutes to learn and 20 minutes to play, Force Play is a fast and fun way to enjoy the game of baseball indoors. "Force Play is the funnest and easiest baseball board game ever made, incorporating real play-action decisions in a fluid format that allows for three exciting innings in only 20 minutes. This game has been tested extensively on baseball players and non-baseball players alike [and] on gamers and non-gamers alike, and the consensus is the same — it's exciting, easy and launches you into the thrill of baseball immediately," Riley Drake, president and inventor of Force Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 8, 2009.

Made in the United States and available in pink, purple and green, this eco-friendly jump rope features 7' rope that's adjustable and made of 100-percent cotton, and handles made from recycled plastic. Launch date: 2009.